超声实时组织弹性成像在甲状腺弥漫性疾病中的初步应用

目的 探讨超声实时组织弹性成像对甲状腺弥漫性疾病的诊断价值.方法 采用主成分分析对123例甲状腺弥漫性疾病患者和42例甲状腺正常者的11个弹性定量参数进行综合分析,把综合评价函数值命名为硬度指数(stiffness index,SI)来反映甲状腺疾病组织的弹性信息,并用方差分析比较SI在各组间的差异.结果 慢性淋巴细胞性甲状腺炎SI为 86.37±20.45,亚急性甲状腺炎SI为 86.14±19.95,原发性甲状腺功能亢进SI为 54.68±21.69,正常对照组SI为 41.34±15.59.慢性淋巴细胞性甲状腺炎、亚急性甲状腺炎、原发性甲亢与正常对照组之间SI差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);原发性甲亢与慢性淋巴细胞性甲状腺炎、亚急性甲状腺炎之间的SI差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);慢性淋巴细胞性甲状腺炎与亚急性甲状腺炎之间SI差异无统计学意义(P>0.05).结论 实时超声弹性成像可间接反映甲状腺病变组织的硬度,对甲状腺弥漫性疾病具有一定的诊断价值.

Abstract：

Objective To explore the diagnosis value of ultrasound real-time elastography in thyroid diffuse diseases.Methods Eleven elastic quantitative parameters of 123 patients with thyroid diffuse diseases and 42 healthy volunteers obtained from the ultrasound real-time elastography were analyzed with principal components analysis to attain a comprehensive evaluation value which was named stiffness index(SI),reflecting the organization elastic information of different thyroid diffuse diseases.SI among each group was compared by ANOVA.Results Chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis SI was 86.37±20.45,subacute thyroiditis SI was 86.14±19.95,primary hyperthyroidism SI was 54.68±21.69,normal control group SI was 41.34±15.59,respectively.The SI between chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis,subacute thyroiditis,primary hyperthyroidism and normal controls had significant statistical differences (P<0.05),the SI between primary hyperthyroidism and chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis,subacute thyroiditis had significant statistical differences (P<0.05),the SI between chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis and subacute thyroiditis had no significant statistical difference (P>0.05).Conclusions Ultrasound real-time elastography could indirectly reflect the stiffness information of thyroid lension tissue and have a certain degree of diagnosis value in thyroid diffuse disease.     

声辐射力脉冲成像声触诊组织定量技术在诊断弥漫性甲状腺疾病中的应用

目的探讨声辐射力脉冲成像(ARFI)声触诊组织定量(VTQ)技术在诊断弥漫性甲状腺疾病中的应用价值.方法应用ARFI弹性成像VTQ技术定量检测44例弥漫性甲状腺疾病组(包括Graves病组11例、桥本甲状腺炎组7例和亚急性甲状腺炎组26例)和15名正常人的甲状腺组织(健康对照组)硬度,以横向剪切波速度(SWV)表示,并将弥漫性甲状腺病变与正常甲状腺组织的SWV进行比较.结果健康对照组正常人的SWV平均值为(1.8±0.5)m/s(1.1~2.7 m/s),Graves病组患者的SWV平均值为(2.2±0.5)m/s(1.2~2.9 m/s),桥本甲状腺炎组患者的SWV平均值为(2.4±0.8)m/s (1.2~4.6 m/s),亚急性甲状腺炎组患者的SWV平均值为(4.9±2.8)m/s(2.8~9.0 m/s),弥漫性甲状腺疾病各组与健康对照组SWV平均值比较差异均有统计学意义(t=-2.092、-2.825、-2.967, P均<0.05).弥漫性甲状腺疾病各组之间SWV平均值比较,亚急性甲状腺炎组与Graves病组和桥本甲状腺炎组比较差异均有统计学意义(t=2.76、2.55,P均<0.05),Graves病组与桥本甲状腺炎组比较差异无统计学意义(t=0.21,P>0.05).结论 ARFI弹性成像VTQ技术能定量反映弥漫性甲状腺疾病的弹性特征,能对弥漫性甲状腺疾病尤其对亚急性甲状腺炎的诊断提供帮助.     

