Liability, risks, and recommendations for ultrasound use in the diagnosis of obstetrics diseases.

This literature review will summarize the liability issues, risks, and ultrasound recommendations for diagnosing obstetrics diseases. One liability issue is related to misdiagnosis or failure to detect abnormalities during an ultrasound examination. Ultrasound images can be subjective interpretations, and errors may occur due to factors such as operator skill, equipment limitations, or fetal positioning. Another liability concern is related to the potential adverse effects of ultrasound exposure on both the mother and fetus. While extensive research has shown that diagnostic ultrasound is generally safe when used appropriately, there are still uncertainties regarding long-term effects. Some studies suggest a possible association between prolonged or excessive exposure to ultrasound waves and adverse outcomes such as low birth weight, developmental delays, or hearing impairment. Additionally, obtaining informed consent from patients is crucial in mitigating liability risks. Patients should be informed about the purpose of the ultrasound examination, its benefits, limitations, potential risks (even if minimal), and any alternative diagnostic options available. This ensures that patients know the procedure and can make informed decisions about their healthcare. Proper documentation helps establish a clear record of the care provided and can serve as evidence in any legal disputes.

Imaging features of inflammatory pseudotumor-like follicular dendritic cell sarcoma of the spleen.

BACKGROUND: Inflammatory pseudotumor (IPT)-like follicular dendritic cell sarcoma (FDCS) is an extremely rare malignant neoplasm. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of imaging features of splenic IPT-like FDCS, including ultrasonography, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance (MR) and contrast-enhanced imaging were performed. RESULTS: When the masses were small, the ultrasound images showed homogeneous hypoechoic signals, clear boundaries, and complete capsules. Abdominal plain CT scans showed equal density (easy to miss diagnosis), unclear boundaries, and no capsules. Magnetic resonance images (MRI) showed slightly shorter T1, slightly shorter T2, and clear boundaries. When the masses were large, the ultrasound images still showed clear boundaries and complete capsules, but the echoes of the masses were not uniform, and some of the masses showed dendritic hyperechoic centers. Abdominal plain CT scans showed irregular low densities in the center (unclear boundaries) and equal densities in the periphery. MRI showed short T1 and T2, but the central signals were mixed. When the mass was accompanied by extensive necrosis, abdominal plain CT scan showed mostly cystic lesions and slight calcifications in low density lesions. Contrast-enhanced CT showed only moderate enhancement in peripheral and septal areas. MRI showed that T1 and T2 were mainly mixed signals. Contrast-enhanced MR showed moderate enhancement of peripheral areas and septum. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report to describe the IPT manifestations of the spleen (ultrasonography, CT, and MR). The diagnosis of IPT can be made by combining three imaging features.

Turning point of age for semen quality: a population-based study in Chinese men.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the relationship between age and semen quality in Chinese men. DESIGN: Population-based cross-sectional study. SETTING: The Department of Reproductive Epidemiology and Social Science, Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research, People's Republic of China. PATIENT(S): Healthy 20- to 60-year-old men. INTERVENTION(S): Standard World Health Organization procedures (3rd ed.) for semen analysis. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Semen volume, sperm concentration, total sperm number, progressive motility, vitality, and sperm morphology. RESULT(S): Statistical analysis results of 998 subjects showed that age was negatively correlated with progressive motility, vitality, and percentage of normal sperm. No declining trend was found between age and parameters semen volume, sperm concentration, or total sperm number. Rapidly progressive motility and percentage of normal sperm began to decrease slowly at age 30 years, and progressive motility began to decrease at age 40 years. Compared with the 20- to 29-year age group, the values of the latter three parameters showed significant differences in men aged ≥35, ≥45, and ≥40 years. CONCLUSION(S): Increasing age mainly influences sperm motility, vitality, and normal morphology, but these parameters have turning points at different ages. Because of the large sample size, this information can be used to provide standard values for Chinese men, particularly in the age range 30-50 years. Further research would enroll a large sample of healthy 40- to 70-year olds to examine declining semen parameters in these age groups.