Design and validation of a 3D virtual reality desktop system for sonographic length and volume measurements in early pregnancy evaluation

ABSTRACT Purpose To design and validate a desktop virtual reality (VR) system, for presentation and assessment of volumetric data, based on commercially off‐the‐shelf hardware as an alternative to a fully immersive CAVE‐like I‐Space VR system. Methods We designed a desktop VR system, using a three‐dimensional (3D) monitor and a six degrees‐of‐freedom tracking system. A personal computer uses the V‐Scope (Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands) volume‐rendering application, developed for the I‐Space, to create a hologram of volumetric data. Inter‐ and intraobserver reliability for crown‐rump length and embryonic volume measurements are investigated using Bland‐Altman plots and intraclass correlation coefficients. Time required for the measurements was recorded. Results Comparing the I‐Space and the desktop VR system, the mean difference for crown‐rump length is −0.34% (limits of agreement −2.58–1.89, ±2.24%) and for embryonic volume −0.92% (limits of agreement −6.97–5.13, ±6.05%). Intra‐ and interobserver intraclass correlation coefficients of the desktop VR system were all >0.99. Measurement times were longer on the desktop VR system compared with the I‐Space, but the differences were not statistically significant. Conclusions A user‐friendly desktop VR system can be put together using commercially off‐the‐shelf hardware at an acceptable price. This system provides a valid and reliable method for embryonic length and volume measurements and can be used in clinical practice. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 43:164–170, 2015;