Quantitative assessment of thyroid gland elasticity with shear-wave elastography in pediatric patients with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis

Objective

Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is the most common autoimmune thyroid disorder in the pediatric age range. Measurement of thyroid gland size is an essential component in evaluation and follow-up of thyroid pathologies. Along with size, tissue elasticity is becoming a more commonly used parameter in evaluation of parenchyma in inflammatory diseases. The aim of the current study was to assess thyroid parenchyma elasticity by shear-wave elastography in pediatric patients with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis; and compare the elasticity values to a normal control group.

Materials and methods

In this study; thyroid glands of 59 patients with a diagnosis of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis based on ultrasonographic and biochemical features, and 26 healthy volunteers without autoimmune thyroid disease and thyroid function disorders, were evaluated with shear-wave elastography. Patients with Hashimoto thyroiditis were further subdivided into three categories based on gray-scale ultrasonography findings as focal thyroiditis (grade 1), diffuse thyroiditis (grade 2), and fibrotic thyroid gland (grade 3).

Results

Patients with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (n = 59) had significantly higher elasticity values (14. 9 kPa; IQR 12.9–17.8 kPa) than control subjects (10.6 kPa; IQR 9.0–11.3 kPa) (p < 0.001). Of the 59 patients with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, 23 patients had focal thyroiditis involving less than 50% of the gland categorized as grade 1, 24 patients had diffuse involvement of the thyroid gland categorized as grade 2, and 12 patients had marked hyperechoic septations and pseudonodular appearance categorized as grade 3 on gray-scale ultrasound. Based on elastography, grade 3 patients had significantly higher elasticity values (19.7 kPa; IQR 17.8–21.5 kPa) than patients with grade 2 (15.5 kPa; IQR 14.5–17.8 kPa) and grade 1 thyroiditis (12.8 kPa; IQR 11.9–13.1 kPa) (p < 0.05). Patients with grade 2 thyroiditis had significantly higher elasticity values than those with grade 1 thyroiditis (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Gray-scale ultrasound findings of heterogeneous echotexture and hypoechoic echogenicity reflect a longer duration of inflammation and may not be found in the initial stages of thyroiditis. Our results indicate that shear-wave elastography could be used to evaluate the degree of fibrosis in Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.

     

剪切波弹性成像鉴别诊断桥本甲状腺炎合并甲状腺结节的性质

目的 探讨剪切波弹性成像对桥本甲状腺炎患者合并甲状腺结节良恶性的鉴别诊断价值。方法 收集经穿刺活检或术后病理证实的桥本甲状腺炎患者54例,根据结节良恶性分为良性结节组和恶性结节组,良性结节组又分为假结节组和真结节组。测量并比较分析甲状腺结节的杨氏模量值,绘制ROC曲线以评价其诊断效能。结果 54例桥本甲状腺炎患者共检出162个结节,其中良性结节131个（真结节93个,假结节38个）、恶性结节31个。桥本甲状腺炎合并良性结节、恶性结节、真结节及假结节的杨氏模量均值分别为（33.04±10.95） kPa、（66.15±19.17） kPa、（35.95±9.74） kPa、（30.13±11.87） kPa。良性结节与恶性结节杨氏模量值差异有统计学意义（t=12.91,P<0.01）;假结节组、真结节组与恶性结节组的杨氏模量值总体差异有统计学意义（F=36.20,P<0.01）,且恶性结节组杨氏模量值高于其他2组（P均<0.01）。通过ROC曲线确定杨氏模量值的诊断临界点为43.65 kPa,其诊断良恶性甲状腺结节的敏感度为90.63%、特异度为81.25%、阳性似然比为4.83、阴性似然比为0.12。结论 剪切波弹性成像技术可以对桥本甲状腺炎及其结节进行定量分析,有助于结节性质的判定。     

