Vesicoureteral reflux in young patients: Comparison of voiding color Doppler US with echo enhancement versus voiding cystourethrography for diagnosis or exclusion

We assessed the accuracy of voiding color Doppler ultrasonography (US) with echo enhancement for diagnosis or exclusion of vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) versus voiding cystourethrography (VCUG) and evaluated patient tolerance of the echo-enhancing agent. One hundred twenty-two patients (ages range, 1 month to 17 years) with 244 ureterorenal units underwent voiding color Doppler US with echo enhancement, which was followed by VCUG on the same day. After US of the urinary tract, the bladder was filled with saline solution via catheter. Then an echo-enhancing agent was instilled, and color Doppler US was performed. Reflux was diagnosed when microbubbles appeared in the ureter or the pelvicaliceal system. VUR was detected in 98 units. All grades of reflux were identified. In 13 units (13.3%), grade I reflux diagnosed at voiding color Doppler US was not observed at VCUG. No reflux was detected in 146 units by either method. In 231 (94.2%) of the 244 ureterorenal units, there was concordance between the two methods. The echo-enhancing agent was well tolerated by all patients. Voiding color Doppler US with echo enhancement is useful for the diagnosis or exclusion of VUR, being as good as VCUG. Therefore, it may reduce the number of patients exposed to ionizing radiation.     

Intrarenal Reflux

Vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) is a childhood condition that is usually diagnosed by fluoroscopic voiding cystourethrography (VCUG). Intrarenal reflux (IRR) of infected urine is believed to play an important role in the pathogenesis of reflux‐associated pyelonephritis and subsequent parenchymal scarring and is traditionally depicted by fluoroscopic VCUG. This case series describes the phenomenon of IRR occurring in association with VUR in 4 children as depicted by contrast‐enhanced voiding urosonography. The ability of contrast‐enhanced voiding urosonography to show IRR when it occurs in conjunction with VUR compares favorably to that of fluoroscopic VCUG.     

排泄性尿路超声造影用于输尿管膀胱再植术治疗儿童膀胱输尿管反流

目的 评价排泄性尿路超声造影（CeVUS）用于输尿管膀胱再植术治疗儿童膀胱输尿管反流（VUR）的价值。方法 纳入16例接受气膀胱腹腔镜输尿管膀胱再植术治疗VUR的患儿,于术前和术后6、12及18个月采用CeVUS评估反流程度,并与排泄性膀胱尿路造影（VCUG）诊断结果对比,采用Kappa检验评价二者诊断分级及评价疗效的一致性。结果 术前和术后6、12及18个月CeVUS分级诊断VUR的敏感度、特异度、准确率、阳性预测值及阴性预测值均较高;与VCUG分级诊断及评价疗效的一致性均极高（P均>0.05）。结论 CeVUS可用诊断儿童VUR,特别适用于术后需多次复查的患儿。     

The necessity of voiding cystourethrography in children with prenatally diagnosed hydronephrosis

The postnatal persistence of fetal hydronephrosis requires further evaluation to establish whether pathological abnormalities are present. This study determined the necessity for voiding cystourethrography (VCUG) to identify vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) in children (n = 195) with prenatally diagnosed hydronephrosis. Among the study population, the prevalence of VUR was 17.4% (24 males, 10 females). There was a poor correlation between the severity of hydronephrosis, ureteral dilatation, presence of bilateral hydronephrosis and presence of VUR. Except for the frequency of urinary tract infections and the presence of renal damage on (99m)Tc-dimercaptosuccinic acid scans, VCUG was the only reliable method for confirming VUR in this study. The diagnosis of VUR is important for the early detection of renal damage. Further information is needed to develop the optimal approach to the evaluation of prenatal hydronephrosis, with reliable parameters that avoid invasive procedures such as VCUG.     

