Klinische Neurophysiologie 2014; 45 - P68
DOI: 10.1055/s-0034-1371281

Speckle tracking for third ventricle pulsation detection and quantification

C Laza 1, M Kaps 2, F Roessler 2
  • 1University Emergency Hospital, Neurology Department, Bucharest, Rumänien
  • 2Universitätsklinikum Gießen und Marburg, Neurology Department, Gießen, Deutschland

Background:

“Speckle tracking” is a new quantification software that allows to measure and to monitor the movement of two selected points (speckles), individually and relative to one another. We applied this technique in order to study the pulsation of the third ventricle and to evaluate the diagnostic potential of this new technique.

Method:

We recorded video loops in cross sectional insonation planes of the third ventricle by means of a transcranial B-mode imaging device (Philips iu22, sectional S5 – 1 probe). Advanced Quantification Software (Philips QLAB – CMQ Free Deformation function) was used to analyze movement patterns for the duration of 10 heart cycles. We enrolled ten healthy volunteers aged 25 – 35, sex ratio 1:1. For each subject we captured 5 transcranial sonographic videos of the third ventricle, with a time duration equal to 10 heart cycles. Using QLAB we analyzed, for each video, 3 pairs of speckle tracking points of the third ventricle. Using Microsoft Excel software for statistical analysis and graphic representation we computed the median value, 25th & 75th percentiles, maximal and minimal values of the percentage of deformation of the third ventricle for every subject, as well as for the two gender groups.

Results:

We established an inter-examiner correlation coefficient of > 0.95. We obtained a median value for the percentage of third ventricle deformation of 5.0% (IQR: 3.6% – 7.3%) for all examined subjects, with a higher variability in women, for which the median value was 4.6% (IQR: 3.1% – 8.2%) compared to men, for which the median value was 5.1% (IQR: 4.1% – 6.6%) (p < 0.01).

Conclusion:

Speckle tracking allows to reliably quantify movement pattern of brain B-mode structures such as the third ventricle. The pulsations of the third ventricle are synchronous with the heart cycle and are individually highly variable as well as between different subjects. The high inter-examiner correlation coefficient is highly valuable, making it possible for this method to be standardized.