Different hemodynamic responses by color Doppler ultrasonography studies between sildenafil non-responders and responders

Aim： To determine if there are different penile hemodynamic patterns between sildenafil non-responders and responders by using color Doppler ultrasonography. Methods： A total of 69 erectile dysfunction （ED） patients aged 22-79 years were enrolled into the present study. Thirty-eight （55.1%） men with ED who did not respond to four attempts of treatment with 100 mg sildenafil after re-education were classified as sildenafil non-responders. A com- bination of three vasodilator drugs, 1.25 mg papaverine, 0.4 mg phentolamine and 5 ug prostaglandin E1, was given by intracavernous injection before penile Doppler ultrasonography was carried out. The erectile response to intracavernous injection and vascular parameters including peak systolic velocity （PSV）, resistance index （RI）, end diastolic velocity （EDV） and cavernosa artery diameter （CD） were measured and the results between sildenafil nonresponders and responders were compared. Results： No statistical difference in vascular parameters measured by Doppler ultrasonography studies between non-responders and responders was noted. Sildenafil non-responders had a poorer penile rigidity response to intracavernous injection than responders （P 〈 0.05）. Among patients with adequate PSV （〉 30 cm/s） and abnormal EDV （〉 5 cm/s）, individuals in the non-responder group had fewer positive responses to intracavernous vasodilator injection than in the responder group （35.3% vs. 72.2%, P 〈 0.05）. Advanced age and comorbidity with diabetes mellitus were significantly associated with sildenafil non-response （P 〈 0.05）. Conclusion： Sildenafil non-responders were characterized by a poorer penile rigidity response to intracavernous injection and had an associated impaired veno-occlusive mechanism. Advanced age and comorbidity with diabetes mellitus were two common factors associated with non-response.

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.

Hemodynamics in the portal vein evaluated by pulse wave Doppler ultrasonography in patients with chronic hepatitis C treated with interferon

AIM: To employ pulse wave Doppler ultrasonography to evaluate the changes in portal blood flow velocity in patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) receiving interferon (IFN) treatment. METHODS: The subjects in this study were 14 patients (13 men and l woman) with CHC who received IFN treatment. Portal blood flow velocity was measured in the vessels at the porta hepatis at four time points: before IFN administration (pre-IFN), 2 wk after the start of administration (wk 2), 24 wk after the start of administration (wk 24, i.e., the end of IFN administration), and 24 wk after the end of administration (wk 48). RESULTS: The patients with CHC in whom IFN treatment resulted in complete elimination or effective elimination of viruses showed a significant increase in portal blood flow velocity at the end of IFN treatment compared with that before IFN treatment. In contrast, when IFN was ineffective, no significant increase in portal blood flow velocity was observed at wk 24 or 48 compared with the pre-IFN value. In addition, the patients with CHC in whom IFN was ineffective showed significantly lower portal blood flow velocity values than control subjects at all measurement time points. CONCLUSION: Pulse wave Doppler ultrasonography is a noninvasive and easily performed method for evaluating the effects of IFN treatment in patients with CHC. This technique is useful for measuring portal blood flow velocity before and 24 wk after IFN administration in order to evaluate the changes over time, thus assessing the effectiveness of IFN treatment.

COLOR DOPPLER ULTRASONOGRAPHY APPEARANCES OF RENAL VEIN THROMBOSIS AND ITS DIAGNOSTIC VALUE

Objective To evaluate color Doppler ultrasonography (CDU) appearances of renal vein thrombosis (RVT) and its diagnostic value.Methods Ten patients with RVT were analyzed retrospectively. Renal structure, distributions of intrarenal flow signals, echogenicity, and flow fullness in main renal veins were observed with CDU. Resistance index (RI) was recorded from the waveforms of segmental or interlobar renal artery.Results Ten kidneys in nine patients were confirmed to have thrombus within the main renal veins, and one patient was confirmed to have thrombus within the small intrarenal veins. The appearances of the main renal vein thrombosis included full of solid echogenicity or strip echogenicity and complete or partial filling defect within the main renal veins, and absent or a few intrarenal venous flow signals in 70% of kidneys involved. The appearances of intrarenal vein thrombosis included obscure renal structure and no venous flow signal within the involved part of the kidneys. Reverse diastolic flow in the intrarenal artery had only a sensitivity of 36% (4/11); in other 7 kidneys without intrarenal arterial reverse diastolic flow, increased RI (mean, 0.84; range, 0.74-0.96) was found.Conclusion CDU is helpful for rapid clinical diagnosis and follow-up of RVT, and therefore can be the first imaging modality of choice for RVT.

