Basis Of Ultrasound Examination Research Articles

Ультразвукові критерії затримки росту плода при передчасних пологах

Purpose - to increase the effectiveness of forecasting and early diagnosis of fetal growth retardation (FGR) in premature pregnancy on the basis of ultrasound examination. Materials and methods. 165 pregnant women were examined: 30 patients with an uncomplicated pregnancy that ended in physiological timely delivery - the control group (CG); 45 patients with premature birth (PB) (the Group I); 45 women with full-term pregnancy and FGR (the Group II) and 45 patients with PB and FGR (the Group III). Ultrasound examination included serial dynamic fetometry and placentography, dopplerography of vessels of the umbilical cord, ductus venosus, middle cerebral artery and fetal aorta with determination of systolic blood flow velocity and systolic peak velocity of blood flow, systolic-diastolic ratio, index resistance and pulsation index. Statistical processing of research results was carried out using standard programs «Microsoft Excel 5.0» and «Statistica 8.0». Results. А significant decrease in the parameters of the biparietal size of the fetal head in pregnant women of the Group III was detected at 24-25 weeks of pregnancy: in the CG - 66.4±0.65 mm, in the Group III - 65.02±0.31 mm (p<0.05), in the Group II - 66.2±0.46 mm. A more pronounced slowdown in the rate of growth of the biparietal size of the fetal head was found in pregnant women at 28-29 weeks of gestation, when a significant decrease (p<0.05) in its growth rate was observed in pregnant women of the Groups II and III. The peculiarities of the formation and functioning of the fetoplacental complex in this Groups were characterised by impaired fetal haemodynamics: increase in blood circulation velocity in the venous duct - 74.43±2.24 cm/s vs. 46.54±1.62 cm/s, respectively; p<0.05; increase in pulsatile index in the uterine artery - 1.611±0.04 vs. 1.424±0.07; p<0.05, and in the middle cerebral artery - 1.527±0.02 vs. 1.251±0.03; p<0.005, indicating the tension of subcompensatory reactions. Conclusions. Ultrasound feto- and placentametry in pregnant women with premature births against the backdrop of FGR showed that in patients with premature births, statistically significant deviations in the size of the fetus and placenta are observed from 24-25 weeks of gestation. Disruption of fetal hemodynamics is indicated by a significant increase in the speed of blood circulation in the ductus venosus in the Groups II and III (74.43±2.24 cm/s vs. 46.54±1.62 cm/s; p<0.05). The research was carried out in accordance with the principles of the Helsinki Declaration. The study protocol was approved by the Local Ethics Committee of the participating institution. The informed consent of the patient was obtained for conducting the studies. No conflict of interests was declared by the authors.

State of the hepatobiliary system on the data of ultrasonic examination in children and adolescents with overweight and obesity

Currently, a stable increase in the incidence of overweight and obesity is noted, this fact leads to an elevation in comorbidity with them. The relevance of the study is due to the involvement of the hepatobiliary system in the development of metabolic dysfunction and the formation of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in the future. The aim of the research was to study the effect of overweight and obesity in children and adolescents on the state of the hepatobiliary system on the basis of ultrasound examination. Material and methods. A single-center retrospective comparative study was conducted. The main group consisted of 112 children and adolescents with Z-score body mass index (BMI) above +1SD, the comparison group consisted of 264 persons with a BMI from -2 to +1SD aged 5-17 years. An analysis of the results of anthropometric, including the assessment of BMI, ultrasound and biochemical studies was carried out. Results. The Z-score of BMI corresponding to overweight was recorded in 54 (13.8%) examined persons, and obesity - in 58 (14.8%) patients. In children of the main group, an increase in the size of the liver was recorded 3.6 fold more often, diffuse changes in the liver were revealed 32.4 fold more often, an increase in the volume of the gallbladder - 2.1 fold, signs of excessive aerocolia - 3.3 fold more often (p<0.001). In children with overweight and obesity, the level of triglycerides (p=0.003), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (p=0.035), glucose (p=0.012), C-reactive protein (p=0.011), malon dyalldehyde (p=0.012), the activity of alaninaminotransferase (p<0.001) and alkaline phosphatase (p=0.001) were statistically significant, with a significantly lower level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (p<0.001). Statistically significant logistic models of the probability of an increase in the linear dimensions of the liver, diffuse changes, an increase in the volume of the gallbladder, the presence of excessive aerocolia signs from the Z-score BMI value were obtained. The Nigelkirk determination coefficient was 0.34, 0.17, 0.11 and 0.10 c.u. respectively. Conclusion. The contribution of overweight and obesity to the increase in the linear dimensions of the liver and the volume of the gallbladder, the formation of diffuse changes and excessive aerocolia according to the ultrasound examination was 10-34%.

