Quantitative analysis of contrast-enhanced ultrasound combined with ultrasound in the unifocal papillary thyroid micro-carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate diagnostic value of ultrasound (US) combined with contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in the invasiveness of unifocal papillary thyroid micro-carcinoma (UPTMC) without capsule-invasion. METHODS: This retrospective study included data from patients with UPTMC who received US and CEUS examinations in the Ultrasound Department of the Central Hospital of Changsha, China between June 2019 and September 2021. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to evaluate the risk of US and CEUS parameters for UPTMC. Diagnostic performance was estimated by ROC analysis. RESULTS: A total of 136 cases were enrolled, including invasive UPTMC (n = 47) and non-invasive UPTMC (n = 89), which were divided into test set (n = 109) and validation set (n = 27). The occurrence of microcalcification and the ratios (R) of each time-intensity curve (TIC) of CEUS parameter were significantly higher in patients with invasive UTPMC than non-invasive UPTMC (all P < 0.05). Additionally, nodular diameter was significantly longer in the invasive group (P < 0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that microcalcification (OR = 2.917, 95% CI: 1.002-8.491, P = 0.050), R-TTP > 1 (OR = 3.376, 95%CI: 1.267-8.994, P = 0.015), R-DS > 1 (OR = 6.558, 95% CI: 2.358-18.243, P < 0.010) were independently associated with invasive UPTMC. The sensitivities of US, CEUS and their combined application were 82.1%, 46.2% and 79.5%, respectively, and their specificities were 37.1%, 88.6% and 61.4%, respectively. The combination of the two methods had the best diagnostic efficiency (AUC=0.775)compared to US (AUC = 0.596) and CEUS (AUC = 0.750). CONCLUSION: The combination of US and CEUS might have good diagnostic value for UPTMC with capsule non-invasion.

Comparison and correlation study of synovial ultrasound indices and serum VEGF in rheumatoid wrist arthritis before and after treatment.

OBJECTIVE: Rheumatoid wrist arthritis is a chronic autoimmune disease, resulting in joint deformity and functional impairment. We aimed to compare the wrist synovial ultrasound indices and serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) level in patients with RA before and after treatment, and to explore the correlation between the two. METHODS: Forty patients with RA in wrist underwent ultrasound examination to determine wrist synovial thickness, synovial blood flow grade, and synovial artery resistive index (RI) before and after treatment. The serum level of VEGF was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Correlation between synovial ultrasound indices and serum VEGF level was assessed. RESULTS: Pre-treatment synovial thickness, synovial artery RI, and serum VEGF level were 8.60 ± 2.82 mm, 0.62 ± 0.07, and 419.49 ± 19.27 pg/mL, respectively. The corresponding post-treatment levels were 4.05 ± 1.89 mm, 0.83 ± 0.10, and 199.30 ± 16.18 pg/mL. Pre-treatment distribution of synovial blood flow grades was as follows: grade 0, nil; grade I, 1 case; grade II, 17 cases; grade III, 22 cases. The post-treatment distribution was as follows: grade 0, 6 cases; grade I, 23 cases; grade II, 11 cases; and grade III, nil. There were significant differences between pre- and post-treatment wrist synovial thickness, artery RI, and blood flow grading. Wrist synovial thickness and synovial blood flow grade showed a strong positive correlation with serum VEGF level (P < 0.01). There was strong negative correlation between wrist synovial artery RI and serum VEGF level (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The strong correlation between wrist synovial ultrasound indicators and serum VEGF may be clinically useful for diagnosis and therapy.

Prediction of Outcomes of Ultrasound-Guided Saline Enema in the Treatment of Pediatric Intussusception: A Retrospective Case-Control Study.

OBJECTIVES: Outcomes of ultrasound-guided saline enema include successful treatment, unsuccessful treatment, or recurrence. This study aimed to investigate the value of ultrasonic parameters of the ileocecal region during hydrostatic reduction to predict enema outcomes. METHODS: Ultrasound images of patients diagnosed with ileocolic intussusception and treated with ultrasound-guided saline enema at two different institutions between January 2019 and April 2021 were retrospectively analyzed to assess ileocecal-valve diameter (ICVD), intussusceptum thickness (IT), and the ratio of IT to ICVD (I/I). Logistic regression analysis was used to explore correlations between ICVD, IT, I/I, and patient characteristics (sex, age, symptom duration, and enema outcome). RESULTS: Of 291 patients with ileocolic intussusception (207 boys; mean ICVD, 8.6 [SD: 0.1] mm; mean IT, 26 [SD: 0.2] mm; mean I/I, 3.0 [SD: 0.01]), 268 had first successful reduction; 23, first failed reduction; 7, final failed reduction; and 41, early recurrence. Significant risk factors for failed reduction included symptom duration >24 hours (odds ratio [OR] = 10, P = .012), ICVD ≤ 8.5 mm (OR = 8, P = .01), and I/I > 3.25 (OR = 16, P < .001). Significant risk factors for early recurrence post-enema included age >1 year (OR = 10, P = .028), ICVD > 8.5 mm (OR = 4, P = .003), and I/I ≤ 2.95 (OR = 6, P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: ICVD and IT measured during ultrasound-guided hydrostatic reduction can predict enema outcomes. The mismatch between IT and ICVD is the primary cause of poor outcomes.