How to manage type 2 curve dilemma in dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging of the breast: diffusion-weighted imaging or early phase enhancement kinetics?

BACKGROUND: Type 2 time-intensity curves can indicate both malignant and benign breast lesions in dynamic contrast enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI). PURPOSE: To investigate whether diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) or early phase kinetics of DCE-MRI is practical to discriminate breast masses that depict type 2 curve in DCE-MRI. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We retrospectively included 107 lesions in 97 patients with type 2 curves in DCE-MRI. Morphological characteristics, early phase dynamic parameters on DCE-MRI, and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values on DWI were evaluated. Diagnostic thresholds of ADC and early phase maximum enhancement ratio (EPMER) to distinguish between benign and malignant masses were calculated. Strongest predictors of malignancy were determined to build the most effective diagnostic model. RESULTS: DWI, EPMER, and all morphological features were found statistically significant to discriminate malignancy (P <0.05). The thresholds of ADC and EPMER were assigned as 1.0 ×10-3 mm2/s and 72%, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity were 80% and 97% for ADC, and 93% and 60% for EPMER, respectively. Two models were established. Model 1 comprised ADC and the lesion margin. Model 2 consisted of ADC, margin, and EPMER with a high specificity (99%) and positive predictive value (97%). CONCLUSION: When combined with DWI, early phase wash-in data provide diagnostic improvement of breast masses presenting type 2 curve in the late phase of DCE-MRI, especially for specificity. Future studies are required to support our findings for the need of a cross-validation.

Doppler ultrasonography blood flow changes of the hepatic artery in liver transplants complicated with cholangitis.

PURPOSE: Cholangitis after liver transplantation may lead to bile duct necrosis. Early diagnosis is essential to prevent graft loss. We aimed to investigate cholangitis related hepatic arterial Doppler ultrasonography findings in liver transplants. METHODS: Patients complicated with biopsy proven cholangitis in grafts were prospectively evaluated. Vascular complications were excluded. Doppler ultrasonography parameters including hepatic arterial diameter, resistive index, volume flow, and portal vein maximum velocity were measured twice: first during cholangitis and after full recovery. Data of two groups were compared using paired samples t test and Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS: The mean hepatic arterial volume flow, resistive index, and diameter of 33 patients complicated with cholangitis was observed to decrease after recovery from 0.356 to 0.273 L/min (p = 0.007), from 0.64 to 0.60 (p < 0.001) and from 4.9 to 4.4 mm (p < 0.001), respectively. Portal vein maximum velocity alteration was not statistically significant (p = 0.6). CONCLUSION: Ultrasound follow-ups after liver transplantation can give us the clue of cholangitis initiation through some altering hepatic arterial Doppler parameters. Even though these are nonspecific findings that can also be observed in vascular complications, baseline Doppler data should be saved for future comparison and considered to prevent biliary associated graft loss.

Preferred music lowers anxiety levels and pain perception while promoting patient satisfaction in women undergoing ultrasound-guided breast biopsy: randomized controlled study.

BACKGROUND: Image-guided breast biopsies are well accepted, yet stressful procedures for patients in radiology clinics. PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of music on anxiety, pain, and patient satisfaction related to a breast biopsy session. MATERIAL AND METHODS: After approval of institutional review board and giving informed consent, 93 women scheduled for ultrasound-guided breast biopsy or stereotactic wire localization were prospectively enrolled in this randomized controlled study. Patients were referred into two groups either listening to music of their own choice from three options of genre list during the procedure or not. Immediately before and after the biopsy session, participants were asked to complete questionnaires for measuring anxiety (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Beck Anxiety Inventory), pain, and patient satisfaction (visual analog scale). Sociodemographic data were described, and the duration was noted at the end. Statistical analysis was made using paired samples t-test, chi-square test, independent samples t-test, and Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS: Except for the duration, demographic characteristics were statistically similar between the two groups. Trait and preprocedural state anxiety scores did not have significant difference between the groups. Both groups showed lowered state anxiety values after the biopsy (P < 0.05) and there was statistically significant reduction in state anxiety levels of music group (10.35 ± 7.5 music vs. 7 ± 7.98 control; P = 0.024). Pain perception was fewer (P < 0.05) and patient satisfaction was greater (P < 0.05) through the implementation of music. CONCLUSION: Music intervention reduces anxiety and pain and thereby increases patient satisfaction during ultrasound-guided breast biopsies.

Left renal vein entrapment in postural proteinuria: the diagnostic utility of the aortomesenteric angle.

