经会阴部超声检查肛管周围感染性疾病

目的：评价经会阴部超声检查法对肛周感染性病变的诊断意义。方法：通过对54例肛周肿物患者与10例正常组的对照检查，显示肛周括约肌及肛周病变，并与手术结果对照。患者取膀胱截石位，选用3-6MHz凸阵探头和5-10MHz线阵探头进行检查。结果：所有受检者均能清晰显示肛管内外括约肌。异常组发现肛周脓肿23例，肛周脓肿合并肛瘘或窦道形成31例，除未发现合并复合高位脓肿及肛瘘各1例外，其他均与手术结果相吻合。结论：经会阴部超声法检查肛管周围感染性疾病是一种简便、易行的方法，值得临床推广。     

Prospective assessment of interobserver agreement for endoanal MRI in fecal incontinence

BACKGROUND: Endoanal magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is a new technique for the assessment of anal sphincter integrity in fecal incontinence and an alternative to anal endosonography. The present study aimed to determine interobserver variation for assessment of anal sphincter integrity using endoanal MR imaging. METHODS: Fifty-two consecutive anally incontinent patients underwent MR imaging by using a purpose-built endoanal receiver coil and static 1.0-T magnet. T2-weighted axial, coronal, and sagittal scans were independently assessed by two radiologists who noted external and internal sphincter integrity. Findings were compared and agreement was assessed with the kappa statistic. RESULTS: There was disagreement in 18 of 49 technically adequate studies (37%; kappa = 0.46), indicating "moderate" agreement. Agreement was strongest if the sphincters were either both intact or both disrupted. Observers agreed in only one diagnosis of an isolated internal sphincter defect and in no diagnosis of an isolated external sphincter defect. CONCLUSION: The overall interobserver agreement for assessment of sphincter integrity using endoanal MR imaging is "moderate." Interobserver agreement using endoanal MR imaging is less than that reported for anal endosonography.     

Endoanal sonography in the assessment of perianal endometriosis with external anal sphincter involvement

Endoanal sonography can be used in the assessment of benign and malignant anal conditions and to evaluate the anatomy of the anal sphincters. We used endoanal sonography with a 10-MHz rotating endocavitary probe to evaluate a 45-year-old woman with a perianal mass, fecal incontinence, and menses-associated perianal pain. She had had 2 vaginal deliveries requiring episiotomies. Biopsy of the mass showed endometrial tissue. The ultrasound examination showed a perianal mass and an external anal sphincter injury. A wide excision and sphincteroplasty were performed, with improvement of fecal continence and pain. Histopathologic examination of the mass confirmed perianal endometrioma in an episiotomy scar.     

MRI增强扫描在肛周脓肿术前诊断中的价值

目的探讨MRI不同方位及序列成像,尤其是冠状位及轴位T1WI压脂增强序列在肛周脓肿的术前诊断中的价值。方法经手术证实的30例脓肿患者全部进行增强MRI扫描。以手术结果为对照标准,统计分析MRI扫描三种序列组合对各种类型肛周脓肿及内口的检出率,并与直肠指诊进行对照分析。结果 30例患者手术证实52个脓肿,30个内口。直肠指诊肛周脓肿43个,检出率为82.69%,其中括约肌间脓肿15个,坐骨肛管间隙脓肿23个,肛提肌上方脓肿5个,正确的内口22个,检出率为73.33%。MRI轴位联合冠状位T1WI压脂增强序列检出肛周脓肿52个,检出率最高为100%,其中括约肌间脓肿18个,坐骨肛管间隙脓肿23个,肛提肌上方脓肿11个,正确的内口29个,检出率为96.67%。两组比较,对于肛提肌上方脓肿和内口的检出有统计学意义(P值分别为0.017和0.030)。结论肛周脓肿术前MRI增强扫描,能发现更多的肛提肌上方脓肿及明确的内口,为外科手术方式的选择提供更可信的影像资料。     

The role of magnetic resonance imaging in the evaluation of isolated mild ventriculomegaly.

