Clinical tissue characterization with gray level histogram width in obstetrics and gynecology

Abstract

ABSTRACTGray level histogram width (GLHW) is reproducible in various commercial real-time scanners that incorporate a histogram function. The GLHW is not influenced by changes in ultrasonic equipment device gain, sensitive time control (STC) or depth of the region of interest. GLHW is a standardized and reproducible index. High scanner contrast increases the GLHW value, but it is easily calibrated by means of a small factor. GLHW is appropriate in obstetrics for study of the placenta, fetal brain and meconium-stained fluid with significant results, and fetal lung maturity is estimated using GLHW of the fetal lung. In gynecology, ovarian masses, and endometrial hyperplasia and malignancy, can be studied using the GLHW, and a significantly larger GLHW is obtained in malignancy. The GLHW can be further applied in general medicine, including assessment of the adult liver.