Chinese Association for the Study of Pain:Experts consensus on ultrasound-guided injections for the treatment of spinal pain in China(2020 edition)

Spinal pain(SP)is a common condition that has a major negative impact on a patient’s quality of life.Recent developments in ultrasound-guided injections for the treatment of SP are increasingly being used in clinical practice.This clinical expert consensus describes the purpose,significance,implementation methods,indications,contraindications,and techniques of ultrasound-guided injections.This consensus offers a practical reference point for physicians to implement successfully ultrasound-guided injections in the treatment of chronic SP.

Ultrasound-guided needle release plus corticosteroid injection of superficial radial nerve:A case report

BACKGROUND The radial nerve(RN)splits into two main branches at the elbow:The superficial branch of RN(SBRN)and the deep branch of RN.The SBRN can be easily damaged in acute trauma due to its superficial feature.CASE SUMMARY A 55-year-old male patient injured his right wrist 10 mo ago.Debridement,suturing and bandaging were performed in the emergency room.Six months after the scar had healed,he felt numbness and tingling in the dorsal surface of the thumb of the right hand.So the surgery of resection and SBRN anastomosis were performed.The pathological findings showed it as traumatic neuroma.Four months after surgery,the patient felt numbness and tingling in the right dorsal surface of the thumb again.The tenderness was marked in the operated area.Ultrasound indicated that the SBRN was adhered to the surrounding tissue.The patient refused further surgical treatment and underwent ultrasound-guided needle release plus corticosteroid injection of the SBRN.Four weeks later,the tenderness in the surgical area was reduced by 70%,the numbness in the dorsal surface of the thumb of the right hand was reduced by 40%and the nerve swelling evaluated by ultrasound was reduced.Four months passed,he did not feel any numbness or tingling sensation of his right wrist.This is the first report of ultrasound-guided needle release plus corticosteroid injection of the SBRN.CONCLUSION Ultrasound can evaluate the condition of the RN,and the relationship with surrounding tissues.Ultrasound-guided needle release plus corticosteroid injection is an effective and safe treatment for SBRN adhesion.

Comparison of intra-articular injection of parecoxib vs oral administration of celecoxib for the clinical efficacy in the treatment of early knee osteoarthritis

BACKGROUND Non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs(NSAIDs)have played a crucial role in the treatment of osteoarthritis,especially in the early stages.However,the cardiovascular risk and adverse gastrointestinal reactions of oral NSAIDs in elderly people cannot be underestimated.Intra-articular injection of NSAIDs may be a new attempt for early knee osteoarthritis treatment.Parecoxib may be a suitable drug for intra-articular injection.AIM To observe the clinical efficacy of the intra-articular injection of parecoxib for early knee osteoarthritis.METHODS Early knee osteoarthritis patients(n=110)were retrospectively analyzed.These patients were divided into three groups:Basic treatment+oral glucosamine(group A,n=37),oral celecoxib+basic treatment+oral glucosamine(group B,n=37),and intra-articular injection of parecoxib+basic treatment+oral glucosamine(group C,n=36).Intra-articular injection of parecoxib was performed once every 2 wk at a dose of 40 mg each time,for three times total.The three groups were compared in terms of visual analogue scale(VAS)scores,Hospital for Special Surgery(HSS)scores and patient satisfaction before and after treatment.The levels of inflammatory cytokines in the synovial fluid were detected in the three groups before and after treatment.RESULTS All patients were followed up for an average of 15.5±2.7 mo.The clinical efficacy was estimated by VAS and HSS scores at 12 mo after treatment.Inflammatory cytokine levels in the synovial fluid were evaluated at 3 mo after treatment.VAS and HSS scores were significantly improved in each group compared with before(P<0.001).There were significant differences among the three groups in VAS and HSS scores(P<0.001).The clinical efficacy of group C was superior to that of groups A and B(P<0.001),while group B outperformed group A in this respect(P<0.001).The patient satisfaction was the highest in group C(P<0.001).After treatment,the levels of tumor necrosis factorα(TNF-α)and interleukin(IL)-6 in the synovial fluid decreased in each group compared with before(P<0.001),while the levels of IL-10 increased(P<0.001).The three groups differed significantly in the levels of TNF-a,IL-6 and IL-10 in the synovial fluid after treatment(P<0.001).CONCLUSION For patients with early knee osteoarthritis,intra-articular injection of parecoxib could effectively improve clinical symptoms.This method may be a reliable alternative for early knee osteoarthritis.

