Ultrasound has long been an essential tool in nephrology,traditionally used for procedures like vascular access and kidney biopsies.Point-of-care ultrasonography(POCUS),a rapidly evolving bedside technology,is now gai...Ultrasound has long been an essential tool in nephrology,traditionally used for procedures like vascular access and kidney biopsies.Point-of-care ultrasonography(POCUS),a rapidly evolving bedside technology,is now gaining momentum in nephrology by providing real-time imaging to enhance physical examination findings.Unlike comprehensive radiology-performed ultrasound,POCUS focuses on specific clinical questions,providing immediate and actionable insights.This narrative review examines the philosophy behind POCUS,its expanding applications in nephrology,and its impact on patient care,including its role in diagnosing obstructive uropathy,guiding fluid management,and evaluating hemodynamics in cardiorenal syndrome.Additionally,the review addresses barriers to widespread adoption,such as the need for structured training,competency validation,and interdisciplinary cooperation.By integrating POCUS into routine practice,nephrologists can refine diagnostic accuracy,improve patient outcomes,and strengthen the role of bedside medicine.展开更多
BACKGROUND Esophageal bronchogenic cysts(EBCs)are usually discovered incidentally during radiologic or endoscopic examinations.They are rare and prone to misdiagnosis or mistreatment.As a submucosal lesion,the endosco...BACKGROUND Esophageal bronchogenic cysts(EBCs)are usually discovered incidentally during radiologic or endoscopic examinations.They are rare and prone to misdiagnosis or mistreatment.As a submucosal lesion,the endoscopic ultrasonography(EUS)characteristics of EBCs are unclear.AIM To analyze the clinicopathological and EUS characteristics of EBCs.METHODS A total of 22 patients with a histological diagnosis of EBCs who underwent EUS examination were retrospectively included.The clinicopathological and EUS features were collected and analyzed.RESULTS Most of the EBCs were asymptomatic,and no malignant transformation or precancerous changes was found histologically.Most of the EBCs were located in the lower esophagus(72.7%,16/22).A total of 90.9%(20/22)of the EBCs originated from the muscularis propria,and 9.1%(2/22)originated from the submucosa.All of the lesions had clear boundaries.In terms of echo,77.3%(17/22)had a hypoechoic pattern,and 22.7%(5/22)had an anechoic pattern.We found floating echoes inside the lesion,which presented as a punctiform hyperecho in 45.5%(10/22)and a flocculent hypoecho in 36.4%(8/22)of the patients.A total of 45.5%(10/22)displayed posterior wall enhancement.Fourteen patients underwent color doppler,and no blood flow signal was identified.On EUS elastography,the EBCs presented a yellow-green or green pattern(100%,6/6).When contrast-enhanced EUS was used,the EBCs showed no enhancement(100%,5/5).CONCLUSION When a submucosal lesion located at the lower esophagus originates from the intrinsic muscle layer,the possibility of EBCs should be noted,the EUS characteristics of which include a hypoecho with a clear boundary and a posterior wall enhancement,a floating echo inside and no blood flow signal,a yellow-green or green pattern on elastography,and no enhancement on contrast EUS.展开更多
BACKGROUND Magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)and endoscopic ultrasonography(EUS)are recommended in combination for screening pancreatic cancer in high-risk individuals.However,in clinical practice,MRI and EUS are increas...BACKGROUND Magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)and endoscopic ultrasonography(EUS)are recommended in combination for screening pancreatic cancer in high-risk individuals.However,in clinical practice,MRI and EUS are increasingly utilized for pancreatic surveillance during routine health examinations.AIM To investigate the feasibility of these imaging modalities for screening in low-risk individuals.METHODS This retrospective study included patients at low risk for pancreatic cancer who underwent MRI or EUS at two health evaluation centers between March 2019 and December 2024.Basic characteristics,laboratory data,and imaging results were collected.RESULTS A total of 3364 low-risk individuals underwent pancreatic screening:1553(46.1%)received MRI,and 1811 underwent EUS.No significant differences were observed in age or sex distribution between the groups.In imaging screening,EUS demonstrated a higher detection rate of abnormal pancreatic lesions(12.8%vs 2.6%;P<0.001).MRI detected more cystic lesions than did EUS(P<0.001).EUS identified smaller nodular lesions compared to MRI(9.2 mm vs 18.0 mm;P=0.044).The MRI group had a higher number of confirmed intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms(P=0.031),whereas the EUS group identified more suspected branch-duct intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms(P<0.001).Pancreatic adenocarcinoma was found in three patients(0.08%),with no significant difference in detection rates between EUS and MRI(0.11%vs 0.06%;P=0.656).CONCLUSION In low-risk individuals,MRI and EUS offer comparable effectiveness for pancreatic cancer surveillance.The choice of imaging strategy for health evaluation depends on cost considerations and degree of invasiveness.展开更多
BACKGROUND Appendicitis is an abdominal medical emergency and can be of various types.It can lead to a series of gastrointestinal symptoms and can affect health status.Therefore,attention should be paid to the diagnos...BACKGROUND Appendicitis is an abdominal medical emergency and can be of various types.It can lead to a series of gastrointestinal symptoms and can affect health status.Therefore,attention should be paid to the diagnosis of appendicitis to improve prognosis.AIM To assess the value of transabdominal superficial ultrasonography(TASU)in the clinical diagnosis of various types of appendicitis.METHODS A total of 100 patients suspected to have acute appendicitis that were admitted to our hospital between July 2022 and July 2024 were selected for this study.All of them underwent conventional abdominal ultrasonography and TASU.Taking surgical pathology as the gold standard,the diagnostic efficacy of the two ultrasonographic examinations was compared,and the ultrasonographic features of patients with different types of appendicitis were analyzed.RESULTS Comparison with the gold standard showed that among the 100 patients suspected of appendicitis,72 cases were diagnosed as appendicitis while 28 cases were deemed to be normal.Compared with conventional abdominal ultrasonography,TASU displayed a higher diagnostic efficiency(P<0.05).Among the 72 patients with acute appendicitis,22 cases were diagnosed as simple appendicitis,26 cases as suppurative appendicitis,and 24 cases as gangrenous appendicitis.TASU was more effective in the diagnosis of the various types of appendicitis,and the difference was significant between groups(P<0.05).Ultrasonography radiographs revealed an enlarged appendix with a tubular anechoic area,a widened lumen,with a visible occlusion or stercoral shadow and a cystic mass in the parenchyma.CONCLUSION TASU can accurately diagnose appendicitis and also be used to identify the various types of appendicitis,thereby having application value.展开更多
