Assessment of testicular volume: A comparison of fertile and sub-fertile West African men

BackgroundWhile the semen analysis appears to be the cornerstone in the evaluation of testicular function, the testicular volume has long been associated with testicular function. However, racial variations in testicular volume do exist. Neither the critical minimum testicular volume that guarantees adequate function, nor the optimal testicular volume that indicates peak testicular function are also known.ObjectiveTo evaluate the relationship between testicular volume and function using scrotal ultrasound scan in black West African men.Patients and methodsThe study examined 236 subjects over a period of one year. The subjects comprised of 136 patients with diagnosis of male infertility, as well as 100 healthy individuals as control. The relevant clinical history of each patient was extracted from their case notes. All the subjects had their testes examined using a high frequency (7.5 mHz) linear transducer of an ultrasound scanner. The results were expressed as percentages and tests of significance were done using the chi-square and Student's t-test. A P-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.ResultsThe mean testicular volume for the sub-fertile patients was 15.32 ml while it was 19.89 ml in the control group. There was a statistically significant difference between the testicular volumes in fertile and infertile men at different age groups, while there was an inverse relationship between testicular volume and severity of oligospermia. This was, however, not directly linear as a mean testicular volume of 18–20 ml was associated with highest semen density. Volumes higher than 20 ml and lower than 18 ml were associated with reduced sperm density. There was also a sharp decline in sperm density when the mean testicular volume reduced from 14 ml to 13 ml. Severe oligospermia (<5 million/ml) was associated with mean testicular volume less than 12 ml.ConclusionTesticular volume on scrotal ultrasound correlates well with severity of oligospermia in men with sub-fertility. While the critical mean testicular volume necessary for adequate spermatogenesis has not been determined, it appears there is an optimal testicular volume of 18–20 ml at which spermatogenesis is at its peak in sub-fertile Nigerian men.     

Shear wave elastography contribution in ultrasound diagnosis management of breast lesions

PurposeTo determine the diagnosis performance of shear wave elastography in the differentiation of benign and malignant breast lesions and the factors influencing the elasticity values. To suggest an appropriate management of breast lesions using the ultrasound-elastography combination.Patients and methodsMonocentric retrospective study of 167 breast lesions classified by conventional ultrasound as BI-RADS category 3 or higher that underwent an elastography study and histological analysis.ResultsThe analysis of qualitative parameters, according to the classification established in this study, allows us to obtain a sensitivity of 91.1% and a specificity of 92.3%. These values are very close to or better than the quantitative parameters Emax and Emean. Different Emax thresholds values were established based on the long axis of the lesion and its palpable character, which appeared to be significant factors influencing elasticity. The management of breast lesions by combining ultrasound and elastography, as proposed here, allows us to keep the sensitivity of an ultrasound (96%), while doubling its specificity (86.2% versus 43.1%).ConclusionWith the complementary nature of their performance, the combination of conventional ultrasound and shear wave elastography can improve the management of breast lesions. The qualitative classification proposed appears to be relevant assistance in lesion characterization.     

超声引导下经皮激光消融治疗甲状腺微小乳头状癌(附3例报告)

目的:探讨超声引导下经皮激光消融(percutaneous laser ablation,PLA)治疗甲状腺微小乳头状癌的可行性、安全性及治疗效果。方法:对3例单发甲状腺微小乳头状癌行超声引导下PLA治疗。术后采用常规超声,随访观察消融灶大小、血供,术后即刻和术后3 d采用超声造影评价激光消融范围,并观察有无并发症发生。术后30 d对消融灶进行超声引导下细针穿刺活检。结果:3例均采用局部麻醉,成功进行PLA治疗,未发生严重并发症。术后常规超声随访,发现原病灶消失,消融区无彩色血流信号。术后即刻和术后3 d超声造影,显示消融区无造影剂灌注,完全覆盖原病灶。术后30 d超声引导下细针穿刺活检,可见坏死组织及炎性细胞,未见肿瘤细胞。结论:超声引导下PLA治疗是一种安全、有效、可行的方法。     

Ultrasound evaluation of the quadriceps muscles in pronated foot posture

ObjectiveThe main goal of this study was to investigate the size of all portions of the quadriceps muscles in individuals with pronated foot posture compared to normal foot posture using ultrasound imaging.DesignTwenty nine females with pronated foot posture and 29 age-, body weight-, body height-matched females with normal foot posture were recruited from university communities. The muscle thicknesses of the rectus femoris (RF), vastus medialis (VM), vastus medialis oblique (VMO), vastus lateralis (VL) and vastus intermedius (VI) were measured using ultrasound imaging.ResultsThe thicknesses of the RF and VMO were significantly smaller in individuals with pronated foot posture compared to normal foot posture (p < 0.05). No significant differences were observed in the VM, VL, and VI muscle thicknesses in both groups.ConclusionBased on the results of the present study, it seems that besides the foot and lower leg muscles, an integrated assessment of proximal knee muscles, especially quadriceps, is required in individuals with pronated foot posture.     