常规超声及实时超声弹性成像在桥本氏甲状腺炎诊断中的价值

目的 探讨二维、彩色多普勒超声及实时超声弹性成像在桥本氏甲状腺炎(Hashimoto's thyroiditis,HT)诊断中的价值.方法 收集141例经临床确诊为HT的患者行常规超声和弹性成像检查,将病例组根据甲状腺功能不同分为甲亢组、甲低组、正常组,并以108例甲状腺功能正常人群作为对照组.记录并分析常规超声检查结果(甲状腺的大小、回声、伴发结节、实质的血流分布状况等)及甲状腺弹性参数.结果 ①HT甲亢组以局灶性回声减低为主,甲状腺功能正常组以弥漫性回声减低为主,甲低组以弥漫性回声减低伴线样强回声带及结节为主.②HT甲亢组、甲状腺功能正常组、甲低组血流分布呈依次减少的趋势.③HT组内3个亚组弹性图像有差异,甲亢组以1级为主,甲状腺功能正常组以1级、2级为主,甲低组以2级、3级为主.④甲状腺感兴趣区内弹性应变均值和蓝色面积比例在各组间的差异均有统计学意义.HT组弹性应变均值低于对照组,蓝色面积比例高于对照组.结论 实时超声弹性成像在HT的诊断中有较大帮助.

Abstract：

Objective To investigate the different roles of two-dimensional,color Doppler ultrasound and real-time ultrasound elastography in the diagnosis of Hashimoto's thyroiditis(HT).Methods One hundred and forty-one patients clinically diagnosed as HT underwent traditional ultrasound and elastography.The patients were classified into three groups,the hyperthyroidism group,the hypothyroidism group and the euthyroidism group.One hundred and eight volunteers with normal thyroid functions were enrolled as control group.Ultrasonic characteristics (size,echo,accompanied nodules,blood flow distribution of thyroid) and thyroid elastic parameters were recorded and analyzed.Results ①Focal hypoechoic pattern was mainly seen in the group of HT hyperthyroidim,diffuse hypoechoic pattern was mainly seen in the groups of HT euthyroidism,diffuse hypoechoic pattern with heterogeneous linear hyperechoic and nodular changes were mainly seen in the HT hypothyroidism group.②Blood flow reduced according to the order by the hyperthyroidim group,euthyroidism group and hypothyroidism group.③Patients with HT hyperthyroidism had elastic image pattern Ⅰ.Patients with HT euthyroidism had pattern Ⅰ and pattern Ⅱ.Patients with HT hypothyroidism had pattern Ⅱ and pattern Ⅲ.④There were significant differences (P＜0.05) between the mean elastic strain and the ratio of the blue area in each group.Conclusions Real-time ultrasound elastography is helpful for the diagnosis of HT.     

超声实时组织弹性成像技术在甲状腺弥漫性病变中的应用

目的探讨超声实时组织弹性成像(RTE)技术在甲状腺弥漫性病变中的应用价值。方法甲状腺功能亢进组(甲亢组)27例,桥本甲状腺炎组(桥本组)22例,健康体检志愿者22例为对照组,超声测量甲状腺左、右叶前后径、峡部厚度和甲状腺上动脉收缩期峰值流速;RTE测量11个弹性参数,多元线性回归方程计算弹性系数(EI)。结果甲亢组、桥本组甲状腺左、右叶前后径、峡部厚度均大于对照组,甲亢组左、右侧甲状腺上动脉收缩期峰值流速高于对照组及桥本组;甲亢组、对照组、桥本组EI分别为1.40±0.44、1.85±0.26、2.56±0.50,依次增大,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。EI与甲状腺上动脉收缩期峰值流速无相关性。结论 RTE技术能够通过测量甲状腺EI来反映甲状腺弥漫性病变组织硬度,可以间接推断甲状腺的病理变化进程。     