BACKGROUND The diagnosis of gastric inflammatory fibroid polyps(IFPs)mainly depends on pathological confirmation after endoscopic or surgical treatment.Gastric IFP have typical manifestations under endoscopic ultrason...BACKGROUND The diagnosis of gastric inflammatory fibroid polyps(IFPs)mainly depends on pathological confirmation after endoscopic or surgical treatment.Gastric IFP have typical manifestations under endoscopic ultrasonography(EUS),but atypical EUS features have also been reported.Previous studies have found that atypical features of gastric IFPs observed under EUS have corresponding histological manifestations.At present,there is no study elaborating the EUS manifestations of gastric IFPs at different pathological stages.We hypothesize that gastric IFPs at different pathological stages may have different EUS features.AIM To describe EUS features of gastric IFPs and compare with their pathological characteristics.METHODS Clinical data of 53 inpatients with pathologically diagnosed gastric IFPs after endoscopic treatment were collected.All patients underwent preoperative EUS.We analyzed the EUS characteristics of the lesions and compared with the pathological characteristics and staging of the resected specimens.RESULTS Most gastric IFPs showed medium-low echo(67.9%),homogeneous echo(90.6%),and unclear boundaries(83%),and involved the second and third layers of the gastric wall(69.8%)under EUS.The echogenicity level and echo homogeneity were significantly correlated with the pathological stage of gastric IFP.Gastric IFPs in the nodular stage presented hypoechoic and homogeneous echo.Gastric IFPs in the fibrovascular stage mostly showed medium-low echo and homogeneous echo.Gastric IFPs in the sclerotic stage showed different echogenicity levels and echo homogeneity.The accuracy of EUS in diagnosing gastric IFPs was 66.0%(35/53),and the accuracy in determining the origin layer of gastric IFPs was 73.4%(39/53).CONCLUSION Gastric IFPs at different pathological stages have different EUS features.In order to improve the diagnostic rate,it is necessary to combine EUS with EUS-guided fine-needle aspiration or artificial intelligence.展开更多
Diaphragmatic function is central to respiration,and its evaluation is critical in intensive care unit(ICU)settings.Ultrasonography is a reliable bedside tool to assess diaphragmatic excursion(DE).[1,2]The conventiona...Diaphragmatic function is central to respiration,and its evaluation is critical in intensive care unit(ICU)settings.Ultrasonography is a reliable bedside tool to assess diaphragmatic excursion(DE).[1,2]The conventional M-mode(MM)offers high-resolution imaging but requires precise alignment,which can be diffi cult in ICU patients.[3-5]Anatomical M-mode(AMM)allows flexible line adjustment,enabling accurate DE measurements despite poor acoustic windows.[6]However,comparative data between MM and AMM are limited.This retrospective study evaluated the concordance between MM and AMM for assessing right DE.展开更多
An abrupt decline in respiratory function often presents in patients unable to undergo imaging procedures,especially in critical care settings.Consequently,evaluation using transthoracic lung ultrasonography has been ...An abrupt decline in respiratory function often presents in patients unable to undergo imaging procedures,especially in critical care settings.Consequently,evaluation using transthoracic lung ultrasonography has been developed to promptly diagnose the patient's respiratory conditions at bedside,gaining increasing attention for its utility.However,conventional transthoracic ultrasonography may face challenges in directly accessing the thorax.展开更多
BACKGROUND Accurate condition assessment is critical for improving the prognosis of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome(RDS),but current assessment methods for RDS pose a cumulative risk of harm to neonates.Thus,a ...BACKGROUND Accurate condition assessment is critical for improving the prognosis of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome(RDS),but current assessment methods for RDS pose a cumulative risk of harm to neonates.Thus,a less harmful method for assessing the health of neonates with RDS is needed.AIM To analyze the relationships between pulmonary ultrasonography and respiratory distress scores,oxygenation index,and chest X-ray grade of neonatal RDS to identify predictors of neonatal RDS severity.METHODS This retrospective study analyzed the medical information of 73 neonates with RDS admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit of Liupanshui Maternal and Child Care Service Center between April and December 2022.The pulmonary ultrasonography score,respiratory distress score,oxygenation index,and chest Xray grade of each newborn before and after treatment were collected.Spearman correlation analysis was performed to determine the relationships among these values and neonatal RDS severity.RESULTS The pulmonary ultrasonography score,respiratory distress score,oxygenation index,and chest X-ray RDS grade of the neonates were significantly lower after treatment than before treatment(P<0.05).Spearman correlation analysis showed that before and after treatment,the pulmonary ultrasonography score of neonates with RDS was positively correlated with the respiratory distress score,oxygenation index,and chest X-ray grade(ρ=0.429–0.859,P<0.05).Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis indicated that pulmonary ultrasonography screening effectively predicted the severity of neonatal RDS(area under the curve=0.805–1.000,P<0.05).CONCLUSION The pulmonary ultrasonography score was significantly associated with the neonatal RDS score,oxygenation index,and chest X-ray grade.The pulmonary ultrasonography score was an effective predictor of neonatal RDS severity.展开更多
Endoscopic ultrasonography(EUS)represents the combination of endoscopy and intraluminal ultrasonography.This allows use of a high-frequency transducer(5-20 MHz)that,due to the short distance to the target lesion,provi...Endoscopic ultrasonography(EUS)represents the combination of endoscopy and intraluminal ultrasonography.This allows use of a high-frequency transducer(5-20 MHz)that,due to the short distance to the target lesion,provides ultrasonographic images of higher resolution than those obtained from other imaging modalities,including multiple-detector-row-computed tomography,magnetic resonance imaging,and positron emission tomography.EUS is now a widely accepted modality for diagnosing pancreatic diseases.However,the most important limitation of EUS has been the lack of specificity in differentiating between benign and malignant changes.In 1992,EUS-guided fine needle aspiration(FNA)of lesions in the pancreas head was introduced into clinical practice,using a curved linear-array echoendoscope.Since then,EUS has evolved from EUS imaging to EUSFNA and wider applications.Interventional EUS for pancreatic cancer includes EUS-FNA,EUS-guided fine needle injection,EUS-guided biliary drainage and anastomosis,EUS-guided celiac neurolysis,radiofrequency ablation,brachytherapy,and delivery of a growing number of anti-tumor agents.This review focuses on interventional EUS,including EUS-FNA and therapeutic EUS for pancreatic cancer.展开更多
This research aimed to examine the diagnostic accuracy and clinical significance of endoscopic ultrasonography(EUS)in the context of small rectal neuroendocrine neoplasms(NENs).A total of 108 patients with rectal sube...This research aimed to examine the diagnostic accuracy and clinical significance of endoscopic ultrasonography(EUS)in the context of small rectal neuroendocrine neoplasms(NENs).A total of 108 patients with rectal subepithelial lesions(SELs)with a diameter of<20 mm were included in the analysis.The diagnosis and depth assessment of EUS was compared to the histology findings.The prevalence of NENs in rectal SELs was 78.7%(85/108).The sensitivity of EUS in detecting rectal NENs was 98.9%(84/85),while the specificity was 52.2%(12/23).Overall,the diagnostic accuracy of EUS in identifying rectal NENs was 88.9%(96/108).The overall accuracy rate for EUS in assessing the depth of invasion in rectal NENs was 92.9%(78/84).Therefore,EUS demonstrates reasonable diagnostic accuracy in detecting small rectal NENs,with good sensitivity but inferior specificity.EUS may also assist physicians in assessing the depth of invasion in small rectal NENs before endoscopic excision.展开更多
