Assessment of perineal body properties in women with stress urinary incontinence using Transperineal shear wave elastography.

Limited data on the correlation between the perineal body (PB) and stress urinary incontinence (SUI) are available. The objectives of this study were to quantify the PB using shear wave elastography (SWE) technology with a high-frequency linear array probe to evaluate the relationship between the properties of PB and stress urinary incontinence (SUI). This study included 64 women with SUI and 70 female control participants. The length, height, perimeter, and area of PB in all participants were calculated using transperineal ultrasound, and the elasticity of PB was assessed by SWE at rest and during the maximal Valsalva maneuver, respectively. In addition, the comparison of PB parameters between the patients with SUI and the healthy participants was conducted. The transperineal ultrasound and SWE examination was performed in 134 participants, and the elastic modulus values were significantly increased from participants at rest to those during the maximal Valsalva maneuver in all participants (Emax: 35.59 versus 53.13 kPa, P < 0.001; and Emean: 26.97 versus 40.25 kPa, P < 0.001). Emax and Emean of PB exhibited significant differences during the maximal Valsalva maneuver between the SUI group and the control group (47.73 versus 58.06 kPa, P < 0.001; and 35.78 versus 44.33 kPa, P < 0.001) and had a negative correlation with SUI. The BMI and PB height during the maximal Valsalva maneuver in the SUI group were found to be significantly higher than that in healthy volunteers. Emax and Emean of PB negatively correlated with BMI during the maximal Valsalva maneuver (r = -0.277, P = 0.001 and r = -0.211, P = 0.014). ROC curve analysis demonstrated that PB perimeter of less than 12.68mm was strongly associated with SUI during the maximal Valsalva maneuver, and an Emax of less than 55.76 kPa had a 100% specificity in predicting SUI. SWE can quantify the elasticity of PB, identifying a significant difference between participants at rest and during Valsalva maneuver. In addition, the stiffness of the PB was significantly lower in women with SUI than in healthy women, which may provide a noninvasive clinical practice in SUI prediction.

Preoperative Clinical and Ultrasonographic Predictors for Aggressive Behaviors in Sporadic Medullary Thyroid Carcinomas.

Objective: To explore the clinical and ultrasonographic predictors for aggressive behaviors preoperatively in sporadic medullary thyroid carcinomas (MTCs). Materials and Methods: The preoperative clinical and ultrasonographic characteristics of patients diagnosed with MTCs between January 2009 and May 2022 were retrospectively reviewed. MTCs were described and categorized according to the American College of Radiology (ACR) thyroid imaging reporting and data system classification by 2 radiologists. Interobserver agreement was evaluated by kappa test. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify predictors of aggressive behaviors in MTCs. The log-rank test was utilized to compare differences in Kaplan-Meier (K-M) curves for postoperative disease-free survival (PDFS). Results: A total of 120 patients were enrolled in the final study. Male sex was significant risk factor for metastasis, perithyroidal invasion, and lateral cervical lymph node (LCLN) metastasis [odds ratio (OR): 3.109, P = .019; OR: 5.316, P = .018; OR: 5.154 P = .012, respectively]. The kappa values for all ultrasonic characteristics were high (ranged from 0.811 to 0.941). Size, focality, and margin of the nodule were independent risk factors for metastasis, as well as for LCLN metastasis. Whereas margin (P < .001) and a subcapsular location (P = .021) were risk factors for perithyroidal invasion. According to K-M analysis, PDFS of patients differed significantly between groups with/without metastasis (P < .001), groups with/without perithyroidal extension (P < .001) and groups with/without LCLN metastasis (P < .001). Conclusions: Male sex is an independent risk factor for metastasis, perithyroidal invasion, and LCLN metastasis. The large size (≥2.55 cm for metastasis, ≥2.15 cm for LCLN metastasis, respectively), multifocality, and irregular margin of nodules were independent risk factors for both metastasis and LCLN metastasis. Extrathyroidal extension and a subcapsular location were risk factors for perithyroidal invasion. Moreover, patients with metastasis/perithyroidal extension/LCLN metastasis exhibited worse PDFS.