Role of Virtual Touch Tissue Quantification in Hashimoto's Thyroiditis

We investigated the role of the virtual touch tissue quantification (VTQ) technique in diagnosing Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) and in distinguishing various HT-related thyroid dysfunctions. Two hundred HT patients and 100 healthy volunteers (the control group) were enrolled. The diagnostic performance of VTQ in predicting HT was calculated as the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (A_Z). The HT patients were further classified into three subgroups on the basis of serologic tests of thyroid function: hyperthyroidism, euthyroidism and hypothyroidism. Comparisons of shear wave velocity (SWV) between three subgroups were evaluated by analysis of variance. The mean SWV of the control group was significantly lower than that of the HT group (1.93?±?0.33?m/s vs. 2.32?±?0.49?m/s, p?<0.001). A_z was 0.734 with a cut-off value of 1.86?m/s for performance of SWV in distinguishing between HT and a healthy thyroid; the sensitivity and specificity were 82.5% and 50.0%, respectively. Mean SWV values in the three HT subgroups (hyperthyroidism [2.07?±?0.37?cm/s] vs. euthyroidism [2.20?±?0.40?cm/s] vs. hypothyroidism [2.49?±?0.46?cm/s]) were significantly different (p?<0.05). Our results suggest that VTQ is a promising technique for assessing HT and HT-related thyroid dysfunction.     

Transforming Growth Factor β1 Could Influence Thyroid Nodule Elasticity and Also Improve Cervical Lymph Node Metastasis in Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma

Ultrasound elastography has been a very useful tool in predicting the risk of malignant thyroid tumor for several years. The objective of this study was to determine if there is a correlation between strain ratio (SR), collagen deposition and transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) expression in different types of thyroid nodules and if TGF-β1 is related to cervical lymph node metastasis. 102 nodules from 81 patients who underwent thyroid resection surgery in our hospital were retrospectively studied. All of these patients had undergone ultrasound elastography scanning before surgery. Masson staining and immunohistochemical staining were used to evaluate the ratio of expression of collagen deposition and TGF-β1. There was a significant difference between benign and malignant thyroid nodules in SR (8.913 ± 11.021 vs. 1.732 ± 0.727, p = 0.000), collagen content (0.371 ± 0.125 vs. 0.208 ± 0.057, p = 0.000) and TGF-β1 expression (0.336 ± 0.093 vs. 0.178 ± 0.071, p = 0.000). A cutoff of 2.99 for SR measurement was selected for the highest Youden index for predicting malignant thyroid nodules, which yielded 87.88% sensitivity, 100% specificity, 100% positive predictive value, 83.72% negative predictive value and 92.15% accuracy. Expression of collagen and TGF-β1 was positively correlated with SR measurements (coefficient = 0.839 for collagen and 0.855 for TGF-β1, p = 0.000). Among 61 nodules with papillary thyroid carcinoma, the average SR for the metastasis group was higher than that for the non-metastasis group (10.955 ± 13.805 and 7.852 ± 7.931, respectively), but without statistical significance (p = 0.287). Collagen deposition was significantly higher in the metastasis group than in the non-metastasis group (0.421 ± 0.091 vs. 0.353 ± 0.118, p = 0.011). TGF-β1 expression was also significantly higher in the metastasis group than in the non-metastasis group (0.378 ± 0.0.69 vs. 0.328 ± 0.091, p = 0.016). To conclude, TGF-β1 may contribute to thyroid nodule elasticity by promoting collagen deposition. In papillary thyroid carcinoma, overexpression of TGF-β1, as well as collagen deposition, may be a risk factor for cervical lymph node metastasis.     

