Emerging roles for transthoracic ultrasonography in pulmonary diseases

As a result of many advantages such as the absence of radiation exposure,non-invasiveness,low cost,safety,and ready availability,transthoracic ultrasonography(TUS) represents an emerging and useful technique in the management of pleural and pulmonary diseases.In this second part of a comprehensive review that deals with the role of TUS in pleuropulmonary pathology,the normal findings,sonographic artifacts and morphology of the most important and frequent pulmonary diseases are described.In particular,the usefulness of TUS in diagnosing or raising suspicion of pneumonia,pulmonary embolism,atelectasis,diffuse parenchymal diseases,adult and newborn respiratory distress syndrome,lung cancer and lung metastases are discussed,as well as its role in guidance for diagnostic and therapeutic interventional procedures.Moreover,the preliminary data about the role of contrast enhanced ultrasonography in the study of pulmonary pleural-based lesions are also reported.Finally,the limits of TUS when compared with chest computed tomography are described,highlighting the inability of TUS to depict lesions that are not in contact with the pleura or are located under bony structures,poor visualization of the mediastinum,and the need for very experienced examiners to obtain reliable results.

Infrequent organ involvement in immunoglobulin G4-related prostate disease: A case report

BACKGROUND Immunoglobulin G4-related prostate disease(IgG4-RPD)characterized by a high count of IgG4-positive plasma cells has distinctive serological and radiological findings.Here we report a case of a patient who was successfully treated for IgG4-RPD,which manifested as frequent micturition,dysuric,and systemic lymphadenopathy.CASE SUMMARY The patient was a 33-year-old man who was referred to our hospital because of urinary tract symptoms that had persisted for 4 years.A physical examination revealed systemic lymphadenopathy and blood tests showed hyperglobulinemia with an IgG level of 18.90 g/L and an IgG4 level of 18.40 g/L.Computed tomography(CT)revealed bilateral lacrimal gland,right parotid gland and prostatic enlargement.Based on these findings,IgG4-RD was suspected,and further pathological examination and follow-up results showed expected results.Finally,the patient was diagnosed with IgG4-RPD based on clinical symptoms,pathological examination,therapeutic effects,and follow-up results.He received 50 mg oral prednisolone(the dose was gradually reduced and a low dose was used for long-term maintenance)in combination with cyclophosphamide 1.0 g via an intravenous drip for 6 mo.One year after the treatment was initiated,he was free of urinary or other complaints and his serum IgG4 level normalized.CONCLUSION In IgG4-RPD with severe urinary tract symptoms,radiological findings should be carefully examined.IgG4-RPD prognosis is good because the disease responds well to glucocorticoids.Furthermore,it is urgent for clinicians and pathologists to improve their understanding of IgG4-RPD.

Intravesical Prostate Protrusion (IPP) versus Middle Lobe Volume on Ultrasonography in Assessing the Impact of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

Background: Ultrasound is the main method of exploring the prostate. In benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), it provides important morphological information and assesses its impact, helping to guide the treatment. Objective: To compare intravesical prostatic protrusion (IPP) and middle lobe volume by ultrasound in BPH. Method: This was a single center prospective, descriptive and analytical study, over a period of 6 months, including 95 patients, undergoing prostatic trans-abdominal ultrasound. Patients were selected by a single urologist for clinical suspicion of benign prostatic hypertrophy. The ultrasound examination was done by a single senior radiologist. Results: The mean age of the patients was 66.63 ± 11.55 years with ranges from 38 to 98 years. The prevalence of BPH was 76.84%. The rate of patient with middle lobe protrusion was 48.42%. The mean middle lobe volume was 11.29 ± 12.90 ml. More than half of the patients (50.91%) had an IPP stage 3 of. The mean bladder wall thickness was 6.08 ± 2.58 mm, with 50.53% being pathological. The post-voiding residue (PVR) was significant in 38.75% of patients. Renal repercussions were present in 17.89%. The correlation analysis did not note a statistical link between prostate volume and quality of life score (p > 0.05). There was a statistically significant correlation between IPP values and quality of life score (p = 00461), IPSS score (p = 0.0424) and PVR (p = 0.0395). For middle lobe volume, there was a correlation with PVR (p = 0.0018). There was no correlation with clinical impact (quality of life score and IPSS score). Conclusion: The IPP appears to be an easy element to measure and better than the volume of the prostate and the middle lobe in assessing the impact of BPH.

