The reproducibility of measuring maximum abdominal aortic aneurysm diameter from ultrasound images

Abstract Background Accurate repeat assessment of the diameter an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is important. This study investigated reproducibility different methods measuring AAA from ultrasound images. Methods Fifty patients were assessed by ultrasound. Maximum was measured independently three trained observers on two separate occasions using a standardised protocol. Five diameters each scan, in anterior–posterior (AP) and transverse (TV) plane, including inner-to-inner (ITI), outer-to-outer (OTO) leading edge-to-leading edge (LETLE). Intra- inter-observer reported as coefficients. Statistical comparison performed linear mixed effects models. Results Intra-observer coefficients (AP LETLE 2.2 mm; AP ITI 2.4 OTO 2.6 mm) smaller than 4.6 mm: 4.5; 4.8 mm). There no statistically significant difference intra-observer types measurements plane. Measurements obtained TV plane had worse those Conclusions suggests that maximum between images most reproducibly single observer