Hypoechoic Band Research Articles

Non-invasive assessment of esophageal and fundic varices in patients with primary biliary cholangitis.

The Baveno VII consensus recommends endoscopic screening for varicose veins in cases of liver stiffness measurement (LSM) ≥ 20 kPa or platelet count ≤ 150 × 109/L. Whether this approach was appropriate for patients with primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) remains uncertain. This study expanded the observed risk factors by adding analysis of ultrasound images as a non-invasive tool to predict the risk of esophageal or fundic varices. We enrolled 111 patients with PBC whose complete ultrasound images, measurement data, and LSM data were available. The value of the periportal hypoechoic band (PHB), splenic area, and LSM in determining the risk of varicose veins and variceal rupture was analyzed. A prospective cohort of 67 patients provided external validation. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) for predicting varicose veins using LSM > 12.1 kPa or splenic areas > 41.2 cm2 was 0.806 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.720-0.875) and 0.852 (95% CI: 0.772-0.912), respectively. This finding could assist in avoiding endoscopic screening by 76.6% and 83.8%, respectively, with diagnostic accuracy surpassing that suggested by Baveno VII guidelines. The AUCs for predicting variceal rupture using splenic areas > 56.8 cm2 was 0.717 (95% CI: 0.623-0.798). The diagnostic accuracy of PHB for variceal rupture was higher than LSM and splenic areas (75.7% vs. 50.5% vs. 68.5%). We recommend LSM > 12.1 kPa as a cutoff value to predict the risk of varicosity presence in patients with PBC. Additionally, the splenic area demonstrated high accuracy and relevance for predicting varicose veins and variceal rupture, respectively. The method is simple and reproducible, allowing endoscopy to be safely avoided. The measurement of the splenic area and identification of the periportal hypoechoic band (PHB) on ultrasound demonstrated high accuracy and relevance for predicting the risk of esophageal or fundic varices presence and variceal rupture, respectively. Predicting varices in patients with primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) can reduce the morbidity and mortality of gastrointestinal hemorrhage. Transient elastography (TE) and ultrasound play an important role in predicting patients with PBC with varices. TE and ultrasound can predict varicose veins and variceal rupture. Liver stiffness measurement and splenic area measurements can allow endoscopy to be safely avoided.

Ultrasound imaging findings in primary biliary cholangitis

BackgroundOur study aimed to analyze the characteristics of ultrasound images corresponding to each histological stage of primary biliary cholangitis (PBC).MethodsWe prospectively analyzed 75 confirmed cases of PBC and used liver biopsy as the gold standard to determine the disease stage.ResultsThe typical ultrasound images of patients with PBC were characterized by a thickening of the portal vein wall (PVW) and periportal hypoechoic band (PHB) width with increasing histological stages, and significant increases in the left hepatic lobe diameter (LHLD) in stage II (by 64.0%) and stage III (by 69.2%). PHB width (r = 0.857, p < 0.001), PVW thickness (r = 0.488, p < 0.001), and spleen area (r = 0.8774, p < 0.001) were positively correlated with the histological stage. Significant changes were noted in the liver surface, echo texture, and edge between different stages. The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve of composite indicators were 0.965 for predicting progressive PBC(≥ stage 2), and 0.926 for predicting advanced PBC(≥ stage 3).ConclusionsThe ultrasound imaging characteristics of patients with PBC varied according to the histological staging. LHLD, PVW thickness, and PHB width were significantly correlated with the histological stage. A combination of high- and low-frequency ultrasound imaging can provide relevant cues regarding the degree of PBC progression and important clinical reference values. The application of all the ultrasound image findings as the composite indicators can better predict progressive and advanced PBC, providing important clinical reference values.

I saw the Venetian blind sign

The Venetian blind sign is a radiologic sign seen on pelvic ultrasound. It is classically associated with adenomyosis and, less commonly, uterine fibroids. It appears as alternating vertical stripes of hyperechoic and hypoechoic bands, resembling the horizontal slatted window blinds for which it is named.

Ultrasound Features of Onychopapilloma at High-Frequency and Ultra-High Frequency.

