A Comparison of Sonographic Image Quality between the Examinations using Gel and Olive Oil, as Sound Media
Suchaya Luewan MD*, Kasemsri Srisupundit MD*, Theera Tongsong MD*
Affiliation : * Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai
Objective : To compare the quality of real-time sonographic images obtained from the examinations using two
different sound media, ultrasound gel and olive oil
Materials and Methods : A randomized controlled trial was conducted on the study population recruited from
the routine ultrasound service with written informed consent. Each patient underwent scan using both ultra-
sound gel and olive oil as sound media, but only one media at a time. During each patient examination, the
first type of sound media was randomly used and then followed by the other media. The sonographic images of
the same plane were recorded as video clips for each type of sound media. The quality of images were blindly
evaluated by one experienced sonographer, and the quality of ultrasound images was rated as 0 (very poor),
1 (poor), 2 (fair), and 3 (good), respectively.
Results : Of 346 cases (692 video clips), the image quality scores in ultrasound gel group and olive oil group
were poor, fair, and good quality in 7, 182, and 157 and 9, 190, and 147 cases, respectively. The difference of
quality scores between both groups was not statistically significant. (Chi square test; p = 0.687).
Conclusion : The quality of images obtained from the scan using olive oil is similar to that using ultrasound
gel. Therefore, the olive oil may be used as alternative sound media for ultrasound examination. Furthermore,
it could possibly be a preferred media because of its lower cost, pleasant smell, and it facility of cleaning.
Keywords : Olive oil, Ultrasound gel, Sound media
