Elevated maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein caused by midtrimester amniocentesis: a prognostic factor.

In a prospective investigation, 247 patients underwent ultrasonically guided midtrimester amniocentesis. Maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) was measured before and after the procedure. In 229 patients, preamniocentesis AFP exceeded 19 micrograms/liter. Forty-eight (21.0%) of these displayed a significant elevation of AFP induced by the procedure, indicating fetal-maternal bleeding. This event was correlated with anterior placental location (P less than .025) and was followed by a significantly reduced mean fetal birth weight (3143 versus 3385 g, P less than .05). In addition, a nonsignificant (.10 less than P less than .20) doubling of the risk of giving birth to a child small for gestational age was observed. These findings suggest that amniocentesis represents a potential hazard to the fetus. The implications in relation to the widening indications for amniocentesis are discussed.

Cholescintigraphy in patients with acute cholecystitis before and after percutaneous gallbladder drainage.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate gallbladder function by use of cholescintigraphy in patients with acute cholecystitis before and after percutaneous gallbladder drainage. DESIGN: A cholescintigraphy was performed in 40 patients with acute cholecystitis before and after the performance of percutaneous gallbladder drainage. During the post-drainage cholescintigraphies, a cholecystokinin stimulation was performed to investigate gallbladder emptying in 12 selected patients. Gallbladder pressure and volume were measured before drainage in another group of 12 patients with acute cholecystitis. RESULTS: As expected, no gallbladder activity was observed in the cholescintigraphies before drainage, except in a patient with an occluding stone in the common bile duct. Cystic duct patency and gallbladder activity were seen in 80% of patients in cholescintigraphies performed after drainage but before any other treatment. Post-drainage cholescintigraphy revealed a mean gallbladder ejection fraction of 24%, which is significantly lower than the corresponding value in normal individuals and gallstone patients without cholecystitis (n = 12). Gallbladder pressure and volume were markedly increased compared with normal values. CONCLUSION: The relief of increased gallbladder pressure and volume appears to be important for the re-establishment of gallbladder function.

Assessment of the biliary tract by antegrade cholecystography after percutaneous cholecystostomy in patients with acute cholecystitis.

The diagnostic value of formal antegrade cholecystography in a consecutive series of 44 patients with scintigraphically confirmed acute cholecystitis, treated by percutaneous transperitoneal cholecystostomy, has been evaluated. A total of six patients did not have antegrade cholecystography (catheter migration in five patients and gangrenous gallbladder perforation in one). Antegrade cholecystography was performed in the remaining 38: 10 patients with persisting cystic duct obstruction and 28 patients with patent cystic ducts. In the persisting cystic duct obstruction group, antegrade cholecystography confirmed the cause of gallbladder outflow obstruction as impacted calculi in either the gallbladder neck or cystic duct in all patients. In the patent cystic duct group, antegrade cholecystography demonstrated the common ducts well in all but two patients, and common duct calculi in eight of nine patients. Three patients had common duct calculi in non-dilated ducts. Antegrade cholecystography is an easy and safe method of clarifying gallbladder pathology in all patients, and can be used to evaluate the common duct for associated common duct calculi in most patients.

Oral cholecystography compared to cholescintigraphy for evaluation of cystic duct patency prior to ESWL treatment.

In a prospective, blinded study of 109 patients with cholecystolithiasis, oral cholecystography and 99Tcm-EHIDA cholescintigraphy were compared in terms of reliability for demonstrating cystic duct patency: one of the prerequisites for extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) treatment of cholecystolithiasis. Patients with a positive result on one or both tests were regarded as having cystic duct patency. Patients with negative and uncertain result of both tests or one of each were regarded as having no cystic duct patency. Concordance between the two tests was obtained in 93 of 109 patients. The diagnostic reliability of cholescintigraphy and oral cholecystography were 95 and 86%, respectively (P < 0.05), suggesting a more precise determination of gallbladder filling with scintigraphy.

Pelvic floor muscle thickness measured by perineal ultrasonography.

Pelvic floor muscle thickness was assessed in nine healthy female physiotherapists by perineal sonography. All measurements were performed as triple-measurements. The aims were to assess the reliability of the measurements and to establish a reference material. The muscle thickness at rest and at contraction was 9.4 +/- 0.8 mm and 11.5 +/- 1.1 mm respectively (mean +/- SD). Contraction increased the thickness by 2.2 +/- 0.8 mm or 23 +/- 8%. The intra- and inter observer standard deviation of the estimate was in the range of 4-6%. In conclusion, we find the reliability of the measurements acceptable.