Correlations of transcranial sonography of substantia nigra characteristics with MRI iron deposition on substantia nigra in patients with Parkinson disease

Objective To explore the correlations of transcranial sonography of substantia nigra(SN-TCS)characteristics with MRI iron deposition on substantia nigra in patients with Parkinson disease(PD).Methods Data of SN-TCS and craniocerebral MRI in 120 PD patients were retrospectively analyzed.The patients were divided into iron deposition positive group(positive group,n=46)and iron deposition negative group(negative group,n=74)according to quantitative susceptibility mapping(QSM)value.Then parameters of SN-TCS and MRI were compared between groups(both P<0.05),and correlation analysis were also performed.Results The proportion of high echo positive,strong echo area and QSM value of substantia nigra,as well as of hyper-substantia nigra area/midbrain area(S/M)in positive group were all higher than those in negative group(all P<0.001).No significant difference of midbrain area was found between groups(P>0.05).Strong echo area of substantia nigra and S/M based on SN-TCS were both low-medium positively correlated with substantia nigra QSM value showed on MRI(r=0.497,0.529,both P<0.001).Conclusion SN-TCS characteristics of PD patients were correlated with MRI iron deposition on substantia nigra,among which strong echo area and S/M were valuable for evaluating iron deposition on substantia nigra.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patients’Risk of Developing Prostate Cancer:A Meta-Analysis

Background:Inflammatory bowel disease(IBD)has been linked to an increased risk of prostate cancer(PC)in numerous studies.However,the exact relationship between them remains conflicting.In this meta-analysis,we focus on determining the relationship between PC incidence and IBD.Methods:A comprehensive literature search was conducted up until January 2022,selecting 14 studies,comprising 127,323 subjects with IBD,at the beginning of the study,among which 61,985 were patients with ulcerative colitis(UC)and 37,802 were with Crohn’s disease(CD).The studies reported the differences between subjects with IBD and controls with regard to the incidence of PC.In order to investigate the relationship between IBD and the prevalence of PC,we estimated the odds ratio(OR)with 95%confidence intervals(CIs).Results:IBD significantly increased the incidence of PC(OR,3.46;95%CI,1.40-8.54,P=0.007)compared to controls.UC significantly increased the incidence of PC(OR,1.43;95%CI,1.03-1.98,P=0.03)compared to controls.Yet,no significant difference was observed between CD and controls in relation to PC incidence(OR,0.89;95%CI,0.75-1.06,P=0.18).Conclusion:IBD,particularly UC,may increase the risk of developing PC.This relationship prompts us to advocate for increased PC and IBD screening to reduce the risk for possible complications that could occur in these subjects.

Association of autoimmune thyroid disease with type 1 diabetes mellitus and its ultrasonic diagnosis and management

As a common hyperglycemic disease,type 1 diabetes mellitus(T1DM)is a complicated disorder that requires a lifelong insulin supply due to the immunemediated destruction of pancreaticβcells.Although it is an organ-specific autoimmune disorder,T1DM is often associated with multiple other autoimmune disorders.The most prevalent concomitant autoimmune disorder occurring in T1DM is autoimmune thyroid disease(AITD),which mainly exhibits two extremes of phenotypes:hyperthyroidism[Graves'disease(GD)]and hypothyroidism[Hashimoto's thyroiditis,(HT)].However,the presence of comorbid AITD may negatively affect metabolic management in T1DM patients and thereby may increase the risk for potential diabetes-related complications.Thus,routine screening of thyroid function has been recommended when T1DM is diagnosed.Here,first,we summarize current knowledge regarding the etiology and pathogenesis mechanisms of both diseases.Subsequently,an updated review of the association between T1DM and AITD is offered.Finally,we provide a relatively detailed review focusing on the application of thyroid ultrasonography in diagnosing and managing HT and GD,suggesting its critical role in the timely and accurate diagnosis of AITD in T1DM.

