Doppler Imaging Mode Research Articles

Эффективность трансабдоминальной ультразвуковой диагностики состояния толстой кишки для оценки эндоскопической активности язвенного колита у детей

Transabdominal ultrasound examination of the colon is an informative research method that does not require special training, which is vital in pediatric practice. The purpose of the study was to compare the informativeness of transabdominal ultrasound of the colon vs the colonoscopy using the clinical and laboratory data of pediatric patients with ulcerative colitis (UC). Materials and methods used: a single-center retrospective cohort study was conducted at the Gastroenterology Department of the National Medical Research Center for Children’s Health (Moscow, Russia) in 2021-2023, which included 119 children 7 to 17 years and 11 months old with an established UC diagnosis. All children have undergone clinical and laboratory tests, ultrasound and ileocolonoscopy. The UCEIS scale and the PMI index of clinical activity were used to assess the endoscopic activity. The study of fecal calprotectin was carried out with immunochromatographic method. During transabdominal ultrasound, the thickness of the intestinal wall and blood flow were assessed using the Color Doppler imaging mode. Results: statistically significant increase in the thickness of the intestinal wall against the background of the growth of UCEIS (Rs=0.654; p<0.001), PUCAI (Rs=0.642; p<0.001) and the level of fecal calprotectin (Rs=0.463; p<0.001) was detected. Statistically significant differences in increased blood flow in the intestinal wall of the sigmoid colon were found with the UCEIS, PUCAI index (p<0.001, for both indices) and the level of fecal calprotectin (p=0.014). The area under the ROC curve corresponding to the relationship between the prognosis of the development of ulcerative colitis and the thickness of the sigmoid colon was 0.850±0.054 with 95% CI: 0.745-0.955. The resulting model was statistically significant (p<0.001). The threshold value of the sigmoid colon thickness was 2.05 mm, in case of an increase in this value, a high risk of exacerbation of ulcerative colitis was predicted. The sensitivity and specificity of the method were 84.3% and 72.7%, respectively. When comparing the PUCAI index, the UCEIS index and the level of fecal calprotectin based on the blood flow in the sigmoid colon wall, the statistically significant differences were found (p<0.001, for both indices, and p=0.014 for fecal calprotectin, respectively). Conclusion: transabdominal ultrasound diagnostics showed good correlation with colonoscopy, clinical activity of the disease and the level of fecal calprotectin, as a result of which ultrasound of the colon should be considered as a useful imaging method for assessing inflammatory activity in the colon and follow-up of patients with UC.

Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound and High Sensitive Doppler for Monitoring Outcomes of Uterine Artery Embolization

To monitor fibroid microvascularity using contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) and a new high-sensitive Doppler mode (SMI) for assessment of uterine artery embolization (UAE) outcomes. Forty women with symptomatic uterine fibroids scheduled for UAE were enrolled in this Institutional Review Board-approved study. Subjects underwent three examinations (day 0, 15, and 90 post-UAE) with Color Doppler (CDI), power Doppler (PDI), color and monochrome SMI (cSMI and mSMI), and CEUS imaging of the fibroids. Clips were assessed by two radiologists classifying fibroids based on their vascularity. Fibroid fractional vascularity (FV; % of enhanced pixels within the fibroid) and flow intensity (as mean brightness level of the enhanced pixels) were quantified. Results were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA and nonparametric Wilcoxon sign rank tests. Inter-reader agreement was assessed with κ-values. There was overall agreement between readers for all imaging modalities and examination times (P=.25; κ=0.70). The FV analysis showed statistically significant differences between CEUS and the Doppler imaging modes (CDI, PDI, cSMI, and mSMI) for the three examination times were compared (P<.0001). The comparison using CDI, PDI, and cSMI showed no statistically significant difference (P=.53). The flow intensity analysis comparison between the Doppler imaging modes (CDI, PDI, cSMI and mSMI) and examination times showed statistically significant differences between all the Doppler imaging modalities (P=.02), except for the 90days post-UAE (P=.34). When the comparison was made for CDI, PDI, and cSMI there was no statistically significant differences (P<.47). CEUS and SMI can accurately evaluate fibroid microvascularity, and therefore, can be a noninvasive and accurate method for monitoring outcomes following UAE treatment.

