Chinese Association of Ultrasound in Medicine and Engineering, Superficial Organs and Peripheral Vessels Committee Expert Consensus on Selected Common Clinical Issues in Parathyroid Ultrasound (2024 Edition).

Parathyroid ultrasound is widely used in clinical practice and plays a crucial role in the diagnosis and treatment of parathyroid diseases. Nevertheless, ultrasound physicians frequently encounter a number of challenges and doubts in their professional practice. For this reason, Superficial Organs and Peripheral Vessels Committee of Chinese Association of Ultrasound in Medicine and Engineering has formulated the expert consensus on certain common clinical problems of parathyroid ultrasound based on the current research progress and clinical experience, in order to guide the clinical practice.

Initial Experience With Endoscopic Ultrasound-guided Laser Ablation of Retroperitoneal Lymph Node Metastases.

Goals: To assess the feasibility and safety of endoscopic ultrasound-guided laser ablation (EUS-LA) of retroperitoneal lymph node (RPLN) metastasis.

Background: RPLN metastasis is challenging to treat, partly due to hazardous location. EUS-LA is a new attractive option for lesions in high-risk or percutaneous difficult-to-reach locations.

Therapeutic outcomes of thermal ablation versus repeated hepatic resection for recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma by using propensity score analysis: a multicenter real-world study.

Background: The therapeutic value of thermal ablation (TA) versus repeat hepatic resection (RHR) for recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma (rHCC) after initial hepatic resection is uncertain. This study aimed to investigate the prognosis of TA and RHR.

Materials And Methods: In this multicenter real-world retrospective study, 473 patients were enrolled between January 2015 and August 2023, with 340 in the TA group and 133 in the RHR group.

The application of contrast-enhanced ultrasound and MicroFlow Imaging in the diagnosis of breast cancer.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) plus MicroFlow Imaging (CEUS-MFI), MicroFlow Imaging (MFI) alone, and color Doppler flow imaging (CDFI) in the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant breast lesions.

Methods: A total of 116 patients with 116 breast lesions categorized as Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) category 4 were enrolled in this prospective study. CEUS-MFI, MFI, and CDFI were used to evaluate the microvascular morphology and distribution types of breast lesions.

Co-inhibition of RAGE and TLR4 sensitizes pancreatic cancer to irreversible electroporation in mice by disrupting autophagy.

Irreversible electroporation (IRE) is a local ablative treatment for patients with pancreatic cancer. During the IRE procedure, high-intensity electric pulses are released intratumorally to disrupt plasma membranes and induce cell death. Since the intensity of the pulsed electric field (PEF) can be decreased by the tumor microenvironment, some cancer cells are subjected to a sublethal PEF and may survive to cause tumor recurrence later.

Unravelling risk factors for delayed bleeding following ultrasonography-guided liver biopsy: a retrospective analysis.

Background: Percutaneous liver puncture remains the gold standard for diagnosis of liver lesions, though image-guided techniques reduce the incidence of complications, there remains a risk of severe delayed bleeding. This study aimed to analyze the risk factors associated with delayed bleeding complications after ultrasonography-guided liver biopsy.

Methods: In this retrospective study, we enrolled a total of 642 patients who underwent ultrasonography-guided percutaneous liver biopsy at our institution between January 2022 and December 2023.

The ability of contrast-enhanced ultrasound with Sonazoid to differentiate endometrial carcinoma from benign endometrial lesions: A preliminary, prospective, and multicenter clinical study.

Objective: To examine the diagnostic efficacy of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) with Sonazoid (Sonazoid-CEUS) for endometrial lesions.

Methods: In this prospective and multicenter study, data were collected from 84 patients with endometrial lesions from 11 hospitals in China. All the patients received a conventional US and Sonazoid-CEUS examination.

Structural and load-dependent arterial stiffness across the adult life span.

Background: The arterial stiffening is attributed to the intrinsic structural stiffening and/or load-dependent stiffening by increased blood pressure (BP). The respective lifetime alterations and major determinants of the two components with normal aging are not clear.