LIVER SCINTIGRAPHY AND ULTRASONOGRAPHY FOR THE DIAGNOSIS OF FOCAL AND DIFFUSE DISEASES

The scintiphotos and ultrasonophotos of 186 patients with focal and diffuse diseases of liver were collected and analysed. All the data were get from the in-patients of China-Japan Friendship Hospital. The Sigma 438 typedγ camera (USA) was used. Fifteen min after 99mTc-phytate were injected i.v., If any defect region was found, it was recorded as a SOL; the SSA 90A, SAL 77A and SAL 50A US scanners (Japan) were used, if any abnormal echo pattern was found, it was a SOL. Of 134 patients have done both examinations during 7 days, 122 patients had coincident results occupied 91.0%. For detection of SOL, the sensitivity of scintigraphy is 94.1%, specificity is 94.2%, accuracy is 94.8%; the sensitivity of US is 100%, specificity is 89.7%, the accuracy is 95.6%. The hepatic blood flow and blood pool study showed that 104 from 115 patients were coincident (90.4%). The spleen and liver accumulation ratio determination showed that 51 from 64 subjects were coincident (80.0%). The characteristic features of scintigraphy and US graphy were described in hepatoma, hemangioma, cyst abscess and cirrhosis. The advantages of these examinations were discussed and concluded that their procedures are valuable and widely available.

Accuracy of Doppler Ultrasonography in Assessment of Lower Extremity Peripheral Arterial Diseases

Doppler ultrasound scan is a non-invasive, cheap and convenient tool and it complements angiography, Computed tomography angiography (CTA), magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) and catheter digital subtraction angiography (DSA) in screening, diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of peripheral vascular diseases. Symptoms of peripheral vascular diseases are becoming more common due to rise in incidence of diseases and risk factors (diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemias, smoking, sedentary lifestyle). Due to limited availability of highly specific tools such as CT angiography, magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) and DSA (digital subtraction angiography) in many developing countries, doppler ultrasound is gaining more importance. Early determination of peripheral arterial diseases is beneficial in prevention of complications as severity increases may cause intermittent claudication, pain, tissue loss, including ulceration and gangrene (as the diseases progresses) and early management of arteriosclerosis will be beneficial to prevent these complications.

Are prostatic calculi independent predictive factors of lower urinary tract symptoms？

We determined the correlation between prostatic calculi and lower urinary tract symptoms （LUTS）,as well as the predisposing factors of prostatic calculi. Of the 1 527 patients who presented at our clinic for LUTS,802underwent complete evaluations,including transrectal ultrasonography,voided bladder-3 specimen and international prostatic symptoms score （IPSS）. A total of 335 patients with prostatic calculi and 467 patients without prostatic calculi were divided into calculi and no calculi groups,respectively. Predictive factors of severe LUTS and prostatic calculi were determined using uni/multivariate analysis. The overall IPSS score was 15.7±9.2 and 14.1±9.1 in the calculi and no calculi group,respectively （P = 0.013）. The maximum flow rate was 12.1±6.9 and 14.2±8.2 mL s^（-1） in the calculi and no calculi group,respectively （P = 0.003）. On univariate analysis for predicting factors of severe LUTS,differences on age （P = 0.042）,prostatic calculi （P = 0.048） and prostatitis （P = 0.018） were statistically significant. However,on multivariate analysis,no factor was significant. On multivariate analysis for predisposing factors of prostatic calculi,differences on age （P〈0.001） and prostate volume （P = 0.001） were significant. To our knowledge,patients who have prostatic calculi complain of more severe LUTS. However,prostatic calculi are not an independent predictive factor of severe LUTS. Therefore,men with prostatic calculi have more severe LUTS not only because of prostatic calculi but also because of age and other factors. In addition,old age and large prostate volume are independent predisposing factors for prostatic calculi.

