ABSTRACT
Objective:To explore the pathological mechanism of SN hyperechogenicity by investigating the characteristics of substantia nigra (SN) hyperechogenicity on transcranial sonography (TCS) and serum iron metabolism parameters in the postural instability gait difficulty and tremor dominant subtypes of Parkinson′s disease (PD), and the correlation between them.Methods:A total of 155 PD patients recruited in Parkinson′s Disease Specialty in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University from January 2019 to December 2021 were divided into postural instability gait difficulty group( n=95) and tremor dominant group( n=60). Meanwhile, 49 healthy gender- and age-matched healthy individuals who sought for physical examination during the same period were included as the control group. All subjects underwent TCS and blood test, and the echo of SN between the postural instability gait difficulty group and tremor dominant group, serum iron metabolism parameters among the three groups were compared. The postural instability gait difficulty group and tremor dominant group were subdivided into with SN hyperechogenicity (SN+ )subgroup and without SN hyperechogenicity (SN-) subgroup respectively according to TCS results, and the differences in serum iron metabolism parameters between the subgroups were further compared. The association between SN hyperechogenicity and serum iron metabolism parameters of the postural instability gait difficulty group and tremor dominant group were further analyzed. Results:The total area of bilateral SN+ , the area of SN+ on the larger side, and the ratio of the total area of SN+ to the midbrain area (S/M) in postural instability gait difficulty group were larger than those in tremor dominant group (all P<0.001). The value of serum ceruloplasmin and transferrin in both postural instability gait difficulty group and tremor dominant group were lower than those in control group (all P<0.001), and compared with tremor dominant group and control group, the postural instability gait difficulty group had lower serum ferritin(all P<0.01). In both postural instability gait difficulty group and tremor dominant group, serum ceruloplasmin in SN+ subgroup was lower than that in SN-subgroup ( P=0.001, 0.032). Moreover, there was a negative correlation between serum transferrin and the area of SN hyperechogenicity in two subgroups(postural instability gait difficulty group: rs=-0.454, P<0.001; tremor dominant group: rs=-0.494, P<0.001). Conclusions:Compared with the tremor dominant patients, the postural instability gait difficulty patients have larger area of SN hyperechogenicity and lower serum ferritin level. The area of SN hyperechogenicity is significantly negatively correlated with serum transferrin level, indicating that the production of this imaging characteristics is related to iron metabolism.
ABSTRACT
Objective@#To discuss the neuroimaging characteristics of transcranial ultrasound in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) with restless legs syndrome.@*Methods@#Transcranial sonography (TCS) was performed in ESRD with restless legs syndrome (RLS+ group, n=41), ESRD without restless legs syndrome (RLS- group, n=57) and control group (n=47), who were enrolled in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University from January 2017 to December 2018. The differences of the neuroimaging characteristics of TCS in substantia nigra (SN), brainstem raphe (BR) and red nucleus(RN) among the three groups were analyzed.@*Results@#The rate of SN hypoechogenicity was significantly higher in RLS+ group (36.6%, 15/41) than that in RLS- group (19.3%, 11/57) and control group(8.5%, 4/47) (χ2=10.6, P<0.05). The rate of abnormal BR echogenicity was significantly higher in RLS+ group (34.1%, 14/41) and RLS- group (29.8%, 17/57) than that in control group(10.6%, 5/47) (χ2=7.7, P<0.05). The rate of RN hyperechogenicity was significantly higher in RLS+ group (51.2%, 21/41) than that in RLS- group (21.1%, 12/57) and control group (10.6%, 5/47) (χ2=19.8, P<0.05). Between RLS+ and RLS- groups, when SN, BR and RN were all of positive performance, the accuracy of diagnosing RLS+ reached 70% (7/10).@*Conclusions@#The echogenicity changes of SN, BR and RN on TCS could provide valuable neuroimaging information for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of ESRD with restless legs syndrome.
