Intra- and Inter-Observer Variability of Quantitative Parameters Used in Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound of Kidneys of Healthy Cats
Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) is a non-invasive imaging technique which allows qualitative and quantitative assessment of tissue perfusion. Although CEUS offers numerous advantages, a major challenge remains the variability in tissue perfusion quantification. This study aimed to assess intra-...
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MDPI AG
2022-12-01
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/12/24/3557 |
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| author | Amber Hillaert Emmelie Stock Sophie Favril Luc Duchateau Jimmy H. Saunders Katrien Vanderperren |
| author_facet | Amber Hillaert Emmelie Stock Sophie Favril Luc Duchateau Jimmy H. Saunders Katrien Vanderperren |
| author_sort | Amber Hillaert |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) is a non-invasive imaging technique which allows qualitative and quantitative assessment of tissue perfusion. Although CEUS offers numerous advantages, a major challenge remains the variability in tissue perfusion quantification. This study aimed to assess intra- and inter-observer variability for quantification of renal perfusion. Two observers with different levels of expertise performed a quantitative analysis of 36 renal CEUS studies, twice. The CEUS data were collected from 12 healthy cats at 3 different time points with a 7-day interval. The inter- and intra-observer agreement was assessed by the intraclass correlation coefficient. Within and between observers, a good agreement was demonstrated for intensity-related parameters in the cortex, medulla, and interlobular artery. For some parameters, ICC<sub>inter</sub> was considerably lower than ICC<sub>intra</sub>, mostly when the ROI encompassed the entire kidney or medulla. With the exception of time to peak (TTP) and mean transit time (mTTI), time-related and slope-related parameters showed poor agreement among observers. In conclusion, it may be advised against having the quantitative assessment of renal perfusion performed by different observers, especially if their experience levels differ. The cortical mTTI seemed to be the most appropriate parameter as it showed a favorable inter-observer agreement and inter-period agreement. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T17:24:56Z |
| format | Article |
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| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-2615 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T17:24:56Z |
| publishDate | 2022-12-01 |
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| spelling | doaj.art-677cdf8c102b4dfd9ff7ad4fe7649a1f2023-11-24T12:51:49ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152022-12-011224355710.3390/ani12243557Intra- and Inter-Observer Variability of Quantitative Parameters Used in Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound of Kidneys of Healthy CatsAmber Hillaert0Emmelie Stock1Sophie Favril2Luc Duchateau3Jimmy H. Saunders4Katrien Vanderperren5Department of Morphology, Imaging, Orthopedics, Rehabilitation and Nutrition, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, 9820 Merelbeke, BelgiumDepartment of Morphology, Imaging, Orthopedics, Rehabilitation and Nutrition, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, 9820 Merelbeke, BelgiumSmall Animal Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, 9820 Merelbeke, BelgiumDepartment of Comparative Physiology and Biometry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, 9820 Merelbeke, BelgiumDepartment of Morphology, Imaging, Orthopedics, Rehabilitation and Nutrition, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, 9820 Merelbeke, BelgiumDepartment of Morphology, Imaging, Orthopedics, Rehabilitation and Nutrition, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, 9820 Merelbeke, BelgiumContrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) is a non-invasive imaging technique which allows qualitative and quantitative assessment of tissue perfusion. Although CEUS offers numerous advantages, a major challenge remains the variability in tissue perfusion quantification. This study aimed to assess intra- and inter-observer variability for quantification of renal perfusion. Two observers with different levels of expertise performed a quantitative analysis of 36 renal CEUS studies, twice. The CEUS data were collected from 12 healthy cats at 3 different time points with a 7-day interval. The inter- and intra-observer agreement was assessed by the intraclass correlation coefficient. Within and between observers, a good agreement was demonstrated for intensity-related parameters in the cortex, medulla, and interlobular artery. For some parameters, ICC<sub>inter</sub> was considerably lower than ICC<sub>intra</sub>, mostly when the ROI encompassed the entire kidney or medulla. With the exception of time to peak (TTP) and mean transit time (mTTI), time-related and slope-related parameters showed poor agreement among observers. In conclusion, it may be advised against having the quantitative assessment of renal perfusion performed by different observers, especially if their experience levels differ. The cortical mTTI seemed to be the most appropriate parameter as it showed a favorable inter-observer agreement and inter-period agreement.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/12/24/3557contrast-enhanced ultrasoundobserver variabilitykidneycatfeline |
| spellingShingle | Amber Hillaert Emmelie Stock Sophie Favril Luc Duchateau Jimmy H. Saunders Katrien Vanderperren Intra- and Inter-Observer Variability of Quantitative Parameters Used in Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound of Kidneys of Healthy Cats Animals contrast-enhanced ultrasound observer variability kidney cat feline |
| title | Intra- and Inter-Observer Variability of Quantitative Parameters Used in Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound of Kidneys of Healthy Cats |
| title_full | Intra- and Inter-Observer Variability of Quantitative Parameters Used in Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound of Kidneys of Healthy Cats |
| title_fullStr | Intra- and Inter-Observer Variability of Quantitative Parameters Used in Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound of Kidneys of Healthy Cats |
| title_full_unstemmed | Intra- and Inter-Observer Variability of Quantitative Parameters Used in Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound of Kidneys of Healthy Cats |
| title_short | Intra- and Inter-Observer Variability of Quantitative Parameters Used in Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound of Kidneys of Healthy Cats |
| title_sort | intra and inter observer variability of quantitative parameters used in contrast enhanced ultrasound of kidneys of healthy cats |
| topic | contrast-enhanced ultrasound observer variability kidney cat feline |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/12/24/3557 |
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