This study aimed to identify the sonographic features of pathologically confirmed onychopapilloma cases. High-frequency up to 24 MHz and ultra-high frequency-ultrasound up to 71 MHz examinations were performed and correlated with their clinical and pathologic presentations. Twenty-two cases met the criteria. Clinical presentations revealed longitudinal erythronychia in 63.3% of cases. The ultrasound examinations identified a hypoechoic band in the nail bed (86.3%), nail plate abnormalities including upward displacement (68.2%) and thickening (68.1%), focal hyperechoic focal spots on the nail plate (50%) and irregularities of the ventral plate (33.3%). Color Doppler imaging showed no hypervascularity of the nail bed in all studies. These findings correlate with histological characteristics of onychopapilloma, including nail bed acanthosis, papillomatosis, and layered hyperkeratosis. Recurrence occurred in two cases after surgery, with tumors showing proximal extension in the matrix region on ultrasound not evident during clinical examination. High-frequency and ultra-high-frequency can provide anatomical information in onychopapilloma that could enhance understanding and management.

A new method to estimate the histological stage of primary biliary cholangitis

ObjectiveTo analyze the diagnostic efficacy of the periportal hypoechoic band (PHB) in the histological stage of patients with primary biliary cholangitis (PBC).MethodsWe prospectively included 77 cases of PBC pathologically or clinically confirmed, and high-frequency ultrasound (HFUS) measurements of the PHB were performed in all included patients. Ludwig staging system of histopathology was used as the gold standard.ResultsThe width of the PHB was positively correlated with histological staging (r = 0.844, p < 0.001). By area under the receiving operating characteristic curve (AUROC), the best cutoff value for PHB for advanced stage (≥ stage 3) was 2.4 mm (AUROC: 0.934; 95%CI: 0.841–0.981) and 0.93 for sensitivity, and 0.91 for specificity, the concordance rates of PHB vs. liver biopsy was 90.3%. The correct rate for early-stage PBC was 87.9% and for the progressive stage was 93.1%. After multi-factor regression analysis, the PHB (OR = 1.331, CI = 1.105–1.603, p = 0.003) and total bilirubin (OR = 1.156, CI = 1.041–1.285, p = 0.007) were independent influencing factors for progressive PBC.ConclusionsMeasurement of the PHB to assess advanced PBC is a simple and effective method. This method may complement current methods for the histological staging assessment of patients with PBC.RegistrationClinical trial registration: ChiCTR 2000032053, 2020/04/19.Clinical relevance statementThe measurement of periportal hypoechoic band (PHB) provides a simple and easy assessment of the degree of disease progression in patients with PBC and provides an important clinical reference in predicting the histological staging of PBC from an ultrasound perspective.Key Points• The PHB is correlated with histological staging in the patient with PBC.• The area under the ROC curves of PHB for detecting advanced stage (≥ stage 3) were 0.934 and 0.93 for sensitivity, and 0.91 for specificity, the concordance rates of PHB vs. liver biopsy was 90.3%. The application of PHB can better assess the advanced PBC.• Measurement of the PHB to assess advanced PBC is a simple and effective method that can significantly reduce the need for liver biopsy.

Clinical, dermoscopic, and ultrasonic monitoring of the response to biologic treatment in patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis.

Assessment of therapeutic response of psoriasis has relied traditionally on clinical observation, and effective non-invasive tools are desirable. To investigate the value of dermoscopy and high-frequency ultrasound (HFUS) in the monitoring of psoriatic lesions treated with biologics. Patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis treated with biologics were evaluated by clinical, dermoscopic, and ultrasonic scores at weeks 0, 4, 8, and 12. Clinical scores, including Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI) and target lesion score (TLS), were evaluated at representative lesions. Dermoscopy was performed to assess the red background, vessels, and scales on a 4-point scale as well as the presence of hyperpigmentation, hemorrhagic spots, and linear vessels. HFUS was performed to measure the thicknesses of the superficial hyperechoic band and subepidermal hypoechoic band (SLEB). The correlation between clinical, dermoscopic, and ultrasonic evaluation was also analyzed. In total, 24 patients were analyzed and achieved 85.3 and 87.5% reduction of PASI and TLS, respectively, after 12 weeks of treatment. The red background, vessels, and scales scores under dermoscopy were reduced by 78.5, 84.1, and 86.5%, respectively. Some patients developed hyperpigmentation and linear vessels after treatment. Hemorrhagic dots slowly subside over the therapeutic course. Ultrasonic scores were significantly improved with an average reduction of 53.9% in superficial hyperechoic band thickness and 89.9% in SLEB thickness. TLS in the clinical variables, scales in dermoscopic variables, and SLEB in ultrasonic variables decreased the most significantly in the early stage of treatment (week 4) with 55.4, 57.7, and 59.1% (P > 0.05), respectively. Most of the variables, including the red background, vessels, scales, and SLEB thickness, were strongly correlated with TLS. High correlations were also found between the SLEB thickness and the red background or vessels scores, and between the superficial hyperechoic band thickness and the scales scores. Both dermoscopy and HFUS were useful in the therapeutic monitoring of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis.

