Naslov
Implementation of quality assurance programme in diagnostic breast imaging ultrasound equipment at University hospital Rijeka

Autori
Diklić, Ana ; Valković Zujić, Petra ; Žauhar, Gordana ; Grubešić, Tiana ; Jurković, Slaven

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Sažeci sa skupova, sažetak, znanstveni

Izvornik
Proceedings 7th AAMPM / Hršak, Hrvoje ; Budanec, Mirjana - Zagreb, 2016

Skup
7th Alpe-Adria Medical Physics Meeting

Mjesto i datum
Zagreb, Hrvatska, 19.05.2016. - 21.05.2016

Vrsta sudjelovanja
Predavanje

Vrsta recenzije
Međunarodna recenzija

Ključne riječi
quality assurance; diagnostic ultrasound; breast imaging

Sažetak
Advancements in the field of diagnostic ultrasound have led to increased use of this modality in many clinical applications, especially in breast imaging. The goal of each and every diagnostic modality used for breast imaging is the detection of malignant lesions at an early stage. It is worth noting that different modalities used for breast imaging (mammography, ultrasound, MRI) are rather complement not the substitute. With high frequency ultrasound probes, breast cancers as small as 2mm should be detectable, expediting ultrasound -guided biopsy and pre-operative diagnosis. As with any modality, an increase in use is accompanied by an increased need for performance testing in order to ensure the repeatability and accuracy of the results. In order to achieve these goals, ultrasound equipment should be optimized and subjected to Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) programme in order to maintain optimal performance and avoid misdiagnosis. Factors determing the image quality of the breast sonography unit are spatial resolution, contrast resolution, image quality in the near filed, reduction of noise and artefact. Several recommendations for implementing quality assurance in diagnostic ultrasound have been published [1] although no international consensus about a common quality assurance protocol has been reached. Therefore, quality control is often not stressed enough nor performed. In our hospital a comprehensive implementation of QA in mammography has been established several years ago. Encouraged by the results of such implementation [2], we decided to extend our field of work to diagnostic ultrasound, non-ionizing imaging modality which is routinely used in breast imaging. QA protocol for sonography specifies the exact model of phantom, and also gives detailed instructions on how to score the resulting images. The quality assurance tests we have chosen are easy to implement and evaluate. The phantom used is GAMMEX RMI 403 GS manufactured by Radiation Measurements, Inc. Middleton, Wisconsin. Testing procedures are described for physical and mechanical inspection, image uniformity, geometric accuracy, system sensitivity, dead zone, spatial resolution, grey scale evaluation and fidelity of image display. Although ultrasound QA guidelines exists for over 35 years, the implementation of QA has been inconsistent [3]. In breast imaging, ultrasound was primarily used to distinguish cystic from solid masses and it was not specific enough in differentiating benign from malignant solid breast masses. Today, clinical requirements for breast ultrasound have expanded, giving it the leading role in breast with dense parenchyma [4]. The ability to detect microcalcification clusters has become increasingly valuable avoiding the stereotactic biopsy which is invasive, technically demanding and time consuming [5]. Therefore, implementing quality assurance in breast imaging ultrasound has even greater value.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Fizika, Temeljne medicinske znanosti

POVEZANOST RADA