Should we reconsider high-risk features in thyroid ultrasonography?

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: Round shape is generally considered to reduce the risk of malignancy according to recent guidelines. On the contrary, according to some reports, spherically shaped thyroid nodules are associated with a higher risk of malignancy. Thus, we aimed to evaluate the malignancy risk of solid round isoechoic nodules detected at thyroid ultrasonography and compare it with that of solid ovoid isoechoic nodules. METHODS: Between 2017 and 2022, solitary solid round isoechoic nodules with diameters ³10 and £25 mm at thyroid ultrasonography were retrospectively selected and enrolled in the study. Age, size, nodule volume, serum thyrotropin levels, thyroid antibody levels, and cytopathological and histopathological results were recorded. RESULTS: A total of 457 solitary solid isoechoechoic nodules from 457 patients (262 females and 195 males; median age, 59 [31-70] years) were selected, of which 203 were solid round isoechoic nodules, and 254 were solid ovoid isoechoic nodules. A total of 54 surgical operations were performed on 457 nodules, and 31 of them resulted in malignancy. From the 31 malignant results, 25 originated from solid round isoechoic nodules and the remaining 6 originated from solid ovoid isoechoic nodules (p<0.025). CONCLUSION: We found that round nodules have higher malignancy rates than ovoid nodules. We think that ultrasonographic risk stratification systems used to target the most suitable nodules for the necessary biopsies can be dynamically updated, and sphericity can be added as a parameter in patient-based decision-making.

Hemodynamic evaluation of the efficacy for superficial temporal artery-middle cerebral artery bypass with vascular ultrasonography / 中华超声影像学杂志

Objective:To evaluate the hemodynamic changes and short-term (one year) outcomes after superficial temporal artery(STA)-middle cerebral artery (MCA) bypass by vascular ultrasonography.Methods:Operation group included a total of 41 hemispheres of 38 patients who underwent STA-MCA bypass for severe stenosis or occlusion of MCA or severe stenosis or occlusion of internal carotid artery(ICA), or Moyamoya disease at Xuanwu Hospital between August 2017 and June 2020. The following examinations were performed in all patients: cranial MRI, CT perfusion imaging, and cerebral angiography. All of the patients were retrospectively followed up for one year postsurgery. Normal group included a total of 40 hemispheres of 20 healthy people who had been examined by vascular ultrasonography of carotid artery and intracranial artery. Inner diameter, peak systolic velocity (PSV), end-diastolic velocity (EDV), mean velocity (MV), resistance index (RI), pulsatility index (PI) and flow of STA, PSV, EDV, MV, PI, RI of external carotid artery (ECA) and PSV, EDV, MV, PI, RI of MCA at 1 week, 6 months and 12 months after STA-MCA bypass of operation group were compared with normal group.Results:①Inner diameter, PSV, MV and flow of STA were increased significantly in operation group at 1 week, 6 and 12 months than normal group (all P<0.05). The flow of STA was decreased significantly from 1 week to 12 months after operation (all P<0.05), but Inner diameter, PSV and MV were only decreased gradually from 1 week to 12 months after operation (all P>0.05). ②STA/ECA PI and RI decreased significantly after operation compared with normal group (all P<0.01). Conclusions:Vascular ultrasonography is a non-invasive examination which can objectively evaluate the extracranial and intracranial hemodynamic changes after STA-MCA bypass, and provide reference effectiveness of the operation. The flow of STA has decreased gradually from 1 week to 12 months after operation to achieve the homeostasis, but it is still higher than normal.STA/ECA PI and RI can be a steady indirect pointer to show the fluency of bypass.

EARLY POSTOPERATIVE ULTRASONOGRAPHY ROLE FOR AV FISTULA FAILURE PREDICTION IN HEMODIALYSIS PATIENTS.