A study of the hypoechoic hypertrophic lesions and hypoechoic cancer lesions in hypertrophic prostate inner glands with transrectal color doppler ultrasonography

Objective: To observe the sonographic and hemodynamic features of hypoechoic hypertrophic lesions and hypoechoic cancer lesions in the hypertrophic prostate inner glands, in order to raise the accuracy of early diagnosis rate for prostate cancer. Methods: 31 cases of hypoechoic hypertrophic lesions and 18 cases of hypoechoic cancer lesions in the hypertrophic prostate inner glands were observed by transrectal ultrasonography and comparatively analyze the shape, edge and the systolic peak velocity (Vs) , resistance index (RI) and pulsatility index (PI) of the lesions. Results: In contrast with hypertrophic group, the cancer group presented irregular shape and unclear edge, and obviously higher Vs, RI and PI. Conclusion: The sonographic appearance and Vs. RI. PI have important value in distinguishing hypoechoic hypertrophic lesions and hypoechoic cancer lesions in the hypertrophic prostate inner glands.

Value of identifying and diagnosing mammary carcinoma and non-lactation mastitis lump by color Doppler ultrasonography

Objective: To evaluate the value of identifying and diagnosing mammary carcinoma and non-lactation mastitis lump (NLM) by multicolor Doppler ultrasonography. Methods: We compared and analyzed the examination results of 69 cases of mammary carcinoma proved by surgical pathology and 22 cases of NLM before surgery by multicolor Doppler ultra-sonography. Results: The detection rates of mammary carcinoma and NLM focus by ultrasonic examining were 100%. The shape, envelope, foul line, blood stream between sound and image of two diseases were similar. Of the two diseases, the representation with slight calcification in lump, lower echo in low echo, bloodstream distribution and resistance were different. Conclusion: By analyzing the sound and image representation of mammary lump, we find color Doppler ultrasonography has significant value in identifying and diagnosing mammary carcinoma and non-lactation mastitis lump.

The value of color Doppler ultrasonography in monitoring normal orthotopic liver transplantation and postoperative complications

OBJECTIVE: To assess the value of color Doppler ultrasonography in monitoring normal orthotopic liver transplantation and postoperative complications. METHODS: Forty-one patients after orthotopic liver transplantation were examined by using color Doppler flow imaging to observe the hepatic blood flow and change of ultrasonography of the hepatic parenchyma and bile duct. The measured indexes included maximum blood flow velocity, time-average blood flow velocity (TAV), resistance index (RI) and diameter of the bile duct. RESULTS: Among 41 patients, 17 (41.5%) suffered from liver transplant rejection. Of the 17 patients, 13 (76.4%) showed decrease of TAV of the portal vein, 15 (88.25%) low-amplitude single-phase serrated wave or negative biphasic wave of the hepatic vein, 9 (52.9%) increased hepatic arterial RI, and 5 (29.4%) slightly dilated bile duct. Sonography showed disappearance of the hepatic artery blood flow around the portal vein in 5 (12.2%) of the 41 patients with hepatic artery thrombosis in the postoperative period. Slight dilatation of the intrahepatic bile duct was found in 3 (7.3%) of the 41 patients in the early postoperational period and it normalized within 2 weeks. Ultrasonography of 20 patients (48.8%) revealed a visible dilatation of the intrahepatic bile duct, which was worsening gradually. The causes of bile duct dilatation included biliary stricture in 2 patients (10%), stone in 15 patients (75%) and others in 3 patients (15%). CONCLUSIONS: Color Doppler ultrasonography is valuable for monitoring normal liver transplantation and postoperative complications.

