Predictive value of ultrasound doppler parameters in neoadjuvant chemotherapy response of breast cancer: Prospective comparison with magnetic resonance and mammography.

Background: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) is a treatment option for breast cancer patients that allows for the assessment of tumor response during treatment. This information can be used to adjust treatment and improve outcomes. However, the optimal imaging modalities and parameters for assessing tumor response to NACT are not well established.

Ultrasound Elastography for the Diagnosis of Endometriosis and Adenomyosis: A Systematic Review with Meta-analysis.

Elastography is capable of measuring tissue mechanical properties and elasticity. It is used to help diagnose various diseases, although its use in pelvic endometriosis remains to be established. A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to assess transvaginal ultrasound elastography for the diagnosis of different manifestations of endometriosis and adenomyosis.

Early Blood Flow Abnormalities in Axillary and Brachial Arteries Precede the Onset of Persistent Lymphedema in Women Treated Surgically for Breast Cancer.

surgery to treat breast cancer (BC) is associated with upper limb (UL) lymphedema, which in some cases may become permanent. It is uncertain whether lymphedema results from injury to either lymphatic or blood vessels, or to both. a cohort of 200 BC patients was examined 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 months after surgery.

Assessment of the performance of the O-RADS MRI score for the evaluation of adnexal masses, with technical notes.

Objective: To assess the performance of the Ovarian-Adnexal Reporting and Data System Magnetic Resonance Imaging (O-RADS MRI) score in the evaluation of adnexal masses and to provide technical notes about its current MRI parameters and concepts.

Materials And Methods: This was a prospective study of 226 patients with 287 adnexal masses (190 submitted to surgery or biopsy and 97 followed for at least one year). We calculated the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value for the O-RADS MRI score, using ≥ 4 as the cutoff for malignancy.

Evaluation of PD-L1 and tumor infiltrating lymphocytes in paired pretreatment biopsies and post neoadjuvant chemotherapy surgical specimens of breast carcinoma.

Herein it was evaluated the impact of PD-L1 immunohistochemical expression and stromal tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (sTIL) counts in pretreatment needle core biopsy on response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) for patients with breast carcinomas (BC). In 127 paired pre- and post-NACT BC specimens, immunohistochemical expression of PD-L1 was evaluated in stroma and in neoplastic cells. In the same samples sTILs were semi-quantified in tumor stroma.

Effect of radiofrequency and pelvic floor muscle training in the treatment of women with vaginal laxity: A study protocol.

Background: Vaginal laxity is an underreported condition that negatively affects women's sexual function and their relationships. Evidence-based studies are needed to better understand this complaint and to discuss its treatment options. Thus, we present a study protocol to compare the effect of radiofrequency and pelvic floor muscle training in the treatment of women with complaints of vaginal laxity.

Longitudinal, Long-Term Comparison of Single- versus Multipoint Upper Limb Circumference Periodical Measurements as a Tool to Predict Persistent Lymphedema in Women Treated Surgically for Breast Cancer: An Optimized Strategy to Early Diagnose Lymphedema and Avoid Permanent Sequelae in Breast Cancer Survivors.

Purpose: We aim to evaluate whether upper limb (UL) circumference (ULC) and UL swelling sensation (ULSS) performed shortly after surgery or later on during follow-up can predict long-term/persistent forms of lymphedema in women who underwent surgery for breast cancer.

Patients And Methods: Eighty-five women completed at least 24 months of follow-up. At each follow-up visit (1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 months after surgery), patients were tested for lymphedema using ULC and ULSS.

High-frequency ultrasound as a scientific tool for skin imaging analysis.

Ultrasonic imaging is one of the most important diagnostic tools in clinical medicine due to its cost, availability and good correlation with pathological results. High-frequency ultrasound (HFUS) is a technique used in skin science that has been little explored, especially in comparison with other sites and imaging techniques. HFUS shows real-time images of the skin layers, appendages and skin lesions in vivo and can significantly contribute to advances in skin science.

