Role of transrectal ultrasonography in the evaluation of azoospermic men with low-volume ejaculate.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this prospective study was to evaluate the incidence of distal ejaculatory system defects with transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS) among patients evaluated for azoospermia. METHODS: Forty-two patients with low-volume ejaculate and azoospermia were evaluated by physical examination, serum follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone level determination, karyotyping, selective screening for cystic fibrosis mutations, and TRUS. RESULTS: On physical examination, in 29 patients (69%), either 1 (12 patients) or both (17 patients) of the vasa deferentia could not be palpated. In the group of 17 patients with bilateral involvement of the vasa deferentia, the ultrasonographic imaging universally showed bilateral absence or hypoplasia of the seminal vesicles with bilateral agenesis of the vasa deferentia and nonvisualization of both ejaculatory ducts. In the patients with a unilateral abnormality on physical examination, the ultrasonographic imaging showed absence of the ipsilateral seminal vesicle in 7 patients and the hypoplastic seminal vesicle in 5. In the group of 13 patients with normal physical examination findings, a variety of obstructive causes were diagnosed by TRUS examination. CONCLUSIONS: According to this study, TRUS appears to be a sensitive method for evaluating the anatomy of the distal ejaculatory system. Its safety and low costs make it a good alternative to the other invasive and expensive methods.     

单心室复合畸形超声诊断

目的 探讨单心室复合畸形的超声诊断。方法 总结我院经静脉造影和手术证实的9例单心室畸形的超声探查方法和结果。首先经仰卧位剑下探查，然后经胸骨旁、心尖切面、胸骨上窝切面完善和证实各种心内畸形并对比分析。结果 9例中男6例，女3例，年龄3．5～Il岁。其单心室均伴大动脉转位、心内畸形。结论 剑下切面可确认内脏心房位，初步确认大动脉关系硬心内畸形。多切面寻找室间隔或始基室间隔的位置和形态是鉴别诊断的关键，肺动脉发育状况可估测病情程度。     

Haemodynamic studies in early stroke

Summary We investigated prospectively a consecutive series of 81 patients suffering from acute middle cerebral artery (MCA) ischaemia by transcranial Doppler ultrasonography (TCD) within 24 h of the onset of symptoms. To monitor the haemodynamic changes follow-up recordings were carried out at short intervals during the next 2–3 weeks until stable haemodynamic status was achieved. In order to estimate the value of early TCD examinations in predicting the extent of brain damage seen later on, initial MCA flow reduction was correlated with infarction size and pattern on computed tomography. Fifty-three cases showed sufficient ultrasound penetration through the temporal bone. MCA flow asymmetries were recorded in 45 patients (85%); occlusion was observed in 17. Recanalization occurred in 11 patients followed by transient hyperaemia in 3, leaving residual stenosis in 2. Initial increase of flow velocities normalized within days or weeks in 7 out of 9 patients, while 2 developed residual MCA stenosis. Nineteen patients showed a considerable flow reduction on admission, which returned to normal in 9; transient hyperaemia was detected in 5 of these. Eight patients did not show any MCA flow asymmetry. Our study revealed very variable haemodynamic changes in acute stroke, which influenced further diagnostic and therapeutic management. The high rate of spontaneous recanalizations of MCA occlusions followed by transient hyperaemia in many cases has an important bearing on thrombolytic or theological therapy. Flow velocity differences could be related to infarction pattern rather than to infarction volume. Early MCA flow asymmetry recorded by TCD within the first 24 h could not reliably predict the extent of persistent brain damage or clinical outcome.     

超声在急性阑尾炎诊断中的应用价值

目的：探讨联合应用高低频超声诊断急性阑尾炎的价值。方法：回顾性分析经手术证实为急性阑尾炎的127例患者的高低频超声声像图特征。结果：127例患者中：急性单纯性阑尾炎41例，超声检出36例，占87．8％；化脓性阑尾炎53例，超声检出50例，占94．3％；坏疽性阑尾炎24例，超声检出21例，占87．5％；阑尾周围脓肿9例，超声检出8例，占88．9％。结论：联合应用高低频超声能提高急性阑尾的诊断准确率，并初步对阑尾炎进行分型，为临床首选的影像学检查。     

彩色多普勒超声诊断房间隔缺损64例与手术对比探讨

目的 研究彩色多普勒超声诊断房间隔缺损(ASD)的准确性。方法 回顾性分析经手术证实的64例ASD患者的超声检查结果并和手术结果对照。结果 64例患者中有1例三房心合并房间隔缺损畸形，1例合并右下肺静脉异位引流漏诊，术前超声正确诊断63例，定性诊断准确率达98．4％，有1例混合型定位不准确，定位准确率在98．4％，而且64例患者中超声检查结果显示在无合并其他畸形时房间缺损大小与右心系统扩大及肺动脉扩张呈正相关关系。结论 ASD是以右室容量超负荷为特征，彩色多普勒超声是诊断房间隔缺损的首选检查方法，并具有较高的准确性。     

Localized wall thickening of the gallbladder mimicking a neoplasm

Clinical diagnosis of chronic cholecystitis is made based on diffuse hyperechoic thickening of the gallbladder wall as shown by ultrasonographic examination. We herein report three cases of chronic cholecystitis showing localized hypoechoic thickening of the gallbladder wall that mimicked gallbladder cancer by ultrasonography. Histologically, hypertrophy of the muscularis propria was a common characteristic finding in these three patients. A smooth surface of the inner hypoechoic layer of the thickened wall was considered to be a reliable finding in the differential diagnosis between this type of chronic cholecystitis and gallbladder cancer.     