Methods: A total of 3053 healthy adults (1922 women) aged 18-79 years were enrolled.

Ultrasound-guided percutaneous core-needle biopsy for the diagnosis of type 1 autoimmune pancreatitis.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the usefulness of ultrasound-guided core-needle biopsy (US-CNB) for diagnosing type 1 AIP and evaluate the radiological outcomes following steroid therapy.

Materials And Methods: From January 2017 to June 2023, patients with pathology results containing "lymphoplasmacytic infiltration" and "fibrosis" were enrolled. The detection rate of level 1 histology by International Consensus Diagnostic Criteria (ICDC) and the contribution of US-CNB were assessed.

Chinese guidelines for ultrasound-guided thermal ablation of thyroid nodules (2024 edition).

The Chinese guidelines for ultrasound-guided thermal ablation of thyroid nodules (2024 edition) were jointly initiated by the Ultrasound Committee of Chinese Medical Association, the Interventional Ultrasound Committee of Chinese Association of Ultrasound in Medicine and Engineering, the Ultrasonic Intervention Committee of Chinese Colleges of Interventionalists, and the Oncological Intervention Committee of Chinese Research Hospital Association; 37 multidisciplinary experts in interventional ultrasound, ultrasound medicine, endocrinology, and thyroid surgery participated in the compilation of this guide, which expanded the depth and breadth of the perspective and enhanced the authority of the guide. Based on the systematic review of literature related to ultrasound-guided thermal ablation of thyroid nodules and the professional opinions of experts, the guidelines define the indications and contraindications of thermal ablation, including pre-ablation evaluation and preparation, thermal ablation techniques and operational procedures, post-ablation follow-up, therapeutic effect evaluation, complication prevention and treatment, and the writing of medical documents for ablation. According to the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE), a total of 17 objective and comprehensive recommendations were given.

A multicenter, randomized, parallel-controlled clinical trial protocol to evaluate the safety and efficacy of irreversible electroporation compared with radiofrequency ablation for the treatment of small hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background: At present, the main clinical application of local ablation therapy, such as radiofrequency ablation (RFA), is to heat the tissue to a certain temperature. However, high temperature will cause thermal damage. Irreversible electroporation (IRE) is a novel minimally invasive local ablation technology for tumors.

Laparoscopic hepatectomy versus microwave ablation for multifocal 3-5 cm hepatocellular carcinoma: a multi-centre, real-world study.

Background: Researches comparing laparoscopic liver resection (LLR) with microwave ablation (MWA) for 3-5 cm multifocal hepatocellular carcinoma (MFHCC) are rare.

Materials And Methods: From 2008 to 2019, 666 intrahepatic tumours in 289 patients from 12 tertiary medical centres in China were included in this retrospective study. Propensity score matching (PSM) was performed to balance variables between the two treatment groups over time frames 2008-2019 and 2013-2019 to observe the potential impact of advancements in intervention techniques on overall survival (OS), disease-free progression (DFS) of patients.

Analysis of Quality Intima-Media Thickness and Quantitative Artery Stiffness technologies on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a study on carotid artery structure, elasticity, and influential factors in patients.

Background: In recent years, there have been numerous studies using Quality Intima-Media Thickness (QIMT) and Quantitative Arterial Stiffness (QAS) technology to evaluate various related factors and disease-induced changes in carotid artery (CA) elasticity. However, there is still a lack of research on the relationship between non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and various indicators related to the CA. This study aimed to investigate the clinical significance of using QIMT and QAS techniques for comprehensive evaluation of CA intima-media thickness (IMT) and elasticity changes in NAFLD patients, and to analyze various factors influencing these variables.

A preliminary study on the diagnostic value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound and micro-flow imaging for detecting blood flow signals in breast cancer patients.

Background: The distribution and morphology of mass microvessels could affect the diagnostic accuracy of breast cancer (BC). The aim of our study was to compare the value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound and micro-flow imaging (CEUS-MFI), contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS), and color Doppler flow imaging (CDFI) in the assessment of mass microvasculature.