排泄性尿路超声造影在儿童膀胱输尿管反流诊断中的研究进展

膀胱输尿管反流（VUR）与儿童泌尿道感染密切相关。排泄性尿路超声造影（CeVUS）是诊断儿童VUR的一种安全且可靠的影像学检查方法。本文主要就CeVUS在评估儿童VUR方面的研究进展做一综述。     

Vesico-ureteral reflux in children with prenatally detected hydronephrosis: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the value of prenatally detected hydronephrosis (PNH) as a prognostic factor for vesico-ureteral reflux (VUR). METHODS: The MEDLINE database was searched for articles on PNH and VUR published between 1980 and 2004. A total of 18 studies were identified and reviewed for various aspects. Results were separated for primary and/or secondary VUR whenever possible, because of the different underlying pathogenic mechanisms. RESULTS: There was considerable variation between the different studies with respect to methodology and study design. One of the main discrepancies was the way in which postnatal abnormalities were ascertained: by postnatal ultrasound, voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG) alone, or combined or sequential ultrasound and VCUG. Taking these limitations into account, the published data showed there to be a mean prevalence of 15% for postnatal primary VUR after PNH. Of all patients with PNH, 53% had no postnatal anomalies, whereas 29% had other anomalies, such as duplex collecting systems. CONCLUSIONS: Of all infants with PNH, 15% had primary VUR proven postnatally and 53% had no other anomalies detected. We suggest a standardized protocol for future studies, to enable better comparison of follow-up protocols. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Preoperative evaluation of pelvic tumors by Doppler and three-dimensional sonography.

OBJECTIVE: To study a spectrum of systems (two-dimensional transvaginal, transvaginal color Doppler, three-dimensional, three-dimensional power Doppler, and contrast-enhanced three-dimensional power Doppler sonography) for preoperative evaluation of pelvic tumors. METHODS: Two hundred ninety-two patients were evaluated by the 5 complementary methods in preoperative sonographic assessments. We examined adnexal and endometrial morphology, thickness, and volume by two- and three-dimensional sonography and analyzed blood flow by transvaginal color, pulsed Doppler, and three-dimensional power Doppler sonography in all examined patients. In 89 patients with complex adnexal lesions of uncertain malignancy, contrast-enhanced three-dimensional power Doppler sonography was performed. RESULTS: Morphologic assessment by three-dimensional sonography yielded additional information in 58% of cases compared with two-dimensional sonography. Furthermore, this modality was superior to two-dimensional sonography in accurate depiction and diagnosis of 2 cases of fallopian tube carcinoma. Combined morphology and vascular indexing reached sensitivity of 97% and specificity of 99%. Endometrial volume in patients with malignant disease was significantly different (28.2 +/- 0.02 cm3) from that in those who had hyperplasia (7.81 +/- 0.03 cm3), polyps (3.5 +/- 0.02 cm3), or normal endometria (0.8 +/- 0.02 cm3). With combined morphologic and three-dimensional power Doppler examination of endometrial lesions, sensitivity and specificity reached 89% and 97%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Combined morphologic and vascular imaging improves preoperative assessment of gynecologic tumors.     

Urinary tract infection: finding an answer when conventional testing is not helpful

Children who present with urinary tract infections (UTIs) and a fever, and who had negative radioloogical tests for vesicoureteral reflux (VUR), are often tested further with a voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG). If the VCUG is negative, health care providers and parents become frustrated, as the search for a definitive diagnosis becomes more elusive. If conventional tests do not provide the expected diagnosis of VUR, it is essential for nurses and other health care providers to be aware of alternative methods for further evaluation.     

肾静脉栓塞的彩色多普勒超声征象及其诊断价值

目的通过与增强CT对比分析,探讨彩色多普勒超声在肾静脉栓塞疾病中的诊断价值。 方法选取2014年1月至2017年9月在北京协和医院就诊的经手术病理或随访证实的40例45侧肾静脉栓塞患者,其中,15例20侧肾静脉血栓及25例25侧肾静脉癌栓,均行彩色多普勒超声及增强CT检查,总结肾静脉栓塞的超声表现,包括栓塞病灶的位置、受累静脉管腔及管壁特点、侧支形成情况及彩色多普勒表现。超声与增强CT诊断肾静脉血栓及癌栓的准确率比较采用χ²检验。 结果彩色多普勒超声对肾静脉血栓及癌栓的诊断准确性分别为85%、84%,CT增强扫描的诊断准确性依次分别为100%、96%,差异均无统计学意义（P均>0.05）。肾静脉栓塞的主要超声征象有：（1）肾静脉管腔扩张伴实性成分填充;（2）主干内血流中断或充盈缺损;（3）肾内无明显静脉血流信号或血流信号分布稀疏。 结论彩色多普勒超声与增强CT在诊断肾静脉栓塞上有较好的一致性,超声可作为评估肾静脉栓塞的重要影像学方式,结合病史能为肾静脉栓塞提供较为可靠的诊断依据。     