Treatment of posterior interosseous nerve entrapment syndrome with ultrasound-guided hydrodissection:A case report

BACKGROUND Posterior interosseous nerve(PIN)entrapment syndrome is one of the causes of weakness and pain of the arm muscles,which is prone to missed diagnosis and misdiagnosis in clinic practice.This paper reports a case of PIN entrapment syndrome,with PIN injury indicated by electrophysiology.Musculoskeletal ultrasound was applied to identify that the entrapment point was located at the inlet of the Frohse arch and the outlet of the supinator muscle.Treatment with ultrasound-guided nerve hydrodissection was performed on the entrapment point,which significantly improved the symptoms.Ultrasound-guided nerve hydrodissection is an effective therapeutic method for PIN entrapment syndrome.CASE SUMMARY A male patient,35 years old,worked as an automobile mechanic.He felt slightly weak extension activity of his right fingers 2 years ago but sought no treatment.Later,the symptoms gradually became aggravated and led to finger drop,particularly severe in the right middle finger,accompanied by supination weakness of the right forearm.Neural electrophysiological examination showed that the patient had partial PIN injury of the right radius.Musculoskeletal ultrasound examination indicated PIN entrapment at the inlet of the Frohse arch and the outlet of the supinator muscle.Therefore,PIN entrapment syndrome was diagnosed.After treatment with ultrasound-guided nerve hydrodissection around the entrapment point,the dorsiflexion weakness of the right hand was significantly improved compared with before treatment.CONCLUSION Ultrasound-guided hydrodissection is efficacious for PIN entrapment syndrome,with high clinical value and great application prospects.

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided injectable therapy for pancreatic cancer:A systematic review

BACKGROUND Given the low survival rate in pancreatic cancer,new therapeutic techniques have been explored,especially for unresectable or borderline resectable disease.Endoscopic ultrasound(EUS)provides real-time imaging and minimally invasive access for local and targeted injection of anti-tumor agents directly into the pancreatic tumor.Limited studies have been reported using this technique for the treatment of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma(PDAC).AIM To evaluate the progress made with EUS-guided injectable therapies in the treatment of PDAC.METHODS All original articles published in English until July 15,2021,were retrieved via a library-assisted literature search from Ovid Evidence-Based Medicine Reviews and Scopus databases.Reference lists were reviewed to identify additional relevant articles.Prospective clinical studies evaluating the use of EUS-guided injectable therapies in PDAC were included.Studies primarily directed at non-EUS injectable therapies and other malignancies were excluded.Retrieved manuscripts were reviewed descriptively with on critical appraisal of published studies based on their methods and outcome measures such as safety,feasibility,and effectiveness in terms of tumor response and survival.Heterogeneity in data outcomes and therapeutic techniques limited the ability to perform comparative statistical analysis.RESULTS A total of thirteen articles(503 patients)were found eligible for inclusion.The EUS-injectable therapies used were heterogeneous among the studies consisting of immunotherapy(n=5)in 59 patients,chemotherapy(n=1)in 36 patients,and viral and other biological therapies(n=7)in 408 patients.Eleven of the studies reviewed were single armed while two were double armed with one randomized trial and one non-randomized comparative study.Overall,the included studies demonstrated EUS-guided injectable therapies to be safe and feasible with different agents as monotherapy or in conjunction with other modalities.Promising results were also observed regarding their efficacy and survival parameters in patients with PDAC.CONCLUSION EUS-guided injectable therapies,including immunotherapy,chemotherapy,and viral or other biological therapies have shown minimal adverse events and potential efficacy in the treatment of PDAC.Comparative studies,including controlled trials,are required to confirm these results in order to offer novel EUS-based treatment options for patients with PDAC.

