Differential diagnosis of isolated calf muscle vein thrombosis and gastrocnemius hematoma by high-frequency ultrasound / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Differential diagnosis of isolated calf muscle vein thrombosis (ICMVT) and gastrocnemius hematoma is essential for early identification of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). This study aimed to investigate the diagnostic value of high-frequency color Doppler ultrasound for differential diagnosis of ICMVT and gastrocnemius hematoma.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A retrospective case series of 35 ICMVT (M:F, 21:14; mean age (64.5 ± 10.6) years) and 23 gastrocnemius hematoma (M:F, 16:7; mean age (75.4 ± 11.8) years) patients with bilateral/unilateral lower limb pain was conducted between January 2006 and September 2012. Characteristics and the morphology of high-frequency color Doppler ultrasonography of the lower limb deep vein, great saphenous vein, calf muscles, skin, and soft tissue were examined.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>ICMVT hypoechoic signals were characterized by long, tube-like masses on longitudinal sections and oval masses on transverse sections, with apparent muscle thrombosis boundaries, distal and proximal venous connections, and, often, lower limb DVT. Gastrocnemius hematoma hypoechoic signals were characterized by large volumes, enhanced posterior hematoma echo, hyperechoic muscle boundaries, no hematoma blood flow, and no DVT, and clear differences in trauma/exercise- and oral anticoagulant-induced hematomas were readily apparent. According to the measurement, the ratio of long diameter/transverse diameter (D/T) in ICMVT patients was about less than 2.0, whereas in gastrocnemius hematoma patients the ratio was more than 2.0. Early stage isoechoic and hypoechoic signals were detected with gradually increasing ovular anechoic areas. Partial muscle fibers in the hematoma due to muscle fractures were apparent.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>High-frequency color Doppler ultrasound was found to be a sensitive and reliable method for differential diagnosis of ICMVT and gastrocnemius hematoma due to trauma and exercise or prolonged oral anticoagulant use.</p>

Diagnosis of spina bifida in fetuses using tomographic ultrasound imaging: a preliminary study / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To assess the value of tomographic ultrasound imaging (TUI) in the diagnosis of spina bifida in fectuses.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Eight fetuses suspected of having spina bifida following 2-D ultrasound underwent TUI examination. The fetal spines were observed on the coronal, transverse and sagittal views to confirm the location and severity of the spinal lesions, and the ultrasound findings were compared with the pathological results.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In 6 of the 8 fetuses with spina bifida, TUI obtained clear images demonstrating the presence of the lesions, and the results of TUI diagnosis were consistent with pathological examination of the fetuses.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>TUI can clearly visualize spinal bifida in fetuses, and as a useful complementary technique to 2-D ultrasound, TUI may obviously improve the capacity of conventional ultrasound for diagnosis of fetal spina bifida.</p>