Hybrid handheld gamma-ultrasound prototype for radioguided surgery: initial results

We have witnessed impressive advances in preoperative imaging of cancer and the development of dualmodality scanners. However, there is a need for a scanner with functional and anatomical imaging capability suitable for surgical settings and radioguided surgery. The current paper introduces a handheld gamma-ultrasound scanner prototype and illustrates the initial result of testing its very first version. The result of the testing was promising and encouraging in continuing the further development of the prototype.

Limited scleroderma: sonographic pattern in the stage of erythema/edema

Objective. To describe the sonopattern of limited scleroderma (LS) in the early stages after the onset of erythema.Materials and methods. The work describes a clinical case of limited plaque scleroderma. The sonographic examination was carried out on an ultrasound scanner using a transducer with operating frequencies of 10–16–18 MHz. Material sampling for the histologic examination of the skin was performed from the area with the most pronounced inflammatory changes under sonographic control.Results. It has been found that increased echogenicity of the dermis, “blurring” of the dermis/hypodermis boundary, increased echogenicity and the “stalactite-like” pattern of subcutaneous fat occur in the frst week of the disease; normalization or a signifcant improvement of the sonopattern is noted by the end of the second week or by the beginning of the third week after the onset of erythema.Conclusion. There is a certain parallelism between the histologic and sonographic patterns, which makes it possible to adequately assess both the activity and the stage of the LS process.

Decompression of the suprascapular nerve at the suprascapular notch under combined arthroscopic and ultrasound guidance

Decompression of the suprascapular nerve (SSNe) at the suprascapular notch (SSNo) is usually performed with an arthroscopic procedure. This technique is well described but locating the nerve is complex because it is deeply buried and surrounded by soft tissue. We propose to combine ultrasound and arthroscopy (US-arthroscopy) to facilitate nerve localization, exposure and release. The main objective of this study was to assess the feasibility of this technique. This is an experimental, cadaveric study, carried out on ten shoulders. The first step of our technique is to locate the SSNo using an ultrasound scanner. Then an arthroscope is introduced under ultrasound control to the SSNo. A second portal is then created to dissect the pedicle and perform the ligament release. Ultrasound identification of the SSNo, endoscopic dissection and decompression of the nerve were achieved in 100% of cases. Ultrasound identification of the SSNo took an average of 3 min (± 4) while dissection and endoscopic release time took an average of 8 min (± 5). Ultrasound is an extremely powerful tool for non-invasive localization of nerves through soft tissues, but it is limited by the fact that tissue visualization is limited to the ultrasound slice plane, which is two-dimensional. On the other hand, arthroscopy (extra-articular) allows three-dimensional control of the surgical steps performed, but the locating of the nerve involves significant tissue detachment and a risk of damaging the nerve with the dissection. The combination of the two (US-arthroscopy) offers the possibility of combining the advantages of both techniques.

Diagnostic Accuracy Study Comparing Hysterosalpingo-Foam Sonography and Hysterosalpingography for Fallopian Tube Patency Assessment

Introduction: Simplified ultrasound-based infertility protocols that appear to provide enough information to plan effective management have been described. Thus, the objective of this study is to compare the diagnostic accuracy of the hysterosalpingo-foam sonography (HyFoSy) in tubal patency testing with the traditional hysterosalpngography (HSG) for establishing a new diagnostic strategy in infertility. Material and Methods: Prospective observational diagnostic accuracy was performed in a private fertility clinic in which 106 women undergoing a preconceptionally visit were recruited. All of them had low risk for tubal disease, had performed an HSG and were negative for Chlamydia trachomatis antibody. Main outcome measures were tubal patency and pain grade. Results: Evaluation of tubal patency by HyFoSy showed a total concordance with the results of the previous HSG in 72.6% (n = 77), and a total discordance for 4.7% (n = 6), with the inter-test agreement Kappa equal to 0.57, which means moderate concordance. Among the patients, 59.1% did not report pain during the procedure, while the remaining 48.1% indicated pain in different degrees; patients usually report less pain and only 6.6% described more pain with HyFoSy than with HSG (OR 6.57 (CI 95% 3.11–13.89)). Clinical outcomes after performing HyFoSy were not affected. Conclusions: HyFoSy is in concordance with HSG regarding tubal patency results and it is a less painful technique than HSG. HyFoSy is more economical and can be performed in an exam room only equipped with an ultrasound scanner. Based on these results, HyFoSy could be the first-choice diagnostic option to assess tubal patency in patients with low risk of tubal disease.

Difficulties of radiological diagnosis оf small breast cancers

Introduction. Breast cancer in the structure of malignancies in women takes the 1st place. There has been an annual increase in morbidity, including due to improvements in diagnostic interventions and screening. Mammography and ultrasound of the breasts is mandatory when diagnosing breast cancer. The difficulties of diagnosis are revealed in small tumors.Methods. Breast ultrasounds were performed on the ultrasound machines of the expert class TOSHIBA APLIO 500, PHILIPS EPIQ 5 and PHILIPS EPIQ 7. Mammography and tomosynthesis were performed on mammogram MAMMOMAT INSPITATION PRIME. Core-biopsia under ultrasound control was carried out on the Logiq9 ultrasound scanner. Eighty women were selected with suspected cancer after breast core-biopsy with the category BI-RADS 3, 4 and 5. The size of the node according to ultrasound data was 6-10 mm.Results. According to core-biopsia has been identified cancer, histologically and immunohystochemically confirmed in 50 cases. In 30 women benign tumors were identified. The most informative mammograms of breast cancer were high tumor density, ray of radiibility and local deformity of soft tissues. Among the characteristic ultrasonic signs of the cancer more often noted vertical orientation, reduced echogenicity, uneven contour, other signs were not so character for the cancer.Conclusion. You can't focus on a separate sign of education! Only a combination of traits, different diagnostic methods contribute to the correct diagnosis.