Complex conservative therapy of chronic abacterial prostatitis

BACKGROUND: Improving the results of treatment of patients with chronic prostatitis is one of the important problems of modern urology.&#x0D; AIM: To compare the effect of ozone therapy and hypercapnic therapy on the hemodynamics of the prostate and immune status in patients with chronic abacterial prostatitis.&#x0D; MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 58 patients with chronic abacterial prostatitis, who were divided into three groups. Patients of the 1st group (n = 18) received standard therapy. Patients of the 2nd group additionally underwent a course of transrectal ozone therapy for 10 days. Patients of the 3rd group, in addition to the basic therapy, performed training on a breathing simulator to obtain the effect of hypercapnic hypoxia; the course of treatment consisted of 10 daily trainings. The effectiveness of therapy was assessed using the NIH-CPSI questionnaire. To assess the immune status of patients, we studied the content of IgA, IgG and IgM in the blood, the activity of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1, TNF-, IL-6 in the blood serum and IL-8 in the urine. The state of blood flow in the prostate gland was assessed using laser Doppler flowmetry, as well as TRUS performed in the color Doppler imaging mode. The control group included 22 healthy men.&#x0D; RESULTS: In patients with chronic abacterial prostatitis hemodynamic and microcirculatory changes in the prostate gland were revealed, which were accompanied by characteristic clinical manifestations, urinary disorders, as well as impaired immune status in the form of an increase in the content of interleukins and tumor necrosis factor. The use of basic therapy (1st group) helps to reduce the clinical manifestations of chronic abacterial prostatitis, but its effect on the immune status, hemodynamics and microcirculation of the prostate gland is insufficiently expressed. Complex therapy, supplemented by training on a breathing simulator using the effect of hypercapnic hypoxia, has a positive effect on the course of the disease (3rd group). This type of therapy is able to improve the microcirculation of the prostate gland, increasing the index of microcirculation efficiency and average blood flow, reducing the shunting rates, but its effect on immunity is lower than in patients whose treatment included transrectal ozone therapy (2nd group). This type of treatment leads to a decrease in the activity of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1, TNF-, IL-6 in the blood serum, and IL-8 in the urine, but at the same time does not have a sufficient effect on prostate hemodynamics and microcirculation.&#x0D; CONCLUSIONS: In patients with CAP with pronounced disorders of the immune status, complex treatment is indicated, supplemented by transrectal ozone therapy, and in the presence of pronounced hemodynamic disorders of the prostate gland, complex therapy is indicated, supplemented by the use of the effect of hypercapnic hypoxia.

Umbilical Cord Teratoma: A Rare Case Report

The state of the stroma, blood vessels and the anatomical features of the umbilical cord are of direct diagnostic value, and various pathological changes can become the primary cause of fetal death. The frequency of umbilical cord tumors is not reliably known due to a very rare incidence: in the available literature there were reported about 19 cases.The aim of the study was to clinically and pathohistologically analyze a case of umbilical cord teratoma and to give an analytical review of recently reported cases.The material was obtained from a healthy 35-year-old woman with a third pregnancy. Combined ultrasound screening at the 20th week of pregnancy revealed a solid structure with cystic inclusions along the periphery on the umbilical cord. In the solid component, hyperechoic inclusions giving acoustic shadows were visualized; in the color Doppler imaging mode the neoplasm was avascular. A dead premature baby girl was born at 35th week. The cause of intrauterine fetal death was mechanical compression of the vessels of the umbilical cord by teratoma. Microscopic examination of the umbilical cord neoplasm in the area of the solid component demonstrated a pronounced development of the sebaceous glands, adipose tissue, myelinic nerve fibers, hair follicles; in the cystic component – epidermoid cysts. This evidenced about organismoid mature teratomas. Due to their rare incidence umbilical teratomas should be reported to better understand their pathomorphosis and impact on infant morbidity and mortality. Given the increased risk of concomitant malformations, the detection of an umbilical teratoma should be accompanied by a detailed and comprehensive examination of the newborn for additional pathologies.

Value of the color Doppler imaging mode in improving physicians' diagnostic performance in patients with mid-ureteric stones larger than 5mm: a retrospective study.

