Applicational value of 2017 ACR TI-RADS stratification in diagnosing thyroid nodules / 北京大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVE@#To summarize and evaluate the value of applying the thyroid imaging reporting and data system (TI-RADS) released by American College of Radiology (ACR) in 2017 of the thyroid classification, and to propose an optimized classification method based on the result to facilitate more accurate and precise risk stratification of thyroid nodules.@*METHODS@#In the study, 342 thyroid nodules assessed by 2017 ACR TI-RADS were retrospectively analyzed. Each nodule had a score, and all the scores of nodules were compared with the pathological results. The proportion of malignant nodules in different scoring ranges was obtained. The diagnostic efficacy of all nodules, nodules above 1 cm and less than or equal to 1 cm was evaluated by ROC curve, respectively.@*RESULTS@#The AUC of all nodules, nodules above 1 cm and less than or equal to 1 cm were 0.907, 0.936 and 0.717, respectively. With the increase of the scores, the proportion of benign nodules decreased gradually, and the proportion of malignant nodules increased, especially nodules of 4-6 scores increased significantly. Based on the proportion of malignant nodules with 3 scores, the proportion of malignant nodules with 4, 5 and 6 scores increased 1.6, 3.8 and 5.3 times, respectively. The proportion of malignant nodules with 6-8 scores was 81%-84%, while the proportion of malignant nodules with 9 scores or more was 93%-94%. According to the distribution characteristics of malignant nodules, the classification of TI-RADS was adjusted. TI-RADS 4 was divided into TI-RADS 4a, TI-RADS 4b and TI-RADS 4c, corresponding to 4, 5 and 6-8 scores respectively, while the nodules with 9 scores or more were divided into TI-RADS 5.@*CONCLUSION@#2017 ACR TI-RADS has high diagnostic value for thyroid nodules above 1 cm, but it is not so effective for the nodules less than or equal to 1 cm. According to the proportion distribution of malignant nodules in different scoring ranges, appropriate adjustment of classification will be more accurate and precisely predict the malignant risk of nodules.

Application of ultrasound-guided hip joint drug injection in the postoperative rehabilitation of arthroscopie repair of acetabular labral tears / 北京大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the clinical application of ultrasound-guided hip joint drug injection in the postoperative rehabilitation of arthroscopie repair of acetabular labral tears.@*METHODS@#This research retrospectively analyzed a total of 38 hips from 36 patients (2 of them were bilateral) whose imaging examination showed acetabular labral well healed but the rehabilitating training was limited due to hip pain after arthroscopie repair of acetabular labral tears in our hospital between June 2015 and May 2017. All the patients underwent ultrasound-guided hip joint drug injection treatment. Through comparing the pain and the function of hip before and after drug injection, the clinical application values of ultrasound-guided hip joint drug injection in the postoperative rehabilitation of arthroscopie repair of acetabular labral tears were explored. The degree of hip pain was assessed by visual analogue score (VAS), which were scored before and after the injection. The hip function was assessed by the hip range of activity. The SPSS 21.0 statistical software was used for the data analysis. The effective rate of hip injection was calculated, which was defined as: ("excellent" + "good")/total number of cases×100%. The degree of hip pain was assessed by VAS, which was divided into 0 to 10 points with 0 for no pain and 10 for unbearable severe pain. The function of hip was assessed by the hip range of activity. The therapeutic effect of "excellent" meant no pain or occasional slight pain in the hip, along with Patrick test was negative and hip joint was not limited; the therapeutic effect of "good" meant that the pain was significantly reduced, and the hip's activity was slightly restricted. "No effect" meant that the pain of hip was not relieved, and the Patrick test was positive.@*RESULTS@#The VAS score of the patient before drug injection was 5.46±1.46, and the VAS score was 2.01±0.53 after drug injection 4 weeks later. The score of the latter was significantly lower than that of the former, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). The hip joint activity after ultrasound-guided hip joint drug injection was significantly improved. The therapeutic effective rate was 84.2%.@*CONCLUSION@#For patients with hip pain and limitations after arthroscopie repair of acetabular labral tears, ultrasound-guided drug injection can effectively reduce hip pain, improve hip activity, and promote hip functional reconstruction.

