3-D Ultrasound and Thyroid Cancer Diagnosis: A Prospective Study

This study tests the hypothesis that evaluation of thyroid nodule (TN) margin irregularities by three-dimensional ultrasound (3-D-US) distinguishes benign from malignant TNs with greater sensitivity and specificity than two-dimensional ultrasound (2-D-US). We prospectively evaluated 344 TNs using both 2-D-US and 3-D-US followed by fine needle aspiration biopsy. TNs were divided into four groups based on the 3-D-US appearance of the margins. Bi-variate and multi-variate analyses were used. Surgical pathology confirmed 44 thyroid cancers in 40 patients. For 2-D-US, irregular margins and micro-calcifications (p < 0.001) were found more frequently in malignant TNs. Irregular margins on 2-D-US had a sensitivity and specificity of 61.4% and 79.3%, respectively. Irregular margins on 3-D-US had a sensitivity and specificity of 86.4% and 83.3%, respectively. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values were higher for irregular margins on 3-D-US than micro-calcifications and irregular margins on 2-D-US. Evaluation of TN margins by 3-D-US distinguished benign from malignant TNs with greater sensitivity and specificity than 2-D-US.     

Diagnostic Performance Evaluation of Practice Guidelines,Elastography and Their Combined Results for Thyroid Nodules: A Multicenter Study

The purpose of this multicenter study was to compare the differential diagnostic value of the 2015 American Thyroid Association (ATA) and 2017 American College of Radiology (ACR) practice guidelines and elastography in thyroid nodules. This study also investigated whether the diagnostic value of practice guidelines can be improved, and the unnecessary biopsy rate decreased in combination with elastography. A total of 498 thyroid nodules were evaluated using the ATA and the ACR guidelines. Strain elastography, acoustic radiation force impulse imaging and point-shear wave elastography were used to assess the nodules. The suspicious levels were downgraded or upgraded after combination and unnecessary biopsy rates were calculated, respectively. The diagnostic performance of the practice guidelines was better than that of elastography. The ACR guidelines had a lower unnecessary biopsy rate and similar diagnostic performance compared with the ATA guidelines. The unnecessary biopsy rates significantly decreased when the ACR guidelines were combined with elastography, but the rates did not decrease when the ATA guidelines were combined with elastography.     

超声显像对甲状腺癌诊断价值的探讨

目的 评价超声显像对甲状腺癌的诊断价值。方法 应用超声显像检测甲状腺癌的超声图像特征，并与手术病理结果对照。结果 27例甲状腺癌与手术病理对照符合率为51．85％(14／27)，其中18例甲状腺微小癌(病灶＜1．5cm)与手术病理对照符合率为38．9％(7／18)。结论 超声显像对甲状腺癌的诊断缺乏有力的依据，对甲状腺微小癌的早期诊断有待于进一步深入研究。     

Doppler超声和CT在肝癌定性诊断中的对照研究

本文对１０２例（共１１９个）均经手术及／或病理证实的肝内实质占位进行了Ｄｏｐｐｌｅｒ超声（ＣＤＦＩ和ＰＤ）与ＣＴ的对照研究。其中，原发性肝癌６９例（７５个病灶），转移性肝癌５例（６个病灶），肝海绵状血管瘤２２例（３０个病灶），其它病变６例（８个病灶）。结果表明Ｄｏｐｐｌｅｒ（ＣＤＦＩ＋ＰＤ）与常规超声相结合，则其对肝癌定性诊断的特异性（９７．２２％）显著高于ＣＴ诊断的特异性（７１．４５％），同时亦显著高于常规超声特异性（６６．６７％），因而认为Ｄｏｐｐｌｅｒ超声在肝癌定性诊断的特异性方面优于ＣＴ。研究还发现ＣＴ的特异性较低主要是由于≤３ｃｍ组的特异性较低所致。另外，Ｄｏｐｐｌｅｒ超声对肝癌定性诊断的敏感性（９５．１８％）亦高于ＣＴ（９０．１２％），但统计学上无显著性差异（Ｐ＞０．０５），而其准确性（９５．８０％）却显著高于ＣＴ（８４．４８％）（Ｐ＜０．０５），因此Ｄｏｐｐｌｅｒ超声为肝癌诊断提供了一个新的手段。     