Fibrous hamartoma of infancy: imaging findings.

Fibrous hamartoma of infancy is a benign tumor that typically arises within the first 2years of life in the subcutaneous and lower dermal layers. Diagnosis can be challenging as it is a rare tumor, and the imaging appearance is not well known. To describe the imaging features in 4 cases of fibrous hamartoma of infancy focusing on ultrasound (US) and magnetic resonance (MR) findings. In this retrospective IRB-approved study, informed consent was waived. We searched patient charts for histopathology-confirmed fibrous hamartoma of infancy diagnosis between November 2013 and November 2022. We found four cases, three boys and one girl, and the mean age was 1.4years (5months-3years). The lesions were located in the axilla, posterior elbow, posterior neck, and lower back. All four patients underwent ultrasound evaluation of the lesion, and two patients also underwent MRI evaluation. The imaging findings were reviewed by consensus by two pediatric radiologists. US imaging revealed subcutaneous lesions with variably defined hyperechoic regions and intervening hypoechoic bands resulting in a linear "serpentine" pattern or a "multiple semicircle" pattern. MR imaging evidenced heterogeneous soft tissue masses, localized in the subcutaneous fat, and showed hyperintense fat interspersed with hypointense septations on both T1- and T2-weighted images. Fibrous hamartoma of infancy has a suggestive appearance on US with heterogeneous, echogenic subcutaneous lesions with intervening hypoechoic portions, in parallel or circumferential arrangement that can be seen as a serpentine or semicircular pattern. On MRI, interspersed macroscopic fatty components show high signal intensity on T1- and T2-weighted images and reduced signal on fat-suppressed inversion recovery images, with irregular peripheral enhancement.

Clinical and imaging features of Kaposiform hemangioendothelioma in infants

ObjectiveKaposiform hemangioendothelioma (KHE) is a locally aggressive tumor of vascular origin. This study investigated the clinical and imaging features of KHE to provide a reference for its early diagnosis. MethodsThe clinical and imaging findings of 27 clinically confirmed KHE cases (including 21 with focal lesions and 6 with diffuse lesions) between January 2016 and December 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. ResultsThe mean age of the 27 patients was 105 ± 80.27 days. Twenty-two (81.5%) of these patients had Kasabach–Merritt phenomenon. Most KHEs were located in the trunk and/or extremities (22/27). Ultrasonography showed heterogeneous echogenicity and/or striated hypoechoic bands with abundant or patchy blood flow within the tumor. On plain computed tomography (CT), they appeared as heterogeneous lesions isodense with the muscles, with a CT value of 29.58 ± 11.53 HU. In the arterial phase, the KHEs showed striated or lamellar heterogeneous enhancement, with a CT value of 153.91 ± 52.11 HU after enhancement. All KHEs showed uneven and high signal intensity on T2-weighted imaging, mixed high and low signal intensity on fat-saturated images, and no significant diffusion restriction on diffusion-weighted imaging. ConclusionKHEs can occur in various locations and present as highly infiltrative and heterogeneous masses that can invade the skin, adjacent muscles, and bones. A vascularized mass with purpuric skin changes, with uneven and high T2WI signal is highly suggestive of the diagnosis of KHE.

What happens under the flexor tendons of the fingers in dactylitis?

