Therapeutic outcomes and analysis of Doppler findings in 25 patients with non-ischemic priapism.

Non-ischemic priapism (NiP) is painless partial tumescence caused by genital trauma and the formation of intracorporal arterio-venous fistula. This is a retrospective study of 25 men with NiP and reports the long-term erectile function and colour doppler ultrasound (CDUS) findings after treatment for NiP. Unstimulated CDUS was performed at diagnosis, 1 week and at last follow-up after treatment. CDUS traces were analysed: peak systolic velocity (PSV), end diastolic velocity (EDV), resistive index (RI) and mean velocity (MV) were calculated. Erectile function was assessed using the IIEF-EF questionnaire. At the last follow-up (median 24 months), 16 men had normal erectile function (64%): median IIEF-EF score 29 (IQR 28.5-30; σ2 2.78) and nine had erectile dysfunction (36%): median IIEF-EF score 17 (IQR 14-22; σ2 33.6). MV and EDV were statistically higher in those patients with erectile dysfunction at last follow-up compared to patients with normal erectile function: median MV 5.3 cm/s (IQR 2.4-10.5 cm/s; σ2 34) vs 2.95 cm/s (IQR 1.03-3.95; σ2 3.4) p < 0.002 and median EDV 4.0 cm/s (IQR 1.5-8.0; σ2 14.7) vs 0 cm/s (IQR 0-1.75; σ2 2.21) p < 0.004. Erectile dysfunction was observed in 36% of men treated for NiP and was associated with abnormal low resistance resting CDUS waveforms. Further investigation for persistent arteriovenous fistulation should be considered in these patients.

Value of Color Doppler Ultrasonography for Diagnosing Early Diabetic Nephropathy.

INTRODUCTION: Early diagnosis of diabetic nephropathy (DN), the leading cause of death in diabetic patients, is an important issue in preventing and reducing the disease burden for patients and the healthcare system. In this study, we aimed at investigating the value of color doppler ultrasonography in the diagnosis of early diabetic nephropathy (DN). METHODS: Two hundred and thirty-eight diabetic patients, were enrolled in this study and were categorized into, either control (n = 109) or study group (n = 129), according to 24 hours urinary albumin excretion rate (UAER), from January 2015 to March 2021. The morphologic findings of the kidneys were observed and compared, in both groups, by color doppler ultrasound technique, and blood flow of renal arteries was also measured, at all levels. Fasting plasma glucose (FPG), uric acid, homocysteine, beta-2- microglobulin, cystatin C, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and CRP were also extracted from their laboratory results. RESULTS: Compared to the control group, the study group had lower intrarenal arterial end-diastolic blood flow velocity (EDV) and higher arterial resistance index (RI) (P ~ < .05). A significant diagnostic value of intrarenal arterial EDV and RI was found for early detection of DN (P ~ < .05). Intrarenal arterial RI and EDV showed positive correlations with UAER, FPG, uric acid, homocysteine, beta-2-microglobulin, cystatin C, HbA1c, and CRP (P ~ < .05). CONCLUSION: Color doppler ultrasound markers of renal and intrarenal arteries has a high diagnostic value for DN at its early stage.  DOI: 10.52547/ijkd.7246.

[Immediate postoperative color Doppler ultrasonography on the diagnosis of hemorrhagic complications of liver biopsy and its directed compression hemostasis].