Ultrasound and the Evaluation of Pediatric Thyroid Malignancy: Current Recommendations for Diagnosis and Follow‐up

Ultrasound (US) plays a critical role in the evaluation, treatment, screening, and surveillance of thyroid malignancy in pediatric patients. This review aims to summarize recent advances in this topic. Improvements in imaging technology have amplified the advantage of US and US‐guided fine‐needle aspiration biopsy for thyroid nodule evaluation, cancer diagnosis, and surgical planning. Ultrasound has a definitive screening role for early cancer detection in high‐risk patients, including those with a history of radiation exposure from childhood treatments, environmental radiation disasters, or hereditary/familial cancer syndromes. Finally, US is a key component of lifelong surveillance for recurrence among pediatric thyroid cancer survivors.     

纵横比对于不同大小甲状腺乳头状癌的超声诊断价值研究

目的研究甲状腺乳头状癌的纵横比与肿瘤大小的关系以及该指标对于不同大小甲状腺乳头状癌的超声诊断价值。方法回顾性研究我院病理确诊的甲状腺乳头状癌的声像图特征,记录结节最大径线,根据结节的最大径d将其分为三组(d<1cm,1≤d<2cm,d≥2cm),分别计算横切面及纵切面的纵横比值。结果共纳入77个结节。在横切面与纵切面上,甲状腺乳头状癌的纵横比数值均随着结节的增大而减小。在甲状腺横切面上,纵横比>1诊断甲状腺乳头状癌的灵敏度随着结节的增大而减小,在最大径<1cm的结节中灵敏度最高,达76.2%。在甲状腺纵断面上,纵横比>1的诊断灵敏度也随着结节的增大而减小,对于最大径≥2cm的甲状腺癌的诊断灵敏度为0。纵横比>1在横切面上的诊断灵敏度高于纵切面。结论甲状腺乳头状癌的结节纵横比数值随着结节增大而减小,纵横比>1诊断甲状腺乳头状癌的灵敏度随着肿瘤增大而减小,且在横切面上高于纵切面。     

不同大小甲状腺结节超声弹性成像临床研究

目的 探讨超声弹性成像在不同大小甲状腺结节性疾病鉴别诊断中的应用价值.方法 对322例患者共390个甲状腺结节行超声弹性成像检查,根据结节长径(L)分为3组(组I:-L≤1 cm,组I:1cm＜L＜2 cm,组Ⅲ:L≥2 cm),甲状腺结节弹性评分采用5分法(0～4分),≤2分判断为良性结节,≥3分判断为恶性结节,以病理结果 为诊断金标准.结果 弹性成像在3组甲状腺结节中诊断的敏感性、准确性、阳性预测值、阴性预测值问的差异具有统计学意义,特异性差异无统计学意义.结论弹性成像对长径≤2 cm的甲状腺结节,特别是长径≤1 cm的甲状腺结节鉴别诊断价值更高.     

Diagnostic Performance of ICDAS II,FluoreCam and Ultrasound for Flat Surface Caries with Different Depths

The use of ultrasound for the diagnosis of natural caries lesions with different depths on flat surfaces of permanent molar teeth was studied. A total of 200 freshly extracted permanent molar teeth with natural caries lesions were included. After evaluation with International Caries and Detection Assessment System II (ICDAS II), mineral loss and lesions in the teeth were detected with a fluorescence device, FluoreCam and lesion depths were measured using ultrasound. The teeth were sectioned and examined histologically using a microscope. The intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.97 for the ultrasound system, 0.65 for the ICDAS II classification and 0.59 for FluoreCam (p < 0.001 for all). With an increase in ICDAS II scores, mean ultrasound values, FluoreCam–Size and microscope measurements increased numerically, while FluoreCam–Intensity and FluoreCam–Impact measurements inversely decreased (p < 0.001). There was a high level of agreement between histologic diagnosis and ultrasound. Ultrasound and FluoreCam can be used to detect enamel caries on flat surfaces.     