Doppler ultrasonography is the main modality for imaging of hemodialysis AV ?stula as it is safe and non-invasive. This study is to measure the Arterio-venous (AV) ?stula blood ?ow during early postoperative period (0–7days) and assess its role in AV ?stula failure prediction. Doppler ultrasonography was used to estimate the blood ?ow in the AV ?stula of 50 patients at (0–7days) after the ?stula was made. The blood ?ow in ?stula during early postoperative period for ?stula failure was evaluated, and long term failure was predicted. Blood ?ow rates Method measured in arteriovenous ?stula created in upper extremity were measured in ?rst week and sixth week post-operative. Results After follow up evaluation out of 50 patients, 40 ?stulas considered to be matured; 10 considered failed. 30% failure were males and 70% were female. In early post operative period, cut off was set at 182 ml/min and the sensitivity of blood ?ow for prediction of ?stula failure is 98%, speci?city 90 %, PPV 95% and NPV 90%. Measurements of the AV ?stula blood Conclusion ?ow in proximal artery and draining vein with its diameter of lumen were noted in the early postoperative period has a role predicting AV ?stula failure. There is risk of failure if the blood ?ow less than 182 ml/min (day 0–7)

Comparative study of pulse oximetry and ankle-brachial index as a screening test for asymptomatic peripheral vascular disease in type 2 diabetes mellitus against color doppler ultrasonography as reference standard

Background: Currently about 35 million Indians are reported to suffer from diabetes mellitus, a significant proportion of whom are either undiagnosed or diagnosed but undertreated leading to poor glycemic control. This leads to accelerated development of macrovascular complications like Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD). As most of the patients are asymptomatic, hence, early detection and treatment of PVD in patients with diabetes mellitus carries utmost importance.Methods: The present study was undertaken in SGRDIMSAR, Amritsar on 100 patients of type 2 Diabetes Mellitus with asymptomatic PVD. The diagnostic accuracy of Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI) and pulse oximetry as a screening tool was compared against Color Doppler ultrasonography as the reference standard.Results: The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predicted value of pulse oximetry to diagnose asymptomatic PVD in diabetics was found to be 98.31% (95% CI: 90.91-99.96), 41.46% (95% CI: 26.32- 57.89), 70.73% (95% CI: 65.08-75.81) and 94.44% (95%CI: 70.19-99.19) respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predicted value of ABI to diagnose asymptomatic PVD in diabetics was found to be 77.97% (95% CI: 65.27-87.71), 97.56% (95% CI: 87.14-99.94), 97.87% (95% CI: 86.85-99.69) and 75.47% (95% CI: 65.51-83.29) respectively.Conclusions: Pulse oximetry is better than ABI for the screening for asymptomatic PVD among diabetics. However, ABI is more accurate as compared to pulse oximetry in diagnosing asymptomatic PVD in diabetics.

Panoramic Radiography and Cone Beam Computed Tomography in the Early Diagnosis of Atheroma in the Extracranial and Intracranial Internal Carotid Artery: A Case Report / Radiografía Panorámica y Tomografía Computarizada de Haz Cónico en el Diagnóstico Precoz de Ateroma en la Arteria Carótida Interna, Extracraneal e Intracraneal: Reporte de Caso

ABSTRACT: Carotid stenosis usually results from the accumulation of atherosclerotic plaque in the carotid artery wall and is an important risk factor for ischemic cerebral vascular accident (CVA). This study describes the importance of diagnostic imaging exams used in dentistry for the early identification of atheroma plaques in the extracranial and intracranial internal carotid artery. A male patient was referred to a radiology clinic to perform panoramic radiography (PR) and a cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) to develop treatment plan options. In the PR and CBCT a radiopaque image, suggestive of atheroma in the extracranial internal carotid artery, was observed on the right side. The diagnosis was confirmed by color DOPPLER ultrasonography. In the CBCT, the presence of calcifications in the intracranial internal carotid artery was also observed. Diagnostic imaging exams used in dentistry allow the identification of asymptomatic individuals, facilitating early intervention and consequent reduction in the risk of ischemic CVA.

RESUMEN: La estenosis carotídea generalmente es consecuencia de la acumulación de placa aterosclerótica en la pared de la arteria carótida y es un factor de riesgo importante para el accidente cerebral vascular (ACV) isquémico. Este estudio describe la importancia de los exámenes de diagnóstico por imágenes utilizados en odontología para la identificación precoz de placas de ateroma en la arteria carótida interna, a nivel extracraneal e intracraneal. Un paciente masculino fue remitido a una clínica de radiología para realizar una radiografía panorámica (RP) y tomografía computarizada de haz cónico (TCHC) para analizar opciones de tratamiento. En el RP y TCHC se observó una imagen radiopaca, sugestiva de ateroma en la arteria carótida, extracraneal, en el lado derecho. El diagnóstico fue confirmado por ultrasonido DOPPLER color carotídeo. En el TCHC, también se observó la presencia de calcificaciones en la arteria carótida interna, intracraneal. Los exámenes de imagenología diagnóstica utilizados en odontología permiten la identificación de individuos asintomáticos, lo que facilita la intervención temprana y la consiguiente reducción en el riesgo de ACV isquémico.