Effect of intramuscular calcitonin injection combined with intra-articular ozone injection on the expression of the IL family and MMPs family of knee osteoarthritis

Objective: To study the effect of intramuscular calcitonin injection combined with intra-articular ozone injection on the expression of the IL family and MMPs family of knee osteoarthritis. Methods: A total of 128 patients with knee osteoarthritis who were treated in the hospital between January 2015 and January 2017 were collected and divided into control group and observation group by random number table, each with 64 cases. Control group received intra-articular ozone injection therapy, and observation group received intramascular calcitonin injection combined with intra-articular ozone injection therapy. The differences in serum levels of IL family members and MMPs family members were compared between the two groups before and after treatment. Results: Before treatment, the differences in serum levels of IL family members and MMPs family members were not statistically significant between the two groups. 1 week after treatment, serum levels of IL family members IL-1β, IL-15, IL-17 and IL-18 as well as MMPs family members MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-3 and MMP-13 of both groups of patients were significantly lower than those before treatment, and serum IL-1β, IL-15, IL-17, IL-18, MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-3 and MMP-13 levels of observation group were significantly lower than those of control group. Conclusion: Intramuscular calcitonin injection combined with intra-articular ozone injection therapy can effectively inhibit the expression of IL family and MMPs family in patients with knee osteoarthritis.

Ultrasound, Fluoroscopic-Guided Caudal, Lumbar Epidural Steroid Injections and Blinding Paraspinal Lumbosacral Steroid Injections in Patients with Low Back Pain with Radiculopathy

Background and Aims: Low back pain (LBP) is considered one of the most common health conditions in the world right now, and it affects many individuals throughout different stages of their lives. Chronic LBP (CLBP) was estimated to be between 5% and 10%, defined as LBP that lasts for 12 weeks. The most common causes of CLBP with radiculopathy are lumbar disc prolapse (LDP) and degenerative facet osteoarthropathy (DFO);the aim of this study is to investigate the efficacy of ultrasound (US) guided, fluoroscopy (FL) guided, Caudal Epidural Steroid Injection (CESI), lumbar epidural steroid injections (LESI), and blinding lumbosacral steroid injections (LSPSI) in patients with CLBP with radiculopathy. Patients and Methods: This is a randomized prospective study that was conducted at the department of rheumatology at Al Azhar University Hospital in Egypt between November 2020 and August 2021. A total of 100 patients with refractory CLBP with radiculopathy were enrolled in the study. Consequently, they were divided into 2 groups: the first consisted of fifty patients with CLBP and radiculopathy caused by LDP, as determined by lumbosacral magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and the second group consisted of fifty patients with refractory low back pain and radiculopathy caused by DFO, as determined by lumbosacral plain x-rays and lumbosacral MRI. The following procedures were performed: US-guided CESI, FL-guided CESI, FL-guided LESI, US-guided LESI, and blinding LSPSI. Results: In the LDP group, there is a statistically significant difference between considered spinal nerve roots as regards Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) (at 2 months). Likewise, a statistically significant difference was found between blinding LSPSI and US-Guided LESI with respect to VAS (baseline) and VAS (2 months) (P-value = 0.018 and 0.003, respectively). Statistically significant differences were reported in VAS (2 months) for both FL-guided LESI and FL-guided CESI groups. Considering the VAS of studied spinal nerve roots in the DFO group, there is a statistically significant difference between the examined spinal nerve roots with respect to Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) (2 months). Similarly, there is a statistically significant difference in VAS (2 months) between US-guided LESI and para-spinal roots and FL-guided LESI and para-spinal roots (P-value = 0.038 and 0.021, respectively). Additionally, there is a statistically significant difference between the US-guided CESI, FL-guided CESI, FL-guided LESI, and spinal nerve roots with respect to ODI (at 2 months). (P-value = 0.033, 0.025 and 0.005, respectively). Conclusion: US is excellent in guiding CESI and LESI and should be the preferred alternative when FL is not provided, with a similar treatment outcome compared to FL-CESI and LESI.