Tenosynovitis is one of the most frequently described inflammatory lesions in psoriatic dactylitis. The aim of the study was to assess by ultrasound the distribution of content within the synovial sheath of the finger flexor tendons in a cadaveric experimental model of tenosynovitis and to describe anatomically the elements of the space between the flexor tendons and the palmar aspect of the proximal phalanx of the fingers. Silicone was injected under ultrasound guidance into the digital flexor sheath of the index finger of a hand specimen. Ultrasound images of the distribution of the filling of the flexor synovial space with the injected material were obtained. These images were compared with images from patients with psoriatic dactylitis. The palmar regions of the hand and fingers were dissected to check the distribution of the injected silicone in the synovial cavity. Additionally, we dissected the 2nd to 5th fingers of five cadaveric hands, including the one used for the experiment. During the injection of the substance, we observed an increasing homogeneous hypoechoic band around the flexor tendons that differed from the images of patients. Dissection of the specimen showed the injected silicone distributed throughout the digital flexor sheath to the distal interphalangeal joint. In addition, we provided an illustrated anatomical description of the elements located between the flexor tendons and the palmar aspect of the proximal phalanx, the inflammation of which could simulate flexor tenosynovitis. The observations of this study may contribute to a better understanding of the anatomical structures involved in PsA dactylitis.

High-frequency ultrasound assessment of vulvar lichen sclerosus treated with photodynamic therapy.

Patients with vulvar lichen sclerosus (VLS) are faced with a decreased quality of life and an increased risk of vulvar malignancy. 5-Aminolevulinic acid-based photodynamic therapy (ALA-PDT) can serve as an alternative for refractory VLS patients. However, high-frequency ultrasound (HFUS) has never been introduced in the ALA-PDT outcome assessment for VLS patients. A prospective study was conducted. Refractory VLS patients received two treatment courses of ALA-PDT (3 times of remedies at 2-week intervals for each course), and underwent clinical, HFUS and histopathological assessment. Statistical analysis comparing parameters at baseline and after ALA-PDT was performed. Thirty-one VLS patients were included. Both subjective symptoms (itch and burning pain) and objective severity (lesion size and hypopigmentation) were relieved significantly after ALA-PDT treatment. Hypoechoic dermal band (HDB) thickness revealed by HFUS decreased progressively with successive ALA-PDT treatment, and the reduction value had a positive correlation with the reduction of inflammatory infiltration depth in histopathology. Collagen homogenization depth decrease was also noticed. Besides, adverse effects were recorded, mainly as mild and transient post-treatment edema and pain. ALA-PDT is an effective and safe therapeutic option for refractory VLS patients. HFUS can act as a complement to the non-invasive treatment monitoring for its objectivity, quantifiability and precision in the distinct vertical perspective.

Acute epiploic appendagitis - a rare differential diagnosis of acute abdomen.

Acute epiploic appendagitis is a rare differential diagnosis of unclear or acute abdomen. To describe - by means of a scientific case report - the extraordinary diagnosis of acute epiploic appendagitis along with contained diverticulitis and incarcerated herniation of the greater omentum into the hernial sac of a former trocar site (medical history, significant for laparoscopic ovarian cyst removal) in a 29-year-old female based on experiences obtained in the successful clinical case management, and on selective references from medical scientific literature. Medical history: A 29-year-old female was admitted with abdominal pain in the lower left quadrant. She reported a laparoscopic ovarian cyst removal 3 years prior. Physical examination of the abdomen revealed tenderness in the lower left quadrant without a palpable mass.Leading diagnoses were found using transabdominal ultrasound and confirmed by an abdominal CT scan; namely, incarcerated trocar hernia, diverticulitis of sigmoid colon, and acute epiploic appendagitis. Therapeutic approach was comprised of an explorative laparoscopy (because of the incarcerated hernia), adhesiolysis, removal of a tip of the greater omentum out of the hernial sac, closure of the hernial orifice, and removal of an unclear, inflamed, and bloody fatty tissue from the wall of the descending colon (histopathological investigation confirmed acute epiploic appendagitis). This was flanked by conservative treatment of diverticulitis of the sigmoid colon.Further clinical course was uneventful, with discharge on the 3rd postoperative day with favorable long-term outcome, characterized by no further complaints for 15 months. Acute epiploic appendagitis is an inflammatory, usually self-limiting condition of the epiploic appendages of the colon. It typically manifests with abdominal pain in the lower left quadrant. Imaging is an important diagnostic tool to determine whether the patient has, in fact, acute epiploic appendagitis, so recognizing the characteristic oval lesions with the surrounding inflammation and central fat attenuation on CT, as well as the hyperechoic oval lesions with a hypoechoic peripheral band on ultrasound images is crucial. Nevertheless, it is often overlooked in patients and confused with other differential diagnoses, such as appendicitis or diverticulitis. Although the condition appears infrequently, it is essential to be proficient in the diagnostic evaluation, as a misdiagnosis may lead to unnecessary treatment and even surgical intervention. , the patient was initially diagnosed with an incarcerated abdominal hernia, and therefore subsequently underwent surgery. The inflamed epiploic appendage was discovered in laparoscopic exploration, removed, and confirmed through the histopathology report. This is an approach to be performed with great caution so as not to 1. : misinterpret an inflamed diverticula or covered perforation of it as well as not 2. : overlooking a peritoneal tumor lesion.