ABSTRACT
Objective To discuss the neuroimaging characteristics of transcranial ultrasound in end‐stage renal disease ( ESRD ) with restless legs syndrome . Methods T ranscranial sonography ( TCS ) was performed in ESRD with restless legs syndrome ( RLS + group , n ＝ 41 ) ,ESRD without restless legs syndrome ( RLS － group , n ＝57) and control group ( n ＝47) ,w ho were enrolled in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University from January 2017 to December 2018 . T he differences of the neuroimaging characteristics of TCS in substantia nigra ( SN ) ,brainstem raphe ( BR) and red nucleus ( RN ) among the three groups were analyzed . Results T he rate of SN hypoechogenicity was significantly higher in RLS +group ( 36 .6% ,15/41) than that in RLS － group ( 19 .3% ,11/57) and control group( 8 .5% ,4/47) ( χ2 ＝10 .6 ,P＜0 .05) . T he rate of abnormal BR echogenicity was significantly higher in RLS + group ( 34 .1% , 14/41) and RLS － group ( 29 .8% ,17/57) than that in control group( 10 .6% ,5/47) ( χ2 ＝7 .7 , P ＜0 .05) . T he rate of RN hyperechogenicity was significantly higher in RLS + group ( 51 .2% ,21/41 ) than that in RLS － group ( 21 .1% ,12/57) and control group ( 10 .6% ,5/47) ( χ2 ＝19 .8 , P ＜0 .05 ) . Between RLS+and RLS － groups ,when SN ,BR and RN were all of positive performance ,the accuracy of diagnosing RLS+ reached 70% ( 7/10 ) . Conclusions The echogenicity changes of SN ,BR and RN on TCS could provide valuable neuroimaging information for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of ESRD with restless legs syndrome .
ABSTRACT
Objective To discuss the neuroimaging characteristics of transcranial ultrasound in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients with or without depression.Methods Transcranial sonography (TCS) was performed in PD patients with depression (PDD +,n =50),PD patients without depression (PDD-,n =50),depression patients (D,n =50) and healthy controls (n =50),who were enrolled in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University from September 2010 to July 2016.The differences of the neuroimaging characteristics of TCS in brainstem raphe (BR) and substantia nigra (SN) in four groups were analyzed.According to the degree of depression,PDD + and D groups were divided into three subgroups:mild,moderate and severe depression,and the differences of echo characteristics in BR were analyzed among the subgroups.Results The rate of abnormal BR echogenicity was significantly higher in PDD + (78.0％,39/50) and D (82.0％,41/50) groups than that in PDD-(18.0％,9/50) and healthy control (10.0％,5/50) groups (x2 =87.80,P ＜0.01),and there was no statistically significant difference among the subgroups (PDD + group,P =0.98;D group,P =0.57).The rate of SN hyperechogenicity was significantly higher in PDD + (80.0％,40/50) and PDD-(86.0％,43/50) groups than that in D (8.0％,4/50) and healthy control (10.0％,5/50) groups (x2 =110.07,P＜ 0.01).Conclusion The echogenicity changes of BR and SN on TCS could provide some useful neuroimaging information for the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of PDD-from PDD +.
ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the substantia nigra (SN) and brainstem raphe (BR) echogenic features of Parkinson's disease (PD) patients with musculoskeletal pain.Methods A total of 115 PD patients recruited in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University from October 2014 to May 2016 were assessed with the following rating scales:Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS),Hoehn and Yahr Staging Scale (H/Y),Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD),Beck Depression Inventory Ⅱ (BDI-Ⅱ) and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS).All the subjects underwent transcranial sonography during the clinical evaluation.And the patients were divided into PD with musculoskeletal pain (n =54) and PD without musculoskeletal pain (n =61) groups,or PD with depression(n =74) and PD without depression(n =41) groups.Results Compared with PD patients without pain,PD patients with musculoskeletal pain had higher scores of UPDRS-Ⅱ,-Ⅲ,HRSD,BDI,NMSQ and H/Y (UPDRS-Ⅱ score:12.56 ±6.01 vs 8.79 ±4.38,t =-3.801,P ＜0.01;UPDRS-Ⅲ score:24.43 ± 12.43 vs 20.07 ± 11.12,t=-1.986,P=0.049;HRSD score:11.65-±6.94 vs 8.38-±5.36,t=-2.844,P=0.005;BDI score:14.09 ±6.20 vs 9.74 ±6.00,t =-3.826,P ＜0.01;NMSQ score:8.57 ± 4.06 vs 5.60 ± 3.38,t=4.193,P＜0.01;H/Y:2.0(1.5,2.6) vs 1.5(1.0,2.0),Z=-3.011,P=0.003).Positive BR was more frequent in depressed than in non-depressed PD patients without pain (63.6％ vs 14.3％;x2 =15.25,P ＜0.01).Positive BR was positively associated with sex(r =0.228,P =0.014),age(r =0.184,P =0.049),disease duration (r =0.196,P =0.035),and depression (r =0.396,P ＜ 0.01).However,positive BR did not correlate with musculoskeletal pain.No correlation was found between positive SN and clinical characteristics of PD patients.Conclusions PD patients with musculoskeletal pain have worse activity of daily living,more severe motor symptoms,more non-motor symptoms,and are more depressed.SN and BR echogenecity do not correlate with musculoskeletal pain,however,hypoechogenic or interrupted BR is associated with depression in PD patients.