The aim of this study was to retrospectively evaluate the value of the color Doppler flow imaging mode compared to the gray-scale mode for diagnosing mid-ureteric stones larger than 5mm. We consecutively collected images from 79 patients possibly suffering from mid-ureteric stones under gray-scale and color Doppler flow imaging modes. Using computed tomography as the gold standard, all the included images were reviewed in a blinded manner for the confirmation of ureteral stones by 15 physicians divided into three groups according to their clinical experience level (resident, attending, and senior). During the evaluation process, the evaluation consistency was calculated and compared using Kendall's coefficient of concordance (Kendall's W). Moreover, diagnostic performance considering gray-scale and color imaging modes was compared. Especially for the diagnosis of mid-ureteric stones larger than 5mm, the Kendall's W for the combined gray-scale and color Doppler flow imaging ultrasound scanning modes was greater than that for the gray-scale mode (P < 0.05). Additionally, significant improvements in the diagnostic sensitivity, negative predictive value, and accuracy were noted with color Doppler imaging (P < 0.05). Under isolated gray-scale mode, the resident group had reduced diagnostic sensitivity and negative predictive value and poorer accuracy compared with the attending and senior groups (P < 0.05). In contrast, no significant differences in the combined gray-scale and color Doppler flow imaging modes were noted among all groups (P > 0.05). In summary, the color Doppler flow imaging mode is useful for the diagnosis of mid-ureteric stones larger than 5mm, especially in the resident group.

Evaluation of Corpus Luteum Vascularization in Recipient Mares by Using Color Doppler Ultrasound

Background: Embryo transfer is one of the most commonly used reproductive biotechnique. The success of embryo transfer is also affected by the synchrony of estrus and ovulation between donor and recipient animals. In horse reproduction, ultrasonography has been used, among other purposes, to diagnose early pregnancy. However, only the color Doppler imaging mode makes it possible to evaluate the vascular architecture and the hemodynamic aspects of the vessels in several organs, especially the corpus luteum. The objective of this study was to evaluate, based on the color Doppler ultrasound, the corpus luteum vascularization and function from recipient mares at embryo transfer timing.Materials, Methods &amp; Results: Mangalarga Machador mares from 5 to 10-year-old and a range of live weights of between 350 to 450 kg were used for this experiment, kept in pasture-based on mombaça grass (Panicum maximum) and were given ad libitum access to water and mineral supplementation. The animals (n = 15) were gynecologically examined and uterine consistency was evaluated by rectal palpation the same operator using an ultrasound system (SonoScape®) with a linear transducer, and operating frequency ranging from 5 to 10 Mhz. The uterine tone was classified between grades 1 and 4 and subjected to ovulation induction. The objective and subjective vascular perfusion of the corpus luteum was evaluated by color Doppler ultrasound on the day of embryo transfer and endometrium. The determination progesterone concentration on the day of the embryo transfer was performed by direct chemiluminescence assay. The arcsine (√P/100) transformation was applied to the percentage data, and the results were expressed as mean (.) ± standard error of the mean (SEM). Further, the assumptions of normality and homoscedasticity were verified, respectively, based on the Shapiro-Wilk and Lilliefors tests. Regarding the parametric and non-parametric variables, were applied, respectively, analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Tukey’s test, and the Kruskal-Wallis test followed by Dunn’s test. Pearson’s correlation coefficient was used to evaluate the relationship between the parameters. The statistical program SPSS 16.0 was used to perform the over-mentioned analyses, and a p-value &lt; 0.05 was taken as significant. Corpus luteum vascular perfusion, based on the objective and subjective evaluation methods, and the progesterone concentration were higher in the pregnant mares (P &lt; 0.05). The objective and subjective methods for evaluation of the vascular perfusion in the corpus luteum were positively correlated between themselves as well as to progesterone concentration (P &lt; 0.05). There was no significant difference between the groups considering the uterine tonus evaluation (P &gt; 0.05).Discussion: Mares that later became pregnant showed a higher concentration of progesterone as an outcome of the higher vascularization in the corpus luteum. It can be supported by both the correlation between the progesterone concentration and the corpus luteum vascular perfusion, as well as by the higher values of the vascular perfusion in pregnant mares. Based on the results, it has been concluded that the color Doppler ultrasound evaluation is an accurate tool to determine the corpus luteum vascularization, whether considering the objective or subjective methods. Also, the vascular perfusion is the most efficient parameter to determine both the corpus luteum function and to predict the ability of the recipient mares to maintain pregnancy.