OVERACTIVE BLADDER IN CHILDREN: CLINICAL AND PARACLINAL FEATURES

Research objective. To identify clinico-laboratorial and urodynamic deviations among children with overactive bladder. Materials and methods. The study is based on examination of 20 somatically healthy children of 7-10 years old with the following complaints: sudden irresistible urges to urinate, that could be hardly restrained with or without imperative urge incontinence; frequent urination in small portions during the day; frequent awakenings during the night due to the emerging urge to urinate and involuntary urination at night. All children have been examined clinically (identification of the level of homocysteine, registration of the rhythm of urination (by keeping a diary of urination)) and through instrumental methods: uroflowmetry, ultrasound examination of the bladder with identification of the volume of residual urine, electroencephalography. Results. After the examination, the following abnormalities were identified among the majority of the patients: hyperhomocysteinemia; registration of the rhythm of urination showed that the predominant type was pollakiuria, which might be observed in frequent (more than 8 times a day) urination in small portions (among 60% of children), also enuresis (among 65%) and daytime urinary incontinence in the one third of the patients (30%) were diagnosed. On the basis of ultrasound examination of the bladder, it could be concluded that the one third of the children (33%) had an increase in the volume of residual urine (due to a decrease in the contractile function of the detrusor). By the uroflow method of research it was found out that among almost the half of the children (45%), the intermittent type of urination prevailed (in which the maximum and average urine flow rate was reduced, the time to reach the maximum speed was shortened), also rapid (30%) and non-obstructive (25%) types were diagnosed. According to the electroencephalography data, disorganization of the alpha rhythm, with a tendency to an increase in the number of beta rhythm waves was found.

Effects of intrauterine devices on proteins in the uterine lavage fluid of mares

Intrauterine devices block luteolysis in cyclic mares, but the underlying mechanism is unknown. To clarify the mechanisms, the protein profile of the endometrial secretome was analyzed using two-dimensional difference gel electrophoresis (2D-DIGE). Twenty-seven mares were classified according to whether they were inseminated (AI) or had an intrauterine device (IUD), a water-filled plastic sphere, inserted into the uterus on Day 3 after ovulation. Uterine lavage fluids were collected on Day 15 from pregnant inseminated mares (AI-P; n = 8), non-pregnant inseminated mares (AI-N; n = 4), and mares with IUD (n = 15). The IUD group was further divided into prolonged (IUD-P; n = 7) and normal luteal phase (IUD-N; n = 8) groups on the basis of ultrasound examinations, serum levels of progesterone and PGFM on Days 14 and 15, and COX-2 results on Day 15. Four mares from each group were selected for the 2D-DIGE analyses. Ten proteins had significantly different abundance among the groups, nine of the proteins were identified. Malate dehydrogenase 1, increased sodium tolerance 1, aldehyde dehydrogenase 1A1, prostaglandin reductase 1, albumin and hemoglobin were highest in pregnant mares; T-complex protein 1 was highest in non-pregnant mares; and annexin A1 and 6-phosphogluconolactonase were highest in IUD mares. The results suggest that the mechanism behind the intrauterine devices is likely related to inflammation.

Correlation between ultrasonographic measurement of fetal thigh soft-tissue thickness and selected fetal ultrasonographic and maternal anthropometric parameters

