EP01.16: Caliper: new tool for ultrasound measuring in obstetrics and gynecology

The role of ultrasound in obstetrics and gynecology is indisputable, however the resources about how to determine the largest diameter of the structures we want to measure most objectively are poor. The standardisation of the examinations and measuring processes could help in which planes which diameters should be measured, thereby the accuracy, reproducibility and comparability could increase. Currently, ultrasound devices can measure the distance between two points, which can be placed subjectively on the image by the examiner, therefore the measurements can be subjective, too. Moving two parallel lines instead of points to the edge of the object results in more precise measurement. Following this theory our aim was to use the principles of real life caliper, during the measurements done by ultrasound. Seven examiners performed various measurements (CRL, BPD, uterine septum length) in the “traditional” way and using our recommended caliper on pre-recorded ultrasound images. For the study, a software was developed for computers, which offered every recording twice, randomly for the examiners to measure. Object of interest was measured by traditional two-points and new caliper methods. Data of 60 measurements were analysed (30 images, repeated for two times). Based on our results, the difference could be observed between the two methods, between the results obtained by different investigators or in the intraobserver comparison was not significant (>0.05). The method we proposed in this study was as precise as the “traditional” way. The initial results are encouraging, as this was the first time our examiners used the caliper, so we can assume that the accuracy of the measurement can be increased by obtaining a proper routine. In the near future it may be rewarding to conduct further investigations with more cases or more investigators.