A Programmable Platform for Accelerating the Development of Smart Ultrasound Transducer Probe.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, an ultraportable ultrasound smart probe has proven to be one of the few practical diagnostic and monitoring tools for doctors who are fully covered with personal protective equipment. The real-time, safety, ease of sanitization, and ultraportability features of an ultrasound smart probe make it extremely suitable for diagnosing COVID-19. In this article, we discuss the implementation of a smart probe designed according to the classic architecture of ultrasound scanners. The design balanced both performance and power consumption. This programmable platform for an ultrasound smart probe supports a 64-channel full digital beamformer. The platform's size is smaller than 10 cm ×5 cm. It achieves a 60-dBFS signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and an average power consumption of ~4 W with 80% power efficiency. The platform is capable of achieving triplex B-mode, M-mode, color, pulsed-wave Doppler mode imaging in real time. The hardware design files are available for researchers and engineers for further study, improvement or rapid commercialization of ultrasound smart probes to fight COVID-19.

Accurate prediction of left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in 2D echocardiography using ensemble of deep convolutional neural networks

Abstract Introduction Deep convolutional neural networks (CNNs) have been shown to be reliable in evaluating geometrically assessed systolic heart function, however, studies evaluating diastolic heart function, which reflects hemodynamic status, are scarce. This study presents a novel CNNs approach for recognition and evaluation of different diastolic left ventricular (LV) function measurements. Purpose To create a new CNNs approach in the assessment of LV diastolic function and compare the results with clinicians' measurements. Methods A total of 4586 2D echocardiographic images were extracted from the studies of 330 patients referred with varying indications. The ensemble of four CNNs was trained (80/20% training/validation patient split) for the assessment of transmitral inflow (E and A wave peak velocities), mitral septal and lateral annular velocities (e'), tricuspid regurgitation systolic velocity (Vmax) and detection the left atrial endocardium in apical four-chamber views. Additionally, E/A ratio, average E/e' ratio and left atrial volume index (LAVi) values were calculated for the evaluation of diastolic dysfunction according to the 2016 ASE/EACVI recommendations. CNNs performance in detecting diastolic dysfunction was compared to expert cardiologists on a set of 20 separate cases. Results Study results on the validation data showed that CNNs accurately predicted peak E/A ratio, average E/e' ratio (R2=0.88 and R2=0.89, respectively) and tricuspid regurgitation Vmax (R2=0.82). Figure 1 illustrates different functional LV measurements among the obtained echocardiographic images. Regarding the geometrical assessment of diastolic function, the segmentation model traced the left atrial endocardial border (intersection over union = 0.94) and subsequently was used in predicting the LAVi (R2=0.92). The ensemble of four CNNs had the area under the ROC curve of 0.93 for the detection of diastolic dysfunction when compared to expert cardiologists. Conclusion Deep CNNs demonstrate the capacity to detect peak velocities across different Doppler imaging modes and delineate left atrial endocardium border while using a relatively small dataset. Combining multiple CNNs has the potential of performing an accurate assessment of the diastolic LV function. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None

Capability of doppler ultrasonography in prevention of hemorrhagic complications of prostate biopsy

The article presents the results of a comparative study of the frequency and severity of bleeding after prostate biopsy performed under the control of Doppler mode of vascular scanning and without its use. Compared with the usual mode of ultrasound scanning of the prostate, the use of Doppler imaging mode of intraprostatic vessels reduces the number of hemorrhagic complications of prostate biopsy, which confirms the feasibility of using the Doppler mode when taking biopsy material.

Structure of the secondary flow in the bifurcation of a blood vessel: patient-specific modeling and clinical Doppler measurements

The present contribution is aimed at patient-specific and clinical study of the secondary flow in the bifurcation of a blood vessel. Flow visualization is performed both with the ultrasound color Doppler imaging mode and with CFD data postprocessing of the flow in a carotid artery model with narrowing (stenosis). Special attention is paid to obtaining data for the secondary motion in the internal carotid artery. There was a good agreement in the results obtained between the patient-specific modeling and clinical measurements.

