Objective To compare differences of characteristics of ultrasonic elasticity imaging for benign and malignant small thyroid nodules with or without Hashimoto thyroiditis (HT). Methods The thyroid nodules with ≤1 cm size and the category 4A, 4B, 4C, and 5 of Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System (TI-RADS) were included into this study, and a further examination of real-time elastography was performed. The final diagnosis was relied on the pathological diagnosis. The elasticity score and strain ratio (SR) were recorded and compared between these two groups, respectively. Results Of the 424 nodules, 103 nodules were accompanied with HT (thyroid nodule with HT group), 321 nodules were not accompanied with HT (thyroid nodule without HT group). In the thyroid nodule with HT group, the area under the receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve (AUCs) of the elasticity score and the SR was 0.685 and 0.676, respectively; the optimal cut offs of the elasticity score and the SR was 3 points and 2.45 respectively, their corresponding sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy was 75.7%, 57.6%, 68.0% and 75.7%, 60.6%, 67.6%, respectively. In the thyroid nodule without HT group, the AUCs of the elasticity score and the SR was 0.692 and 0.692, respectively; the optimal cut offs of the elasticity score and the SR was 4 points and 2.84, respectively; their corresponding sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy was 57.5%, 74.2%, 69.2% and 76.1%, 59.7%, 67.7%, respectively. Conclusions Elastography is helpful in differential diagnosis of benign and malignant small thyroid nodules. While, standards of elasticity score and SR value in differential diagnosis are different between benign and malignant small thyroid nodules with HT and without HT, elasticity score and SR ratio decrease in benign and malignant small thyroid nodules with HT.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the changes in thrombelastography(TEG) during orthotopic liver transplantation （OLT） in Chinese. MethodsTwentyfive patients with cirrhosis of liver undergoing OLT were studied. They were composed of two groups: cirrhosis group （n=15） and liver neoplasm group （n=10）. Anesthesia was induced with propofol 1.5-2 mg/kg,fentanyl 3-5 μg/kg and vecuronium 0.1 mg/kg and maintained with isoflurane or enflurane inhalation.The operation was divided into three phases: ① before operation and preanhepatic phase （120 min after operation was started）, ② 30 min after liver was removed,③ 5 min before reperfusion and 5 min,15 min,30 min,60 min and 120 min after reperfusion.In 8 patients among the 25 patients heparinasecelite TEG was measured 5 min after reperfusion in addition to celite TEG.If there was significant differences in traces between the two TEG measurements,an intravenous bolus of 50-75 mg protamine was given and the heparinasecelite TEG was repeated.The measured variables included the r （reaction） time,representing the rate of initial fibrin formation K （coagulation） time, alpha angles （α） reflecting fibrinplatelet interaction, MA （maximal amplitude） indicating qualitative platelet function and percent fibrinolysis at 60 min. ResultsIn cirrhosis group changes in TEG occurred after liver was removed and in earlier period after reperfusion, while in liver neoplasm group changes in TEG were found in earlier period after reperfusion as compared with preoperative value.At 5 min after reperfusion there were significant differences in TEG （r，K，α and MA） values between celite and heparincelite TEG （P＜0.01）. ConclusionDuring OLT coagulation disorder occurs mainly at anhepatic and early reperfusion phase.
Objective To explore the application value of shear wave elastography (SWE) combined with diaphragmatic thickening fraction (DTF) and rapid shallow breathing index (RSBI) in predicting the results of weaning of patients with mechanical ventilation. Methods Fifty-two patients with severe illness who were hospitalized in this hospital from January 2022 to September 2022 were treated with mechanical ventilation. After meeting the conditions for weaning, they underwent spontaneous breathing test, and the diaphragm function of patients was evaluated by measuring DTF using ultrasound technology and shear modulus (SM) using SWE technology. According to the weaning results, they were divided into weaning success group and weaning failure group, The differences of mechanical ventilation time, acute physiology and chronic health evaluation Ⅱ (APACHE Ⅱ) score, respiratory rate, RSBI, oxygenation index, DTF, SM and other parameters between the two groups were compared. Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the factors affecting the withdrawal results. The receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate the predictive value of potential influencing factors on the withdrawal results. Results There were 39 cases of successful withdrawal and 13 cases of failure. There were significant differences in mechanical ventilation time, respiratory rate, RSBI, DTF and SM between the successful weaning group and the failure group (P<0.05). Through multivariate logistic regression analysis, RSBI [area under the ROC curve (AUC)=0.771, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.589 - 0.953], DTF (AUC=0.806, 95%CI 0.661 - 0.951), SM (AUC=0.838, 95%CI 0.695 - 0.981) were independent factors that affected the results of withdrawal. The single parameter AUC was smaller than the combined index with RSBI≤70.48 times·min–1L–1, DTF≥30.0%, SM≥10.0 kPa as the cutoff value (AUC=0.937, 95%CI 0.714 - 1.0, diagnostic sensitivity, specificity and accuracy were 94.9%, 84.6% and 92.3% respectively). Conclusions SWE technology provides a new quantitative index for evaluating diaphragm function by evaluating diaphragm stiffness. Diaphragm stiffness combined with DTF and RSBI can better predict the successful withdrawal in patients with mechanical ventilation.