Ultrasound-guided drainage of fluid-containing masses using angiographic catheterization techniques.

A new method combining experience of ultrasonic diagnostic and puncture technique with the use of existing angiographic tools is described. Using this method, intraabdominal fluid-containing mass lesions were drained for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. In three patients, severe life-threatening lesions were successfully diagnosed and treated solely by this method. In one other case the method greatly facilitated major surgery. The importance of integration of diagnostic radiology and ultrasound is stressed.

In vitro and in vivo accuracy of sonographic gallbladder volume determinations.

To assess gallbladder function, sonographic gallbladder volume determinations have been used with increasing frequency. This study presents a modified and automated procedure for gallbladder volume determinations using Simpson's rule of integration, Simpson's method. This method is a standard option in the data systems of many sonographic instruments. Simpson's method was validated in vitro and in vivo, and it was compared with the sum-of-cylinders method for gallbladder volume determinations. In vitro assessment indicated that the two methods were equally accurate, with Simpson's method being more precise. The absolute deviation was independent of the size of the volume and of the shape of the gallbladder. In vivo Simpson's method was validated on 11 patients with cholecystitis. The gallbladder volumes (mean 65 mL; Range 20 mL to 130 mL) measured by sonography differed from the aspirated volumes by 1.5 mL (SD 10.4 mL). Thus Simpson's method is an accurate, precise, and fast method for sonographic gallbladder volume determination.

Human gallbladder pressure and volume: validation of a new direct method for measurements of gallbladder pressure in patients with acute cholecystitis.

Increased gallbladder (GB) pressure is probably a part of the pathogenesis of acute cholecystitis, and measurements of GB pressure might therefore be of interest. The aim of this study was to validate a microtip pressure transducer for intraluminal GB pressure measurements. In vitro precision and accuracy was within 0.2 mmHg, (SD) and 0.6 +/- 0.1 mmHg (mean +/- SD), respectively. Pressure rise rate was 24.8 +/- 5.5 mmHg s-1. Zero drift was in the range 0.3 +/- 0.4 to 0.8 +/- 0.9 mmHg (mean +/- SD). GB pressure was investigated in 16 patients with acute cholecystitis treated with percutaneous ultrasonically guided cholecystostomy. Basal intraluminal GB pressure was 8.9 mmHg (2.1-12.2 mmHg; n = 9, open cystic duct) and 1.8 and 5.8 mmHg (n = 2, closed cystic duct). There was no significant difference between two different measurements in the same patients (n = 5). The pressure was significantly influenced by respiration (n = 8) and the pressure seems to be higher in the sitting position than in the supine position (n = 5). Cystic duct opening pressure was 10.4, 11.2 and 16.8 mmHg (n = 3). Pressure-volume responses showed that the GB up to a certain volume could accommodate increases in intraluminal volume with only slight changes in intraluminal pressure (n = 4). Except for the zero drift, this piece of equipment seemed to fulfil the requirements of being able to measure pressure in the GB. In vivo measurements showed a good clinical reproducibility of the method, and also that respiration and patient posture influenced the pressure measurements. Further, a GB pressure-volume relationship was demonstrated, and the possibility of a cystic duct opening pressure was described.

Ultrasonically guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy of gastrointestinal mass lesions.

Ultrasonically guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy was performed in 78 patients with ultrasonically demonstrable typical gastrointestinal mass lesions. Of these patients, 61 later proved to have malignant lesions (18 in the stomach, three in the small intestine, and 40 in the colon or rectum), and 17 had benign lesions. In 50 of 61 cases of malignant lesions, the cytologic diagnosis was positive for cancer. There were no false positives. It is concluded that when a structure with the ultrasonic characteristics of a gastrointestinal mass lesion is disclosed, fine-needle aspiration biopsy can safely and conveniently differentiate between malignant and benign lesions in most cases. The ultrasonically guided biopsy is suggested as an alternative to endoscopically guided biopsy.

The value of dynamic ultrasound scanning in Crohn's disease.