Direct and Indirect Methods of High-frequency Ultrasound in Imaging Distal Biceps Brachii Tendon / 中国医学科学院学报

Objective To explore convenient and effective ultrasound scanning methods and skills for imaging the distal biceps tendon.Methods Totally 80 distal biceps tendons of 40 healthy volunteers were scanned and evaluated with high-frequency ultrasound using the direct and the indirect methods. The scanning time and the subjective comfort scores of each subject were recorded. The imaging clarity of the tendon and its insertion onto the radial tuberosity was evaluated.Results The scanning time of the indirect method was shorter than that of the direct method in all volunteers,male volunteers,and female volunteers,although the differences were not statistically significant(all P> 0.05). The mean scanning time was longer on the left side than on the right side regardless of the scanning method (all P> 0.05). The scanning time in women was significantly shorter than in men when the scan was performed by using indirect method on the left side (t=-2.33,P=0.025),direct method on the right side (t=-3.35,P=0.002),or indirect method on the right side (t=-2.67,P=0.011). However,the scanning time was not significantly different between women and men when using the direct method on the left side (t=-1.27,P=0.213). The subjective comfort score was not significantly different between direct and indirect methods in each group (all P>0.05). However,the subjective comfort score was higher on the right side than on the left side regardless of the methods used. In particular,the subjective comfort scores showed significant difference when using the direct method in all subjects (t=2.32,P=0.026),the indirect method in all subjects (t=3.08,P=0.004),and indirect method in females (t=2.52,P=0.021). The overall subjective comfort score of females was higher than that of males,and the difference was statistically significant when the direct method was used on the right side (t=2.33,P=0.025),although no significant difference was observed for the indirect method on the right side (t=2.00,P=0.053),direct method on the left side (t=0.34,P=0.739),and indirect method on the left side (t=-0.15,P=0.884). The clarity rates of the indirect method for the insertions were 100.0% and 95.0%,which were significantly higher than those of the direct method(right side:100.0% vs. 85.0%,P=0.026;left side:95.0% vs.60.0%,P=0.000). The clarity rates of the main trunk of the tendon showed no significant difference between direct and indirect methods on both sides (right side:100.0% vs.95.0%,P=0.494;left side:92.5% vs.87.5%,P=0.712).Conclusions When high-frequency ultrasound is applied for scanning the distal biceps tendon,the scanning time and the subjective comfort are similar when either the direct method or the indirect method is used. The indirect method has higher clarity in imaging the insertion and may be used as the preferred scanning method,whereas the direct method may serve as a supplementary method.

Values of Longitudinal and Transverse Plane Ratios in Predicting the Risk of Malignant Thyroid Nodules / 中国医学科学院学报

Objective To compare the predictive value of different ratio measurement in predicting the risk of malignant thyroid nodules and to determine the best value of ratio in diagnosing thyroid nodules.Methods The clinical data of 342 thyroid nodules diagnosed by ultrasonography and confirmed by histology in our hospital from January 2018 to August 2018 were analyzed.The ratio of nodules in different sections,including longitudinal plane ratio(A/T)and transverse plane ratio(A/T),was obtained through the maximum head-foot diameter(T),the maximum left-right diameter(T),and the anterior-posterior diameter(A)of transverse section measured by ultrasonography.The correlation of histological diagnosis of benign or malignant nodule with longitudinal ratio and transverse ratio were analyzed.Results The A/T and A/T of malignant nodules were 1.00(0.83,1.17)and 0.81(0.65,1.00),respectively,which were significantly higher than those of benign nodules [0.81(0.67,0.93)(=-6.567,=0.000)and 0.63(0.52,0.75)(=-7.239,=0.000)].The area under the ROC curve of A/T and A/T was 0.734 and 0.712,respectively,showing no significant difference(area difference:0.0210,standard error:0.0213,95% :-0.0207-0.0627,=0.987,=0.3235).The threshold values of A/T and A/T for predicting malignant nodules were 0.784 161 5 and 0.985 714 5,respectively.Conclusions Both A/T and A/T has similar diagnostic value in predicting the risk of malignant nodules.The best cutoff value of the above two ratios are 0.78 and 0.99 respectively.