偏头痛患者发作期间听觉诱发电位和经颅多谱勒的变化

目的:研究偏头痛患者经颅彩色多谱勒(TCD)和脑干听觉诱发电位(BAEP)变化并探讨其临床意义. 方法:偏头痛患者350(男128,女222)例,年龄17~49岁,病程5 mo~12 a. 典型偏头痛185例(单侧头痛105例,双侧头痛80例),普遍偏头痛165例(单侧头痛95例,双侧头痛70例). 对照选择健康体检者135(男55,女80)例,年龄20~48岁. 全部患者在偏头痛发作期间同时进行TCD和TBAEP检查. 结果:在350例偏头痛患者中脑血流增快224例(64.0%),血流减慢110例(31.4%),血流正常16例(4.6%),总异常率95.43%. 典型偏头痛患者MCA(cm/s,大脑中动脉)和PCA(cm/s,大脑后动脉)均高于对照[(70± 7) vs (62±8),P<0.05; (48±9) vs (37±8),P<0.05]和普通偏头痛(61±6, P<0.05; 40±9, P<0.05). 偏头痛患者发作期脑干听觉诱发电位(BAEP)异常率为52.9%(185/350),表现为Ⅰ, Ⅲ, Ⅴ波潜伏期及Ⅲ~Ⅴ峰间期延长. 偏头痛发作间期BAEP正常. 偏头痛病程越长BAEP异常率越高,听神经损害的可能性越大. 结论:偏头痛发作期间有部分脑血流改变,同时有BAEP改变,病程越长BAEP异常率越高,听神经损害的可能性越大. 提示TCD和BAEP对偏头痛有一定诊断价值.     

Ultrasonographic Evaluation in Plantar Fasciitis

The heels of 23 patients who were diagnosed with unilateral/bilateral plantar fasciitis were evaluated via ultrasonography and compared with their asymptomatic feet and a control group of 23 people. Plantar fascial thickness, echogenity, and heel pad thickness were evaluated, and the results were statistically analyzed. For symptomatic feet, increased thickness of the fascia and reduced echogenity were constant ultrasonographic findings (mean, 4.79 mm for symptomatic feet; 2.17 mm for control group, P < .05). No significant difference was found between heel pads of the diseased and healthy feet (mean, 12.96 mm for symptomatic feet; 13.10 mm for control group; P > .05). Ultrasonography seems to be a valuable, noninvasive diagnostic tool for the evaluation of plantar fasciitis.     

The use of a dedicated rectosigmoidoscope for ultrasound staging of tumours of the upper and middle third of the rectum

OBJECTIVE: Tumours of the upper rectum, and many in the middle third, are not accessible to endorectal ultrasound staging because of the difficulty in reaching all sites of the rectum with a rigid probe. The aim of this prospective study was to assess whether using a dedicated rectosigmoidoscope, endorectal ultrasonography (ERUS) can accurately stage any rectal lesion irrespective of its distance from the anal verge. METHOD: A total of 173 consecutive patients with a primary rectal tumour were included. A rotating, high multifrequency (5.0-10 MHz) endoprobe was introduced through a dedicated rectosigmoidoscope and advanced above the lesion. A computer allowed for three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction of 2D images. Treatment was selected on the basis of 3D-ERUS findings. ERUS staging was correlated with pathological staging. RESULTS: The depth of invasion was correctly determined by 3D-ERUS in 78.2% of tumours of the lower rectum, 76.4% of tumours extending between the lower and middle third of the rectum, 80.9% of tumours of the middle third of the rectum, 78.5% of tumours extending between the middle and upper third of the rectum and 78.9% of tumours of the upper rectum. The accuracy for the absence of lymph node metastases was 81.2% for tumours of the lower rectum, 78.5% for tumours extending between the lower and middle third of the rectum, 85.7% for tumours of the middle third of the rectum, 83.3% for tumours extending between the middle and upper third of the rectum and 78.5% for tumours of the upper rectum. Analysis showed that there was no difference between the various tumour sites. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that using a dedicated proctosigmoidoscope, tumours of the upper and middle third of the rectum are equally accessible to ultrasonographic evaluation. The distance of the tumour from the anal verge does not influence the accuracy of examinations considered adequate by the operator.