Clinical value of O-RADS combined with serum CA125 and HE4 for the diagnosis of ovarian tumours.

BACKGROUND: Ovarian tumors (OTs) are common gynecological tumors in women. It is very important to correctly distinguish benign and malignant OTs. PURPOSE: To assess the diagnostic performance of the American College of Radiology (ACR) Ovarian-Adnexal Reporting and Data System (O-RADS) and evaluate the clinical value of O-RADS combined with serum carbohydrate antigen 125 (CA125) and human epididymis protein 4 (HE4) in differentiating benign from malignant OTs. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed on 431 cases including pathology and clinical data. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was drawn, and sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy were calculated. RESULTS: In premenopausal women, O-RADS and O-RADS combined with serum CA125 and HE4 showed sensitivity at 92.2% and 94.8%, specificity at 91.8% and 93.4%, and accuracy at 91.9% and 93.8%, respectively. In postmenopausal women, the sensitivity of O-RADS, O-RADS combined with serum CA125 and HE4 was 94.8% and 95.8%, specificity was 83.9% and 93.6%, and accuracy was 90.5% and 95.6%, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of O-RADS combined with CA125 and HE4 in premenopausal and postmenopausal women were higher than that of O-RADS (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: O-RADS has high diagnostic performance in OTs. When O-RADS is combined with CA125 and HE4 in the diagnosis of OTs, the sensitivity and specificity are improved, which is helpful to improve the diagnostic efficiency of OTs and has high clinical application value.

USEFULNESS OF TRANSPERINEAL VIRTUAL TOUCH QUANTIFICATION IN THE CERVIX FOR PREDICTING OUTCOME OF LABOR INDUCTION.

This study aimed to explore the feasibility of transperineal virtual touch tissue quantification (VTQ) for predicting the outcome of labor induction. A total of 80 nulliparous pregnant women were included. Before labor induction, cervical length was measured by B-mode sonography, cervical stiffness was measured by VTQ, and Bishop score was assessed by vaginal examination. Subsequently, labor was induced using standard oxytocin infusion in all patients. Delivery within 24 hours after labor induction was classified as spontaneous delivery; otherwise, cesarean delivery was performed. Out of 80 participants, 48 (60%) delivered vaginally and 32 (40%) underwent cesarean delivery. The cervical length was significantly longer and the shear wave velocity (SWV) was greater in the cesarean delivery group than in the vaginal delivery group (p = 0.004 and p < 0.000, respectively). Logistic regression analysis indicated that only the mean SWV had independent predictive value for the outcome of labor induction (p = 0.011). The best diagnostic cut-off point of the mean SWV was 1.23 m/s, with a sensitivity of 93.8% and a specificity of 89.6%. Transperineal VTQ technique could predict the outcome of labor induction using oxytocin.

Differentiation of Thyroid Nodules Difficult to Diagnose With Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasonography and Real-Time Elastography.

According to the 2015 American Thyroid Association (ATA), referred risk stratification and thyroid nodules with intermediate- and low-suspicion patterns are difficult to diagnose. The objective of this study is to evaluate the diagnostic performance of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) and elastosonography (ES) for the differentiation of these thyroid nodules. From November 2011 to June 2016, a total of 163 thyroid nodules with intermediate- and low-suspicion patterns in 150 consecutive patients at our hospital were studied before surgery. With surgical pathology as the standard, the diagnostic value of CEUS and ES was analyzed. There were 29 (17.8%) malignant lesions and 134 (82.2%) benign lesions. The enhancement patterns of CEUS, the echogenicity, and the elastography were significantly different between malignant and benign lesions (P < 0.05). Heterogenous enhancement was more common in malignant nodules, and the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and odds ratio were 51.7, 88.1, 48.4, 89.4, and 10.1%, respectively. The diagnostic accuracy of CEUS was better than the conventional ultrasound [area under the curve (AUC), 0.729 vs. 0.616, P = 0.021]. The enhancement patterns of CEUS were helpful in the differential diagnosis of thyroid nodules with intermediate and low suspicion.

Association between the sonographer's experience and diagnostic performance of IOTA simple rules.

