Non-histopathological parameters associated with upgrade of breast tumours yielding a core biopsy report of histological grade 2 ductal no special type to grade 3 on excision.

Purpose: The aim of the study was to identify clinical, radiological and immuno-histochemical factors that may help predict upgrade of invasive ductal cancers of no special type (IDC-NST) with a core biopsy grade of 2 to grade 3 on final histology.

Methods: A prospectively maintained database of ultrasound visible solid masses was used to identify lesions yielding a core biopsy result of IDC-NST grade 2 who underwent immediate surgery yielding a grade 2 or grade 3 tumour. Associations were sought between the source of patient (screening/symptomatic), core biopsy receptor status and imaging findings and the grade of the excision specimen tumour.

Pre-operative stromal stiffness measured by shear wave elastography is independently associated with breast cancer-specific survival.

Introduction: With the increased use of neoadjuvant therapy for breast cancer, there is a need for pre-operative prediction of prognosis. We aimed to assess the prognostic value of tumour stiffness measured by ultrasound shear wave elastography (SWE).

Methods: A consecutive cohort of patients with invasive breast cancer underwent breast ultrasound (US) including SWE.

Diagnostic dilemma posed by severe pelvic actinomycosis associated with prolonged use of copper intrauterine contraceptive device.

Actinomycosis has been recognized to be associated with the use of intrauterine contraceptive device. We are reporting a case where a patient with severe pelvic actinomycosis presented with the clinical picture of an ovarian tumour. A 44-year-old lady attended the A&E with progressively worsening lower abdominal pain.

Variability and resource utilization of bedside three-dimensional echocardiographic quantitative measurements of left ventricular volume in congenital heart disease.

Objectives: This study evaluated the variability and time resource utilization of bedside 3-dimensional echocardiographic left ventricular volume analysis (3D-LVVA) in congenital heart disease (CHD). Background. There are currently limited data on the resource utilization and variability of 3D-LVVA in the CHD.

Left ventricular dysfunction is associated with intraventricular dyssynchrony by 3-dimensional echocardiography in children.

Introduction: We used 3-dimensional (3D) echocardiography to identify and quantify left ventricular (LV) dyssynchrony in children with LV dysfunction compared with control subjects.

Methods: The 3D echocardiography LV full volumes were acquired in 18 children, 9 with LV dysfunction and 9 control subjects. The LV was subdivided into 16 segments (apex excluded).

Simvastatin does not exhibit therapeutic anti-inflammatory effects in asthma.

Background: Statins lower cholesterol and also exhibit anti-inflammatory properties. In vitro and animal studies have suggested they may be useful for the treatment of a number of inflammatory conditions.

Objective: To evaluate the in vivo therapeutic potential of simvastatin as an anti-inflammatory agent in patients with asthma.

A statistical model to predict nonsurvival in congenital diaphragmatic hernia.

Objective: To develop a predictive model using echocardiographic indices to identify nonsurvivors from survivors in preoperative patients with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH).

Study Design: Eight cases of CDH, with a mortality rate of 38%, underwent echocardiographic study before surgical repair. Left ventricular mass (LVMASS) using the area-length method of Wyatt et al.