scholarly journals Shear wave elastography as a new, non-invasive diagnostic modality for the diagnosis of penile elasticity: a prospective multicenter study

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 ◽  
pp. 175628722110079
Author(s):  
Ester Illiano ◽  
Francesco Trama ◽  
Antonio Ruffo ◽  
Giuseppe Romeo ◽  
Filippo Riccardo ◽  
...  

Objective: Shear wave elastosonography (SWE) could be used to evaluate the elasticity of penile tissue. Few studies in the literature, however, have investigated its use in patients with erectile dysfunction (ED) or have attempted to correlate findings with International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) scores. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the characteristics of erectile tissue using SWE and to determine possible relationships with IIEF-5 and Erection Hardness Scale (EHS) scores. The secondary aim was to establish a cut-off SWE examination value over which cavernous tissue stiffness could contribute to a subsequent organic alteration. Methods: This prospective study included male patients 18−80 years of age who attended two general andrology clinics and underwent SWE. Subjects were divided into groups according to IIEF-5 score, and correlations between SWE and IIEF-5 and EHS questionnaire scores were explored. Results: A total of 270 subjects (mean age 46.7 ± 16.9 years) were included. ED was reflected by low IIEF-5 and EHS scores and a decrease in the mean elasticity of the corpora cavernosa according to SWE, although the difference between the left and right corpora cavernosa was not statistically significant. No statistically significant correlation was found between measurements of the corpora cavernosa (in kPa) and age. The optimal cut-off identified was 24.75 kPa. Conclusion: Results demonstrated that the mean elasticity of the corpora cavernosa according to SWE was correlated with IIEF-5 score and EHS score.

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marco Dioguardi Burgio ◽  
Jules Grégory ◽  
Maxime Ronot ◽  
Riccardo Sartoris ◽  
Gilles Chatellier ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The factors affecting intra-operator variability of two-dimensional shear wave elastography (2D-SWE) have not been clearly established. We evaluated 2D-SWE variability according to the number of measurements, clinical and laboratory features, and liver stiffness measurements (LSM). Methods At least three LSM were performed in 452 patients who underwent LSM by 2D-SWE (supersonic shear imaging) out of an initial database of 1650 patients. The mean value of the three LSM was our best measurement method. Bland–Altman plots were used to evaluate intra-operator variability when considering only one, or the first two measurements. Variability was assessed by taking the absolute value of the difference between the first LSM and the mean of the three LSM. Logistic regression was used to assess the factors associated with the highest tertile of variability. Results The limit of agreement was narrower with the mean of the first and second measurements than with each measurement taken separately (− 2.83 to 2.99 kPa vs. − 5.86 to 6.21 kPa and − 5.77 to 5.73 kPa for the first and second measurement, respectively). A BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2 and a first LSM by 2D-SWE ≥ 7.1 kPa increased the odds of higher variability by 3.4 and 3.9, respectively. Adding a second LSM didn’t change the variability in patients with BMI < 25 and a first LSM by 2D-SWE < 7.1 kPa. Conclusions Intra-operator variability of LSM by 2D-SWE increases with both a high BMI and high LSM value. In patients with BMI < 25 kg/m2 and a first LSM < 7.1 kPa we recommend performing only one LSM.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (86) ◽  
pp. e194-e199
Author(s):  
Mustafa Devran Aybar ◽  
◽  
Onder Turna ◽  