In a prospective, blinded study we investigated 30 patients with Crohn's disease (CD) and 27 normal controls by means of dynamic grey-scale ultrasound scan. Within a few weeks the patients were also examined by radiography of the small bowel. Of the 30 patients, 21 had CD lesion of the small bowel as judged by radiography. A target lesion at the ultrasound scan indicating thickened bowel wall was seen in 15 CD patients, of which 14 showed radiographic signs of CD in the ileum and/or right side of the large bowel, whereas one had normal radiographic findings. Seven patients out of 15 without sonographic changes had radiographic signs of CD. The patients with discrepancy between the two examinations could not be clinically characterized as an entity. None of the 27 normal controls showed signs of intestinal disease at the ultrasound examination. We conclude that dynamic grey-scale ultrasound examination is a new tool in depicting the CD lesion, but it does not seem to be able to replace the radiographic examination. However, it may find a place in the follow-up study of patients with known CD, thereby avoiding repeated radiographic examinations. Furthermore, the possibility of diagnosing abscesses and fistulae by sonography is well known and has relevance in CD.

Normal inferior vena cava: caliber changes observed by dynamic ultrasound.

A review of the literature revealed conflicting reports on the physiologic variations of the caliber of the normal inferior vena cava as seen by sonography. In this study, 25 normal volunteers were examined using dynamic scanning, and the upper parts of their inferior vena cavas were observed for changes during various phases of respiration as well a Valsalva maneuver. Optimum distension and, therefore, optimum visualization of the inferior vena cava were achieved after simple breath holding or at end expiration. Inspiration and Valsalva maneuver decreased the size of this vessel in most subjects, making if difficult to see.

Percutaneous transhepatic cholelithotripsy for difficult common bile duct stones.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: A study was carried out to assess the feasibility of a new rapid technique for percutaneous transhepatic access to the biliary tract with endoscopic lithotripsy (percutaneous transhepatic cholelithotripsy). PATIENTS AND METHODS: 14 patients with biliary stones resistant to endoscopic retrograde cholangiography and extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy underwent cholelithotripsy, utilizing a new dilation kit with massive teflon dilators covered by "peel-away sheets". RESULTS: Successful lithotripsy was performed in all patients by laser lithotripsy through a choledochoscope or ureteroscope in ten patients and by stone removal by basket in the remaining four patients. The procedure was carried out using local anesthesia in the last 11 patients. Except for two patients with transient cholangitis, no complications occurred. CONCLUSIONS: Difficult bile duct and intrahepatic stones can be treated successfully with a simple percutaneous transhepatic cholelithotripsy procedure including local anesthesia, dilation and stone clearance.

Ultrasonically guided fine needle aspiration biopsy of renal masses.

A consecutive series of 301 ultrasonically guided fine needle aspiration biopsies of renal masses was reviewed. The retrieval rate was 95 per cent and a correct cytological diagnosis was established in 82 per cent of the cases. There were 14 false positive aspirates, for a predictive value of a malignant aspirate of only 93 per cent. All false positive results were misinterpreted as relatively well differentiated adenocarcinoma. We conclude that renal fine needle aspiration biopsy may add information but the risk of a false positive finding must always be considered.

Ultrasonically diagnosed simple cysts of the liver.

In 26 patients simple cysts of the liver were diagnosed by ultrasonography. Half of the patients had no symptoms, and half presented with abdominal pain and a palpable mass; 14 patients with small cysts required no treatment. Nine patients were operated upon, while 3 patients with large cysts were treated exclusively by ultrasonically guided drainage. Further, ultrasonically guided drainage was successful in two patients with recurrences after surgical treatment. Patients with small asymptomatic cysts of the liver, incidentally diagnosed should be left without treatment. Ultrasonically guided puncture is advocated as the first treatment in patients with large symptomatic cysts.

