To investigate the clinical value of Doppler ultrasound in the rapid evaluation of therapeutic efficacy of angioplasty and prediction of recurrence in patients with Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS). A retrospective study was conducted on BCS patients who underwent angioplasty at our hospital between January 2015 and December 2024. Ultrasound examinations were performed preoperatively and within 7 days postoperatively to compare changes in ultrasound parameters. Follow-up ultrasounds were conducted postoperatively. Differences in ultrasound parameters between recurrence and non-recurrence groups were analyzed to identify indicators for the rapid evaluation of recurrence. Cox regression analysis was used to identify independent risk factors for recurrence. A total of 99 patients (51 males, 48 females; mean age 39.38 ± 12.20 years) were included. Postoperative ultrasound showed significant increases in portal vein (PV) diameter (p = 0.019) and velocity (p < 0.001), while caudate lobe thickness (p = 0.016), spleen length (p = 0.004), spleen thickness (p = 0.012), and ascites depth (p < 0.001) decreased. During follow-up, PV velocity slightly decreased in the non-recurrence group (25.1 cm/s vs 28.3 cm/s, p = 0.018), while it significantly declined in the recurrence group (21.4 cm/s vs 30.2 cm/s, p < 0.001). The median velocity decline was greater in the recurrence group (-7 cm/s vs -1 cm/s, p = 0.003). Multivariate Cox regression identified postoperative paraumbilical vein dilation (HR: 2.970, 95% CI: 1.232-7.156, p = 0.015) and preoperative high D-dimer levels (HR: 1.258, 95% CI: 1.079-1.466, p = 0.003) as independent risk factors for recurrence. Doppler ultrasound is a valuable tool for the rapid evaluation of hepatic drainage during follow-up, particularly through monitoring PV velocity. Postoperative paraumbilical vein dilation may serve as a predictive marker for future recurrence. Question Evaluating angioplasty efficacy in BCS is complex and time-consuming, while predicting recurrence with Doppler ultrasound is challenging. Findings During follow-up, ultrasound monitoring of portal vein flow velocity reflects hepatic drainage, while postoperative paraumbilical vein dilation was an independent risk factor for recurrence. Clinical relevance Doppler ultrasound allowed for rapid evaluation of postoperative hepatic drainage in BCS patients during follow-up, optimizes examination protocols, predicts future vascular recurrence, and establishes a foundation for individualized follow-up and treatment.

Super-Resolution Ultrasound for Microvascular-Based Differentiation of Benign and Malignant Choroidal Tumors: A Preliminary Study.

Economic Evaluation of Breast Cancer Screening in China: A Systematic Review of Costs and Cost-Effectiveness.

To design a diagnostic nomogram model integrating the Ultrasound Ovarian-Adnexal Reporting and Data System (US O-RADS) and serum indexes for predicting malignancy in patients with ovarian masses. This was a retrospective study including 201 benign ovarian masses patients [median age: 36(29-53)] and 136 ovarian cancer (OC) patients [median age: 53(46-60)]. Before surgical resection, all patients underwent ultrasound examination, and US O-RADS were assessed. Meanwhile, cancer antigen 125 (CA125) and neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) were tested. All patients were pathologically diagnosed. The differences in these indexes between two groups were analysed. Meanwhile, ROC curves were firstly graphed to determine their optimal cut-off values. Logistic regression analyses were used to identify CA125, NLR and US O-RADS for OC. Then, the nomogram model was established. Finally, we evaluated the model and performed internal validation. CA125, NLR and US O-RADS in the malignant group were higher compared to the benign group. These parameters were incorporated to develop a nomogram model with an area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.950 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.927-0.973), 94.1% sensitivity and 84.6% specificity. The calibration curve displayed a satisfactory fitting degree. Meanwhile, Decision curve analysis (DCA) provided a net benefit for a range of threshold probabilities. This nomogram model yielded a favourable diagnostic accuracy for predicting malignancy in patients with ovarian masses. This was the first nomogram model integrating US O-RADS and serum indexes, which showed satisfactory discrimination, calibration abilities and clinical net benefit for predicting malignancy in patients with ovarian masses.

