J Korean Soc Med Ultrasound.  2003 Jun;22(2):67-72.

Technical Quality Assessment of Breast Ultrasound According to American College of Radiology (ACR) Standards

• Ko KH
• Kim EK
• Kim YA
• Son EJ
• Chung SY
• Oh KK

Abstract

PURPOSE
To evaluate the technical quality of breast ultrasound based on American College of Radiology(ACR) standards. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between March 2002 and July 2002, ninety three breast sonograms obtained from 73 institutions were evaluated based on ACR standards for the hardware, technical settings, labeling of the images and identification. RESULTS: Of 93 breast sonograms, a satisfactory compliance with all ACR standards in the performance of breast US examinations was documented in 31% while the remaining 69% did not fully meet all ACR standards. 4.3% of breast US examinations were performed with a convex transducers, and the focal zone was inappropriately positioned in 14.2%. Gray-scale gain was subjectively characterized as inappropriate in 26.9%, and the size of lesion was not measured in 7.5%. Anatomic location of lesions was inappropriately described in 9.3%. The orientation of an US tranducer was not properly labeled on any images in 33.3%. Inadequate recording of patient's information was noted in 43.3%. 50% of sonograms at University medical centers and larger general hospitals fully met all ACR standards while 36.8% at radiologic clinics and 12.1% at other private clinics met all ACR standards. CONCLUSION: Overall, 69% of breast sonograms failed to meet the quality criteria of the ACR standards. Therefore, it is essential to educate the basic technical details in performing breast US for the quality control.

MeSH Terms

Academic Medical Centers
Breast*
Compliance
Hospitals, General
Quality Control
Transducers
Ultrasonography*