Abdominal ultrasonography with color Doppler analysis in the assessment of ileal Crohn's disease: comparison with magnetic resonance enterography

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Consistently defining disease activity remains a critical challenge in the follow-up of patients with Crohn's disease (CD). We investigated the potential applicability of abdominal ultrasonography with color Doppler (USCD) analysis for the detection of morphological alterations and inflammatory activity in CD. METHODS: Forty-three patients with CD ileitis/ileocolitis were evaluated using USCD analysis with measurements obtained on the terminal ileum and right colon. Sonographic parameters included wall thickening, stricture, hyperemia, presence of intra-abdominal mass, and fistulas. Patients were evaluated for the clinical activity (Harvey-Bradshaw Index [HBI]), fecal calprotectin (FC) and C-reactive protein (CRP). The USCD performance was assessed using magnetic resonance enterography (MRE) as a criterion standard. RESULTS: Most measurements obtained with USCD matched the data generated with MRE; however, the agreement improved in clinically active patients where sensitivity, positive predictive value, and accuracy were >80%, considering wall thickening and hyperemia. Complications such as intestinal wall thickening, stricture formation, and hyperemia, were detected in the USCD analysis with moderate agreement with MRE. The best agreement with the USCD analysis was obtained in regard to FC, where the sensitivity, positive predictive value, and accuracy were >70%. The overall performance of USCD was superior to that of HBI, FC and CRP levels, particularly when considering thickening, stricture, and hyperemia parameters. CONCLUSIONS: USCD represents a practical noninvasive and low-cost tool for evaluating patients with ileal or ileocolonic disease, particularly in clinically active CD. Therefore, USCD might become a useful asset in the follow-up of patients with CD.

B-ultrasonic image characteristics of fetus with congential cleft palate within pregnant goat's uterus / 中华医学美学美容杂志

Objective To study the dynamic blood character .of pregnant goat's uterus based on pregnant hybrid boer goats and B-ultrasound tompography .Methods Fourty boer hybrid goats were involved in our experiment ,aged from 8 m to 12 m ,and weighted from 35 kg to 55 kg .Mating day was defined as 0 d ;at 30 d goats was assured pregnant by B type ultrasonic test ,and they were sepa-rated into two groups .Test group had anabasine muscle injected from 31 d to 42 d with 15 mg/d to form cleft palate ;control group (20 goats) had no treatment .At pregnant 60 d ,all pregnant goats were examined by B type ultrasonic test .Results Three goats of test group had aborted ;test group had 17 goats and control group had 20 goats .At pregnant 60 day ,there was the significant difference (P < 0 .05) in mean velocity and total blood amount ,but no statistical difference (P > 0 .05) in other index between the two groups .Conclusions The uterine blood amount and mean velocity are increased in prognant goats with cleft palate fetus compared with normal pregnant goat ,suggesting anabasine may have other functions including teratogenicity .

Clinical value of echocardiography and blood lipid measurements in diagnosis of coronary heart disease / 第二军医大学学报

[Abstract] Objective To evaluate the clinical value of echocardiography and blood lipid level in the diagnosis of coronary heart disease (CAD). Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 240 suspected CAD in-patients who were treated in the Second Hospital of Nanjing, Southeast University from Jun. 2013 to Oct. 2014. The patients were divided into non-CAD group (n＝58) and CAD group (n＝182) according to the results of coronary angiography. The patients in CAD group were further divided into single vessel lesion group (n＝84) and multi-vessel lesion group (n＝98). The indexes of color Doppler echocardiography and blood lipid levels were compared between non-CAD group and CAD group, and single vessel disease subgroup and multiple vessel disease subgroup. Logistic regression was used to analyze the influencing factors of CAD. Results E-peak velocity (E) in early diastolic phase and the ratio of E peak velocity to late diastolic phase A-peak velocity (E/A) in CAD group were lower than those in non-CAD group; the E-peak deceleration time (DT) and left ventricular isovolumetric relaxation time (IVRT) were longer than those in non-CAD group; the left atrial diameter (LAD), interventricular septal thickness (IVS) and left ventricular posterior wall thickness (LVPW) were higher than those in non-CAD group; and the left ventricular diameter (LVD) was larger than that of non-CAD group (all P0.05). In patients with CAD, E in multi-vessel lesion subgroup was higher than that in single vessel lesion subgroup; E/A in multi-vessel lesion subgroup was lower than that in single vessel lesion subgroup; DT and IVRT were longer than those in single vessel lesion subgroup; and LAD, IVS, LVPW and LVD were larger than those in single vessel lesion subgroup (P0.05). The levels of serum total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in CAD group were higher than those in non-CAD group, and the level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) was lower than that in non-CAD group (all P0.05). The levels of serum TC, TG and LDL-C in multi-vessel lesion subgroup were higher than those in single vessel lesion subgroup, and the HDL-C level was lower than that in single vessel lesion subgroup (all P0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that age, TC, IVRT, LAD and LDL-C were independent risk factors for CAD (all P0.05), and E and HDL-C were independent protective factors for CAD (both P0.05). Conclusion Abnormal blood lipid and left ventricular diastolic function are closely related to the development and progression of CAD, and their abnormalities are of great significance for the clinical diagnosis of CAD.