OBJECTIVE: Isolated mild ventriculomegaly is defined as dilatation of the lateral ventricle from 10 to 15 mm, with no other structural abnormalities observed at the time of diagnosis. Its reported frequency is between 1 per 50 and 1 per 700 deliveries. There are no universal recommendations for evaluation of isolated mild ventriculomegaly. Targeted sonography, karyotype analysis, and viral antigen testing, particularly for cytomegalovirus, are most often used for further investigation of this finding. We studied the role of magnetic resonance imaging as part of the prenatal evaluation of isolated mild ventriculomegaly. METHODS: Thirty-six pregnant women were referred to 2 Hadassah hospitals between 1999 and 2002 for evaluation of isolated mild ventriculomegaly. They underwent targeted sonography to exclude other anomalies, genetic amniocentesis for fetal karyotype, and serologic cytomegalovirus tests. Mild ventriculomegaly was the only pathologic finding diagnosed. Fetal brain magnetic resonance imaging was performed to evaluate the correlation between sonographic and magnetic resonance imaging findings and the additional contribution of magnetic resonance imaging in evaluating isolated mild ventriculomegaly. RESULTS: Thirty-six magnetic resonance imaging studies were performed. All tests were adequate for evaluation. In 3 (8.3%) of 36 cases, magnetic resonance imaging showed additional findings: in a severely obese woman, ventricular dilatation up to 18 mm and periventricular cystic lesions with abnormal sulcation suggestive of diffuse parenchymal abnormality were diagnosed, and in 2 cases, bleeding in germinal centers was found. On subsequent sonographic examination, no other finding but isolated mild ventriculomegaly was diagnosed. In the remaining 33 women (91.7%), magnetic resonance imaging studies correlated well with sonographic findings. Further sonographic follow-up in this subgroup failed to reveal any other pathologic findings. CONCLUSIONS: Our study supports the view that magnetic resonance imaging should be considered as part of the evaluation of isolated mild ventriculomegaly, especially when objective difficulties preclude detailed sonographic examination.     

Sonographic and magnetic resonance imaging findings in uterine incarceration

We show the sonographic and magnetic resonance imaging features of uterine incarceration. Clinical data and imaging findings were retrospectively reviewed for 8 confirmed cases identified by sonography from 2000 to 2010. Two patients had magnetic resonance imaging. Seven of 8 patients (87.5%) presented with abdominal pain; 4 of 8 (50.0%) also had urinary symptoms. All had a retroverted uterus with an elongated anterosuperiorly displaced or poorly visualized cervix on sonography. Magnetic resonance imaging showed similar features, but in both cases, the placental position was misinterpreted because of severe uterine retroversion. Radiologists should be aware of this condition and its imaging features to reduce associated morbidity and mortality.     

Role of transcutaneous perianal ultrasonography in evaluation of fistulas in ano.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of transcutaneous perianal ultrasonography in evaluation of fistulas in ano and to assess its possible role as a first-line investigation, for follow-up, and as a possible substitute for magnetic resonance imaging. METHODS: Transcutaneous perianal ultrasonography was performed in 30 patients with fistulas in ano with the use of a 3- to 6-MHz sector probe, a 7- to 11-MHz linear probe, and a 5- to 7-MHz endocavitary probe. Patients were followed clinically and at surgery to assess the accuracy of transcutaneous perianal ultrasonography. RESULTS: A total of 43 fistulas, sinus tracts, or both were found in 26 patients. They appeared as hypoechoic tracts. Eleven of 30 patients had the presence of a collection or abscess, which appeared as hypoechoic areas. Twenty-four of 29 patients with positive findings underwent surgery. In these, 35 of 39 tracts were surgically confirmed (positive predictive value, 90%). The positive predictive value for demonstration of an internal opening was 85% (22/26) when compared with direct visualization or probing. Sensitivity for detection of tracts was 100%, and that for demonstration of an internal opening was 96% (26/27). The negative predictive value for sinus/fistulous tracts was nearly 100%. Transcutaneous perianal ultrasonography could not adequately evaluate suprasphincteric-type fistulas. However, it is a good, inexpensive modality in the evaluation of patients with fistulas in ano and also helps in follow-up of these patients. It can also be used to select patients who need magnetic resonance imaging. CONCLUSIONS: Transcutaneous perianal ultrasonography has the potential to become the first investigation in patients with perianal fistulas and abscesses.     