Pelvic floor muscle assessment by digital palpation and translabial ultrasound of women with cervical or endometrial cancer after pelvic radiotherapy: a cross-sectional study.

Introduction And Hypothesis: We hypothesized that anatomical changes in the pelvic floor muscles (PFM) could be detected using four-dimensional translabial ultrasound (4D TLUS) in patients with cervical (CC) or endometrial cancer (EC) who underwent pelvic radiotherapy (RT) as digital palpation may present sensitivity limitations.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study that included 64 women (26 with CC and 38 with EC). PFM function was assessed by digital palpation, grading muscle strength according to the Modified Oxford Scale and by 4D TLUS.

Body composition in women with premature ovarian insufficiency using hormone therapy and the relation to cardiovascular risk markers: A case-control study.

Objective: To compare body composition between women with premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) using hormone therapy and controls with normal ovarian function, and to correlate body composition with cardiovascular risk markers in the POI group.

Patients And Design: A case-control study of 70 women with POI matched by age and body mass index with 70 controls.

Measurements: All were submitted to whole-body dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) to analyse body composition.

Randomized Clinical Trial Comparing Two Methods of Measuring Insertion Length of Nasogastric Tubes in Newborns.

Introduction: The selection of a method for measuring the insertion length of nasogastric tubes in newborns is an important factor in establishing the safe use of this device.

Objective: The objective was to verify whether there is a difference in the proportion of correctly placed nasogastric tubes when using the nose, earlobe, mid-umbilicus (NEMU) method and the weight-based equation for measuring the insertion length.

Methods: This study is a randomized, controlled, blinded study comparing 2 methods of nasogastric insertion at a neonatal unit, with intensive and intermediate care, on 162 randomized individuals.

Use of pH reagent strips to verify gastric tube placement in newborns.

Objective: to confirm the accuracy of the pH test in identifying the placement of the gastric tube in newborns.

Method: double-blind, diagnostic test study conducted with 162 newborns admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit and an intermediate care unit. The subjects were submitted to enteral intubation, followed by pH test with reagent strip, which was analyzed by a nurse, and radiological examination, analyzed by radiologist.

Four-dimensional translabial ultrasound concordance with digital palpation and surface electromyography during dynamic pelvic floor muscles assessment: A cross-sectional study.

Aim: To investigate whether pelvic floor muscle (PFM) morphological changes obtained through four-dimensional translabial ultrasound (4D TLUS) correlate with a PFM contraction as evaluated by digital palpation and PFM electromyographic activity evaluated by surface electromyography (sEMG). The secondary objective was to investigate which ultrasound parameter is more strongly associated with digital palpation.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included 210 women and their PFMs were evaluated by digital palpation (graded according to the Modified Oxford Scale), sEMG and 4D TLUS.

Improving the performance of IOTA simple rules: sonographic assessment of adnexal masses with resource-effective use of a magnetic resonance scoring (ADNEX MR scoring system).

Purpose: To compare the International Ovarian Tumor Analysis (IOTA) simple rules, simple rules risk ultrasound models, alone or in combination with magnetic resonance (MR) score to predict malignancy in women with adnexal masses.

Methods: 171 women with adnexal masses were included from February 2014 to February 2016. 120 women had histopathological diagnosis obtained from surgery or percutaneous biopsy.

Perinodal fibrosis developed after ultrasonography-guided core-needle biopsy of a contrast-enhanced ultrasound-detected sentinel axillary node interferes with subsequent surgical sentinel node dissection.

Objective: To evaluate perinodal fibrosis after 14-gauge staging core-needle biopsy (CNB) of the axillary sentinel lymph node (SLN) identified using contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) and its interference with subsequent surgical SLN dissection in breast cancer patients.

Methods: Frequencies or means of main clinical, sonographic, pathological, and surgical characteristics were calculated. We also compared patient groups with and without perinodal pathological fibrosis.