Preliminary Application of High-Frequency Ultrasound in the Differentiation of Pemphigus and Bullous Pemphigoid: An Observational Study

Objective: Ultrasonography is a diagnostic imaging technique used to visualize subcutaneous body structures for identification of possible pathologies. In this study, we aimed to explore the clinical significance of high-frequency ultrasound in differentiating the location of blisters between pemphigus and bullous pemphigoid. Methods: Eighteen patients were recruited in Department of Dermatology, Zhongda Hospital from 2020 to 2021 and divided into a pemphigus group (n = 8) and a bullous pemphigoid group (n = 10) according to the diagnostic criteria for each. Ultrasonographic images were collected using a 50-MHz high-frequency ultrasound system. The indexes of ultrasonic evaluation were the layer (epidermis or dermis), size, shape, internal echo, and boundary of the blister. Categorical variables are expressed as n (%), and differences were compared using Fisher’s exact test. Results: The ultrasonographic images in the pemphigus group showed an intraepidermal semi-arc or irregular anechoic or hypoechoic areas. The inferior borders were situated above the characteristic thin linear hyperechoic bands of the epidermis. A linear hypoechoic band was present at the dermoepidermal junction in some cases. In the ultrasonographic images of the bullous pemphigoid group, the linear hyperechoic bands of the epidermis were continuous and intact. An oval fluid anechoic area (subepidermal blister) was present immediately below the bands. The location of the blisters in the ultrasonographic images was significantly different between the 2 groups (P &lt; 0.001). Conclusion: High-frequency ultrasound can be used as an auxiliary means to differentiate the location of blisters between pemphigus and bullous pemphigoid.

Ultrasound Changes of Postoperative Adhesion Types Over Time in Children

AbstractPostoperative fibrotic band formation is a common complication that causes bowel obstruction, chronic pain, and especially reoperation problems. We tried to evaluate the ultrasound signs of different adhesions over time in children. This descriptive study was performed in children hospital of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences. Sixty-five children aged 4 months to 15 years (mean age of 7.2 ± 6.5 years) were enrolled in the study. Complete abdominal sonography using 5 to 12 MHz multifrequency probes was performed by a pediatric radiologist. The sonographic findings and data analysis were performed. In first week after surgery, the fibrinous exudates are seen as hypoechoic shadows. It has uneven thickness and usually encases the bowel loops in a circular shape. In second week, they gradually become straighter with uniform thickness. In this period, in 68% of cases, a hyperechoic line is formed in the center of hypoechoic fibrinous exudates, which is usually placed between the bowel loops (interloop fibrosis). The omentum or mesentery entrapment in the fibrinous exudates was occurred in ∼50% and 25% of these cases, respectively. In this state, echogenic omentum or mesentery was seen simultaneously with the hypoechoic fibrinous exudates. After 1 month from surgical procedure, One of the following four sonographic patterns are seen: attachment hyperechoic omentum to retroperitoneum (50%), attachment hyperechoic mesentery to anterior abdominal wall (26%), interloop fibrosis (39%), and severe hypoechoic fibrotic band (30%). Absence of visceral sliding was seen in 65 to 80% of patients. Overall, there are five morphologic patterns of adhesion on ultrasound: fibrinous exudates, interloop fibrosis, fibrotic band, fixed omentum to retroperitoneum, and fixed mesentery to abdominal wall.

