ULTRA-SOUND IMAGING
POSTERIOR SEGMENT OF THE EYE
The B Scan has a history of being a very versatile instrument for the Clinician to look into the back of the Eye or the Posterior segment - It is the,back two thirds of the Eye and consists of the vitreous, retina, optic nerve and choroid. If the posterior segment is difficult to view due to Cataract, Vitreous haemorrhage & Retinal tear/detachment etc., the B Scan is the equipment of choice to evaluate the structures. The Ultrasound waves are able to bypass the dense pathology that may be obstructing a clear view into the eye.
The EchoVue is also capable of visualising the orbit and eye muscles, and to rule out ocular inflammation. It can additionally offer measurement tools assisting in calculating the size of the choroidal nevi or freckles in the eye.
Now there is a plethora of equipment with new technologies to look into the back of the eye, but the Ultrasound B Scan still has unique applications that can provide easy, effective and economical diagnostic information.It has withstood the test of time!
It has withstood the test of time!
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SUPERB IMAGING & VERSITALITY
This ultrasound imaging modality has been in the toolbox of the Ophthalmic Clinician since many decades. However the improvements in image quality, resolution, hardware and software have expanded its use in today’s Retinal Clinics. These improvements add important information to the diagnostic interpretation at the Vitreous/Retina interface, Ocular wall and Orbit. Though Optical Coherence Tomography is capable of a high quality study of the organization of the retinal layers, there are applications in the study of the vitreoretinal interface that is best done with the ultrasound B Scan.
Using the EchoVue to examine the ocular wall, clinicians can easily differentiate the Retina, Choroid and scleral layers. Though the Ultrasound was initially used for scanning opaque media, the EchoVue now fills in a much bigger task of identifying crucial structures of the ocular wall and movements vital to the diagnosis of pathologies.
The EchoVue with its new generation 10 MHz probe generates images of exceptional quality and resolution allowing for improved visualization and diagnosis.
Dr Yale Fischer MD observes - “The criteria required for interpretation of B-scan ultrasonography remains unchanged: real-time imaging, grey scale interpretation, and 3D thinking. Each adds on an essential element to the ultrasound evaluation.The most difficult to master is 3D thinking, which requires real-time mental assembly of the cross-sectional images to recreate a topographic map of the globe and orbit
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HIGHLIGHTS
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Image/video snapped and stored in real time in multiple buffer slots for immediate comparison and review
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Multiple TGC options for operator’s preference including vitreous-enhanced mode
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Editable clinical report with A-scan/IOL results, B-scan images, and textual comments with configurable entries
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Reports in PDF format for sharing and print-out
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Compatibility with graph/text printer
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Diverse connections via HDMI and USB2.0 ports
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HDMI interface for double-screen showcase
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DICOM3.0 protocol available via USB2.0 port
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Massive storage capacity for over 20,000 scans
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Optional A Scan Biometry is also available
GALLERY OF B-SCAN IMAGES
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UBM – Ultrasound Biomicroscopy
This feature is used with a 50 MHz Ultrasound Probe, an add on console which is hooked up with the EchoVue.
Ultrasound frequency range of 50MHz is used in conducting Ultrasound Biomicroscopy. This term is used because of its similarities to Optical Biomicroscopy – i.e., observation of living tissues at microscopic resolution.
The essential component blocks of the UBM are identical to those of the B mode imaging system except that the operating frequency range if different.
The piezoelectric high frequency Probe is central to the UBM system. The technique of eye examination using the UBM is similar to B scan examination of the anterior segment. A fluid immersion technique is required to provide an adequate standoff from the structures being examined. Silicone cups of adequate sizes are available, to suit the cornea of the patient to conduct the fluid immersion examination.
UBM increases the measurement accuracy of the structures of the anterior segment, because of the shorter wavelength allows for finer positioning of endpoints and the exact measurement position can be defined more precisely.
SIGNIFICANT APPLICATIONS AND DIAGNOSTIC VALUE OF THE UBM
CORNEA
A cross section of the central anterior chamber may help the clinician to differentiate the layers - the epithelium, corneal stroma, bowman’s membrane & nuances of the corneal scleral junction.
ANTERIOR CHAMBER
The anterior chamber depth (ACD) is easily measured – axial or from any point of the endothelial surface for an improved definition of the profile.Also the cross section of the Angle region. The corneal scleral junction & scleral spur can be distinguished. These structures are important in maintaining orientation in the angle region.
The ability of the UBM to measure the cross section of the angle structures with sufficient resolution is a good quantitative method of angle assessment.Other structures which are well defined by the UBM are the Iris, Ciliary body, Zonules etc.
MEASURING OCULAR STRUCTURES
Ultrasound Biomicroscopy improves the ability to accurately measure the ocular structures. It has an axial resolution 5 to 10times that of that of conventional 10MHz ultrasound. Because of the large number of ocular structures that can be imaged, it is useful to define a number of measurement parameters that can be used for future comparison between normal & pathological eyes
OCULAR DISEASES
The EchoVue UBM is suitable for examination of several Ocular diseases that fall within the penetration limits of this technique – Glaucoma, Pupillary Block, Plateau Iris Syndrome etc.
Importantly EchoVue is a useful adjunct in the management of Anterior Segment tumours & even small lesions.
GALLERY OF UBM IMAGES
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