Clinical Observation on Brachial Plexus Block with “One Injection Two Points” Method Guiding by Ultrasound

OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical effect of brachial plexus block with "One Injection Two Points" guided under ultrasound and the conventional method guiding by ultrasound. METHODS: 70 patients were randomized evenly into 2 groups, with 35 patients in each group, while the Experiment Group(Group B) received One Injection Two Points" method, the Control Group(Group A) received the conventional method.The nerve block every 5 s, the success rate of anesthesia, the dosage of local anesthetics, second remedial anesthesia, adverse reactions, etc.were recorded. RESULTS: Group B was superior to group A in the success rate of anesthesia; There were 6 patients in group A who required constant pump injection of Remifentanil to remedy, while no patients in Group B needed remedy treatment. There were no serious adverse reactions in both groups.CONCLUSIONS: The clinical effect of brachial plexus block with "One Injection Two Points" method guided under ultrasoundguiding by ultrasound was superior to that of the conventional method.

Extracellular vesicles derived from mesenchymal stem cells mediate extracellular matrix remodeling in osteoarthritis through the transport of microRNA-29a

BACKGROUND Knee osteoarthritis(KOA)is a common orthopedic condition with an uncertain etiology,possibly involving genetics and biomechanics.Factors like changes in chondrocyte microenvironment,oxidative stress,inflammation,and immune responses affect KOA development.Early-stage treatment options primarily target symptom relief.Mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs)show promise for treatment,despite challenges.Recent research highlights microRNAs(miRNAs)within MSC-released extracellular vesicles that can potentially promote cartilage regeneration and hinder KOA progression.This suggests exosomes(Exos)as a promising avenue for future treatment.While these findings emphasize the need for effective KOA progression management,further safety and efficacy validation for Exos is essential.AIM To explore miR-29a’s role in KOA,we’ll create miR-29a-loaded vesicles,testing for early treatment in rat models.METHODS Extraction of bone marrow MSC-derived extracellular vesicles,preparation of engineered vesicles loaded with miR-29a using ultrasonication,and identification using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction;after establi-shing a rat model of KOA,rats were randomly divided into three groups:Blank control group injected with saline,normal extracellular vesicle group injected with normal extracellular vesicle suspension,and engineered extrace-llular vesicle group injected with engineered extracellular vesicle suspension.The three groups evaluation,histological detection,and immunohistochemical detection to compare and evaluate the progress of various forms of arthritis.RESULTS General behavioral observation results showed that the extracellular vesicle group and engineered extracellular vesicle group had better performance in all four indicators of pain,gait,joint mobility,and swelling compared to the blank control group.Additionally,the engineered extracellular vesicle group had better pain relief at 4 wk and better knee joint mobility at 8 wk compared to the normal extracellular vesicle group.Imaging examination results showed that the blank control group had the fastest progression of arthritis,the normal extracellular vesicle group had a relatively slower progression,and the engineered extracellular vesicle group had the slowest progression.Gross histological observation results showed that the blank control group had the most obvious signs of arthritis,the normal extracellular vesicle group showed signs of arthritis,and the engineered extracellular vesicle group showed no significant signs of arthritis.Using the Pelletier gross score evaluation,the engineered extracellular vesicle group had the slowest progression of arthritis.Results from two types of staining showed that the articular cartilage of rats in the normal extracellular vesicle and engineered extracellular vesicle groups was significantly better than that of the blank control group,and the engineered extracellular vesicle group had the best cartilage cell and joint surface condition.Immunohistochemical detection of type II collagen and proteoglycan showed that the extracellular matrix of cartilage cells in the normal extracellular vesicle and engineered extracellular vesicle groups was better than that of the blank control group.Compared to the normal extracellular vesicle group,the engineered extracellular vesicle group had a better regulatory effect on the extracellular matrix of cartilage cells.CONCLUSION Engineered Exos loaded with miR-29a can exert anti-inflammatory effects and maintain extracellular matrix stability,thereby protecting articular cartilage,and slowing the progression of KOA.