Value of Elasticity Contrast Index of Ultrasonography in Differentiating Benign and Malignant Cervical Lymph Nodes / 中国医学科学院学报

Objective To investigate the diagnostic value of elasticity contrast index(ECI)in the differential diagnosis between benign and malignant cervical lymph nodes.Methods Cervical lymph nodes of 48 patients were examined by traditional ultrasound and ECI in Peking University Third Hospital between December 2016 and April 2017. Patients were further divided into free-hand group and non-free-hand group according to the use of manual compression or not. With pathological or clinical follow-up results as the gold standard,we compared the diagnostic values of traditional ultrasound,ECI,and their combination in the differential diagnosis between benign and malignant lymph nodes.Results Totally 138 lymph nodes were collected from 46 patients,among which 76 were benign and 62 were malignant. The ECI value of malignant lymph nodes(1.69±0.89)were significantly higher than that of benign lymph nodes(1.32±0.87)(t=-2.46,P=0.015).The area under receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve for traditional ultrasound in discrimination of malignant cervical lymph nodes with benign ones was 0.899,with an optimal cut-off value of 7,which had a sensitivity of 93.5% and a specificity of 84.2%. The area under ROC curve for ECI was 0.649,with an optimal cut-off value of 1.25,which had a sensitivity of 59.7% and a specificity of 60.5%. For their combination,the area under ROC curve was 0.724,with a sensitivity of 93.5% and a specificity of 51.3%. In the group without using free-hand technique,the mean ECI value was 1.77±0.94 for malignant nodes,which was significantly higher than that(1.26±0.81)for benign nodes(t=-3.09,P=0.003). In the group requiring free-hand technique,the ECI value for malignant nodes was 1.33(1.01,1.44),showing no significant difference with benign ones[1.32(0.78,2.18);z=-0.20,P=0.843].Conclusions Conventional ultrasound has higher diagnostic value than ECI and their combination in differentiating benign and malignant lymph nodes. The role of ECI in evaluating other organs requires further investigations.

Xanthogranulonatous pyelonephritis: report of 5 cases / 北京大学学报(医学版)

Xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis (XGP) is an unusual form of chronic pyelonephritis in which the renal parenchyma is destroyed and replaced by lipid-laden foamy macrophages. It usually affects middle-aged women with a history of recurrent urinary tract infection, diabetes, or kidney stones. The inflammatory process is usually diffuse and can extend beyond the kidney. The rare focal forms may simulate primary renal tumours. The preoperative imaging diagnosis may be difficult. We reported five cases of XGP, The findings of ours were recorded including kidney size, shape, contour, the echogenecity of the renal parenchyma, the internal echoes of the dilate collecting system, the presence of perinephric fluid accumulation and obstruction. One of the 5 cases was a male patient, and the other four were female, with a mean age of 53 years. He affected kidneys of the 5 cases swelled in different degrees, and one of them was found with line-like anechoic fluid. Among the 5 cases, one kidney appeared as diffusely reducing of the parenchyma echogenicity, multiple hypoechoic areas, disappearance of corticomedullary differentiation and multiple hyperecho with shadow. A round cystic anechoic lesion was found in one kidney, with internal punctate echo and peripheral fluid. Ultrasonographic finding of 1 case was extremely hypoechoic lesion on the left kidney, protruding from the outline of the kidney, with the partial renal capsule discontinuous, the less clear boundary, and a little blood flow in it. Ultrasonographic demonstration of 2 cases was mild dilatation of the collecting system with irregular wall thickening and internal hypoechogenicity, and 1 case was solid lesion with less clear boundary to the pelvic wall and a small amount of blood flow signal, the another 1 case was showed floccule without internal blood flow. Three cases were caused by chronic obstruction verified by operation, of which one was staghorn calculi, one was poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma in the middle part of the ureter, and one was inflammatory stricture of upper ureteral. Through analysis of the above five cases and review of related literature, we explored diagnoses and management of the patients with XGP. Xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis (XGP) is a rare chronic variant of pyelonephritis characterized by destruction of the renal parenchyma. Combining ultrasonographic features of XGP with clinical recurrent urinary infection and chronic obstruction, XGP can be included in the differentiation. The diagnosis of XGP suspected by ultrasound can be clarified by CT, MRI, contrast-enhanced ultrasound.