BACKGROUND Gastric cancer(GC)is the most common malignant tumor and ranks third for cancer-related deaths among the worldwide.The disease poses a serious public health problem in China,ranking fifth for incidence and ...BACKGROUND Gastric cancer(GC)is the most common malignant tumor and ranks third for cancer-related deaths among the worldwide.The disease poses a serious public health problem in China,ranking fifth for incidence and third for mortality.Knowledge of the invasive depth of the tumor is vital to treatment decisions.AIM To evaluate the diagnostic performance of double contrast-enhanced ultrasonography(DCEUS)for preoperative T staging in patients with GC by comparing with multi-detector computed tomography(MDCT).METHODS This single prospective study enrolled patients with GC confirmed by preoperative gastroscopy from July 2021 to March 2023.Patients underwent DCEUS,including ultrasonography(US)and intravenous contrast-enhanced ultrasonography(CEUS),and MDCT examinations for the assessment of preoperative T staging.Features of GC were identified on DCEUS and criteria developed to evaluate T staging according to the 8th edition of AJCC cancer staging manual.The diagnostic performance of DCEUS was evaluated by comparing it with that of MDCT and surgical-pathological findings were considered as the gold standard.RESULTS A total of 229 patients with GC(80 T1,33 T2,59 T3 and 57 T4)were included.Overall accuracies were 86.9%for DCEUS and 61.1%for MDCT(P<0.001).DCEUS was superior to MDCT for T1(92.5%vs 70.0%,P<0.001),T2(72.7%vs 51.5%,P=0.041),T3(86.4%vs 45.8%,P<0.001)and T4(87.7%vs 70.2%,P=0.022)staging of GC.CONCLUSION DCEUS improved the diagnostic accuracy of preoperative T staging in patients with GC compared with MDCT,and constitutes a promising imaging modality for preoperative evaluation of GC to aid individualized treatment decision-making.展开更多
BACKGROUND Superior mesenteric artery(SMA)syndrome is a rare cause of duodenal obstruction by extrinsic compression between the SMA and the aorta(SMA-Ao).Although the left lateral recumbent position is considered effe...BACKGROUND Superior mesenteric artery(SMA)syndrome is a rare cause of duodenal obstruction by extrinsic compression between the SMA and the aorta(SMA-Ao).Although the left lateral recumbent position is considered effective in the treatment of SMA syndrome,individual variations in the optimal patient position have been noted.In this report,we present two elderly cases of SMA syndrome that exhibited rapid recovery due to ultrasonographic dynamic evaluation of the optimal position for each patient.CASE SUMMARY Case 1:A 90-year-old man with nausea and vomiting.Following diagnosis of SMA syndrome by computed tomography(CT),ultrasonography(US)revealed the SMA-Ao distance in the supine position(4 mm),which slightly improved in the lateral position(5.7–7.0 mm)without the passage of duodenal contents.However,in the sitting position,the SMA-Ao distance was increased to 15 mm accompanied by improved content passage.Additionally,US indicated enhanced passage upon abdominal massage on the right side.By day 2,the patient could eat comfortably with the optimal position and massage.Case 2:An 87-year-old woman with vomiting.After the diagnosis of SMA syndrome and aspiration pneumonia by CT,dynamic US confirmed the optimal position(SMA-Ao distance was improved to 7 mm in forward-bent position,whereas it remained at 5 mm in the supine position).By day 7 when her pneumonia recovered,she could eat with the optimal position.CONCLUSION The optimal position for SMA syndrome varies among individuals.Dynamic US appears to be a valuable tool in improving patient outcomes.展开更多
BACKGROUND Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma(PDAC)is a highly malignant and aggressive tumor,and high Ki-67 expression indicates poor histological differentiation and prognosis.Therefore,one of the challenges in diagno...BACKGROUND Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma(PDAC)is a highly malignant and aggressive tumor,and high Ki-67 expression indicates poor histological differentiation and prognosis.Therefore,one of the challenges in diagnosing preoperatively patients with PDAC is predicting the degree of malignancy.Dynamic contrast-enhanced ultrasonography(DCE-US)plays a crucial role in abdominal tumor diagnosis,and can adequately show the microvascular composition within the tumors.However,the relationship between DCE-US and the Ki-67 labelling index remains unclear at the present time.AIM To predict the correlation between Ki-67 expression and the parameters of DCEUS.METHODS Patients with PDAC who underwent DCE-US were retrospectively analyzed.Patients who had received any treatment(radiotherapy or chemotherapy)prior to DCE-US;had incomplete clinical,imaging,or pathologic information;and had poor-quality image analysis were excluded.Correlations between Ki-67 expression and the parameters of DCE-US in patients with PDAC were assessed using Spearman’s rank correlation analysis.The diagnostic performances of these parameters in high Ki-67 expression group were evaluated according to receiver operating characteristic curve.RESULTS Based on the Ki-67 labelling index,30 patients were divided into two groups,i.e.,the high expression group and the low expression group.Among the relative quantitative parameters between the two groups,relative half-decrease time(rHDT),relative peak enhancement,relative wash-in perfusion index and relative wash-in rate were significantly different between two groups(P=0.018,P=0.025,P=0.028,P=0.035,respectively).The DCE-US parameter rHDT was moderately correlated with Ki-67 expression,and rHDT≥1.07 was more helpful in accurately diagnosing high Ki-67 expression,exhibiting a sensitivity and specificity of 53.8%and 94.1%,respectively.CONCLUSION One parameter of DCE-US,rHDT,correlates with high Ki-67 expression.It demonstrates that parameters obtained noninvasively by DCE-US could better predict Ki-67 expression in PDAC preoperatively.展开更多
Intraoperative ultrasonography(IOUS)in hepatobiliary surgery is well known as an essential tool for radical and safe hepatectomies,allowing to perform parenchymal sparing surgery and,as consequence,to expand the surgi...Intraoperative ultrasonography(IOUS)in hepatobiliary surgery is well known as an essential tool for radical and safe hepatectomies,allowing to perform parenchymal sparing surgery and,as consequence,to expand the surgical indications for patients otherwise considered unresectable.Nevertheless,since many years,despite its effectiveness in the study of vascular anatomy of the liver,the gold standard for the assessment of biliary anatomy during surgery is intraoperative cholangiography(IOC),which is used for the validation of preoperative imaging as well as for guiding reconstruction in case of bile duct injury or resection.展开更多