The comparative accuracy of a handheld and console ultrasound device for neuraxial depth and landmark assessment

BackgroundThe study aimed to compare the accuracy of epidural depth estimation of a handheld ultrasound device, with an integrated algorithm that estimates epidural depth (AU; Accuro, Rivanna Medical), to that of a console ultrasound machine (GU; GE LOGIC^TM S8).MethodsWomen requesting labor epidural analgesia consented to this prospective cohort study. The L2/3, L3/4, and L4/5 interspaces and the respective depths to the epidural space were identified, marked and measured using an AU and GU. An anesthesia provider who was blinded to ultrasound depth measurements performed epidural analgesia at one of the ultrasound identified insertion points and recorded the Tuohy needle depth at loss-of-resistance. Bland Altman analysis was used to measure the agreement between the epidural depths measured by the AU and GU.ResultsA total of 47 women were analyzed. The mean ± standard deviation body mass index of the study cohort was 29 ± 5 kg/m² [range 23–45]. The mean difference between the epidural depths measured by the AU and GU was −0.29 cm [95% limit of agreement 0.50 to −0.91]. The mean difference between the depth to the epidural space measured by the GU versus the needle depth was −0.33 cm [95% CI −0.49 to −0.16]. The previously reported AU versus needle depth was −0.61 cm [95% CI −0.79 to −0.44].ConclusionThe AU and GU provided comparable epidural depth estimates. The AU device may be a reasonable alternative to more sophisticated ultrasound devices in determining the epidural space and depth in a non-obese obstetric population.     

胃部超声检查对剖宫产前后胃窦部变化的评估

目的通过胃部超声检查方法观察剖宫产前后胃窦部变化的情况并比较皮肤到胃窦部中心距离及腹主动脉前壁到胃窦部中心距离的变化。方法选择拟行择期剖宫产手术的产妇47例,年龄18～35岁,麻醉方法均采用蛛网膜下腔阻滞。胃部超声检查记录产妇剖宫产前后仰卧位和右侧卧位下胃窦部横截面积(cross-sectional area, CSA)和Perlas评分,同时测量皮肤到胃窦部中心和腹主动脉前壁到胃窦部中心的距离变化情况。结果与剖宫产前比较,剖宫产后仰卧位下胃窦部CSA明显减小(P=0.001),但右侧卧位下胃窦部CSA差异无统计学意义。剖宫产前后仰卧位和右侧卧位下Perlas评分差异均无统计学意义。与剖宫产前比较,剖宫产后皮肤到胃窦部中心距离和腹主动脉前壁到胃窦部中心的距离明显缩短(P0.05)。结论剖宫产后仰卧位下胃窦部CSA减小,妊娠晚期胃窦部CSA不能用于胃内容物的定量评估,但胃内容物的定性评估不会受到影响。     

≤2cm乳腺癌患者超声征象及其与分子生物表达的相关性研究

目的探究≤2cm乳腺癌患者超声征象及其与分子生物表达的相关性。方法回顾性分析2017年1月~2018年12月本院诊治的65例乳腺癌患者临床资料,飞利浦IU22彩色多普勒超声检测仪检测乳腺癌病灶部位、大小、形态、是否有毛刺、内部回声等情况,免疫组织化学法染色乳腺癌组织标本中雌激素受体(ER)、孕激素受体(PR)、原癌基因(CerB2)表达情况。结果直径≤2cm的乳腺癌患者超声征象以边缘毛刺征(58.46%)、微小钙化灶(61.54%)最为常见,乳腺癌患者边缘毛刺征、微小钙化灶与ER、PR阳性表达率明显相关,边缘高回声晕征与CerB2阳性表达率有关(P<0.05)。结论≤2cm乳腺癌患者超声征象与其分子生物学指标密切相关,有毛刺征及微小钙化灶征象乳腺癌有更高ER、PR阳性表达率,而边缘高回声晕征乳腺癌有更高CerB2阳性表达率,两者联合检测可为乳腺癌早期合理治疗方案选择及预后判断提供有用参考信息。     

