Homemade, low-cost ultrasound phantoms for ultrasound-guided procedures: a survey-based comparative analysis

There is growing demand for ultrasound-based minimally invasive procedures, such as biopsy, aspiration, and tube drain. Homemade ultrasound (US) phantoms provide a simple, low-cost method for training young radiology residents. We aimed to compare and finally prescribe low-cost recipes of a US phantom model utilizing available ingredients, providing homogenous images and is stable in our hot, humid weather.

Five recipes with different ingredients and concentrations were used during five workshops. All participants were asked to fill out a survey assessing the stability, visibility of targets, homogeneity, and persistence of air-filled tracks. Solid and cyst-like targets were used for training and were included in the survey.

Our findings demonstrate that model 3 (1 cup of gelatin powder per 2 cups of cornflower) and model 5 (7 tablespoons of gelatin powder per 4 tablespoons of mucil) yielded the best phantoms in terms of stability and visibility of targets. Model 5 provided the best homogeneity (no layering), but it was the most expensive. Animal tissue within US phantoms was not suitable for recurrent use after 24 h.

Gelatin-based homemade US phantom models were useful in training young radiologists. The best mixture was gelatin and mucil (in a 7:4 ratio), followed by gelatin and cornflower (in a 1:2 ratio).