Objective: To study the diagnostic value of immediate color Doppler ultrasonography on traumatic hepatic hemorrhage after tissue sampling with ultrasound-guided liver biopsy and the clinical effect of its-directed local compression hemostasis at puncture-site. Methods: 132 hospitalized patients with various liver diseases underwent ultrasound-guided hepatic puncture-biopsies, including 61 cases with diffuse parenchymal and 71 cases with focal liver lesions. Immediate postoperative color Doppler ultrasonography was performed following liver biopsy. Abnormal blood flow signal was observed at hepatic puncture biopsy site, and if there were hemorrhagic signals, ultrasound-directed local compression hemostasis was performed until the bleeding signal disappeared. F-test and Chi-square test were used for statistical analysis. Results: Immediate color Doppler ultrasonography showed traumatic hemorrhage in 36.1% (22/61) and 40.8% (29/71) cases of diffuse liver disease and focal liver disease group, respectively. All hemorrhagic signals were eventually disappeared after ultrasound-directed local compression hemostasis. The median hemostasis time was 2 min in both groups, and there was no statistically significant difference in bleeding rate and hemostasis time between the two groups (P>0.05). There were no serious complications and deaths. Conclusion: Traumatic hepatic hemorrhage along the needle puncture tract is a common accompanying condition during liver biopsy. Immediate postoperative color Doppler ultrasonography can trace bleeding signals in timely manner and direct effective compression hemostasis, so it should be used routinely to help avoid occurrence of severe hemorrhagic complications.

Pseudoendoleak: A post-endovascular aortic repair ultrasound surveillance pitfall - Single institution case series.

INTRODUCTION: In the context of increasingly common endovascular treatment for abdominal aortic aneurysms, endoleak is a relatively common complication of (abdominal) EVAR, and ongoing multimodality surveillance programs are recommended by expert bodies including the Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS). We describe the colour doppler ultrasound (CDUS) finding defined as pseudoendoleak that may be misinterpreted as significant endoleak and may be resolved through the use of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS). METHODS: Retrospective review of cases at our institution identified five cases where apparent endoleak on CDUS was not evident on CEUS, performed immediately following CDUS. RESULTS: Each of these five cases demonstrated interval increase in sac size at varying intervals post-EVAR, and in 4 out of 5 cases, no endoleak was demonstrated on multiple other modalities, at multiple time points. One case demonstrated an isolated type 2 endoleak at one time point, a finding that could not be reproduced. In each case, index-positive CDUS is thought to represent agitated fluid within the excluded sac that is not in continuity with the arterial blood pool as evidenced by the absence of CEUS enhancement. CONCLUSIONS: In cases of positive post-EVAR CDUS, CEUS is an effective tool to exclude the presence of pseudoendoleak and thus avoid further and potentially invasive diagnostic modalities in an elderly and comorbid cohort.

The relationship between venous insufficiency and serum magnesium level

Background: Magnesium is the second most common cation in the cell. In addition to its role as a cofactor in many enzymatic pathways in physiological processes, it is necessary for the regular functioning of vascular smooth muscle cells. Magnesium deficiency has been associated with exacerbation of inflammation, which plays a role in the aetiopathogenesis of many diseases. Aim: To investigate the potential relationship between serum magnesium level and the development of chronic venous insufficiency by comparison with healthy individuals. Methods: The study included 394 patients with venous insufficiency based on physical examination findings and colour Doppler ultrasonography, and 206 controls without venous insufficiency. Venous insufficiency was defined by colour Doppler as reflux lasting 0.5 seconds or more in superficial veins, and longer than one second in femoral and popliteal veins. Clinical, haematological and biochemical parameters, including serum magnesium level and indicators of inflammation, were compared between groups. Results: A total of 600 participants were included. There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of age and gender. In total, 187 (47.46%) patients with chronic venous insufficiency and 105 (50.97%) of the control group were male (p=0.414). The median age of the patients with chronic venous insufficiency was 48 (min-max: 41-49), and the median age of the control group was 49.00 (min-max: 45.00-60.25) (p=0.064). Serum magnesium level was found to be significantly lower in the group with chronic venous insufficiency compared to the control group; 1.90 mg/dL (min-max: 1.82-2) versus 2.1 mg/dL (min-max: 2-2.2) (p<0.001), respectively. Conclusion: Low serum magnesium levels may pose a potential risk for the development of chronic venous insufficiency, which is common in the community.

