Efficacy of Lauromacrogol Injection for Ablation of Benign Predominantly Cystic Thyroid Nodules and Related Factors: A Prospective Study

Objective@#To prospectively evaluate the efficacy of lauromacrogol injection for ablation (LIA) of benign predominantly cystic thyroid nodules and its related factors. @*Materials and Methods@#A total of 142 benign predominantly cystic thyroid nodules (median volume, 12.5 mL; range, 0.4– 156 mL) in 137 patients (male:female sex ratio, 36:101; mean age ± standard deviation [SD], 49 ± 13 years) were treated with LIA after being confirmed as benign via cytology. The volume reduction rate (VRR) of the nodules and cosmetic score were evaluated during follow-up at 1, 3, and 6 months after treatment and every 6 months thereafter. A VRR of ≥ 50% at the 12-month follow-up was considered to indicate effective treatment. The associations between the clinical factors and nodular ultrasound features, including the initial nodule volume, proportion of solid components, vascularity grade and ineffective treatment (VRR of < 50% at the 12-month follow-up), and regrowth were analyzed. @*Results@#All patients completed follow-up for at least 12 months. The average ± SD follow-up period was 32 ± 11 months (range, 12–54 months). The effective treatment rate was 73.2% (104/142), while the regrowth rate was 12.0% (17/142) at the last follow-up. Grade 2–3 intranodular vascularity in the solid components of the nodules was the only independent factor associated with ineffective treatment, with an odds ratio (reference category, grade 0–1) of 3.054 (95% confidence interval, 1.148–8.127) (p = 0.025). @*Conclusion@#LIA is an effective treatment for predominantly cystic thyroid nodules. Grade 2–3 intranodular vascularity in the solid components of nodules is the only independent risk factor for ineffective LIA.

The ultrasound and endocrine profile and their correlations in obese and non-obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome / 中华医学超声杂志（电子版）

Objective To study the different ultrasonic features in patients of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) with or without obesity based on body mass index (BMI), and to investigate whether certain hormonal factors correlate with ovarian morphology and blood flow, and to discuss the role of ultrasound combined with hormone test in the diagnosis of obese PCOS. Methods One hundred and five women with PCOS were recruited. Patients were divided into two groups according to BMI;obese PCOS group (OB-PCOS, n=32, BMI≥25 kg/m2) and non-obese PCOS (NOB-PCOS, n=73, BMI<25 kg/m2). The ultrasonic parameters of follicle number (FN), ovarian volume (Vol), resistance index (RI) of ovarian stromal blood, RI of uterine artery and serum levels of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), the ratio of luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone (LH/FSH), progesterone (P), estradiol (E2), free testosterone (FT), prolactin (PRL), sex hormoe binding globulin (SHBG), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), fasting insulin (FINS), the extent of insulin resistance and hyperandrogenism (HOMA-IR) were measured and compared. The correlation of the ultrasonic parameters and hormonal factors were analyzed. Results The Vol of OB-PCOS group was significantly higher than NOB-PCOS group [(12.25±4.89) ml vs (10.73±2.30) ml, t=2.20, P < 0.05]. FN and uterine artery RI of OB-PCOS group had a rising trend and RI of ovarian interstitial was on a reducing trend compared with NOB-PCOS group. But the differences were not statistically significant. The levels of FINS and HOMA-IR in OB-PCOS group [(14.82±6.45) mU/L and (3.91±3.30)] were significantly higher than those in NOB-PCOS group [(8.04±4.57) mU/L and (1.64±1.20)] (t=4.87, 3.47, respectively, both P < 0.01). And FSH in NOB-PCOS group was significantly higher than OB-PCOS group [(5.95±1.91) U/L vs (4.65±1.88) U/L, t=-2.77, P<0.01]. In POCS patients, FN was significantly associated with LH/FSH (r=0.35, P<0.01), and FT (r=0.38, P<0.01). Vol was significantly associated with LH/FSH, BMI, HOMA-IR and FPG (r=0.27, P<0.05;r=0.25, P<0.05;r=0.40, P<0.01;r=0.32, P<0.01). RI of ovarian stromal blood flow was significantly associated with SHBG (r=0.28, P<0.05). In OB-POCS group, RI of uterine artery was significantly associated with PRL (r=-0.58, P < 0.05). Vol was significantly associated with HOMA-IR (r=0.47, P < 0.05). In NOB-POCS group, FN was significantly associated with LH/FSH (r=0.33, P<0.05), and FT (r=0. 56, P<0.05). Vol was significantly associated with FT (r=0.31, P < 0.05). Conclusion There are some differences in the ultrasound and endocrine parameters between obese and non-obese PCOS patients, and some correlations exist between them.

