An ultrasonography-based approach for tissue modelling to inform photo-therapy treatment strategies.

Currently, diagnostic medicine uses a multitude of tools ranging from ionising radiation to histology analysis. With advances in piezoelectric crystal technology, high-frequency ultrasound imaging has developed to achieve comparatively high resolution without the drawbacks of ionising radiation. This research proposes a low-cost, non-invasive and real-time protocol for informing photo-therapy procedures using ultrasound imaging.

Optical investigation of three-dimensional human skin equivalents: A pilot study.

Human skin equivalents (HSEs) are three-dimensional living models of human skin that are prepared in vitro by seeding cells onto an appropriate scaffold. They recreate the structure and biological behaviour of real skin, allowing the investigation of processes such as keratinocyte differentiation and interactions between the dermal and epidermal layers. However, for wider applications, their optical and mechanical properties should also replicate those of real skin.

Assessment of active inflammation in juvenile dermatomyositis: a novel magnetic resonance imaging-based scoring system.

Objective: To assess the reproducibility of a novel scoring system that we have developed for the objective assessment of acute inflammatory change in JDM. This system defines markers of inflammatory change in four muscle groups and the surrounding soft tissues.

Methods: Forty-eight children (33 girls) underwent retrospective assessment of their MRI studies by two musculoskeletal paediatric radiologists for the presence of disease activity.

Synchronous renal masses in patients with a nonrenal malignancy: incidence of metastasis to the kidney versus primary renal neoplasia and differentiating features on CT.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to establish the contemporaneous frequency of metastases within the kidney as opposed to primary renal tumors in patients with an active primary nonrenal malignancy and to identify the differentiating features.

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively identified all patients with an active primary nonrenal malignancy (group 1) who had also undergone at least 2 contrast-enhanced abdominal CT examinations spaced 1 year apart. The radiologic and pathologic data of these cases were reviewed and the incidence of metastasis to the kidney versus primary renal tumors established.

An improved method of assessing esophageal emptying using the timed barium study following surgical myotomy for achalasia.

Introduction: The timed barium study (TBS) is used to assess esophageal emptying in patients with achalasia. Improvement in emptying correlates with outcome after endoscopic therapy, but the results of the TBS have been variable after myotomy. Our aim was to evaluate a new method for assessing improvement in emptying after myotomy.

Erectile dysfunction: the role of penile Doppler ultrasound in diagnosis.

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common and debilitating condition with physical, psychological, and pharmacological aetiologies. The physical causes can be divided into problems with arterial inflow, structural penile abnormalities, or problems with the venous occlusion mechanism. Penile Doppler sonography is a specialized technique requiring a thorough knowledge of the topic in order to aid diagnosis and direct subsequent treatment.

Extensive transperineal template biopsies of prostate: modified technique and results.

Objectives: To describe the modified technique and results of extensive transperineal template prostate biopsies in men with a high risk of prostate cancer in whom repeated transrectal biopsies are not diagnostic.

Methods: Men who had a rising prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level and had at least two sets of benign octant biopsies or two or more prior biopsies containing high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia or atypical small acinar proliferation were included. A biplanar transrectal ultrasound probe was attached to a brachytherapy stepping unit and a standard 0.