Immediate postoperative color Doppler ultrasonography on the diagnosis of hemorrhagic complications of liver biopsy and its directed compression hemostasis / 中华肝脏病杂志

Objective: To study the diagnostic value of immediate color Doppler ultrasonography on traumatic hepatic hemorrhage after tissue sampling with ultrasound-guided liver biopsy and the clinical effect of its-directed local compression hemostasis at puncture-site. Methods: 132 hospitalized patients with various liver diseases underwent ultrasound-guided hepatic puncture-biopsies, including 61 cases with diffuse parenchymal and 71 cases with focal liver lesions. Immediate postoperative color Doppler ultrasonography was performed following liver biopsy. Abnormal blood flow signal was observed at hepatic puncture biopsy site, and if there were hemorrhagic signals, ultrasound-directed local compression hemostasis was performed until the bleeding signal disappeared. F-test and Chi-square test were used for statistical analysis. Results: Immediate color Doppler ultrasonography showed traumatic hemorrhage in 36.1% (22/61) and 40.8% (29/71) cases of diffuse liver disease and focal liver disease group, respectively. All hemorrhagic signals were eventually disappeared after ultrasound-directed local compression hemostasis. The median hemostasis time was 2 min in both groups, and there was no statistically significant difference in bleeding rate and hemostasis time between the two groups (P>0.05). There were no serious complications and deaths. Conclusion: Traumatic hepatic hemorrhage along the needle puncture tract is a common accompanying condition during liver biopsy. Immediate postoperative color Doppler ultrasonography can trace bleeding signals in timely manner and direct effective compression hemostasis, so it should be used routinely to help avoid occurrence of severe hemorrhagic complications.

Safe and pivotal approaches using contrast-enhanced ultrasound for the diagnostic workup of non-obstetric conditions during pregnancy, a single-center experience.

PURPOSE: Conventional ultrasound is the main imaging modality in obstetrics for assessing the maternal and fetal status. Up to date, contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) has not found widespread use in gynecology and obstetrics, but recent studies demonstrate promising results. The aim of the present study is to assess safe and valuable application of CEUS during pregnancy to investigate non-obstetric conditions. METHODS: Five pregnant patients on whom CEUS was performed between 2019 and 2020 were included in this retrospective single-center study. A total of six CEUS examinations were performed including one CEUS-guided biopsy (mean age: 31 years, mean weeks of pregnancy: 18 weeks). CEUS examinations were performed by a consultant radiologist (EFSUMB level 3). RESULTS: All included pregnant women safely underwent CEUS. Neither maternal nor fetal adverse effects were detected. CEUS critically helped in the diagnostic workup of a desmoid tumor of the abdominal wall, hepatic hemangioma, amebic hepatic abscess, uncomplicated renal cyst and post-inflammatory alteration of the renal cortex and for excluding active abdominal bleeding. In addition, CEUS-guided biopsy was performed to prevent intratumoral hemorrhage. Findings from CEUS prompted immediate treatment in two women, whereas in three women regular obstetric monitoring of the women could be conducted. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrate safe and crucial application of off-label CEUS in pregnant women to assess different non-obstetric conditions allowing to prevent additional ionizing CT or application of (gadolinium-based) contrast agent in MRI. Hence, CEUS might add pivotal value for evaluating obstetric and non-obstetric conditions and thereby directing clinical management of pregnant women in the future.

Diagnostic value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound versus computed tomography for hepatocellular carcinoma: a retrospective, single-center evaluation of 234 patients.

OBJECTIVE: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common cause of primary liver cancer. A major part of diagnostic HCC work-up is based on imaging findings from sonography, computed tomography (CT), or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) allows for the dynamic assessment of the microperfusion pattern of suspicious liver lesions. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic value of CEUS compared with CT scans for assessing HCC. METHODS: We performed a retrospective, single-center study between 2004 and 2018 on 234 patients with suspicious liver lesions who underwent CEUS and CT examinations. All patients underwent native B-mode, color Doppler and CEUS after providing informed consent. Every CEUS examination was performed and interpreted by a single experienced radiologist (European Federation of Societies for Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology level 3). RESULTS: CEUS was performed on all included patients without occurrence of any adverse effects. CEUS showed a sensitivity of 94%, a specificity of 70%, a positive predictive value of 93% and a negative predictive value of 72% for analyzing HCC compared with CT as the diagnostic gold standard. CONCLUSIONS: CEUS has an excellent safety profile and shows a high diagnostic accuracy in assessing HCC compared with corresponding results from CT scans.