Additional comments on extracellular vesicles derived from mesenchymal stem cells mediate extracellular matrix remodeling in osteoarthritis

Recently,we read an article published by the Yang et al.The results of this study indicated that engineered exosomes loaded with microRNA-29a(miR-29a)alleviate knee inflammation and maintain extracellular matrix stability in Sprague Dawley rats.The study’s results provide useful information for treating knee osteoarthritis(KOA).This letter,shares our perspectives on treating KOA using engineered exosomes for miR-29a.

Intra-articular delivery of tetramethylpyrazine microspheres with enhanced articular cavity retention for treating osteoarthritis

Tetramethylpyrazine(TMP) is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine with strong antiinflammatory and cartilage protection activities, and thus a promising candidate for treating osteoarthritis. However, TMP is rapidly cleared from the joint cavity after intra-articular injection and requires multiple injections to maintain efficacy. The aim of this study was to encapsulate TMP into poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)(PLGA) microspheres to enhance the TMP retention in the joint, reducing injection frequencies and decreasing dosage. TMP microspheres were prepared by emulsion/solvent evaporation method. The intra-articular retention of the drug was assessed by detecting the drug concentration distributed in the joint tissue at different time points. The therapeutic effect of TMP microspheres was evaluated by the swelling of knee joints and histologic analysis in papain-induced OA rat model. The prepared freezedried microspheres with a particle size of about 10 μm can effectively prolong the retention time of the drug in the articular cavity to 30 d, which is 4.7 times that of the TMP solution.Intra-articular injection of TMP microspheres efficiently relieved inflammatory symptoms,improved joint lesions and decreased the depletion of proteoglycan. In conclusion, intraarticular injection of TMP loaded microspheres was a promising therapeutic method in the treatment of OA.

Placement of a Jejunal Feeding Tube via an Ultrasound-Guided Antral Progressive Water Injection Method

Background： Jejunal feeding tube allows the nutrition of critical care patients more easy and safe. However, its placement remains a challenge. This study aimed to introduce a jejunal feeding tube through an ultrasound-guided antral progressive water injection method and subsequently to examine its efficacy. Methods： Between April 2016 and April 2017, 54 patients hospitalized in the Department of Critical Care Medicine, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, China who needed nutritional support through a jejunal feeding tube were recruited for this study. Patients who applied ultrasound-guided antral progressive water injection method were classified into the experimental group. Patients who applied conventional method were registered as control group. Results： No significant differences were found in age, body mass index, and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation score, but a significant difference in operation time was found between the experimental group and the control group. Of the 24 individuals in the control group, 17 displayed clear catheter sound shadows once the tube entered the esophagus. In comparison, of the 30 individuals in the experimental group, all harbored catheter sound shadows through the esophageal gas injection method. Subsequent observation revealed that in the control group （via ultrasonographic observation）, 15 individuals underwent successthl antral tube entry, for a success rate of 63%. In the experimental group （via antral progressive water injection）, 27 individuals underwent successful antral tube entry, for a success rate of 90%. There was a significant difference between the success rates of the two groups （x2 = 5.834, P= 0.022）. Conclusion： The antral progressive water injection method for the placement of a jejunal feeding tube is more effective than the traditional ultrasonic placement method.

Intra-articular transplantation of porcine adipose-derived stem cells for the treatment of canine osteoarthritis: A pilot study