Efficacy of autologous plasma microneedling with cells in patients with post-acne atrophic scars

Objective: to studythe effectiveness of autologous plasma-cell microneedling in patients with different phenotypes of post-acne atrophic scars. Group 1A (n = 32) included patients with post – acne atrophic scars: ice pick – 12 patients; boxcar – 11; rolling – 9 patients. Group 1B consisted of 34 patients with scars ice pick – 12; boxcar – 12; rolling – 10 patients. In group 1A, patients underwent a microneedling procedure. In group 1B, microneedling was performed with autologous plasma with cells. To evaluate the effectiveness of the therapy methods, we used the IGA (Investigators Global Assessment) scale modified for post-acne scars, adapted for post-acne scars by the Assessment of the Psychological and Social Effects of Acne (APSEA). Special methods included ultrasound examination using an ultrasound scanner IU 22. The end result for different post-acne scar phenotypes showed the advantages of the developed complex for boxcar and rolling AR and slightly lower for ice pick. The recommended course of therapy is three procedures performed once in 4 weeks.

Ten-year experience of transbronchial endosonography in single center

Objective Transbronchial endosonography (EBUS) is a relatively new method for diagnosing of the pathological condition of the thoracic organs. Analysis of 10 years of our experience in the use of transbronchial endosonography in a specialized center.Material and Methods During the period from April 2010 to April 2020, 756 transbronchial endosonographies were conducted on 756 patients. The studies were carried out for various indications: 1) Group 1 (483) – transbronchial puncture of the lymph nodes in order to obtain morphological confirmation of the etiology; 2) Group 2 (260) – staging of suspected or verified lung cancer to determine the descriptor N; 3) Group 3 (13) – a study that ended only with obtaining an endosonographic image. All patients underwent transbronchial endosonography using the special ultrasound bronchoscope EB-1970UK (Pentax Corp.) and the ultrasound scanner EUB 5000 Plus G OB/GYN – Vascular Ultrasound (HITACHI Corp.).Results General information content was 78%; verification of mediastinal lymphadenopathy was 72% (57, 79, 58% for smears, cytoblocks and smears + cytoblocks, cytoblocks vs smears + cytoblocks, p < 0.05). Verification of local changes in the mediastinum – 66%; verification of peribronchial tumor – 87%. Lung cancer staging – 87% (82, 88, 86% for smears, cytoblocks vs smears + cytoblocks, respectively, р > 0.05)Conclusion Тhe diagnostic utility of EBUS for the verification of mediastinal lymphadenopathy can range from 37,5 to 83% and rise with increasing experience for all persons involved. The use of cytoblocks showed the best results. The diagnostic utility of staging varies from 60 to 100% and does not depend on the method of processing the aspiration material.

Scanning of a Dental Implant with a High-Frequency Ultrasound Scanner: A Pilot Study

The purpose of this in vitro study was to assess the trueness of a dental implant scanned using an intraoral high-frequency ultrasound prototype and compared with conventional optical scanners. An acrylic resin cast containing a dental implant at position 11 was scanned with a fringe projection 3D sensor for use as a reference dataset. The same cast was scanned 10 times for each group. Ultrasound scanning was performed with a high-frequency probe (42 MHz, aperture diameter of 4 mm and focus length of 8 mm), and 3D images were reconstructed based on the depth of each surface point echo. Optical scans were performed in a laboratory and with an intraoral scanner. A region of interest consisting of the dental implant site was segmented and matched to the reference dataset. Trueness was defined as the closeness between experimental data and the reference surface. Statistical analysis was performed with one-way ANOVA and post-hoc tests with a significance level of p = 0.05. No statistical difference was found among the evaluated scanners. The mean deviation error was 57.40 ± 17.44 µm for the ultrasound scanner, 75.40 ± 41.43 µm for the laboratory scanner and 38.55 ± 24.34 µm for the intraoral scanner. The high-frequency ultrasound scanner showed similar trueness to optical scanners for digital implant impression.

Lateral Abdominal Muscles Shear Modulus and Thickness Measurements under Controlled Ultrasound Probe Compression by External Force Sensor: A Comparison and Reliability Study

The aim of this study was to perform a reliability and agreement analysis and to compare lateral abdominal muscles (LAMs) thickness and elasticity results obtained by an experienced operator, by a non-experienced operator, and in an ultrasound imaging probe compression controlled (PCC) condition with minimal force necessary to obtain a proper ultrasound image. The sample consisted of 39 adolescents. An Aixplorer ultrasound scanner was used to evaluate the LAM. The probe in PCC condition was positioned in a prepared probe holder coupled with a pressure sensor. The LAM thickness and elasticity measurements were significantly (p < 0.05) different in the ultrasound PCC condition, compared to results obtained by both examiners. The abdominal oblique external and internal muscle thickness measurements were underestimated and all LAM shear moduli were overestimated during measurements without controlling the probe compression by an external sensor. The intra-class correlation coefficient was excellent in all conditions, but the smallest detectable differences were approximately 43–60% lower during the measurements collected in PCC condition. Differences in LAM measurements between PCC and ‘on-hand’ conditions may be clinically irrelevant when the force applied by the probe is consciously controlled by the examiner. However, during ultrasound measurements of the LAM morphology, the potential under/over estimation should always be considered when measurements are performed without controlling probe compression by an external sensor.