Single-Center Study: Evaluating the Diagnostic Performance and Safety of Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound (CEUS) in Pregnant Women to Assess Hepatic Lesions.

BACKGROUND: Ultrasound is an essential imaging tool for evaluating physiological and pathological fetal or maternal conditions during pregnancy. Published data is limited with respect to the application of CEUS during pregnancy. CEUS has already been safely applied for assessing uteroplacental blood flow, cesarean scar pregnancy and invasive placenta percreta. CT and MRI scans during pregnancy must be thoroughly evaluated due to harmful ionizing radiation and cerebral gadolinium deposition, respectively. PURPOSE: The aim of the present retrospective single-center study is to assess the diagnostic performance and safety of CEUS during pregnancy to evaluate hepatic lesions of unknown entity. METHODS: 6 pregnant patients who underwent CEUS between 2005 and 2014 (mean age: 32 years; mean weeks of pregnancy: 28 weeks) were included in this study. The applied contrast agent was a second-generation blood-pool agent (SonoVue®, Bracco, Milan, Italy). CEUS examinations were performed and interpreted by a single radiologist with experience since 2000 (EFSUMB Level 3). RESULTS: CEUS was safely performed on all included pregnant women without the occurrence of adverse fetal or maternal events. In the context of the present study, CEUS helped to safely differentiate hepatic metastases, focal nodular hyperplasia, atypical hemangioma, hepatic arteriovenous malformation and cystic echinococcosis. In two patients CEUS determined immediate therapy. CONCLUSION: Although not clinically approved in obstetrics so far, CEUS is a safe imaging modality which, in addition to B-mode and color Doppler ultrasonography, may be applied during pregnancy for further medical indications and to provide helpful information.

Preoperative ultrasound improves patency and cost effectiveness in arteriovenous fistula surgery.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to compare routine preoperative color-coded duplex ultrasound (DUS) to clinical examination (CE) alone in surgery for arteriovenous fistula (AVF) with special emphasis on long-term outcomes and cost effectiveness. METHODS: All patients undergoing an AVF formation or revision between January 1, 2011, and December 31, 2016, at our tertiary referral center were subject to analysis. Routine DUS was performed in 114 patients and CE alone in 217 patients. Primary and secondary patency, the need for revision or reintervention to obtain patency, and individual as well as overall costs were analyzed. RESULTS: Primary patency rate was higher in AVF after DUS compared with CE alone at 62% vs 26% (P < .05), respectively. Patients receiving DUS had significantly lower rates of revision and revisions per patient when compared with CE (25.4% vs 59.4% [P < .0001]; 0.36 ± 0.71 vs 1.06 ± 1.55 [P < .0001], respectively). Costs per patient were significantly lower in the DUS group compared with CE at 4074€ vs 6078€ (P < .0001). CONCLUSIONS: We were able to show that patients receiving preoperative DUS showed higher patency rates and needed fewer revisions. Standard preoperative ultrasound examination is an easy tool to improve outcomes and cost effectiveness in AVF surgery.

Safety and Feasibility of Carotid Artery Stenting with Dual-Echo Technique to Minimize Iodinated Contrast Dose.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and feasibility of carotid artery stenting (CAS) employing dual-ultrasound technique and administering a minimal contrast agent in patients with renal insufficiency. METHODS: Between September 2009 and July 2013, 63 consecutive patients underwent CAS at our institution: dual-echo carotid artery stenting (DECAS) in 7 patients with renal insufficiency and standard carotid artery stenting (STCAS) in the remaining 56 patients. Periprocedural adverse events and outcomes were compared between the 2 groups. RESULTS: Technical success was achieved in all cases. The 3 procedure-related complications were 1 case of transient hemiparesis in the DECAS group and 1 transient and 1 permanent case of hemiparesis in the STCAS group. The rate of positive diffusion-weighted-imaging lesions did not differ significantly between the 2 groups (28.6% versus 12.5%, P = .26). A significantly smaller volume of contrast was used in DECAS (15 versus 163 mL, P < .01). The change in creatinine level remained stable after CAS and did not differ between the 2 groups (.02 versus .03 mg/dL, P = .96). CONCLUSIONS: DECAS is safe and feasible for patients with pre-existing renal insufficiency and can provide an alternative for patients with carotid stenosis and renal insufficiency.