Clinical and color Doppler ultrasound features of uterine sarcoma / 解放军医学杂志

Objective: To investigate the clinical characteristics of uterine sarcoma and clinical application of color Doppler ultrasonography in the sarcoma. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis on the clinical and ultrasonographic features in 128 surgically and pathologically confirmed uterine sarcoma patients from December 2011 to May 2018 in Tongji Hospital. The clinical features included age, clinical manifestation, serum tumor marker CA125 and clinical stage, and the features of ultrasonography included the size, boundary, echo type of the lesion and characteristics of blood flow signals. Results: The majority of uterine sarcoma in this study were endometrial stromal sarcoma and leiomyosarcoma. Endometrial stromal sarcoma occurred mostly in women in reproductive period, while leiomyosarcoma occurred mainly in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women. The predilection age of uterine sarcoma was 49.6 ± 13.4 years. The main clinical manifestations were abnormal uterine bleeding, including postmenopausal vaginal bleeding or irregular vaginal bleeding (47.7%), and abdominal pain (32.0%). About 20.3% of patients had no symptoms. Serum CA125 was detected before operation in all the patients, and it was in normal range (≤ 35 U/ml) in 59 patients, slightly higher than normal level (35-100 U/ml) in 51 women and significantly higher than normal range (>100 U/ml) in 18 women. Pelvic three-dimensional ultrasonography was usually characterized by large uterine tumors with solid, unclear boundary, heterogeneous echo structures with or without cystic degeneration and rich blood flow signals, which can be roughly classified as malignant tumors. Conclusion: Combined with clinical manifestations such as vaginal bleeding, abdominal pain, abdominal distension, ultrasonograms can help us identify and early predict large, ill-defined, hypoechoic or heterogeneous hypoechoic tumors with rich blood flow signals, and grasp the treatment opportunity reasonably and formulate treatment plans.

Mean platelet volume might be an effective indicator of arterial erectile dysfunction / 亚洲男科学杂志(英文版)

The aim of our study was to investigate the role of platelet parameters including mean platelet volume (MPV) and platelet count (PC) in the pathogenesis of penile arteriogenic erectile dysfunction (ED) and to evaluate the association between the platelet parameters and arteriogenic ED. There were 244 patients with ED (based on the International Index of Erectile Function [IIEF]-5 ≤21) and 60 healthy controls (IIEF-5 >21) enrolled. All participants were asked to undergo a laboratory examination, and penile vascular function was evaluated using penile color Doppler ultrasonography (pDUS). Among these ED patients, 24 patients with no abnormality on nocturnal penile tumescence (NPT) and 84 with normal vasculature or mixed vascular abnormalities were excluded. The other patients were classified into three groups as follows: control (n = 60), arteriogenic ED (n = 99), and venous leakage (n = 37) groups. MPV and PC were significantly higher in the arteriogenic ED group compared with the venous and control groups (P < 0.05). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed that the area under the curve for MPV to predict arteriogenic ED was 0.707. MPV ≥9.65 fl was recognized as a cut-off value for potential arteriogenic ED (sensitivity: 47.5%; specificity: 91.7%). A significant inverse correlation was detected between MPV and 10-min peak systolic velocity (PSV) (r =-0.34; P < 0.001) in the arteriogenic ED group. These findings suggest that the MPV might be a powerful indicator to predict and diagnose arteriogenic ED, and MPV may be a marker for ED when using pDUS.