Update on minimally invasive surgery and benign prostatic hyperplasia

Transurethral resection of the prostate(TURP)became the gold standard surgical treatment for benign prostatic obstruction without undergoing randomized controlled trials against the predecessor standard in open suprapubic prostatectomy.TURP has historically been associated with significant morbidity and this has fuelled the development of minimally invasive surgical treatment options.Improvements in perioperative morbidity for TURP has been creating an ever increasing standard that must be met by any new technologies that are to be compared to this gold standard.Over recent years,there has been the emergence of novel minimally invasive treatments such as the prostatic urethral lift(PUL;UroLift System),convective WAter Vapor Energy(WAVE;Rezum System),Aquablation(AQUABEAM System),Histotripsy(Vortx Rx System)and temporary implantable nitinol device(TIND).Intraprostatic injections(NX-1207,PRX-302,botulinum toxin A,ethanol)have mostly been used with limited efficacy,but may be suitable for selected patients.This review evaluates these novel minimally invasive surgical options with special reference to the literature published in the past 5 years.

Use of color Doppler ultrasonography in the diagnosis of anomalous connection in pancreatobiliary disease

AIM: To estimate the detectability of anomalous connection in pancreatobiliary disease (ACPBD) cases, measuring gallbladder wall blood flow (GWBF).METHODS: In the retrospective study, we enrolled 42subjects with gallbladder wall thickening. GWBF velocity was determined as an average value of the peak velocity of color signals on the gallbladder wall, three times in each case. Based on the findings on endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) or endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), the 42 subjects were divided into 11 cases with ACPBD and 31 cases without ACPBD. In the prospective study, the subjects were 92 cases with gallbladder wall thickening. Using the cut-off level of the flow velocity obtained in the retrospective study, the usefulness of measuring GWBF velocity in diagnosing ACPBD was evaluated.RESULTS: In the retrospective study, imaging of GWBF was obtained in 40 of the 42 subjects. The mean GWBF velocity of the ACPBD cases was 29.4±3.9 cm/s(mean±SD), which was significantly different (P＜0.0001;95% CI 5.48-13.2) from that of the without ACPBD cases(20.1±5.9 cm/s). Based on this result, we prepared a receiver operating characteristic curve, and the cut-off level appropriate for diagnosing ACPBD was estimated to be 25 cm/s. In the prospective study, GWBF was detected in 86 of the 92 subjects. Based on the EUS or ERCP findings, the 92 subjects were divided into 15 cases with ACPBD and 77 cases without ACPBD. When a cut-off level of 25 cm/s was employed, ACPBD could be diagnosed with a sensitivity of 87.0% (13/15) and a specificity of87.3% (62/71).CONCLUSION: Measurement of GWBF velocity, which is less invasive and provides objective values, is very useful for diagnosing ACPBD prior to the development of malignant tumors in cases with gallbladder wall thickening.

Can intravesical prostatic protrusion predict bladder outlet obstruction even in men with good flow?

Objective:Men with benign prostate hyperplasia(BPH)with good urinary flow may still have bladder outlet obstruction(BOO).Intravesical prostatic protrusion(IPP)has been shown to be able to predict BOO.We aim to investigate the use of IPP to predict BOO in men with good urinary flow.Methods:One hundred and fourteen consecutive men(>50 years old)presenting with lower urinary tract symptoms suggestive of BPH were recruited in 2001 and 2002.They were evaluated with serum prostate specific antigen(PSA),uroflowmetry and transabdominal ultrasound measurement of IPP and prostate volume(PV).Pressure-flow urodynamic studies were performed on all men and BOO was defined by BOO index>40.Men with Qmax
12.0 mL/s were considered to have good flow.Results:Among the 114 men,61 patients had good urinary flow.Their median age,PV and Qmax were 66 years,32.9 mm3 and 14.5 mL/s respectively.14/61(23.0%)patients had BOO and their distribution of IPP were as follows:Grade 1 e 0/20(0%)obstructed,Grade 2 e 6/22(27.3%)and Grade 3 e 8/19(42.1%).Sensitivity of Grade 2/3 IPP for BOO was 100% while specificity of Grade 3 IPP was 76.6%.The area-under-curve(AUC)for IPP was greater than that for PV(0.757 vs.0.696).Conclusion:Even in men with good flow,high grades of IPP were more likely to have BOO and hence,may be a useful adjunct to predict BOO.