Accuracy of physical examination, ultrasonography, and magnetic resonance imaging in predicting response to neo-adjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Accurate evaluation of response following chemotherapy treatment is essential for surgical decision making in patients with breast cancer. Modalities that have been used to monitor response to neo-adjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) include physical examination (PE), ultrasound (US), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of PE, US, and MRI in predicting the response to NAC in patients with breast cancer.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>According to the response evaluation criteria in solid tumors guidelines, the largest unidimensional measurement of the tumor diameter evaluated by PE, US, and MRI before and after NAC was classified into four grades, including clinical complete response, clinical partial response, clinical progressive disease, clinical stable disease, and compared with the final histopathological examination.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Of the 64 patients who received NAC, the pathologic complete response (pCR) was shown in 13 of 64 patients (20%). The sensitivity of PE, US, and MRI in predicting the major pathologic response was 73%, 75%, and 80%, respectively, and the specificity was 45%, 50%, and 50% respectively. For predicting a pCR, the sensitivity of PE, US, and MRI was 46%, 46%, and 39%, respectively, and the specificity was 65%, 98%, and 92% respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Compared with final pathologic findings, all these three clinical and imaging modalities tended to obviously underestimate the pCR rate. A more appropriate, universal, and practical standard by clinical and imaging modalities in predicting the response to neo-adjuvant chemotherapy in vivo is essential.</p>

Exploration of standardized vascular ultrasound training in China / 中华医学超声杂志（电子版）

Objective To explore standardized continuing vascular ultrasound training in China.Methods Data of current ultrasound practitioner education levels in the secondary and tertiary hospitals were collected.Under the direction of the Chinese Ultrasound Doctor Association (CUDA),Vascular Ultrasound Guidelines were introduced.The CUDA Steering Committee for Standardized Vascular Ultrasound Training and Vascular Ultrasound Training Centers were established.Results The questionnaires were received from 182 ultrasound departments of 57 secondary hospitals and 125 tertiary hospitals.The proportion of ultrasound practitioners who obtained a university degree was significantly higher in the ultrasound departments of tertiary hospitals than that in the secondary hospitals (75.18% vs 52.63%).The proportion of ultrasound practitioners who only received short-term ultrasound training and did not have tertiary education was significantly higher in the ultrasound departments of secondary hospitals than that in the tertiary hospitals (8.31% vs 1.03%).The directors of ultrasound departments in both secondary and tertiary hospitals believed that ultrasound practitioners should at least have a university diploma and preferably have a university degree.The CUDA and the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) co-hosted two standardized vascular ultrasound training seminars and the first Registered Physician in Vascular Interpretation (RPVI) credential examination in Beijing.A well-known vascular ultrasound reference book,Introduction to Vascular Ultrasound was translated from English into Chinese and published in September 2008.The CUDA Vascular Ultrasound Guidelines were drafted by 12 vascular ultrasound experts from China,U.S.and Australia,which were widely discussed and passed by the CUDA Standing Committee.The guidelines have been published in the Chinese Journal of Ultrasonography and on the website of CUDA (www.cuda.org.cn).The CUDA has signed a publishing contract with a medical press to publish the guideline booklet.The CUDA Steering Committee for the Standardized Vascular Ultrasound Training was established which includes 24 domestic and foreign experts.The CUDA Standardized Vascular Ultrasound Training Centers were awarded to 12 hospitals,which were selected,trained and assessed by the CUDA from 35 candidates.Each center is expected to undertake one to two standardized vascular ultrasound training courses each year.Conclusion Continuing education of vascular ultrasound introduced by CUDA has been accepted positively by a portion of Chinese doctors with ultrasound major.

