Diagnostic value of lesion-directed prostate biopsy under TRUS in early detection of prostate cancer / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate lesion-directed biopsy in improving the detection rate of early prostate cancer (PCa) and in differentiating PCa from other prostate pathological changes.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We performed TRUS-guided prostate biopsy for 95 patients suspected of PCa, each subjected to extended random biopsy plus lesion-directed biopsy, and analyzed the sonographic characteristics and pathological findings.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>PCa was detected in 35 of the patients (36.8%), including 16 hypoechoic (45.7%), 4 hyperechoic (11.4%), 10 isoechoic (28.6%) and 5 mixed hetero-echoic lesions (14.3%). Of the 35 PCa cases, 17 (46.2%) were within T2b, 70.6% (12/17) of which were detected by lesion-directed biopsy and 29.4% (5/17) by sextant biopsy, the former obviously higher than the latter (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Lesion-directed prostate biopsy under TRUS can significantly improve the early diagnosis of prostate cancer, increase convenience and reduce patients' pain, but is not sufficient to replace traditional sextant biopsy.</p>

Qualitative evaluation of thyroid nodules with gray-scale contrast-enhanced ultrasound / 浙江大学学报·医学版

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To assess the feasibility of gray-scale contrast-enhanced ultrasound for characterizing thyroid nodules.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty thyroid nodules from 35 patients were studied both by conventional techniques and gray-scale contrast-enhanced ultrasound. Of the nodules examined, 15 were benign and 25 malignant. The enhancement of echogenicity was evaluated. The diagnosis was confirmed by surgical biopsy and histopathological examination.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The study using gray-scale contrast-enhanced ultrasound showed absent contrast-enhancement in 9 of 25 malignant nodules and 1 of 11 benign solitary nodules; intense enhancement in 6 of 25 malignant nodules, with perfusion defect in the center; diffuse faint enhancement in 10 of 25 malignant nodules and 10 of 11 benign solitary nodules. Benign cystic nodules all showed absent enhancement in the cystic components and 2 of 4 intense enhancement in the solitary components.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Gray-scale contrast-enhanced ultrasonography imaging may be a useful tool for evaluating the perfusion of thyroid nodules. Solitary nodules showing absent enhancement or intense enhancement with absent enhancement in the nodular center may suggest malignant.</p>