Potential causes of insufficient bladder contrast opacification and premature microbubble destruction during contrast-enhanced voiding urosonography in children

Contrast-enhanced voiding urosonography (ceVUS) has been recognized as a child-friendly examination with high diagnostic accuracy for vesicoureteric reflux detection. A single bolus and the infusion techniques of ceVUS are described. Insufficient bladder contrast opacification during the filling phase and premature destruction of SonoVue microbubbles might occur. Data regarding SonoVue's features, doses, bladder contrast opacification, US bladder parameters, urine catheter, antibiotic prophylaxis, and childrens behaviors were collected to discover the possible causes of the contrast vanishing observed during bladder filling in 10% of examinations and in the later phase of ceVUS in 5% of examinations. An updated ceVUS examination protocol is suggested.     

Contrast-enhanced power Doppler sonography and helical computed tomography for assessment of vascularity of small hepatocellular carcinomas before and after percutaneous ablation

PURPOSE: We compared the usefulness of Levovist-enhanced power Doppler imaging (PDI) and helical CT in the depiction of tumor vascularity before and after percutaneous ablation of small hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs). METHODS: Thirty-one cirrhotic patients with solitary unresectable HCCs smaller than 5 cm (mean size, 2.7 +/- 0.8 cm; range, 1.5-5.0 cm) recruited over a 15-month period were treated with percutaneous ethanol injection (n = 9) or radiofrequency ablation (n = 22). PDI, contrast-enhanced PDI (using Levovist), and multiphase contrast-enhanced helical CT were performed before and after percutaneous ablation, and vascularity findings were compared. RESULTS: Levovist significantly increased baseline intratumoral Doppler signals on PDI compared to non-contrast PDI. The most frequent tumor vascularity pattern was heterogeneous (45%). Vascularity was identified in all tumors by both contrast-enhanced PDI and helical CT before ablation. After percutaneous ablation, intratumoral vascularity was detected in 11 tumors by contrast-enhanced PDI and in 15 tumors by CT. The sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy of contrast-enhanced PDI in demonstrating intratumoral vascularity, with CT being the gold standard, were 66%, 93%, and 81%, respectively. There was significant agreement between the 2 modalities in the depiction of tumor vascularity after ablation (kappa = 0.6, p = 0.001). However, there were 5 false negatives and 1 false positive with contrast-enhanced PDI. Complete tumor necrosis was achieved in 21 patients (68%). CONCLUSIONS: There was a good concordance between contrast-enhanced PDI and helical CT in the depiction of HCC vascularity before and after percutaneous ablation. However, although contrast-enhanced PDI may be useful for real-time guidance of treatment, its low sensitivity makes it inadequate to accurately assess the completeness of ablation.     

Role of transvaginal sonography in the diagnosis of peritoneal inclusion cysts.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this prospective study was to investigate the accuracy of B-mode transvaginal sonography alone and combined with color Doppler imaging and cancer antigen 125 (CA 125) plasma concentrations in differentiating peritoneal cysts from other adnexal masses. METHODS: Between September 1999 and September 2003, 213 adnexal masses underwent transvaginal sonography combined with power Doppler evaluation. Plasma concentrations of CA 125 were measured before surgery. The sonographic suspicion of peritoneal cysts (the presence of a bizarre lump-shaped cyst with a thin wall and fine internal septations with or without an ovary suspended among adhesions) was then compared with the surgical diagnosis. The overall agreement between the sonographic test results and the surgical findings was calculated by the kappa index. The diagnostic value of each test was also evaluated with likelihood ratios (LRs). RESULTS: Thirteen of 213 patients were found to have peritoneal cysts. Specificity and sensitivity of B-mode sonography for differentiating peritoneal cysts from other adnexal masses were 96% (95% confidence interval, 94%-97%) and 62% (95% confidence interval, 35%-83%), respectively. The value of the negative LR (0.40) indicated a good clinical test, whereas the positive LR (15) indicated an excellent test. Power Doppler imaging did not seem to increase the accuracy of B-mode transvaginal sonography (kappa = 0.51 and 0.52, respectively), nor did the association of CA 125 plasma concentration (kappa = 0.34). CONCLUSIONS: Transvaginal sonography alone is a useful method for detection of peritoneal cysts.     

