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Presentation of colour flow maps of the peripheral circulation
I R Green1, N J Dudley, N Gravill
1Department of Medical Physics and Computing, St Georges Hospital, Lincoln, UK.
Insights
Continuous wave Doppler ultrasound offers a non-invasive method for assessing lower limb arterial plaques. A new system integrates anatomical images with blood flow data, proving comparable to arteriography for diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Vascular Ultrasound
- Medical Imaging
- Arterial Disease Assessment
Background:
- Continuous wave Doppler ultrasound is standard for lower limb arterial assessment.
- Arteriography, while effective, carries risks and complications.
- Colour flow mapping offers non-invasive plaque detection but lacks permanent anatomical context.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop an integrated ultrasound system for lower limb arterial assessment.
- To combine anatomical imaging with blood velocity spectra.
- To overcome limitations of current non-invasive techniques compared to arteriography.
Main Methods:
- Development of a system to present whole limb segment images with blood velocity spectra.
- Manual and automated (computer software) image processing.
- Comparison of ultrasound-based composite images with arteriography.
Main Results:
- The developed technique provides composite images integrating anatomical detail, blood flow, and velocity spectra.
- Ultrasound-based images demonstrated diagnostic value comparable to arteriography.
- The system enhances ease of interpretation for arterial plaque assessment.
Conclusions:
- The integrated ultrasound system offers a valuable non-invasive alternative to arteriography for lower limb arterial assessment.
- This technique provides comprehensive data for improved diagnostic interpretation.
- Further research will identify patient groups suitable for avoiding diagnostic arteriography.
Abstract:
The use of continuous wave Doppler ultrasound for lower limb arterial assessment is a well established technique in most district hospitals. Patients found to have disturbances in blood flow attributable to arterial plaques are often referred for arteriographic visualization of the disease with its inherent risks and complications. The availability of colour flow mapping on modern ultrasound scanners provides a non-invasive way of detecting the size and extent of these plaques and, in some institutions, is replacing arteriography. One possible disadvantage of the use of colour flow mapping is that it does not provide a permanent record showing the relationship of the plaques to the patient's gross anatomy in the same way as arteriography. This may limit the acceptability of this technique. At Lincoln work was undertaken to develop a system for presenting images of a whole segment of a limb simultaneously along with the associated blood velocity spectrum. This was performed first by hand and then a suite of computer software was developed to automate the process. Comparisons were made between the ultrasound based images and arteriography, showing the techniques to be of similar diagnostic value. The technique provides composite images showing anatomical detail, blood flow and velocity spectra for ease of interpretation. Further studies will be undertaken in order to define patient groups where diagnostic arteriography can be avoided.