Endoscopic ultrasonography-guided trucut biopsy for the preoperative diagnosis of peripancreatic castleman's disease: A case report

Castleman＇s disease （CD） of the pancreas/peripancreas is extremely rare. The recently introduced, endoscopic ultrasonography （EUS）-guided trucut biopsy （TCB） is a useful diagnostic rnodality for obtaining tissue samples from peripancreatic lesions. However, its role in diagnosing CD remains unknown. We report a case of localized, peripancreatic, hyaline-vascular CD biopsied using EUS. The pathology results were initially interpreted as an extranodal, marginal-zone B-cell lyrnphoma. However, polyrnerase chain reaction （PCR） study for the IgH gene rearrangement revealed a polyclonal pattern. We also reviewed the relevant literature. To our knowledge, this is the first illustrated report on EUS-TCB findings of CD with its pathology results of EUS-TCB mimicked a B-cell lymphoma.

Epidemiological trends of urinary tract infections,urolithiasis and benign prostatic hyperplasia in 203 countries and territories from 1990 to 2019

Background:Urinary tract infections(UTI),urolithiasis,and benign prostatic hyperplasia(BPH)are three of the most common nonmalignant conditions in urology.However,there is still a lack of comprehensive and updated epidemiological data.This study aimed to investigate the disease burden of UTI,urolithiasis,and BPH in 203 countries and territories from 1990 to 2019.Methods:Data were extracted from the Global Burden of Disease 2019,including incident cases,deaths,disabilityadjusted life-years(DALYs)and corresponding age-standardized rate(ASR)from 1990 to 2019.Estimated annual percentage changes(EAPC)were calculated to evaluate the trends of ASR.The associations between disease burden and social development degrees were analyzed using a sociodemographic index(SDI).Results:Compared with 1990,the incident cases of UTI,urolithiasis,and BPH increased by 60.40%,48.57%,and 105.70%in 2019,respectively.The age-standardized incidence rate(ASIR)of UTI increased(EAPC=0.08),while urolithiasis(EAPC=–0.83)and BPH(EAPC=–0.03)decreased from 1990 to 2019.In 2019,the age-standardized mortality rate(ASMR)of UTI and urolithiasis were 3.13/100,000 and 0.17/100,000,respectively.BPH had the largest increase(110.56%)in DALYs in the past three decades,followed by UTI(68.89%)and urolithiasis(16.95%).The burden of UTI was mainly concentrated in South Asia and Tropical Latin America,while the burden of urolithiasis and BPH was recorded in Asia and Eastern Europe.Moreover,the ASIR and SDI of urolithiasis in high-SDI regions from 1990to 2019 were negatively correlated,while the opposite trend was seen in low-SDI regions.In 2019,the ASIR of UTI in females was 3.59 times that of males,while the ASIR of urolithiasis in males was 1.96 times higher than that in females.The incidence was highest in the 30–34,55–59,and 65–69 age groups among the UTI,urolithiasis,and BPH groups,respectively.Conclusions:Over the past three decades,the disease burden has increased for UTI but decreased for urolithiasis and BPH.The allocation of medical resources should be based more on the epidemiological characteristics and geographical distribution of diseases.