Value of contrast-enhanced power Doppler sonography using a microbubble echo-enhancing agent in evaluation of small breast lesions

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to prospectively evaluate the usefulness of contrast-enhanced power Doppler sonography (PDUS) using a microbubble echo-enhancing agent in differentiating between malignant and benign small breast lesions. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between July 1, 2000, and September 30, 2001, we performed gray-scale sonographic examination of patients in whom diagnostic sonography or screening mammography had revealed solid breast lesions measuring less than 2 cm in the largest dimension. The patients were then examined on PDUS before and after injection of a microbubble contrast agent. The sonographic findings for all 3 techniques, as well as the morphologic features of the Doppler signals for each patient before and after injection of the contrast agent on PDUS, were independently assessed. Each lesion was classified as "benign" or "malignant" on the basis of specific criteria for sonographic interpretation. A hemodynamic study was performed in which time-transit profiles of the Doppler signals on contrast-enhanced PDUS were generated using a computer-assisted program, and the results for each patient were compared with the findings of a histopathologic examination of surgical specimens. RESULTS: Thirty-six patients (35 women and 1 man) with a mean age of 43.5 years (range, 18-69 years) were evaluated. The tumors ranged from 4 to 19 mm in the largest dimension. Histopathologic examination revealed that 19 tumors were benign and 17 were malignant. For morphologic diagnosis of the malignant lesions, the sensitivity of gray-scale sonography was 100%, compared with 29% for PDUS without contrast enhancement. The specificity of gray-scale sonography was 47%, compared with 74% for PDUS without contrast enhancement. Contrast-enhanced PDUS had a sensitivity of 71% and a specificity of 58%. The diagnostic accuracy was 72% for gray-scale sonography, 53% for PDUS without contrast enhancement, and 64% for contrast-enhanced PDUS. The time-transit profiles of the hemodynamic study did not reveal a statistically significant difference in the accuracy rates of contrast-enhanced PDUS between benign and malignant breast lesions. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with PDUS without contrast enhancement, contrast-enhanced PDUS provides better visualization of the morphology of vascular Doppler signals that is characteristic of malignancy and therefore has a higher sensitivity and diagnostic accuracy, albeit a lower specificity. In differentiating between benign and malignant small breast lesions, contrast-enhanced PDUS can be helpful when used with gray-scale sonography and PDUS without contrast enhancement.     

乳腺癌二维超声、彩色多普勒血流显像、剪切波弹性成像、造影参数联合评估与病理对照

  目的  分析乳腺癌超声多参数(二维高频超声、彩色多普勒血流显像、剪切波弹性成像、造影)评估与病理对照。  方法  选择2018年4月~2020年9月我院诊治的乳腺占位性病变患者61例(72个病灶),均行二维高频超声、彩色多普勒血流显像、剪切波弹性成像、造影和病理检查,以术后病理检查结果为金标准。计算各种检查方法诊断乳腺癌的敏感度、准确度。  结果  术后病理诊断结果示:61例(72个病灶)中有43例恶性(51个病灶),18例良性(21个病灶);二维高频超声诊断乳腺癌敏感度47.06%,特异性66.67%,准确度52.78%;彩色多普勒血流显像敏感度60.78%,特异性71.43%,准确度63.89%;剪切波弹性成像敏感度82.35%,特异性80.95%,准确度81.94%;超声造影敏感度86.27%,特异性85.71%,准确度86.11%;联合诊断敏感度94.12%,特异性90.48%,准确度93.06%。联合诊断乳腺癌准确率高于单独二维、彩色多普勒血流显像、剪切波弹性成像、造影检查(P < 0.05)。  结论  乳腺癌超声多参数(二维、彩色多普勒血流显像、剪切波弹性成像、造影)联合检查,可明显提高乳腺癌诊断的准确率。      