High-frequency ultrasound features in vulvar lichen sclerosus and correlation with histopathology.

Vulvar lichen sclerosus (VLS) is a chronic inflammatory disease initially involving anogenital areas. Noninvasive assessment is essential for precise management in VLS. We aim to analyze high-frequency ultrasound (HFUS) features and correlate HFUS with histopathological changes. Forty patients with histopathologically confirmed VLS lesions were retrospectively identified from August 2020 to September 2021. The clinical manifestations, dermoscopic images as well as both 20 and 50MHz HFUS images were assessed. HFUS assessment included epidermal morphology, hypoechoic dermal band thickness, and hypoechoic dermal band internal echo. We compared HFUS images with histopathology, and Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to assess the relationship between hypoechoic dermal band thickness and histopathological depth. Hypoechoic dermal band was present in 100% (40/40) VLS lesions. There was a significant linear positive correlation between the histopathological depth and corresponding hypoechoic dermal band thickness, with a Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.685 (p<0.001). Besides, 95% (38/40) lesions revealed smooth epidermis, and the internal echo of hypoechoic dermal band was assessed as homogeneous in 60% (24/40) and inhomogeneous in 40% (16/40) lesions. HFUS characteristics, as well as measurable hypoechoic dermal band thickness, may provide valuable information in the precise diagnosis and the treatment monitoring of VLS.

Imaging and Quantification of an Abdominal Muscle Trigger Point Using Shear-Wave Elastography

A 27-year-old female self-referred to physical therapy with a chief complaint of left unilateral abdominal pain for 1 week following her routine 2-hour gymnastic tumbling class. Brightness-mode and shear-wave elastography ultrasound imaging revealed a hypoechoic band within the left internal oblique muscle that was consistent with a symptomatic trigger point. JOSPT Cases 2021;1(3):183–184. doi:10.2519/josptcases.2021.10081

Possibilities of skin ultrasound examination in the management of patients with localized scleroderma

With the help of ultrasound examination (ultrasound), it is possible to visualize the skin of patients with suspected localized scleroderma, as well as to objectively determine the stage of the disease and assess the effectiveness of therapy.&#x0D; Three patients with linear, plaque forms of scleroderma, as well as lichen sclerosus, underwent skin ultrasound using a Skinscanner DUB TPM device with a 75 MHz transducer, 4 mm penetration, 21 m resolution in the area of lesions and in adjacent areas of healthy skin, using their ratio coefficient (RC) for comparative evaluation. The thickness of the epidermis and dermis, their echogenicity were determined.&#x0D; With a linear form of scleroderma, an increase in the thickness of the epidermis in the area of the focus (RC 0.850.0125) and a decrease in its echogenicity (RC 1.580.46) were observed. The echogenicity of the dermis was significantly reduced in the lesion (RC 3.021.17). The dermis thickness was slightly less in the center of the lesion (RC 1.09), at the periphery of the lesion it was moderately increased (RC 0.86). In the plaque form of scleroderma, a decrease in the echogenicity of the epidermis was observed in the foci (RC 1.320.49); an increase in the thickness of the dermis (RC 0.790.16) and a decrease in its e echogenicity (RC 1.260.57). In 7 of 11 foci, a subepidermal hypoechoic band was visualized. With lichen sclerosis in the foci, an increase in the thickness of the epidermis (RC 0.420.12) and its acoustic density (RC 0.630.0793), a decrease in the thickness and echo density of the dermis (RC 1.320.00943 and RC 1.550.6, respectively).&#x0D; With different forms of LS, a different ultrasound picture was observed, depending on the stage and activity of the process. The changes identified during treatment reflect the effectiveness of the therapy and the rate of restoration of the skin structure during therapy.

