Single M-Line Is as Reliable as Multiple M-Line Ultrasound for Carotid Artery Screening

Purpose: Carotid artery properties can be evaluated with high accuracy and reproducibility using multiple M-line ultrasound. However, the cost of multiple M-line-based imaging modalities and the extensive operator expertise requirements hamper the large-scale application for arterial properties assessment, particularly in resource-constrained settings. This study is aimed to assess the performance of a single M-line approach as an affordable and easy-to-use alternative to multiple M-line imaging for screening purposes.Methods: We used triplicate longitudinal common carotid artery (CCA) ultrasound recordings (17 M-lines covering about 16 mm, at 500 frames per second) of 500 subjects from The Maastricht Study to assess the validity and reproducibility of a single against multiple M-line approach. The multiple M-line measures were obtained by averaging over all available 17 lines, whereas the middle M-line was used as a proxy for the single M-line approach.Results: Diameter, intima-media thickness (IMT), and Young's elastic modulus (YEM) were not significantly different between the single and multiple M-line approaches (p > 0.07). Distension and distensibility coefficient (DC) did differ significantly (p < 0.001), however, differences were technically irrelevant. Similarly, Bland-Altman analysis revealed good agreement between the two approaches. The single M-line approach, compared to multiple M-line, exhibited an acceptable reproducibility coefficient of variation (CV) for diameter (2.5 vs. 2.2%), IMT (11.9 vs. 7.9%), distension (10 vs. 9.4%), DC (10.9 vs. 10.2%), and YEM (26.5 vs. 20.5%). Furthermore, in our study population, both methods showed a similar capability to detect age-related differences in arterial stiffness.Conclusion: Single M-line ultrasound appears to be a promising tool to estimate anatomical and functional CCA properties with very acceptable validity and reproducibility. Based on our results, we might infer that image-free, single M-line tools could be suited for screening and for performing population studies in low-resource settings worldwide. Whether the comparison between single and multiple M-line devices will yield similar findings requires further study.

Efficacy of ultrasonography for structural categorisation of abnormal uterine bleeding

Background: Abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) is defined as bleeding from the uterine corpus endometrium to be precise, the bleeding is abnormal in regularity, volume, frequency, or duration. The international federation of gynecology and obstetrics (FIGO) categorized AUB based on structured medical history, laboratory tests, ultrasound, and or hysteroscopy-based techniques.The classification is based on the phrase "PALM- COEIN", (pronounced “pahm-koin”) of which "PALM" represents polyp, adenomyosis, leiomyoma, malignancy (and hyperplasia) and defines structural pathologies that can be assessed visually. Transvaginal ultrasound (TVS) is the first-line imaging test for the evaluation of abnormal uterine bleeding in both premenopausal and postmenopausal women. The purpose of this study was to estimate the diagnostic effectiveness of two-dimensional ultrasound (TAS and TVS) in assessing the structural causes of AUB and to compare the histopathological and intraoperative findings with ultrasound.Methods: It was a prospective observational study. A total of 200 women presenting with abnormal uterine bleeding between the age group of 18-55 years were included in study. All patients were subjected to routine investigations for AUB and ultrasonography (USG). Wherever appropriate the findings of USG were compared with intra-operative and histopathology findings.Results: Diagnostic accuracy of USG was 78.1% with sensitivity and specificity of 88.5% and 60%. Positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) was 79.4% and 75%. USG is a simple, safe, fast, efficient and tolerable procedure. In diagnosing structural uterine pathology responsible for abnormal uterine bleeding, it has outstanding diagnostic accuracy and should be followed in all such cases.Conclusions: We cannot be definitive in our approaches always, USG act as a wonderful modality to help us not only in identifying the structural causes but also the functional causes. However, the gold standard of identifying endometrial pathology is histopathology and it can’t be replaced by anything.

