Abstract
Objective
To utilise image score‐based criteria for second‐trimester fetal biometry as an educational tool to improve biometry quality.
Methods
Five sonographers regularly performing obstetric ultrasound examinations were recruited for this study. Biometry images were collected from fifteen second‐trimester examinations for each sonographer prior to participating in a biometry education session, and another set of biometry images were collected from fifteen second‐trimester examinations following the education session. The education session was a one‐hour presentation that explained image score‐based criteria to evaluate and grade the quality of the bi‐parietal diameter (BPD), head circumference (HC), abdominal circumference (AC), femur length (FL) and humeral length (HL) biometry parameters. Each of the five sonographers performed a total of 30 examinations (15 pre‐ and 15 post‐education session). From these examinations, a total of 150 images were collected for each biometry parameter (75 pre‐ and 75 post‐education). A total of 600 biometry images were evaluated. Images from both the pre‐ and post‐education session were assessed by an obstetrician sonologist using the same image score‐based criteria. Pre‐ and post‐image scores were compared using paired t‐tests.
Results
Improvement in the mean image scores for all biometry parameters was observed after the education session. The difference between pre‐ and post‐education image quality scores was significant for the AC (P = 0.01), FL (P = 0.002) and for the overall score (P = 0.001).
Conclusion
Implementing an image score‐based criteria evaluation technique is a simple and useful method to improve fetal biometry precision.
To utilise image score‐based criteria for second‐trimester fetal biometry as an educational tool to improve biometry quality.
Methods
Five sonographers regularly performing obstetric ultrasound examinations were recruited for this study. Biometry images were collected from fifteen second‐trimester examinations for each sonographer prior to participating in a biometry education session, and another set of biometry images were collected from fifteen second‐trimester examinations following the education session. The education session was a one‐hour presentation that explained image score‐based criteria to evaluate and grade the quality of the bi‐parietal diameter (BPD), head circumference (HC), abdominal circumference (AC), femur length (FL) and humeral length (HL) biometry parameters. Each of the five sonographers performed a total of 30 examinations (15 pre‐ and 15 post‐education session). From these examinations, a total of 150 images were collected for each biometry parameter (75 pre‐ and 75 post‐education). A total of 600 biometry images were evaluated. Images from both the pre‐ and post‐education session were assessed by an obstetrician sonologist using the same image score‐based criteria. Pre‐ and post‐image scores were compared using paired t‐tests.
Results
Improvement in the mean image scores for all biometry parameters was observed after the education session. The difference between pre‐ and post‐education image quality scores was significant for the AC (P = 0.01), FL (P = 0.002) and for the overall score (P = 0.001).
Conclusion
Implementing an image score‐based criteria evaluation technique is a simple and useful method to improve fetal biometry precision.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 156-160 |
| Number of pages | 5 |
| Journal | Australasian Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine |
| Volume | 21 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Aug 2018 |