Transcranial Doppler ultrasonography: From methodology to major clinical applications

Non-invasive Doppler ultrasonographic study of cerebral arteries [transcranial Doppler(TCD)] has been extensively applied on both outpatient and inpatient settings. It is performed placing a low-frequency(≤ 2 MHz) transducer on the scalp of the patient over specific acoustic windows, in order to visualize the intracranial arterial vessels and to evaluate the cerebral blood flow velocity and its alteration in many different conditions. Nowadays the most widespread indication for TCD in outpatient setting is the research of right to left shunting, responsable of so called "paradoxical embolism", most often due to patency of foramen ovale which is responsable of the majority of cryptogenic strokes occuring in patients younger than 55 years old. TCD also allows to classify the grade of severity of such shunts using the so called "microembolic signal grading score". In addition TCD has found many useful applications in neurocritical care practice. It is useful on both adults and children for day-to-day bedside assessment of critical conditions including vasospasm in subarachnoidal haemorrhage(caused by aneurysm rupture or traumatic injury), traumatic brain injury, brain stem death. It is used also to evaluate cerebral hemodynamic changes after stroke. It also allows to investigate cerebral pressure autoregulation and for the clinical evaluation of cerebral autoregulatory reserve.

Postoperative complications in patients with portal vein thrombosis after liver transplantation:Evaluation with Doppler ultrasonography

AIM： To study the postoperative complications in patients with preoperative portal vein thrombosis （PVT） undergoing liver transplantation （LT） and to evaluate the complications with Doppler ultrasonography.METHODS： Retrospective studies were performed on 284 patients undergoing LT （286 LT） with respect to pre- and postoperative clinical data and Doppler ultrasonography. According to the presence and grade of preoperative PVT, 286 LTs were divided into three groups： complete PVT （c-PVT）, partial PVT （p-PVT） and non-PVT, with 22, 30 and 234 LTs, respectively. Analyses were carried out to compare the incidence of early postoperative complications.RESULTS： PVT, inferior vena cava （IVC） thrombosis, hepatic artery thrombosis （HAT） and biliary complications were found postoperatively. All complications were detected by routine Doppler ultrasonography and diagnoses made by ultrasound were confirmed by clinical data or/and other imaging studies. Nine out of 286 LTs had postoperative PVT. The incidence of the c-Pv-r group was 22.7%, which was higher than that of the p-Pv-r group （3.3%, P 〈 0.05） and non- PVT group （1.3%, P 〈 0.005）. No difference was found between the p-PVT and non-PVT groups （P 〉 0.25）. Of the 9 cases with postoperative PVT, recanalizations were achieved in 7 cases after anticoagulation under the guidance of ultrasound, 1 case received portal vein thrombectomy and 1 case died of acute injection. Ten LTs had postoperative 1VC thrombosis. The c-PVT group had a higher incidence of IVC thrombosis than the non- PVT group （9.1% vs 2.6%, P 〈 0.05）; no significant difference was found between either the c-PV-T and p-PVT groups （9.1% vs 6.7%, P 〉 0.5） or between the p-PVT and non-PVT groups （P 〉 0.25）. Nine cases with IVC thrombosis were cured by anticoagulation under the guidance of ultrasound, and 1 case gained natural cure without any medical treatment after 2 mo. HAT was found in 2 non-PVT cases, giving a rate of 0.7% among 286 LTs. Biliary complications were seen in 12 LTs. The incidence of biliary complications in the c-PVT, p-PVT and non-PVT groups was 9.1%, 3.3% and 4.3%, respectively （P 〉 0.25 for all）, among which 2 stenosis led retransplantations and others were controlled by relative therapy.CONCLUSION： C-PVT patients tend to have a higher incidence of PVT and IVC thrombosis than non- PVT patients after LT. The incidence of postoperative complications in p-PVT patients does not differ from that of non-PVT patients, A relatively low incidence of HAT was seen in our study, Doppler ultrasonography is a convenient and efficient method for detecting posttransplant complications and plays an important role in guiding treatment.

Graves' Disease Thyroid Color-Flow Doppler Ultrasonography Assessment: Review Article

Graves’ disease, as known today, is an autoimmune, diffuse, chronic disease of thyroid gland, as described by Robert Graves in 1835. It presents genetic predisposition and unknown etiology evidence, which is influenced in its development by several factors, including environment (dietary iodine intake, stress, drugs and infections). The disease is characterized by one or more changes: hyperthyroidism, goiter, ophthalmopathy, skin changes and pretibial myxedema, around 5% less common, and other symptoms 90% to 95%. One of the most relevant clinical practice aspects in Graves’ disease patients management is to distinguish Graves’ disease in initial phase, from other types of destructive thyrotoxicosis, in addition to evaluate therapeutic methods and efficient follow up, as well as predict early recurrence or remission of disease. Scintigraphy with pertechnetate (99 mTc) and TSH levels dosage are considered the choice for this purpose. However, they present some technical difficulties, as they are not widely available and have contraindications. In this scenario, thyroid color-flow doppler ultrasonography (US Doppler) presents a viable alternative, as a widely available, low cost, non-invasive and radiation free method, providing initial diagnosis and patients with Graves’ disease follow up. In adittion, this method is used in differential diagnosis with other causes of thyrotoxicosis in the early stage.