BACKGROUND: To validate the clinical value of simple rules in distinguishing malignant adnexal masses from benign ones and to explore the effect of simple rules for experienced and less-experienced sonographers. METHODS: Patients with persistent adnexal masses were enrolled between November 2013 and December 2015. All masses were proven through histological examinations. Five sets of diagnoses were made and compared with one another. Diagnosis 1 was made, according to the simple rules, by a trainee with little clinical diagnostic experience. Diagnoses 2 and 3 were made by experienced and less-experienced sonographers, respectively, according to their clinical experiences. With diagnosis 1 as a reference, the two sonographers were asked to provide a second diagnosis, which were diagnoses 4 and 5. The efficiency of the five sets of diagnoses was compared using ROC curves. RESULTS: In total, 75 malignant (37.7%) and 124 benign lesions (62.3%) were enrolled in this study. The mean diameter of the benign masses was obviously smaller than that of the malignant ones (6.8 ± 3.4 cm vs. 9.3 ± 4.9 cm, p < 0.01). The malignant ratio in postmenopausal women was much higher (66.1%) than that in the premenopausal population (25.7%) (p < 0.0001). Totally, 156 of the 199 cases (79.4%) resulted in conclusive diagnoses. Sensitivity and specificity were 98.4% and 73.9%, respectively, among the conclusive cases. The area under the ROC curve (Az) for the simple rule diagnosis was significantly lower than that for the experienced sonographer diagnosis (0.85 vs. 0.96, p < 0.0001); compared with the less-experienced sonographer, this difference was not significant (0.85 vs. 0.86, p = 0.9776). No significant difference was found in the comparison between the diagnoses made by the experienced sonographer before and after referencing the simple rule diagnosis (Az, 0.96 vs. 0.97, p = 0.2055). Using diagnosis 1 as a reference, the diagnostic performance of the less-experienced sonographer increased (from 0.86 to 0.92, p = 0.012); however, it was still lower than that of the experienced sonographer (Az, 96% vs. 92%, p = 0.0241). CONCLUSIONS: The simple rules was an appealing method for discriminating malignant masses from benign ones, particularly for a less-experienced sonographer.

Distribution patterns of microcalcifications in suspected thyroid carcinoma: a classification method helpful for diagnosis.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare the distribution patterns of microcalcifications in thyroid cancers with benign cases. METHODS: In total, 358 patients having microcalcifications on ultrasonography were analysed. Microcalcifications were categorised according to the distribution patterns: (I) microcalcifications inside one (a) or more (b) suspected nodules, (II) microcalcifications not only inside but also surrounding a suspected single (a) or multiple (b) nodules, and (III) focal (a) or diffuse (b) microcalcifications in the absence of any suspected nodule. Differences in distribution patterns of microcalcifications in benign and malignant thyroid lesions were compared. RESULTS: We found that the distribution patterns of microcalcifications differed between malignant (n = 325) and benign lesions (n = 117) (X 2 = 9.926, p < 0.01). Benign lesions were classified as type Ia (66.7%), type Ib (29.1%) or type IIIa (4.3%). The specificity of type II and type IIIb in diagnosing malignant cases was 100%. Among malignant lesions, 172 locations were classified as type Ia, 106 as type Ib, 12 as type IIa, 7 as IIb, 7 as type IIIa and 19 as type IIIb. Accompanying Hashimoto thyroiditis was most frequent in type III (51.6%). CONCLUSIONS: Types II and IIIb are highly specific for cancer detection. Microcalcifications outside a nodule and those detected in the absence of any nodule should therefore be reviewed carefully in clinical practice. KEY POINTS: • A method to classify distribution patterns of thyroid microcalcifications is presented. • Distribution features of microcalcifications are useful for diagnosing thyroid cancers. • Microcalcifications outside a suspicious nodule are highly specific for thyroid cancers. • Microcalcifications without suspicious nodules should also alert the physician to thyroid cancers.

