Spectrum of sonographic findings in superficial breast masses.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this presentation is to show the sonographic findings of breast masses, which can occur in subcutaneous fat or in the cutaneous layer of the breast. METHODS: We reviewed the sonographic findings of superficial breast masses, including the epidermal inclusion cyst, steatocystoma multiplex, fat necrosis, accessory breast, Mondor disease, sparganosis, neurofibroma, tuberculosis, mastitis, and breast malignancy. RESULTS: Specific sonographic features of superficial breast masses have been illustrated. CONCLUSIONS: Radiologists must be familiar with the sonographic findings of various diseases involving the superficial layer of the breast to avoid further patient workup.     

药物流产后B超检测宫腔残留物的应用价值

目的探讨妊娠早期药物流产后B超检测宫腔残留物的临床应用价值.方法回顾性分析262例妊娠早期药物流产不全患者宫腔残留物声像,并将超声检测的宫内异常回声或内膜最大厚度与病理结果对照.结果 B超测量宫内异常回声或内膜最大厚度越大,绒毛组织残留的发生率越高.宫腔残留物的声像表现可多样化,与残留物多少,内容及残留时间有关.结论妊娠早期药物流产后B超检测宫腔残留物,有助于及时发现药物流产不全,及时指导治疗,预防并发症的发生.     

Migration of an intrauterine contraceptive device to the urinary bladder: sonographic findings

Migration of an intrauterine contraceptive device (IUD) to the urinary bladder is very rare. We describe a case in which transabdominal sonography demonstrated such migration of an IUD in a 30-year-old woman who sought treatment for pelvic pain and dysuria. The IUD had originally been inserted 10 years earlier, and the patient had given birth without complications 2 years before the onset of her symptoms. Cytoscopic examination confirmed the diagnosis and allowed removal of the IUD.     

Pleurocutaneous fistula after tube thoracostomy: sonographic findings

Pleurocutaneous fistula is defined as a pathologic communication between the pleural space and the subcutaneous tissues. It can occur as a complication of an infectious process, neoplasm, foreign body aspiration, or iatrogenic procedures. Diagnosis is usually made on imaging studies, such as CT. We describe a 72-year-old woman with esophageal cancer who underwent chest tube placement for postesophagectomy drainage. After removal of the chest tube, a right chest wall mass was noted. Transcutaneous sonographic evaluation confirmed the diagnosis of pleurocutaneous fistula.     

Lupus nephritis. New sonographic findings

The value of sonography in the evaluation of patients with lupus nephritis has been limited to determination of location and size of the kidneys and the exclusion of hydronephrosis; quantitative estimation of the severity of renal compromise by sonographic appearance is less accurate than laboratory tests. Similarly, the lack of specificity of the sonographic changes in most nephritities makes sonography a poor predictor of the underlying etiology. We report a previously undescribed sonographic pattern first recognized in two cases of proven lupus nephritis. We successfully used this pattern to predict the presence of "silent" lupus nephritis in a previously undiagnosed case of systemic lupus erythematosus.     

Fetal bowel. Normal sonographic findings

The normal sonographic appearance of fetal colon and small bowel is reported in a prospective study of 130 fetuses. The colon, which appeared as a continuous tubular structure located around the perimeter of the abdominal cavity, was seen in some fetuses as early as 22 menstrual weeks and in all fetuses examined after 28 weeks. Colon diameter demonstrated a linear relation (r = 0.82) with menstrual age, reaching a maximum of 18 mm at term. In comparison, small bowel was located centrally and individual segments never exceeded 7 mm in diameter or 15 mm in length. Small bowel loops were seen in only 30% of fetuses examined after 34 weeks. Peristalsis was routinely demonstrated of the small bowel, but was not observed in the colon.     

Scrotal sonographic findings in equestrians.