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.

Point-of-care ultrasonography spotlight:Could venous excess ultrasound serve as a shared language for internists and intensivists?

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.

Doppler Study of Uterine Artery and Ultrasonography of Endometrial Thickness in Perimenopausal and Postmenopausal Bleeding

Background: Transvaginal color Doppler sonography of the uterine artery has been reported useful for evaluation of abnormal uterine bleeding in peri-/post-menopausal women. It may differentiate physiological from malignant endometrial changes. Objective: Evaluating the endometrial thickness and uterine artery Doppler as an initial diagnostic tool to identify patients with abnormal endometrial pathology. Methods: This is a prospective case control study consisted of total 50 women with peri-(n = 35) and post-(n = 15) menopausal bleeding, with 20 women consisting control group (no bleeding) (peri-(n = 10) and post-menopausal (n = 10)). Double layer endometrial thickness and uterine-artery-Doppler waveforms were measured, with the latter being S/D ratio, RI and PI. These were related to histological findings (endometrial biopsy). Result: Patients with abnormal uterine bleeding (both peri- and postmenopausal) had a significantly higher mean endometrial thickness than the control women. Study group showed a significantly lower value of all Doppler indices (S/D ratio, RI and PI). In study group, patients with malignant endometrial pathology showed significantly thicker endometrium and significantly lower Doppler indices than those with benign pathology. Conclusion: The combination of endometrial thickness and uterine artery color Doppler pattern might predict uterine endometrial malignancy, although whether it can discriminate (screen) patients requiring endometrial biopsy is not evident. Further study is needed.

Colour Doppler Study of Umbilical Artery in Antenatal Women with Severe Preeclampsia and Foetal Outcome

Hypertensive disorders are the most common medical complications of pregnancy (7.15%). Doppler analysis of umbilical artery S/D ratio PI and RI, absent or reversal of EDV were evaluated and follow up results studied in severe preeclampsia women between 26 to 40 weeks. Doppler analysis of Uterine Artery and Middle Cerebral Artery is also studied. Doppler study guides in decision making and follows up in severe preeclampsia and guides in reducing perinatal morbidity and mortality. Period of Study: This is a prospective randomised study conducted at Niloufer Hospital for Women and Children Red Hills Hyderabad from September 2011 to June 2014. Material and Methods: 100 pregnant women with severe preeclampsia who attended Antenatal Out-Patient Department and got admitted in Emergency ward underwent Umbilical artery velocimetry by means of a Colour doppler vision (6000 Toshiba corp Tokyo Japan) using 3.5_5 MHZ Trasabdominal traducer. Results: Total number of 100 women were studied. In this 60 women had foetuses with abnormal umbilical artery flow velocimetry and 40 had normal umbilical artery flow velocimetry. The average birth weight and diagnosis to delivery interval were lower in foetuses with abnormal umbilical artery doppler. Admission to neonatal intensive care unit is high. The APGAR score at 1 minute is <7 in 20 women with abnormal umbilical artery doppler compared to 17 women with normal umbilical artery doppler. Compared to 32 women with normal umbilical artery doppler, the APGAR score is more than 7 in 31 women with abnormal umbilical artery Doppler. P = 0.639647 and chi-square statistic = 0.2192, the result is statistically not significant at p-value < 0.05, implying that APGAR scores are not dependent on doppler findings alone. Conclusion: Doppler study guides obstetrician to assess the physiological status of the foetus and it helps in identifying the changes in the foetal circulation. This study suggests that doppler assessment of foe to placental circulation including umbilical artery is a better prognostic indicator in severe PE and helps in timely intervention. The foetuses with normal artery flow velocimetry area at a lower risk of having poor APGAR score than those with abnormal velocimetry and NICU admissions are less with normal umbilical artery flow velocimetry. The average birth weight of neonates with abnormal umbilical artery was lower compared to neonates with normal umbilical artery velocimetry.

Can the change of vasomotor activity in irritable bowel syndrome patients be detected via color Doppler ultrasound?