Modern robotic systems, particularly for microsurgical procedures, are offering increasingly new perspectives in the field of vascular surgery. A novel robot-assisted platform specially designed for microanastomoses is already used successfully in lymphatic vessel surgery and special flap plasty procedures. To expand these applications to the vascular field, this clinical feasibility study evaluated this system for creating arteriovenous fistulas in the upper extremity for dialysis. Following conventional vessel preparation, the anastomoses for the arteriovenous fistulas were performed using the microsurgical robotic platform. An experienced vascular surgeon performed the anastomoses (vein to artery, end-to-side) with continuous sutures. Once the anastomoses had been completed and blood flow was restored, they were tested for leaks. In all 3 patients, an arteriovenous fistula was successfully created using the microsurgical device. Preparing and positioning the robotic system was straightforward and uncomplicated. Anastomosis times varied between 28 and 36 minutes. In one case, a second stitch was required after blood flow was restored, which was also performed using the device. Follow-up ultrasound examinations revealed successful fistula reconstruction in all patients without any complications. The microsurgical robotic platform has been successfully used to create precise arteriovenous anastomoses for dialysis therapy. This robotic system may offer a variety of advantages, especially for small vessels, including improved tissue preservation, precision, and visualization. Further development of these technologies could lead to new applications, particularly in vascular medicine.

To provide reference values for ovarian volume in healthy premenarchal girls for use in routine pelvic ultrasonography interpretation. A retrospective analysis of 170 healthy girls aged 0 to 11 years who underwent pelvic ultrasound examinations between 2015 and 2022 at a private gynecology clinic. Ovarian volumes were measured using transabdominal ultrasonography and calculated by the prolate ellipsoid formula. Mean ovarian volumes were analyzed by age groups. The mean ovarian volume increased with age. A significant difference between right and left ovarian volume was not observed in most age groups. The data provides age-specific reference values that may aid in the clinical evaluation of ovarian development in premenarchal girls. Our study confirmed that significant variations in ovarian volume occur across various stages of growth and puberty, making the accurate determination of abnormal values essential for proper diagnosis.

This study developed and validated a deep learning model for diagnosing lymphadenopathy (LA) using B-mode ultrasound (BUS) and color Doppler flow imaging (CDFI) videos. A retrospective and prospective study was conducted from January 2016 to August 2025, including 7371 patients (3824 male [51.9%], 3547 females [48.1%], median age, 52 years [9-94 years]) who underwent multimodal ultrasound examinations across six centers from five regions of China. A total of 147,420 key frames were extracted from BUS and CDFI videos of all patients for model training and validation. Besides, patient clinical information was integrated to enhance the diagnostic performance of the model. Model performance was evaluated using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), accuracy (ACC), sensitivity (SEN), specificity (SPE), and precision (PRE). The clinical practical value of the model was verified by comparing with the performance of independent diagnosis and model-assisted diagnosis of radiologists with different levels of experience. This model achieved AUCs of 0.956 (95% CI: 0.925-0.981), 0.928 (95% CI: 0.884-0.965), and 0.912 (95% CI: 0.863-0.952) in the internal, retrospective external, and prospective external validation cohorts, respectively. In the retrospective external cohort, the average AUC of junior radiologists improved from 0.739 (95% CI: 0.676-0.801) to 0.891 (95% CI: 0.846-0.940) with the assistance of the model. In the prospective external cohort, their average AUC improved from 0.767 (95% CI: 0.705-0.829) to 0.899 (95% CI: 0.853-0.944). This multimodal video-based deep learning model enhances LA diagnostic accuracy and shows strong potential as a noninvasive, efficient tool for clinical decision-making. Question Why is multimodal ultrasound video needed in clinical practice to enhance the automated assessment of LA? Findings The proposed multimodal ultrasound video AI model achieved high diagnostic accuracy and robustness, outperforming senior radiologists in distinguishing benign from malignant LA across multicenter datasets. Clinical relevance This model offers a reliable, noninvasive clinical decision-support tool that enhances diagnostic performance, reduces operator dependence, and facilitates early detection and precise management of LA across healthcare institutions with varying resources.

Optimisation of an existing heifer matrix and its association with reproductive performance in nulliparous pasture-based dairy heifers.

