Echo-free Area Research Articles

Comparative Study of Qualitative and Quantitative Analyses of Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound and the Diagnostic Value of B-Mode and Color Doppler for Common Benign Tumors in the Parotid Gland.

PurposeTo preliminarily identify three common benign parotid gland tumors: pleomorphic adenomas (PA), Warthin tumors (WT), and basal cell adenomas (BCA) by qualitative and quantitative analyses using contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS).MethodsPreoperative images of parotid gland masses were analyzed, including 129 cases of ultrasonography (US) and color Doppler sonography (CDS) and 110 cases of qualitative and quantitative CEUS. The diagnosis was confirmed by postsurgical pathology outcomes.ResultsPA presented low and heterogeneous enhancement and echo-free area, whereas most WT and BCA presented with high and relatively homogeneous enhancement. Compared with WT and BCA groups, a “slow in” pattern was more common in the PA group and a “slow out” pattern was more frequently noted in the WT group than in the PA and BCA groups. The unique features of qualitative CEUS in the PA group enable distinguishing PA from the 2 other groups. The further distinction among the groups was made based on quantitative parameters of time-intensity curves (TICs), which revealed that the mean peak intensity (PI), mean transit time (MTT), the area under the curve (AUC), and time from peak to one half (HT) exhibited significant differences. ROC analysis was next applied to determine the optimal cutoff points to predict the diagnostic tendency among the groups. When the rising slope (RS) was >2.145, the possibility of BCA was greater than WT.ConclusionsCEUS ultrasound is of significant value in the differential diagnosis of the 3 common benign parotid gland masses.

Prenatal Diagnosis of Right Sided Inguinoscrotal Hernia Associated with Severe Growth Restriction in a Fetus with Trisomy 18: A Case Report

AbstractFetal inguinoscrotal hernia is an uncommon occurence in the prenatal life, and published literature on it is scarce. This is a type of indirect hernia that results from abnormal migration of the small bowel into the scrotum via the patent processus vaginalis. We present a case of prenatal diagnosis of right sided fetal inguinoscrotal hernia, with contralateral hydrocele and severe fetal growth restriction confirmed as Trisomy 18 in subsequently performed chromosomal analysis. The index case presented at 35+2 weeks of gestation with a right sided solid scrotal mass with a regular contour, mixed echogenic texture with a few echo-free areas, a distinctive arterial supply and characteristic peristaltic movements. Fetal demise was noted one week later. The diagnosis was confirmed by postnatal examination. Prenatal diagnosis of fetal inguinoscrotal hernia should be followed up with detailed anatomical assessment and chromosomal analysis if indicated by the presence of additional abnormalities. Isolated cases require surgical repair in the neonatal period to avoid sequelae and complications.

An investigation of the time trends, risk factors, role of ultrasonic preoperative diagnosis of 79 ovarian pregnancy.

Ovarian pregnancy (OP) is a rare form of ectopic pregnancy and is still a medical challenge. Therefore, more studies about the time trends, risk factors and diagnostic measurements are needed for the efficient treatment of OP. The datum of OP patients who were treated at the Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University from 2003 to 2018 was collected and a retrospective cohort study was preformed between OP and tubal pregnancy. 79 of all 6943 ectopic pregnancy (1.14%) were OP. The prevalence of OP following assisted reproductive technology showed an increasing trend over time, from 8.33% to 15.22%. Previous abdominal surgery was one of the risk factors of OP (OR 0.41, 95% CI 0.18-0.95, p = 0.04). Merely 2 (2.53%) patients were sonographically diagnosed as OP accorded with theirdischarge diagnosis. However, 56 (80.0%) accumulation of blood in the pelvis formed echo free areas could be clearly found by ultrasonography. A significant difference was found in serum β-hCG level among OP patients and tubal pregnancy patients (2762.73 ± 1915.24mmol/L vs 1034.20 ± 915.32mmol/L, p < 0.001). The prevalence of OP following assisted reproductive technology is on the rise. History of abdominal surgery may be a high risk factor for OP patients who have the tendency of high β-hCG levels. The ultrasonic preoperative diagnosis is conductive to the early diagnosis of OP though the diagnosis accuracy is low.

