Article: Axial and lateral resolution of rotational intravascular ultrasound: in vitro observations and diagnostic implications

Purpose: To determine the axial and lateral resolution of a rotating intravascular ultrasound system and the diagnostic implications for the diagnosis of early artherosclerosis.

Methods: The resolution of a 20 MHz rotating transducer was tested in a specially designed high-resolution phantom and in five aortic autopsy specimens with varying degrees of early atherosclerosis.

Results: The best lateral resolution is at the minimal distance between transducer and object. Measurements in the wire phantom showed this to be better than 0.43 mm. This is less than the axial resolution which is better than 0.13 mm. Decreasing lateral resolution with increasing distance between transducer and object is manifested by arcing and overestimation of the extent of focal atherosclerotic lesions.

Conclusion: Axial resolution is significantly better than lateral resolution. Rapid deterioration of lateral resolution affects the diagnostic ability to characterize the extent of early atherosclerosis. Eccentric positioning of the transducer tip, particularly in larger vessels, will therefore influence diagnostic accuracy in vivo.

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Axial and Lateral Resolution of Rotational Intravascular Ultrasound: in Vitro Observations and Diagnostic Implications