Introduction: In this study, we attempt to determine the diagnostic performance of shear wave elastography of the optic nerve and adjacent fat tissue in patients with optic neuritis. Methods: The study included a patient group consisting of 72 eyes of 36 patients who were diagnosed with unilateral optic neuritis, and an age-matched control group of 36 eyes of 18 healthy subjects. The patient group consisted of 25 multiple sclerosis patients and 11 recurrent isolated optic neuritis patients. The mean shear wave elastography values of the optic nerves and intraorbital fat tissue adjacent optic nerves were recorded using m/s and kPa as units. ROC curve analysis was performed, and the diagnostic accuracy of shear wave elastography values was determined. Results: The mean shear wave elastography values of the optic nerves with neuritis (2.49 ± 0.41 m/s and 17.56 ± 4.42 kPa) were significantly higher than the values of the contralateral normal optic nerves (1.71 ± 0.32 m/s and 9.02 ± 2.34 kPa) (p = 0.006 and p = 0.004, respectively) in the optic neuritis group. The mean shear wave elastography values of intraorbital fat tissue adjacent optic nerves with neuritis (1.87 ± 0.32 m/s and 9.65 ± 1.12 kPa) were significantly higher than the values of the contralateral normal side (1.47 ± 0.27 m/s and 6.78 ± 1.14 kPa) (p = 0.025 and p = 0.022, respectively) in the optic neuritis group. ROC curve analysis showed a high diagnostic accuracy for determining optic neuritis with shear wave elastography values of the optic nerves (AUC 0.955 [95% CI, 0.933–0.978] in m/s and AUC 0.967 [95% CI, 0.940–0.985] in kPa). Conclusions: Shear wave elastography may be an important alternative diagnostic tool in the diagnosis of optic neuritis.


2018 ◽  
Vol 40 (01) ◽  
pp. 64-75 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giovanna Ferraioli ◽  
Annalisa De Silvestri ◽  
Raffaella Lissandrin ◽  
Laura Maiocchi ◽  
Carmine Tinelli ◽  
...  

Abstract Aim The primary aim of this study was to determine the inter-system variability of liver stiffness measurements (LSMs) in patients with varying degrees of liver stiffness. The secondary aim was to determine the inter-observer variability of measurements. Materials and Methods 21 individuals affected by chronic hepatitis C and 5 healthy individuals were prospectively enrolled. The assessment of LSMs was performed using six ultrasound (US) systems, four of which with point shear wave elastography (p-SWE) and two with 2 D shear wave elastography (2D-SWE) systems. The Fibroscan (Echosens, France) was used as the reference standard. Four observers performed the measurements in pairs (A-B, C-D). The agreement between different observers or methods was calculated using Lin’s concordance correlation coefficient. The Bland-Altman limits of agreement (LOA) were calculated as well. Results There was agreement above 0.80 for all pairs of systems. The mean difference between the values of the systems with 2D-SWE technique was 1.54 kPa, whereas the maximum mean difference between the values of three out of four systems with the pSWE technique was 0.79 kPa. The intra-patient concordance for all systems was 0.89 (95 % CI: 0.83 – 0.94). Inter-observer agreement was 0.96 (95 % CI: 0.94 – 0.98) for the pair of observers A-B and 0.93 (95 % CI: 0.89 – 0.96) for the pair of observers C-D. Conclusion The results of this study show that the agreement between LSMs performed with different US systems is good to excellent and the overall inter-observer agreement in “ideal conditions” is above 0.90 in expert hands.


2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ioana Golu ◽  
Ioan Sporea ◽  
Lavinia Moleriu ◽  
Anca Tudor ◽  
Marioara Cornianu ◽  
...  

Background and Aims. 2D-shear wave elastography (2D-SWE) is a relatively new elastographic technique. The aim of the present study is to determine the values of the elasticity indexes (EI) measured by 2D-SWE in parathyroid benign lesions (adenomas or hyperplasia) and to establish if this investigation is helpful for the preoperative identification of the parathyroid adenoma. Material and Methods. The study groups were represented by 22 patients with primary or tertiary hyperparathyroidism, diagnosed by specific tests, and 43 healthy controls, in whom the thyroid parenchyma was evaluated, in order to compare the EI of the thyroid tissue with those of the parathyroid lesions. Results. The mean EI measured by 2D-SWE in the parathyroid lesions was 10.2 ± 4.9 kPa, significantly lower than that of the normal thyroid parenchyma (19.5 ± 7.6 kPa; p=0.007), indicating soft tissue. For a cutoff value of 12.5 kPa, the EI assessed by 2D-SWE had a sensitivity of 93% and a specificity of 86% (AUC = 0.949; p<0.001) for predicting parathyroid lesions. Conclusion. A value lower than 12.5 kPa for the mean EI measured by 2D-SWE can be used to confirm that the lesion/nodule is a parathyroid adenoma.