Imaging of Ovarian Cancer: From Early Detection to Post-treatment Relapse

Ovarian cancer refers to a multitude of different cancer types originating from or involving the ovaries. Although it ranks third in gynaecological cancers, it is among the deadliest cancers in females. The prognosis mainly depends on early detection, but the majority of cases are diagnosed at advanced stages. Exact tumour delineation is crucial for individualised therapy planning. This review provides a practical update of the role of imaging in every phase throughout the course of this disease. The imaging technique of choice depends mainly on the clinical setting. Sonography remains the first-line imaging modality for cancer detection and is the most important for characterisation of adnexal masses. MRI is a valuable complementary imaging tool in sonographically indeterminate findings. For ovarian cancer staging, CT is considered an optimal imaging technique. CT renders all critical information for treatment stratification. It assists in surgery planning by displaying the load and the distribution of the disease and alerts to sites difficult to resect. It also renders critical information in selecting patients more suitable for medical therapy. In females treated for ovarian cancer, imaging is only recommended when there is suspicion of recurrence, where CT and PET/CT are most commonly used to confirm relapse and provide pivotal information for individualised treatment.

Comparison of Body Mass Index and Cholelithiasis Diagnosed on Ultrasound in the Population of Pindi Bhattian

Obesity is one of the emerging conditions in our population. Gallstones are composed of cholesterol. It is postulated that gallstones are associated with the deposition of cholesterol. Ultrasound is the first line imaging modality for the diagnosis of cholelithiasis. If gallstones are correlated with BMI, it will open up a new vista for further research. In Yaqoob Ultrasound Clinic, PindiBhattian, Pakistan, a cross sectional analytical study was conducted. All included patients were inquired regarding variables like Age, Height, Weight, Presences of stones, Wall thickness of gall bladder, and location of gall stones on grey scale ultrasound findings. Patients were asked to lie down and expose their abdomen; grey scale abdominal ultrasound was performed of these patients. All variables mentioned above for each patient was recorded and maintain in their individual case record form (CFR). Data was collected during allocated period. Statically package SPSS version 2.4 was used to check the collected data and to organize and compile results. According to results out of total 160 patients, 105 were females and 55 were male. Out of 160 patients 150 (93.8%) were present with gall stones and 10 (6.3%) were having no gall stone. In total 61 patients (38.1%) were having single gall stone whereas 89 (55.6%) were diagnosed with multiple gall stones. According to the results, minimum age was 18 years and maximum was 80 years. Our study concluded that obesity is one of the major risk factors for gall stones. Obesity is usually more common in females, so they are more likely to have gall stones and overweight patients were more prone to GB stones.

Clinical and ultrasound characteristics of virilizing ovarian tumors in pre- and postmenopausal patients: a single tertiary center experience

Background A virilizing ovarian tumor (VOT) is a rare cause of hyperandrogenism in pre- and postmenopausal women. Although transvaginal ultrasound is considered as the first-line imaging method for ovarian tumors, it is examiner-dependent. We aimed to summarize the clinical and ultrasound manifestations of VOTs to help establish the diagnosis with emphasis on those causing diagnostic difficulty. Method We retrospectively identified 31 patients with VOTs who underwent surgery at Peking Union Medical College Hospital. Results Patients with VOTs were predominantly premenopausal. All patients showed androgenic manifestations with serum testosterone levels elevated to varying degrees. The tumor size of VOTs was significantly correlated with age (P < 0.001). The VOTs in the postmenopausal group were significantly smaller than those in the premenopausal group (median 1.8 cm [range, 1.3–4.8 cm] vs 4.5 cm [range, 0.7–11.9 cm]; P = 0.018). Twenty-seven out of 31 VOTs were successfully identified by ultrasound. On ultrasound, VOTs are mostly solid and hypoechoic masses with enhanced vascularity. Four VOTs (0.7–1.5 cm) were radiologically negative, and they were the smallest among all patients. Conclusion Patients with VOTs showed androgenic manifestations with varying degrees of hyperandrogenemia. Older patients tend to have smaller VOTs. Ultrasound is an effective method for the detection of VOTs. Some VOTs can be very small and difficult to visualize radiologically, especially in postmenopausal patients. Examiners must remain vigilant about very small VOTs on the basis of endocrine symptoms.