&lt;div&gt;&lt;table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="left"&gt;&lt;tbody&gt;&lt;tr&gt;&lt;td align="left" valign="top"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common complication in critically ill patients and is associated with increased length of hospital stay. Early detection of renal dysfunction by measuring the renal resistive index (RRI) using &lt;/em&gt;&lt;em&gt;D&lt;/em&gt;&lt;em&gt;oppler ultrasound is a non-invasive parameter that reflects intrarenal vascular resistance and has the potential to predict AKI occurrence in critically ill patients. This study aims to &lt;/em&gt;&lt;em&gt;compare RRI values between patients with and without AKI&lt;/em&gt;&lt;em&gt; based on severity levels&lt;/em&gt;&lt;em&gt; classification from AKIN criteria&lt;/em&gt;&lt;em&gt;, and to establish the RRI value as a predictor of AKI occurrence in critically ill patients.&lt;/em&gt;&lt;em&gt; T&lt;/em&gt;&lt;em&gt;his study was an analytical observational study with a prospective cohort design conducted on critically ill patients treated in the ICU of dr. Zainal Abidin Banda Aceh&lt;/em&gt;&lt;em&gt; General Hospital&lt;/em&gt;&lt;em&gt; from June to August 2025. Data were obtained through Doppler ultrasound RRI examination performed within the first 24 hours and medical record data during treatment. Data were analyzed using ANOVA and ROC curve analysis to determine the cut-off value of RRI as an AKI predictor&lt;/em&gt;&lt;em&gt;. Out of&lt;/em&gt;&lt;em&gt; the 60 critically ill patients who met inclusion criteria, 30 patients (50%) developed AKI during treatment. There were significant differences (p&amp;lt;0.0001) between RRI and AKI occurrence as well as AKI severity, for both the right and left kidneys. &lt;/em&gt;&lt;em&gt;ROC curve analysis identified an RRI cut-off value of 0.7 for predicting AKI, with a Receiver Operating Characteristic Area Under the Curve (AUC) of 0.9628&lt;/em&gt;&lt;em&gt; and CI 95% : 0.9155 – 1.000&lt;/em&gt;&lt;em&gt;­&lt;/em&gt;, yielding a sensitivity and specificity of 90%&lt;em&gt;.&lt;/em&gt;&lt;em&gt; &lt;/em&gt;&lt;em&gt;There are significant differences in RRI values between non-AKI patients and AKI patients at stages 1, 2, and 3. RRI value can be used as a predictor for AKI occurrence in critically ill patients. &lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;&lt;/tbody&gt;&lt;/table&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;Keywords: Acute Kidney Injury, Critically Ill, Doppler Ultrasonography, Renal Resistive Index.&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

Despite extensive investigation, the optimal method of assessing arteriovenous fistula (AV fistula) function remains elusive. Ultrasound is an important tool in the assessment of AV fistula, with a wide range of protocols and flow criteria used across the literature. However, the operator dependency of ultrasound has the potential to impact the quality of the acquired measurements, particularly volume flow, and has been poorly reported. Therefore, incorporating other measurements such as resistive indices may increase the robustness of the ultrasound findings. This retrospective cohort study reviewed ultrasound and clinical data from two vascular ultrasound practices in Australia. All patients presenting with an upper limb AV fistula between January 2017 and October 2021 were included, stratified by indication for referral. The relationship between volume flow and resistive index was analyzed and predictive values were determined for two cutoff levels of resistive index (≤ 0.65 and ≤ 0.75) for a volume flow of ≥ 500 mL/min. Eight types of AV fistula were noted in the 1988 ultrasound examinations conducted by 9 sonographers. Analysis was based on the three major AV fistula types: radio-cephalic (1267), brachiocephalic (491) and brachio-basilic (193). There were significant differences in the median values for both resistive index and volume flow between AV fistula type and indication for study. At an resistive index of ≤ 0.65 or 0.75, the positive predictive value in the group referred for surveillance was 96.8% and 95.4% respectively for a volume flow ≥ 500 mL/min, while in the group referred for problematic AV fistula it was 92.5% and 83.8%. The addition of resistive index values can support confidence in the technically difficult volume flow measures, especially for sonographers with non-specialized vascular skills.

Subcutaneous phaeohyphomycosis is a rare opportunistic fungal infection caused by dematiaceous fungi and may clinically and radiologically mimic benign cystic or inflammatory soft tissue lesions. Imaging descriptions of this entity remain scarce. We report the case of a 60-year-old woman who presented with a slowly growing subcutaneous nodule. Ultrasound examination demonstrated a well-circumscribed hypoechoic pseudocystic lesion containing heterogeneous internal echoes and peripheral hypervascularity. Based on the imaging findings, the initial differential diagnosis included an epidermoid cyst and an inflammatory collection. Surgical excision followed by histopathological analysis revealed granulomatous inflammation containing pigmented septate fungal hyphae associated with a retained plant fragment (thorn), confirming the diagnosis of subcutaneous phaeohyphomycosis. Although the ultrasound appearance was not specific, it provided valuable characterization of lesion morphology, internal content, and vascularity, facilitating diagnostic assessment and guiding further management. This case is noteworthy because it illustrates the sonographic-pathologic correlation of a rare fungal infection associated with a retained vegetal foreign body and highlights imaging features that may increase awareness of this uncommon entity among radiologists, helping to reduce diagnostic delay and improve recognition of superficial fungal infections.