Methods: A total of 106 patients with 106 breast masses categorized as Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) category 4 were enrolled in our prospective study.

WFUMB Commentary Paper on Artificial intelligence in Medical Ultrasound Imaging.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is defined as the theory and development of computer systems able to perform tasks normally associated with human intelligence. At present, AI has been widely used in a variety of ultrasound tasks, including in point-of-care ultrasound, echocardiography, and various diseases of different organs. However, the characteristics of ultrasound, compared to other imaging modalities, such as computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), poses significant additional challenges to AI.

Systemic Treatment Followed by Radical Resection Combined with Intestinal Autotransplantation (RRCIA) for Locally Advanced Pancreatic Cancer: A Retrospectively Observational and Prospectively Validated Study.

Objective: The present study aimed to assess the efficacy of this approach and establish the criteria that identify LAPC patients who may achieve survival benefits from RRCIA.

Summary Background Data: Surgical resection for locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC) remains challenging and associated with high morbidity and mortality, especially for surgery with major arterial reconstruction. We previously showed the feasibility and safety of Radical Resection Combined with Intestinal Autotransplantation (RRCIA) after systemic treatment.

Innovative Applications and Perspectives of Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy Technology in Biomedicine.

Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) has become a revolutionary technique in the biomedical field, providing unparalleled sensitivity for the detection and characterization of biological samples. In this review, recent SERS innovations are comprehensively discussed, including advanced substrate materials, different SERS detection strategies, and multimodal approaches that combine SERS with other biotechnologies. Among them, the role of SERS in the accurate diagnosis of tumors is highlighted, which has promoted accurate molecular analysis and real-time monitoring of treatment effects.

ViT-based quantification of intratumoral heterogeneity for predicting the early recurrence in HCC following multiple ablation.

Objectives: This study aimed to develop a quantitative intratumoral heterogeneity (ITH) model for assessing the risk of early recurrence (ER) in pre-treatment multimodal imaging for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients undergoing ablation treatments.

Methods: This multi-centre study enrolled 633 HCC patients who underwent ultrasound-guided local ablation between January 2015 and September 2022. Among them, 422, 85, 57 and 69 patients underwent radiofrequency ablation (RFA), microwave ablation (MWA), laser ablation (LA) and irreversible electroporation (IRE) ablation, respectively.

Safety and effectiveness of balloon catheter-assisted ultrasound-guided percutaneous microwave ablation in difficult-site liver cancer.

Background: Balloon catheter isolation is a promising auxiliary method for thermal ablation treatment of liver cancer. We aimed to explore the safety and effectiveness of balloon catheter isolation-assisted ultrasound-guided percutaneous microwave ablation (MWA) in treating liver cancer in difficult anatomical locations.

Methods: Data of 132 patients with 145 difficult-site liver cancer treated with ultrasound-guided percutaneous MWA were retrospectively analyzed.

Ultrasound characteristics of hepatic epithelioid hemangioendothelioma: a multi-center case series study.

Aims: Hepatic epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (HEHE) is a rare vascular tumor that primarily affects the liver. This study aimed to analyze the characteristics of conventional ultrasound (US) and contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) in HEHE.

Material And Methods: This multi-center case series study enrolled patients diagnosed with HEHE from five hospitals in China between August 2004 and October 2022.

Value of Two-Dimensional Shear-Wave Elastography in Differentiating Pancreatic Steatosis From Pancreatic Fibrosis.

Objectives: Pancreatic steatosis (PS) and pancreatic fibrosis (PF) both show increased pancreatic echogenicity on conventional B-mode ultrasound. In this study, we assessed the applicability of two-dimensional shear-wave elastography (2D-SWE) for their discrimination.

Methods: We gathered data from 120 adults with valid 2D-SWE measurements, comprising 40 healthy individuals, 55 individuals diagnosed with PS via non-enhanced computed tomography (CT), and 25 patients clinically diagnosed with non-calcific chronic pancreatitis.