ABSTRACT
Objective To analyze the values of anteroposterior diameter (APD) in fetal renal pelvis separation during different gestational weeks and in predicting the prognosis.Methods Totally 182 cases of fetal renal pelvis separation in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University were enrolled in this study between January 2013 and October 2015.All of them were followed up to 12 months after birth.The detecting gestational weeks of non-reversible renal hydronephrosis and values of fetal renal pelvis APD were analyzed.Results Among the 182 cases of fetal renal separation,46 cases were detected in the second trimester,136 cases were detected in the third trimester (bilateral renal pelvis separation occurred in 92 cases).During the follow-up,114 cases recovered in the fetal period and 52 cases recovered within 12 months after birth,finally,16 cases (8.8％,16/182) of them progressed to non-reversible renal hydronephrosis.Among the 16 fetus of non-reversible renal hydronephrosis,10 cases (62.5％,10/16) were detected in the second trimester,their values of APD were 7.4-11.5 mm and the average was (8.0± 1.5) mm;6 cases (37.5％,6/16) were detected in the third trimester,their values of APD were 13.6-14.8 mm and the average was (12.8±2.0) rmm.The values of APD in fetus who were detected in the second trimester were smaller than those in the fetus who detected in the third trimester and the prognosis in the fetus who were detected in the second trimester was worse than those in the fetus who were detected in the third trimester,the fetus (21.7％,10/46) who progressed to non-reversible renal hydronephrosis in the second trimester were more than the fetus (4.4％,6/136) who were detected in the third trimester.Conclusion Clinical following-up combined with the detecting gestational weeks of fetal renal pelvis separation and values of fetal renal plevis APD by prenatal ultrasound may be helpful in predicting their prognosis.
ABSTRACT
Objective To assess the features of transcranial sonography (TCS) in Parkinson disease (PD) and Alzheimer disease (AD).Methods Totally 38 PD patients (PD group),28 AD patients (AD group) and 26 controls (control group)underwent TCS.The echogenicity of the substantia nigra,widths of third ventricle and parameters of middle cerebral artery among the three groups were analyzed.Results The ratio of hyperechogenicity of substantia nigra in PD group (31/38,81.58％) were higher than those in AD group (8/28,28.57％) and control group (3/26,11.54％;x2 =18.74,30.41,both P＜0.001),and there was no significant difference in hyperechogenicity of substantia nigra between AD group and control group (x2 =2.41,P=0.120).The widths of third ventricle in AD group ([0.82±0.14]cm) were wider than those in PD group ([0.63±±0.16]cm) and control group ([0.56±0.16]cm,both P＜0.001),and there was no significant difference in widths of third ventricle between PD group and control group (P=0.098).The mean velocities in bilateral middle cerebral artery in AD group were lower than that of in PD group and in control group (all P＜0.05).The pulsatility index in right middle cerebral artery in AD group were greater than that in PD group and control group (both P＜0.05).Conclusion According to the changes of echogenicity of substantia nigra,widths of third ventricle and parameters of middle cerebral artery,TCS may provide some useful information for diagnosis of PD and AD.