实时超声弹性成像在诊断慢性乙肝肝纤维化程度中的应用价值

【摘要】 目的 探讨实时超声弹性成像在诊断慢性乙肝肝纤维化程度中的应用价值。方法 以2016年1月～2019年1月我院收治的慢性乙型肝炎（CHB）患者146例为研究对象。分别行肝脏穿刺检查及实时组织弹性成像（RTE）检查，然后进行病理分期，并记录相应的应变均值（MEAN）、标准偏差（SD）、蓝色区域面积比（%AREA）、复杂度（COMP）、峰度（KURT）、偏度（SKEW）、对比度（CONT）、均等性（ENT）、杂乱度（IDM）、一致性（ASM）、相关性（CORR），并计算得出肝纤维化指数（LFI）值。结果 与S0、S1、S2期比较，S4期MEAN显著降低（P＜0.05）；与S0、S1、S2、S3期比较，S4期%AREA、COMP显著升高（P＜0.05）；与S0、S1、S2期比较，S4期SKEW、LFI显著升高（P＜0.05）；与S0期比较，S3期LFI显著升高（P＜0.05）。Spearman相关分析结果示，MEAN、ENT与肝纤维化分期呈负相关（P＜0.05）。SD、%AREA、COMP、SKEW、IDM、ASM、LFI与肝纤维化分期呈正相关（P＜0.05）。RTE参数MEAN、%AREA、COMP、SKEW、IDM、LFI诊断肝纤维化程度的ROC曲线下面积均在0.7~0.9。当MEAN、%AREA、COMP、SKEW、IDM、LFI 6个参数的截断值分别取10029、3014、2752、042、012、281时，诊断肝纤维化程度的准确性和特异性均在70%以上。〖HT5"H〗结论〖HTK〗〓实时组织弹性成像与慢性乙型肝炎肝纤维化分期具有较高的相关性，其中与肝纤维化指数的相关系数最大，其在慢性乙型肝炎肝纤维化的诊断和评估中具有重要应用价值。     

超声筛查胎儿浅表软组织包块技巧

【摘要】 目的 探讨二维及三维超声筛查胎儿浅表软组织包块的技巧。方法 采用垂直胎儿体表横切、纵切及切线位相结合的扫查方法对2016年1~12月在成都市温江区妇幼保健院及四川省妇女儿童中心医院接受系统筛查的9835例胎儿与2015年1~12月未采用该方法在医院接受系统筛查的9856例胎儿进行对比研究,分析两组胎儿浅表软组织包块阳性率的差异。结果 2016年采用垂直胎儿体表横切、纵切及切线位扫查相结合的方法筛查胎儿浅表软组织,其浅表软组织包块阳性率明显高于2015年未采用该方法筛查胎儿软组织的包块阳性率,差异有显著性（P＜005）,在2016年研究组的9835例胎儿筛查出13例软组织包块,阳性率为013%,出生或引产结果证实漏诊1例,2015年对照组的9856例胎儿筛查出3例浅表软组织包块,阳性率为003%,漏诊12例。结论 采用垂直胎儿体表横切、纵切及切线位相结合的扫查技巧筛查胎儿浅表软组织可明显提高浅表软组织包块的检出率,可在临床中推广应用。     

纵膈囊肿经EBUS引导行穿刺针吸治疗临床研究

目的 观察支气管内超声引导经支气管针吸活检（EBUS-TBNA）治疗纵隔囊肿效果。方法 选取2015年1月～2017年12月我院收治纵隔囊肿患者30例,行EBUS-TBNA治疗,将其作为观察组;同时收集2012年1月～2014年12月于我院接受胸腔镜手术治疗的纵膈囊肿患者30例临床资料,将其作为对照组。比较两组围手术指标、并发症发生率及复发率。结果 观察组手术时间、术后下床活动时间、住院时间短于对照组（P＜0.05）,两组各项并发症发生率及复发率无明显差异（P＞0.05）。 结论EBUS-TBNA治疗纵隔囊肿安全有效,利于患者术后恢复,可缩短患者住院时间。