Feasibility and utility of pre-procedure ultrasound imaging of the arm to facilitate transradial coronary diagnostic and interventional procedures (PRIMAFACIE-TRI).

OBJECTIVES: To assess feasibility and utility of imaging of both arms using ultrasound to facilitate transradial (TR) and transulnar (TU) coronary angiograms (CA) and intervention. BACKGROUND: Despite well recognized advantages, transradial approach (TRA) has challenges that reduce procedural success including small arterial size, anatomical variations, and anomalies of radial artery (RA). The utility of routine pre-procedural ultrasound of the arm arteries (PPUAA) in facilitating TRA has not been previously studied. METHODS: To determine the role of PPUAA, we performed a single center registry of consecutive patients undergoing diagnostic and interventional procedures between 2006 and 2011. All patients underwent PPUAA of the right and left radial, ulnar (UA), as well as the brachial arteries (BA) in the antecubital fossa using a linear probe. End-points assessed included the incidence and correlates of arterial sizes, vascular anomalies, procedure success, and fluoroscopy as well as ultrasound assessment times. RA occlusion rates were studied in the last 10 months of the study period. RESULTS: Complete data on radial (mean 1.9 mm (male);1.7 mm (female)) and ulnar artery size (mean 1.8 mm (male); 1.6 mm (female)) and data on brachial branching anatomy were available in 2,344 patients; 1,872 of whom underwent a TR or TU procedure. The mean time to perform bilateral PPUAA was 6.4 min ± 1.8 min. The incidence of arterial abnormalities was 9.8% in PPUAA. Procedure success was 98.7% for CA and 97.5% for percutaneous coronary intervention. Outcomes were better in this cohort compared with remaining 3,781 patients in whom PPUAA data were not available. CONCLUSION: This single center prospective registry shows that PPUAA is feasible, requires minimum time, and provides anatomical information that may improve procedure success while reducing patient discomfort, arterial spasm, and fluoroscopy time. These findings should be confirmed in a randomized trial.

Thermal effects of diagnostic ultrasound in an anthropomorphic skull model.

PURPOSE: Exposure to diagnostic ultrasound (US) can significantly heat biological tissue although conventional routine examinations are regarded as safe. The risk of unwanted thermal effects increases with a high absorption coefficient and extended insonation time. Certain applications of transcranial diagnostic US (TC-US) require prolonged exposure. An anthropomorphic skull model (ASM) was developed to evaluate thermal effects induced by TC-US of different modalities. The objective was to determine whether prolonged continuous TC-US application results in potentially harmful temperature increases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The ASM consists of a human skull with tissue mimicking material and exhibits acoustic and anatomical characteristics of the human skull and brain. Experiments are performed with a diagnostic US device testing four different US modalities: Duplex PW (pulsed wave) Doppler, PW Doppler, color flow Doppler and B-mode. Temperature changes are recorded during 180 minutes of insonation. RESULTS: All measurements revealed significant temperature increases during insonation independent of the US modality. The maximum temperature elevation of + 5.25° C (p < 0.001) was observed on the surface of the skull exposed to duplex PW Doppler. At the bone-brain border a maximum temperature increae of + 2.01 °C (p < 0.001) was noted. Temperature increases within the brain were < 1.23 °C (p = 0.001). The highest values were registered using the duplex PW Doppler modality. CONCLUSION: TC-US induces significant local heating effects in an ASM. An application duration that extends routine clinical periods causes potentially harmful heating especially in tissue close to bone. TC-US elevates the temperature in the brain mimicking tissue but is not capable of producing harmful temperature increases during routine examinations. However, the risk of thermal injury in brain tissue increases significantly after an exposure time of > 2 hours.

