Journal of Medical Ultrasound最新文献

Vascular malformations (VM) are structural malformations of vascular development causing soft-tissue abnormality with functional and esthetic impairment. They are named by their predominant vessel type as arterial, venous, lymphatic, or mixed types. VM extending from the inguinoscrotal to the thoracic region are extremely rare presentation. We present a rare case of veno-lymphatic malformation in the inguinoscrotal region, which is extending superiorly up to the right thorax in a 14-year-old male child who presented with a large swelling in the bilateral inguinoscrotal region and reddish-brown colored skin patches over the right anterior and lateral thoracoabdominal region. The diagnosis was suggested by ultrasonography and confirmed by computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging.

Background: Hypertensive disorder of pregnancy (HDP) comprise chronic hypertension, gestational hypertension, preeclampsia/eclampsia, and preeclampsia superimposed on chronic hypertension. HDP complicate up to 10% of pregnancies worldwide and carry significant risks of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to evaluate the derangement and characteristics of brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (BAFMD) in women with HDP.

Methods: The BAFMD of the right brachial artery of 80 women with HDP (pregnant HDP), 80 normotensive pregnant women (pregnant non-HDP), and 80 healthy nonpregnant women (nonpregnant controls) was evaluated with B-mode ultrasound. The age, blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), brachial artery diameter, and BAFMD of the participants were compared. P ≤ 0.05 was statistically significant.

Results: The pregnant HDP group had significantly lower mean BAFMD compared to pregnant non-HDP and nonpregnant controls (6.9% ± 2.53% vs. 8.32% ± 3.4% vs. 9.4% ± 2.68%; P < 0.001). There was no significant difference between the mean BAFMD of the pregnant HDP subgroups: preeclampsia (5.81% ± 1.7%) versus gestational hypertension (6.43% ± 3.02%); P = 0.57. BAFMD diminished with advancing gestational age in both the pregnant HDP and pregnant non-HDP groups. On regression analysis, BAFMD was a poor marker for HDP, while BMI was an independent predictor for HDP.

Conclusion: Even though HDP were associated with significantly diminished BAFMD, it was not a good marker for HDP.

Thrombosis of the umbilical vein/artery is a rare complication and is highly associated with fetal mortality. Varix of the fetal umbilical vein is a very rare anomaly and refers to the focal dilatation of the umbilical vein of the fetus. It appears as a round or fusiform cystic structure in the fetal abdomen. Here, in this case report, we hereby discuss a 28-year-old pregnant female with a gestational age of 26 weeks from last menstrual period, who on antenatal ultrasound had findings suggestive of umbilical vein varix with thrombosis and hydrops fetalis.

Megacystis-microcolon-intestinal hypoperistalsis syndrome is a rare congenital disease with a poor prognosis and life expectancy. We present the prenatal diagnosis of four consecutive cases in the same woman. After medical genetics consultation, the couple was advised to resort to medically assisted reproduction techniques with oocyte donation. This case report demonstrates the recurrence of a rare disease in four consecutive pregnancies and how prenatal diagnosis assumed a preponderant role in parental counseling.

Background: The objective of this study was to investigate the correlation between the 7-joint ultrasound score (US7) and disease activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: Forty-four patients with active RA were assessed, and the correlation between US7 and disease activity indicators such as the disease activity score (DAS28), rheumatoid factor (RF), the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and C-reactive protein (CRP) was analyzed. In addition, the proportions of US7 points accounted for by different joint regions and joint surfaces were analyzed.

Results: RF, CRP, and ESR were significantly increased in the RA group compared with the control group (P < 0.05). In the RA group, DAS28 (r = 0.0.561, P < 0.01), RF (r = 0.635, P < 0.01), ESR (r = 0.585, P < 0.01), and CRP (r = 0.492, P < 0.01) were positively correlated with US7. In terms of contributions to US7, the most susceptible joint surface is the dorsal surface, and the most susceptible joint area is the dorsal wrist.

Conclusion: US7 is positively correlated with disease activity indicators of RA, which can objectively reflect disease activity in RA patients and provide a reference for clinical diagnosis and efficacy evaluation.

We report the use of shear wave elastography with dispersion imaging in diagnosing a case of prestenotic Takayasu's arteritis which presented with symptoms of fever of unknown origin with persistently raised C-reactive protein levels. Vessel wall inflammation was detected in the carotid arteries on dispersion and shear wave imaging along with increased wall stiffness which was characteristic of vasculitis seen in a prestenotic phase of Takayasu's disease. These findings preceded the sonographic finding of vessel wall thickening described as the earliest sign of the disease on routine ultrasonography and not only helped to make an early diagnosis in a patient with a fever of unknown origin but also in the posttreatment follow-up.