ISUOG Practice Guidelines (updated): sonographic examination of the fetal central nervous system. Part 2: performance of targeted neurosonography.

ISUOG Practice Guidelines (updated): sonographic examination of the fetal central nervous system. Part 2: performance of targeted neurosonography.

Ultra-high-frequency ultrasound monitoring of plaque psoriasis during ixekizumab treatment.

High-frequency ultrasound (HFUS) is a non-invasive method that detects superficial skin features. Ultra-high frequencies (50-100MHz) can reveal epidermis and dermis structures. In this study, we describe the psoriatic plaque using a new device equipped with a 70MHz probe (VEVO® MD, Fujifilm, VisualSonics) and we assess the lesion before and after ixekizumab. We examined the superficial hyperechoic band, the subepidermal hypoechoic band (SLEB), and the vascularization of the plaque in ten patients affected by plaque psoriasis. The average superficial hyperechoic band thickness was 0.2157mm before treatment, 0.1611mm after 15days, and 0.1354mm (P<.05) after 30days. The SLEB thickness was 0.7535mm at baseline, 0.3300mm after 15days (P<.05), and 0.2007mm (P<.05) after 30days. The average percentage vascularization was 50.21% at baseline, 13.15% after 15days (P<.05), and 5.97% after 30days. UHFUS assessment highlighted the rapid action of the drug in terms of the decrease in vascularization after 15days. It revealed a statistically significant reduction in SLEB thickness after 15days and a significant reduction in the hyperechoic superficial band after 30days. VEVO® MD provides physicians with high-resolution details of the psoriatic plaque, thus enabling tailored-made treatments.

Granuloma annulare subtypes: sonographic features and clinicopathological correlation.

Diagnosis of granuloma annulare (GA) is based on the clinical and histopathological findings. However, only sporadic case reports of subcutaneous GA sonography have been published to date. The objective of this study was to evaluate the ultrasonographic patterns of the different clinical variants of GA: localized, generalized, subcutaneous, and perforating. In this retrospective observational study, we analyzed and correlated the clinical, histopathological, and sonographic features of 15 patients diagnosed with GA. We included 8 women and 7 men with a mean age of 48.4years (8-77years). We found three different sonographic patterns depending on the clinical variant of GA: poorly defined hypoechoic band including the dermis (dermal pattern), irregularly shaped hypoechoic hypodermal lumps (hypodermal pattern), and ill-defined hypoechoic dermal and subcutaneous lesions (mixed pattern). Five cases showed increased blood flow signal on Doppler interrogation. Although our findings are broadly consistent with the previous reports of subcutaneous GA, the sonographic features in localized, generalized, and perforating GA have not been previously reported.

Lung lobe torsion in 15 dogs: Peripheral band sign on ultrasound.

The diagnosis of lung lobe torsion in dogs is usually based on radiological, endoscopic, and CT features. Few ultrasonographic descriptions have been published. The purpose of this multicenter, retrospective, and prospective observational study was to investigate the presence of a hypoechoic area forming a pulmonary band or line at the periphery of the twisted lobe on ultrasonography and assess its significance by comparing it to CT and histological findings. Fifteen dogs with lung lobe torsion confirmed surgically or postmortem were included. All had received ultrasonography and CT examinations; 13 had additional histopathological examination performed. In 14 cases, thoracic ultrasonography revealed a peripheral hypoechoic band, overlying areas of scattered, hyperreflecting interfaces in the affected lobe. On CT, central emphysema was surrounded by a peripheral, soft tissue attenuation band, affecting the periphery in 14 cases. No band was observed in one case, in which the lobe was entirely consolidated. Histological examination yielded a comparable peripheral band, consisting of a thickened visceral pleura with or without hemorrhagic necrosis of the underlying pulmonary parenchyma. This peripheral band may be related to the specific fractal organization of airways and vessels, which plays an important role in lung perfusion and ventilation and makes the lung periphery more prone to ischemia. Our findings suggest that the presence of a peripheral hypoechoic band, associated with central emphysema in a noncollapsed lung lobe on ultrasonography, is suggestive of compromised blood supply and air flow, and lung lobe torsion should therefore be suspected.