BACKGROUND The incidence of gastric cancer remains high,and it is the sixth most common cancer and the fourth leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide.Oral contrastenhanced ultrasonography is a simple,non-invasive,and...BACKGROUND The incidence of gastric cancer remains high,and it is the sixth most common cancer and the fourth leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide.Oral contrastenhanced ultrasonography is a simple,non-invasive,and painless method for the diagnosis of gastric tumors.AIM To explore the diagnostic value of oral contrast-enhanced ultrasonography for the detection of gastric tumors.METHODS The screening results based on oral contrast-enhanced ultrasonography and electronic gastroscopy were compared with those of the postoperative pathological examination.RESULTS Among 42 patients with gastric tumors enrolled in the study,the diagnostic accordance rate was 95.2%for oral contrast-enhanced ultrasonography(n=40)and 90.5%for electronic gastroscopy(n=38)compared with postoperative pathological examination.The Kappa value of consistency test with pathological findings was 0.812 for oral contrast-enhanced ultrasonography and 0.718 for electronic gastroscopy,and there was no significant difference between them(P=0.397).For the TNM staging of gastric tumors,the accuracy rate of oral contrast enhanced ultrasonography was 81.9%for the overall T staging and 50%,77.8%,100%,and 100%for T1,T2,T3,and T4 staging,respectively.The sensitivity and specificity were both 100%for stages T3 and T4.The diagnostic accuracy rate of oral contrast-enhanced ultrasonography was 93.8%,80%,100%,and 100%for stages N0,N1-N3,M0,and M1,respectively.CONCLUSION The accordance rate of qualitative diagnosis by oral contrast-enhanced ultrasonography is comparable to that of gastroscopy,and it could be used as the preferred method for the early screening of gastric tumors.展开更多
BACKGROUND It is possible that this condition will lead to urosepsis and progressive deterioration of renal function in the absence of surgical intervention.Several recent clinical studies have shown that multi-tract ...BACKGROUND It is possible that this condition will lead to urosepsis and progressive deterioration of renal function in the absence of surgical intervention.Several recent clinical studies have shown that multi-tract percutaneous nephrolithotomy(MPCNL)has a similar stone free rate(SFR)as standard percutaneous nephrolithotomy(S-PCNL).As a result,M-PCNL was also recommended as a treatment option for staghorn calculi.AIM To examine the perioperative and long-term results of ultrasonography-guided single-and M-PCNL.METHODS This was a retrospective cohort study.Between March 2021 and January 2022,the urology department of our hospital selected patients for the treatment of staghorn calculi using percutaneous nephrolithotomy.The primary outcomes were com plication rate and SFR,and the characteristics of patients,operative parameters,laboratory measurements were also collected.RESULTS In total,345 patients were enrolled in the study(186 in the S-PCNL group and 159 in the M-PCNL group).The SFR in the M-PCNL group was significantly higher than that in the S-PCNL group(P=0.033).Moreover,the incidence rates of hydrothorax(P=0.03)and postoperative infection(P=0.012)were higher in the M-PCNL group than in the S-PCNL group.Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that post-operative white blood cell count(OR=2.57,95%CI:1.90-3.47,P<0.001)and stone size(OR=1.59,95%CI:1.27-2.00,P<0.001)were associated with a higher overall complication rate in the S-PCNL group.Body mass index(OR=1.22,95%CI:1.06-1.40,P=0.004)and stone size(OR=1.70,95%CI:1.35-2.15,P<0.001)were associated with increased overall complications in the M-PCNL group.CONCLUSION Multiple access tracts can facilitate higher SFR while slightly increasing the incidence of acceptable complications.展开更多
Point of care ultrasonography(POCUS)has evolved to become the fifth pillar of the conventional physical examination,and use of POCUS protocols have significantly decreased procedure complications and time to diagnose....Point of care ultrasonography(POCUS)has evolved to become the fifth pillar of the conventional physical examination,and use of POCUS protocols have significantly decreased procedure complications and time to diagnose.However,lack of experience in POCUS by preceptors in medical schools and nephrology residency programs are significant barriers to implement a broader use.In rural and low-income areas POCUS may have a transformative effect on health care management.展开更多
Point-of-care ultrasonography(POCUS),particularly venous excess ultrasound(VExUS)is emerging as a valuable bedside tool to gain real-time hemodynamic insights.This modality,derived from hepatic vein,portal vein,and in...Point-of-care ultrasonography(POCUS),particularly venous excess ultrasound(VExUS)is emerging as a valuable bedside tool to gain real-time hemodynamic insights.This modality,derived from hepatic vein,portal vein,and intrarenal vessel Doppler patterns,offers a scoring system for dynamic venous congestion assessment.Such an assessment can be crucial in effective management of patients with heart failure exacerbation.It facilitates diagnosis,quantification of congestion,prognostication,and monitoring the efficacy of decongestive therapy.As such,it can effectively help to manage cardiorenal syndromes in various clinical settings.Extended or eVExUS explores additional veins,potentially broadening its applications.While VExUS demonstrates promising outcomes,challenges persist,particularly in cases involving renal and liver parenchymal disease,arrhythmias,and situations of pressure and volume overload overlap.Proficiency in utilizing spectral Doppler is pivotal for clinicians to effectively employ this tool.Hence,the integration of POCUS,especially advanced applications like VExUS,into routine clinical practice necessitates enhanced training across medical specialties.展开更多
This article delves into the intricate challenges of acute kidney injury(AKI)in cirrhosis,a condition fraught with high morbidity and mortality.The complexities arise from distinguishing between various causes of AKI,...This article delves into the intricate challenges of acute kidney injury(AKI)in cirrhosis,a condition fraught with high morbidity and mortality.The complexities arise from distinguishing between various causes of AKI,particularly hemodynamic AKI,in cirrhotic patients,who experience hemodynamic changes due to portal hypertension.The term"hepatocardiorenal syndrome"is introduced to encapsulate the intricate interplay among the liver,heart,and kidneys.The narrative emphasizes the often-overlooked aspect of cardiac function in AKI assessments in cirrhosis,unveiling the prevalence of cirrhotic cardiomyopathy marked by impaired diastolic function.The conventional empiric approach involving volume expansion and vasopressors for hepatorenal syndrome is critically analyzed,highlighting potential risks and variable patient responses.We advocate for a nuanced algorithm for AKI evaluation in cirrhosis,prominently featuring point-of-care ultrasonography(POCUS).POCUS applications encompass assessing fluid tolerance,detecting venous congestion,and evaluating cardiac function.展开更多
