Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42602471›Full record

ArticleJournal of ultrasonography2026

Photopic (tint) ultrasound in musculoskeletal radiology - a pilot visual-grading/acceptability study.

Sarah Lim, Hasaam Uldin, Neel Raja, Ankit Shah, Christopher Speers, Rajesh Botchu

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Journal of ultrasonography, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Sarah LimDepartment of Radiology, University Hospital Southampton,United Kingdom.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2981-8140
Hasaam UldinDepartment of Musculoskeletal Radiology, The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital,United Kingdom.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7060-211X
Neel RajaDepartment of Radiology, Leicester Royal Infirmary,United Kingdom.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0006-8135-8160
Ankit ShahDepartment of Radiology, Eclat Imaging Centre, Mumbai, India.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0007-5501-1849
Christopher SpeersSports and Exercise Medicine, Oxford Sports and Exercise Medicine, The Priory Medical Centre,United Kingdom.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5178-6515
Rajesh BotchuDepartment of Musculoskeletal Radiology, The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital,United Kingdom.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7998-2980

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background: While grayscale ultrasound is the standard in musculoskeletal imaging, photopic imaging, where the entire image is colorized, may enhance visual perception by leveraging human color discrimination. Despite its theoretical benefits, its clinical value remains underexplored. Objective: To assess the perceived interpretability/helpfulness, image quality, and visual appeal of photopic (tint) ultrasound imaging compared to conventional grayscale (B-mode) imaging in musculoskeletal radiology. Methods: A retrospective analysis reviewed 20 musculoskeletal cases sequentially collected from two centers. B-mode images were recolored using various tints on Siemens Acuson S2000 and GE Logiq Fortis equipment. Two final-year residents specializing in musculoskeletal radiology independently rated image quality, visual appeal, and diagnostic value on a 5-point Likert scale. Inter-rater agreement was assessed using Cohen's Kappa. Results: Tint images received consistently high scores, with a minimum rating of 4 across all categories. The images were rated a mean score of 4 for quality, visual appeal, and diagnostic value by both readers. Median and mode scores were 4 or 5 in all subcategories. High inter-rater reliability (Cohen's Kappa: 0.8) indicated strong agreement between reviewers. Conclusion: Photopic ultrasound imaging demonstrates high image quality, visual appeal, and perceived interpretability/helpfulness in musculoskeletal applications. The technique shows promise as a complementary tool to grayscale imaging, with potential benefits in teaching as well as clinical interpretation, particularly for trainees. Further research with larger cohorts and experienced radiologists is warranted.

Indexed as

colorimage interpretationmusculoskeletal systemradiologyultrasonography

Identifiers

PMID42602471
PMCPMC13474027

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.