Color Doppler ultrasonography in occlusive diseases of the brachiocephalic and proximal subclavian arteries.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the capability of color Doppler ultrasonography (CDU) in showing the brachiocephalic and proximal subclavian arteries and to determine the accuracy of CDU for diagnosis of occlusive diseases of those arteries. METHODS: Two groups of patients were examined. The first group was examined with CDU to determine whether the brachiocephalic and subclavian artery origins could be seen. The second group, including patients with occlusive arterial disease, was examined with CDU before digital subtraction angiography (DSA). Results of CDU and DSA were compared. RESULTS: In the first group, the origins of 42 (84%) of 50 brachiocephalic arteries, 48 (96%) of 50 right subclavian arteries, and 25 (50%) of 50 left subclavian arteries could be displayed by CDU. In the second group, 8 (89%) of 9 lesions on the right and 23 (96%) of 24 lesions on the left were diagnosed correctly. Color Doppler ultrasonography had sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy values of 88%, 94%, 78%, 97%, and 94%, respectively, for detecting major stenosis and 100%, 98%, 94%, 100%, and 99% for detecting occlusion. Agreement between the CDU and DSA findings was substantial for stenosis (kappa = 0.78) and almost perfect for occlusion (kappa = 0.96). CONCLUSIONS: The percentage of proximal left subclavian arteries shown on CDU was considerably lower compared with the right subclavian and brachiocephalic arteries. However, there was no significant difference between the two sides in diagnosing occlusive arterial diseases. With CDU, occlusion can be diagnosed more accurately than stenosis.     

实时超声造影对肝血管瘤血流动力学的检测

目的探讨实时超声造影技术检测肝血管瘤的血流动力学特性。方法使用实时超声造影检查44个肝血管瘤,分析造影表现与肿瘤大小及彩色多普勒显示的血流信号间的关系。结果全部肝血管瘤在超声造影时出现增强,且43例(97.7%)表现为周边向内逐渐填充的增强特征。肿瘤呈整体完全增强者26例(59.1%),斑片状增强者18例(40.9%)。血管瘤增强填充的快慢与肿瘤大小无关,体积较大的血管瘤呈现斑片状增强的百分率明显高于体积较小者(P<0.01)。多普勒超声显示内部有血流信号的血管瘤在造影时多呈快速整体增强,而多普勒超声未显示血流者造影时则多呈斑片状增强。结论实时超声造影可以敏感地显示肝血管瘤的动态增强过程,揭示血管瘤的血流动力学特性。     

彩色多普勒超声造影诊断肝脏肿瘤

目的:研究彩色多普勒超声造影(ECDFI)对肝肿瘤内血流的检测能力和诊断准确性。方法:对75个肝内病灶(良性18个,恶性57个)进行ECDFI检查,结果与CT双期增强扫描和病理检查结果(金标准)比较。结果:ECDFI瘤内血流显示率良性组和恶性组分别为78％和96％,CT动脉期增强分别为83％和98％。ECDFI诊断符合率93％。增强CT87％。结论:ECDFI对于提高肝肿瘤血流显示率和诊断符合率有重要意义,其敏感性、特异性与CT较为一致。     

Hepatocellular carcinoma: therapeutic experience with percutaneous ethanol injection under real-time contrast-enhanced color Doppler sonography with the contrast agent Levovist.

