Determination of Acoustic Cavitation Probabilities and Thresholds Using a Single Focusing Transducer to Induce and Detect Acoustic Cavitation Events: II. Systematic Investigation in an Agar Material

In the accompanying article (Part I), a method is described to determine acoustic cavitation probabilities in tissue-mimicking materials (TMMs) using a high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) transducer for both inducing and detecting the acoustic cavitation events, and its suitability for different sonication modes like continuous wave, single pulses (with pulse lengths from microseconds to milliseconds) and repeated burst signals is discussed. In Part II, the use of the method for a systematic study of the dependence of the acoustic cavitation thresholds in 3% (by weight) agar phantoms on the temporal sonication parameters is discussed. The values obtained at a frequency of 1.06?MHz, ranging from (0.58?±?0.12)?MPa for a 3-s continuous wave mode sonication to (5.2?±?1.0)?MPa for single shots with a length of 10 wave cycles, are discussed and interpreted on the basis of literature values and their self-consistency.     

Can in Vivo Medial Gastrocnemius Muscle–Tendon Unit Lengths be Reliably Estimated by Two Ultrasonography Methods? A Within-Session Analysis

A clinically feasible method to reliably estimate muscle–tendon unit (MTU) lengths could provide essential diagnostic and treatment planning information. A 3-D freehand ultrasound (3-DfUS) method was previously validated for extracting in vivo medial gastrocnemius (MG) lengths, although the processing time can be considered substantial for the clinical environment. This investigation analyzed a quicker and simpler method using the US transducer as a spatial pointer (US-PaP), where the within-session reliability of extracting the muscle–tendon unit (MTU) and tendon lengths are estimated. MG MTU lengths were extracted in a group of 14 healthy adults using both 3-DfUS and US-PaP. Two consecutive acquisitions were performed per participant, and the data processed by two researchers independently. The intra-class correlation coefficients were above 0.97, and the standard error of measurements below 3.6?mm (1.5%). This investigation proposes that the simplified US-PaP method is a viable alternative for estimating MG MTU lengths.     

Bedside ultrasound as a predictive tool for acute chest syndrome in sickle cell patients

Background

Acute chest syndrome (ACS) is the leading cause of death for patients with sickle cell disease (SCD). Early recognition of ACS improves prognosis.

Utility of common bile duct measurement in ED point of care ultrasound: A prospective study

Background

Measurement of the common bile duct (CBD) is considered a fundamental component of biliary point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS), but can be technically challenging.

Point-of-Care Ultrasound Diagnosis of Proximal Hamstring Rupture

Background

Acute proximal hamstring ruptures can be a diagnostic challenge in the emergency department. The revealing sign of large posterior thigh ecchymosis is typically not yet present; the physical examination is limited due to pain, radiographs can be unremarkable, and definitive testing with magnetic resonance imaging is not practical. These avulsions are often misdiagnosed as hamstring strains and treated conservatively. The diagnosis is made after failed treatment, often months after the injury. Surgical repair at that time can be technically challenging and higher risk due to tendon retraction and adhesion of the tendon stump to the sciatic nerve.

31例腹腔镜下脾切除的临床分析

目的：探讨完全腹腔镜下脾切除的手术技巧和临床经验。方法回顾性分析该院从2003年1月至2015年4月进行完全腹腔镜脾切除术31例,其中,肝硬化脾功能亢进12例,脾多发性血管瘤5例,脾淋巴瘤3例,脾囊肿3例,陈旧性脾破裂、脾血肿2例,特发性血小板减少症6例,术中LigaSure处理脾胃韧带,结扎脾动脉,采用丝线结扎或腔内直线切割闭合器个体化处理脾蒂。结果31例腹腔镜脾切除术,无中转开腹患者。其中,13例逐一分离、丝线结扎脾门血管后离断脾蒂,18例采用腔内直线切割闭合器离断脾蒂,手术时间80～240 min ,平均（130±35）min ,术中出血量60～500 mL ,平均（150±80）mL ,平均住院时间8．3d,无手术死亡及胰瘘并发症发生病例。结论在开腹脾切除的基础上,术前仔细评估,选择合适病例,利用不同腹腔镜器械的优势,个体化方式处理脾蒂,腹腔镜脾切除术安全实用。     

Visualization of the inferoposterior thoracic wall (VIP) and boomerang signs-novel sonographic signs of right pleural effusion

Objectives

This study is to present the diagnostic values of the novel sonographic visualization of the inferoposterior thoracic wall (VIP) and boomerang signs in detecting right pleural effusion by sonologists with little to no experience in ultrasound.

中西医结合联合超声引导脓腔冲洗治疗盆腔脓肿临床研究

目的：探讨中西医结合联合超声引导脓腔冲洗治疗盆腔脓肿的临床疗效。方法：将88例盆腔脓肿患者随机分为观察组和对照组,每组各44例。对照组采用中西医结合治疗,观察组在对照组治疗基础上联合使用超声引导脓腔冲洗治疗,观察两组临床疗效。结果：观察组临床疗效优于对照组,差异有统计学意义（P＜0．05）。观察组患者体温恢复正常时间、症状消失时间、住院时间均短于对照组,差异有统计学意义（P＜0．05）。结论：中西医结合联合使用超声引导脓腔冲洗治疗盆腔脓肿疗效可靠,能够缩短患者临床体征消失时间和住院时间。     

急性脑梗死患者血清OX-LDL水平与颈动脉超声用于动脉粥样硬化性脑梗死监测意义分析

目的 :探讨急性脑梗死患者血清OX-LDL水平与颈动脉超声用于监测急性脑梗死临床价值。方法 :选取本院120例动脉粥样硬化性脑梗死患者作为本次研究对象,同时选择同期健康体检的健康人群120例作为对照组,分别检测两组血清OX-LDL水平,采用双通道双深度彩色多普勒血流分析仪对两组人员颈总动脉和颈外动脉及颈内动脉形态和数量及回声特性、大小进行观察,并加以分析。结果 :动脉粥样硬化性脑梗死患者血清OX-LDL水平明显高于对照组;动脉粥样硬化性脑梗死患者早期血清OX-LDL水平越高,其稳定性斑块及无斑块者越少,同时不稳定性斑块患者越多。动脉粥样硬化性脑梗死患者血清OX-LDL水平越高,其发生中、重度狭窄率就会越高。结论 :临床联合血清OX-LDL水平与颈动脉超声检测对动脉粥样硬化性脑梗死患者病情变化监测具有重要价值。