Background: Certain ovarian cancers that were previously common in postmenopausal women are now increasingly observed in women of reproductive age. The research on using β-HCG as a diagnostic biomarker for ovarian ca...Background: Certain ovarian cancers that were previously common in postmenopausal women are now increasingly observed in women of reproductive age. The research on using β-HCG as a diagnostic biomarker for ovarian cancer in women of reproductive age is ongoing. Aim: This study assessed the level of serum β-HCG in non-pregnant women of reproductive age and determined its potential association with suspicious ovarian ultrasonography results. Methods: The study was conducted in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. This study adopted a cross-sectional design on a quota sample of 224 case notes of women aged 18 - 40 years obtained from eight diagnostic centres. A data extraction form was used for data collection. Data analysis employed descriptive statistics, Chi-square, Fisher’s exact test, and Odds Ratio at 95% confidence and 5% significance levels. Results: About 5.8% of the participants exhibited detectable levels of serum β-HCG above 5 IU/L (World Health Organization reference) at a mean concentration of 5.87 (±1.75) IU/L. About 4.0% of the participants had suspicious ovarian lesions identified through ultrasonography. Participants with elevated serum β-HCG levels above the WHO reference were 59 times more likely to have suspicious ovarian lesions (Odds ratio: 59.4, 95%CI: 12.3 - 287.8, p β-HCG level and age (p = 0.041) as well as parity (p Conclusion: Serum β-HCG levels above the WHO reference in non-pregnant women were associated with suspicious ovarian lesions. More rigorous primary research, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses are needed to confirm the findings of this study.展开更多
文摘Ultrasound has long been an essential tool in nephrology,traditionally used for procedures like vascular access and kidney biopsies.Point-of-care ultrasonography(POCUS),a rapidly evolving bedside technology,is now gaining momentum in nephrology by providing real-time imaging to enhance physical examination findings.Unlike comprehensive radiology-performed ultrasound,POCUS focuses on specific clinical questions,providing immediate and actionable insights.This narrative review examines the philosophy behind POCUS,its expanding applications in nephrology,and its impact on patient care,including its role in diagnosing obstructive uropathy,guiding fluid management,and evaluating hemodynamics in cardiorenal syndrome.Additionally,the review addresses barriers to widespread adoption,such as the need for structured training,competency validation,and interdisciplinary cooperation.By integrating POCUS into routine practice,nephrologists can refine diagnostic accuracy,improve patient outcomes,and strengthen the role of bedside medicine.
基金Supported by Zhejiang Provincial Medical and Health Science and Technology Project,No.2022-KY1-001-198.
文摘BACKGROUND Esophageal bronchogenic cysts(EBCs)are usually discovered incidentally during radiologic or endoscopic examinations.They are rare and prone to misdiagnosis or mistreatment.As a submucosal lesion,the endoscopic ultrasonography(EUS)characteristics of EBCs are unclear.AIM To analyze the clinicopathological and EUS characteristics of EBCs.METHODS A total of 22 patients with a histological diagnosis of EBCs who underwent EUS examination were retrospectively included.The clinicopathological and EUS features were collected and analyzed.RESULTS Most of the EBCs were asymptomatic,and no malignant transformation or precancerous changes was found histologically.Most of the EBCs were located in the lower esophagus(72.7%,16/22).A total of 90.9%(20/22)of the EBCs originated from the muscularis propria,and 9.1%(2/22)originated from the submucosa.All of the lesions had clear boundaries.In terms of echo,77.3%(17/22)had a hypoechoic pattern,and 22.7%(5/22)had an anechoic pattern.We found floating echoes inside the lesion,which presented as a punctiform hyperecho in 45.5%(10/22)and a flocculent hypoecho in 36.4%(8/22)of the patients.A total of 45.5%(10/22)displayed posterior wall enhancement.Fourteen patients underwent color doppler,and no blood flow signal was identified.On EUS elastography,the EBCs presented a yellow-green or green pattern(100%,6/6).When contrast-enhanced EUS was used,the EBCs showed no enhancement(100%,5/5).CONCLUSION When a submucosal lesion located at the lower esophagus originates from the intrinsic muscle layer,the possibility of EBCs should be noted,the EUS characteristics of which include a hypoecho with a clear boundary and a posterior wall enhancement,a floating echo inside and no blood flow signal,a yellow-green or green pattern on elastography,and no enhancement on contrast EUS.
文摘BACKGROUND Magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)and endoscopic ultrasonography(EUS)are recommended in combination for screening pancreatic cancer in high-risk individuals.However,in clinical practice,MRI and EUS are increasingly utilized for pancreatic surveillance during routine health examinations.AIM To investigate the feasibility of these imaging modalities for screening in low-risk individuals.METHODS This retrospective study included patients at low risk for pancreatic cancer who underwent MRI or EUS at two health evaluation centers between March 2019 and December 2024.Basic characteristics,laboratory data,and imaging results were collected.RESULTS A total of 3364 low-risk individuals underwent pancreatic screening:1553(46.1%)received MRI,and 1811 underwent EUS.No significant differences were observed in age or sex distribution between the groups.In imaging screening,EUS demonstrated a higher detection rate of abnormal pancreatic lesions(12.8%vs 2.6%;P<0.001).MRI detected more cystic lesions than did EUS(P<0.001).EUS identified smaller nodular lesions compared to MRI(9.2 mm vs 18.0 mm;P=0.044).The MRI group had a higher number of confirmed intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms(P=0.031),whereas the EUS group identified more suspected branch-duct intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms(P<0.001).Pancreatic adenocarcinoma was found in three patients(0.08%),with no significant difference in detection rates between EUS and MRI(0.11%vs 0.06%;P=0.656).CONCLUSION In low-risk individuals,MRI and EUS offer comparable effectiveness for pancreatic cancer surveillance.The choice of imaging strategy for health evaluation depends on cost considerations and degree of invasiveness.
文摘BACKGROUND Appendicitis is an abdominal medical emergency and can be of various types.It can lead to a series of gastrointestinal symptoms and can affect health status.Therefore,attention should be paid to the diagnosis of appendicitis to improve prognosis.AIM To assess the value of transabdominal superficial ultrasonography(TASU)in the clinical diagnosis of various types of appendicitis.METHODS A total of 100 patients suspected to have acute appendicitis that were admitted to our hospital between July 2022 and July 2024 were selected for this study.All of them underwent conventional abdominal ultrasonography and TASU.Taking surgical pathology as the gold standard,the diagnostic efficacy of the two ultrasonographic examinations was compared,and the ultrasonographic features of patients with different types of appendicitis were analyzed.RESULTS Comparison with the gold standard showed that among the 100 patients suspected of appendicitis,72 cases were diagnosed as appendicitis while 28 cases were deemed to be normal.Compared with conventional abdominal ultrasonography,TASU displayed a higher diagnostic efficiency(P<0.05).Among the 72 patients with acute appendicitis,22 cases were diagnosed as simple appendicitis,26 cases as suppurative appendicitis,and 24 cases as gangrenous appendicitis.TASU was more effective in the diagnosis of the various types of appendicitis,and the difference was significant between groups(P<0.05).Ultrasonography radiographs revealed an enlarged appendix with a tubular anechoic area,a widened lumen,with a visible occlusion or stercoral shadow and a cystic mass in the parenchyma.CONCLUSION TASU can accurately diagnose appendicitis and also be used to identify the various types of appendicitis,thereby having application value.