Persistent hypertension for two months in a preterm infant / 中国当代儿科杂志

A boy aged 2 months (born at 36 weeks of gestation) was admitted due to cough and dyspnea. After admission, he was found to have persistent hypertension, proteinuria, and persistent convulsion, and imaging examination showed extensive calcification of the aorta and major branches and stenosis of local lumens of the abdominal aorta and the right renal artery with increased blood flow velocity. The boy was admitted during the neonatal period due to wet lung and pulmonary arterial hypertension and was found to have hypertension and proteinuria. High-throughput whole-exome sequencing was performed and found two compound heterozygous mutations in the ENPP1 gene from his parents, c.130C>T (p.Q44X) and c.1112A>T (p.Y371F). c.130C>T was a nonsense mutation, which could cause partial deletion of protein from 44 amino acids, and was defined as a primary pathogenic mutation. c.1112A>T was a missense mutation which had been reported as a pathogenic mutation associated with idiopathic infantile arterial calcification (IIAC). Therefore, he was diagnosed with IIAC. He was given phosphonate drugs, antihypertensive drugs, anticonvulsion treatment, and respiratory support. Blood pressure was maintained at the upper limit of normal value. There was no deterioration of arterial calcification. It is concluded that IIAC should be considered for infants with persistent hypertension and extensive vascular calcification, and imaging and genetic examinations should be performed as early as possible to make a confirmed diagnosis.

Value of High-frequency Ultrasound in the Diagnosis of Supinator Syndrome / 中国医学科学院学报

Objective To evaluate the diagnostic value of high-frequency ultrasound in the diagnosis of supinator syndrome (SD). Methods Ten patients with supinator syndrome (SD group) and 20 healthy volunteers (control group) underwent ultrasonographic examination. Axial and long-axis views of the radial nerve were taken where the nerves enters the supinator muscle entrance. The maximum transverse diameter and anteroposterior diameter were also measured. Results High-frequency ultrasound clearly revealed the images and course of radial nerve deep branch in two groups. The SD group had swollen nerves and the maximum transverse diameter and anteroposterior diameter were (3.50?0.39)mm and (4.30?0.47)mm,respectively,which were significantly larger than in the control group [(1.10?0.17)mm,t=-29.67,P=0.00;(1.00?0.16)mm,t=-36.72,P=0.00). The causes (including synovial cyst nearby and radial artery recurrent branch) of nerve entrapment were revealed directly in 4 patients in SD group. Conclusions High-frequency ultrasound can clearly display the radial nerve deep branch around the elbow joint. SD patients have swollen nerves at the entrance of the supinator muscle,where the diameters of these nerves are abnormally enlarged.

Evaluation of the Morphology and Function of Medial Collateral Ligament afterTotal Knee Arthroplasty with High-frequency Ultrasound / 中国医学科学院学报

