Comparative Evaluation of CEUS and CECT in the Detection of Liver Metastases of Middle and Low Rectal Cancer.

Objective: To explore the imaging manifestations and clinical application value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in liver metastases of middle and low rectal cancer by performing CEUS in patients. Additionally, we compared the results of CEUS with those of abdominal contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) to assess the reliability of diagnosing liver metastases in patients with middle and low rectal cancer.

Methods: Hepatic CEUS was performed in 1095 patients with middle and low rectal cancer, and all patients underwent abdominal CECT examinations to determine the presence or absence of liver metastases.

The Value of CEUS LI-RADS combined with AFP in early diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma in low- and high-risk patients.

Background: We found that the occurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has increased significantly in non-cirrhotic individuals, with HCC being frequently overlooked or misdiagnosed. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System (LI-RADS) is known to have a high diagnostic quality in high-risk HCC patients. Therefore, we aimed to compare the detection accuracy of CEUS LI-RADS for HCC between low- and high-risk individuals, to confirm its value in low-risk patients at increased risk of HCC, but not yet included in the high-risk groups of LI-RADS.

The correlation between time-intensity curve parameters of transrectal contrast-enhanced ultrasound and pathological prognostic factors in rectal adenocarcinoma.

Aims: To investigate the correlation between time-intensity curve (TIC) parameters obtained from transrectal contrast-enhanced ultrasound (TR-CEUS) and important pathological prognostic factors in rectal adenocarcinoma.

Material And Methods:  We retrospectively included 477 patients with pathologically confirmed rectal adenocarcinoma. TIC parameters were derived from preoperative dynamic TR-CEUS images.

Assessment of the Effects of Sphingosine Kinase 1/Sphingosine-1-Phosphate on Microangiogenesis at Rat Myofascial Trigger Points Using Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasonography.

Purpose: Few studies have assessed the effects of sphingosine kinase 1/sphingosine-1-phosphate (SPHK1/S1P) on microangiogenesis at rat myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) using contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS). This study aimed to address these deficiencies. Here, we investigated the effects of SPHK1/S1P on MTrP microangiogenesis and the value of CEUS in evaluating these effects.

Assessment of the effects of transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-β1)-Smad2/3 on fibrosis in rat myofascial trigger points using point shear wave elastography.

Background & Aims: Myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) are highly sensitive irritated points within a tense belt of skeletal muscle, and are the main cause of muscle pain and dysfunction. MTrPs can also cause paraesthesia and autonomic nervous dysfunction. Furthermore, long-term and chronic MTrPs can cause muscle atrophy and even disability, seriously affecting the quality of life and mental health of patients, and increasing the social and economic burden.

Risk Factors of Contrast Agent Intravasation With Sulfur Hexafluoride Microbubble During Hysterosalpingo-Contrast Sonography.

Objectives: To analyze the risk factors of sulfur hexafluoride microbubble contrast agent intravasation during hysterosalpingo-contrast sonography (HyCoSy), and to explore a simple prediction model by the obvious clinical history.

Methods: This was a retrospective study included 299 infertility women who had undergone HyCoSy examination from July 1, 2018 to June 31, 2019. The factors were recorded, including age, endometrial thickness, balloon length, infertility type, history of intrauterine surgery, history of pelvic surgery, and tubal patency.

Contrast Enhanced Ultrasonography of Kidney in Chronic Intermittent Hypoxia Rat Model.

Objectives: The objective of our study was to assess the ability of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in evaluating renal microperfusion in an animal model.

Methods: Twenty Sprague-Dawley rats were subdivided into two groups: the normal and chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH) groups. In the CIH model, 10 Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to CIH for 8 weeks to mimic obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

Operator's Influence on Contrast Agent Intravasation During Hysterosalpingo-Contrast Sonography: Explanation Based on a Physics Model.

Objective: To analyze the risk factors of the operators on contrast agent intravasation during hysterosalpingo-contrast sonography (HyCoSy).