AIM: To test whether intra-articular injection of porcine adipose-derived stem cells(ADSCs) can treat canine osteoarthritis(OA).METHODS: To enroll in this study dogs must have stifle joint OA that had lasted ≥ 3 mo and been treated with OA medication without significant improvement. Three dogs fulfilled these criteria and were thus subjects for ADSCs treatment. ADSCs were isolated from abdominal adipose tissue of a 2-mo-old female Yorkshire pig. Their stem cell marker expression was examined by immunofluorescence staining. For treatment, 5 million ADSCs were injected into the diseased joint of each dog. In the next 48 h, the patient was observed for signs of inflammatory and allergic reactions. Thepatient was then discharged to the owner and, at 2, 6, and 12 wk, followed up with orthopedic assessment, owner questionnaire, X-ray imaging, and force-plate gait analysis.RESULTS: Porcine ADSCs expressed mesenchymal stem cell markers CD90 and CD105. Injection of porcine ADSCs into canine stifle joints did not cause any inflammatory or allergic reactions. Orthopedic evaluation found improvements in two dogs, particularly at the longest time point. Owners' evaluation found increased capacity and decreased pain in all three dogs' activities such as walking and running. Radiographic evaluation did not find statistically significant differences before and after treatment. Force-plate analysis found significant improvements in all three dogs after treatment.CONCLUSION: Xenotransplantation of ADSCs for the treatment of OA is feasible. Further studies are needed to validate this novel treatment modality, which can then be implemented for the routine treatment of OA in veterinary medicine.

Successful treatment of spontaneous rupture of the internal carotid artery in an acute promyelocytic leukemia patient using ultrasound-guided thrombin injection

Spontaneous rupture and bleeding from the carotid artery in acute promyelocytic leukemia （APL）patients leading to pseudoaneurysm （PSA） formation has not been reported. We first successfully treated an APL patient with leli internal carotid artery rupture during chemotherapy leading to PSA using ultrasound-guided thrombin iniection （UGTI）.

Clinical study of warm needling moxibustion plus intra-articular injection of sodium hyaluronate for chondromalacia patellae

Objective To observe the therapeutic efficacy of warm needling moxibustion plus intra-articular injection of sodium hyaluronate in treating chondromalacia patellae and its effect on inflammatory factors in knee joint fluid.Methods Sixty-eight patients with chondromalacia patellae were randomized into a control group and an observation group,with 34 cases in each group.The control group was treated with intra-articular injection of sodium hyaluronate,while the observation group was given additional warm needling moxibustion treatment.Before and after treatment,the two groups were scored using Western Ontario and McMaster Universities osteoarthritis index(WOMAC)and visual analog scale(VAS),examined by magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)and determined for the levels of nuclear factor-KB(NF-kB),tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-αand interleukin(IL)-1βin knee joint fluid.Clinical efficacy was estimated after treatment.Results The effective rate was higher in the observation group than in the control group(P<0.05).After treatment,the scores of pain,stiffness and daily activities,as well as the general score of WOMAC declined significantly in both groups(all P<0.05),and were lower in the observation group than in the control group(all P<0.05);the time cost for climbing up and down one staircase and VAS score decreased markedly in both groups(all P<0.05),and were shorter or lower in the observation group than in the control group(both P<0.05);the MRI grading showed no significant change in the control group after intervention(P>0.05),while the grading in the observation group showed notable improvement(P<0.05),and was better than that in the control group(P<0.05);the levels of NF-kB and IL-1βin knee joint fluid dropped significantly in the control group after treatment(both P<0.05),while the levels of NF-kB,TNF-αand IL-1βin knee joint fluid all decreased significantly in the observation group(all P<0.05)and were lower than those in the control group(all P<0.05).Conclusion Warm needling moxibustion plus intra-articular injection of sodium hyaluronate can produce definite efficacy in treating chondromalacia patellae;it can mitigate the clinical symptoms,improve the lesion extent of chondromalacia and down-regulate the levels of NF-kB,TNF-αand IL-1βin knee joint fluid.

Mesenchymal stem cells for cartilage regeneration in osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis(OA) is a slowly progressive disease where cartilage of the synovial joint degenerates. It is most common in the elderly where patients experience pain and reduce physical activity. In combination with lack of conventional treatment, patients are often left with no other choices than arthroplasty. Over the last years, multipotent stromal cells have been used in efforts to treat OA. Mesenchymal stem/progenitor cells(MSCs) are stromal cells that can differentiate into bone, fat, and cartilage cells. They reside within bone marrow and fat. MSCs can also be found in synovial joints where they affect the progression of OA. They can be isolated and proliferated in an incubator before being applied in clinical trials. When it comes to treatment, emphasis has hitherto been on autologous MSCs, but allogenic cells from healthy donors are emerging as another source of the cells. The first adaptations of MSCs revolved in the use of cellrich matrix, delivered as invasive surgical procedure, which resulted in production of hyaline cartilage and fibrocartilage. However, the demand for less invasive delivery of cells has prompted the use of direct intraarticular injections, wherein a large amount of suspended cells are implanted in the cartilage defect.