Role of ultrasonography in the differential diagnosis of thyrotoxicosis: a noninvasive, cost-effective, and widely available but underutilized diagnostic tool.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the use of ultrasonography as a diagnostic alternative to the traditional "gold standard" imaging study of nuclear scintigraphy in the evaluation of thyrotoxicosis. METHODS: We review the relevant literature and share our own experience to highlight the promising role of ultrasonography in thyrotoxicosis. In addition, we present a diagnostic algorithm suggesting liberal use of ultrasonography in the evaluation of thyrotoxicosis. RESULTS: Ultrasonography has proved effective not only in the differentiation of Graves disease from other types and causes of thyrotoxicosis but also in the detection of subtle thyroid nodules. The latter role is emphasized in light of the recent observation of an increased risk of occurrence of papillary thyroid carcinoma in patients with Graves disease. CONCLUSION: Ultrasonography is a cost-effective, noninvasive, portable, and safe imaging modality in the evaluation of thyrotoxicosis, both for physiologic assessment and for detection of nonpalpable thyroid cancers that may elude identification on physical examination and nuclear imaging studies. Although thyroid scintigraphy remains a standard radiologic study, thyroid ultrasonography can be a practical alternative in many cases and the primary imaging modality in some situations such as during pregnancy and lactation and for evaluation and management of amiodarone-induced thyrotoxicosis.

The actual incidence of papaverine-induced priapism in patients with erectile dysfunction following penile colour Doppler ultrasonography.

Penile color Doppler sonography is a valuable method for evaluating erectile dysfunction. However, there are some concerns about the safety of this method due to the intracorporeal pharmacological injection, which may cause priapism as a complication, resulting in penile fibrosis. To evaluate the actual incidence of papaverine-induced priapism in patients with erectile dysfunction (ED) who underwent penile colour Doppler sonography and to determine the safety of this diagnostic tool, a retrospective study was conducted using the database of our institution. A total of 672 men with ED underwent penile color Doppler ultrasonography with the intracorporeal injection of 60 mg papaverine hydrochloride. The patient characteristics of priapism cases were retrospectively evaluated. Priapism in 18 of the 672 patients (2.68%) was successfully treated with blood aspiration, irrigation and injection of an alpha-agonist medication, when needed. Patients with priapism were younger compared with those without priapism; mean age 45 +/- 12.51 (20-68) versus 50.93 +/- 12.04 (17-78) (P < 0.001). Penile Doppler ultrasound is a safe procedure in evaluating erectile dysfunction. The incidence of priapism, which is the most important complication of this procedure, is low and can be managed successfully with conservative approaches.

Assessment of the effect of radio contrast media on resistive index of renal artery by color doppler sonography.

Renal ischemia and direct toxic effect of contrast media are the main confounding causes of contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN). The effect of different contrast mediums on the resistance of renal artery is quite unclear. The aim of the present study was to assess the resistive index (RI) changes of renal segmental artery in color Doppler duplex sonography after injection of two different contrast mediums: iodixanol and iohexol. The RI of the renal segmental artery of 62 randomly chosen patients, with a normal baseline renal function, was calculated using color-coded Doppler sonography before and five minutes after bolus injection of two different contrast mediums. Thirty-one patients were administered 50 mL of iodixanol (Visipaque) and 31 patients were administered 50 mL of iohexol (Omnipaque) during intravenous urogram procedures. The RI results were analyzed and compared in two groups using two-tailed t-test. The mean RI of renal segmental artery increased significantly after administration of contrast media (mean +/- SD 0.61 +/- 0.046 vs 0.58 +/- 0.042; p< 0.001). The mean change of RI was 0.0387 +/- .00552 (mean +/- SE) in the setting of iohexol injection and 0.0216 +/- .00423 (mean +/- SE) five minutes after administration of iodixanol (p= 0.017). Both non-ionic iso-osmolar dimeric iodixanol and low-osmolar iohexol increase the renal artery resistance, but the changes are more dramatic with iohexol, suggesting better tolerance with iodixanol.

Does routine transcranial duplex ultrasound heat up the patient brain?