甲状腺乳头状癌伴桥本氏甲状腺炎的多模态超声表现及其侵袭性、BRAFV600E 突变的相关研究

目的:研究甲状腺乳头状癌合并桥本氏甲状腺炎的多模态超声成像（灰阶超声、弹性成像及超声造影）特征及其侵袭性、BRAFV600E 突变特点。 方法：158名术后证实为PTC的患者分为HT组和非HT组，比较两组的灰阶超声、超声造影、弹性成像以及侵袭性、BRAFV600E 突变的差异性。 结果：两组的超声特征表现（病灶的边界、纵横比、微小癌、微钙化、病灶数目、颈部淋巴结转移）、超声造影、弹性成像比较差异均无统计学意义。PTC合并HT组中女性比单纯的PTC组更多，差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。PTC合并HT组的甲状腺外侵袭率及BRAFV600E突变率均低于单纯PTC组，两者差异均有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。当BRAFV600E突变阳性时，PTC合并HT组的甲状腺外侵袭率仍低于单纯PTC组，且差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。 结论：PTC合并HT时，HT在一定程度上降低了病变的侵袭性，而当PTC中发生BRAFV600E基因突变时，HT的存在也可能阻碍了PTC的发展或侵袭性。     

声触诊组织定量技术对甲状腺弥漫性疾病的诊断价值

目的 探讨声触诊组织定量技术在甲状腺弥漫性疾病的诊断及鉴别诊断中的价值.方法 比较分析157例甲状腺弥漫性疾病患者及50例甲状腺正常者的剪切波速度（SWV）.结果 （1）21例原发性甲状腺功能亢进患者SWV（2.12±0.26） m/s,102例桥本甲状腺炎患者SWV（2.32±0.43） m/s,34例亚急性甲状腺炎患者SWV：24例显示“X,XX m/s”;余10例SWV：（2.90 ±0.76） m/s;病例组SWV：（2.34±0.53） m/s,50例甲状腺正常者SWV：（2.04±0.38） m/s;（2）病例组与对照组SWV比较差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）,病例组三组分别与对照组SWV比较差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）;（3）病例组三组组间SWV比较：原发性甲状腺功能亢进与桥本甲状腺炎SWV比较差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05）,原发性甲状腺功能亢进与亚急性甲状腺炎SWV比较差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）,桥本甲状腺炎与亚急性甲状腺炎SWV比较差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）.结论 声触诊组织定量技术对于甲状腺弥漫性疾病的诊断与鉴别诊断有一定的临床价值.     

High prevalence of thyroid hormone autoantibody and low rate of thyroid hormone detection interference

ObjectiveThyroid hormone autoantibody (THAb) is a common antibody in autoimmune disease and can interfere with the detection of thyroid hormone (TH). There was no research reporting the prevalence of THAb in Chinese and the rate of THAb interfering with TH detection.MethodsWe collected 114 patients with autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD) (Hashimoto''s thyroiditis, 57 cases; Graves’ disease, 57 cases), 106 patients with nonthyroid autoimmune diseases (NTAID), and 120 healthy subjects. According to the presence or absence of thyroid antibodies, patients with NTAID were divided into two groups: NTAID‐AITD and NTAID groups. Radioimmunoprecipitation technique was used to detect THAb in all subjects. TH was detected on Abbot and Roche platforms in patients with positive THAb.ResultsThe prevalence of THAb was 22.8% in Hashimoto''s thyroiditis and 45.6% in Graves’ disease. The prevalence of THAb in AITD group was lower than that in NTAID or NTAID‐AITD groups (34.2% vs. 61.5%, p = 0.014; 34.2% vs. 71.3%, p < 0.01). Among total 98 patients with positive THAb, TH levels of 9 patients were falsely elevated (9.18%).ConclusionThe prevalence of THAb in AITD patients was lower than that in NTAID patients. Although THAb had a high frequency in various autoimmune diseases, the prevalence of THAb interfering with TH detection was only 9.18%.     

Significance of perithyroidal lymph nodes in benign thyroid diseases

Purpose

The incidences of perithyroidal lymph nodes (PTLNs) in benign thyroid diseases were investigated.