2019 ◽  
Vol 47 (8) ◽  
pp. 841-846 ◽  
Author(s):  
Murat Akbas ◽  
Faik M. Koyuncu ◽  
Burcu Artunç-Ulkumen

Abstract Background Placental elasticity varies in different diseases. Our objective was to evaluate placental elasticity using point shear wave elastography (pSWE) in pregnancies with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). Methods A total of 66 pregnant women with IUGR and 81 healthy pregnant women were enrolled. Placental elasticity was measured using the transabdominal pSWE method. Ten measurements were made, and the mean was accepted as the mean placental elasticity value in each case. The results for IUGR pregnancies and controls were compared. Results The mean pSWE values were significantly higher in pregnancies with IUGR, which means that women with IUGR have stiffer placentas (P < 0.001). Furthermore, the pSWE values were significantly and positively correlated with Doppler indices and adverse perinatal outcomes. Conclusion The pregnancies with IUGR had stiffer placentas than the healthy controls. The utilization of pSWE for placental elasticity may be useful in the diagnosis and management of IUGR as a supplement to the existing ultrasonography methods.


Folia Medica ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 62 (3) ◽  
pp. 515-518
Author(s):  
Tahir Dalkiran ◽  
Mehmed Mustafa Özaslan ◽  
Can Acipayam ◽  
Yaşar Kandur ◽  
Velid Unsal

Introduction: A smokeless tobacco known as Maras powder (MP) is commonly consumed in the southern region of Turkey. To the extent of our knowledge, no previous study in literature has reported acute MP intoxication in children. Aim: Our aim was to determine the clinical effects and treatment strategies of MP poisoning in children.Materials and methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of children <18 years of age with MP intoxication who were followed up in the Intensive Care Unit between January 2016 and April 2018 in our center. Results: Forty-one patients (M/F= 25/16) were included in this study. The mean age was 13.2&plusmn;22.4 months (age range: 7 to 30 months). The patients presented with vomiting (n=23, 56%), cough (n=17, 41.5%), loss of consciousness (n=11, 26.8%), respiratory distress (n=6, 14.6%), convulsion (n=7, 17%), cyanosis (n=1, 2.4%), and abdominal pain (n=1, 2.4%) following oral ingestion of the substance. On their physical examination all patients with convulsion were in a comatose state. Thirty-two patients (78%) had tachycardia; 15 patients (36.5%) had pharyngeal hyperemia; and three (7.3%) had hiccups. Although the female patients had a lesser rate of symptoms than male patients, the difference was not statistically significant. Conclusions: Our aim was to inform the doctors about the clinical picture that develops after taking this substance and contribute to the understanding of the treatment approach.


2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 186-193
Author(s):  
Eung Koo Yeon ◽  
Yu-Mee Sohn ◽  
Mirinae Seo ◽  
Eui-Jong Kim ◽  
Young-Gyu Eun ◽  
...  

Objectives. This study was conducted to compare clinicopathologic and radiologic factors between benign and malignant thyroid nodules and to evaluate the diagnostic performance of shear wave elastography (SWE) combined with B-mode ultrasonography (US) in differentiating malignant from benign thyroid nodules.Methods. This retrospective study included 92 consecutive patients with 95 thyroid nodules examined on B-mode US and SWE before US-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy or surgical excision. B-mode US findings (composition, echogenicity, margin, shape, and calcification) and SWE elasticity parameters (maximum [E<sub>max</sub>], mean, minimum, and nodule-to-normal parenchymal ratio of elasticity) were reviewed and compared between benign and malignant thyroid nodules. The diagnostic performance of B-mode US and SWE for predicting malignant thyroid nodules was analyzed. The optimal cutoff values of elasticity parameters for identifying malignancy were determined. Diagnostic performance was compared between B-mode US only, SWE only, and the combination of B-mode US with SWE.Results. On multivariate logistic regression analysis, age (odds ratio [OR], 0.90; <i>P</i>=0.028), a taller-than-wide shape (OR, 11.3; <i>P</i>=0.040), the presence of calcifications (OR, 15.0; <i>P</i>=0.021), and E<sub>max</sub> (OR, 1.22; <i>P</i>=0.021) were independent predictors of malignancy in thyroid nodules. The combined use of B-mode US findings and SWE yielded improvements in sensitivity, the positive predictive value, the negative predictive value, and accuracy compared with the use of B-mode US findings only, but with no statistical significance.Conclusion. When SWE was combined with B-mode US, the diagnostic performance was better than when only B-mode US was used, although the difference was not statistically significant.