ABSTRACT Background Low-echo plaques are closely related to stroke. Non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (NHHR) is a novel lipid metabolism indicator. This study aims to evaluate the predictive value of NHHR for identifying vulnerable plaques. Methods This study retrospectively collected data from 3,339 patients with carotid plaque. We used multivariable logistic regression and restricted cubic spline (RCS) method to evaluate the association between NHHR and high-risk plaques. The feature variables were determined through Boruta feature selection, and verified using the Shapley Additive Interpretation (SHAP) method. We constructed 9 machine learning model to further explore the ability of NHHR to predict high-risk plaques. Results The results of the multivariable logistic regression analysis showed a significant positive association between NHHR and high-risk plaques: In the three-category model (low/medium-high/high-risk plaques), patients with high NHHR had a 57.3% increased risk of developing high-risk plaques compared to those with low NHHR (OR = 1.573, 95% CI: 1.266–1.955; p < 0.001); while in the binary model (non-high-risk/high-risk plaques), the risk of developing high-risk plaques in the high NHHR group increased by 80.2% (OR = 1.802, 95% CI: 1.369–2.378; p < 0.001). RCS also revealed that NHHR was significantly and linearly associated with high-risk plaques. In machine learning, NHHR could be used as a new non-invasive screening indicator for plaque risk (RF model: AUC = 0.68). Conclusions Higher NHHR is significantly associated with high-risk carotid plaques. NHHR has strong potential as a convenient and non-invasive auxiliary screening indicator, especially suitable for scenarios where ultrasound examination is not accessible or requires frequent monitoring.

The increasing prevalence of steatotic liver disease (SLD) underscores the need for reliable, noninvasive tools to assess hepatic steatosis. Existing methods, such as the controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) under ultrasound, have limitations in accuracy. This study aimed to examine whether combining attenuation imaging (AI) and hepatorenal index (HRI) measurements improves discrimination of steatosis in participants with chronic liver disease (CLD). This multicenter prospective cohort study enrolled 121 participants with CLD from two centers during 2022-2023. All participants underwent liver biopsy and ultrasound examinations, including AI and HRI measurements using a Philips EPIQ system, and CAP assessment. An AI-HRI composite score was developed using logistic regression and evaluated against individual variables through receive operating characteristic analysis, category-free net reclassification improvement (cf-NRI), and integrated discrimination improvement (IDI). Internal validation was performed using bootstrap sampling. The area under the curve values for discrimination for the AI-HRI composite score, AI, HRI, and CAP were 0.91, 0.87, 0.86, and 0.80, respectively. At a cutoff of -0.083, the sensitivity and specificity were 84.1% and 90.0%, respectively. The cf-NRI and IDI analyses demonstrated improved discrimination compared to other variables (p < 0.01). Bootstrap analysis confirmed the internal validity of the score (C-index: 0.90). The AI-HRI composite score provides superior discrimination of steatosis in participants with CLD, potentially offering a more accurate and reliable tool for clinical assessment. These findings could facilitate improved management and early intervention in SLD.

To evaluate the association between prematurity and dental caries occurrence at four years of age and to assess whether variables related to dental development, tooth eruption, and oral healthcare mediate this association. A longitudinal study was conducted using data from the 2015 Pelotas (RS) Birth Cohort. The outcome was dental caries at four years, classified using ICDAS. Gestational age at birth was estimated by ultrasonography examination in 3 407 (79.7%) cases, with 3 242 (75.8%) performed during the 1st or 2nd trimester. Mediating variables included enamel defects, number of teeth at 12 months, oral hygiene practices, sugar consumption, and maternal guidance. The variables were selected using a directed acyclic graph (DAG). Associations were estimated using Poisson regression models, and mediation was assessed through structural equation modelling (SEM). Analyses were performed using STATA 18.0. Children born before 34 weeks had a 40% lower incidence of caries at four years compared to those born after 39 weeks, and those born between 37 and 38 weeks had a 20% lower incidence. The number of teeth mediated this relationship, indicating that lower gestational age was associated with fewer teeth at 12 months and a lower occurrence of caries. The findings highlight the importance of early dental monitoring and suggest preventive programs starting with the eruption of the first tooth, given its relevance in the occurrence of caries.