The value of color Doppler ultrasonography in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of ureteral polyps / 中华超声影像学杂志

To discuss the value of color Doppler ultrasonography in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of ureteral polyps ( U P) . Methods Ninety‐five cases with pathologically proven U P and 104 cases with pathological confirmed urinary tract urothelial carcinoma ( U T UC) were enrolled in the study . T heir positive rate of color Doppler ultrasonography exam preoperatively were retrospectively analyzed and compared with pathological findings . Results Compared with pathological diagnosis , the accordance rate of color Doppler ultrasonography localization were 82 .1% ( 78/95) and 80 .8% ( 84/104) for U P and U T UC respectively ,the accordance rate of qualitative diagnosis were 69 .2% ( 54/78 ) and 90 .5%( 76/84) . Color Doppler ultrasonographic features of U P displayed a clear demarcation between the pipe wall of ureter and surrounding tissue .However ,such clear demarcation could not be found in U T UC . T he accordance rate between two groups has statistically significant difference ( P ＝0 .000 6 ) . Color Doppler ultrasonographic image showed no blood flow in the ureteral polyps ,while mainly minor or medium amount of blood stream signals were found in most tumors of U T UC . According to Adler blood flow grading and the blood flow detective rate ,the two groups demonstrated statistically significant difference ( P ＜0 .05 ) . Conclusions With high resolution color Doppler ultrasonography and flexible operation technique ,it can clearly observe the internal structure of ureter at obstruction end as well as boundary conditions of peripheral tissue ,w hich will play a profound role in preoperative diagnosis and differential diagnosis of U P .

Application of ophthalmic ultrasonography in DR / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

AIM: To investigate the value of ultrasonography in diabetic retinopathy ( DR) .?METHODS: Totally 103 cases ( 103 eyes ) of type 2 diabetes mellitus were selected from May 2015 to May 2017 in our hospital, there were 32 patients 32 eyes with non diabetic retinopathy ( NDR) , 40 patients 40 eyes with non proliferative diabetic retinopathy ( NPDR ) , and 31 patients 31 eyes with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR), 40 healthy volunteers (40 eyes) were selected as control group, the maximum systolic blood flow velocity ( PSV ) , end diastolic velocity ( EDV ) and resistance index (RI) of the central retinal artery (CRA), posterior ciliary artery ( PCA ) and ophthalmic artery ( OA ) were detected by color Doppler ultrasound.?RESULTS:The difference of PSV, EDV and RI of CRA, PCA and OA in each group was statistically significant (P<0. 05). The PSV of CRA, PCA and OA in NDR group were 12. 38 ± 2. 10cm/s, 13. 36 ± 2. 55cm/s and 32. 04 ± 6. 07cm/s, significantly higher than that of NPDR group (9.70±1.67cm/s, 12.20±2.01cm/s and 27.40±4.32cm/s) and PDR group ( 7. 13 ± 1. 40cm/s, 10. 31 ± 1. 82cm/s and 22.10±3.51cm/s) (P<0. 05). EDV were 4. 67±1. 20cm/s, 5. 61 ± 1. 25cm/s and 8. 40 ± 1. 51cm/s, significantly higher than that of NPDR group (3. 52±1. 19cm/s, 5. 01±1. 30cm/s and 6.61±1. 67cm/s) and PDR group (2. 48±1. 02cm/s, 4. 11±1.04cm/s and 4. 01±1. 52cm/s) (P<0. 05). And RI were 0. 63 ± 0. 07, 0. 60 ± 0. 04 and 0. 77 ± 0. 05, was significantly lower than that of NPDR group (0. 72±0. 06, 0. 67±0. 05 and 0. 81 ± 0. 03) and PDR group (0. 80 ± 0. 09, 0. 74±0. 06 and 0. 86±0. 04) (P<0. 05).?CONCLUSION: Color Doppler ultrasound monitoring the hemodynamic changes of ocular blood vessels in diabetes can provide evidence for early detection of diabetic retinopathy.