Diagnostic value of strain ratio measurement in differential diagnosis of thyroid nodules coexisted with Hashimoto thyroiditis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the differential diagnostic potential of lesion stiffness assessed by the sonoelastographic strain index ratio (SR) for thyroid nodules coexist with Hashimoto thyroiditis (HT). METHODS: A total of 50 focal thyroid nodules from 36 patients with HT (mean age 38.4 years; range 19-77) scheduled for fine-needle aspiration or thyroid surgery were included. After a routine conventional ultrasound evaluation, real-time ultrasound elastography examinations were performed. Strain and area ratios of each lesion were calculated within the same machine. Histological diagnosis was used as the reference standard. The elastography images were scored according to the Asteria elasticity score. The area under the curve (AUC) and cut-off point were obtained by receiver operating curve (ROC). Sensitivity, specificity and accuracy were compared. RESULTS: A total of 38 nodules were benign and 12 were malignant on pathology. The mean strain ratios of benign and malignant lesions were 2.89 and 7.83 respectively. When a cut-off point of 5.03 was used, SR had a sensitivity of 75.0%, a specificity of 92.1% and an accuracy of 84.0%. The AUC values were 0.836. The diagnostic accuracy of the SR was superior to that of elastographic score. CONCLUSION: Real-time elastography is a promising tool for differential diagnosis of thyroid nodules coexist with HT, and SR measurement could be an effective predictor. The best cut-off point for benign and malignant nodules in patients with HT was 5.03.

Polymorphisms of ERCC1 and XRCC1 predict the overall survival of advanced gastric cancer patients receiving oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the clinical outcome of excision repair cross-complementing protein 1 (ERCC1) and X-ray repair cross-complementing protein 1 (XRCC1) gene polymorphisms in 89 patients receiving oxaliplatin/5-fluorouracil-based chemotherapy as a first-line treatment regimen for advanced gastric cancer. ERCC1 codon 118C/T and XRCC1 codon 399A/G polymorphisms were identified using quantitative polymerase chain reactions, and the associations between disease control rate (DCR), median overall survival (mOS) and gene polymorphisms were analyzed. Following two cycles of chemotherapy, a complete response was observed in two patients, a partial response in 18 patients, stable disease in 38 patients and progressive disease in 31 patients. It was determined that ERCC1 and XRCC1 polymorphisms are not associated with DCR (P=0.662 and P=0.631, respectively). The mOS of patients exhibiting ERCC1 and XRCC1 polymorphisms was eight months, and although no significant association was identified between ERCC1 codon 118 genotypes and mOS (P>0.05), the combination of ERCC1 and XRCC1 polymorphisms, as well as the specific presence of the XRCC1 codon 399A/G polymorphism, was associated with mOS (P<0.05). Thus, the present study indicated that the XRCC1 polymorphism and the combination of XRCC1 and ERCC1 polymorphisms were independent predictors for mOS; however, the XRCC1 and ERCC1 genes were not able to predict the DCR.

Desmoplastic small round cell tumor: a case report and review of the literature.

Desmoplastic small round cell tumor is a rare malignant tumor that has a poor prognosis. It affects predominantly young males. In the current report, a 14-year-old male patient was admitted to the hospital for evaluation of abdominal distension, and abdominal pain. Imaging examination revealed a high prevalence of multiple intraperitoneal and liver parenchymal cystic and solid tumors. After an explorative surgery, the pathological findings confirmed the presentation of desmoplastic small round cell tumor. Diagnosis of desmoplastic small round cell tumor could easily have been overlooked since there was no specific evidence for this condition available in the clinical and imaging examinations. In the present study, ultrasound examination detected solid cystic masses, which suggested the presence of necrosis and hemorrhage. Immunohistochemistry and cytogenetic studies confirmed the diagnosis of desmoplastic small round cell tumor in this patient.