The aim of the study was to assess a correlation between ultrasonographic measurement of fetal thigh soft-tissue thickness (FTSTT) and selected fetal ultrasonographic and maternal anthropometric parameters. A total of 140 women with a singleton term pregnancy were included in the study Anthropometric maternal and fetal measurements were assessed. Fetal weight was estimated with the Hadlock formula using head circumference (HC), abdomen circumference (AC), biparietal diameter (BPD), and femoral length (FL). FTSTT was measured using the method of Scioscia M. et al. Then, statistical analysis of the correlation between FTSTT and maternal anthropometric and fetal ultrasonographic parameters was performed. A statistically significant correlation was found between ultrasonographically estimated fetal weight and BPD, HC, AC, FL and FTSTT, as well as between FTSTT and neonatal birthweight and length, and maternal pre-pregnancy and pre-delivery weight. This correlation was not found between FTSTT and maternal BMI and weight gain during pregnancy A statistically significant correlation was detected between FTSTT and neonatal birthweight of newborns born between 38 and 40 weeks of gestation but no such correlation was found at 37 and 41 weeks of gestation. In addition, no statistically significant difference was observed in the measurement of FTSTT between physiological pregnancies and those complicated by diabetes. FTSTT measurements in fetuses with macrosomia (real and determined on the basis of ultrasound examination) were not statistically different from those of fetuses without macrosomia. FTSTT measurement may be helpful in estimating fetal weight, but it is not useful in the diagnosis of fetal macrosomia.

Etiological spectrum of esophageal varices due to portal hypertension in Indian children: Is it different from the West?

Information about portal hypertension (PHT) in children is meagre. We therefore studied the spectrum and outcome of PHT in children (<or=14 years of age) over a period of 9 years. PHT was diagnosed on endoscopy (presence of varices) in 517 cases during the study period. The diagnosis of extrahepatic portal venous obstruction (EHPVO) and Budd-Chiari Syndrome (BCS) were made on the basis of ultrasound examination. Cirrhosis was diagnosed on the basis of clinical, biochemical, ultrasound, and liver biopsy (whenever feasible). Noncirrhotic portal fibrosis (NCPF) and congenital hepatic fibrosis (CHF) were diagnosed on liver biopsy. Endoscopic sclerotherapy (EST) was done in all the patients who presented with variceal bleeding and surgery was performed whenever indicated. Causes of PHT included EHPVO in 54%, cirrhosis in 39%, CHF in 3%, NCPF in 2%, and BCS in 2%. Of these, 279 (54%) patients presented with upper gastrointestinal bleeding and this group comprised of EHPVO in 85%, cirrhosis in 10%, CHF in 2.5%, NCPF in 2%, and BCS in 1%. Bleeding was the presenting feature in 85% of EHPVO cases and in 13% of cirrhosis cases. In EHPVO cases, variceal eradication was achieved in 95% of cases with a mean 5 +/- 2.4 EST sessions. Surgery was required in 24 cases of EHPVO. Mortality due to bleeding was 1.7% in EHPVO and 30% in cirrhosis. EHPVO and cirrhosis are the two major causes of PHT in children. However, predominant cause of variceal bleeding is EHPVO. EST is an effective method of treatment in EHPVO.

From the editors

From the editors

Doppler sonography in diagnosis of the acute scrotum

Doppler sonography has been reported to be a reliable technique for diagnosing acute scrotum significantly decreasing the number of unnecessary surgeries. The aim of this paper was to demonstrate the superiority and validity of Doppler sonography over conventional sonography for differential diagnosis of the acute scrotum. In the period from 2002-2004, 300 patients underwent ultrasound examination of the testicles at the Institute of Radiology in Novi Sad. This prospective randomized study included 100 patients, whereas the target group consisted of 50 patients with the diagnosis of the acute scrotum. The control group consisted of 50 patients with the diagnosis of varicocele. The examinations were done using Siemens Versa Pro equipment and 7,5 MHz probes. On the basis of ultrasound examination, the target group was divided into three groups: 1. Inflammation, 2. Torsion, 3. Miscellaneous. Depending on the disease, the accuracy of diagnosis was confirmed by surgery, clinical findings and control sonographic examination. A functional correlation exists between Doppler diagnosis and final diagnosis in the inflammation and torsion. Resistive indexes (RI) were lower in inflammation, because of hyperemia. In cases with intratesticular hyperemia, the average RI was 0,454 and in those with supratesticular hyperemia 0,575. In cases with torsion, only one patient with appendiceal torsion had normal intratesticular blood flow. In diagnostics of the acute scrotum, Doppler sonography is superior over conventional sonography and more precise in differential diagnostics. RI are good quantitative parameters of hyperemia.

A Comparative Study of Ultrasound Examination of Urinary Tract Performed on Spinal Cord Injury Patients with No Urinary Symptoms and Spinal Cord Injury Patients with Symptoms Related to Urinary Tract: Do Findings of Ultrasound Examination Lead to Changes in Clinical Management?