BACKGROUND Irritable bowel syndrome(IBS)is one of the most frequently referred conditions to the gastrointestinal outpatient clinic.The pathophysiology of IBS has not been determined with certainty.Visceral hypersensitivity is indicated as one of the pathophysiologies.The sympathetic nervous system is primarily in charge of controlling the arteries,and its effect is vasospasm in the medium and large arteries,resulting in decreased blood flow.AIM To demonstrate,using Doppler evaluation of the brachial artery,that sympathetic activity impairs vasomotor performance due to autonomic neuropathy,which we believe is associated with IBS.METHODS There were 58 participants in the study.The control group consisted of 29 healthy patients,while the remaining 29 patients had been diagnosed with IBS.Patients who met the Rome IV criteria and had IBS were included in the study.People with known polyneuropathy or non-IBS chronic conditions that can progress were excluded from the trial,as were those with essential hypertension,diabetes mellitus,cardiovascular disease,or peripheral arterial disease,and patients diagnosed with anxiety or depression.Those with moderate to severe carpal tunnel syndrome or a median nerve lesion due to trauma were also excluded from the trial.A Doppler probe was used to measure the baseline diameter and flow rates of the brachial artery from 2 cm superior to the antecubital fossa.The Doppler probe remained stationary throughout the experiment,allowing for continuous measurements.Then,to activate the sympathetic fibers,an electrical stimulus for 5 s with an intensity of 10 mA and a frequency of 1 Hz was applied to the median nerve at the wrist level via the bipolar stimulus electrode.The artery diameter and flow rates were measured again immediately following the fifth stimulus.RESULTS In healthy persons with no history of chronic illness,there was a statistically significant decrease in flow rate after stimulation(P<0.001).In addition,stimulation resulted in a statistically significant reduction in the diameter of the brachial artery(P<0.001).Patients diagnosed with IBS had statistically significant vasodilation and an increase in flow rate.CONCLUSION Sympathetic stimulation causes a reduction in vascular diameter and blood flow,whereas it has the reverse effect on IBS patients.In investigating the involvement of autonomic neuropathy in the development of IBS,significant changes in brachial artery Doppler parameters were observed before and after stimulation of the median nerve with low-current sensory stimulation.This method is thought to be more user-friendly and comfortable than other methods described in the literature.

Monitoring of antegrade selective cerebral perfusion for aortic arch surgery with transcranial Doppler ultrasonography and near-infrared spectroscopy

Objective To evaluate the safety and efficacy of antegrade selective cerebral perfusion (ASCP) during aortic arch surgery as a means of extending the safe period of systemic circulatory arrest using multimodality neuromonitoring to objectively quantify the physiologic responses Methods In twenty two patients (all less than age 60) scheduled for repair of an aortic arch aneurysm, preoperative verification of effective collateral perfusion through both the carotid and vertebrobasilar arterial systems was documented with transcranial Doppler ultrasonography (TCD) During cardiopulmonary bypass, the sole arterial inflow from the pump was via the right subclavian artery The magnitude of ASCP was quantified by TCD using peak middle cerebral artery velocity, while flow adequacy was measured by continuous regional cerebrovenous oxygen saturation (rSO 2) using dual wavelength spatially resolved near infrared spectroscopy Results All patients experienced an uneventful recovery Flow in the middle cerebral artery became undetectable at ASCP < 5?ml·kg 1 ·min 1 , so adjustments from a 15-20?ml·kg 1 ·min 1 baseline were used to maintain rSO 2 above 50% Furthermore, ASCP flow was highly correlated ( P <0 01) with both peak middle cerebral artery velocity and rSO 2 ( r =0 86 and 0 96, respectively) Conclusion Neuromonitoring guided ASCP may be expected to extend the safe period and is at least partly responsible for the absence of neurologic complications in this patient cohort

Contrast-enhanced endoscopic ultrasonography

Contrast agents are increasingly being used to characterize the vasculature in an organ of interest,to better delineate benign from malignant pathology and to aid in staging and directing therapeutic procedures.We review the mechanisms of action of first,second and third generation contrast agents and their use in various endoscopic procedures in the gastrointestinal tract.Various applications of contrast-enhanced endoscopic ultrasonography include differentiating benign from malignant mediastinal lymphadenopathy,assessment of depth of invasion of esophageal,gastric and gall bladder cancers and visualization of the portal venous system and esophageal varices.In addition,contrast agents can be used to differentiate pancreatic lesions.The use of color Doppler further increases the ability to diagnose and differentiate various pancreatic malignancies.The sensitivity of power Doppler sonography to depict tumor neovascularization can be increased by contrast agents.Contrast-enhanced harmonic imaging is a useful aid in identifying the tumor vasculature and studying pancreatic microperfusion.In the future,these techniques could potentially be used to quantify tumor perfusion,to assess and monitor the efficacy of antiangiogenic agents,to assist targeted drug delivery and allow molecular imaging.

