Abstract:

Objective  To estimate reference values of sound velocity (SV) of  abdominal organs of healthy adults by sound speed correction (SSC) technology and investigate relative influencing factors. Methods  A total of 81 healthy volunteers underwent SV measurements of liver, pancreas, spleen, bilateral renal parenchyma, and renal sinus by two operators. Zone speed indexes were acquired and SV values were calculated. Normal SV reference values of organs were estimated and the correlation of age, body mass index, and SV was analyzed. Results  The difference of SV values of organs measured by two operators was not statistically significant (P>0.05). The differences of SV values between left and right lobes of liver and between renal parenchyma and renal sinus were statistically significant (P<0.05). Results of correlation analysis showed that both age and body mass index were negatively correlated with SV values of organs. Conclusion  SSC technology is expected to provide valuable information for ultrasonic diagnosis of abdominal organ diseases by quantitative assessment.

Key words: sound speed correction, sound velocity, ultrasound