Clinical trial · Observational
Standing Position Ultrasonography: Imaging Efficacy in Detecting Liver Diaphragmatic Dome Blind Area Lesions
Study on the Imaging Efficacy of Standing Position Ultrasonography in Detecting Lesions Within the Blind Area Near the Diaphragmatic Dome of the Liver
- Source
- ClinicalTrials.gov
- Retrieved
- Sep 8, 2026
- Layer
- normalized (units and labels harmonized; values unchanged)
- Run
- ING-CLINICALTRIALS-20260908-000001
Summary
Brief summary (as posted)
Objective: To compare the detection efficacy of standing, supine, and left lateral decubitus ultrasonographic scanning for space-occupying lesions ≤3cm in the liver dome "blind area" and assess the feasibility of standing position as a routine scanning posture, providing a theoretical basis for optimizing liver ultrasound protocols. Methods: Prospectively enrolled patients (CT/MRI-confirmed liver dome lesions) admitted to our Hepatobiliary-Pancreatic Department (Feb 2024-Feb 2025). Three sonographers, blinded to other positions' results, performed scans in standing, supine, and left lateral positions. Fleiss' kappa assessed inter-sonographer agreement. An image quality scoring system (0=not visible; 1=partially visible; 2=fully visible) was used by two blinded radiologists. Baseline data (sex, age, BMI), lesion location, size, type, and liver parenchymal status (normal, fatty liver, liver damage \[diffuse disease/cirrhosis\]) were recorded. Wilcoxon test compared display scores. Subgroup analyses evaluated confounding factors. A Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE) model controlled repeated-measures bias, reporting ORs.
Conditions
Conditions (3)
Free-text conditions as registered, with the CancerIndex entity they were reconciled to and the match type.
| Condition (as posted) | Mapped entity | Match | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liver Tumours | Liver Neoplasm | ALIAS | 0.90 |
| Position | — | UNRESOLVED | — |
| Ultrasound | — | UNRESOLVED | — |
Interventions
Interventions (0)
Data not yet available
Design
Arms and outcomes
Arms (1)
- label
- Three scanning positions
- description
- Inclusion Criteria: 1. Liver dome lesions (≤3 cm) confirmed by CT/MRI (plain + enhanced) within 6 months (for multiple lesions, include the one closest to the diaphragm); 2. Superior border of lesion ≤1 cm from the diaphragm; 3. Lesion size ≤3 cm. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Inability to cooperate with three-position ultrasound examination; 2. Subcutaneous emphysema affecting ultrasound; 3. Chilaiditi syndrome (interposition of colon). Equipment: GE LOGIQ-E9 ultrasound system with C1-6-D low-frequency convex probe. Procedure: 1. Patients fasted for 2-3 hours and rested for 10-20 minutes before examination. 2. Three scanning positions : Supine: Arms raised above head, fully exposing intercostal/subcostal areas; back parallel to bed. Left Lateral Decubitus: Arms raised, fully exposed intercostal/subcostal areas; side-facing away from examiner; back perpendicular to bed. Standing: Arms raised, fully exposed intercostal/subcostal areas; upright with body axis vertical to floor.
Primary outcomes (1)
- measure
- Evaluation of Image Display Effects Under Three Body Positions
- timeFrame
- The time from discovery of the space-occupying lesion to image acquisition was less than six months
- description
- Two ultrasound physicians, each with over three years of experience, independently evaluated the visibility of space-occupying lesions in the acquired images. If their initial assessments differed, they re-evaluated the images and reached a consensus through discussion. Both physicians were blinded to the patient's scanning position during evaluation. Scoring Criteria: A three-point scoring system was used to assess the visibility of lesions near the diaphragmatic dome (refer to Figures 2.2 and 2.3 for examples): Score 2 (Fully Visible): The space-occupying lesion is clearly visualized without obscuration by gas or ribs. Margins are complete, and lesion size can be accurately measured. Score 1 (Partially Visible): The space-occupying lesion is visualized suboptimally, obscured by gas or ribs. Margins are incomplete, and lesion size cannot be accurately measured. Score 0 (Not Visible): The space-occupying lesion is completely undetectable.
Eligibility
Eligibility (as posted)
- Sex
- All
Show eligibility criteria text
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Liver dome lesions (≤3 cm) confirmed by CT/MRI (plain + enhanced) within 6 months (for multiple lesions, include the one closest to the diaphragm); 2. Superior border of lesion ≤1 cm from the diaphragm; 3. Lesion size ≤3 cm. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Inability to cooperate with three-position ultrasound examination; 2. Subcutaneous emphysema affecting ultrasound; 3. Chilaiditi syndrome (interposition of colon).
References
Publications (0)
Data not yet available