Methods

A total of 108 patients were divided into 36 with benign thyroid nodules, 33 with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, 14 with Graves’ disease, 10 with hypothyroidism of undetermined etiology, nine with silent thyroiditis, and six with subacute thyroiditis. We assessed the relationships among PTLNs and these groups, thyroid volume, thyroid parenchyma echogenicity, and anti-thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor, anti-thyroglobulin, and anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TRAb, TgAb, and TPOAb).

Results

The PTLN-positive rates in Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (69.7%), subacute thyroiditis (83.8%), silent thyroiditis (77.8%), and Graves’ disease (35.7%) groups were significantly higher than those in benign thyroid nodules (5.6%) and hypothyroidism of unknown etiology (0%) groups. The PTLN-positive rates were significantly higher in cases with TgAb and/or TPOAb (P < 0.01) and in those with lower parenchyma echogenicity (P < 0.01).

Conclusion

PTLNs were seen in inflammatory thyroid diseases, but were rarely detected in other thyroid diseases. These findings indicate that PTLNs are an indicator for differentiating inflammation of the thyroid. Lower echogenicity of the thyroid, known to correspond to inflammation, showed a correlation with the positive rate of PTLNs. PTLNs in cases of Graves’ disease may be due to coexisting thyroiditis related to TgAb and/or TPOAb.

     

多模态超声对桥本氏甲状腺炎背景下乳头状癌的诊断价值研究

目的：探讨甲状腺影像报告和数据系统（TI-RADS）常规超声分类、超声弹性成像(Ultrasonic elastography,UE)及超声造影（Ultrasonic Contrast,CU）多模态超声成像评分在桥本氏甲状腺炎（Hashimoto''s thyroiditis ,HT）背景下乳头状癌（papillary thyroid carcinoma ,PTC）的诊断价值。方法：选取经病理证实的HT合并甲状腺结节患者310例,共计结节339个,行2D、UE、CU,根据结果分为良性结节组和PTC组,对两组结节单一诊断方法及三者联合应用评分分布结果进行比较,使用ROC曲线对HT背景下PTC诊断效能进行分析并确定截点值。结果：良性结节组和PTC组单一诊断方法及三者联合应用评分分布比较差异具有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。ROC曲线下,多模态超声诊断PTC的AUC及诊断效能明显高于单一诊断方法（P＜0.05）。结论：多模态超声可提高HT背景下PTC的诊断效能,9.5分为良性结节及PTC的截点值。     

Relationship Between Muscle Quality or Stiffness Measured by Ultrasonography and Range of Motion in Hospitalized Older Adults

Older adults who require nursing care have joint contractures characterized by limited range of motion (ROM). The present study investigated age-related muscle changes using ultrasonography and the relationship between ROM and muscle changes in older adults. Twenty-two healthy young adults (mean age: 23.3 y) and 60 hospitalized older adults (mean age: 86.1 y) participated. ROM of hip abduction was measured using a goniometer. Echo intensity (EI), reflecting interstitial fibrous tissue or fat within adductor longus (ADDl) was measured using B-mode ultrasonography, and strain ratio (SR), reflecting ADDl stiffness, was measured by strain elastography. The Mann–Whitney U-test and Spearman's correlation test were used for analysis. The ROM and SR of older adults were significantly lower than those of young adults (both p values <0.001). The EI was significantly higher in older adults than in young adults (p < 0.001). In older adults, the SR was moderately correlated with ROM (ρ = 0.49, p < 0.001). In conclusion, limited ROM and increase in interstitial fibrous tissue or fat and stiffness occur with aging, and the SR measured by strain elastography is useful for investigating the effect of muscle stiffness on the ROM of hospitalized older adults.     