Characteristic pattern of human prostatic growth with age

Aim: To study the characteristic pattern of the age-related growth of the human prostate gland. Methods: The volume (weight) of the prostate in 1,601 males, aged from newborn to 92 years, was determined by Bultrasonography. Results: Prostatic volume determination by B-ultrasonography in 1601 males (1301 normal subjects and 300 BPH patients) pointed out that the age-stratified growth of human prostate could be categorized into 4 life stages: (1) the first slow growing phase (from newborn to 9 years): the prostate grows slowly at a rate of 0.14g per year; (2) the first rapid growing phase (from 10 to 30 years): the prostate grows at a rate of 0.84 g per year; (3) the second slow growing phase (from 30 to 50 years), the prostate grows at a rate of 0.21 g per year; (4) the second rapid growing phase (from 50 to 90 years): the prostate grows at one of the following rates: in one group the growth rate is of 0.50 g per year and in the other 1.20 g per year, leading to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Conclusion: The volumes of the prostate are different in different age groups and it grows with age at different rates in four life phases. The prostate growth in phases can be expressed by the following equation: Y=19.36+1.36X'-0.58X'2+0.33X'3, where Y=prostate volume, X=age (up to 70 years), X'=(X-35.5)/10. (Asian JAndrol 2002 Dec; 4: 269-271)

Patients with small prostates and low-grade intravesical prostatic protrusion e A urodynamic evaluation

Abstract Objective:Despite high-grade intravesical prostatic protrusion(IPP)being closely related to bladder outlet obstruction(BOO),up to 21%of patients with low IPP remain obstructed.This study evaluates the characteristics and urodynamic findings of men with small prostates and low IPP.Methods:One hundred and fourteen men aged>50 years old with lower urinary tract symptoms(LUTS)were assessed with symptoms,uroflowmetry,serum prostate-specific antigen(PSA),transabdominal ultrasound measurement of prostate volume(PV),IPP and post-void residual urine(PVRU).All patients underwent pressure flow studies.Patients with PV<30 mL and IPP
10 mm were examined for parameters correlating with BOO or impaired detrusor contractility.Results:Thirty-six patients had PV<30 mL and IPP<10 mm.Nine patients(25.0%)had urodynamic BOO,all with normal bladder contractility.Fourteen patients(38.9%)had poor detrusor contractility and all had no BOO.PV,PVRU and IPP were significantly associated with BOO,with IPP showing greatest positive correlation.Both Qmax and IPP were significantly associated with detrusor contractility.At 5-year follow-up,most patients responded to medical therapy.Only three out of nine patients(33.3%)with BOO eventually underwent surgery,and all had a high bladder neck seen on the resectoscope.Only one patient(7.1%)with poor detrusor contractility eventually required surgery after repeat pressure flow study revealed BOO.Conclusion:In men with small prostates and low IPP,the presence of BOO is associated with higher PV,PVRU and IPP,and most respond well to medical management.BOO can possibly be explained by elevation of the bladder neck by a small subcervical adenoma.

Small intestine contrast ultrasonography vs computed tomography enteroclysis for assessing ileal Crohn's disease