Performance of Dedicated Versus Integrated Bipolar Defibrillator Leads with CRT-Defibrillators: Results from a Prospective Multicenter Study

Introduction: Right ventricular (RV) anodal stimulation may occur in cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillators (CRT-D) when left ventricular (LV) pacing is configured between the LV lead and an electrode on the RV defibrillator lead. RV defibrillator leads can have a dedicated proximal pacing ring electrode (dedicated bipolar) or utilize the distal shocking coil as the proximal pacing electrode (integrated bipolar). This study compares the performance of integrated versus dedicated leads with respect to anodal stimulation incidence, sensing, and inappropriate ventricular tachyarrhythmia detection in patients implanted with CRT-D.
Methods: Two hundred ninety-two patients were randomly assigned to receive dedicated or integrated bipolar RV leads at the time of CRT-D implantation. Patients were followed for 6 months.
Results: Patients with dedicated bipolar RV leads exhibited markedly higher rates of anodal stimulation than did patients with integrated leads. The incidence of anodal stimulation was 64% at implant for dedicated bipolar RV leads compared to 1% for integrated bipolar RV leads. The likelihood of anodal stimulation in patients with dedicated leads fell progressively during the 6-month follow-up (51.5%), but always exceeded the incidence of anodal stimulation in patients with integrated leads (5%). Clinically detectable undersensing and oversensing were very unusual and did not differ significantly between lead designs. There were no inappropriate ventricular tachyarrhythmia detections for either lead type.
Conclusion: Integrated bipolar RV defibrillator leads had a significantly lower incidence of RV anodal stimulation when compared to dedicated bipolar RV defibrillation leads, with no clinically detectable oversensing or undersensing, and with no inappropriate ventricular tachyarrhythmia detections for either lead type.     

Using Ultrasound to Screen for Scoliosis to Reduce Unnecessary Radiographic Radiation: A Prospective Diagnostic Accuracy Study on 442 Schoolchildren

Scoliosis screening is important for timely initiation of brace treatment to mitigate curve progression in skeletally immature children and adolescents. School scoliosis screening programs in Hong Kong follow the protocol of referring children screened positive with a scoliometer and Moiré topography for confirmatory standard radiography. Despite being highly sensitive (88%) in detecting those who require specialist referral, the screening program was found to have a false-positive rate >50%, which could lead to unnecessary X-ray radiation. Radiation-free ultrasound has been reported to be valid and reliable for quantitative assessment of curve severity in scoliosis patients. The aim of this prospective diagnostic accuracy study was to determine the accuracy of ultrasound in determining the threshold of referral that requires X-ray for children screened positive with the scoliometer and Moiré topography. Our study recruited 442 schoolchildren with a mean Cobb angle of 14.0 ± 6.6°. The sensitivity and specificity of ultrasound in predicting the correct referral status, confirmed by X-ray, were 92.3% and 51.6%, with positive and negative predictive values of 29.0% and 96.9%, respectively. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed area under the curve values of 0.735 for ultrasound alone and 0.832 for ultrasound in combination with measurement of angle of trunk rotation. The finding supports the accuracy of using ultrasound to determine referral status, which could result in a >50% reduction of unnecessary radiation for children undergoing scoliosis screening.     

