Tien Hy Bui MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Josee Dubois MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Marie Lambert MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Chantale Lapierre MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Guy Cloutier, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Gilles P. Soulez MD, Presenter: Speaker, Bracco Group Speaker, Siemens AG Research grant, Siemens AG Research grant, Bracco Group Research grant, Cook Group Incorporated Research grant, Object Research Systems Inc

To evaluate the reproducibility of carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) measurements in a pediatric population using B-mode acquisition-based software (M'Ath) and RF signal echo-tracking-based software (Esaote).

This study was conducted in a cohort of 117 patients (between 8 and 10 years old). All patients had consecutive and independent IMT measurements of the right and left carotid taken three consecutive times in a blinded fashion by two observers using both softwares. For each carotid and software, only the measurement with the lowest SD value was kept for statistical analysis. IMT values were compared between observers and softwares using inter-observer and inter-software intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC).

The mean IMT values obtained by both observers in RF signal echo-tracking-based software (0.482±0.080 mm (right carotid) and 0.484±0.088 mm (left carotid)) were lower than those obtained in B-mode acquisition-based software (0.574±0.062 mm (right carotid) and 0.577±0.061 mm (left carotid)), and this was found to be statistically significant (p<0.0001). In addition, lower ICCs were observed in RF echo-tracking-based software (0.462 for the right carotid and 0.389 for the left) when compared to B-mode acquisition-based software (0.515 and 0.747 respectively).

RF signal echo-tracking-based software provides lower IMT measurements and seems to be less reproducible when compared to B-mode acquisition-based software measurements in a pediatric population.

IMT measurements can be an early predictor of cardiovascular morbidity in high-risk pediatric patients. Validation of IMT techniques in this population is necessary to use it as a surrogate endpoint.

Bui, T, Dubois, J, Lambert, M, Lapierre, C, Cloutier, G, Soulez, G, A Comparative Study on the Reproducibility of Carotid Intima-Media Thickness Measurements in a Pediatric Population Using Two Commercially Available Softwares.  Radiological Society of North America 2011 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 26 - December 2, 2011 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2011/11015558.html