Evaluation of cerebrovascular reactivity by ultrasonography in type 2 diabetic patients with hypertension

BACKGROUND： Cerebrovascular reactivity （CVR） reflects cerebrovascular reserve capacity, and cerebrovascular reactivity damage prognosticates a very high risk of stroke. OBJECTIVE： To evaluate CVR by detecting the increase rate of blood flow volume of middle cerebral artery （MCA） before and after breathholding in diabetic patients with hypertension, and observe the effects of hypertension on cerebrovascular reserve capacity of diabetic patients. DESIGN： Controlled observation. SETTINGS： Department of Function, Affiliated Hospital of Hebei University; Department of Special Diagnosis, the 202 Hospital of Chinese PLA. PARTICIPANTS： Inpatients or outpatients with type 2 diabetes mellitus （DM） or primary hypertension admitted to Departments of Gastroenterology and Cardiology, Affiliated Hospital of Hebei University and the 202 Hospital of Chinese PLA from April to December 2004 were involved in this experiment. Inclusive criteria： type 2 DM met the criteria of the report on diabetes diagnosis announced in 1999 by WHO expert committee, totally 88 patients were involved. Primary hypertension met the diagnosis criteria announced in 1999 by WHO/ISH, totally 42 patients were involved. Another group of 43 concurrent subjects who received physical examination served as controls. According to the disease condition, the involved patients were assigned into 3 groups： DM group （only diabetic patients）, hypertension group （only hypertension patients） and DM complicated with hypertension group （diabetic patients with hypertension）. Informed consent for the examination was obtained from all the involved subjects. METHODS： Before MCA of subjects was detected, bilateral carotid artery was routinely detected by high-frequency ultrasonography. Subjects were rejected when stenosis rate of unilateral internal carotid artery or common carotid artery ≥ 70%. Vessels were expanded with transcranial color Duplex Doppler by breath holding test for detecting vascular reactivity. Hypercapnia was created by BHT. The mean velocity and diameter of blood flow were detected under the quiescent condition and 25 s after breath holding with transcranial color-coded duplex sonography. The volume of blood flow of MCA was calculated according to the following formula： Volume of blood flow of MCA （mL/ min） = （the diameter of blood flow /2） 2×π× mean blood flow velocity×60. The increase rates of mean blood flow velocity and blood flow volume of patients with hypercapnia were calculated as compared with under the quiescent condition to evaluate cerebrovascular reactivity. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： Mean blood flow velocity, blood flow diameter and MCA blood flow volume as well as the increase rates of them. RESULTS： Among the 173 participates, 103 patients and 39 healthy controls were involved in the final analysis, and the other 31 dropped out due to not accomplishing the examination. ①Comparison of blood flow parameter of MCA under the quiescent condition： The mean blood flow velocity of DM complicated by hypertension group was significantly higher than that of DM group （P 〈 0.05） and control group （P 〈 0.05）; The blood flow diameter of DM complicated by hypertension group was significantly smaller than that of control group （P 〈 0.01）. Under the quiescent condition, significant difference was not found in the intergroup comparison of blood flow volume of MCA. ② Comparison of increase rate of blood flow parameter： In the DM group, hypertension group, DM complicated by hypertension group and control group, the increase rate of mean blood flow velocity of was （29.34±4.50）%,（29.35±4.35）%,（26.68±4.99）% and （30.99±3.54）%, respectively, the increase rate of blood flow volume of MCA was （35.32±5.08）%, （35.36±6.16）%,（31.78±7.11）% and（37.26±4.17）%, respectively, and the increase rate of blood flow diameter was （2.29±1.09）%,（2.27±0.95）%,（1.97±1.05）% and（2.36±0.46）%, respectively. The increase rate of mean blood flow velocity and that of blood flow volume of MCA in the DM complicated byhypertension group were significantly lower than those in the other 3 groups （P 〈 0.05）. CONCLUSION： CVR is markedly lowered and cerebrovascular reserve capacity is damaged in diabetic patients with hypertension.