OBJECTIVE: Sports-related injuries are among the major causes of testicular trauma. In this study, we aimed to determine sonographically whether chronic urogenital trauma during horse riding increases the prevalence of scrotal sonographic abnormalities. To our knowledge, there are no studies in the literature that have focused on this topic. METHODS: Group 1 included 26 male riders with a mean age +/- SD of 31 +/- 2.9 (range, 26-38) years and with a mean riding experience of 5 +/- 2.6 (range, 1-10) years, whereas group 2 included 26 healthy nonriding men with a mean age of 31 +/- 3.2 (range, 26-41) years. After the clinical evaluation, all patients underwent scrotal sonographic examination. RESULTS: The prevalence of overall scrotal sonographic abnormalities in group 1 was significantly higher than that in group 2 (77% versus 38%; P < .05). The detected sonographic findings in group 1 were varicocele (46%), hydrocele (19%), testicular cyst (4%), epididymal cyst (35%), testicular calcification (19%), epididymal calcification (8%), scrotal calculus (8%), and inhomogeneity of parenchymal echo texture (4%). However, only varicocele (19%), epididymal cyst (19%), testicular calcification (12%), and scrotal calculus (4%) were detected in group 2. Between the 2 groups, the difference was significant for varicocele prevalence (P < .05) and marginally significant for hydrocele prevalence (P = .051). CONCLUSIONS: We recommend scrotal sonographic examination of equestrians when they have a palpable mass or related symptoms, the etiology of which was found in our study to be closely related to horse riding.     

宫腔镜诊治宫腔粘连合并宫内早孕流失败1例

1 病例资料与方法 患者,女,27岁,因"停经63 d,人流失败5 d"于2005年3月24日入院.     

The sonographic findings of splenic metastases.

The sonographic findings in five patients with metastases to the spleen are demonstrated. Hypoechoic lesions were seen in patients with histiocytic lymphoma, and both echogenic and hypoechoic lesions were seen in patients with melanoma. The clinical significance of these findings is discussed.     

Page kidney after renal allograft biopsy: sonographic findings

The development of renal failure and hypertension due to extrinsic renal compression by hematoma in the subcapsular space is well-described and most commonly seen after blunt trauma. It may also occur as a complication of percutaneous renal biopsy, both in native kidneys and renal allografts, and is a rare cause of reversible allograft failure. We describe a case of Page kidney in renal transplantation after percutaneous biopsy causing allograft dysfunction. Early recognition with sonography is important if irreversible damage to the allograft is to be prevented.     

Velamentous insertion of the umbilical cord: a first-trimester sonographic screening study.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the feasibility of prenatal sonography for detecting velamentous insertion of the umbilical cord in singleton pregnancies at the 11- to 14-week scan. METHODS: The placental umbilical cord insertion site was prospectively examined at the time of the routine first-trimester scan between 11 and 14 weeks as part of ongoing first-trimester sonographic screening for chromosomal abnormalities. RESULTS: Over a 1-year period, 533 consecutive singleton pregnancies were examined by a fetal medicine specialist at a median gestational age of 12 weeks. In 5 cases, a velamentous umbilical cord insertion was diagnosed, with a prevalence rate of 1 (0.9%) per 107. The diagnosis was further confirmed at the second-trimester scan and at the time of delivery in all cases. CONCLUSIONS: The placental umbilical cord insertion site can be readily determined by sonography at the time of the 11- to 14-week scan. Sonographic examination at this early gestational age provides the opportunity for screening for velamentous insertion of the umbilical cord in the first trimester, allowing close surveillance of the pregnancy for potential complications associated with this condition.     

Transvaginal sonography in the detection of retained products of conception after first-trimester spontaneous abortion

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to assess the use of transvaginal sonography to detect retained products of conception after first-trimester spontaneous abortion. METHODS: All women who arrived at our hospital with spontaneous first-trimester abortions were included in this study and underwent transvaginal sonography. A sonographic diagnosis of "incomplete abortion" was based on a bilayer endometrial thickness of more than 8 mm. The final diagnosis of complete or incomplete abortion was based on the histopathologic findings at dilatation and curettage. The sensitivity and specificity of both clinical and sonographic examinations for detecting products of conception were assessed. RESULTS: A total of 113 women were recruited, and 14 were excluded for various reasons. Among 52 women with a clinically incomplete abortion, only 50% had retained products of conception. The use of transvaginal sonography resulted in a 29% (15/52) reduction of surgical intervention in these women. On the other hand, 30% (14/47) of women with a clinical diagnosis of complete abortion had retained products of conception. The sensitivity and specificity of cervical status for detecting retained products of conception were 65% and 56%, respectively, whereas the overall sensitivity and specificity of transvaginal sonographic examination (bilayer endometrial thickness 8 mm or less) were 100% and 80%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Transvaginal sonography is a useful supplement to clinical assessment in women who experience a spontaneous first-trimester abortion. If this modality is used to assess the uterine cavity, the cervical status can be ignored. Use of transvaginal sonography should reduce unnecessary general anesthesia and uterine curettage.