2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Donglin Bian ◽  
Xuemei Wang ◽  
Kun Huang ◽  
Zhen Zhang

Background: Sonoelastography is extensively used for clinical diagnosis. Different types of elastography can be used to assess the elastic properties (stiffness) of tissues. For quantitative analyses, shear wave elastography (SWE) has been applied as a non-invasive method in the past decade. Today, SWE is widely used for diagnosing diseases. However, a limited number of studies have investigated musculoskeletal injuries and neoplastic diseases. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the postoperative functional recovery of Achilles tendon ruptures by SWE to determine the Achilles tendon function and provide reliable evidence for clinicians. Methods: SWE was used to measure elasticity in 67 patients with Achilles tendon ruptures. In the postoperative stage, 17 patients were lost to follow-up. The remaining 50 patients with Achilles tendon ruptures were examined. Each patient was followed-up for one, three, and six months postoperatively. The 0° flexion of the ankle joint was considered as the standard position. The mean elasticity (Emean) of the Achilles tendon was measured and recorded at different time points before and after surgery. Besides, the thickness and width of the Achilles tendon were measured at the corresponding time points. Results: The mean elasticity (Emean) of normal and ruptured Achilles tendons was 447.4 ± 59.57 and 63.84 ± 45.18 kPa, respectively in 50 patients with ruptured Achilles tendons before surgery. On the other hand, the Emean values of ruptured Achilles tendons in one-, three-, and six-month follow-ups were 110.3 ± 35.60, 183.4 ± 46.08, and 279.1 ± 48.18 kPa in 50 patients, respectively. Regarding the Emean, the difference between the five time points was significant (F = 418.5, P < 0.01). With prolongation of postoperative recovery, the Emean of the Achilles tendon gradually increased; the Emean value significantly increased at six months after surgery. Conclusions: The quantitative analysis of the postoperative function of Achilles tendon, based on the Emean value obtained by SWE, can be helpful in guiding clinicians to objectively examine the prognosis of patients.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 864-867
Author(s):  
Jia Zheng ◽  
Xiaoxin Wang ◽  
Xianjing Han ◽  
Chunyan Li ◽  
Jianan Wang ◽  
...  

The purpose of this study is to explore whether shear wave elastography has diagnostic value in distinguishing benign and malignant thyroid imaging report and data system (TI-RADS) nodules, so as to provide more accurate information for clinical diagnosis and treatment of thyroid nodules. In this study, 134 patients with thyroid nodules who underwent ultrasound examination from February 2018 to October 2018 are collected. Firstly, according to the diagnostic criteria proposed by Horvath, TI-RADS grading is performed on them, and 78 patients with TI-RADS4 single solid nodules are screened out. Secondly, conventional ultrasound examination is performed on all the researchers, and shear wave elastographies are obtained 1 week after the examination. Thirdly, parameters of each lesion are measured by ultrasound physicians, and the maximum, minimum and average values of Young's modulus of each lesion are recorded. The results show that the mean and maximum of Young's modulus of benign lesions are (26.31 ± 9.88) kPa and (51.36 ± 14.51) kPa, respectively, the mean and maximum of Young's modulus of malignant lesions are (48.36 ± 16.53) and (69.15 ± 19.98) kPa, respectively, and the area under the ROC curve of Emean and Emax is 0.852 and 0.748, respectively. Therefore, shear wave elastography is a new type of ultrasound elastography, which has the advantages of objectivity and little influence from operators without artificial pressure. It has high sensitivity, specificity and accuracy in diagnosing benign and malignant thyroid nodules. Among them, the average value of Young's modulus has the greatest diagnostic value.


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