Metastatic Choroidal Melanoma Presenting as Neovascular Glaucoma

Uveal melanoma is the most common primary intraocular tumor in adults and can have varying presentations, although it is frequently asymptomatic. One rare presentation of uveal melanoma is neovascular glaucoma (NVG). We present a case of a 20-year-old male who presented with 2 weeks of left eye redness and decreased vision who was found to have NVG. He was referred for evaluation of glaucoma. Fundoscopic and ultrasonographic examination revealed a mushroom-shaped choroidal mass with low internal reflectivity consistent with choroidal melanoma. The patient underwent enucleation, and metastatic workup revealed hepatic metastases. The patient died 18 months after initial diagnosis. This case emphasizes the importance of a complete ophthalmic evaluation in cases presenting with NVG of unclear etiology to exclude the presence of a potentially life-threatening intraocular tumor.

Influence of simethicone and fasting on the quality of abdominal ultrasonography in dogs

The presence of a significant quantity of gas in the gastrointestinal tract may hinder a proper ultrasonographic examination of the abdominal organs. The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of simethicone and fasting on the quality of ultrasonographic examinations of the gastrointestinal tract and the small organs in the abdominal cavity. Fourteen clinically healthy dogs were examined repeatedly after four different preparation protocols. The visualisation of the organs was assessed subjectively with a 3-point scoring system. The administration of simethicone is superior in the visualisation of the ileum, the ileocolic junction, the pancreas (body and right lobe), the jejunal lymph nodes, and both adrenal glands when compared to no preparation. The combination of the oral administration of simethicone and fasting is superior in the visualisation of the pylorus, the duodenum, the jejunum, the ileum, the ileocolic junction, the pancreas (body, right and left lobe), the jejunal lymph nodes, and both adrenal glands when compared to no preparation. The conclusion and clinical relevance from this exploratory study suggest that the oral administration of simethicone and fasting before an ultrasonographic examination significantly improve the visualisation of some abdominal organs.

Efficacy of Diagnosing Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Using the Median Nerve Stenosis Rate Measured on Ultrasonographic Sagittal Imagery: Clinical Case-Control Study

Background The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the usefulness of the median nerve stenosis rate (MNSR) measured on sagittal sonographic images of the median nerve in the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). Methods The study population consisted of 45 hands from 37 patients with idiopathic CTS (CTS group), and 60 hands from 35 asymptomatic healthy subjects (control group). Carpal tunnel syndrome was diagnosed by clinical findings and positive electrophysiological study results. All patients and control subjects underwent ultrasonographic examination. At the carpal tunnel level, the transducer was placed longitudinally to the median nerve, and an image of the longitudinal median nerve was obtained. The minimum median nerve diameter (MND) was measured at the middle part of the capitate level, while the maximum MND was measured at the distal radioulnar joint level. The MNSR was calculated as (1 – minimum MND/maximum MND) × 100 (%). The cross-sectional area of the median nerve was also measured at the level of the pisiform. Results On longitudinal sonographic images, the MNSR was significantly larger in the CTS group than the control group. When the cut-off value of the MNSR was 26.73%, the sensitivity and specificity were 91.1% and 80%, respectively. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was larger for the MNSR than for the cross-sectional area. Conclusion The results suggest that the MNSR proposed in the present study may be useful as an auxiliary method for CTS diagnosis on ultrasonographic examination.

Ultrasonographic Examination and Measurements of Testes, Epididymis and Accessory Glands at Different Growth Stages of Chios Rams

Background: Testes, epididymis and accessory glands measurements should be mandatory as an imminent for male selection. This study aimed at defining the ultrasonographic characteristics and measurements of testes, epididymis and accessory glands at different growth stages in Chios rams.Methods: Sixteen rams were assigned by age class into: group A (pre-pubertal, n=3), group B (pubertal, n=5) and group C (mature, n=8). Scrotal circumference (SC) was measured using a tape. Scrotal contents were examined using a B-mode ultrasound. Testicular breadth (TB), thicknesses of tunica albuginea (TA) and mediastinum (MS) and the largest dimension of epididymal tail (EpT) were estimated. Trans-rectal ultrasound was carried out to estimate the echogenicity and diameter of bulbourethral gland (BUG), height of pars dessiminata of prostate (PDP) and maximum breadth of seminal gland (SG).Result: SC increased curvilinear with age. Testicular echogenicity increased with age. Thickness of TA did not differ with age. MS could not detect in pre-pubertal rams, reached maximum thickness with puberty and became relatively thinner by maturity. EpT evidently enlarged with puberty. BUG, PDP and SG exhibited moderate echogenicity. They reached their greatest size with sexual maturity. SC estimated by tape and TB estimated by US correlated with most of the ultrasonographic measurements of the epididymis and accessory glands.

Placental thickness in the 2D prenatal ultrasonographic examination

IntroductionThe placental thickness (PTh) is an ultrasonographic measurement commonly used to assess the placenta. The study aimed to determine selected factors influencing PTh in 2D prenatal ultrasonographic examination. It might have a special value in difficult cases for interpretation when PTh is above or below the reference values.Material and methodsIn this retrospective study, we analysed the results of foetal ECHO examination of 2833 foetuses performed between June 2016 and December 2019 in our single unit. 596 healthy foetuses older than 12 weeks of gestation from singleton pregnancies were enrolled in the study. The following parameters were used in the further analysis: placental implantation site, gestational age according to the last menstrual period (LMP) and foetal biometry (FB); maternal weight, height, and body mass index (BMI) at the time of examination; and PTh.ResultsPTh was affected by its location: posterior 33 mm vs. anterior 30 mm (p < 0.001). Moreover, its thickness significantly correlated with gestational age according to FB (r = 0.386, p < 0.001), LMP (r = 0.369, p < 0.001), maternal weight (r = 0.192, p < 0.001), height (r = 0.125, p = 0.002), and BMI (r = 0.147, p < 0.001), but not with maternal age (r = 0.050, p = 0.219). A linear regression model based on these data explained the 16.38% variability of the tested subjects (p < 0.001).ConclusionsOur observations suggest that maternal weight correlated more strongly with PTh than maternal BMI. For PTh evaluation, it is important to pay attention to the placental implantation site – the posterior placenta was thicker than the anterior placenta. Moreover, PTh variability remains largely unknown; therefore, further research in this field is needed.