文摘BACKGROUND The diagnosis of gastric inflammatory fibroid polyps(IFPs)mainly depends on pathological confirmation after endoscopic or surgical treatment.Gastric IFP have typical manifestations under endoscopic ultrasonography(EUS),but atypical EUS features have also been reported.Previous studies have found that atypical features of gastric IFPs observed under EUS have corresponding histological manifestations.At present,there is no study elaborating the EUS manifestations of gastric IFPs at different pathological stages.We hypothesize that gastric IFPs at different pathological stages may have different EUS features.AIM To describe EUS features of gastric IFPs and compare with their pathological characteristics.METHODS Clinical data of 53 inpatients with pathologically diagnosed gastric IFPs after endoscopic treatment were collected.All patients underwent preoperative EUS.We analyzed the EUS characteristics of the lesions and compared with the pathological characteristics and staging of the resected specimens.RESULTS Most gastric IFPs showed medium-low echo(67.9%),homogeneous echo(90.6%),and unclear boundaries(83%),and involved the second and third layers of the gastric wall(69.8%)under EUS.The echogenicity level and echo homogeneity were significantly correlated with the pathological stage of gastric IFP.Gastric IFPs in the nodular stage presented hypoechoic and homogeneous echo.Gastric IFPs in the fibrovascular stage mostly showed medium-low echo and homogeneous echo.Gastric IFPs in the sclerotic stage showed different echogenicity levels and echo homogeneity.The accuracy of EUS in diagnosing gastric IFPs was 66.0%(35/53),and the accuracy in determining the origin layer of gastric IFPs was 73.4%(39/53).CONCLUSION Gastric IFPs at different pathological stages have different EUS features.In order to improve the diagnostic rate,it is necessary to combine EUS with EUS-guided fine-needle aspiration or artificial intelligence.
文摘Diaphragmatic function is central to respiration,and its evaluation is critical in intensive care unit(ICU)settings.Ultrasonography is a reliable bedside tool to assess diaphragmatic excursion(DE).[1,2]The conventional M-mode(MM)offers high-resolution imaging but requires precise alignment,which can be diffi cult in ICU patients.[3-5]Anatomical M-mode(AMM)allows flexible line adjustment,enabling accurate DE measurements despite poor acoustic windows.[6]However,comparative data between MM and AMM are limited.This retrospective study evaluated the concordance between MM and AMM for assessing right DE.
文摘An abrupt decline in respiratory function often presents in patients unable to undergo imaging procedures,especially in critical care settings.Consequently,evaluation using transthoracic lung ultrasonography has been developed to promptly diagnose the patient's respiratory conditions at bedside,gaining increasing attention for its utility.However,conventional transthoracic ultrasonography may face challenges in directly accessing the thorax.
基金Guizhou Provincial Science and Technology Department,Technology Achievement Application and Industrialization Plan,Applied Fundamental Research,No.Qianke Synthetic Fruit[2022]004.
文摘BACKGROUND Accurate condition assessment is critical for improving the prognosis of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome(RDS),but current assessment methods for RDS pose a cumulative risk of harm to neonates.Thus,a less harmful method for assessing the health of neonates with RDS is needed.AIM To analyze the relationships between pulmonary ultrasonography and respiratory distress scores,oxygenation index,and chest X-ray grade of neonatal RDS to identify predictors of neonatal RDS severity.METHODS This retrospective study analyzed the medical information of 73 neonates with RDS admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit of Liupanshui Maternal and Child Care Service Center between April and December 2022.The pulmonary ultrasonography score,respiratory distress score,oxygenation index,and chest Xray grade of each newborn before and after treatment were collected.Spearman correlation analysis was performed to determine the relationships among these values and neonatal RDS severity.RESULTS The pulmonary ultrasonography score,respiratory distress score,oxygenation index,and chest X-ray RDS grade of the neonates were significantly lower after treatment than before treatment(P<0.05).Spearman correlation analysis showed that before and after treatment,the pulmonary ultrasonography score of neonates with RDS was positively correlated with the respiratory distress score,oxygenation index,and chest X-ray grade(ρ=0.429–0.859,P<0.05).Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis indicated that pulmonary ultrasonography screening effectively predicted the severity of neonatal RDS(area under the curve=0.805–1.000,P<0.05).CONCLUSION The pulmonary ultrasonography score was significantly associated with the neonatal RDS score,oxygenation index,and chest X-ray grade.The pulmonary ultrasonography score was an effective predictor of neonatal RDS severity.
文摘Endoscopic ultrasonography(EUS)represents the combination of endoscopy and intraluminal ultrasonography.This allows use of a high-frequency transducer(5-20 MHz)that,due to the short distance to the target lesion,provides ultrasonographic images of higher resolution than those obtained from other imaging modalities,including multiple-detector-row-computed tomography,magnetic resonance imaging,and positron emission tomography.EUS is now a widely accepted modality for diagnosing pancreatic diseases.However,the most important limitation of EUS has been the lack of specificity in differentiating between benign and malignant changes.In 1992,EUS-guided fine needle aspiration(FNA)of lesions in the pancreas head was introduced into clinical practice,using a curved linear-array echoendoscope.Since then,EUS has evolved from EUS imaging to EUSFNA and wider applications.Interventional EUS for pancreatic cancer includes EUS-FNA,EUS-guided fine needle injection,EUS-guided biliary drainage and anastomosis,EUS-guided celiac neurolysis,radiofrequency ablation,brachytherapy,and delivery of a growing number of anti-tumor agents.This review focuses on interventional EUS,including EUS-FNA and therapeutic EUS for pancreatic cancer.
基金Supported by Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation of Guangzhou,No.202201011331National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.82373118Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong Province,No.2023A1515010828.