Objective To evaluate the diagnostic value of conventional ultrasound, ultrasound elastography and their combination in benign and malignant breast nodules using meta-analysis. Methods The English databases (EMBASE, PubMed, Cochrane Library) and Chinese databases (China Biomedical Literature Database, China HowNet, VIP, Wanfang Database) were searched to collect the Chinese and English literatures about the diagnostic value of conventional ultrasound and elastography in differentiating the benign and malignant breast lesions up to April 20, 2021, the reviewers strictly followed the inclusion and exclusion criteria to screen the literature, extract the data and conduct quality assessment. The sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio, negative likelihood ratio, diagnostic odds ratio and 95%CI were calculated by using meta-DiSc1.4 software for heterogeneity analysis and data combining analysis. The forest map and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was drew, and the area under the ROC curve was calculated. StataSE14.0 software was used to draw deek funnel plot to evaluate publication bias, and Fagan’s nomogram was used to evaluate the clinical utility of each test method. Results A final selection of 42 articles involving 6 009 nodules in 5 118 patients was included. The sensitivity for conventional ultrasound, elastosonography and two techniques combination was 0.80 [95%CI (0.79, 0.82)], 0.87 [95%CI (0.86, 0.89)] and 0.93 [95%CI (0.91, 0.94)], respectively; with specificity of 0.75 [95%CI (0.73, 0.76)], 0.85 [95%CI (0.84, 0.86)] and 0.94 [95%CI (0.93, 0.95)]. The summery area under curve was 0.86, 0.94 and 0.98, respectively. There were significant differences in the diagnostic efficiency among the three groups（all P<0.05）. The Deek’s funnel plot showed no significant publication bias (all P>0.05). The pre-testprobability of conventional ultrasound, elastosonography and two techniques combination were both 20%, and the post-testprobability were 49%, 66%, and 82%, respectively. Conclusions The accuracy of elastography in distinguishing benign from malignant breast nodule is relatively high, while the accuracy of benign and malignant nodules in conventional ultrasound is generally acceptable. However, the accuracy of the combination of the two is higher, which is worthy of clinical application.
ObjectiveTo explore the value of ultrasound real-time tissue elastography in the differential diagnosis between benign and malignant breast lesions.Methods A total of 131 cases of patients with breast lesions who underwent ultrasound examination in the People’s Hospital of Guangan City between December 2010 and December 2015 were enrolled as the research object. The patients took conventional color Doppler ultrasound diagnosis firstly, and then took ultrasound real-time tissue elastography diagnosis. The lesions were scored with improved 5-scoring system respectively. By the strain ratio measure method equipped with the ultrasonic machine, strain ratio of the lesion was calculated, with 3.08 as the cut-off pont. The results were campared with the pathologic diagnosis.ResultsThere were 182 breast lumps in the 131 patients. The conventional ultrasound examination detected 128 benign lesions and 54 malignant lesions. By ultrasound real-time tissue elastography examination, there were 121 benign tumors and 61 malignant tumors. For the benign tumors, the elasticity imaging score was 1.74±0.81, and the elastic strain rate ratio was 1.83±1.22; for the malignant tumors, the elasticity imaging score was 4.45±0.59, and the elastic strain rate ratio was 8.68±5.58. The 182 breast lumps were all removed by surgical resection, and the pathologic examination showed there were 121 benign lesions and 61 malignant lesions. The accuracy, sensitivity and specificity of conventional ultrasonic diagnosis of breast malignant lesions was 76.4%, 59.0% and 85.1%, respectively; while the indexes of ultrasound real-time tissue elastography diagnosis of breast malignant lesions was 96.7%, 95.1% and 97.5%, respectively, and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05).ConclusionReal-time tissue elastography is helpful in the differential diagnosis between malignant and benign breast lesions.
