Octoson imaging in pediatric urology.

Overview

Ultrasonic imaging of infants and children using an automated transducer water-path delay scanning system (Octoson) overcomes many of the technical difficulties of contact B mode ultrasound imaging and computed tomography. These disadvantages relate to small patient size, motion artifacts, hypothermia, and lack of patient cooperation. Sedation may be required for either conventional study. The automated water-path system is soothing to small children, maintains the body temperature of infants, and avoids direct transducer contact. Sedation is not necessary. Excellent resolution, shorter scan time than computed tomography, and greater flexibility of patient and transducer positioning allows much more complete imaging information. In addition, the panoramic view obtained using this modality serves to demonstrate the complete lesion and its relationship to surrounding structures.