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OBJECTIVE Attempt to visualize the hypopharyngeal anatomy and related structures in normal adults with ultrasound. METHODS Sonographic features of laryngopharynx were confirmed by comparable tissue sections of 6 corpses at the same level. Then, the laryngopharynx of 30 men and 30 women were examined by ult rasound and thei r sonographic images were evaluated. RESULTS In male or female volunteers, perfect visualization pattern was obtained in all (100％) pyriform sinuses, 60％ or 93.3％ postcricoid areas,66.7％ or 93.3％ posterior pharyngeal walls, 96.7％ or 100％ thyroid cartilages, 63.3％ or 93.3％ arytenoid cartilages, 70％ or 93.3％ vocal cords,and 83.3％ or 96.7％ ventricular bands. CONCLUSION The ultrasonic visualization of laryngopharynx and its related structures are satisfactory in healthy adult women. For adult men, the pyriform sinus and thyroid cartilage can be best identified while the identification of vocal cords and ventricular bands is less satisfactory. However, postcricoid region, pharyngeal posterior wall, and arytenoid cartilage are the most difficult to detect.
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Objective To analyze and summarize the sonographic features of immunoglobulin G4(IgG4)-related submandibular gland disease.Methods The retrospective analysis on the sonographic results of 22 lesions in 19 patients with IgG4-related submandibular gland disease were conducted,including submandibular gland size,shape,lesion range,internal echo,blood flow,and peripheral lymph nodes.Results The sonographic features of 22 lesions of IgG4-related submandibular gland disease were classified into localized nodule changes,diffuse nodule changes,and tumor-forming changes.The localized nodule appearance,includes 2 lesions in 2 patients,shows a hypo-echoic area with a coarse echotexture in the superficial site of the gland and rich blood flow.In the diffuse nodule appearance,includes 12 lesions in 11 patients,the gland shows an irregular net or honeycomb structure.Further,the gland shows echo enhancement,thickening,uneven,and rich blood flow with the features of multiple,variously sized hypoechoic foci and surrounding parallel echogenic foci.The tumor-forming appearance,includes 8 lesions in 7 patients,shows the decrease of echogenic heterogeneity,coarse gland texture,multiple parallel echogenicity,and rich blood flow.Conclusions Ultrasonography can be used as the preferred diagnostic method for IgG4-related submandibular gland disease.When a patient is suspected of having IgG4-related submandibular gland disease,the tissues and organs often involved in IgG4 related diseases should be further examined,meanwhile conducting ultrasound-guided biopsy.
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Objective To analyze and summarize the sonographic features of immunoglobulin G4(IgG4)-related submandibular gland disease.Methods The retrospective analysis on the sonographic results of 22 lesions in 19 patients with IgG4-related submandibular gland disease were conducted,including submandibular gland size,shape,lesion range,internal echo,blood flow,and peripheral lymph nodes.Results The sonographic features of 22 lesions of IgG4-related submandibular gland disease were classified into localized nodule changes,diffuse nodule changes,and tumor-forming changes.The localized nodule appearance,includes 2 lesions in 2 patients,shows a hypo-echoic area with a coarse echotexture in the superficial site of the gland and rich blood flow.In the diffuse nodule appearance,includes 12 lesions in 11 patients,the gland shows an irregular net or honeycomb structure.Further,the gland shows echo enhancement,thickening,uneven,and rich blood flow with the features of multiple,variously sized hypoechoic foci and surrounding parallel echogenic foci.The tumor-forming appearance,includes 8 lesions in 7 patients,shows the decrease of echogenic heterogeneity,coarse gland texture,multiple parallel echogenicity,and rich blood flow.Conclusions Ultrasonography can be used as the preferred diagnostic method for IgG4-related submandibular gland disease.When a patient is suspected of having IgG4-related submandibular gland disease,the tissues and organs often involved in IgG4 related diseases should be further examined,meanwhile conducting ultrasound-guided biopsy.
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OBJECTIVE To assess the ultrasonographic features and clinical significance of the complications of the thyroglossal cysts. METHODS We retrospectively reviewed the ultrasonographic findings in 41 cases with complications of the thyroglossal cyst, which was confirmed surgically and pathologically. 43 cases with simple thyroglossal cyst consisted of the control group. The location, size, internal echo, internal septa, wall thickness, posterior acoustic feature, boundary, vascularity, and fistulas of the lesion were analyzed and compared with the control group. RESULTS Most of the inflammatory thyroglossal cyst showed thickening walls, indistinct boundaries, posterior echo enhancement, and peripheral vascularity on ultrasound images. There were significant differences of the thickness of the cyst wall, indistinct boundary, and peripheral vascularity between the two groups. CONCLUSION The characteristic findings of thyroglossal cyst with inflammation are thickened wall, indistinct boundary, and peripheral vascularities. Ultrasonography can be useful tool in determination of the appropriate time of the operation to reduce the recurrence rate.
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Traditional medical education focus on expository teaching,rote learning,and apprenticeship training for clinical skill.Although these teaching approaches can be beneficial for imparting knowledge and clinical skill,they appear to be insufficient for team cooperation,knowledge integration,and standard training.Biomedical simulation teaching is a new method for imparting knowledge,and has achieved good results in current medical education.This paper aims to introduce the definition and characteristic of biomedical simulation,and the application and significance of biomedical simulation in ultrasound teaching are also outlined and discussed.
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Objective To evaluate quantitative parameters of contrast-enhanced transrectal ultrasonography for differential diagnosis of prostate nodules in peripheral zone.Methods Forty-seven patients suspected of prostate cancer for peripheral zone nodules on ultrasonographic imaging were enrolled in this study.Time intensity curves of contrast-enhanced ultrasound were analyzed in all patients.Results The full-width at half maximum (FWHM) of malignant lesions in peripheral zone was shorter than that of adjacent peripheral zone (47.1 s±21.1 s vs 74.2 s±29.7 s, P=0.01).The peak intensity (PI) of benign nodules in peripheral zone was lower than that of adjacent peripheral zone 11.9 dB±7.7 dB vs 17.5 dB±4.5 dB, P=0.02).Conclusions It is helpful for differentiation diagnosis of peripheral zone nodule through analyzing FWHM and PI on contrast-enhanced transrectal ultmsonography imaging.
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OBJECTIVE To assess the value and limitation of the ultrasonography in diagnosis of vocal cord paralysis(VCP).METHODS We analyzed the ultrasound images of 33 patients with VCP,which were confirmed by laryngoscope.RESULTS Among the 33 cases,30 with unilateral VCPs were shown with ultrasound,having the vocal cords with distortion(n=18)and reduced movement or immobilization(n=27),enlarged fissure of the glottis(n=19),arytenoid cartilage with reduced movement or immobilization(n=30),distended piriform sinus(n=25),and posterior cricoarytenoid muscle with increased echogenicity and decreased thickness(n=10);3 with bilateral VCPs were diagnosed in ultrasound examination,all of which had distortion of vocal cord,enlarged fissure of glottis,and reduced movement of arytenoid cartilages.Ultrasonographic appearances were correlated with laryngoscope findings,with consistency rates of 93.9% for VCPs.CONCLUSION Ultrasonography,in particular observing movement of arytenoid cartilages,could be a non-invasive and effective alternative method in diagnosis of VCP.