Higher Dosage of HIFU Treatment May Lead to Higher and Longer Efficacy for Moderate to Severe Perennial Allergic Rhinitis

Objectives: This study was to compare the efficacies and side effects of high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) treatment for perennial allergic rhinitis (PAR) with regular and increased dosage.Study design: A prospectively assembled cohort was retrospectively analyzed through visual analogue scale (VAS).Methods: Regular dosage of HIFU treatment was applied to 56 PAR patients in group A. An increased dosage as twice as the regular one was applied to 48 patients in group B. Nasal obstruction, sneezing, rhinorrhea and rhinocnesmus, which were recognized as the four main symptoms of allergic rhinitis (AR), were evaluated before treatment, 3 months after treatment, and 1 year after treatment. The satisfaction of patients was also evaluated at 1 year postoperatively. Biopsy of the inferior turbinate and morphometric analysis were applied to 11 patients in group A and 10 in group B before HIFU treatment and 3 months after treatment.Results: Comparing the AR symptoms before treatment, There is no statistical difference observed between group A and B (p>0.05). The four main symptoms at 3 months and 1 year after treatment were all significantly improved (p<0.01) in both group A and B. The VAS scores of AR symptoms in Group B were lower than those in Group A at the same stage after treatment, especially at 1 year after treatment (p<0.05). Comparing the results at 3 months and 1 year after treatment, a tendency of recurrence of these symptoms was observed statistically in group A (p<0.05), but not in group B (p>0.05). More cases of nasal dryness and perirhinal swelling were found in group B than those in group A (p<0.05), while all side effects were mild and temporary. Patients in group B were more satisfied than those in group A (p=0.0866 >0.05), though not statistically significant. More reduction of the eosinophils, other inflammatory cells, and the submucosal glands was observed after HIFU treatment in group B than that in group A (p<0.05).Conclusions: A proper increment of HIFU dosage may be recommended to meet the needs of more improvement of AR symptoms and less recurrence.     

Pediatrician performed point-of-care ultrasound for the detection of ingested foreign bodies: case series and review of the literature

PurposeForeign body (FB) ingestions represent a common problem in children. History and physical examination are commonly not enough to diagnose a foreign body ingestion; therefore, conventional radiography is routinely used to detect them. Point-of-care ultrasound is widely used in the emergency department for several diagnostic applications but there are few articles describing the possibility to use point-of-care ultrasound to detect ingested foreign bodies, and the necessary training to get competent in this application. The main objective of this paper is to illustrate the use of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) to detect ingested foreign bodies. The secondary objective is to describe a limited training, necessary for emergency pediatricians, to obtain this skill.MethodsThis is a case series of eight pediatric patients who presented to the pediatric Emergency Department (ED), with suspected ingestion of FB, and were assessed with POCUS. Physician sonographers were two pediatricians and three residents in pediatrics working in two Italian Pediatric EDs. All sonographers participated in a 2-day POCUS workshop which included the most common pediatric POCUS applications.ResultsPOCUS, performed by emergency pediatricians who participated to a limited training, allowed to always identify the foreign bodies ingested.ConclusionsWe demonstrate that an appropriate and limited training allows pediatric emergency physicians to correctly identify foreign body in the esophagus or stomach. Point-of-care ultrasound in foreign body ingestion in the Emergency Department may allow to prioritize the escalation of care in children and it can contribute to reduce the time to endoscopic management when needed.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1007/s40477-020-00452-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