PURPOSE: The effect of transcranial duplex ultrasound (US) on the intraventricular temperature in patients was analyzed. Temperature increases during examination have been identified as a potential risk factor but only data from model studies is currently available. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients who had an intracranial pressure/temperature transducer implanted and underwent US assessment were included. In an examination series (B-mode, combined B- and color mode, combined B- and color mode plus Doppler, 3 min for each mode), the intracranial thermodilution thermistor was focused while intraventricular temperature and body temperature (bladder catheter or rectal probe) were recorded continuously and temperature changes were analyzed. RESULTS: Thirty-one US examinations were performed in 14 patients. Twenty-six examinations in 9 patients in which the intracranial temperature probe was depicted were included. Initial patient temperatures ranged from 35.1dgC to 38.7dgC. No significant increase or decrease in intracranial temperature was seen after the first (B-mode), second (B- and color mode) and third (B- and color mode plus Doppler) duplex US examination. T-test for paired samples showed a constant temperature throughout US examination (two-sided significance: 1.000, 1.000, 0.731). CONCLUSION: Routine transcranial duplex ultrasound does not increase the intracranial temperature in patients.

Diagnostic transcranial ultrasound perfusion-imaging at 2.5 MHz does not affect the blood-brain barrier.

The purpose was to assess whether standard ultrasound (US) perfusion-imaging by means of contrast-enhanced transcranial color-coded sonography (TCCS) affects the blood-brain barrier (BBB) in patients with small-vessel disease (SVD). One week after a screening MRI to exclude a preexisting BBB disruption, unilateral TCCS phase inversion harmonic imaging (PIHI) was performed in an axial diencephalic plane after intravenous bolus application of 2.5 mL SonoVue (IGEA, Bracco, Italy). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed immediately after US. In five patients, PIHI was performed applying a mean mechanical index (MI) of 0.7 +/- 0.1 for a time period of 2.5 min. MRI was started 12 +/- 2 min after US contrast injection. Comparisons of initial and post-US MRI by four blinded readers did not show any signs of BBB disruption. It is concluded that standard contrast-enhanced US perfusion imaging in patients with SVD did not lead to MRI-detectable BBB changes. This gives further evidence for safety of diagnostic US. Future investigations with larger sample sizes and higher-field MRI might give further insights into potential bioeffects of diagnostic, as well as therapeutic, contrast-enhanced transcranial US.

Ultrasound surveillance of endovascular aneurysm repair: a safe modality versus computed tomography.

Routine ultrasound surveillance is adequate and safe for monitoring endovascular aneurysm repairs (EVARs). A retrospective chart review including 160 endograft patients was performed from August 2000 to September 2005. All ultrasound examinations (n = 359) were performed by a board-certified vascular surgery group's accredited laboratory. Registered vascular technologists utilized the same equipment consisting of Siemens Antares high-definition ultrasonography with tissue harmonics and color flow Doppler. An identical protocol was followed by each technologist: scan body and both limbs of the endograft and distal iliac vessels, measure anterior-posterior aneurysm sac size, and detect intrasac pulsatility and color flow. Statistical analysis utilized Pearson's correlation coefficient and the paired t-test. Forty-one endoleaks were discovered out of the 359 exams (11.4%). There were type I (7, 17%), type II (26, 63%), and combined type I with type II (8, 20%) endoleaks. Correlation with computed tomography (CT) was obtained in 35 of these cases. CT discovered three endoleaks that were not seen with ultrasound. However, these particular ultrasound exams were inadequate due to additional factors (bowel gas, body habitus, hernia), which prompted CT investigation and, hence, endoleak discovery. Of the 41 endoleaks found on ultrasound, only 14 were seen on CT. Specifically, 26 type II endoleaks were seen with ultrasound versus only nine during CT. Additional factors addressed included comparison between ultrasound and CT of residual aneurysm sac measurements and conditions limiting ultrasound examination. Although criticized in the past, color flow ultrasonography is a safe and effective modality for surveillance of aortic endografts. Utilizing ultrasound to analyze abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) sac dimensions and endoleak detection is statistically sound for screening AAA status post-EVAR.