OBJECTIVE: To describe our experience with percutaneous ethanol injection under real-time contrast-enhanced color Doppler sonography with Levovist (SH U 508A; Nihon Schering, Osaka, Japan) for hepatocellular carcinoma after transcatheter arterial infusion. METHODS: Twenty patients (17 men and 3 women; mean age, 58.4 years) with 23 hepatocellular carcinoma nodules (mean +/- SD, 2.7 +/- 1.5 cm) underwent percutaneous ethanol injection under real-time contrast-enhanced color Doppler sonography 1 week after transcatheter arterial infusion. Therapeutic effects were assessed by contrast-enhanced computed tomography and posttreatment fine-needle biopsy. This study was performed on a prospective basis. RESULTS: After the transcatheter arterial infusion, contrast-enhanced color Doppler sonography showed intense intratumoral color signals in all 23 hepatocellular carcinomas. After the percutaneous ethanol injection, contrast-enhanced color Doppler sonography, fine-needle biopsy, and contrast-enhanced computed tomography showed no color signals, no viable tumor tissues, and no enhancement in any of the 23 hepatocellular carcinomas. Three to 5 (mean, 3.3) percutaneous ethanol injection sessions with a 5.2- to 15.6-mL (mean, 12.8-mL) total volume of ethanol per tumor were required for complete disappearance of color signals on contrast-enhanced color Doppler sonography. CONCLUSIONS: Percutaneous ethanol injection under real-time contrast-enhanced color Doppler sonography has considerable efficacy in treating hepatocellular carcinoma.     

Transvaginal color Doppler sonography versus sonohysterography in the diagnosis of endometrial polyps.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the diagnostic performance of transvaginal color Doppler sonography (TVCD) and sonohysterography (SHG) in the diagnosis of endometrial polyps. METHODS: Fifty-one women (mean age, 51 years; range, 27-75 years) with clinical or B-mode sonographic suspicion of endometrial polyps were included in this prospective study. Transvaginal color Doppler sonography first and then SHG were performed in all patients. On TVCD, a polyp was suspected when a vascular pedicle penetrating the endometrium from the myometrium was identified. On SHG, a polyp was suspected when a focal polypoid lesion was seen within the endometrial cavity. All patients underwent hysteroscopy and endometrial biopsy, the findings of which were used as the criterion standard. Sensitivity and specificity for TVCD and SHG were calculated and compared by the McNemar test. RESULTS: Hysteroscopy and endometrial biopsy findings were as follows: endometrial polyps, 41; endometrial hyperplasia, 3; cystic atrophy, 4; proliferative endometrium, 2; and endometritis, 1. Sensitivity and specificity for TVCD and SHG were 95% and 80% and 100% and 80%, respectively (McNemar test, P = .5) CONCLUSIONS: Transvaginal color Doppler sonography and SHG had similar performance for diagnosing endometrial polyps.     

Contrast harmonic color Doppler left ventriculography: machine-interpreted left ventricular ejection fraction compared with equilibrium-gated radionuclide ventriculography.

BACKGROUND: Multi-gated acquisition (equilibrium-gated radionuclide ventriculography) (MUGA) is considered the gold standard for measuring left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) because it is accurate, machine interpreted, and reproducible. Echocardiographic LVEF measurements are subject to variability in image acquisition and interpretation and to the limitations of 2-dimensional (2D) versus 3-dimensional imaging. GOAL: The shortcomings of traditional echocardiography may be addressed by combining multiplane 2D harmonic imaging, echocardiographic contrast, color Doppler ultrasonography, and digital image processing to create a new imaging modality: contrast harmonic color Doppler left ventriculography. METHODS: We compared the accuracy of a new method for measuring LVEF that allows for machine interpretation and uses contrast-enhanced intermittent harmonic color Doppler ultrasonography (CHCD). Quantitative LVEF measurements by hand-traced harmonic 2D echocardiography, contrast-enhanced harmonic 2D echocardiography, CHCD, and machine-interpreted CHCD were compared with MUGA in 35 patients. RESULTS: Contrast-enhanced intermittent harmonic color Doppler provided images with vivid endocardial definition in all patients, but hand-traced harmonic 2D echocardiography and contrast-enhanced harmonic 2D echocardiography had inadequate images in 9% of patients. The MUGA LVEF range was 0. 09 to 0.70. All echocardiographic methods showed excellent correlation with the MUGA LVEF (R (2) > 0.96), but the CHCD method had the best limits of agreement. CONCLUSIONS: Contrast-enhanced intermittent harmonic color Doppler LVEF correlates with MUGA at least as well as traditional noncontrasted echocardiography, but it provides diagnostic images in a greater proportion of patients. The CHCD images have vivid endocardial delineation and can be machine interpreted.