Blood perfusion of the contralateral testis evaluated with contrast-enhanced ultrasound in rabbits with unilateral testicular torsion / 亚洲男科学杂志(英文版)

The changes of blood perfusion of contralateral testis after unilateral testicular torsion remain controversial. In this study, 28 New Zealand white male rabbits were randomly divided into five groups. Group A (n = 8), the control group, underwent a sham operation on the unilateral testis without inducing testicular torsion. In groups B, C, and D (n = 5 each), unilateral testicular torsion was induced, and, after 3, 6 or 24 h, respectively, detorsion was performed. In group E (n = 5), permanent unilateral testicular torsion was applied. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound was used to observe the blood perfusion of the contralateral testis at the following stages: pre-torsion (preopration), immediately post-torsion (postopration), pre-detorsion, immediately post-detorsion, and late-stage post-detorsion (6-12 h post-detorsion in groups B-D) or at a similar time point (15-21 h post-torsion in group E). Time-intensity curves were generated, and the following parameters were derived and analyzed: arrival time, time to peak intensity, peak intensity, and half-time of the descending peak intensity. The analysis revealed that blood perfusion of the contralateral testis increased immediately after testicular torsion on the opposite side (P < 0.05), which increased with prolonged testicular torsion of the other testis. This research demonstrated that contrast-enhanced ultrasound was valuable in evaluating blood perfusion of the contralateral testis after unilateral testicular torsion.

Application of intraoperative ultrasound in living donor liver transplantation / 上海第二医科大学学报

Objective To investigate the application value of intraoperative ultrasound (IOUS) in living donor liver transplantation(LDLT). Methods In LDLT, IOUS techniques (gray scale ultrasound and color Doppler flow imaging) were adopted in 26 donors and recipients for parenchymal and vascular examinations. The abnormal sonograms were observed, and the anatomic findings of hepatic veins were recorded. All the reanastomosed blood vessels were examined by gray scale ultrasound and color Doppler flow imaging before the operations were completed. Results A hepatic parenchymatous tumor was revealed by IOUS in one donor. Besides, middle hepatic veins in 13 donors and secondary hepatic veins with diameter﹥0.5 cm in 5 donors were confirmed by IOUS. Furthermore, one operation procedure was changed and one hepatic artery stenosis was established according to IOUS findings. Conclusion IOUS is a very useful means in evaluation of parenchymal and vascular conditions of donors and recipients in LDLT, which helps to select the best cross section and provides evidence for the change of surgical procedures.

Value of transabdominal ultrasonography in preoperative assessment of gastric carcinoma / 中华胃肠外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the value of transabdominal ultrasonography (TAUS) in preoperative assessment of TNM stage and tumor angiogenesis for patients with gastric carcinoma.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty- four patients with gastric carcinoma preoperatively underwent TAUS, in whom transabdominal color Doppler ultrasonography was used for measuring color Doppler vascularity index (CDVI) of each tumor in 37 cases and microvessel density (MVD) was evaluated by using immunohistochemical staining of surgical specimens with anti- CD34 antibody.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The overall accuracy rate was 56.0% for T staging of gastric carcinoma (T (1) 2/3 cases, T (2) 28.6% , T (3) 73.1% , T (4) 50.0% , respectively) by TAUS. The diagnostic accuracy rate was 63.3% for lymph node status of gastric carcinoma. The diagnostic sensitivity and specificity for lymph node metastasis was 37.9% and 100% respectively. The overall accuracy for N staging of gastric carcinoma was 57.1% (N (0) 100% , N (1) 16.7% , N (2) 35.3% , respectively). The diagnostic sensitivity and specificity for determining distant metastases was 58.3% and 100% respectively. The CDVI of gastric carcinoma determined by color Doppler ultrasonography was significantly correlated to vascular invasion (P=0.0418), a linear correlation between CDVI and MVD was determined by logistic regression analysis (r=0.5628, P< 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>TAUS can be a routine diagnostic approach for preoperative gastric carcinoma patients.</p>