Effects of Dry Needling on Muscle Stiffness in Latent Myofascial Trigger Points: A Randomized Controlled Trial

The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of dry needling (DN) in upper trapezius latent trigger points (LTrPs) on muscle stiffness. A total of 51 recreational physically active subjects with LTrPs in the upper trapezius volunteered to participate and were randomly divided into a DN-group (n = 27) and a sham-DN group (n = 24). Volunteers received 1-session of DN or placebo treatment. Muscle stiffness, measured with strain and shear-wave elastography, pressure pain threshold (PPT), post-needling soreness, and muscle thickness were evaluated before treatment, and at 30-min, 24-hours, and 72-hours follow-up after treatment. The DN-group showed lower values from baseline for muscle stiffness measured with shear-wave elastrography at 24-hours (from 44.44 ± 15.97 to 35.78 ± 11.65 kpa; P < .01) and at 72-hours (35.04 ± 12.61 kpa; P < .01) and with strain elastography at 72-hours (from 1.75 ± 0.50 to 1.36 ± 0.40 AU; P < .01). The DN-group showed higher values of PPT than the sham-DN group at 72-hours (4.23 ± 0.75 vs. 5.19 ± 1.16 kg/cm²; P < .05). There was a progressive decrease in post-needling soreness compared to pain during needling of 33.13 ± 21.31% at 30-min, 80.92 ± 10.06% at 24-hours, and a total decrease in post-needling soreness in all participants at 72-hours. DN therapy is effective in reducing short-term muscle stiffness and increasing the PPT in volunteers with LTrPs in the upper trapezius after a treatment session.PerspectiveThis study found that one session of DN intervention in latent trigger points of the upper trapezius muscle reduced muscle stiffness and the pressure pain threshold for the dry needling group compared to the sham dry needling group.     

三甲医院医务人员甲状腺超声特征分析

目的 了解医护人员健康体检时甲状腺结节和甲状腺弥漫性病变的检出率情况.方法 分析2020年9至11月在西部战区总医院体检中心进行健康体检的2634名医务人员的甲状腺超声检查结果,剔除既往有甲状腺手术史者23名,共2611名纳入研究,其中男性1109例,女性1502例,年龄为15～99岁,平均(39.6±17.0)岁.根...     

Thyroid metastasis from rectal carcinoma coexisting with hashimoto's thyroiditis: Gray-scale and power Doppler sonographic findings

We present the gray-scale and power Doppler sonographic findings in a case of rectal carcinoma metastasis to the thyroid that mimicked a primary thyroid neoplasm and coexisted with Hashimoto's thyroiditis in a 67-year-old man. Gray-scale sonography revealed a hypoechoic mass with ill-defined borders in the left lobe of the thyroid; the mass extended through the isthmus to the right lobe. Sonography also showed multiple enlarged cervical lymph nodes. Power Doppler sonography showed increased flow in the nontumorous thyroid gland and decreased flow in the tumor. This contributed to the differentiation between the tumor and the remainder of the thyroid, which was involved with Hashimoto's thyroiditis. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 26:361–365, 1998.     

超声造影与超声弹性成像评价桥本甲状腺炎背景下甲状腺癌及颈部淋巴结转移的价值

目的：探索超声造影与超声弹性成像对桥本甲状腺炎（HT）背景下甲状腺癌的评价及颈部淋巴结转移相关。方法：选取的137例HT背景下甲状腺病变患者均在2021年1月至2022年3月期间收集,均进行超声弹性成像、超声造影检查,经ROC曲线分析超声弹性成像、造影诊断效能。同时针对HT背景下甲状腺癌患者有无颈部淋巴结转移分为两组,即有转移组（n=41）,无转移组（n=38）,比较两组超声定量参数,且经相关性分析超声定量参数与甲状腺癌颈部淋巴结转移相关性。结果：超声造影诊断HT背景下甲状腺病变准确率84.67%,超声弹性成像诊断准确率72.99%,两项联合诊断准确率94.16%,经ROC曲线分析,超声弹性成像、超声造影、两项联合诊断HT背景下甲状腺癌的AUC分别为0.727、0.844、0.940。有转移组患者TTP（14.32±4.58）s、MTT（28.46±8.42）s低于无转移组,弹性比值（2.51±0.51）高于无转移组（P＜0.05）,经Spearman法分析,TTP、MTT与颈部淋巴结转移呈负相关,与弹性比值呈正相关;经ROC曲线分析,TTP、MTT、弹性比值、三项联合早期诊断HT背景下甲状腺癌颈部淋巴结转移的AUC分别为0.788、0.772、0.767、0.948。结论：超声弹性成像联合超声造影诊断HT背景下甲状腺癌以及颈部淋巴结转移情况具有较高效能,对临床有一定指导价值。 【关键词】：超声造影;超声弹性成像;桥本甲状腺炎;甲状腺癌;颈部淋巴结转移;相关     