AIM:To compare computed tomography enteroclysis(CTE) vs small intestine contrast ultrasonography(SICUS) for assessing small bowel lesions in Crohn's disease(CD),when using surgical pathology as gold standard.METHODS:From January 2007 to July 2008,15 eligible patients undergoing elective resection of the distal ileum and coecum(or right colon) were prospectively enrolled.All patients were under follow-up.The study population included 6 males and 9 females,with a median age of 44 years(range:18-80 years).Inclusion criteria:(1) certain diagnosis of small bowel requiring elective ileo-colonic resection;(2) age between 18-80 years;(3) elective surgery in our Surgical Unit;and(4) written informed consent.SICUS and CTE were performed ≤ 3 mo before surgery,followed by surgical pathology.The following small bowel lesions were blindly reported by one sonologist,radiologist,surgeon and histolopathologist:disease site,extent,strictures,abscesses,fistulae,small bowel dilation.Comparison between findings at SICUS,CTE,surgical specimens and histological examination was made by assessing the specificity,sensitivity and accuracy of each technique,when using surgical findings as gold standard.RESULTS:Among the 15 patients enrolled,CTE was not feasible in 2 patients,due to urgent surgery in one patients and to low compliance in the second patient,refusing to perform CTE due to the discomfort related to the naso-jejunal tube.The analysis for comparing CTE vs SICUS findings was therefore performed in 13 out of the 15 CD patients enrolled.Differently from CTE,SICUS was feasible in all the 15 patients enrolled.No complications were observed when using SICUS or CTE.Surgical pathology findings in the tested population included:small bowel stricture in 13 patients,small bowel dilation above ileal stricture in 10 patients,abdominal abscesses in 2 patients,enteric fistulae in 5 patients,lymphnodes enlargement(> 1 cm) in 7 patients and mesenteric enlargement in 9 patients.In order to compare findings by using SICUS,CTE,histology and surgery,characteristics of the small bowel lesions observed in CD each patient were blindly reported in the same form by one gastroenterologistsonologist,radiologist,surgeon and anatomopathologist.At surgery,lesions related to CD were detected in the distal ileum in all 13 patients,also visualized by both SICUS and CTE in all 13 patients.Ileal lesions > 10 cm length were detected at surgery in all the 13 CD patients,confirmed by SICUS and CTE in the same 12 out of the 13 patients.When using surgical findings as a gold standard,SICUS and CTE showed the exactly same sensitivity,specificity and accuracy for detecting the presence of small bowel fistulae(accuracy 77% for both) and abscesses(accuracy 85% for both).In the tested CD population,SICUS and CTE were also quite comparable in terms of accuracy for detecting the presence of small bowel strictures(92% vs 100%),small bowel fistulae(77% for both) and small bowel dilation(85% vs 82%).CONCLUSION:In our study population,CTE and the non-invasive and radiation-free SICUS showed a comparable high accuracy for assessing small bowel lesions in CD.

Ultrasonographic study of postcibal gastro-esophageal reflux and gastric emptying in infants with recurrent respiratory disease

AIM: To check the utility of postcibal ultrasonography for the evaluation of reflux in relation to gastric emptying in infants with recurrent respiratory symptoms and to link imaging with clinical data.METHODS: Esophageal reflux (hyperechoic retrograde filling) and gastric emptying (antral areas) were quantified before and after ingestion of a standard formula in 35 untreated infants (13 with chronic cough,22 with recurrent bronchitis) and in 31 controls.RESULTS: The prevalence of abnormal (≥8 episodes)postcibal refluxes was 74% in patients and 3% in controls. Number, duration of the longest episode and extent of refluxes were significantly higher in patients compared to controls. Number of refluxes was higher in patients with symptomatic refluxes than in those without.Infants with recurrent bronchitis had more refluxes than those with chronic cough and controls. Extent and timing of gastric emptying were similar in patients and controls.CONCLUSION: Esophageal ultrasonography is a useful and physiological test in infants with recurrent respiratory diseases, which have a high prevalence of abnormal postcibal esophageal reflux and a gastric emptying similar to that of normal controls. Esophageal reflux is more severe in subjects with recurrent bronchitis than in those with chronic cough.

Ultrasonographic assessment of cardiac function and disease severity in coronary heart disease