Analysis of retinal hemodynamics in patients with diabetic retinopathy by color Doppler ultrasonography / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

AIM:To analyze the changes of retinal hemodynamics in patients with diabetic retinopathy (DR) by color Doppler ultrasonography.METHODS:Totally 96 patients (96 eyes) with diabetes mellitus (DM) treated in our hospital from June 2014 to May 2017 were selected and divided into A,B,C three groups.Group A consisted of 32 DM patients (32 eyes),Group B with 32 cases (32 eyes) of non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR),Group C 32 cases (32 eyes)of proliferative diabetic retinopathy(PDR),and 30 healthy volunteers (30 eyes) were set as control group.All patients' the central retinal artery (CRA),posterior ciliary artery (PCA),ophthalmic artery (OA) hemodynamic changes were detected by color Doppler ultrasound.And the relation of HbA1c and FBG with diabetic lesion degree were studied.RESULTS:The hemodynamic indexes of CRA,PCA and OA in each group were statistically significant (P＜0.05).The difference of PSV of CRA,PCA and OA in Group A and control group was not statistically significant (P＞0.05).The PSV and EDV of CRA,PCA and OA in Group C were the lowest,and the RI was the highest,which had a significant difference between Group A and B (P＜0.05).HbA1c and FBG in each group showed statistical significance (P＜0.05).Course of disease in Group A and Group C only showed significantly different (P＜0.05).CONCLUSION:Color Doppler ultrasound monitoring changes of CRA,PCA,OA hemodynamics in diabetic patients can bring us more understand in retinal blood flow,and play a vital role in prevention and treatment of diabetic retinopathy.

Value of color Doppler ultrasonography combined with coagulation test in the diagnosis of postpartum thrombosis and the prediction of thrombosis in pregnant women / 中国综合临床

Objective To evaluate the value of color Doppler ultrasonography combined with coagulation test in the diagnosis of postpartum thrombosis and the prediction of thrombosis in pregnant women.Methods Color Doppler ultrasonography and blood coagulation examination were performed at 1 weeks before and 1 weeks after delivery respectively.Two or more abnormalities in both examinations were defined as positive thrombus combined diagnosis,two ultrasound tests that showed " snowstorm" sign were cdefined aspositive ultrasonic diagnosis.Thrombus formation in 30d after delivery was followed up.Three-dimensional x2 test was used to compare the sensitivity and specificity of the combined diagnosis group and the ultrasonic diagnosis group.Results 238 cases were included in the study,including 76 positive cases and 162 negative cases in combined diagnosis group,103 positive cases and 135 negative cases in ultrasonic diagnosis group.At the end of the follow-up period,there were 28 cases (36.84％) of the deep venous thrombosis of the lower extremities occurred in the combined diagnosis positive group and 21 cases (20.39％) in ultrasound diagnosis positive group.Kaplan-Meier method was used to analyze the lower extremity deep vein thrombosis of the positive subjects in the two diagnostic methods.Log Rank showed that the difference between the two groups was statistically significant (x2 =5.952,P =0.015).The sensitivity and specificity of the combined diagnosis positive group were higher than those of ultrasound diagnosis positive group,the difference was statistically significant (90.32％ vs.67.74％;76.81％ vs.60.39％) (x2=4.00,x2=22.69,P＜0.05).Conclusion Color Doppler ultrasonography combined with blood coagulation function can be used to diagnose prethrombotic state in pregnant women,and have high sensitivity and specificity for predicting deep vein thrombosis of lower extremities in pregnant women.

Associação entre sintomas, veias varicosas e refluxo na veia safena magna ao eco-Doppler / Associations between symptoms and varicose veins and great saphenous vein reflux seen on Doppler ultrasonography

Resumo Contexto A doença venosa crônica requer avaliação clínica, quantificação dos efeitos hemodinâmicos e definição da distribuição anatômica para decisão diagnóstica e tratamento. Métodos Estudo prospectivo realizado em 2015 com amostra de 1.384 pacientes (2.669 membros) com idade entre 17 e 85 anos, sendo 1.227 do sexo feminino. Nas respostas do questionário aplicado, os sintomas pesquisados eram dor, cansaço, sensação de peso, queimação, câimbras e formigamento. Para a formação dos grupos, foi considerado o número de membros, distribuídos em relação ao gênero, ao índice de massa corporal e à idade. Após a definição grupos e a realização do eco-Doppler para estudo da veia safena magna (VSM), os pacientes foram distribuídos em três grupos (I: sintomas presentes e varizes ausentes, II: sintomas ausentes e varizes presentes e III: sintomas presentes e varizes presentes). A análise estatística utilizou o teste qui-quadrado ou exato de Fisher para verificar a homogeneidade entre os grupos. Em caso de associação com significância de 5%, foi calculada a razão de chances. Resultados Para ambos os gêneros, foi observada chance de insuficiência da VSM 11,2 vezes maior no grupo III. Por sua vez, os casos de obesidade mórbida ocorreram 9,1 vezes mais no mesmo grupo. Além disso, pacientes na faixa etária entre 30 e 50 anos desse grupo apresentaram chance de insuficiência da VSM 43,1 vezes maior. Conclusões A insuficiência da VSM foi significantemente mais frequente no grupo III, tanto globalmente como considerando apenas os casos de obesidade mórbida e a faixa etária mais elevada.