ObjectiveTo investigate the influence of 6% hydroxyethyl starch (HES, 130/0.4)on blood coagulation of patients after off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (opCAB)by thromboelastography (TEG). MethodsOne hundred patients undergoing elective opCAB in Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, General Hospital of Shenyang Military Area Command between May and July 2013 were enrolled in this study. All the patients were randomly divided into 2 groups using random number table method with 50 patients in each group. In the experimental group (G1 group), there were 27 males and 23 females with their age of 64.9±4.4 years, who received intravenous 6% HES (130/0.4)20 ml/kg in 4 hours postoperatively. In the control group (G2 group), there were 31 males and 19 females with their age of 63.1±5.8 years, who received intravenous lactated ringers 20 ml/kg in 4 hours postoperatively. After postoperative ICU admission, full blood count, coagulation tests and TEG were examined. Chest and mediastinal drainage was recorded at 6 hours and 24 hours postoperatively. ResultsThere was no statistical difference in chest and mediastinal drainage 24 hours postoperatively between the 2 groups (591.7±171.7 ml vs. 542.4±174.0 ml, P > 0.05). None of the patients received reexploration for bleeding. There was no statistical difference in hemoglobin, hematocrit, platelet count or traditional coagulation index between the 2 groups (P > 0.05). TEG showed no significant change in coagulation time after intravenous fluid infusion in either group. Reaction time was slightly extended in both groups, but there was no statistical difference in reaction time between the 2 groups (P > 0.05). Maximum amplitude (MA)of G1 group was significantly decreased after intravenous fluid infusion (55.9±10.0 mm vs. 62.8±7.9 mm, P < 0.05), but still within the normal range. There was no significant change in MA after intravenous fluid infusion in G2 group. ConclusionIntravenous infusion of 6% HES (130/0.4)20 ml/kg can reduce platelet function and clot strength, but does not significantly increase postoperative chest or mediastinal drainage, or the incidence of postoperative reexploration for bleeding. It's safe to administer 6% HES (130/0.4)for patients after OPCAB.
ObjectiveTo explore the diagnostic value of ultrasound elastography (USE) combined with long non-coding RNA actin filament associated protein 1 anti-sense RNA 1 (AFAP1-AS1) mRNA in thyroid fine-needle aspiration (FNA) wash-out fluid for distinguishing benign from malignant thyroid nodules. MethodsThe patients with thyroid nodules who were treated in the Shenzhen Futian District Second People’s Hospital from January 2020 to June 2022 were collected. Before operation, the patients’ thyroid nodules were evaluated by the USE score and the AFAP1-AS1 mRNA in the thyroid FNA wash-out fluid was detected. The pathological result of the thyroid nodule after operation was as a gold standard for diagnosis of malignant thyroid nodules. The clinical diagnostic value of USE score combined with AFAP1-AS1 mRNA in the FNA wash-out fluid of the benign and malignant thyroid nodules were analyzed. ResultsA total of 174 thyroid nodules (124 patients) were detected in this study, of which 62 (45 patients) were histologically diagnosed as malignant. There was a statistical difference in the comparison of the composition ratio of USE score grading between the benign and malignant thyroid nodules (Z=8.82, P<0.001). The point of USE of the benign thyroid nodules was statistically lower than that of the malignant thyroid nodules [2.28±1.16 vs. 4.26±1.01, mean difference (MD) and 95% confidence interval (95%CI)=2.98 (2.76, 3.20), t=30.85, P<0.001]. The AFAP1-AS1 mRNA in the FNA wash-out fluid of the malignant thyroid nodules was statistically higher than that of the benign thyroid nodules [1.45±0.27 vs. 1.13±0.16, MD (95%CI)=1.45(1.39, 1.50), t=10.69, P<0.001]. Pearson correlation analysis showed that there was a positive correlation between the USE score of thyroid nodules and the expression of AFAP1-AS1 mRNA in the FNA wash-out fluid (r=0.58, P<0.001). The sensitivity and specificity of USE score in combination with expression of AFAP1-AS1 mRNA in the FNA wash-out fluid for diagnosing the malignant thyroid nodules by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was 93.5% and 88.4% respectively. The area under the ROC curve (95%CI) was 0.91 (0.86, 0.96). Conclusion According to preliminary results of this study, USE score combined with AFAP1-AS1 mRNA in the thyroid FNA wash-out fluid is more sensitive and shows a potential diagnostic performance than USE score or AFAP1-AS1 mRNA detection alone for distinguishing benign from malignant thyroid nodules.