Anal endosonography: Technique and normal anatomy

Anal endosonography using a specially designed hard cone attachment to a radial 7-MHz probe has been performed in 26 normal patients — 3 patients following lateral anal sphincterotomy, 1 patient undergoing electromyophysiological mapping of the external anal sphincter, and in 2 resected specimens. The examinations were rapid, simple, and well tolerated, and they provided high-resolution images of the five layers of the anal canal: mucosa, submucosa, internal anal sphincter, intersphincteric plane, and external anal sphincter. Views of the ischiorectal fossa were limited. The configuration of the anterior part of the external anal sphincter differed between males and females.     

Endoanorectal ultrasonography

Endoanorectal ultrasonography (EARUS) may be used for diagnosing various anorectal disorders. EARUS is easy to perform, has a short learning curve, and causes less discomfort than routine digital examination. Anal sphincters can be clearly visualized, and one can easily distinguish between the internal (hypoechoic) and external (hyperechoic) anal sphincters. Other pelvic floor structures, like the puborectalis muscle, can also be visualized. The use of contrast agents can increase the accuracy of EARUS in the assessment of perianal fistulae. In addition, EARUS is an excellent alternative to expensive magnetic resonance imaging. Besides its use in incontinence and perianal sepsis, the presence of slight or massive submucosal invasion in early rectal cancer may be imaged in greater detail. With 3-dimensional EARUS, it is possible to diagnose the anorectal diseases, in multiplane, with high spatial resolution, adding important information about the therapeutic decision. The normal sonographic anatomy of the anorectum, sonographic findings of anorectal diseases, and indications and limitations of endosonography with complementary techniques such as transvaginal and transperineal ultrasound are reviewed in this article.     

Unusual sonographic finding in a patient with late recurrence of a perianal fistula

We describe a case of late recurrence of a perianal fistula in a 51-year-old man with a 4.5-year history of recurrent perianal fistulas and abscesses. This was the fourth recurrence he had experienced; at each occurrence, he had undergone various examinations, including sigmoidoscopy, anoscopy, barium enema, fistulography, probe exploration, instillation of hydrogen peroxide, and/or sonography, and he had also undergone surgery. At our examination, transperineal sonography with a portable ultrasound scanner revealed an echogenic linear structure within the fistulous tract. Under endoanal sonographic guidance, surgery was performed, and a tan solid cylindrical structure longer than 2 cm was removed. Histopathologic examination revealed stratified squamous epithelium and soft tissue with substantial fibrosis and mild chronic inflammation, findings consistent with the characteristics of a remnant cast from a previous fistulous tract. Our findings suggest that some patients may benefit from relatively inexpensive sonographic examination with appropriate transducers.     

Adenomyosis:common and uncommon manifestations on sonography and magnetic resonance imaging.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this presentation is to show the imaging findings of the common and uncommon variants of adenomyosis as seen on sonography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). METHODS: A 3-year database search was performed to identify women who had pelvic sonography and pelvic MRI within a 6-month interval. Images of these cases were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: Eighty women were identified. Adenomyosis was diagnosed on MRI, which was used as the reference standard, in 45 of these women. The correct diagnosis was made on sonography in 73% of the cases. CONCLUSIONS: Awareness of the spectrum of imaging features of adenomyosis is important to use sonography effectively for diagnosing this entity and to help avoid misdiagnosis.     

Endosonographic evaluation of perianal fistulas and abscesses: comparison of two instruments and assessment of the role of hydrogen peroxide injection

PURPOSE: The aims of this study were to compare the performance of a mechanical radial endosonoscope and an endorectal electronic probe and to evaluate the value of hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) injection in the diagnosis of perianal fistulas. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Sixty-one patients underwent clinical and endosonographic studies for suspected perianal fistulas or abscesses. Endosonography was performed using two instruments: a mechanical radial endosonoscope (Olympus GF-UM20) and an electronic endorectal probe (Hitachi EUP-R53). The patients were re-examined during and following H(2)O(2) injection using both systems. RESULTS: Thirty-seven fistulous tracts were visualized with the electronic endorectal probe versus only 9 with the mechanical radial endosonoscope. Four patients had anal stenosis, precluding the use of the larger electronic probe. Three fistulas were detected in these patients using the mechanical radial endosonoscope. H(2)O(2) injection was not feasible in 26 patients (43%). Visualization of 11 (31%) fistulas improved after administration of H(2)O(2). Six fistulous tracts not detected before H(2)O(2) administration were clearly visualized during injection and for several minutes thereafter. CONCLUSIONS: Work-up of perianal fistula should be preferably performed using the endorectal electronic probe. However, the mechanical radial endoscope is preferred in patients with anal stricture. H(2)O(2) injection should become an integral part of every sonographic study of perianal fistulas.     