Preoperative routine magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography before laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a prospective study.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the diagnostic value of magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) in detecting common bile duct stones in the preoperative investigation of patients electively referred for gallstone disease, to find out the incidence of asymptomatic common duct stones, and to correlate clinical symptoms and history and liver function tests (LFT) with the actual occurrence of common duct stones. DESIGN: Prospective study. SETTING: General hospital, Denmark. PATIENTS: 180 consecutive non-jaundiced patients referred with symptomatic gallstones for elective cholecystectomy. INTERVENTIONS: LFT, abdominal ultrasonography, MRCP, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), questionnaire. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Positive and negative predictive values and accuracy of MRCP, number of patients with asymptomatic stones, and correlation of symptoms with the presence of stones. RESULTS: 26/180 patients had common duct stones (14%). Only one (<1%) had an asymptomatic stone. For detection of such stones, MRCP's positive predictive value was 0.95 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.86 to 1.00), negative predictive value 0.96 (0.93 to 0.99), and accuracy 0.85 (0.93 to 0.99). MRCP missed 5 stones 1-4 mm in size in 5 patients; 17/64 patients with raised LFTs had stones (27%). The probability of stones was highest when the patients had both raised LFTs and a dilated common (>7 mm) bile duct (82%). There were no readmissions with ductal stones in the 6-month postoperative period. CONCLUSIONS: The predicive values of MRCP were fairly good, but MRCP misses some small stones <5 mm in size. Asymptomatic stones in the common duct are not common in this population and should not be screened for. The probability of stones increases with the number of predictive factors. Patients should be questioned carefully about signs of biliary obstruction, and only be offered preoperative MRCP should they have a suspicious history, raised LFTs, or a dilated common duct.

Sonographic findings in four cases of hemangiopericytoma. Correlation with computed tomographic, angiographic, and pathologic findings.

Four patients with hemangiopericytoma were examined with gray-scale sonography. Three of these patients were also evaluated by computed tomography (CT). The sonographic findings included well-defined, predominately cystic masses in two patients, a mixed solid and cystic mass in one, and a solid mass with shadowing in another. One hemangiopericytoma changed in sonographic appearance from cystic to solid following radiation. CT identified well-circumscribed masses in all three cases, but added little beyond what was seen on plain radiographs. Sonography may define the limits of a hemangiopericytoma, give information about the internal structure, and offer a way of following response to therapy. However, the sonographic features are varied and the often cystic nature of these tumors may be misleading.

Ultrasound examination in jaundiced patients. Is computer-assisted preclassification helpful?

In this study we attempted to determine the diagnostic accuracy and reproducibility of ultrasonography (US) for jaundice and to see how US can best be combined with preliminary clinical-biochemical diagnoses to plan the invasive work-up. US proved reproducible in two diagnostic departments (127 agreements in 135 cases). But, since obstruction was underdiagnosed (15 double-false negatives), the predictive value of a negative result was only 0.83. By adding a term which represents the US conclusion, obstruction or not, to the Copenhagen pocket diagnostic chart score (based on the logistic model) we found that an obstructive conclusion increases the odds of obstruction by a factor of 25, and a non-obstructive conclusion decreases the odds by a factor of only 1.9. We conclude that the preliminary diagnosis is frequently sufficiently certain to be unalterable by US. This leaves only 40% of the jaundice cases in which US is necessary to plan invasive work-up. The US workload can even, it appears, be reduced to about 22% without appreciable penalty in terms of unrewarding invasive procedures. Using these strict indications, four US examinations seem to suffice to avoid one such error. Relying on either US or clinical-biochemical data alone is inferior to the combined strategy.

Ultrasonography, computed tomography, and cholescintigraphy in suspected obstructive jaundice--a prospective comparative study.

In order to compare their capacity to visualize the bile ducts, ultrasonography, computed tomography, and cholescintigraphy were performed in 56 consecutive jaundiced patients in whom extrahepatic cholestasis was clinically suspected. The predictions as to the patency of the large bill ducts were compared with the final diagnoses made on the basis of direct cholangiography together with autopsy, biopsy, operative findings, and the clinical course. Thirty-nine patients (70%) had obstructed bile ducts, and 17 (30%) had patent large bile ducts. Using a simple scoring scale with 112 points as the maximum, ultrasonography obtained 72 points, computed tomography received 56 points, and cholescintigraphy totalled 37 points. Nonsignificant trends were found in favor of ultrasonography as compared with computed tomography and of computed tomography as compared with cholescintigraphy (p greater than 0.05), whereas ultrasonography was significantly better than cholescintigraphy (p = 0.01). However, because computed tomography is expensive and may imply a higher number of secondary direct cholangiographies than ultrasonography, we recommend ultrasonography as the first choice for noninvasive bile duct visualization. Computed tomography is an alternative method, whereas cholescintigraphy cannot be recommended.