Objective To explore the feasibility and clinical value of ultrasonography in evaluating the morphology and function of medial collateral ligaments (MCL) after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Methods Totally 38 patients undergoing routine KTA (group A) and 22 patients undergoing constrained condylar knee arthroplasty KTA with MCL injury (group B) were included. Long axis views of MCL were taken and the MCL thickness was measured on femur side and tibial side 1 cm away from the joint line, respectively. The thicknesses were compared between the two groups. Subsequently, the gap between the metal part of the femoral prosthesis and the spacer after dynamic valgus stress was measured. The distribution and composition of the gap between the two groups were compared. Results High-frequency ultrasound clearly showed the prosthesis and MCL after TKA. MCL fiber structures of both groups were intact. The MCL thickness on the tibial side in group B was (0.25±0.06)cm, which was significantly thinner than group A [(0.32±0.14)cm] (t=2.12, P=0.040).For the femur side, there was no significant difference (t=1.65, P=0.110) between these two groups [(0.37±0.09) cm in group B versus (0.42±0.12)cm in group A]. Under the condition of valgus stress, the gaps between the metal part of the femoral prosthesis and the spacer could be found in 11 cases in group B but only in 1 case in group A. The proportion of gaps in group B was significantly higher than that in group A (Fisher's exact test, P=0.000). Conclusions High-frequency ultrasound can clearly show the prosthesis and MCL after TKA. The injured MCL can be well joined but the thickness is thinner. Under the condition of valgus stress of the knee, the stability of the TKA can be evaluated according to the gap between the prosthesis and the spacer.

Hyperechoic Breast Lesions on Ultrasound:Easily Misdiagnosed Conditions / 中国医学科学院学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the incidences of hyperechoic breast lesions and hyperechoic breast cancers in lesions categorized as Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) 4 and 5 on ultrasound and investigate their sonographic features and the underlying histological causes.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The pathologic records for 848 sonographically guided core needle biopsies or surgical resection were retrospectively reviewed from June 2012 to March 2014. Hyperechoic lesions were identified and their sonographic features were evaluated. The incidence of hyperechoic breast lesions and the frequency of hyperechoic cancers among all hyperechoic breast lesions were calculated.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Of all 848 lesions, 0.9% (8/848) were hyperechoic. Twenty-five percent (2/8) of the hyperechoic lesions were malignant and the remaining six were benign. Among the 280 malignant lesions, 0.7%(2/280) were hyperechoic. The pathological basis of breast lesions presenting as hyperechoic nodules included inflammatory edema, galactoceles, and grit calcifications. Little difference of sonographic feature was found between benign and malignant hyperechoic lesions in this study.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Hyperechoic breast lesions are rare conditions but can be associated with a high ratio of breast cancer. History-taking and imaging techniques may help to avoid misdiagnosis.</p>

Use of Ultrasound in the Follow-up of Professional Athletes Receiving Conservative Treatment of Patellar Tendon Enthesiopathy / 中国医学科学院学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the role of high-frequency ultrasound (HFUS) in evaluating in the effectiveness of conservative treatment for professional athletes with patellar tendon enthesiopathy.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>According to different treatment intensities, 24 professional athletes with patellar tendon enthesiopathy were randomly divided into painless group, slightly-painful group and extremely-painful group. Then changes of the HFUS findings [including ranges of two-dimensional diseases and blood conditions by Color Doppler Flow Imaging (CDFI)] of patellar tendon before and after the treatment were recorded. The results were also compared with conventional clinical treatment evaluations.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After two courses of treatment,the percentage of athletes whose pain was resolved or disappeared was 37.5% in painless group, 87.5% in slightly-painful group, and 62.5% in extremely-painful group. The pain score was 4.50 ± 2.07, 4.88 ± 1.13, and 6.13 ± 1.55 in painless group,slightly-painful group,and extremely-painful group, respectively,before treatment and 4.88 ± 2.17, 3.00 ± 1.77,and 5.13 ± 2.36 after treatment. The average pain score remarkably decreased in the slightly-painful group and extremely-painful group,and such difference was statistically significant in the slightly-pain group (P<0.05). The effective rate (defined as thinner patellar,decreased hypoecho area and fewer blood distribution in the lesion) was 38%, 50%, and 62% in the painless group, slightly-painful group,and extremely-painful group, and the rates in the slightly-painful group and extremely-painful group were significantly higher than that in painless group (both P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>HFUS can display the ultrasonographic changes of patellar tendon enthesiopathy after conservative treatments in an objective and quantitative manner. Compared with conventional clinical evaluations, it can more accurately reflect the disease recovery status.</p>