Fabrication of an Ultrasound Phantom with Blood Vessel Bifurcation Applicable for Both B- and Doppler-mode Imaging

Fabrication of an Ultrasound Phantom with Blood Vessel Bifurcation Applicable for Both B- and Doppler-mode Imaging

Efficacy of Combined Ultrasound-and-Microbubbles-Mediated Diclofenac Gel Delivery to Enhance Transdermal Permeation in Adjuvant-Induced Rheumatoid Arthritis in the Rat

A previous study that investigated the effect of ultrasound (US) on the transdermal permeation of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug diclofenac found that therapeutic US can increase circulation in an inflamed joint and decrease arthritic pain. Transdermal drug delivery has recently been demonstrated by US combined with microbubbles (MB) contrast agent (henceforth referred to as “US-MB”). The present study evaluated the efficacy of US-MB-mediated diclofenac delivery for treating adjuvant-induced rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in rats. RA was induced by injecting 100 μL of complete Freund's adjuvant into the ankle joint of male Sprague-Dawley rats (250–300 g) that were randomly divided into five treatment groups: (i) carbopol gel alone (the control [group C]), (ii) diclofenac-carbopol gel (group D), (iii) US plus carbopol gel (group U), (iv) US plus diclofenac-carbopol gel (group DU) and (v) US-MB plus diclofenac-carbopol gel (group DUB). The ankle width was measured over 10 d using high-frequency (40-MHz) US B-mode and color Doppler–mode imaging, covering the period before and after treatment. Longitudinal US images of the induced RA showed synovitis and neovascularity. Only a small amount of neovascularity was observed after treatment. The recovery rate on day 10 was significantly higher in group DUB (97.7% ± 2.7%, mean ± standard deviation [SD]) than in groups C (1.0% ± 2.7%), D (37.5% ± 4.6%), U (75.5% ± 4.2%) and DU (87.3% ± 5.2%) (p < 0.05). The results obtained indicate that combining US and MB can increase the skin permeability and thereby enhance the delivery of diclofenac sodium gel and thereby inhibit inflammation of the tissues surrounding the arthritic ankle. Color Doppler–mode imaging revealed that US-MB treatment induced a rapid reduction in synovial neoangiogenesis in the arthritic area.

Efficacy of ultrasound mediated microbubbles in diclofenac gel to enhance transdermal permeation in rheumatoid arthritis induced rat.

In previous study in the literature, the effect of ultrasound on the transdermal permeation of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, diclofenac has been investigated. Therapeutic ultrasound can increase circulation in the inflamed joint and decrease arthritic pain. Recently, transdermal drug delivery has been demonstrated by ultrasound (US) combining with microbubbles (MBs) contrast agent. In this study, the efficiency of US-MBs mediated diclofenac delivery for adjuvant-induced rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in rats was evaluated. RA was induced by injection of 100 μl Freund's complete adjuvant into the ankle joint in SD male rats (250-300g) and were randomly divided into five groups: (1) control group (C); (2) penetrating diclofenac alone (D); (3) US alone (U); (4) US combined with penetrating diclofenac (DU); (5) US combined with MBs and penetrating diclofenac (DUB). The evaluations of ankle width were performed for 10 days by high frequency (40MHz) US B-mode and color Doppler mode imaging before and after treatment. Longitudinal US images of arthritis induced show synovitis and neovascularity. After treatment, only a little neovascularity has been observed. The recovery rate at 10th day in the group DUB (97.7±2.7 %) was significantly higher than in the group C (1.0±2.7 %), group D (37.5±4.6 %), group U (75.5±4.2 %) and group DU (87.3±5.2 %) (p <; 0.05). Our results investigated that the treatments of US and MBs can increase skin permeability to enhance diclofenac sodium delivery and inhibit inflammation of the tissues surrounded the arthritic ankle. In color Doppler imaging, after the combination treatment, the synovial neoangiogenesis in the arthritic area was reduced quickly.

Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome by an echocardiographic standardized approach: An observational study

The association between obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS), left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction and LV geometry remains controversial because of coexisting disorders. To evaluate LV diastolic dysfunction and its independent predictors in a real-life cohort of OSAS patients, by a standardized approach. We consecutively included 188 OSAS patients after an overnight polysomnography to undergo clinical evaluation, ambulatory blood pressure measurement and complete echocardiography, combining M-mode, two-dimensional Doppler and tissue Doppler imaging modes. Correlations between OSAS severity and clinical and echocardiographical variables were assessed, and logistic regression models were used to identify possible determining factors of LV diastolic dysfunction. Most patients were hypertensive (n=148, 78.7%) and already receiving treatment by continuous positive airway pressure (n=158, 84.5%). The prevalence of LV hypertrophy, defined by LV mass index (LVMi) normalized by height (2.7), was 12.4%, with a significant correlation with hypertension (P=0.004). The apnoea-hypopnoea index was correlated with body mass index (P<0.0001), 24-hour systolic blood pressure (P=0.01) and LVMi normalized by height (2.7) (P=0.03). Diastolic function assessed by a global approach was impaired for 70 patients (37.2%) and none of the OSAS severity variables was a determining factor after multivariable analysis with adjustment for age and sex. Diastolic dysfunction assessed by a standardized approach is common in OSAS and should be routinely evaluated; it is independently predicted by none of the respiratory severity variables.

Transcervical Resection of an Ectopic Mediastinal Parathyroid Adenoma

An 81-year-old man was incidentally found to have a posterior mediastinal lesion measuring 25 19 mm behind the trachea and lateral to the esophagus on computed tomography of the chest (Fig 1A, arrow). Parathyroid scintigraphy with Tc-MIBI (technetium with the ligand methoxyisobutylisonitrile) showed persistent focal activity in the posterior mediastinum along the left lateral aspect of the esophagus (Fig 1B, arrow). Bronchoscopic examination showed a protrusive mass beneath the membranous part of the trachea, which was remarkably elevated in the expiratory phase. The endobronchial ultrasound convex probe showed a multicystic posterior mediastinal mass with minimal vascularization by the Doppler mode imaging. The result of following endobronchial ultrasound–guided transbronchial needle aspiration of the lesion (Fig 1C, arrow), was consistent with a parathyroid tumor. Endocrinologic studies revealed a primary hyperparathyroidism with an intact parathyroid hormone level of 66.1 pmol/L (normal range, 1.3–7.6 pmol/L). The serum level of calcium indicated mild hypercalcemia (2.83 mmol/L) and the phosphate level was slightly decreased (0.65 mmol/L). A bone mineral density scan showed no abnormality.

2-D high-frame-rate dynamic elastography using delay compensated and angularly compounded motion vectors: Preliminary results

This paper describes a new ultrasound-based system for high-frame-rate measurement of periodic motion in 2-D for tissue elasticity imaging. Similarly to conventional 2-D flow vector imaging, the system acquires the RF signals from the region of interest at multiple steering angles. A custom sector subdivision technique is used to increase the temporal resolution while keeping the total acquisition time within the range suitable for real-time applications. Within each sector, 1-D motion is estimated along the beam direction. The intra- and inter-sector delays are compensated using our recently introduced delay compensation algorithm. In-plane 2-D motion vectors are then reconstructed from these delay-compensated 1-D motions. We show that Young's modulus images can be reconstructed from these 2-D motion vectors using local inversion algorithms. The performance of the system is validated quantitatively using a commercial flow phantom and a commercial elasticity phantom. At the frame rate of 1667 Hz, the estimated flow velocities with the system are in agreement with the velocity measured with a pulsed-wave Doppler imaging mode of a commercial ultrasound machine with manual angle correction. At the frame rate of 1250 Hz, phantom Young's moduli of 29, 6, and 54 kPa for the background, the soft inclusion, and the hard inclusion, are estimated to be 30, 11, and 53 kPa, respectively.