Endosonography of anal canal diseases

Anal endosonography became a valuable imaging method for diagnosis of anal diseases because of its accessibility, relative simplicity of performance, and low cost. It is used most often to detect anal sphincter defects, to classify anal fistulas and perianal abscesses, and to stage anal tumors. This review presents a normal anatomy of the anal canal, examination technique, and normal endosonographic anatomy of anal sphincters. The endosonographic findings of anal sepsis, malignancy, trauma, abnormalities in Crohn disease, and ulcerative colitis, as well as the role for anal endosonography among other imaging modalities, are discussed.     

Sonographic diagnosis of plantar vein thrombosis: report of 3 cases.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this series is to describe sonographic findings in 3 patients with plantar vein thrombosis. METHODS: Three patients had sudden pain and swelling at the plantar side of the affected foot. Sonography of the plantar foot was performed with a broadband linear array working at 5 to 12 MHz. Gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging was performed in 1 patient. RESULTS: Sonography showed enlarged incompressible plantar veins in all 3 cases. Magnetic resonance imaging confirmed venous thrombosis in 1 case. CONCLUSIONS: Pain and swelling at the plantar side of the foot can be caused by plantar vein thrombosis. This type of rare thrombosis can be diagnosed with sonography.     

Polyorchidism: report of 3 cases and review of the literature.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the embryologic, clinical, sonographic, and magnetic resonance imaging features of polyorchidism and to review the literature on similar cases. METHODS: Over a 5-year period, we encountered 3 patients who were found to have polyorchidism on scrotal sonography. All 3 patients had a painless scrotal mass. Two patients also had magnetic resonance imaging of the scrotum, and the results were correlated with the sonograms. We also performed a literature search for other reports of polyorchidism. RESULTS: One patient had 2 right testicles and a single left testicle. The second patient had 3 left testicles and 1 right testicle. In the third patient, who had 2 left testicles and 1 right testicle, microlithiasis was found in all 3 testes. The supernumerary testes were within the scrotum in all cases. All testicles were identified by sonography. Magnetic resonance imaging in 2 cases provided confirmatory data regarding the presence of an extra testicle but did not add other relevant information. Conservative treatment was chosen in all cases. CONCLUSIONS: Polyorchidism is a rare congenital anomaly. There are characteristic sonographic features of polyorchidism, and the diagnosis is often made on the basis of sonography. Magnetic resonance imaging can be used for confirmation but may be more helpful in cases complicated by cryptorchism or neoplasia. Conservative treatment is advised in uncomplicated cases.     

Fine‐tuning the Diagnosis of Fetal Scalp Cysts

Objective. The purpose of this series is to emphasize the importance of an exhaustive and appropriately conducted sonographic examination in the correct diagnosis of fetal cystic scalp lesions and the place of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the diagnostic sequence. Methods. Transabdominal and transvaginal 2‐ and 3‐dimensional sonography with color and power Doppler imaging as well as 3‐dimensional rendering techniques such as inversion and Doppler angiography were used. In 1 case, an MRI study was performed. Results. In 1 case, the MRI missed and the different sonographic techniques correctly made the diagnosis of a meningocele. In the second case, sonography was sufficient to establish the diagnosis of an epidermal cyst. Conclusions. These 2 cases show the value of going the distance with the newly available high‐frequency sonography. Ultimately, the correct diagnoses were made with the tools offered by sonography without the need for any other imaging modality.     