Ultrasound diagnosis of congenital intrahepatic portosystemic shunt / 中华肝脏病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the ultrasonographic features of congenital intrahepatic portosystemic venous shunt (CIPSVS) and to assess the clinical value of ultrasonography in the diagnosis of CIPSVS.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Six cases of CIPSVS diagnosed in our hospital between March 2010 and March 2012 and confirmed by enhanced computed tomography (CT) were retrospectively reviewed. Five of the six cases had follow-up data that was included in the analysis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Among the six CIPSVS cases, only one was classified as Park's type II and the rest were classified as Park's type III. Five cases involved the right lobe of the liver and only one case involved the left lobe. The lesion shapes included cystic, tubular, and irregular with clear contour and appeared to be anechoic on CT scan. The lesions ranged in size from 1.1*0.6 cm to 2.0*1.7 cm. For all cases, the color Doppler ultrasound images showed blood flowing from the portal vein to the hepatic vein, and single-phase spectrum was detected in the diversion channel. The differences observed in level of lesion size and blood flow velocity at the shunt from the time of examinations at diagnosis and subsequent follow-up did not reach statistical significance (P = 0.223 more than 0.05 and P = 0.930 more than 0.05 respectively).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Although cases of CIPSVS are rare, they share some specific sonographic features that may help in diagnosis. Color Doppler ultrasound findings have high diagnostic accuracy and may represent a preferred modality for follow-up monitoring.</p>

Application of intraoperative spinal ultrasonography in thoracic spinal decompressive operations / 中国医学科学院学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the feasibility and clinical value of intraoperative ultrasonography (IOUS) in thoracic spinal decompression surgery.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Ten patients with confirmed thoracic spinal stenosis underwent thoracic spinal decompression in our center from August 2009 to December 2010. The appearance of the compressed section of spinal cord was observed with IOUS. Before and after the decompression operation, the diameters of dural sac and the spinal cord were recorded respectively. The location and nature of the compression-causing mass were confirmed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>IOUS clearly showed the shape of the normal and the compressed sections of dural sac and spinal cord. In the 14 thoracic spinal cord sections of these 10 patients, the anteroposterior diameter, horizontal diameter, and their ratio were bigger than those before decompression. The values of anteroposterior diameter and anteroposterior/horizontal diameter ratio showed significant differences(the P value of dural sac anteroposterior diameter comparison was 0.008, which of spinal cord was 0.007; the P values of these two structures ratio comparison were both 0.002 before and after decompression), while the horizontal diameter presented no significant differences (the P values of both structures were 0.270 and 0.195 respectively before and after decompression).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>IOUS can clearly show the morphological changes of the dural sac and spinal cord before and after the decompression. In addition, it helps surgeons to locate and specify the nature of the compression-causing mass on the ventral side of dural sac. Furthermore, IOUS can suggest whether the decompression is sufficient in a real-time manner.</p>

Application value of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography in the diagnosis of biliary diseases / 中国医学科学院学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the usefulness of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) in the diagnosis of biliary diseases.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>CEUS was performed in 57 patients with biliary diseases. The contrast enhancement characteristics and the morphologic features were observed. The ultrasonographic results were compared with those obtained through conventional 2-D ultrasound (2D-US), color Doppler flow ultrasound (CDFI), and clinical, surgical, and laboratory findings. In some cases, the ultrasonographic results were also compared with those obtained from contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The diagnostic accuracy of 2D-US combined with CEUS was significantly higher than that of 2D-US combined with CDFI 87.7% vs 71.9%; chi(2) = 4.41, P < 0.05). CEUS clearly showed the presence/absence of blood supply in biliary lesions and offered real-time imaging of the microcirculation perfusion in the lesions. It also offered useful information to differentiate biliary tumors from stones, bile mud, and/or blood clots. It distinctly displayed the size and contour of the lesions as well as the infiltrated range, depth, and the involved area. However, CEUS is most useful in reflecting blood perfusion patterns; it had limited value in differentiating the malignancies of polypoid lesions. The diagnostic accuracy (87.0% vs 91.3%;chi(2) = 0. 45, P > 0.05) and the size and range of the lesions displayed (0.4-6.2 cm vs 0.4-6.0 cm, P = 0.721) were not significantly different between CEUS and CECT.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>CEUS is a useful tool in the routine ultrasonography of biliary diseases.</p>

