At the Forefront of Elite MSK Ultrasound with the Aplio i800 / Prism Edition

Aaron Fleming is a Senior Sonographer at Qscan Radiology’s Red Hill Clinic in Brisbane, Australia – a leading diagnostic medical imaging and interventional practice that provides the imaging for numerous professional sporting teams and organizations as well as the general public. Aaron has a particular interest in MSK ultrasound that has evolved from an unparalleled passion for sport – a product of his upbringing in country NSW. One of the first specialists to scan with the new Aplio i-series / Prism Edition ultrasound system from Canon Medical, Aaron explained to VISIONS how the advanced new features and improved ergonomics enhance the scanning experience and facilitate greater accuracy in ultrasound diagnoses.

Striking additions

Aaron presented on his initial experiences of the Aplio i-series / Prism Edition at its global launch at the 2021 Australasian Sonographers Association (ASA) Conference in Brisbane, Australia, as well as at the Singapore Radiological Society and College of Radiologists.

“Scanning with the Aplio i800 / Prism Edition was a fantastic experience,” he remarked. “First and foremost, the image quality is the main strength. It allows improved visualization of anatomy and pathology and, therefore, improved diagnostic accuracy.

Some of the cases scanned and images obtained during my experience with the machine are testament to the quality of the system.”
In addition, there are a number of really smart new features that improve the overall scanning experience. Some highly advanced new technologies, the customizable control panel and interface, the electric lift button and the increased versatility of the transducers were all striking additions to the new Aplio i-series / Prism Edition.

iBeam+ technology on the new Aplio i-series / Prism Edition emits, receives and processes ultrasound with up to four times faster image processing. The improved bandwidth and processing power of the iBeam+ beamformer results in images with better penetration and detail resolution, so more can be seen without having to switch to a lower frequency transducer.

Aplio's innovative Full Focus function enables clear, uniform images from near to far field without the need for tedious focus adjustments. With fewer application steps and greater uniformity, this can be particularly useful for a number of examinations.

Next-generation Superb Micro-vascular Imaging (SMI) capability on the Prism Edition is further enhanced to provide a higher frame rate, leading to better visualization and less clutter. Doppler luminance also produces an aesthetically pleasing image.

Advantages of the Prism Edition for MSK

‘From an MSK point of view, I think this system can help challenge and even overturn the notion that MRI is the gold standard for MSK imaging,’ Aaron says. Ultrasound offers many benefits over MRI such as availability, cost and superior spatial resolution to name but a few. Tendon and especially nerve assessment with ultrasound can trump MRI. Furthermore, ultrasound can be used for screening checks and in the rehab and progress of various injuries providing invaluable prognostic information and up-to-date return to play estimates for the team that oversees the care and treatment of professional and amateur athletes.

“There are a number of new, really smart features that improve image quality as well as the scanning experience.”

Versatile transducers

“The Prism Edition’s transducers are very versatile. The matrix probes all produced fantastic images and you could have quite easily performed the same scan with a number of different probes with no loss in scanning confidence.”

For Clinical Case 1 – Aaron used a High Frequency 24 MHz (i24LX8) linear matrix transducer, to demonstrate an intact Flexor Digitorum Profundus (FDP) and Flexor Digitorum Superficialis (FDS) tendons of the second finger. However, there were changes to the echogenicity of the adjacent lumbrical muscle. The muscle appeared enlarged and heterogenous with anechoic areas consistent with fluid. Increased vascularity was detected with SMI using Doppler luminance. These findings are consistent with a partial tear of the first lumbrical muscle of the hand – an unusual occurrence.

In another case, Clinical Case 3, the Aplio i800 / Prism Edition's 22 MHz High Frequency Hockey Stick transducer (i22LH8) was used to scan the thumb of an elite AFLW player – whose thumb was injured in a contest. A full thick- ness tear of the RCL and an avulsion fracture of the first metacarpal joint were visualized. Ultrasound findings also suggested a partial thickness tear of the UCL with no Stener lesion.

Canon Medical provides two high-frequency hockey sticks from 17 to 22 MHz with the Aplio i800 / Prism Edition. Both hockey sticks have a very fine footprint that allows easy access for imaging superficial areas in hard- to-reach anatomical places. ‘The interventional radiologists were also big fans of the hockey stick transducers.’
Scan the QR-code or click here to view the presentation sou

Qscan
Qscan Radiology Clinics is a comprehensive Diagnostic Medical Imaging & Interventional practice with subspecialty trained Radiologists, and highly trained clinical and support staff across multiple clinics in South-East Queensland and additional Qscan Group partner clinics elsewhere in Australia.

Qscan Radiology has a team of Radiologists who are highly experienced in sport imaging. https://www.qscan.com.au

Better ergonomics

Ergonomics are an important aspect of scanning for any sonographer.

Aaron found that the electric lift button as a sit/stand sonographer improved this aspect tremendously.

He also found the Aplio i800 / Prism Edition was very customizable which added benefits not just to ergonomics but in flattening the learning curve inherent in adjusting to a new machine.

“Similar to previous models, you have control over the setup of the control panel and interface. Therefore, there is next to no lag time in adjusting to a new machine,” he said. “Furthermore, the additions to previous models are all very intuitive, so it was very easy-to- use, and the learning curve was very smooth.”

“New, highly advanced technologies, the customizable control panel and interface, the electric lift button are all striking features to the versatility of the Aplio i-series / Prism Edition.”

Biography
Aaron Fleming is a Senior Sonographer at Qscan Radiology Red Hill Clinic, in Queensland, Australia – a leading diagnostic medical imaging and interventional practice with a high level of expertise in sport imaging. Aaron has a particular interest in MSK that has evolved from his passion for sport.

He graduated from radiography at Newcastle University in 2009 and completed a post-graduate diploma in Medical Ultrasound at Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, Australia, in 2013.

Vast possibilities

With some prior knowledge of the Aplio i-series, Aaron was not really surprised by the image quality of the latest Aplio i800 / Prism Edition, however he was impressed with the further improvements to the already strong features of previous Aplio systems.

“It’s exciting to think of where this could lead,” he said. “The potential possibilities are vast and really positive for ultrasound. Some of the AI components of the new Aplio system are a really exciting prospect. I didn’t get to use a lot of these in this instance, but AI is something that I think sonographers and radiology should really embrace.” //
Scan the QR code or click HERE to watch Canon Medical's video about the Aplio i-series / Prism Edition! sou