To evaluate the feasibility and accuracy of remote, clinician-guided biophysical profile (BPP) assessment using a handheld ultrasound device operated by lay users. This prospective, non-randomized, quasi-blinded study compared clinician-guided ultrasound-based BPP scans performed remotely by lay users using the Pulsenmore ES device with concomitant standard in-clinic ultrasound examinations performed by healthcare professionals, with both assessments conducted consecutively and immediately one after the other. Agreement between modalities was assessed for individual BPP components and overall BPP scores. A total of 30 pregnant women were enrolled at a mean gestational age of 33.0 ± 2.6 weeks. The mean maternal age was 31.4 ± 4.5 years, and mean body mass index (BMI, calculated as weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters) was 27.4 ± 5.2. Overall agreement between remote and in-clinic BPP scores was 90%. Agreement was 100% for cardiac activity, fetal movements, fetal presentation, placental location, and subjective amniotic fluid volume assessment. Agreement for fetal tone and breathing movements was 96.7 and 93.3%, respectively. Sensitivity and specificity of remote BPP assessment for detecting abnormal overall BPP findings, using the standard in-clinical ultrasound examination as the reference standard, were 92.6 and 66.7%. The mean difference in total BPP score was 0.07 ± 0.64 points. Mean fetal heart rate and maximal vertical pocket measurements were comparable between modalities. Remote examinations required more time than in-clinic scans (8.0 ± 3.9 vs. 4.6 ± 3.3 min) but remained within recommended limits. Clinician-guided remote BPP assessment using a handheld ultrasound device operated by lay users demonstrates high agreement with standard in-clinic ultrasound under supervised conditions and may represent a reliable alternative for prenatal surveillance in selected populations.

Comparison of venous morphology, chronic venous disease stage and venous symptoms in high-impact activities versus low-impact activities.

Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) is a versatile immunomodulatory lipid mediator that affects both immune and cardiovascular health. S1P has been linked to thyroid health, for example by affecting inflammatory reactions found in Graves' disease. In our study, we explored associations of S1P with thyroid markers obtained from laboratory tests (thyrotropin [TSH], free triiodothyronine [fT3], and free thyroxine [fT4]) and ultrasound examination. We quantified S1P by LC-MS/MS in participants from the population-based 'Study of Health in Pomerania' conducted in Northeast Germany. Serum levels of TSH, fT3 and fT4 were measured using chemiluminescent immunoassays. Thyroid volume, thyroid nodules, and echogenic patterns were assessed by ultrasonography. Cross-sectional associations between serum S1P and thyroid biomarkers were evaluated using multivariable linear regression models adjusted for confounding. The total study population consisted of 4,034 participants (51.6% women aged 20 to 84 years). A one µmol/L higher S1P level was associated with a 0.17 mIU/L lower TSH level (95% confidence interval [CI]: -0.32; -0.04) and a 0.52 pmol/L [0.42; 0.63] higher fT3 level. These associations persisted after excluding individuals with high or low serum TSH levels and those taking thyroid medication. S1P levels were not significantly associated with serum fT4 levels. Higher S1P levels were associated with a larger thyroid volume, the presence of thyroid nodules, and a hypoechogenic thyroid pattern. Circulating S1P is inversely associated with TSH and positively associated with fT3, suggesting a potential modulatory role of S1P in thyroid function.

Interleukin-2 (IL-2) plays anti-inflammatory and immunoregulatory roles and has been implicated in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, the relationship between its circulating serum levels and specific clinical features of the disease remains unclear. In this study, we aimed to investigate the association between serum IL-2 concentrations and a wide range of RA-related characteristics, including cardiovascular comorbidities. 216 RA patients underwent assessments of disease characteristics and activity indices. Lipid profile was obtained, insulin resistance indices were calculated, and metabolic syndrome criteria were applied. Carotid ultrasound examinations were performed to assess arterial stiffness, intima-media thickness, and the presence of carotid plaques. Cardiovascular risk was estimated using the SCORE2 tool. Serum IL-2 levels were measured using the Simoa (Single Molecule Array) technique. Finally, a multivariable linear regression analysis was conducted to explore the associations between disease characteristics and IL-2 levels. After multivariable adjustment, IL-2 was independently and positively associated with disease activity. Patients positive for rheumatoid factor and anti-citrullinated protein antibodies also exhibited significantly higher IL-2 levels than seronegative individuals. Furthermore, IL-2 showed a positive relationship with pancreatic beta-cell function. Notably, circulating IL-2 concentrations were significantly associated with increased cardiovascular risk as estimated by the SCORE2 algorithm. Circulating IL-2 levels are independently and positively associated with both disease activity and cardiovascular risk in patients with RA. These findings further emphasise the pivotal role of IL-2 in the pathophysiology of RA and its associated cardiovascular comorbidities, highlighting IL-2 as a potential biomarker and therapeutic target in this population.

