Comparison of wireless handheld ultrasound and high-end ultrasound in pediatric patients with venous malformations - First results.

Abstract

To evaluate the usefulness of handheld ultrasound in comparison with high-end ultrasound for lesion evaluation before and after sclerotherapy in pediatric patients with venous malformations (VMs). 10 pediatric patients prior to and after sclerotherapy were scanned by an experienced examiner using handheld ultrasound (Vscan AirTM) and high-end ultrasound (LOGIQ E9/E10) as reference. Patients with associated venous thromboses and intralesional aneurysms had been excluded. Results were interpreted independently by two readers in consensus. 10 patients (4-17 years; 10.0±4.32 years; female n = 6, male n = 4) with 10 VMs (4 of the head and neck region, 4 of the upper and 2 of the lower extremities) were examined. 7 phleboliths were detected. The average rating score achieved by the high-end device never was less than 4, by Vscan AirTM never less than 3. An exception was the assessment of AV fistulas. In comparison with the evaluation of variables examined, we found a significant difference between the high-end scanner and the handheld device regarding the achieved image quality. Vscan AirTM ultrasound device allows new possibilities for procedure planning and post-procedural control of pediatric patients with VMs.