文摘This research aimed to examine the diagnostic accuracy and clinical significance of endoscopic ultrasonography(EUS)in the context of small rectal neuroendocrine neoplasms(NENs).A total of 108 patients with rectal subepithelial lesions(SELs)with a diameter of<20 mm were included in the analysis.The diagnosis and depth assessment of EUS was compared to the histology findings.The prevalence of NENs in rectal SELs was 78.7%(85/108).The sensitivity of EUS in detecting rectal NENs was 98.9%(84/85),while the specificity was 52.2%(12/23).Overall,the diagnostic accuracy of EUS in identifying rectal NENs was 88.9%(96/108).The overall accuracy rate for EUS in assessing the depth of invasion in rectal NENs was 92.9%(78/84).Therefore,EUS demonstrates reasonable diagnostic accuracy in detecting small rectal NENs,with good sensitivity but inferior specificity.EUS may also assist physicians in assessing the depth of invasion in small rectal NENs before endoscopic excision.
基金This study was reviewed and approved by the Ethics Committee of Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center(Approval No.B2023-219-03).
文摘BACKGROUND Gastric cancer(GC)is the most common malignant tumor and ranks third for cancer-related deaths among the worldwide.The disease poses a serious public health problem in China,ranking fifth for incidence and third for mortality.Knowledge of the invasive depth of the tumor is vital to treatment decisions.AIM To evaluate the diagnostic performance of double contrast-enhanced ultrasonography(DCEUS)for preoperative T staging in patients with GC by comparing with multi-detector computed tomography(MDCT).METHODS This single prospective study enrolled patients with GC confirmed by preoperative gastroscopy from July 2021 to March 2023.Patients underwent DCEUS,including ultrasonography(US)and intravenous contrast-enhanced ultrasonography(CEUS),and MDCT examinations for the assessment of preoperative T staging.Features of GC were identified on DCEUS and criteria developed to evaluate T staging according to the 8th edition of AJCC cancer staging manual.The diagnostic performance of DCEUS was evaluated by comparing it with that of MDCT and surgical-pathological findings were considered as the gold standard.RESULTS A total of 229 patients with GC(80 T1,33 T2,59 T3 and 57 T4)were included.Overall accuracies were 86.9%for DCEUS and 61.1%for MDCT(P<0.001).DCEUS was superior to MDCT for T1(92.5%vs 70.0%,P<0.001),T2(72.7%vs 51.5%,P=0.041),T3(86.4%vs 45.8%,P<0.001)and T4(87.7%vs 70.2%,P=0.022)staging of GC.CONCLUSION DCEUS improved the diagnostic accuracy of preoperative T staging in patients with GC compared with MDCT,and constitutes a promising imaging modality for preoperative evaluation of GC to aid individualized treatment decision-making.
文摘BACKGROUND Superior mesenteric artery(SMA)syndrome is a rare cause of duodenal obstruction by extrinsic compression between the SMA and the aorta(SMA-Ao).Although the left lateral recumbent position is considered effective in the treatment of SMA syndrome,individual variations in the optimal patient position have been noted.In this report,we present two elderly cases of SMA syndrome that exhibited rapid recovery due to ultrasonographic dynamic evaluation of the optimal position for each patient.CASE SUMMARY Case 1:A 90-year-old man with nausea and vomiting.Following diagnosis of SMA syndrome by computed tomography(CT),ultrasonography(US)revealed the SMA-Ao distance in the supine position(4 mm),which slightly improved in the lateral position(5.7–7.0 mm)without the passage of duodenal contents.However,in the sitting position,the SMA-Ao distance was increased to 15 mm accompanied by improved content passage.Additionally,US indicated enhanced passage upon abdominal massage on the right side.By day 2,the patient could eat comfortably with the optimal position and massage.Case 2:An 87-year-old woman with vomiting.After the diagnosis of SMA syndrome and aspiration pneumonia by CT,dynamic US confirmed the optimal position(SMA-Ao distance was improved to 7 mm in forward-bent position,whereas it remained at 5 mm in the supine position).By day 7 when her pneumonia recovered,she could eat with the optimal position.CONCLUSION The optimal position for SMA syndrome varies among individuals.Dynamic US appears to be a valuable tool in improving patient outcomes.
文摘BACKGROUND Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma(PDAC)is a highly malignant and aggressive tumor,and high Ki-67 expression indicates poor histological differentiation and prognosis.Therefore,one of the challenges in diagnosing preoperatively patients with PDAC is predicting the degree of malignancy.Dynamic contrast-enhanced ultrasonography(DCE-US)plays a crucial role in abdominal tumor diagnosis,and can adequately show the microvascular composition within the tumors.However,the relationship between DCE-US and the Ki-67 labelling index remains unclear at the present time.AIM To predict the correlation between Ki-67 expression and the parameters of DCEUS.METHODS Patients with PDAC who underwent DCE-US were retrospectively analyzed.Patients who had received any treatment(radiotherapy or chemotherapy)prior to DCE-US;had incomplete clinical,imaging,or pathologic information;and had poor-quality image analysis were excluded.Correlations between Ki-67 expression and the parameters of DCE-US in patients with PDAC were assessed using Spearman’s rank correlation analysis.The diagnostic performances of these parameters in high Ki-67 expression group were evaluated according to receiver operating characteristic curve.RESULTS Based on the Ki-67 labelling index,30 patients were divided into two groups,i.e.,the high expression group and the low expression group.Among the relative quantitative parameters between the two groups,relative half-decrease time(rHDT),relative peak enhancement,relative wash-in perfusion index and relative wash-in rate were significantly different between two groups(P=0.018,P=0.025,P=0.028,P=0.035,respectively).The DCE-US parameter rHDT was moderately correlated with Ki-67 expression,and rHDT≥1.07 was more helpful in accurately diagnosing high Ki-67 expression,exhibiting a sensitivity and specificity of 53.8%and 94.1%,respectively.CONCLUSION One parameter of DCE-US,rHDT,correlates with high Ki-67 expression.It demonstrates that parameters obtained noninvasively by DCE-US could better predict Ki-67 expression in PDAC preoperatively.
文摘Intraoperative ultrasonography(IOUS)in hepatobiliary surgery is well known as an essential tool for radical and safe hepatectomies,allowing to perform parenchymal sparing surgery and,as consequence,to expand the surgical indications for patients otherwise considered unresectable.Nevertheless,since many years,despite its effectiveness in the study of vascular anatomy of the liver,the gold standard for the assessment of biliary anatomy during surgery is intraoperative cholangiography(IOC),which is used for the validation of preoperative imaging as well as for guiding reconstruction in case of bile duct injury or resection.
