Diffuse liver disease: MRI with Gd-DTPA versus CT and ultrasound

Twenty-nine patients with diffuse liver disease were examined by ultrasound, CT and MRI. MRI was performed using T1- and T2-weighted spin-echo sequences as well as fast gradient-echo-sequences. The paramagnetic contrast agent Gd-DTPA was applied intravenously (0.1 mmol/kg). in patients with hepatitis, MRI could be used in guiding liver biopsies as inflammatory changes were clearly delineated. CT and ultrasound were superior to MRI in the detection of focal or diffuse fatty degeneration. On the other hand MRI was more helpful in differentiating fatty changes and neoplasm. In liver cirrhosis, fibrotic changes were most clearly demonstrated by MRI. In patients suffering from hemochromatosis MRI offers advantages over CT and ultrasound in the diagnosis and follow up due to the paramagnetic properties of iron, resulting in a reduction in signal intensity. In patients with Wilson's disease a characteristic pattern of parenchymal changes was seen. Administration of Gd- DTPA contributes additional information about perfusion conditions in the liver parenchyma, however this information was not of diagnostic relevance in the cases we studied. Correspondence to: T.J. Vogl     

X-linked hypophosphatemia: Normal renal function despite medullary nephrocalcinosis 25 years after transient vitamin D2-induced renal azotemia

Nephrocalcinosis (NC) detected by ultrasound is a recognized abnormality for some patients with X-linked hypophosphatemia (XLH) who received vitamin D₂ and inorganic phosphate therapy, but is commonly observed in XLH patients treated with 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D₃ and inorganic phosphate supplementation. Nevertheless, long-term follow-up of kidney function in XLH patients with NC detected ultrasonographically has not been reported. We investigated two women with XLH, ages 31 (patient 1) and 39 (patient 2) years, each of whom had suffered at least one documented episode of vitamin D₂-induced hypercalcemia and renal azotemia during childhood. Patient 2 had also been treated with inorganic phosphate. No medications for XLH had been taken during adulthood. Renal ultrasonography at our institution demonstrated marked bilateral medullary NC in both women. No other explanation was found for their NC that apparently occurred several decades earlier from medical therapy for XLH. Detailed studies (including creatinine clearance, β₂-microglobulin excretion, and fasting urinary osmolality and acidification) revealed no impairment of kidney function in either patient. Our findings indicate that subradiographic medullary NC acquired during medical therapy for XLH may persist for decades, but with no adverse renal sequelae. Definitive (long-term) assessment of kidney function in the XLH population with NC, however, will be necessary to fully understand the risk of current medical treatment for this most common heritable form of rickets.     

彩超对高血脂患者的颈动脉内膜—中膜厚度及斑块形成检测分析

目的:探讨彩超检测高血脂患者颈动脉内膜-中膜厚度及斑块形成的意义,方法:medison-8000Ex高频超声对120例高血脂患者及120例血脂正常者两组,观察其动脉的内膜-中膜厚度及斑块形成情况。结果:血脂升高组,颈总动脉最大内膜-中膜厚度及粥样斑块发生率明显增高。结论:彩超可清晰显示颈动脉内膜-中膜情况,对高血脂引起的动脉粥样硬化检出预报和疗效观察有重要临床意义。     

Volume Flow Rate of Common Carotid Artery Measured by Doppler Method and Color Velocity Imaging Quantification (CVI-Q)

BACKGROUND: Common carotid artery (CCA) volume flow rate (VFR) is clinically useful for study of cerebrovascular disease. Color Velocity Imaging Quantification (CVI-Q; Philips Ultrasound International, Irvine, CA), previously reported as accurate and reliable, tracks the flow lumen over the cardiac cycle, as well as mean spatial velocity, which is multiplied by vessel area to obtain VFR. VFR can also be obtained by Doppler sampling for mean velocity, and vessel area based on static B-mode lumen diameter. We compared CCA VFR by CVI-Q and Doppler method (DM), since knowledge of how they compare is crucial when both are used clinically. METHOD: We prospectively studied patients having clinical carotid duplex exams and healthy controls. All had CCA VFR measured by both methods in the same exam session. RESULTS: Thirty-four studies were reviewed. CCA VFR by CVI-Q in those without ICA stenosis was 337 +/- 96 mL/m, and by DM 359 +/- 130 mL/m; P = .33. There was no difference between methods for 50-75% or 75-95% ICA stenosis. In 7 patients with ICA occlusion, and 3 with 95-99% stenosis, VFR was higher by DM than by CVI-Q (Occlusion: 125 vs 58 mL/m, P = .007; 95-99%: 152 vs 63 mL/m, P = .038). There was no statistically significant difference between methods for measurement of the ratio of VFR between right and left CCA. CONCLUSION: In patients with 0-95% ICA stenosis, VFR by CVI-Q and DM showed no difference. For 95-100% ICA stenosis the methods differ; with higher VFR by DM. Side-to-side VFR ratios remain constant, irrespective of VFR method, and can still provide clinically useful information.     