三级防护下超声引导外周动脉置管在新型冠状病毒肺炎重症患者中的应用

目的探讨超声引导技术在重症新型冠状病毒肺炎(coronavirus disease 2019, COVID-19)患者外周动脉导管留置中的应用效果。方法回顾性收集并分析2020年2月至4月北京协和医院援鄂医疗队诊治的留置外周动脉导管的重症COVID-19患者临床资料。采用超声引导外周动脉置管的患者为研究组,采用传统触诊法置管的患者为对照组。比较两组患者动脉导管留置情况和并发症发生率。结果共60例符合纳入和排除标准的重症COVID-19患者入选本研究。其中研究组30例、对照组30例。研究组外周动脉首次置管成功率(63.3%比26.7%)、总穿刺成功率[(79.43±25.79)%比(53.07±30.21)%]均高于对照组(P均<0.05),穿刺次数[(1.43±0.56)次比(2.50±1.28)次]少于对照组(P<0.05)。研究组外周动脉导管留置的24 h失用率(6.7%比30.0%)、局部血肿发生率(10.0%比36.7%)、阻塞曲折发生率(3.3%比40.0%)均低于对照组(P均<0.05)。结论三级防护下,应用超声引导技术对重症COVID-19患者进行外周动脉置管,可提高首次置管成功率,减少穿刺次数,降低并发症发生率。     

Paediatric focal nodular hyperplasia: A case study of typical contrast-enhanced ultrasound findings with quantitative analysis and correlated with magnetic resonance imaging

IntroductionFocal nodular hyperplasia, a benign liver tumour, is the second most common focal benign liver lesion, after a cavernous haemangioma. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound is used increasingly for the diagnostic work up and follow-up of focal liver lesions in adults, but is particularly valuable in the paediatric population, with the ability to reduce radiation and the nephrotoxic contrast agents used in computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging. Confident recognition of focal nodular hyperplasia is important; it is benign, usually asymptomatic, of no clinical significance, of no clinical consequence or malignant potential. We present a case of focal nodular hyperplasia of the liver with its characteristic findings on conventional ultrasound, contrast-enhanced ultrasound with quantitative analysis and correlated with magnetic resonance imaging.Case presentation: A 15-year-old female with right upper quadrant abdominal pain was referred for liver ultrasound. A focal liver lesion was detected on B-mode ultrasound examination, and colour Doppler demonstrated no specific features. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound examination demonstrated early arterial enhancement, with a characteristic spoke-wheel pattern, centrifugal uniform filling of the lesion on the late arterial phase and sustained enhancement on the portal venous phase. Quantitative contrast-enhanced ultrasound has been performed, showing a typical curve of enhancement, as well as characteristic parametric images, supporting the interpretation of contrast-enhanced ultrasound and assisting the diagnosis. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a central T2 hyperintense scar and similar enhancement characteristics as contrast-enhanced ultrasound on T1 gadolinium-enhanced sequences.ConclusionContrast-enhanced ultrasound is a useful technique for the differentiation of benign from malignant liver lesions and has the potential to establish the diagnosis of focal nodular hyperplasia, based on the enhancement pattern, which is similar to that observed on magnetic resonance imaging but can be better appreciated with superior temporal, contrast and spatial resolution of contrast-enhanced ultrasound.     

经阴道彩超联合宫腔镜诊断子宫内膜病变的价值研究

目的:对子宫内膜病变患者联合应用TVS+HS诊断,并分析其应用价值。方法:选取2018年12月—2020年11月我院治疗的82例疑似子宫内膜病变患者,所有患者均于月经结束后3~7 d安排TVS、HS检查,以病理检查为依据,判断TVS、HS单独检查及联合检查的诊断价值。结果:TVS单独诊断的敏感度为70.83%,特异度为70%,准确度为70.73%;HS单独诊断分别为80.56%、80.00%、80.49%,TVS+HS诊断分别为95.83%、90.00%、95.12%。TVS+HS诊断的敏感度、特异度明显高于TVS、HS单独诊断(P<0.05);TVS+HS对EH、EP、子宫内膜炎的诊断准确率明显高于TVS、HS单独诊断(P<0.05)。结论:TVS+HS联合诊断对子宫内膜病变的诊断价值明显高于两者单独诊断,尤其是在EH、EP、子宫内膜炎诊断鉴别方面,其准确率更高,值得推广。     

The Immediate Effects of Foam Rolling and Stretching on Iliotibial Band Stiffness: A Randomized Controlled Trial