Methods: We retrospectively collected 399 infertile women who underwent HyCoSy by the same sonographer. These patients were divided into two groups according to the way how the assistants connected the syringe to the uterus radiography catheter to inject the contrast agent.

A New Stemness-Related Prognostic Model for Predicting the Prognosis in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma.

Objective: This study is aimed at identifying stemness-related genes in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC).

Methods: The RNA-seq data of PADC patients were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) databases. The mRNA expression-based stemness index (mRNAsi) and epigenetically regulated mRNAsi (EREG-mRNAsi) of PADC patients were evaluated.

An Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition Hallmark Gene-Based Risk Score System in Head and Neck Squamous-Cell Carcinoma.

Background: Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) program plays a critical role in cancer. Thus, we attempted to generate a risk score system according to the expression pattern of different EMT hallmark genes in head and neck squamous-cell carcinoma (HNSC).

Methods: Differentially expressed EMT hallmark genes were screened to generate a risk score (RS) on TCGA HNSC dataset.

Effectiveness of contrast-enhanced ultrasound for detecting the staging and grading of bladder cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Aim: The study retrospectively analysed the accuracy of preoperative contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in differenti-ating stage Ta-T1 or low-grade bladder cancer (BC) from stage T2 or high-grade bladder cancer.

Material And Methods: We systematically searched the literature indexed in PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library for original diagnostic articles of bladder cancer. The diagnostic accuracy of CEUS was compared with cystoscopy and/or transurethral resection of bladder tumors (TURBT).

Assessment of the effects of ischaemia/ hypoxia on angiogenesis in rat myofascial trigger points using colour Doppler flow imaging.

Background & Aims: Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) is a common non-articular disorder of the musculoskeletal system that is characterized by the presence of myofascial trigger points (MTrPs). Despite the high prevalence of MPS, its pathogenesis, which induces the onset and maintenance of MTrPs, is still not completely understood. To date, no studies have investigated the changes in the biochemical milieu caused by ischaemia/hypoxia in the MTrP regions of muscle that are proposed in the integrated hypothesis.

Identification of Potential Biomarkers and Biological Pathways in Juvenile Dermatomyositis Based on miRNA-mRNA Network.

Objective: The aim of this study is to explore the potential pathogenesis of juvenile dermatomyositis by bioinformatics analysis of gene chips, which would screen the hub genes, identify potential biomarkers, and reveal the development mechanism of juvenile dermatomyositis.

Material And Methods: We retrieved juvenile dermatomyositis's original expression microarray data of message RNAs (mRNAs) and microRNAs (miRNAs) from NCBI's Gene Expression Omnibus database (GEO, http://www.ncbi.

Sonographic Assessment of Oropharynx Movement During Deep Breathing.

To investigate the feasibility of ultrasonography in detecting the oropharynx movement during deep breathing and to quantitatively analyze oropharynx airway lumen changes during deep breathing. The motions of oropharynx were monitored, and sonographic measurements of airway lumen were obtained during deep breathing in 448 healthy volunteers. Adequate visualization of oropharynx movement was obtained on all healthy volunteers.

Contrast-enhanced Ultrasound in evaluating of angiogenesis and tumor staging of nasopharyngeal carcinoma in nude mice.

Objective: To explore the use of Contrast-enhanced Ultrasound (CEUS) in evaluating angiogenesis in a xenograft nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) model in nude mice and the evolution of CEUS parameters according to the growth of NPC.

Methods: Nude mice were divided into three groups according to experiments conducted at various times from tumor implantation (8 mice/group; group A: 4 weeks from implantation; group B:6 weeks from implantation; group C:8 weeks from implantation). CNE-2 cells were transplanted in 24 nude mice and CEUS evaluations of the tumors were performed at 4, 6 or 8 weeks from implantation.

Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography of nasopharyngeal carcinoma: enhancement patterns and quantitative parameters.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the characteristics of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) using contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS), including the enhancement patterns and the quantitative parameters.