超声引导结合X线透视下PTCD治疗阻塞性黄疸

目的探讨超声引导结合X线透视下PTCD的操作技术及其临床应用价值。方法51例阻塞性黄疸患者,40例为恶性阻塞性病变,11例为良性阻塞性病变,在超声引导结合X线透视下行PTCD术,穿刺右叶胆管44例,穿刺左叶胆管7例,并常规造影。结果穿刺成功率100%,未出现出血、胆汁性腹膜炎等并发症。术后1周胆红素平均下降75.2ummol/L。结论超声引导结合X线透视下PTCD是一种治疗阻塞性黄疸的有效方法,具有安全、简便、经济、并发症少的优点。     

超声诊断异位妊娠249例临床分析

目的为了提高对异位妊娠的诊断技术。方法选择在我院经手术病理证实的异位妊娠249例住院患者行2DB超和CDFI的声像图特征进行分析。结果2D超声声像图特征在249例异位妊娠中内膜增厚223例，厚度为4—8mm／2；宫内假环状孕囊28例，大小为4．12mm；宫外探及孕囊178例，大小为8-48mm；盆腔混合性包块28例，大小为40．80mm：伴有黄体囊肿的123例，存活宫外孕3例，可显示原始心管搏动；CDFI声像图特征为宫外孕急性破裂的患者显示肿块及周围组织的彩色血流信号增多，动脉频谱血流速度增快，RI降低。结论超声检查对妇产科急诊有显著性作用，可直接指导临床明确诊断，选定治疗方案。     

Pulsed ultrasound Doppler velocimetry in the assessment of microvascular hemodynamics

Pulsed ultrasonic Doppler velocimetry (20 MHz) (PUDVM) has evolved considerably in the last 10 years. Engineering development has resulted in a computer-controlled vessel-scanning instrument whose backscattered frequency shift spectra are analyzed using fast Fourier transforms (FFT). Benchtop and theoretic studies indicate accurate (error less than 5%) velocity and volumetric flow rate measurements in vessels with a lumen diameter as small as 1.2 mm. Clinical application of the PUDVM has provided transcutaneous measurements of blood flow variables in normal human digital arteries. Experimental application to arteries 1.0-1.5 mm has provided information on the hemodynamic effects of topical vasodilators, standard microarteriorrhaphy, variations in microvascular technique, interpositional grafts, and early wound repair. With improving computer capabilities and technical modifications, the PUDVM will be an increasingly important tool in clinical and experimental microsurgery.     

Sonographic Appearance of Plasmacytoma of the Testis

A case of solitary extramedullary plasmacytoma of the testis is presented demonstrating the appearances on ultrasound. The clinical implications of this diagnosis are discussed.     

超声引导下注射皮质类固醇治疗狭窄性腱鞘炎

目的 探讨超声引导下注射皮质类固醇治疗狭窄性腱鞘炎的方法及效果。方法 38例狭窄性腱鞘炎患者,按药物注射方法的不同随机分成2组。治疗组(21例)在10-MHz超声引导下向腱鞘内腱周间隙内穿刺注射醋酸强的松龙0.6 ml,对照组(17例)采用闭合穿刺法注射等量药物。注射前及随访时(注射后3周)测定疼痛强度视觉类比评分(Visual analogue score,VAS)。结果 随访时疼痛消失率治疗组为81％、对照组为53％,VAS下降值治疗组为[(6.8±1.9)x±s,下同]对照组为(5.1±3.0)。结论超声引导下将针尖穿刺于腱鞘内腱周间隙的操作简单、准确并可实时观察药物的分布,是治疗狭窄性腱鞘炎的较好方法。     

Mesenteric cyst with milk of calcium

A mesenteric cyst with milk of calcium in an adult patient is presented. Preoperative evaluation included plain film, ultrasound, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). To our knowledge, the presence of milk of calcium in a mesenteric cyst has not been previously described.