Objective To analyze the diagnostic value of shear wave elastography (SWE) combined with vascular endothelial growth factor B (VEGF-B) and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) in early diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN). Methods A total of 100 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) admitted to Mianyang Central Hospital between October 2020 and October 2023 were selected and divided into a T2DM with DPN group (n=31) and a T2DM without DPN group (n=69) based on the presence or absence of DPN. Additionally, 50 healthy individuals from the same hospital’s health examination center were included as a healthy control group. The basic clinical characteristics, mean elasticity (Emean) values of the left and right median and tibial nerves, serum VEGF-B, and HbA1c levels were compared among the three groups. The diagnostic efficacy of SWE, VEGF-B, and HbA1c for DPN was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, and Pearson correlation analysis was performed to assess the relationships between median/tibial nerve Emean and VEGF-B/HbA1c. Results The Emean values of the left and right median nerves, Emean values of the left and right tibial nerves, serum VEGF-B, and HbA1c levels in the T2DM with DPN group were significantly higher than those in the T2DM without DPN group and the healthy control group (P<0.05). The Emean values of the left and right median and tibial nerves, Emean values of the left and right tibial nerves, and HbA1c level in the T2DM without DPN group were significantly higher than those in the healthy control group (P<0.05), while no significant difference was observed in serum VEGF-B level between the T2DM without DPN group and the healthy control group (P>0.05). The area under the ROC curve for the combined diagnosis of DPN using SWE, VEGF-B, and HbA1c was 0.859 [95% confidence interval (0.828, 0.955)]. The sensitivity of the combined diagnosis (93.72%) was significantly higher than that of individual diagnoses (78.82%, 75.39%, and 71.05%, respectively; P<0.05), while the specificity (88.64%) showed no significant difference compared to individual diagnoses (80.18%, 78.96%, and 82.88%, respectively; P>0.05). Positive correlations were observed between median/tibial nerve Emean and VEGF-B/HbA1c levels (r=0.428, 0.395, 0.416, and 0.416, respectively; P<0.05). Conclusions Elevated median/tibial nerve Emean, serum VEGF-B, and HbA1c levels are closely associated with DPN. The combination of SWE, VEGF-B, and HbA1c improves diagnostic sensitivity for DPN, demonstrating significant clinical value.
Objective To understand and analyze technique development of magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) and its application in chronic liver disease. Method The relevant literatures about the application of MRE in the field of chronic liver disease were reviewed. Results The liver fibrosis was a common pathway of chronic liver disease, which would progress to cirrhosis of the liver if untreated. The diagnosis and assessment of fibrosis was important in the treatment of patients with chronic liver disease. The liver biopsy was considered to be the reference standard for clinical assessment of liver fibrosis. However, this technique was invasive and still had inevitable drawbacks in the clinical practice. With the update of the imaging technology and equipment, the MRE had been developed as a safe and noninvasive examination method for the evaluation of liver fibrosis in the chronic liver disease, early diagnosis of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, evaluation of focal liver lesions, and other clinical applications. Conclusion MRE is currently regarded as an attractive noninvasive technique in management of chronic liver disease.
ObjectiveTo systematically review the diagnostic value of the ultrasonographic elastography in the differential diagnosis of axillary lymph nodes in breast cancer.MethodsWe electronically searched the databases including The Cochrane Library, PubMed, CNKI, WanFang Data, VIP, MedaLink and CBM for studies about diagnostic value of the ultrasonographic elastography in the differential diagnosis of axillary lymph nodes in breast cancer from inception to October 2016. Two reviewers independently screened literature, extracted data and assessed the risk of bias of the included studies. Then meta-analysis was performed using MetaDisc 1.4 software.ResultsA total of 9 studies involving 735 lymph nodes were included. The results of meta-analysis showed that, the pooled sensitivity, pooled specificity, pooled positive likelihood ratio, pooled negative likelihood ratio and DOR were 0.82 (95%CI 0.78 to 0.86), 0.76 (95%CI 0.72 to 0.81), 3.32 (95%CI 2.57 to 4.27), 0.25 (95%CI 0.20 to 0.31), and 14.77 (95%CI 10.20 to 21.38), respectively. The AUC of the SROC curve was 0.8741.ConclusionUltrasonographic elastography has high sensitivity and specificity in the differential diagnosis of axillary lymph nodes in breast cancer, which indicates that it can be used to diagnosis axillary lymph nodes in breast cancer.