Clinical utility of 140-degree scan angle wide-view ultrasound for comprehensive liver and spleen imaging

TL;DR

A 140-degree wide-view ultrasound improves liver and spleen imaging compared to standard scans, offering better visualization and accuracy.

Contribution

Demonstrates that wide-view ultrasound with a 140° scan angle enhances liver and spleen imaging in clinical practice.

Findings

Wide-view US achieved higher visualization scores (VIS-A) for liver imaging compared to routine-view US.

Wide-view US showed better coverage of liver segments and clearer visualization of the right diaphragm.

Spleen size measurements with wide-view US correlated more closely with CT/MR results than routine-view US.

Abstract

Abdominal ultrasound (US) is widely used but often limited by restricted field of view. This study aimed to evaluate hepatic and splenic visualization using wide-view US with a 140° scan angle compared with the routine-view technique in patients undergoing abdominal US.

In this retrospective study, 258 patients who underwent scheduled abdominal US were included. Each patient received two scans, routine view (70°) and wide view (140°), performed by two experienced radiologists. Two readers independently assigned LI-RADS visualization scores (VIS-A, no or minimal limitations; VIS-B, moderate limitations; and VIS-C, severe limitations) and assessed whether the left lateral segment tip, segment VI tip, and right diaphragm were clearly visualized. Spleen length was measured on both US scans and, when available, on CT or MR images obtained within one year. Proportions were compared using the McNemar test, and agreement of spleen size between US and CT/MR was assessed using the concordance correlation coefficient.

Wide-view US yielded a higher proportion of visualization score VIS-A than routine-view imaging for both readers (81.0–86.8% vs. 67.4–71.7%; P < 0.001). Coverage of the left lateral segment tip (96.9–98.4% vs 67.8–77.5%) and segment VI tip (89.5–97.3% vs 75.6–84.1%) was also higher on wide view (P < .001). The right diaphragm was more clearly visualized on wide view (89.1–94.6% vs 59.7–69.8%; P < .001). Agreement of spleen size with CT/MR was higher for wide-view than routine-view imaging (0.831 vs 0.772).

Wide-view US significantly improved hepatic visualization and spleen measurement accuracy, enabling more comprehensive evaluation.

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