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Objective:To evaluate the feasibility of Full-stack Smart Pelvic Floor Ultrasound (FSPFU) software in the acquisition and measurement of the minimal levator hiatus (LH).Methods:Transperineal pelvic floor ultrasonography was performed in 119 women of 6-month postpartum from Nov.2020 to Jan.2021 of Shenzhen Second People′s Hospital. Mid-sagittal plane of pelvic floor was set as the initial plane, and the three-dimensional volume data was acquired. The dataset was stored in the machine. The offline volume data was manually adjusted to obtain the minimal LH images and measured by four physicians (two junior physicians as the D1 group and two senior physicians as the D2 group). For comparison, the results were also obtained using the fully automated method—the FSPFU software by a junior physician (the D3 group). The obtained parameters of minimal LH included area, circumference, anterioposterior diameter, transverse diameter, left and right levator-urethral gap distance. Analysis time was recorded for each group. The contours of minimal LH were outlined by three groups and the overlapping rate was calculated. The quality of the resulted images was evaluated and scored by another two senior physicians(A and B) independently.Results:The D3 group had a significant shorter analysis time compared with the other two groups, and the D1 group took a longer time than the D2 group, regardless of the cystocele severity (D1: 82.97 s, D2: 62.51 s, D3: 2.71 s, all P<0.05). The intergroup agreements and correlations of the minimum LH area were good (all ICC>0.85, rs>0.70, P<0.001) and the outlined contours were largely overlapped (>92%). There was no significant difference in image quality among the three groups(all P>0.05). Conclusions:FSPFU software can automatically obtain and measure the minimum LH in an efficient and accurate way, which can improve the effectiveness of the present pelvic floor examination. FSPFU software can be an useful tool in the diagnosis of pelvic floor dysfunctional diseases.
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Objective:To compare the difference of low-level assisted ventilation and T-piece method on respiratory mechanics of patients with invasive mechanical ventilation during spontaneous breathing trial (SBT) within 3 days before extubation.Methods:A retrospective observational study was conducted. Twenty-five patients with difficulty in weaning or delayed weaning from invasive mechanical ventilation who were admitted to department of critical care medicine of the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University from December 2018 to June 2020, and were in stable condition and entered the weaning stage after more than 72 hours of invasive mechanical ventilation were studied. A total of 119 cases of respiratory mechanical indexes were collected, which were divided into the low-level assisted ventilation group and the T-piece group according to the ventilator method and parameters used during the data collection. The different ventilation modes related respiratory mechanics indexes such as the esophageal pressure (Pes), the gastric pressure (Pga), the transdiaphragmatic pressure (Pdi), the maximum Pdi (Pdimax), Pdi/Pdimax ratio, the esophageal pressure-time product (PTPes), the gastric pressure-time product (PTPga), the transdiaphragmatic pressure-time product (PTPdi), the diaphragmatic electromyography (EMGdi), the maximum diaphragmatic electromyography (EMGdimax), PTPdi/PTPes ratio, Pes/Pdi ratio, the inspiratory time (Ti), the expiratory time (Te) and the total time respiratory cycle (Ttot) at the end of monitoring were recorded and compared between the two groups.Results:Compared with the T-piece group, Pes, PTPes, PTPdi/PTPes ratio, Pes/Pdi ratio and Te were higher in low-level assisted ventilation group [Pes (cmH 2O, 1 cmH 2O = 0.098 kPa): 2.84 (-1.80, 5.83) vs. -0.94 (-8.50, 2.06), PTPes (cmH 2O·s·min -1): 1.87 (-2.50, 5.93) vs. -0.95 (-9.71, 2.56), PTPdi/PTPes ratio: 0.07 (-1.74, 1.65) vs. -1.82 (-4.15, -1.25), Pes/Pdi ratio: 0.17 (-0.43, 0.64) vs. -0.47 (-0.65, -0.11), Te (s): 1.65 (1.36, 2.18) vs. 1.33 (1.05, 1.75), all P < 0.05], there were no significant differences in Pga, Pdi, Pdimax, Pdi/Pdimax ratio, PTPga, PTPdi, EMGdi, EMGdimax, Ti and Ttot between the T-piece group and the low-level assisted pressure ventilation group [Pga (cmH 2O): 6.96 (3.54,7.60) vs. 7.74 (4.37, 11.30), Pdi (cmH 2O): 9.24 (4.58, 17.31) vs. 6.18 (2.98, 11.96), Pdimax (cmH 2O): 47.20 (20.60, 52.30) vs. 29.95 (21.50, 47.20), Pdi/Pdimax ratio: 0.25 (0.01, 0.34) vs. 0.25 (0.12, 0.41), PTPga (cmH 2O·s·min -1): 7.20 (2.54, 9.97) vs. 7.97 (5.74, 13.07), PTPdi (cmH 2O·s·min -1): 12.15 (2.95, 19.86) vs. 6.87 (2.50, 12.63), EMGdi (μV): 0.05 (0.03, 0.07) vs. 0.04 (0.02, 0.06), EMGdimax (μV): 0.07 (0.05, 0.09) vs. 0.07 (0.04, 0.09), Ti (s): 1.20 (0.95, 1.33) vs. 1.07 (0.95, 1.33), Ttot (s): 2.59 (2.22, 3.09) vs. 2.77 (2.35, 3.24), all P > 0.05]. Conclusions:When mechanically ventilated patients undergo SBT, the use of T-piece method increases the work of breathing compared with low-level assisted ventilation method. Therefore, long-term use of T-piece should be avoided during SBT.