BackgroundIliotibial Band Syndrome (ITBS) is a common clinical condition likely caused by abnormal compressive forces to the iliotibial band (ITB). Stretching interventions are common in ITBS treatment and may predominantly affect tensor fascia latae (TFL). Another ITBS treatment is foam rolling, which may more directly affect the ITB. Shear wave ultrasound elastography (SWUE) measures real-time soft tissue stiffness, allowing tissue changes to be measured and compared.PurposeTo examine effects of foam rolling and iliotibial complex stretching on ITB stiffness at 0˚ and 10˚ of hip adduction and hip adduction passive range of motion (PROM).Study DesignRandomized controlled trial.MethodsData from 11 males (age = 30.5 ± 9.0 years, Body Mass Index (BMI) = 27.8 ± 4.0) and 19 females (age = 23.5 ± 4.9, BMI = 23.2 ± 2.1) were analyzed for this study. Subjects were randomly assigned to one of three groups: control, stretching, and foam rolling. Shear wave ultrasound elastography measurements included ITB Young’s modulus at the mid-thigh, the distal femur and the TFL muscle belly. ITB-to-femur depth was measured at mid-thigh level. Hip adduction PROM was measured from digital images taken during the movement.ResultsNo significant interactions or main effects were found for group or time differences in ITB Young’s modulus at the three measured locations. The ITB stiffness at the mid-thigh and distal femur increased with 10° adduction, but TFL stiffness did not increase. A main effect for adduction PROM was observed, where PROM increased 0.8˚ post-treatment (p = 0.02).ConclusionA single episode of stretching and foam rolling does not affect short-term ITB stiffness. The lack of ITB stiffness changes may be from an inadequate intervention stimulus or indicate that the interventions have no impact on ITB stiffness.Levels of Evidence1b     

三维超声监测肛提肌裂孔形态改变动态评估女性产后盆底器官脱垂的研究

目的:研究分析三维超声监测肛提肌裂孔形态改变动态评估女性产后盆底器官脱垂的价值。方法:选取2019年6月—2020年10月在我院诊治的40例肛提肌裂孔形态改变研究对象作为此次研究组研究对象,收集40例同一时期的未孕女性为参照组。同时给予两组研究对象三维超声监测,分析三维超声监测在,女性提肌裂孔形态改变动态评估女性产后盆底器官脱垂的价值。结果:在三维超声监测下,可以知道在不同状态下研究组的肛提肌裂孔面积均大于参照组,组间差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);在不同状态下研究组的产后盆底器官脱垂情况对比,研究组与参照组研究对象的静息下直肠壶腹部组间没有明显差异,其自身不存在统计学意义(P>0.05),除此之外的静息下子宫颈、静息下膀胱、瓦氏动作下直肠壶腹部、瓦氏动作下子宫颈以及瓦氏动作下膀胱的两组研究对象的位置存在很大的差异,经过统计学软件分析可以得到其自身组间差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论:肛提肌裂孔形态改变研究对象经过三维超声监测,可以动态评估自身存在产后的盆地器官脱落情况,得到肛提肌裂孔的形态、大小以及变化趋势,实现疾病的良好预测。     

应用高频超声建立未育女性腹直肌间距正常值参考范围及影响因素分析

目的 应用高频超声测量未育女性在四个位置的腹直肌间距并分析相关因素,旨在初步制定正常腹直肌间距(IRD)的参考值范围。 方法 选取2019年6月至2019年9月在我院行健康体检的106名健康未育女性志愿者,体质量指数（BMI）均≤30kg/m2,应用高频超声分别于仰卧位静息状态及卷腹动作测量脐上3cm、脐部、脐下2cm和脐下3cm四个位置的IRD,应用百分位数法计算IRD参考值范围,并分析IRD与年龄、身高、体重、BMI指数之间的关系。 结果 未育女性仰卧位静息状态IRD正常值范围如下：脐上3cm为4~15mm,脐部为5~20mm,脐下2cm为0~7mm,脐下3cm为0~3mm。相关性分析显示IRD与年龄、身高无相关性,与体重和BMI指数呈较弱的正相关。 结论 本研究应用高频超声初步建立了未育女性IRD的参考值范围,为腹直肌分离的诊断提供了依据,IRD与体重和BMI指数呈较弱的正相关。