B-Mode Ultrasound Combined with Color Doppler and Strain Elastography in the Diagnosis of Non-mass Breast Lesions: A Prospective Study

Non-mass breast lesions on ultrasound (US) are areas without an associated mass. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether combining B-mode US with color Doppler US and strain elastography (SE) improves US differentiation between benign and malignant non-mass breast lesions and the decision for biopsy. In this prospective study, three different radiologists analyzed the US images of 77 non-mass lesions independently and recorded Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) categories for four data sets. The image characteristics and BI-RADS categories of the four data sets were analyzed by another radiologist. The final diagnosis was made on the basis of pathologic findings. Values for area under the receiver operating curve (AUC), sensitivity, specificity and accuracy were compared among the data sets. The AUC of B-mode US combined with both color Doppler US and SE was greater than that of B-mode US alone (0.666 vs. 0.828) (p = 0.011). The specificity of making the decision for biopsy increased from 6.5% to 38.7% when B-mode US was combined with color Doppler and SE, without a statistically significant change in sensitivity (p < 0.001). Combined use of color Doppler and SE could improve the diagnostic value of B-mode US in distinguishing benign from malignant non-mass breast lesions and the specificity of making the decision for biopsy of non-mass breast lesions.     

Short-and Long-Term Performance of a Tripolar Down-Sized Single Lead for Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator Treatment: A Randomized Prospective European Multicenter Study

A new, thinner (10 Fr) and more flexible, single-pass transvenous endocardial ICD lead, Endotak DSP, was compared with a conventional lead, Endotak C, as a control in a prospective randomized multicenter study in combination with a nonactive can ICD. A total of 123 patients were enrolled, 55 of whom received a down-sized DSP lead. Lead-alone configuration was successfully implanted in 95% of the DSP patients vs 88% in the control group. The mean defibrillation threshold (DFT) was determined by means of a step-down protocol, and was identical in the two groups, 10.5 ± 4.8 J in the DSP group versus 10.5 ± 4.8 J in the control group. At implantation, the DSP mean pacing threshold was lower, 0.51 ± 0.18 V versus 0.62 ± 0.35 V (p < 0.05) in the control group, and the mean pacing impedance higher, 594 ± 110 Ω vs 523 ± 135 Ω (p < 0.05). During the follow-up period, the statistically significant difference in thresholds disappeared, while the difference in impedance remained. Tachyarrhythmia treatment by shock or antitachycardia pacing (ATP) was delivered in 53% and 41%, respectively, of the patients with a 100% success rate. In the DSP group, all 28 episodes of polymorphic ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation were converted by the first shock as compared to 57 of 69 episodes (83%) in the control group (p < 0.05). Monomorphic ventricular tachycardias were terminated by ATP alone in 96% versus 94%. Lead related problems were minor and observed in 5% and 7%, respectively. In summary, both leads were safe and efficacious in the detection and treatment of ventricular tachyarrhythmias. There were no differences between the DSP and control groups regarding short- or long-term lead related complications.     

Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound Patterns for the Non-invasive Diagnosis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Prospective Multicenter Study in Histologically Proven Liver Lesions in a Real-Life Setting Demonstrating the Benefit of Extended Late Phase Observation

The hallmark for the non-invasive diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in cirrhosis is arterial phase hyperenhancement (APHE), followed by late-onset (>60 s), mild washout. Large retrospective studies report this pattern of washout to occur in the vast majority of HCCs. However, a prospective multicenter validation of these findings is still missing. Thus, we initiated a prospective multicenter validation study assessing CEUS enhancement patterns in focal liver lesions of patients at risk for HCC. We analyzed lesions that were eventually histology proven in a real-life setting. CEUS patterns were assessed for subgroups of HCC, intrahepatic cholangiocellular carcinoma (iCCA) and non-HCC, non-iCCA lesions. The diagnosis was HCC in 316 lesions (median size: 40 mm), iCCA in 26 lesions (median size: 47.5 mm) and non-HCC, non-iCCA in 53 lesions (median size: 27 mm). Overall, 85.8% of HCCs exhibited APHE. APHE followed by washout occurred in 72.8% of HCCs and 50% of iCCAs and non-HCC, non-iCCA malignancies (p < 0.05). Early and marked washout was associated more commonly with iCCA; HCCs exhibited mostly late and mild washout (onset >4–6 min in 10% of cases). Our prospective data confirm that the typical pattern of APHE followed by late-onset, mild washout occurs in the majority of HCCs.     