Prenatal ultrasound diagnosis of fetal chest wall cystic lymphangioma: An Italian case series

Fetal lymphangioma is a rare congenital malformation of lymphatic system that involve the skin and the subcutaneous tissue. The vast majority of the lymphangioma occurs in the neck. More rarely lymphangiomas may occur in the axillary region, including chest wall. Our consecutive case series study included three cases of fetal chest wall cystic lymphangiomas. In our cohort, fetal chest wall cystic lymphangiomas were the 18.8% of the all cases of lymphangiomas of axillary region. In all the three cases no other fetal abnormalities were evaluated, and the chest wall cystic lymphangiomas were unilateral, honeycombed in appearance, with multiple echo-free area of varying size in the mass, with no color flow on Doppler sonography, and with a trend to increase during the gestation. The incidence of chromosomal abnormalities was 33.3%, with one case out of the three being trisomy 21.The literature review revealed only seven cases of fetal chest wall cystic lymphangiomas. The cases were not associated with other abnormalities, nor with abnormal karyotype and only one case of fetal death was reported. Three women delivered vaginally. In summary, fetal chest wall cystic lymphangioma is a very rare malformations with only seven cases reported in the literature. This malformation is usually not associated with abnormal karyotype or other abnormalities and the neonatal outcome is favorable after surgical removal. Spontaneous vaginal delivery may be a safe approach for delivery women with fetal chest wall cystic lymphangioma. CondensationFetal chest wall cystic lymphangioma is a very rare malformations with only seven cases reported in the literature. This malformation is usually not associated with abnormal karyotype or other abnormalities and the neonatal outcome is favorable after surgical removal. Spontaneous vaginal delivery may be a safe approach for delivery women with fetal chest wall cystic lymphangioma.

Subchorionic hematoma complicated by different antenatal complications: a case report of four patients with spontaneous abortion and literature review

Subchorionic hematoma (SCH) is a specific pathology of pregnancy, as a sonographically-detected, intrauterine, echo-free area located between the membranes and the uterine wall. No reports have described SCH complicated by different antenatal complications in patients with spontaneous abortion. The patients herein present four cases of SCH accompanied by different complications, including Sjogren’s syndrome (SS), antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), cervical incompetence (CI), and undifferentiated connective tissue diseases (UCTD). All the four patients with a history of spontaneous abortion delivered healthy babies. Additionally, the authors also reviewed previously reported cases regarding SCH. Appropriate treatment can effectively improve pregnancy outcomes in patients with a history of spontaneous abortion and SCH complicated by other complications.

Two- and Three-Dimensional Transesophageal Echocardiography for Aortic Valve Aneurysms on the Right Coronary Cusp

Two- and Three-Dimensional Transesophageal Echocardiography for Aortic Valve Aneurysms on the Right Coronary Cusp

Late Infective Endocarditis of an Atrial Septal Occluder Device Presenting as a Cystic Mass

We report an atypical echocardiographic presentation of a vegetation in a patient with late infective endocarditis of an atrial septal defect (ASD) occluder device. Transesophageal echocardiography demonstrated a penduculated mass attached to the left atrial side of the occluder device. This mass presented as an oscillating echo free area surrounded by a membrane attached to the device by a thin stalk. At time of surgical excision, the lesion did not present as a spherical cyst. It was assumed that the content of the echo free mass had already emptied into the left atrium. Histopathology diagnosed the mass as a vegetation. The contribution of contrast echocardiography to the evaluation of intracardiac masses is briefly discussed.