Association between adiponectin receptor 1 gene polymorphism and insulin resistance in Chinese patients with polycystic ovary syndrome.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Adiponectin receptor 1 (ADIPOR1) is an identified receptor for adiponectin, an adipocytokine with anti-inflammatory and insulin-sensitizing properties. The ADIPOR1 gene is a potential candidate gene in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The aim of this study is to assess the association between single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs1539355 in the ADIPOR1 gene and PCOS in Chinese women. METHODS: 302 patients with PCOS and 312 healthy controls were included in this study. The ADIPOR1 genotype distribution was detected using the polymerase chain reaction melting temperature shift method. RESULTS: The genotypic distributions of SNP rs1539355 did not differ in patients with PCOS compared to controls. However, the frequency of the G allele in the PCOS group was significantly higher than that in the control group (p = 0.037). Patients with the AG or GG genotype had a higher homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (p < 0.05) compared to patients with the AA genotype. The fasting insulin levels in subjects with the GG genotype were significantly higher than those in patients with the AA genotype (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: SNP rs1539355 in the ADIPOR1 gene is associated with insulin resistance in Chinese PCOS patients.

Papillary thyroid carcinoma with massive metastasis in the uterine corpus: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Distant metastases stemming from a papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) are quite rare. Here we report an exceptional case of PTC presenting with cervical lymphatic and uterine metastases. This is the first case report of a PTC with uterine involvement. CASE PRESENTATION: A 60-year-old Chinese woman came to our hospital complaining of discomfort in the throat that she had been experiencing for about half a month. PTC and cervical lymphatic metastasis were diagnosed after ultrasound examinations. A massive heterogeneous mass was found beside the uterus during the pre-operative checkup and a diagnosis of ovarian carcinoma was suspected after a thorough case discussion. However, it proved to be a metastasis from the PTC as determined by pathological and immunohistochemical examinations after the operation. The patient declined further treatments. She was followed for 22 months with no sign of recurrence detected. CONCLUSIONS: In this report, an unusual case of PTC was presented. The patient had not only regional lymphatic metastasis, but also had a massive metastasis in the uterine corpus, which was initially misdiagnosed as ovarian carcinoma. This case is of interest because of its rarity and exceptionally good prognosis. The reason for the misdiagnosis was attributed to overlooking the possibility of a distant metastasis coming from a PTC. This case raises the issue that completing an iodine-131 scan before operating on patients with PTC may be warranted.

Effects of hemodialysis on brachial artery endothelial function: a clinical study.

OBJECTIVES: The purposes of this study were to determine brachial artery endothelial function in patients at varying times during hemodialysis and to evaluate the influence and time-dependent effects of hemodialysis on the vascular endothelium. METHODS: The brachial artery systolic and diastolic dimensions and diameter after reactive hyperemia in patients undergoing hemodialysis (dialysis group), uremic patients who had not yet undergone hemodialysis (predialysis group), and healthy volunteers (control group) were measured by high-frequency sonography. The distensibility coefficient, degree of brachial artery stiffness, and flow-mediated dilatation were calculated. RESULTS: The distensibility coefficient and flow-mediated dilatation of the brachial artery were significantly decreased, whereas the degree of stiffness was significantly increased, in the dialysis and predialysis groups compared with the control group (P < .01). There were no significant differences in these parameters between the dialysis group at 12 months and the predialysis group (P> .05). The distensibility coefficient and flow-mediated dilatation at 36 months were significantly lower (P < .01), whereas the degree of stiffness was significantly higher, than that at 12 months after starting hemodialysis (P < .01) but not between 36 and 60 months after hemodialysis (P > .05). CONCLUSIONS: Hemodialysis could aggravate endothelial dysfunction in uremic patients and this effect is associated with the duration of hemodialysis.

Correlation between osteopontin messenger RNA expression and microcalcification shown on sonography in papillary thyroid carcinoma.

OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were to investigate the correlation between osteopontin expression and microcalcification seen on sonograms of human papillary thyroid carcinoma and to explore the mechanism of microcalcification in these tumors. METHODS: Real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry were used to determine expression levels and locations of osteopontin in 56 pathologically verified papillary thyroid carcinoma nodules. Osteopontin expression correlated with microcalcification and other sonographic signs recorded preoperatively. RESULTS: Osteopontin expression in the papillary thyroid carcinoma group was significantly enhanced compared with the control group for both messenger RNA and protein levels (P < .05). Osteopontin expression was significantly related to microcalcification and lymph node metastasis (P < .05), as shown on sonography. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest a possible role for osteopontin in the formation of microcalcification in papillary thyroid carcinoma; the sonographic signs can reflect the pathologic and biological behavior of these tumors.