Application of Various Additional Imaging Techniques for Thyroid Ultrasound: Direct Comparison of Combined Various Elastography and Doppler Parameters to Gray-Scale Ultrasound in Differential Diagnosis of Thyroid Nodules

This study was conducted to evaluate the role in the differential diagnosis of thyroid nodules of various elastographic and Doppler parameters when added to gray-scale ultrasonography (US). One-hundred seventy-one thyroid nodules (63 malignant, 108 benign) in 169 patients were included. Elastography (strain and shear wave elastography) and Doppler (power Doppler, superb microvascular imaging and microflow imaging) images of the same thyroid nodule were obtained using a single US machine. The diagnostic performance parameters of gray-scale US with and without elastography and those of Doppler US were calculated and compared. The specificity, positive predictive value and accuracy of gray-scale US were significantly higher than those of US combined with elastographic parameters (all p values?<?0.05). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for gray-scale US was 0.877, significantly higher than that for US combined with elastography patterns, shear wave elastography ratio (all p values?<?0.05) and Doppler parameters. Adding additional imaging modalities such as elastography and Doppler does not improve the diagnostic performance of gray-scale US in differentiating thyroid nodules.     

Myocardial Strain Imaging With Electrocardiogram-Gated and Coherent Compounding for Early Diagnosis of Coronary Artery Disease

Myocardial elastography (ME) is an ultrasound-based technique that uses radiofrequency signals for 2-D cardiac motion tracking and strain imaging at a high frame rate. Early diagnosis of coronary artery disease (CAD) is critical for timely treatment and improvement of patient outcome. The objective of this study was to assess the performance of ME radial and circumferential strains in the detection and characterization of CAD in patients. In this study, 86 patients suspected of CAD were imaged with ME prior to invasive coronary angiography (ICA). End-systolic radial and circumferential left ventricular strains were estimated in all patients in each of their perfusion territories: left anterior descending (LAD), left circumflex (LCX) and right coronary artery (RCA). ME radial strains were capable of differentiating the obstructive CAD group (55.3 ± 29.8%) from the non-obstructive CAD (72.5 ± 46.8%, p < 0.05) and no CAD groups (73.4 ± 30.4%, p < 0.05) in the RCA territory. ME circumferential strains were capable of differentiating the obstructive CAD group (–3.1 ± 7.5%) from the non-obstructive CAD (–7.2 ± 6.8%, p < 0.05) and normal (–6.9 ± 8.0%, p < 0.05) groups in the LAD territory and to differentiate the normal group (–17.1 ± 8.2%) from the obstructive (–12.8 ± 7.2%, p < 0.05) and non-obstructive CAD (–13.6 ± 8.5%, p < 0.05) groups in the RCA territory. ME circumferential strain performed better than ME radial strain in differentiating normal, non-obstructive and obstructive perfusion territories. In the LCX territory, both ME radial and circumferential strains decreased when the level of stenosis was higher. However, it was not statistically significant. The findings presented herein indicate that ME radial and circumferential estimation obtained from ECG-gated and compounded acquisitions is a promising tool for early, non-invasive and radiation-free detection of CAD in patients.