Foetal and neonatal ovarian cysts: a 5-year experience

Abdominal cystic formations in newborns are relatively common and often diagnostic suspicion arises in this regard even before birth as a result of ultrasound scans carried out during pregnancy. The aim of this study is to highlight the problems posed by the prenatal diagnosis of abdominal cysts in order to outline the most appropriate therapeutic approach in case of suspected ovarian cysts. Between January 2003 and January 2007, 57 women were enrolled in this study for a prenatal ultrasound (US) that revealed the presence of an echo-rare or echo-free area in the foetal abdomen. After birth all babies underwent blood tests and abdominal US scans in order to confirm or identify the nature of the cyst. If abdominal US could not show the nature of the cystic formation, magnetic resonance imaging with sedation was performed. When the radiological tests were not useful to identify the nature of the cysts and surgery was then necessary, surgical procedures were performed with laparoscopy. Ultrasounds were useful to identify the diameter of the cysts but not all their origins; also MRI confirmed the morphology and volume of the cysts, but could not give further details about their origin. Abdominal ultrasound and finally laparoscopy used to treat and remove the cysts were useful to monitor all simple abdominal cysts. MRI seemed not to be useful for the treatment of this condition, especially in the pediatric age when mild sedation is required.

Analysis of posterior echoes using reconstructed vertical ultrasound images.

To evaluate the role of vertical images reconstructed using 3-D data in the analysis of posterior echoes. Reconstructed vertical images of US phantoms with the following artifacts were retrieved and analyzed: acoustic shadowing (clean and dirty); posterior echo enhancement (with/without lateral shadowing); and reverberation artifacts (clean and dirty). For acoustic shadowing, a stone and posterior clean acoustic shadowing were imaged as an echogenic mass or an echogenic ring containing a central echo-free area. However, the stone and dirty acoustic shadowing were imaged as an echogenic mass or an echogenic mass consisting of many fine echo spots disseminated throughout the whole mass. For posterior echo enhancement, when lateral shadowing is present, the cyst and posterior echo enhancement are imaged as a round anechoic mass or a triple circle consisting of a thin anechoic outer rim, an echogenic ring, and an anechoic center. However, when lateral shadowing is absent, they are imaged as a round anechoic mass or a double circle consisting of an echogenic outer rim and an anechoic center. For clean reverberation artifacts and dirty reverberation artifacts, vertical images of clean reverberation artifacts consist of either a homogeneous echogenic area or an absent signal. However, vertical images of dirty reverberation artifacts consist of a homogeneous echogenic area and an area consisting of fine echo spots. Our study suggests that reconstructed, previously unattainable, vertical plane images help us better understand the mode of posterior echoes.

Sonographic features of liver metastases from pancreatic glucagonoma and acinar cell carcinoma

The previously unreported ultrasonographic (US) features of liver metastases of pancreatic glucagonoma and of pancreatic acinar cell carcinoma are described. They present as complex masses with hyperechoic solid component, containing echo-free cystic areas; these sonographic features markedly differ from the echo-poor US pattern of the much more common metastases of pancreatic ductal carcinoma. Survival from diagnosis of liver metastases was 45 months in the patient with pancreatic glucagonoma and 23 months in the patient with acinar cell carcinoma. These survivals were much longer than the expected survival of patients with pancreatic ductal carcinoma metastatic to the liver. The US finding of highly reflective lesions in the liver, containing echo-free cystic areas, should alert one that the primary pancreatic tumor has a histotype different from ductal carcinoma. Such US findings could affect the decision to resect the pancreatic tumor and its liver metastases, if histology confirms a malignancy less aggressive than ductal carcinoma.

顎下部に発生した動静脈ろうの１例

A case of arteriovenous fistula in the submandibular region is reported.A 34-year-old woman visited the Department of Oral Surgery, Dental Hospital, Hokkaido University with a chief complaint of swelling in the left submandibular region. She noticed the swelling about 2 years ago. On the first visit, the patient had a movable mass in her left submandibular region. USG showed a clearly demarcated echo-free area. MRI showed a solid mass with dilated blood vessels around the region. The lesion was clinically diagnosed as a tumor or vascular lesion. It was removed surgically by an extraoral approach under general anesthesia.The lesion was covered with a fibrous capsule, and histologically it consisted mainly of many blood vessels. Arterialization of veins was observed and it was diagnosed as arteriovenous fistula.