ABSTRACT
ObjectiveTo determine the validity of transcranial sonography (TCS) in the differential diagnosis of Parkinson's disease (PD) and essential tremor (ET). MethodsTCS was performed in 100 patients with PD, 33 patients with ET and 100 normal controls in a blind manner. The echo signal intensity of the substantia nigra was classified into grade Ⅰ-Ⅴ for semi-quantitative analysis.When the echo intensity was gradeⅢ or more,it was deemed as abnormal and the area of the substantia nigra hyperechogenicity would be measured and its ratio to the area of the whole midbrain ( S/M ) would be calculated. Results ( 1 ) Semi-quantitative analysis: the ratio of the persons whose echo intensity of the substantia nigra was grade Ⅲ or more was greater (76. 00％ ,76/100) in PD than ET (9. 09％, 3/33) and normal controls ( 13.00％, 13/100; x2 = 130. 622, P ＜0. 01 ). However, there was no difference between ET and controls. (2) Quantitative analysis: the median and quartile range of the area of substantia nigra hyperechogenicity and S/M were greater in PD patients ( O. 54 ( 0. 57 ), 11.03 ( 9. 00 ) ) than ET ( 0. 00(0.04), 0.00(1.55),H= 42.39,42.19, both P＜0. 01, respectively) and normal controls (0.00(0. 00), 0. 00 (0. 00 ), H = 121.86,121.47, both P ＜ 0. 01, respectively), and there was no difference between ET and controls. (3) Using the area of hyperechogenicity ≥0. 20 cm2 or S/M ≥ 7％ as a cut off for predicting PD, the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy were 85.39％, 78. 38％ and 81.50％ or 86. 02％,81.31％ and 83.50％ ,respectively. But there was no significant difference for the accuracy (Z = 0. 683,P ＞ 0. 05). ConclusionTCS might find the specific hyperechogenicity of substantia nigra in PD patients,providing useful information to distinguish PD from ET.
ABSTRACT
Objective To analyze the blood perfusion modes of retroperitoneal benign and malignant masses by real-time contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS). Methods Forty-five patients with retroperitoneal masses, including 18 benign and 27 malignant masses, were performed with CEUS. The perfusion of contrast agent, entering style and the vascular patterns of contrast agent were described. And the diagnosis value of perfusion characteristics was evaluated in retroperitoneal benign and malignant masses. Results The perfusion of CEUS showed significant differences in the entering style of contrast agent and the vascular patterns in malignant masses in comparison to benign masses. In the entering style of contrast agent, center enhancement of malignant masses was 70. 37% (19/27), periphery enhancement of benign masses was 72.22% (13/18) ,there was statistical significane in the result( P = 0.0069). To the vascular patterns level,there were 2 with level 0 and 11 with level 1 in benign group, 10 with level 2 and 9 with level 3 in malignant group, there was statistical significane between malignant group and benign group too( P=0.0206). Conclusions CEUS is benefit to improve the accuracy of diagnosis of retroperitonea malignant and benign masses.
ABSTRACT
Objective To analyze the blood perfusion characteristics of retroperitoneal benign and malignant tumors by real-time contrast enhanced ultrasonography and discuss its value in the differential diagnosis.Methods The study involved 42 patients with pathological evidence through surgery or needle biopsy,including 12 patients with benign retroperitoneal tumors and 30 patients with malignant retroperitoneal tumors.The blood perfusion characteristics of two groups were observed under low mechanical index after the injection of contrast ultrasound agent(SonoVue),and the changes of twodimensional ultrasonography and the time-intensity curve(TIC)were analyzed. Results During real time contrast enhancement,the different characteristics of retroperitoneal benign and malignant tumors were observed.Malignant tumors in retro peritoneum presented the pattern of ultrasound contrast agent(UCA) enhancement from center to periphery and enhanced overall uneven mainly,begin tumors presented peripheral enhancement pattern or uniformity and overall strengthening of the main.TIC curve between benign and malignant tumors displayed that contrast enhanced intensity of region of interest(P＜0.00 1),ascending slop and halftime of descending were statistically significant(P＜0.05).Conclusions Real-time contrast-enhanced ultrasonography is a valued method to provide information for the differential diagnosis in retroperitoneal benign and malignant tumors.