Physical Performance and Cognition as Predictors of Instrumental Activities of Daily Living After Stroke: A Prospective Multicenter Cohort Study

ObjectiveTo investigate whether cognition and physical performance, both separately and combined, 3 months post stroke predict change in instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) up to 18 months and whether different paths of IADL could be identified by different scenarios, defined by combinations of high and low scores on physical performance and cognition.DesignThe study is part of the Norwegian Cognitive Impairment After Stroke study, a prospective multicenter cohort study including patients with acute stroke.SettingStroke outpatient clinics at 3 university hospitals and 2 local hospitals.ParticipantsAdult survivors of stroke (N=544) were followed up at 3 and 18 months after stroke. Participants’ mean ± SD age was 72.6±11.8 years, and 235 (43.2 %) were female.InterventionsNot applicable.Main Outcome MeasuresThe primary outcome was IADL as measured by Nottingham Extended Activities of Daily Living. At 3 months, Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) were used to assess physical performance and cognition, respectively.ResultsMixed-effects linear regression analyses showed that the regression coefficient (95% CI) for the interaction with time was significant for MoCA, 0.238 (CI, 0.030-0.445; P=.025) but not for SPPB. The model combining SPPB and MoCA was significantly better than separate models (likelihood ratio P<.001). Overall, there was no improvement in IADL over time. A combination of SPPB and MoCA score in the upper quartile at 3 months was associated with improved IADL of 1.396 (CI, 0.252-2.540; P=.017) over time.ConclusionsCombining measures of cognition and physical performance gave the best prediction of change in IADL. Function at 3 months seems to be predictive for long-term IADL status, which highlights the importance of targeted rehabilitation in the early and subacute phases after stroke.     

高频超声所测肝脾指数对非酒精性脂肪肝分级诊断的多中心研究

目的 应用高频超声测量肝脾指数（HSI）,探讨其在非酒精性脂肪肝（NAFLD）分级诊断中的临床价值。方法 回顾性纳入全国5所医院共233例肝脏疾病患者,均经手术或肝脏穿刺获得脂肪肝病理学分级,并根据病理结果将研究对象分为正常组27例、轻度组77例、中度组83例、重度组46例。所有患者均于获得病理结果前14 d内进行超声检查,获得肝脏与脾脏平均灰度值比值即为HSI;收集患者临床资料,比较各组上述参数的差异。采用多元线性回归分析HSI与各临床资料及脂肪变性程度的相关性;绘制受试者工作特征（ROC）曲线分析HSI对不同程度肝脏脂肪变性的诊断效能。结果 轻度、中度、重度组与正常组年龄、谷草转氨酶（AST）、白蛋白（ALB）、总胆固醇（TC）、低密度脂蛋白（LDL）、甘油三酯（TG）比较,差异均有统计学意义（均P＜0.05）。正常组、轻度组、中度组、重度组HSI分别为1.04±0.09、1.11±0.14、1.22±0.13、1.33±0.17,各组比较差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）;其中重度组HSI最高,中度组、轻度组次之,正常组最低,各组两两比较差异均有统计学意义（均P＜0.05）。相关性分析显示,HSI与脂肪变性程度呈线性正相关（β=0.115,t=22.824,P＜0.001）。ROC曲线分析显示,HSI诊断有无肝脏脂肪变性、中度以上肝脏脂肪变性、重度肝脏脂肪变性的曲线下面积分别为0.84（95%可信区间： 0.76~0.91）、0.86（95%可信区间：0.81~0.91）、0.80（95%可信区间：0.72~0.88）,截断值分别为1.13、1.16、1.24,灵敏度和特异度分别为60.2%和92.3%、82.0%和92.4%、78.3%和86.6%。结论 高频超声所测HSI在NAFLD分级诊断中有重要的的临床价值。