Outcome prediction in severe traumatic brain injury with transcranial Doppler ultrasonography

Objective: To investigate the value of transcranial Doppler (TCD) ultrasonography in evaluating the outcome of severe traumatic brain injury and to correlate the TCD values with intracranial pressure (ICP) and cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) monitoring. Methods: A prospective study was conducted to evaluate the contribution of TCD ultrasonography to neurological outcome in a series of 96 severe traumatic brain injury patients. The quantitative variables of TCD ultrasonography included the mean blood flow velocity of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) and pulsatility index within the first 24 hours of admission. The ICP and CPP values were also recorded. Outcome in 6 months postinjury was evaluated using the Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS 4 5 was considered as "good" and GOS 1 3 as "poor"). Results: The mean blood flow velocity of the MCA was larger than 40 cm/s in 30 (51%) patients with good outcome whereas it was less than 40 cm/s in 27 (73%) patients with poor outcome (P< 0.025 ). The mean PI in cases of good outcome (34 patients, 57%) was lower than 1.5 whereas in poor outcome (30 patients, 83%) was higher than 1.5 (P< 0.001 ). The correlations of ICP and CPP to pulsatility index were statistically significant (P< 0.01 ). Conclusions: TCD ultrasonography is valid in predicting the patients outcome of 6 months and correlates significantly with ICP and CPP values when it is performed in the first 24 hours of severe traumatic brain injury.

Nitrogen monoxide vector of ultrasonic atomizing inhalation improves vertebro-basilar artery insufficiency Hemodynamic changes are detected by transcranial Doppler test

BACKGROUND： Latest researches at home and abroad indicate that glycerol trinitrate plays its function because it can metabolize into nitrogen monoxide （NO） in vivo. OBJECTIVE： To study the therapeutic effects of NO vector of ultrasonic atomizing inhalation on vertebro-basilar artery insufficiency （VBI） through transcranial Doppler （TCD） detection and serum NO content and indirect effect of TCD on cerebral blood flow changes. DESIGN： Randomized grouping and controlled clinical study. SETTING： Department of Neurology, the Fourth People＇s Hospital of Jinan. PARTICIPANTS： A total of 130 patients who were diagnosed as VBI were selected from Department of Neurology, the Fourth People＇s Hospital of Jinan from December 2001 to December 2005. The involved inpatients were checked by CT and MRI, and met the VBI diagnostic standard enacted by the Fourth National Academic Meeting of Cerebrovascular Disease in 1995. All patients and their relatives provided the confumed consent. They were randomly divided into low-dose treatment group （n =60）, high-lose treatment group （n =30） and control group （n =40）. METHODS： Patients in the low-dose and high-dose treatment groups were given ultrasonic atomizing inhalation of 3 mg and 5 mg glycerol trinitrate, respectively, for 20 minutes, once a day. In addition, ligustrazine and energy mixture were used once a day for three days in a course. Cases in the control group were only given ligustrazine and energy mixture. All selected cases accepted TCD, blood NO content was checked at the time of beginning, after the first time and after a period of treatment. According to the TCD test, VBI patients were divided into two groups （high-low flow velocity）. The vertebral artery （VA） and basal artery （BA） of left or right sides were detected by 2 Hz detector via occipital window. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： ①Blood flow velocity of systolic phase, blood flow velocity of diastole phase and vascular resistance in left and right VA and BA detected by using TCD before treatment, after treatment for one course; ②content of serum NO indirectly measured by using nitric acid disoxidation technique. RESULTS： All 130 VBI patients were involved in the final analysis. ①Changes of hemodynamic indexes： Systolic phase of VA and diastole phase of BA were higher in low-dose treatment group than that in the control group after first treatment, and there was significant difference （P 〈 0.05）; meanwhile, systolic phase and diastole phase of VA and systolic phase of BA were also higher in treatment group than that in the control group after one course （P 〈 0.05）. However, both systolic phase and diastole phase of VA and BA were lower in high-dose treatment group than that in the control group after first treatment and one course, and there was significant difference （P 〈 0.05）. ②Content of serum NO： After first treatment, there was no significant difference between low-dose treatment group and high-dose treatment group （P 〉 0.05）; but both groups were higher than control group, and there was significant difference （P 〈 0.05, 0.01）. CONCLUSION： NO vector of ultrasonic atomizing inhalation can improve VBI so as to improve cerebral blood-supply state.