To analyze the epidemiological characteristics and incidence of mirror-image dextrocardia in pregnant women and fetuses before and after the lifting of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) control measures in China on December 7, 2022. We retrospectively collected data on the number of pregnant women who underwent prenatal ultrasound examinations and incidence of mirror-image dextrocardia in fetuses at three hospitals in Xi'an during three time periods: before the COVID-19 pandemic (January to April 2019), during the COVID-19 control measures (January to April 2022), and after the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions (January to April 2023). We then conducted an online epidemiological survey among pregnant women across China and collected the names of pregnant women with fetal mirror dextrocardia, as well as the following clinical information: age, location (province and city), gestational week at which mirror-image dextrocardia was detected, last menstrual period date, date of first pregnancy diagnosis, obstetric history, conception method, estimated due date, ultrasound diagnosis result, and genetic testing result. COVID-19-related information was also recorded. Between January and April 2019 (pre-pandemic), 9,112 pregnant women underwent prenatal ultrasound examinations at 3 hospitals in Xi'an. Between January and April 2022 (COVID-19 control measures period), 11,071 pregnant women underwent prenatal ultrasound examinations, and 1 case of fetus with mirror-image dextrocardia was identified (incidence rate, 0.9/10,000). Between January and April 2023 (after the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions), 11,516 pregnant women underwent prenatal ultrasound examinations, and 21 fetuses with mirror-image dextrocardia were detected, with an alarming incidence rate of 18.2/10,000. After the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions, the incidence of mirror-image dextrocardia in fetuses in Xi'an showed a significant increase (8-20-fold higher) compared to that observed in both the pre-pandemic and strictly controlled pandemic periods. An online investigation showed that 111 cases of fetal mirror-image dextrocardia were detected in 22 other provinces of China after the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions. All pregnant women with fetal mirror-image dextrocardia had a history of SARS-CoV-2 infection after the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions, which coincided with the early stages of embryo development, approximately 4-6weeks after their last menstrual period. Our data showed that the increase in cases of fetal situs solitus with dextrocardia coincided temporally with the outbreak of COVID-19 in China. This temporal overlap may suggest a potential association between the two events.

Temporomandibular disorders are common causes of chronic orofacial pain, and their diagnosis is largely based on subjective symptoms, such as pain and its laterality. Ultrasonographic evaluation of the masticatory muscles has traditionally focused on morphological parameters, such as muscle thickness, which provide valuable information; however, these measures alone may not fully reflect the functional and structural condition of muscle tissue. Quantitative assessment of echo intensity may provide an objective and reproducible metric for characterizing structural changes and monitoring clinical status. The aim of this pilot study was to quantitatively assess masseter muscle echo intensity using ultrasonography in young adults with temporomandibular disorders, with particular emphasis on objective measurability and inter-side differences. 10 young adults (5 patients with temporomandibular disorders and 5 healthy controls) were included in this pilot study. Diagnosis was established according to the Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (DC/TMD). Bilateral ultrasonographic examination of the masseter muscle was performed, and echo intensity was determined in a standardized manner using ImageJ software. Total echo intensity was significantly higher in the temporomandibular disorder group compared to the control group (65.64 ± 9.87 vs. 50.39 ± 5.68; p = 0.022). No statistically significant inter-side difference was detected. Our findings suggest that masseter muscle echo intensity may be sensitive to structural alterations in temporomandibular disorders. The lack of inter-side difference indicates that muscle adaptation may not be limited to the clinically dominant side. Quantitative ultrasonographic assessment of masseter muscle echo intensity may represent a promising non-invasive method for the objective characterization of temporomandibular disorders. As a quantitative parameter, echo intensity may complement symptom-based diagnostics and provide a tool for monitoring disease progression and treatment response. Orv Hetil. 2026; 167(25): 991-996.