Endoscopic ultrasound in gastroenterology:From diagnosis to therapeutic implications

Since its advent in 1980,the scope of endoscopic ultrasound(EUS)has grown to include a wide range of indications,and it is now being incorporated as an integral part of everyday practice in the field of gastroenterology.Its use is extending from an adjuvant imaging aid to utilization as a therapeutic tool for various gastrointestinal disorders.EUS was first used to visualize remote organs,such as the pancreas and abdominal lymph nodes.When fine needle aspiration was introduced,the indications for EUS expanded to include tissue sampling for diagnostic purposes.At the same time,the needle can be used to convey a potential therapy to the internal organs,allowing access to remote sites.In this review,we aim to highlight the expanding spectrum of EUS indications and uses in the field of gastroenterology.

Interventional endoscopic ultrasound:Therapeutic capability and potential

The linear echoendoscope,introduced in the 1990s,opened the era of interventional endoscopic ultrasound(IEUS).The linear echoendoscope enabled EUS guided Fine Needle Aspiration(EUS-FNA) allowing the path of the needle to be traced during the puncture process.After EUS-FNA,other interventional procedures were introduced in clinical practice.Tissue acquisition was the first EUS-guided interventional procedure and its higher diagnostic quality has undoubtedly been established.After EUS-FNA,Celiac plexus neurolysis(CPN) and block(CPB),pancreatic pseudocyst drainage,abdominal and mediastinal collections/abscesses drainage,and in selected cases,pancreatic and biliary ductal system drainage,were introduced in clinical practice.EUS-guided fine needle injection with local delivery of antitumor agents is considered a promising modality.We have reviewed published data on EUS guided interventional procedures with the object of summarizing the diagnostic capability of endoscopic ultrasound and elaborates in detail its therapeutic capability and potential.

Role of endoscopic ultrasound in anticancer therapy:Current evidence and future perspectives

The digestive system is one of the most common sites of malignancies in humans.Since gastrointestinal tumors represent a massive global health burden both in terms of morbidity and health care expenditures,scientists continuously develop novel diagnostic and therapeutic methods to ameliorate the detrimental effects of this group of diseases.Apart from the well-established role of the endoscopic ultrasound(EUS)in the diagnostic course of gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary malignancies,we have recently become acquainted with a vast array of its therapeutic possibilities.A multitude of previously established,evidence-based methods that might now be guided by the EUS emerged:Radiofrequency ablation,brachytherapy,fine needle injection,celiac plexus neurolysis,and endoscopic submucosal dissection.In this review we endeavored to provide a comprehensive overview of the role of these methods in different malignancies of the digestive system,primarily in the treatment and symptom control in pancreatic cancer,and additionally in the management of hepatic,gastrointestinal tumors,and pancreatic cysts.

Ultrasound-assisted musculoskeletal procedures:A practical overview of current literature

Traditionally performed by a small group of highly trained specialists,bedside sonographic procedures involving the musculoskeletal system are often delayed despite the critical need for timely diagnosis and treatment.Due to this limitation,a need evolved for more portability and accessibility to allow performance of emergent musculoskeletal procedures by adequately trained non-radiology personnel.The emergence of ultrasound-assisted bedside techniques and increased availability of portable sonography provided such an opportunity in select clinical scenarios.This review summarizes the current literature describing common ultrasound-based musculoskeletal procedures.In-depth discussion of each ultrasound procedure including pertinent technical details,indications and contraindications is provided.Despite the limited amount of prospective,randomized data in this area,a substantial body of observational and retrospective evidence suggests potential benefits from the use of musculoskeletal bedside sonography.