Live imaging of rat embryos with Doppler swept-source optical coherence tomography

The rat has long been considered an excellent system to study mammalian embryonic cardiovascular physiology, but has lacked the extensive genetic tools available in the mouse to be able to create single gene mutations. However, the recent establishment of rat embryonic stem cell lines facilitates the generation of new models in the rat embryo to link changes in physiology with altered gene function to define the underlying mechanisms behind congenital cardiovascular birth defects. Along with the ability to create new rat genotypes there is a strong need for tools to analyze phenotypes with high spatial and temporal resolution. Doppler OCT has been previously used for 3-D structural analysis and blood flow imaging in other model species. We use Doppler swept-source OCT for live imaging of early postimplantation rat embryos. Structural imaging is used for 3-D reconstruction of embryo morphology and dynamic imaging of the beating heart and vessels, while Doppler-mode imaging is used to visualize blood flow. We demonstrate that Doppler swept-source OCT can provide essential information about the dynamics of early rat embryos and serve as a basis for a wide range of studies on functional evaluation of rat embryo physiology.

Intracystic Hemorrhage in a Patient of Polycystic Kidney with Renocolic Fistula Diagnosed by Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasonography

A 60-year-old woman with polycystic kidney presented with intracystic hemorrhage; renocolic fistula was diagnosed by contrast-enhanced. The patient was admitted due to hematuria, pyuria and pneumaturia. Abdominal B-mode ultrasonography showed that this renal cyst had thickened walls and debris-like internal echo. Truagent Detection, a power Doppler imaging mode, could depict intracystic color signals after Levovist injection by real-time scan. Enhanced spots had increased in the cyst, and were shown as minimal intracystic hemorrhage in real-time. The case of polycystic kidney with renocolic fistula is rare, however contrast-enhanced ultrasonography could successfully identify the site of minute bleeding.

Evaluation of normal fetal left cardiac function by tissue doppler imaging

To explore the feasibility of using tissue Doppler imaging technique for the evaluation of fetus's left ventricular diastolic function, and to confirm its reliability by comparing it with traditional methods, this study examined 61 pregnant women in whom satisfactory images were obtained of fetal echocardiography. The peak velocity of blood stream were measured, including E, A and E/A at mitral valve orifice on the four chamber view with pulse wave. And then tissue Doppler imaging mode was employed to measure the velocity of mitral valve annulus including Ea, Aa, Sa and Ea / Aa. Correlation analysis was conducted between the velocity of orifice and that of annulus in terms of gestation age. And then correlation analysis was performed between above data and gestation ages. A positive correlation was found between the velocity of orifice and that of annulus, and the velocity increased with the gestation age. The change was the most significant between the 28th and the 34th week of gestation age. Our study showed that it is feasible to evaluate the fetus's left ventricular diastole function by tissue Doppler imaging. Its stability can avoid the influence of fetal heart rates and preload.

Assessment of image quality of contrast-enhanced power doppler imaging in hepatocellular carcinoma with the personal ultrasound imager: Comparison with the conventional machine

To evaluate the usefulness of contrast-enhanced power Doppler imaging with the personal ultrasound imager in depicting intratumoral vascularity in hepatocellular carcinoma. Contrast-enhanced power Doppler imaging was used to examine 52 hepatocellular carcinoma nodules in 29 patients, using both the personal ultrasound imager and the conventional ultrasound machine in combination with intravenous injection of Levovist(®). Results obtained using dynamic CT were used as the gold standard. The ability of the personal ultrasound imager to detect intratumoral vascularity was compared with that of the conventional ultrasound machine, and the usefulness of the personal ultrasound imager in assessing therapeutic effect after nonsurgical treatment was compared with that of dynamic CT at the same time. The personal ultrasound imager and the conventional ultrasound machine, using the fundamental power Doppler imaging mode (p=0.13) and contrast-enhanced power Doppler imaging mode (p=0.41), did not differ significantly in depicting the vascularity of the 52 hepatocellular carcinomas. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of contrast-enhanced power Doppler imaging on the personal ultrasound imager were 95.5%, 87.5%, and 94.2%, respectively, in close agreement with results obtained using dynamic CT. After the 22 hepatocellular carcinomas were treated, the personal ultrasound imager provided diagnostic accuracy of 90.9% on residual tumors when compared with results obtained by dynamic CT, and results obtained using the conventional ultrasound machine were similar. The highly portable personal ultrasound imager using Levovist(®)-enhanced power Doppler imaging can clearly depict the intratumoral vascularity of hepatocellular carcinoma nodules before and after treatment, achieving results very close to those obtained using the conventional diagnostic ultrasound machine. The personal ultrasound imager is an alternative to the conventional ultrasound machine for depicting tumor vascularity.