Ultrasound elastography of ethanol-induced hepatic lesions: in vitro study / 中国医学科学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the value of ultrasound elastography in evaluation of ethanol-induced lesions of liver.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Alcohol with a dose of 2 ml was injected into a fresh porcine liver under ultrasound guidance to create stiff necrosis. Then freehand elastography of the lesion from the identical scan plane was obtained with SONOLINE Antares system using VF10-5 probe at about every 30 seconds till 6 minutes later. The original high quality radiofrequency data were acquired through an ultrasound research interface which was provided by the ultrasound system. Then, corresponding elastograms were produced offline using cross-correlation technique and compared with gross pathology findings.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Gray-scale sonogram showed a hyperechoic area with acoustic shadow below appeared immediately after alcohol injection. The hyperechoic area tended to be diffuse and its boundary to be illegible with time. On the contrary, the ethanol-induced lesion in elastogram appeared as a low strain hard region surrounded by high strain soft hepatic tissues, with clear but irregular boundaries. Sequential elastograms with the sketched lesion boundaries showed that the lesion area increased in the first 3 minutes after ethanol injection, and then reached a plateau which corresponding to gross specimen.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Ultrasound elastography is capable of detecting and evaluating the diffusion of ethanol-induced hepatic lesion, and more sensitive and accurate than routine sonography.</p>

Ultrasound elastography of ethanol-induced hepatic lesions / 中国医学科学院学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the value of ultrasound elastography in the evaluation of ethanol-induced lesions of liver.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Alcohol with a dose of 2 ml was injected into a fresh porcine liver under ultrasound guidance to create stiff necrosis. Then freehand elastography of the lesion from the identical scan plane was obtained with Siemens SONOLINE Antares system using VF10-5 probe at about every 30 seconds till 6 minutes later. The original high-quality radio-frequency data were acquired through an ultrasound research interface provided by the ultrasound system. Corresponding elastograms were then produced offline using cross-corre-lation technique and compared with gross specimen.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A hyperechoic area with acoustic shadow below appeared immediately after alcohol injection. The hyperechoic area diffused and its boundary was illegible following injection. On the contrary, the ethanol-induced lesion in elastography appeared as a low strain hard region surrounded by high-strain soft hepatic tissues with clear but irregular boundaries. Sequential elastograms with the lesion boundaries sketched showed that the lesion area grew in the first 3 minutes after ethanol injection and then reached a plateau, which corresponded to the gross specimen.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Ultrasound elastography can be used to detect and evaluate the diffusion of ethanol-induced hepatic lesion.</p>

Application of contrast-enhanced ultrasound in the diagnosis of renal cystic lesion / 中国医学科学院学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in the diagnosis of renal cystic lesion.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Totally 88 patients with 97 atypical cystic lesions of kidneys were examined by conventional ultrasound (color Doppler flow imaging and power Doppler flow imaging), CEUS, and contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT), respectively. The results from the three imaging approaches were classified by Bosniak classification system and compared with each other. In patients who underwent surgeries, the pathological results were used to validate the imaging results.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The results of CEUS and CECT on atypical cystic lesions were not significantly different (P > 0.05). The results gained by conventional ultrasound were significantly different from those of CEUS and CECT (P < 0.05). Compared with the pathological results of 32 patients who underwent surgery, the sensitivities of CEUS in the diagnosis of benign, doubtfully malignant, and malignant cystic tumors of kidney were 63.2%, 95.0%, and 94.7%, respectively, the specificities were 92.9%, 76.9%, and 85.7%, respectively, and the accuracies were 75.8%, 87.9%, and 90.0%, respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The classification of atypical cystic lesions using CEUS is highly consistent with CECT. CEUS is valuable in the diagnosis of benign and malignant renal cystic lesions.</p>