Clinical utility of sonography in diagnosing plantar fasciitis.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy of sonography in the detection of plantar fasciitis (PF) compared with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in subjects with inferior heel pain. METHODS: Seventy-seven patients with unilateral (n = 9) and bilateral (n = 68) heel pain were studied. Seventy-seven age- and sex-matched asymptomatic subjects served as a control group. Magnetic resonance imaging was used to establish a diagnosis of PF with sagittal T1-weighted, T2-weighted, and short tau inversion recovery sequences. The sonographic appearances of PF were compared with MRI findings. Plantar fascia and heel pad thickness were also measured on both imaging modalities. RESULTS: Compared with MRI, sonography showed 80% sensitivity and 88.5% specificity in assessing PF. A strong correlation was found between plantar fascia and fat pad thickness measurements done by sonography (P < .001; r = 0.854) and MRI (P < .001; r = 0.798). Compared with the asymptomatic volunteers, patients with PF had significant increases in plantar fascia and heel pad thicknesses, weight, and body mass index (P = .0001). Heel pad thickness was also significantly increased with pain duration (P = .021). CONCLUSIONS: Although MRI is the modality of choice in the morphologic assessment of different plantar fascia lesions, sonography can also serve as an effective tool and may substitute MRI in the diagnosis of PF.     

Correlation between estimates of tumor perfusion from microbubble contrast-enhanced sonography and dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging.

OBJECTIVE: We compared measurements of tumor perfusion from microbubble contrast-enhanced sonography (MCES) and dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) in an animal tumor model. METHODS: Seven mice were implanted with Lewis lung carcinoma cells on their hind limbs and imaged 14 days later with a Philips 5- to 7-MHz sonography system (Philips Medical Systems, Andover, MA) and a Varian 7.0-T MRI system (Varian, Inc, Palo Alto, CA). For sonographic imaging 100 microL of a perfluoropropane microbubble contrast agent (Definity; Bristol-Myers Squibb Medical Imaging, Billerica, MA) was injected and allowed to reach a pseudo steady state, after which a high-mechanical index pulse was delivered to destroy the microbubbles within the field of view, and the replenishment of the microbubbles was imaged for 30 to 60 seconds. The MRI included acquisition of a T(10) map and 35 serial T(1)-weighted images (repetition time, 100 milliseconds; echo time, 3.1 milliseconds; alpha, 30 degrees ) after the injection of 100 microL of 0.2-mmol/kg gadopentetate dimeglumine (Magnevist; Berlex, Wayne, NJ). Region-of-interest and voxel-by-voxel analyses of both data sets were performed; microbubble contrast-enhanced sonography returned estimates of microvessel cross-sectional area, microbubble velocity, and mean blood flow, whereas DCE-MRI returned estimates of a perfusion-permeability index and the extravascular extracellular volume fraction. RESULTS: Comparing similar regions of tumor tissue seen on sonography and MRI, region-of-interest analyses revealed a strong (r(2) = 0.57) and significant relationship (P < .002) between the estimates of perfusion obtained by the two modalities. CONCLUSIONS: Microbubble contrast-enhanced sonography can effectively depict intratumoral heterogeneity in preclinical xenograft models when voxel-by-voxel analysis is performed, and this analysis correlates with similar DCE-MRI measurements.     

Diagnosis of pregnancy-associated uterine venous plexus thrombosis on the basis of transvaginal sonography.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the sonographic signs of uterine venous plexus thrombosis. METHODS: Four pregnant patients had a diagnosis of uterine venous plexus thrombosis in the first half of gestation. The diagnosis was based on transvaginal sonography only in 3 cases, and the fourth had magnetic resonance imaging corroboration. RESULTS: All 4 patients had similar sonographic features of uterine venous plexus thrombosis on transvaginal sonographic examination. The thrombi within the dilated veins were shown as elongated echogenic structures along the lumen that appeared round on transverse views of the affected veins. They showed swinging movements provoked by gentle transducer pressure. Power and color Doppler sonography enhanced the uterine venous plexus thrombosis diagnosis by showing blood flow around the thrombi. There were no signs of thromboembolic disease. Sonographic findings in deep leg veins and iliac veins were normal in all cases. Complete thrombophilia studies did not reveal any abnormalities. The uterine venous plexus thrombosis could not be detected on transabdominal sonography and was shown better by transvaginal sonography compared with magnetic resonance imaging. During 3 months of anticoagulation therapy, the thrombi gradually disappeared in all cases. CONCLUSIONS: Focusing on the pelvic veins while performing a transvaginal sonographic study during pregnancy may reveal important findings, which may have clinical implications. The therapeutic treatment of uterine venous plexus thrombosis is controversial and still empirical.