BACKGROUND Coronary heart disease(CHD)causes many adverse cardiovascular events and poses a threat to the patient’s health and quality of life.AIM To evaluate ultrasonography for evaluation of cardiac function and lesion degree in patients with CHD.METHODS A total of 106 patients with CHD(study group)and 106 healthy individuals(control group)in our hospital from March 2019 to September 2020 were selected for this study.All subjects were examined by ultrasound,and the mitral orifice’s early-to-late diastolic blood flow velocity ratio(E/A),left ventricular end-diastolic volume(LVDd),and left atrial diameter(LAD)were measured.Values were compared between the study group and healthy group,and the correlation between the ultrasonic parameters of patients with different cardiac function grades and the degree of CHD were assessed.In addition,the ultrasonic parameters of patients with different prognoses were compared after a follow-up for 6 mo.RESULTS E/A(1.46±0.34)of the study group was smaller than that of the control group(1.88±0.44),while LVDd(58.24±5.05 mm)and LAD(43.31±4.38 mm)were larger(48.15±3.93 and 34.94±2.81,respectively;P<0.05).E/A for patients with grade III disease(1.41±0.43)was smaller and their LVDd(60.04±4.21 mm)and LA(44.16±2.79 mm)were larger than those in patients with grade II disease(1.71±0.48,52.18±3.67 mm,and 39.68±2.37,respectively;P<0.05).Patients with grade IV disease had smaller E/A(1.08±0.39)and larger LVDd(66.81±5.39 mm)and LAD(48.81±3.95 mm)than patients with grade II and III disease(P<0.05).In patients with moderate disease,E/A(1.44±0.41)was smaller and LVDd(59.95±4.14 mm)and LAD(45.15±2.97 mm)were larger than in patients with mild disease(1.69±0.50,51.97±3.88 and 38.81±2.56 mm,respectively;P<0.05).In patients with severe disease,E/A(1.13±0.36)was smaller and LVDd(67.70±6.11 mm)and LAD(49.09±4.05 mm)were larger than in patients with moderate disease(P<0.05).E/A was negatively correlated with cardiac function classi-fication and disease severity,while LVDd and LAD were positively correlated with cardiac function classification and disease severity(P<0.05).E/A(1.83±0.51)for patients with good prognosis was higher than that for those with poor prognosis(1.39±0.32),while LVDd(49.60±4.39 mm)and LAD(36.13±3.05 mm)were lower(P<0.05).CONCLUSION The ultrasonic parameters of patients with CHD are abnormal,and differ significantly in patients with different cardiac function grades,lesion degree,and prognosis.

Effect of precise nursing service mode on postoperative urinary incontinence prevention in patients with prostate disease

BACKGROUND Patients with benign prostatic disease often experience detrusor morphological changes and dysfunction.In severe cases,it leads to bladder detrusor dysfunction,resulting in dysuria,frequent urination,urgent urination,incomplete urination,and other symptoms including renal function injury.An operation to restore normal urination function and to control postoperative complications,as far as possible,is the most common method for benign prostatic disease.AIM To observe the effect of precise nursing service mode on postoperative urinary incontinence prevention in patients with prostate disease.METHODS In total,130 patients diagnosed with benign prostatic disease,from January 2018 to June 2021,in our hospital,were selected and divided into observation and control groups according to their treatment options.Sixty-five cases in the control group were given routine nursing mode intervention and 65 cases in the observation group received precise nursing service mode intervention.The intervention with the observation group included psychological counseling about negative emotions,pelvic floor exercises,and post-hospital discharge care.The complications of the two groups were counted,and the general postoperative conditions of the two groups were recorded.The urinary flow dynamics indexes of the two groups were detected,and differences in clinical international prostate system score(IPSS)and urinary incontinence quality of life questionnaire(I-QOL)scores were evaluated.RESULTS Postoperative exhaust time(18.65±3.23 h and 24.63±4.51 h),the time of indwelling catheter(4.85±1.08 d and 5.63±1.24 d),and hospitalization time(8.78±2.03 d and 10.23±2.28 d)in the observation group were lower than in the control group.The difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).After the operation,the maximum urinary flow rate(Qmax)increased(P<0.05),the residual urine volume(RUV)decreased(P<0.05),and the maximum closed urethral pressure(MUCP)was not statistically significant(P>0.05)compared to pre-operation.The Qmax of the observation group was higher than that of the control group,while the RUV was lower than that of the control group.There was no significant difference in MUCP between the observation and control groups(P>0.05).The I-QOL score of the two groups improved(P<0.05),and the IPSS decreased(P<0.05).After the operation,the I-QOL score of the observation group was higher than that of the control group,and the IPSS was lower than that of the control group(P<0.05).There were no significant differences in the incidence of urethral injury(1.54%and 3.08%),bladder spasm(0.00%and 1.54%),and secondary bleeding(1.54%and 4.62)between the observation and control groups(P>0.05).CONCLUSION The precise nursing service mode can reduce the incidence of postoperative urinary incontinence in patients with prostate disease,thus improving postoperative urodynamics and rehabilitation,and quality of life.