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Objective:To understand the function of diaphragm and analyze the clinical factors affecting the function of diaphragm by measuring twitch tracheal pressure (TwPtr) in patients with mechanical ventilation and in the weaning phase.Methods:Patients with more than 48 hours of invasive mechanical ventilation admitted to the department of critical care medicine of the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University from December 2015 to March 2017 were enrolled. After the patient entered the weaning stage, TwPtr of patients was monitored by two-way non repetitive automatic respiratory trigger device, the effects of duration of mechanical ventilation, severe pulmonary infection, sedative application and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) on weaning were analyzed.Results:A total of 62 patients were included, of which 45 were male and 17 were female. The average age was (66.8±11.7) years old. Twenty-three cases had severe pneumonia. The absolute value of TwPtr in severe pneumonia group was lower than that in non-severe pneumonia group [cmH 2O (1 cmH 2O = 0.098 kPa): 10.40±5.81 vs. 14.35±5.22, P = 0.021]. However, there was no significant difference in the duration of mechanical ventilation between the severe pneumonia group and non-severe pneumonia group [days: 26 (17, 43) vs. 15 (11, 36), P = 0.091]. In 62 patients with mechanical ventilation, there was a negative correlation between TwPtr and duration of mechanical ventilation ( r = 0.414, P = 0.002), there was also a negative correlation between the duration of mechanical ventilation and TwPtr after the assessment of diaphragm function ( r = 0.277, P = 0.039). There was a linear relationship between TwPtr and sedatives ( r = 0.220, P = 0.040), but there was no correlation between TwPtr and COPD ( r = -0.178, P = 0.166). Conclusions:For patients in the weaning stage of mechanical ventilation, severe pulmonary infection is one of the factors that affect the diaphragm dysfunction. There is a certain correlation between the diaphragm dysfunction and the use of sedatives.
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To evaluate and discuss feasibility and value of the transvaginal two‐dimensional sonography in distinguishing the major muscle groups of levator ani ,including puborectalis and iliococcygeus ,by observing the morphology and contraction form of these muscles . Methods Total of 145 nulliparous women were chosen . T he major muscle groups of levator ani were observed by transvaginal two‐dimensional sonography . T he images of puborectalis and iliococcygeus were obtained both at rest and contracting . T he features of the sonogram and the direction of muscle contraction were summarized . T he consistency between two sonographers was analyzed by ICC . Results T ransvaginal two‐dimensional sonography could be used to observe and distinguish the major muscle groups of levator ani . Puborectalis was showed distinctly as thick and uniform hyperechoic linear zone . Iliococcygeus was showed as triangle zone with sparse hyperechoic lines ,with one angle pointing to the caudal .During contracting ,puborectalis moved from the dorsal to the ventral while iliococcygeus contracted from the caudal to the cephalic . T he consistency between two sonographers for distinguishing the morphology and contraction form between the puborectalis( ICC＝0 .93 ,0 .89 ) and ilococcygeus ( ICC＝0 .78 ,0 .75 ) were remarkably high . Conclusions T ransvaginal two‐dimensional sonography could be used to observe dynamically and distinguish the morphology and contraction form of the levator ani muscles ,including puborectalis and iliococcygeus . It is a convenient and reproducible method to help study mechanism of levator ani injury and provide fine radiological evidence of making individual treatment .