Abstract Background Chronic venous disease demands clinical assessment, quantification of hemodynamic effects, and definition of anatomic distribution before diagnostic and treatment decisions can be made. Methods This is a prospective study conducted in 2015 with a sample of 1,384 patients (2,669 limbs) aged from 17 to 85 years, 1,227 of whom were female. The most common symptoms reported in response to the questionnaire were pain, tiredness, feelings of heaviness, burning, cramps, and tingling. Subsets were formed on the basis of number of limbs distributed by sex, body mass index, and age. After definition of subsets, Doppler ultrasonography was used to conduct examinations of the great saphenous vein (GSV) and patients were distributed into three clinical groups (I: symptoms present and varicose veins absent, II: symptoms absent and varicose veins present and III: symptoms present and varicose veins present). Statistical analysis employed the chi-square test or Fisher’s exact test to test for homogeneity between groups. When associations significant to 5% were detected, odds ratios were calculated. Results For both sexes, the chance of GSV insufficiency was 11.2 times greater in group III. Among cases with morbid obesity, the chance was 9.1 times greater in the same group. Additionally, patients in this group with ages ranging from 30 to 50 years exhibited a 43.1 times greater chance of GSV insufficiency. Conclusions Insufficiency of the GSV was significantly more frequent in group III, both overall and when considering only cases with morbid obesity, or cases in older age groups.

Evaluation of Carotid Artery Radial Strain and Radial Strain Rate with Arterial Analysis Technique in Pregnancy-induced Hypertension / 中国医科大学学报

Objective To investigate the function of carotid artery elasticity,radial strain (RS),and radial strain rate (RSR) in pregnancyinduced hypertension (PIH),and to conduct a comparative study with healthy pregnant women by using the arterial analysis technique.Methods Twenty-eight women with PIH were included,and 30 age-and gestational age-matched normal pregnant women were included as the control group.The arterial analysis technique was performed to trace the movement of the carotid artery and obtain RS and RSR values automatically for statistical analysis.Results In the PIH group,stiffness parameter β3 and pulse-wave velocity were significantly higher than those in the normal pregnancy group.Arterial compliance,RS,and RSR were lower,with significant differences (P ＜ 0.05).The differences in augmentation index were insignificant.Pulse-wave velocity was negatively related with RS.Conclusion These sensitive parameters could potentially be applied for early evaluation of vascular structure,and RS is more sensitive than RSR.By using the arterial analysis technique,early detection of decreased artery elasticity function is possible before blood vessel structural impairment.

DNA fragmentation in two cytometric sperm populations: Relationship with clinical and ultrasound characteristics of the male genital tract / 亚洲男科学杂志(英文版)

We investigated whether DNA fragmentation in two cytometric sperm populations (PIdimmer and PIbrighter) with different biological characteristics and clinical relevance is related to clinical and color-Doppler ultrasound (CDUS) parameters of the male genital tract. One hundred and sixty males of infertile couples without genetic abnormalities were evaluated for clinical, scrotal, and transrectal CDUS characteristics, presence of prostatitis-like symptoms (with the National Institutes of Health-Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index) and sperm DNA fragmentation (sDF) in PIdimmer and PIbrighter populations (using TUNEL/PI method coupled with flow cytometry). Data were adjusted for age (Model 1) along with waistline, testosterone levels, smoking habit, and sexual abstinence (Model 2). According to the statistical Model 2, PIdimmer sDF was associated with testicular abnormalities, including lower clinical and ultrasound volume (r = -0.21 and r = -0.20, respectively; P < 0.05), higher FSH levels (r = 0.34, P < 0.0001) and occurrence of testicular inhomogeneity (P < 0.05) and hypoechogenicity (P < 0.05). PIbrighter sDF was associated with prostate-related symptoms and abnormal signs, including higher NIH-CPSI total and subdomain scores, a higher prevalence of prostatitis-like symptoms and of CDUS alterations such as macro-calcifications, severe echo-texture inhomogeneity, hyperemia (all P < 0.05), and higher arterial peak systolic velocity (r = 0.25, P < 0.05). Our results suggest that DNA fragmentation in PIdimmer sperm, which is related to poor semen quality, mainly originates in the testicles, likely due to apoptosis. Conversely, DNA fragmentation in PIbrighter sperm appears to mainly originate during or after transit through the prostate, increasing with the presence of an inflammatory status of the organ. These results could lead to new perspectives for the identification of therapeutic targets to reduce sDF.

