{"title":"Assessing the Potential for Error in Investigating Intraneural Vascularity: A Need for a Standardized Imaging Protocol.","authors":"Buwen Yao, Kevin D Evans, Shawn C Roll","doi":"10.1177/87564793231193396","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study examined the implementation of a Doppler sonography imaging protocol to assess intraneural blood flow, within the median nerve, in healthy individuals.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>A total of 176 participants were examined, and this involved 717 retrospective observations of the images collected. The implemented imaging protocol was assessed, and the data that were collected were cleaned and checked for fidelity and validity.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A large percentage of missing evidence (11%-35%) across proximal, mid, and distal carpal tunnel locations. Only a quarter of cases with evidence of intraneural blood flow had the strongest evidence of a power Doppler video clip, of which only three-quarters were valid. The study identified potential areas for improving the imaging protocol to reduce missing data and improve data quality.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study demonstrates the significance of a standardized imaging protocol to guide the sonographic acquisition of Doppler images and provides important insights into potential issues with data quality. The recommendations have the potential to help future studies assess intraneural blood flow in healthy populations in a more rigorous and reliable way. Incorporating the study's recommendations into a standardized protocol, there is potential to enhance the diagnostic accuracy of carpal tunnel syndrome and improve diagnosis and treatment.</p>","PeriodicalId":45758,"journal":{"name":"JOURNAL OF DIAGNOSTIC MEDICAL SONOGRAPHY","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.3000,"publicationDate":"2023-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10701715/pdf/","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"JOURNAL OF DIAGNOSTIC MEDICAL SONOGRAPHY","FirstCategoryId":"1085","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1177/87564793231193396","RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":null,"ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q4","JCRName":"RADIOLOGY, NUCLEAR MEDICINE & MEDICAL IMAGING","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Objective: This study examined the implementation of a Doppler sonography imaging protocol to assess intraneural blood flow, within the median nerve, in healthy individuals.
Materials and methods: A total of 176 participants were examined, and this involved 717 retrospective observations of the images collected. The implemented imaging protocol was assessed, and the data that were collected were cleaned and checked for fidelity and validity.
Results: A large percentage of missing evidence (11%-35%) across proximal, mid, and distal carpal tunnel locations. Only a quarter of cases with evidence of intraneural blood flow had the strongest evidence of a power Doppler video clip, of which only three-quarters were valid. The study identified potential areas for improving the imaging protocol to reduce missing data and improve data quality.
Conclusion: This study demonstrates the significance of a standardized imaging protocol to guide the sonographic acquisition of Doppler images and provides important insights into potential issues with data quality. The recommendations have the potential to help future studies assess intraneural blood flow in healthy populations in a more rigorous and reliable way. Incorporating the study's recommendations into a standardized protocol, there is potential to enhance the diagnostic accuracy of carpal tunnel syndrome and improve diagnosis and treatment.
期刊介绍:
The Journal of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JDMS) is the official journal of the Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography and publishes peer-reviewed manuscripts aimed at the translational use of ultrasound for diagnosis, intervention, and other clinical applications. The JDMS provides research, clinical, and educational content for all specialties including but not limited to abdominal, women’s health, pediatric, cardiovascular, and musculoskeletal sonography. The journal’s scope may also include research on instrumentation, physics, ergonomics, technical advancements, education, and professional issues in the field of sonography. Types of submissions accepted by the JDMS are Original Research, Literature Review, Case Studies, Symposia (related to education, policy, technology, or professional issues), and Letters to the Editor.