Impact of Breathing Control Training Program on sonographic quantification of abdominal vasculature.

OBJECTIVES: To compare vascular scanning parameters (vessel diameter, peak systolic velocity, end-diastolic velocity, and resistive index) and scanning time before and after breathing control training program for selected abdominal vessels. METHODS: This study was pre and post quasi-experimental. The researchers designed a breathing training program that gives participants instructions through a video describing breathing maneuvers. Data were collected at the ultrasound laboratory/College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences in Princess Nourah bint Abdul Rahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia from January 2023 to November 2023. About 49 volunteers at the university participated in the study. Scanning was performed two times for the right renal artery, upper abdominal aorta, inferior vena cava, and superior mesenteric artery. Scanning time was measured before and after the program as well. A paired sample t-test was used to compare the parameters means and time before and after the program. RESULTS: The program had a significant effect on the following parameters: right renal artery peak systolic velocity (p=0.042), upper abdominal aortic peak systolic velocity, and resistive index (p=0.014, p=0.014 respectively), superior mesenteric artery and inferior vena cava diameters (p=0.010 and p=0.020). The scanning time was reduced significantly (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The breathing training program saves time and improves ultrasound measurement quality. Hospitals and health centers should consider the importance of breathing control training programs before abdominal scanning.

Humeral Length versus Femur Length for Estimating Fetal Age in the Third Trimester Using Ultrasound among Saudi Fetuses.

Background: Ethnicity can influence organ measurements, so each ethnicity should provide normal references. The study was conducted to measure the normal ranges of humeral and femoral diaphysis lengths, to compare them during the third trimester of pregnancy in the Saudi population, and to identify their role in estimating fetal age. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 60 normal singleton pregnant females in the third trimester. The fetal humeral length (HL) and femur length (FL) were taken during ultrasound scanning for follow-up. The IBM Statistical Package for the Social Sciences Version 23 was used to summarize the data and to compare both the lengths with the last menstrual period (LMP) using Pearson's correlation. The comparison was considered statistically significant if P < 0.05. Results: The mean humeral and femoral diaphysis lengths ± standard deviations were 4.84 ± 1 cm and 5.54 ± 1.2 cm, respectively. A positive linear correlation was present between the length and LMP. The correlation of HL with LMP (r = 0.828) was higher than that of FL with LMP (r = 0.770). HL and FL were correlated. They showed a Pearson's coefficient of 0.941. The study revealed that gender does not affect fetal HL and FL. Conclusion: Normal reference ranges for femur and humeral diaphysis lengths during the third trimester were provided. The humerus can be used to assess fetal age. Humerus and femur were correlated to each other among Saudi fetuses. Another study with a larger sample size is recommended.

Palatine Tonsil Measurements and Echogenicity during Tonsillitis Using Ultrasonography: A Case-Control Study.

This case-control study aimed to assess the size and echogenicity of inflamed tonsils using ultrasonography. It was carried out at different hospitals, nurseries, and primary schools in Khartoum state. About 131 Sudanese volunteers between 1 and 24 years old were recruited. The sample included 79 volunteers with normal tonsils and 52 with tonsillitis according to hematological investigations. The sample was divided into groups according to age-1-5 years old, 6-10 years old, and more than ten years. Measurements in centimeters of height (AP) and width (transverse) of both tonsils (right and left) were taken. Echogenicity was assessed according to normal and abnormal appearances. A data collection sheet containing all the study variables was used. The independent samples test (t-test) showed an insignificant height difference between normal controls and cases with tonsillitis. The transverse diameter increased significantly with inflammation (p-value < 0.05) for both tonsils in all groups. Echogenicity can differentiate between normal and abnormal tonsils (p-value < 0.05 using the chi-square test) for samples from 1-5 years and 6-10 years. The study concluded that measurements and appearance are reliable indicators of tonsillitis, which can be confirmed with the use of ultrasonography, helping physicians to make the correct diagnosis and decisions.