文摘BACKGROUND The incidence of gastric cancer remains high,and it is the sixth most common cancer and the fourth leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide.Oral contrastenhanced ultrasonography is a simple,non-invasive,and painless method for the diagnosis of gastric tumors.AIM To explore the diagnostic value of oral contrast-enhanced ultrasonography for the detection of gastric tumors.METHODS The screening results based on oral contrast-enhanced ultrasonography and electronic gastroscopy were compared with those of the postoperative pathological examination.RESULTS Among 42 patients with gastric tumors enrolled in the study,the diagnostic accordance rate was 95.2%for oral contrast-enhanced ultrasonography(n=40)and 90.5%for electronic gastroscopy(n=38)compared with postoperative pathological examination.The Kappa value of consistency test with pathological findings was 0.812 for oral contrast-enhanced ultrasonography and 0.718 for electronic gastroscopy,and there was no significant difference between them(P=0.397).For the TNM staging of gastric tumors,the accuracy rate of oral contrast enhanced ultrasonography was 81.9%for the overall T staging and 50%,77.8%,100%,and 100%for T1,T2,T3,and T4 staging,respectively.The sensitivity and specificity were both 100%for stages T3 and T4.The diagnostic accuracy rate of oral contrast-enhanced ultrasonography was 93.8%,80%,100%,and 100%for stages N0,N1-N3,M0,and M1,respectively.CONCLUSION The accordance rate of qualitative diagnosis by oral contrast-enhanced ultrasonography is comparable to that of gastroscopy,and it could be used as the preferred method for the early screening of gastric tumors.
文摘BACKGROUND It is possible that this condition will lead to urosepsis and progressive deterioration of renal function in the absence of surgical intervention.Several recent clinical studies have shown that multi-tract percutaneous nephrolithotomy(MPCNL)has a similar stone free rate(SFR)as standard percutaneous nephrolithotomy(S-PCNL).As a result,M-PCNL was also recommended as a treatment option for staghorn calculi.AIM To examine the perioperative and long-term results of ultrasonography-guided single-and M-PCNL.METHODS This was a retrospective cohort study.Between March 2021 and January 2022,the urology department of our hospital selected patients for the treatment of staghorn calculi using percutaneous nephrolithotomy.The primary outcomes were com plication rate and SFR,and the characteristics of patients,operative parameters,laboratory measurements were also collected.RESULTS In total,345 patients were enrolled in the study(186 in the S-PCNL group and 159 in the M-PCNL group).The SFR in the M-PCNL group was significantly higher than that in the S-PCNL group(P=0.033).Moreover,the incidence rates of hydrothorax(P=0.03)and postoperative infection(P=0.012)were higher in the M-PCNL group than in the S-PCNL group.Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that post-operative white blood cell count(OR=2.57,95%CI:1.90-3.47,P<0.001)and stone size(OR=1.59,95%CI:1.27-2.00,P<0.001)were associated with a higher overall complication rate in the S-PCNL group.Body mass index(OR=1.22,95%CI:1.06-1.40,P=0.004)and stone size(OR=1.70,95%CI:1.35-2.15,P<0.001)were associated with increased overall complications in the M-PCNL group.CONCLUSION Multiple access tracts can facilitate higher SFR while slightly increasing the incidence of acceptable complications.
文摘Point of care ultrasonography(POCUS)has evolved to become the fifth pillar of the conventional physical examination,and use of POCUS protocols have significantly decreased procedure complications and time to diagnose.However,lack of experience in POCUS by preceptors in medical schools and nephrology residency programs are significant barriers to implement a broader use.In rural and low-income areas POCUS may have a transformative effect on health care management.
文摘Point-of-care ultrasonography(POCUS),particularly venous excess ultrasound(VExUS)is emerging as a valuable bedside tool to gain real-time hemodynamic insights.This modality,derived from hepatic vein,portal vein,and intrarenal vessel Doppler patterns,offers a scoring system for dynamic venous congestion assessment.Such an assessment can be crucial in effective management of patients with heart failure exacerbation.It facilitates diagnosis,quantification of congestion,prognostication,and monitoring the efficacy of decongestive therapy.As such,it can effectively help to manage cardiorenal syndromes in various clinical settings.Extended or eVExUS explores additional veins,potentially broadening its applications.While VExUS demonstrates promising outcomes,challenges persist,particularly in cases involving renal and liver parenchymal disease,arrhythmias,and situations of pressure and volume overload overlap.Proficiency in utilizing spectral Doppler is pivotal for clinicians to effectively employ this tool.Hence,the integration of POCUS,especially advanced applications like VExUS,into routine clinical practice necessitates enhanced training across medical specialties.
基金Supported by Research funding from KidneyCure and the American Society of Nephrology’s William and Sandra Bennett Clinical Scholars Grant(to Abhilash Koratala).
文摘This article delves into the intricate challenges of acute kidney injury(AKI)in cirrhosis,a condition fraught with high morbidity and mortality.The complexities arise from distinguishing between various causes of AKI,particularly hemodynamic AKI,in cirrhotic patients,who experience hemodynamic changes due to portal hypertension.The term"hepatocardiorenal syndrome"is introduced to encapsulate the intricate interplay among the liver,heart,and kidneys.The narrative emphasizes the often-overlooked aspect of cardiac function in AKI assessments in cirrhosis,unveiling the prevalence of cirrhotic cardiomyopathy marked by impaired diastolic function.The conventional empiric approach involving volume expansion and vasopressors for hepatorenal syndrome is critically analyzed,highlighting potential risks and variable patient responses.We advocate for a nuanced algorithm for AKI evaluation in cirrhosis,prominently featuring point-of-care ultrasonography(POCUS).POCUS applications encompass assessing fluid tolerance,detecting venous congestion,and evaluating cardiac function.
文摘Background: Certain ovarian cancers that were previously common in postmenopausal women are now increasingly observed in women of reproductive age. The research on using β-HCG as a diagnostic biomarker for ovarian cancer in women of reproductive age is ongoing. Aim: This study assessed the level of serum β-HCG in non-pregnant women of reproductive age and determined its potential association with suspicious ovarian ultrasonography results. Methods: The study was conducted in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. This study adopted a cross-sectional design on a quota sample of 224 case notes of women aged 18 - 40 years obtained from eight diagnostic centres. A data extraction form was used for data collection. Data analysis employed descriptive statistics, Chi-square, Fisher’s exact test, and Odds Ratio at 95% confidence and 5% significance levels. Results: About 5.8% of the participants exhibited detectable levels of serum β-HCG above 5 IU/L (World Health Organization reference) at a mean concentration of 5.87 (±1.75) IU/L. About 4.0% of the participants had suspicious ovarian lesions identified through ultrasonography. Participants with elevated serum β-HCG levels above the WHO reference were 59 times more likely to have suspicious ovarian lesions (Odds ratio: 59.4, 95%CI: 12.3 - 287.8, p β-HCG level and age (p = 0.041) as well as parity (p Conclusion: Serum β-HCG levels above the WHO reference in non-pregnant women were associated with suspicious ovarian lesions. More rigorous primary research, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses are needed to confirm the findings of this study.