Diagnostic accuracy of shear wave elastography - Virtual touch imaging quantification in the evaluation of breast masses: Impact on ultrasonography's specificity and its ultimate clinical benefit.

Objectives: To evaluate the diagnostic performance and the clinical benefit of Shear-Wave Elastography - Virtual Touch Imaging Quantification (SWE-VTIQ) as a complement to ultrasonography (US).

Methods: From October 2016 through Jun 2017, B-mode US and SWE-VTIQ were prospectively performed in 396 breast masses in 357 women who consented to undergo this study. Quantitative elastography values were recorded: V (maximum elasticity), V (median elasticity), V (ratio of V and surrounding parenchyma) and V (ratio of V and surrounding parenchyma).

The Use of Ultrasonography for Verifying Gastric Tube Placement in Newborns.

Background: The use of gastric tubes in newborns admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit is fairly high, and there is a risk of serious complications related to this procedure.

Purpose: Considering the need to find a method that does not involve the patient's exposure to radiation, this study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasonography for verifying gastric tube placement in newborns.

Methods: This was a prospective, double-blind, observational study performed in a neonatal intensive care unit, in which 159 infants had gastric intubation using ultrasound examination and radiological imaging, to verify positioning.

Panhypopituitarism Without GH Replacement: About Insulin Sensitivity, CRP Levels, and Metabolic Syndrome.

A complete deficiency of anterior pituitary hormones from several etiologies characterizes Panhypopituitarism (PH). Despite advances in treatment, patients with PH maintain high rates of morbidity and mortality, a reason to investigate some insulin sensitivity, metabolic and inflammatory parameters that could be related to the increase of these indicators. This was a cross-sectional study comprising 41 PH patients under hormonal replacement, except for growth hormone, and 37 individuals in a control group (CG) with similar age, gender and body mass index (BMI).

Power Doppler Ultrasonography and Shear Wave Elastography as Complementary Imaging Methods for Suspected Local Breast Cancer Recurrence.

Objectives: To prospectively investigate the diagnostic accuracy and clinical consequences of power Doppler morphologic criteria and shear wave elastography (SWE) as complementary imaging methods for evaluation of suspected local breast cancer recurrence in the ipsilateral breast or chest wall.

Methods: Thirty-two breast masses with a suspicion of local breast cancer recurrence on B-mode ultrasonography underwent complementary power Doppler and SWE evaluations. Power Doppler morphologic criteria were classified as avascular, hypovascular, or hypervascular.

Vascular Alterations in Axillary and Brachial Vessels in Patients with Axillary Web Syndrome After Breast Cancer Surgery.

Background: Surgical manipulations of the axilla may cause a condition known as Axillary Web Syndrome (AWS). The systems compromised and the sequence of events leading to this syndrome remains unknown. This study evaluated clinical, surgical, and vascular factors associated with onset and duration of AWS after breast cancer surgery.

Variations in the sonographic measurement techniques of BI-RADS 3 breast masses.

Objective: To evaluate the differences in sonographic (US) distance and volume measurements from different sonologists and identify the optimal parameters to avoid clinically relevant variations in the measurement of BI-RADS 3 breast masses.

Methods: For this cross-sectional study with prospectively collected data, four physicians with various levels of experience in US, herein called sonologists, performed distance and volume US measurements of 80 masses classified as BI-RADS 3. The Cochran Q test was used to compare the matched sets of rates of clinically relevant variability between all pairs of sonologists' measurements.

Cysts within Otherwise Probably Benign Solid Breast Masses and the Risk of Malignancy.

Objective The objective of this study is to assess whether the largest cyst diameter is useful for BI-RADS ultrasonography classification of predominantly solid breast masses with an oval shape, circumscribed margins, and largest axis parallel to the skin, which, except for the cystic component, would be likely classified as benign. Methods This study received approval from the local institutional review board. From March 2009 to August 2014, we prospectively biopsied 170 breast masses from 164 women.