INDEX OF SUSPICION

This section of Pediatrics in Review reminds clinicians of those conditions that can present in a misleading fashion and require suspicion for early diagnosis. Emphasis has been placed on conditions in which early diagnosis is important and that the general pediatrician might be expected to encounter, at least once in a while. The reader is encouraged to write possible diagnoses for each case before turning to the discussion, which is on the following page. We invite readers to contribute case presentations and discussions. Case 1 Presentation A previously healthy 6-month-old girl is seen at the office for evaluation of fussiness and infrequent urination. The child has not voided in the past 9 hours despite her usual fluid intake. She is afebrile, with no focus of infection found on careful physical examination. A palpable mass is felt in the suprapubic area. Her external genitalia are normal. Renal and pelvic ultrasonography reveal an echo-free area superior to a normal lower renal ureteral segment on the left side, with a circular echo free area at the lower end of the ureter extending into and taking up about one quarter of the space within a distended bladder. Case 2 Presentation A 4-year-old boy is seen in your office with a 4-day history of sore throat and low-grade fever.

Ultrasound diagnosis of effusion of the hip.

This paper reports on two prospective studies of ultrasound examination of the hip in 150 healthy subjects and 50 patients with hip joint diseases. The sagittal distance of the anterior recess of the hip was measured on the sonogram of the sagittal section. The normal value in adults, teenagers and children was 4.54 mm +/- 0.99 mm, 4.27 mm +/- 1.26 mm and 3.40 mm +/- 0.93 mm, respectively. Ultrasound examination of both hips in 50 patients with hip joint diseases showed that the sagittal distance of the anterior recess was significantly widened in the symptomatic side, and the mean value in the symptomatic side and normal side was 12.02 mm +/- 3.68 mm, and 4.12 mm +/- 1.15 mm, respectively. Ultrasound showed echo-free area in anterior recess in 42 hips, hypoecho and medium echo area in 8 hips. Of 50 patients undergoing plain radiography, 33 showed bony changes of the hip, and the remaining 17 no change whatever. The results obtained demonstrated that ultrasound can accurately detect effusion of the hip, what is more, it is easy to operate, inexpensive, noninvasive, convenient for follow-up and without radiation damage.

Juvenile papillomatosis of the breast: sonographic appearance.

Three patients with juvenile papillomatosis of the breast are described. The lesions were apparent clinically as a palpable mass. At mammography, juvenile papillomatosis was not depicted in two patients and was seen as a poorly defined mass in one case. In all patients, high-frequency ultrasound examination showed an ill-defined, inhomogeneous mass with one or several small (up to 0.4 cm), rounded, relatively echo-free areas, which were seen mainly or exclusively near the borders of the lesion.

Vaginal sonography in ectopic pregnancy. A prospective evaluation.

Among 404 first-trimester pregnancies examined with vaginal sonography in a prospective study, there were 21 ectopic gestations. Considering only the initial scans, the endometrial canal showed a linear echo surrounded by an echogenic zone in 18 cases, but in three cases the uterine cavity demonstrated a small echo-free area representing blood. Free fluid within the cul-de-sac was seen in 17 patients. An adnexal tumor representing the extrauterine gestation, was detected in 19 cases. Fifteen of these masses exhibited a thick-walled ring characteristic of a gestational sac with a viable embryo in five cases and a yolk sac in one. Other cystic adnexal masses, such as corpus luteum cysts, seen in 14 of the 21 patients were not confused with the ectopic pregnancy. A correct tentative diagnosis of ectopic gestation was made in 18 patients (86%) after the initial scan and in 20 cases (95%) including four controls. There was one false-positive suspicion of ectopic gestation in a patient who actually had a spontaneous abortion. Interpretation of the sonographic image should generally be done in correlation with laboratory and clinical data. The results of the study indicate that vaginal sonography is a valuable diagnostic procedure in the evaluation for ectopic pregnancy.

Abnormal blood pathways in left ventricular cavity in acute myocardial infarction. Experimental observations with special reference to regional wall motion abnormality and hemostasis.

