Comparison of MicroFlow Imaging with color and power Doppler imaging for detecting and characterizing blood flow signals in hepatocellular carcinoma.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the sensitivity of MicroFlow Imaging (MFI) with that of color and power Doppler imaging (CDI and PDI, respectively) in detecting the vascularity of hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs). METHODS: This prospective study enrolled 51 patients diagnosed with HCC between August 2018 and December 2018. CDI, PDI, MFI, and contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) were performed. Two radiologists evaluated the presence and pattern of tumoral vascularity on CDI, PDI, and MFI. Vascular presence was graded on a 5-point scale (0, absent; 4, >50% of the tumor). The vascular pattern was chosen from following categories: basket, vessels in tumor, spot, detouring, mixed, or others. Two additional radiologists assessed CEUS images for the presence and pattern of tumoral vascularity, which served as the reference standard. If the tumoral vascular pattern on each examination matched that of the CEUS images, the Wilcoxon test and McNemar test, respectively, were used to compare the sensitivity for detecting tumoral vascularity between MFI and CDI, and between MFI and PDI. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with MFI detectability of tumoral vascularity. RESULTS: CEUS demonstrated tumoral vascularity in 98.0% (50 of 51) of patients. MFI (58.0%, 29 of 50) demonstrated a higher sensitivity than CDI (14.0%, 7 of 50) or PDI (14.0%, 7 of 50) (P<0.001 for both) in detecting tumoral vascularity, provided that the vascular pattern was correctly depicted. Only tumor depth was associated with the MFI detectability of tumoral vascularity. CONCLUSION: The sensitivity of MFI was higher than that of CDI or PDI in detecting the vascularity of HCCs when the vascular pattern was considered. MFI better detected the vascularity of shallow tumors.

Anestesia regional guiada por ultrasonido en territorio del nervio pudendo / Regional anesthesia guided by ultrasound in the pudendal nerve territory

Abstract Introduction: Pudendal nerve blocks have a wide range of clinical applications for the management of acute post-operative pain in urologic, gynecological surgery, in coloproctology, as well as in pain medicine for differential diagnosis, and for the management of pudendal neuropathies. However, despite its benefits it is infrequently used. Objective: To perform a detailed description of the most recent ultrasound-guided techniques with the aim of encouraging safe and reproducible learning. Materials and methods: We have performed a broad, non-systematic review of the literature through Medline, Embase and Science Direct between 1985 and 2016, to evaluate the most relevant articles, using the following key words: pudendal nerve anatomy, pudendal nerve, pudendal nerve blocks, pudendal nerve ultrasound, pudendal neuralgia, nerve entrapment, chronic pain, Alcock canal, and pelvic pain. The search was limited to articles published in Spanish, English and French. Results: Recent descriptions were found of a large number of anatomic variants, which are described in detail and shown in graphic documents in order to facilitate the sonoanatomic correlation of nerve location as a guide for the performance of the pudendal nerve block through the different approaches. Conclusions: The deep and detailed knowledge of the anatomy of the pudendal nerve and its variations is essential for the realization of Regional Anesthesia techniques guided by images. These promising techniques should continue to be evaluated with clinical studies.

Resumen Introducción: Los bloqueos del nervio pudendo poseen un amplio rango de utilidades clínicas en el manejo agudo de dolor POP en cirugía urológica, ginecológica, en coloproctología, así como en medicina del dolor en diagnóstico diferencial y manejo de las neuropatías del nervio pudendo. Sin embargo, su aplicación es relativamente infrecuente a pesar de los beneficios. Objetivo: Realizar una descripción detallada de las técnicas más recientes guiadas por ultra-sonografía con el objeto de motivar su aprendizaje de una manera segura y reproducible. Materiales y métodos: Se realizó una revisión amplia, no sistemática de la literatura a través de Medline, Embase y Science Direct desde 1985 hasta 2016, evaluando los artículos más relevantes, utilizando las palabras clave: anatomía del nervio pudendo, nervio pudendo, bloqueos del nervio pudendo, ultrasonido del nervio pudendo, neuralgia del pudendo, atrapamiento nervioso, dolor crónico, canal de Alcock y dolor pélvico. La búsqueda se limitó a artículos publicados en español, inglés y francés. Resultados: Se encontraron recientes descripciones de una gran cantidad de variantes anatómicas, que se describen en detalle y muestran en documentos gráficos con el propósito de facilitar la correlación sonoanatómica de la localización del nervio como guía para la realización de bloqueos de nervio pudendo a través de los diferentes abordajes. Conclusiones: El conocimiento profundo y detallado de la anatomía del nervio pudendo y sus variaciones es esencial para la realización de técnicas de anestesia regional guiada por imágenes. Estas técnicas promisorias deben continuar evaluándose con estudios clínicos.