A research on the assessment of color Doppler ultrasound combined with ultrasonic elastography for curative effect of neoadjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer / 中国医学装备

Objective:To evaluate the value of color Doppler ultrasound combined with ultrasonic elastography for curative effect of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) for breast cancer.Methods: 100 patients with breast cancer who has received NAC were divided intoobservation group (50 cases, underwent examination of color Doppler ultrasound scanner combined with ultrasonic elastography) and control group (50 cases, only underwent examination of color Doppler ultrasound scanner) according to the different examination methods. The accuracy, sensitivity and specificity of differential diagnosis methods for curative effect of NAC between the two groups were compared as above data.Results: The accuracy, sensitivity and specificity of differential diagnosis for curative effect of NAC in observation group were 88.00％, 90.00％ and 86.00％, respectively. While them of control group were 78.00％, 80.00％ and 76.00％, respectively. And the differences of these indicators between the two groups were statistically significant (x2=2.01,x2=3.24,x2=3.45, P<0.05).Conclusions: Color Doppler ultrasound combined with ultrasound elastography can diagnose the curative effect of NAC for patients with breast cancer from two aspects which includes tissue hardness and blood supply, and it can achieve more diagnostic accuracy compared with only using simple color Doppler ultrasound.

Clinical value of thermal tomography in diagnosis of breast diseases / 医疗卫生装备

Objective To explore the clinical value of thermal tomography (TT) in the diagnosis of breast diseases.Methods Totally 222 breast diseases patients underwent examinations by color Doppler ultrasound and TT.Some stable TT images were selected,and the TT curves of the lesions were analyzed according to the malignant tumor TT curve diagnosing standard,so that the benign and malignant tumors could be determined.Color Doppler ultrasound was used to describe the site,size and property of the lesion.Results Pathological examination found 95 cases of malignant tumors and 127 benign ones.TT had 198 results coincident with those by pathological examination while the remained 24 ones not,with 15 false positive results and 9 false negative ones.When compared with pathological examination,TT had the accuracy,sensitivity and specificity being 89.19％,90.43％ and 88.28％ respectively.Conclusion TT is non-invasive,accurate and sensitive when used to screen and diagnose breast diseases,and should be applied if possible in medical facilities.

Vascular imaging research of patients with cervical vertigo / 实用放射学杂志

Objective To analyze the imaging characteristics and to evaluate the application value of color doppler ultrasonography (CDUS)combined with CT angiography (CTA)and contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography (CE-MRA)in patients with cervical vertigo.Methods 62 patients diagnosed with cervical vertigo clinically were enrolled.Neck CDUS and neck CTA were per-formed on 39 patients.Neck CDUS and neck CE-MRA were performed on 23 patients.Neck CDUS and CTA/MRA were performed on 30 normal volunteers,which were chosen as control group.Neck CDUS and neck CTA were performed on 18 normal volunteers. Neck CDUS and neck CE-MRA were performed on 12 normal volunteers.Hemodynamics and morphology were evaluated and com-pared between the two groups.Results In aspect of morphology:The incidence of vertebral artery (VA)stenosis (46.77%)and VA variation (29.03%)in cervical vertigo group were higher than VA stenosis (23.33%)and VA variation (6.67%)in control group with significant difference (all P 0.05).In aspect of hemodynamics:The decline incidence of peak systolic velocity de-tected by CDUS in cervical vertigo group (66.13%)was higher than that in control group (10.00%)with statistically significant difference (P <0.05).The peak systolic velocity decline incidence of VA stenosis (86.21% )and VA variation (72.22%)were high-er than that of VA tortuous (28.57%)and VA normal (12.50%)patients in cervical vertigo group.Conclusion The application of CDUS combined with CTA or CE-MRA could provide valuable diagnostic and therapeutic information for cervical vertigo in the as-pects of change in vascular morphology and cerebral hemodynamics,which could further provide objective basis for clinical diagnosis and treatment.