Methods: Having been scanned using conventional ultrasonography (US) and CEUS, every case was confirmed to be NPC under endoscopic biopsy, and no case received any anti-tumor treatment before CEUS examinations. Tumor/node/metastasis stages were determined in accordance with 2002 AJCC 6th edition.

Clinical evaluation of vascular normalization induced by recombinant human endostatin in nasopharyngeal carcinoma via dynamic contrast-enhanced ultrasonography.

Background: The present study confirmed the presence and exact range of "vascular normalization window" induced by recombinant human endostatin (RHES) in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) by analyzing the variation of dynamic contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (DCE-US) quantitative parameters. Also, the clinical application of DCE-US in the evaluation of vascular normalization was assessed.

Materials And Methods: A total of 30 previously untreated patients with stage III-IVA NPC were enrolled in the present study and were randomly but equally divided into RHES (endostar [ES]) and normal saline (NS) groups.

T-Staging of maxillary sinus carcinoma: comparison of ultrasonography and computed tomography.

Rationale And Objectives: Accurate staging forms the basis for the successful management of maxillary sinus carcinoma. The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of ultrasonography and computed tomography (CT) for detection and T-staging of maxillary sinus carcinoma.

Material And Methods: T-staging of maxillary sinus carcinoma by ultrasonography and CT was studied in 37 patients: 25 with squamous cell carcinoma and 12 with tumors of other histologic types.

Investigation of the Upper Airway Anatomy With Ultrasound.

Objective: The aims of this study were to describe the relationship between the scanning planes and appearance of the upper airway on sonography and to demonstrate the reliability and reproducibility of sonographic measurements of the upper airway.

Methods: Airway sonoanatomy was recognized by comparing the airway images and the corresponding cadaver's anatomical specimens. Systemic sonographic examination of 267 healthy volunteers was conducted to obtain the sonographic measurement of airway lumen.

Sonography for diagnosis of benign and malignant tumors of the nose and paranasal sinuses.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the reliability of sonography for diagnosis of nose and paranasal sinus tumors.

Methods: Ninety-six consecutive patients with tumors underwent sonography and computed tomography (CT) before surgical treatment. Tumor detectability and imaging findings were evaluated independently and then compared with pathologic findings.

The diagnostic accuracy of ultrasonography versus endoscopy for primary nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Objective: To compare the accuracy of ultrasonography (US) with the current clinical standard of endoscopy for a diagnosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).

Methods: A total of 150 patients suspected of having NPC underwent US and endoscopy. A diagnosis was obtained from an endoscopic biopsy collected from each suspected tumor and was compared with a biopsy obtained from a normal nasopharynx.

Diagnostic accuracy of sonography versus magnetic resonance imaging for primary nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to prospectively assess the accuracy of sonography versus magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for a diagnosis of primary nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Methods: A total of 150 patients suspected of having nasopharyngeal carcinoma underwent sonography and MRI. A diagnosis was obtained from an endoscopic biopsy that was collected from the suspected tumor or a normal nasopharynx.

The diagnostic accuracy of ultrasonography versus endoscopy for primary nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Objective: To compare the accuracy of ultrasonography (US) with the current clinical standard of endoscopy for a diagnosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).

Methods: A total of 150 patients suspected of having NPC underwent US and endoscopy. A diagnosis was obtained from an endoscopic biopsy collected from each suspected tumor and was compared with a biopsy obtained from a normal nasopharynx.

Sonographic findings of nasopharyngeal carcinoma and its involvement in the parapharyngeal space.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine the sonographic performance in pathologically proven cases of nasopharyngeal carcinoma and its involvement in the parapharyngeal space.

Methods: The study included 58 patients being treated for suspected nasopharyngeal carcinoma detected by routine nasopharyngoscopy who underwent pathologic biopsy. Sonography was performed immediately thereafter with a convex array transducer in both the B-mode and color mode.