To elucidate the mechanism of regional hemostasis in the left ventricular (LV) cavity during myocardial infarction, the blood pathway in LV cavity was examined with contrast echocardiography injected from the left atrium before and after coronary ligation in nine canines. Before coronary ligation, contrast echoes spread over LV cavity with one rush. After ligation, smokelike echoes indicating hemostasis were observed at the apical middle of the LV cavity in five dogs with apical akinesis and at the apical area in four dogs with apical dyskinesis. The contrast echoes did not reach the apex within one diastolic period but turned upward to the outflow tract in the middle of the cavity in all dogs. In the cardiac beats that followed, some contrast echoes spread slowly toward the apex, forming a thin layer along the posterior wall in cases with akinesis but not in cases with dyskinesis. The area separated from the blood pathway developed where the smokelike echoes had been developed. Tachycardia exaggerated the abnormality of blood pathway and widened the contrast echo-free area. The abnormal pathway of the blood in apical myocardial infarction develops hemostasis in the apex. This should be one of the mechanisms of thrombus formation in myocardial infarction.

Ultrasonic and histopathological correlations of deep focal hepatic lesions induced by stereotaxic Nd-YAG laser applications

Thirty six deep focal hepatic lesions were induced in eleven piglets by means of an Nd-YAG laser. Laser shots of 80 W power and 10 s duration were used, the beam being transmitted through an echoguided stereotaxic handpiece. From day 0 to day 120, the animals underwent ultrasonographic and morphological controls. At lasering time an hyperechoic image—12–18 mm in diameter—appeared due to boiling of tissue water. During the twenty postoperative days the lesion core was an echo-free area due to tissue vaporization, surrounded by an hyperechoic ring of increasing fibrosis, containing neovascularization and biliary ductules, while the hypoechoic outer area represented the peripheral halo of edema. In the long term, hyperechoic structures—swollen fibrotic septa of homogeneous fibrotic network—invaded the lesion site confirming good healing.

Echographical diagnosis of orbital subperiosteal abscesses and hematomas in paranasal sinus diseases

Report on the echographical findings in six patients suffering from paranasal sinusitis with subperiosteal abscess formation, and in four further patients with a subperiosteal hematoma following blunt midface injuries. A-scan sonography showed a low to medium reflective, sharply outlined lesion that was delineated by two very high spikes from the detached periorbita and the bony orbital wall. the B-scan presented an echo-free area parallel to the bone of the corresponding orbital wall. Location, extension, progression or regression under therapy could be evaluated in the follow-up by echography.

Relationship of Ultrasound Findings After Cesarean Section to Operative Morbidity

FAUSTIN, D.; MINKOFF, H.; SCHAFFER, R.; CROMBLEHOLME, W.; SCHWARZ, R. Author Information

Functional and anatomical correlates in atrial septal defect. An echocardiographic analysis.

The results of cross sectional echocardiography, intracardiac contrast echocardiography, and balloon sizing techniques and conventional haemodynamic assessment were correlated in 40 consecutive patients evaluated for an isolated left to right shunt at atrial level. Echo free areas along the septum were identified in 23 of 25 patients with a secundum defect, but not in two with a fenestrated defect, and in the upper atrial septum in three of four patients with a sinus venosus defect. No false positive results occurred in 11 patients with a probe patent foramen ovale. Saline contrast injection into the left atrium showed significant left to right shunting in all patients with atrial septal defect; inferior vena caval injection produced right to left shunting in 15 of 29 patients and a negative contrast effect in eight of 29 patients with an atrial septal defect, although neither correlated quantitatively with defect diameter or magnitude of the left to right shunt. Echocardiographic assessment of defect size as small, moderate, or large showed a highly significant correlation with balloon measurement of defect diameter, although some overlap between the groups was evident. In contrast, the correlation between defect diameter and pulmonary to systemic blood flow ratio was poor, mainly because of highly variable shunting in patients with an anatomically large defect. Cross sectional echocardiography has high sensitivity and specificity in the diagnosis of the non-fenestrated atrial septal defect and provides quantitative information about defect diameter. Contrast studies do not add to the diagnostic value of imaging from the subcostal position. The poor correlation between defect size and the measured shunt suggests that the latter may not be the best criterion for surgical management and that size could be an important factor likely to influence both the long term prognosis and the decision for closure.