Ultrasound elastography in evaluation of sternocleidomastoid fibrosis after radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma / 中华超声影像学杂志

Objective To investigate the feasibility and clinical value of ultrasound elastography in assessment of sternocleidomastoid fibrosis in patients after radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma . Methods Forty‐five patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma after radiotherapy ( study group) and 52 healthy volunteers ( control group ) underwent ultrasound elastography . Bilateral sternocleidomastoid elasticity score , thickness , width , resistance index ( RI ) , and pulsatility index ( PI ) were analyzed and compared . Results The sternocleidomastoid elastography in study group was mainly blue ,and that in control group was mainly green . The difference of sternocleidomastoid elasticity score ,width ,and thickness was significant between study group and control group ( P 0 .05) . Conclusions Ultrasound elastography could be effectively and noninvasively used for evaluating the sternocleidomastoid fibrosis in patients after radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma . It has a potential clinical value in the grading and classification of fibrosis .

The value of ultrasonography in the diagnosis of piriformis syndrome / 中华超声影像学杂志

Objective To discuss the diagnostic value of ultrasonography in piriformis syndrome . Methods Ultrasonography was performed in thirty‐eight patients with unilateral piriformis syndrome and forty healthy volunteers . The morphological structures and the internal echoes of their bilateral piriformises and sciatic nerves were observed and their thicknesses were measured . These parameters of the patients and voluteers were recorded and compared . Results The ultrasonographic images of piriformis and sciatic nerve of the healthy voluteers showed no abnormal change . The thickness difference of their bilateral piriformises and sciatic nerves had no statistical significance ( P > 0 .05 ) . The ultrasonography image of the morphological structure and the internal echo of the sick side piriformis and sciatic nerve of the patients with piriformis syndrome showed a change ,that the sick side piriformis was significantly thicker than the healthy side piriformis [(25 .74 ± 3 .12) mm vs (22 .48 ± 2 .60) mm , P 0 .05) . Conclusions Ultrasonography can show piriformis and sciatic nerve clearly . The ultrasonographic images and the thickness difference of the bilateral piriformises is helpful to diagnose piriformis syndrome ,and can provide more informations for clinic .