EP.WE.338Ambulatory Ultrasound Scans Reduce Inpatient Admissions During COVID-19: A Need for the Expansion of Ambulatory Services

Aim With the increased need to manage patients out of hospital during COVID-19, it was anticipated that need for ambulatory imaging would increase. This study aimed to assess the demand for ambulatory ultrasounds (US) during the COVID-19 pandemic and the impact on inpatient admissions. Methods A retrospective review of patients presenting to the Emergency Department (ED) between 12th July – 23rd August 2020 who required an US as first line imaging. Electronic Care Records were used to collect data regarding type of US i.e., inpatient, or ambulatory, time taken for ambulatory US and outcome after imaging. The same period in 2019 was assessed for comparison. Results In 2020, 100 patients required an US compared to 88 in 2019. 37% (37/100) of which were discharged for an ambulatory US, compared to 14.8% (13/88) in 2019 (p = 0.006). The average waiting time for an ambulatory US in 2019 was 2 days, this increased to 7 days in 2020. Following ambulatory US in 2020 43.2% (16/37) required further outpatient imaging or assessment; similar outcomes were seen in 2019 with 46.2% (6/13). Overall, there was a 150% increase in the use of ambulatory US, with a 26% decrease in admissions in 2020 vs. 2019. Conclusions There was a significant increase in the number of patients discharged from ED to undergo an ambulatory US resulting in reduced inpatient admissions. This increase in demand is reflected by the prolonged waiting time highlighting the requirement for expansion of ambulatory services to meet this clinical need.

Radiological Findings From 101 Patients With Novel Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Hamadan, West of Iran: Typical and Atypical Features

Background and aims: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has spread widely throughout the world and become a pandemic disease. In this study, we decided to investigate the chest computed tomography (CT) findings in COVID-19 patients in Hamadan, west of Iran. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 101 patients with confirmed COVID-19 infection from February to March 2020. Demographic, clinical, laboratory, and chest CT findings of identified COVID-19 patients were assessed. Results: The mean age of the patients was 55.21 ± 14.08 years, and 54 (53.47%) of them were male. With regard to clinical manifestations, 82.18%, 72.28% and 54.46% of COVID-19 patients had dry cough, dyspnea, and fever, respectively. The right lower lobe was the most commonly and severely involved lope (69%), followed by left lower lobe, right middle lobe, and lingual segment; however, the anterior segment of upper lobes showed the least involvement with abnormality in the late course of the disease. The most common pattern was ground glass opacity (GGO), but atypical patterns such as round pneumonia, moderate to severe pleural effusion, and segmental lobar consolidation were seen without evidence of mediastinal adenopathy, cavitation, or nodular lesion. Chest X-ray (CXR) was not a sensitive method as the first-line imaging method because 34.65% of them were normal. Conclusion: CXR is not a sensitive method as the first-line imaging method (34.65% normal first CXR), but chest CT is a very sensitive and nonspecific modality for diagnosis of COVID-19. The lower lobe and posterior basal segments of the lungs are the most involved sites in most cases. About 12% showed atypical chest CT findings.

Mitral annular calcification and valvular dysfunction: multimodality imaging evaluation, grading, and management

Mitral annular calcification (MAC) refers to calcium deposition in the fibrous skeleton of the mitral valve. It has many cardiovascular associations, including mitral valve dysfunction, elevated cardiovascular risk, arrhythmias, and endocarditis. Echocardiography conventionally is the first-line imaging modality for anatomic assessment, and evaluation of mitral valve function. Cardiac computed tomography (CT) has demonstrated importance as an imaging modality for the evaluation and planning of related procedures. It also holds promise in quantitative grading of MAC. Currently, there is no universally accepted definition or classification system of MAC severity. We review the multimodality imaging evaluation of MAC and associated valvular dysfunction and propose a novel classification system based on qualitative and quantitative measurements derived from echocardiography and cardiac CT.