Findings of ultrasound examination of the urinary tract and changes in clinical management, which were instituted on the basis of ultrasound examination, were compared between two groups of spinal cord injury patients. Group 1 had no urinary symptoms when they underwent the scan, whereas group 2 was comprised of patients with symptoms pertaining to the urinary tract. Between 2000 and 2006, ultrasound examination of the urinary tract was performed in 87 spinal cord injury patients who had no urinary symptoms when they underwent the ultrasound scan. No abnormality was found in 63 patients. The ultrasound scan showed some abnormality of the urinary tract in 24 patients (simple cyst in the kidney: 4; reduced size of a kidney: 3; increased echogenicity of left kidney: 1; prominent extrarenal pelvis and mild calyceal dilatation: 1; slightly dilated renal pelvis and calyceal system: 1; pelvic kidney showing mild hydronephrosis: 1; foetal lobulation of kidney: 2; multicystic kidney with no interval change in the appearance since last examination: 1; 2-cm-diameter parapelvic cyst: 1; small renal calyceal calculus: 5; a little cortical scarring bilaterally: 1; focal renal scar: 2; generalised thinning of renal cortex: 3; increase in renal sinus fat: 3; trabeculated bladder: 2; small vesical diverticulum: 1; mild generalised bladder wall thickening: 1; small residual urine in postvoid scan; 2). No specific interventions were performed in these patients on the basis of ultrasound findings. In Group 2, ultrasound examination revealed serious abnormalities such as hydronephrosis, pyonephrosis, vesical calculi, vesical polyp in 20 of 21 patients, and all 20 patients required therapeutic intervention on the basis of ultrasound scan findings.In conclusion, routine ultrasound examination of the urinary tract in spinal cord injury patients who have no urinary symptoms may not be justifiable in terms of cost effectiveness; limited hospital resources should be directed to spinal cord injury patients with urinary symptoms so that ultrasound examination and therapeutic interventions based on ultrasound findings are carried out expeditiously.

Is Ultrasound Examination Sufficient in the Evaluation of Patients with Internal Carotid Artery Severe Stenosis or Occlusion?

Background and Purpose: Carotid endarterectomy (CE) has been shown to be beneficial in patients with symptomatic high-grade internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis. Some authors have suggested that when ultrasound shows a stenosis 70–99%, CE can be performed without further imaging study. However, ultrasound findings that suggest an ICA occlusion, not confirmed by angiography but which instead show a near-occlusion usually benefit from CE. The objectives of this study are: (1) to evaluate how angiography-obtained information on intracranial arteries affects the treatment decision in patients with 70–99% ICA stenosis, and (2) to evaluate when a symptomatic ICA occlusion shown by ultrasound could actually be a patent artery and therefore benefit from CE. Materials and Methods: We prospectively collected the cerebral angiograms of 133 consecutive patients with TIA or non-disabling stroke due to large artery disease where ultrasound suggested a stenosis ≧70% or occlusion of symptomatic ICA; we calculated the frequency of intracranial vascular malformations and intracranial artery disease (IAD) located in the infraclinoid or supraclinoid portion of the ICA, and in the anterior or middle cerebral artery. Results: Ultrasound showed 31 ICA occlusions and 102 ICA with 70–99% stenosis. All the patients with an ICA stenosis 70–99% on ultrasound examination had the degree of stenosis confirmed by angiography. Two out of 31 patients did not have a complete occlusion but angiography showed a near-occlusion and consequently they underwent CE. Sixty-five (62.5%) out of 104 patients with patent ICA had IAD (mild 26.9%, moderate 21.2%, and severe 14.4%). Five patients (4.8%) had intracranial vascular malformations (4 aneurysms and 1 arteriovenous malformation). One patient had disabling stroke during angiography. Seven patients (6.7%) did not undergo CE after angiography (1 patient had an aneurysm >10 mm, 1 patient had a very tight stenosis of the basilar artery, 5 patients had intracranial stenosis more severe than the extracranial stenosis). Conclusions: In patients that on the basis of ultrasound examination can benefit from CE, information on intracranial arteries is necessary. Moreover, complete occlusion cannot be detected with certainty only by ultrasound examination.