Modified B-QUIET scoring of kidney images acquired by veterinary students in live canines with versus without sequential practice on ultrasound phantoms

Diane M Cheney, Andra K Voges, Nicola Ritter, Elizabeth Scallan, Kristin Chaney

Background: Ultrasound phantoms are training tools that can help students learn basic ultrasound principles. Previous studies have shown that phantom training can improve image quality and interpretation skills in human medicine, but there is limited evidence in veterinary medicine.

Study: The purpose of this study was to compare the quality of ultrasound images of kidneys in live canines acquired by veterinary students who had more phantom training sessions versus those who had less phantom training sessions.

Methods: Second- and third-year veterinary students obtained sagittal and transverse images of the left kidney of healthy, student-owned dogs using portable ultrasound machines. Images were graded on proper identification/orientation, technique, and image anatomy using a modified B-QUIET scale, a standardized ultrasound interpretation scale.

Results: There was no significant difference between the two groups of students in the overall quality of the images, except for the identification/orientation category for transverse images, where the students with more phantom training performed slightly better. Both groups performed better in sagittal than transverse images, and had difficulty in including the hilus in transverse images.

Limitations: The study had some limitations, such as the use of non-anatomical phantoms, the variability of dog breeds and sizes, the lack of demographic data for the dogs, the possible influence of peer guidance, and the sensitivity of the modified B-QUIET scale.

Conclusions: The study did not find a clear benefit of increased phantom training on the quality of ultrasound images of kidneys in live canines. Future studies may need to use more sensitive evaluation tools, more anatomical phantoms, and serial evaluation of students to assess the role of phantoms in ultrasound training in the veterinary curriculum.

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