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Objective We aim to evaluate and discuss the feasibility of Hyaline imaging of three-dimension sonography in observation of paravaginal support structure in normal nonporous women.Methods Total of 45 normal infertile women were chosen.Three-dimensional volume datasets were collected at rest by transperineal ultrasound.The three-dimensional Hyaline images were acquired off-line.We observed the morphologic features of paravaginal support structure on the axial plane in middle vagina and measured the anteroposterior and lateral horizontal distances between bilateral paravaginal support structure and ureter.The consistency between two sonographers were analyzed by intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC).Results In three-dimensional Hyaline imaging sonogram,paravaginal support structure was appeared as typically tenting-like shaped.The anteroposterior distances between paravaginal support structure and center of ureter were listed as followed:left (-0.31 ± 1.29) mm,right (0.47 ± O.99) mm.While the lateral horizontal distances were left (12.67 ± 6.70) mm,right (13.01 ± 5.75) mm.There were no statistical differences between bilateral both anteroposterior and lateral horizontal distances.The consistency between two sonographers for distinguishing paravaginal support structure on the middle-vaginal plane and measuring distances between paravaginal support structure and center of ureter was remarkably high (ICC is 0.87 and 0.82).Conclusions Hyaline imaging technology of three-dimensional pelvic floor sonography could be used to observe paravaginal support structure in women.The normal paravaginal support structure is typically showed as bilateral symmetrical tenting-like structure,which is on the same level as the center of ureter.It provides normal anatomic radiological evidence and helps study defect of paravaginal support structure caused by pregnancy or delivery.
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Objective To investigate characteristics and value of prenatal ultrasound in diagnosing persistent left and absent right superior vena cava.Methods Ultrasonic data of 8 fetuses with persistent left and absent right superior vena cava were retrospectively analyzed.Ultrasonic findings of persistent left and absent right superior vena cava and other complicated anomalies were observed,and the outcomes were followed up.Results The ultrasonic characteristics of persistent left and absent right superior vena cava included a vessel which could be seen on the left of pulmonary artery on three vessel-trachea view draining into the dilated coronary sinus,and right superior vena cava was absent.With combined spatio-temporal image correlation (STIC) and high definition flow (HDF) technique,the spatial relationship of the left superior vena cava,aorta and pulmonary artery could be observed.Dilated coronary sinus was found in all 8 fetuses,other congenital heart defects were detected in 5 fetuses,and extracardiac anomaly was found in 1 fetus.Conclusion Persistent left and absent right superior vena cava and complicated anomalies can be accurately diagnosed with prenatal ultrasound.Dilated coronary sinus is an important clue for prenatal ultrasonic diagnosis.
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Objective To investigate effects of Danhong on the serum levels of CD137, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and homocysteine (Hcy) in patients with non-ST elevation acute myocardial infarction complicating metabolic syndrome. Methods A total of 126 patients with non-ST elevation acute myocardial infarction complicating metabolic syndrome were enrolled and randomly divided into a conventional treatment group and a Danhong treatment group using a random-digit table, with 63 patients in each group. All patients underwent angiography or percutaneous coronary intervention. The patients in the Danhong treatment group treated with intravenous Danhong 20 ml on the basis of conventional treatment for 1 week. The serum levels of CD137, hs-CRP and Hcy were measured at hospital admission and 10 days after treatment. The severity of coronary artery disease was assessed by the Gensini-score. Results The levels of CD137, hs-CRP and Hcy in both groups after treatment were significantly lower than before treatment (conventional treatment group: t 12.393, 17.408 and 9.458; Danhong treatment group: t 16.110, 17.573 and 13.481; all P<0.01), and the Danhong treatment group were significantly decreased than the conventional treatment group (t 2.815, 3.224 and 3.157, all P<0.01). The serum levels of CD137 and hs-CRP before treatment were significantly correlated with Gensini scores in 126 patients (r 0.720 and 0.562,all P<0.01). Conclusions The serum levels of CD137 and hs-CRP are significantly correlated with the severity of coronary artery disease, intravenous Danhong may has protective effect for coronary artery disease via decreasing CD137 and hs-CRP.
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Objective To investigate the measurement standards and clinical application of observing anatomical morphologies and contractile function of puborectalis muscle on pelvic floor parasagittal plane by endoluminal two-dimensional ultrasonography.Methods The thickness and thickening rate of puborectalis muscle of 78 young nulliparous women were measured on pelvic floor parasagittal plane at three levelsurethral level (anterior),vaginal level (central) and rectal level (posterior),both at rest and during contraction.And the thickening rates of these parts during contraction were compared with each other.Interclass correlation coefficients were calculated to evaluate the consistency of the datas.Results At rest,thickness of anterior part of the left was (9.23 ± 0.20)mm,and that of the right was (8.99 ± 0.20)mm.During contraction,thickness of anterior parts of bilateral puborectalis muscle were significantly thicker than that of central or posterior parts (P ＜0.05).The interclass coefficients were more than 0.93 and 0.83.Conclusions The endoluminal two-dimensional ultrasonography can be used to observe morphologies and contractile function dynamically of puborectalis on pelvic floor parasagittal plane.It is simple,reproducible and worthy of clinical promotion.