Nutcracker syndrome related to the left kidney vein compression is a cause of orthostatic proteinuria during childhood. Some studies have shown that the ratios between maximum velocities and anterior-posterior diameters of hilar and aortomesenteric segments of the left kidney vein between upright and supine positions must be more than 4 in order to make a Nutcracker syndrome diagnosis. Our aim was to investigate whether the use of a decrease in aortomesenteric angle between upright and supine positions in the presence of isolated orthostatic proteinuria can be a criterion for the diagnosis of Nutcracker syndrome. Relevant patient information, which included demographic data, clinical examination findings, laboratory data, urinary system ultrasound, and kidney color flow Doppler ultrasound results, were prospectively collected. Thirty-nine pediatric patients with orthostatic proteinuria were included in the study. Left kidney vein compression findings were demonstrated in 31 patients. The ratio of maximum velocities of hilar and aortomesenteric segments of the left kidney vein between upright and supine positions was above 4 in only 7 of our patients. Ratio of aortomesenteric angle between upright and supine positions was significantly decreased for patients with left kidney vein compression findings.  Conclusion: The use of a decrease in the ratio of aortomesenteric angle between upright and supine positions in the presence of orthostatic proteinuria, instead of the ratios for maximum velocities and anterior-posterior diameters of hilar and aortomesenteric segments, can be more helpful for the diagnosis of Nutcracker syndrome in the differential diagnosis of orthostatic proteinuria. What is Known: • Proteinuria may be a sign of an impending kidney disease • Nutcracker syndrome is a cause of orthostatic proteinuria. What is New: • Ratio of aortomesenteric angle between upright and supine positions > 0.6 can be used for Nutcracker syndrome diagnosis.

Effect of meal intake for evaluating hepatic artery by Doppler ultrasonography in liver transplants: Does fasting matter for screening hepatic artery due to hemodynamic changes in splanchnic circulation?

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to assess the utility of fasting on Doppler ultrasonography findings of hepatic artery in liver transplants. METHODS: Liver transplant patients without vascular abnormalities were prospectively evaluated between December 2017 and January 2020. Doppler sonography was used to describe hemodynamic changes in response to a standard meal. The diameter, peak systolic velocity, blood flow, resistive index (RI) of the main hepatic artery and portal vein peak velocity were measured. RESULTS: The mean hepatic arterial diameter of 44 patients was higher in the fasting group (4.5 mm) than in the postprandial group (3.3 mm) (p < .05). The mean hepatic arterial blood flow decreased (from .276 to .127 L/min) and hepatic arterial RI increased (from .66 to .71) following meal ingestion (p < .05). Hepatic arterial velocity was significantly lower and portal venous velocity was higher after oral intake. CONCLUSION: Meal ingestion has an important effect on hepatic artery Doppler features in liver transplants. Therefore, Doppler ultrasound evaluation should be considered after appropriate fasting due to postprandial responses of liver transplant.

Portal Venous Flow Alterations in Hepatic Artery Thrombosis Following Liver Transplant.

OBJECTIVES: The hepatic vasculature is a unique system due to a dual supply that includes the hepatic artery and portal vein, which interact when the liver vascular supply is decreased. Hepatic artery buffer response, an intrinsic regulatory mechanism that compensates for blood supply, maintains increased hepatic artery flow and caliber in response to portal vein failure. Previous studies revealed that portal vein flow showed no alterations to establish adequate blood supply in response to hepatic artery occlusion. Here, we analyzed portal vein flow changes in patients with hepatic artery thrombosis after liver transplant. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From December 1988 to October 2017, our center performed 580 liver transplant procedures. Those diagnosed with hepatic artery thrombosis (19 females, 24 males) by Doppler ultrasonography during postoperative week 1 were analyzed. Patients received either surgery or endovascular treatment for hepatic artery thrombosis, with patency confirmed by Doppler ultrasonography. We compared portal vein flow velocity and caliber before and after treatment using Wilcoxon signed rank and Mann Whitney U tests. RESULTS: Mean patient age was 18.9 ± 21.4 years. Portal vein flow velocity pretreatment (median of 70 cm/ s) was significantly higher than posttreatment (median of 52 cm/ s) in all patients (P < .001). Median flow velocity decreased significantly after treatment when subgroups were compared, including age (adult vs child), transplant type (orthotopic transplant vs living donor), and treatment (surgery vs endovascular). However, portal vein flow velocity showed a significantly higher decrease in the surgery subgroup than in the endovascular treatment subgroup (P = .018). There was no significant relationship between portal vein calibers before and after treatment (P = .36). CONCLUSIONS: The significant decrease in portal vein flow velocity after successful treatment of hepatic artery thrombosis may represent a compensatory flow change of the portal vein in response to diminished hepatic artery flow.

Efficacy of the Sonoelastography Method for Diagnosis of Fibrosis in Renal Transplant Patients.

OBJECTIVES: Although biopsy is the most important method for diagnosing the cause of renal allograft dysfunction, sonoelastography, a new ultrasonography method, can be used to distinguish between the soft or hard nature of lesions. In this study, our aim was to investigate whether sonoelastography could diagnose fibrosis in renal transplant patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this prospective study, we included patients over 18 years old who were recommended for clinical biopsy. Sonoelastographic evaluation was made by conducting acoustic radiation force impulse measurements for each patient after they were admitted to the clinic for biopsy. Measurements were performed just before the biopsy procedure. All results were examined by 2 experienced radiologists using the Siemens S3000 Ultrasound Machine (Erlangen, Germany). Comparisons of ultrasonographic values with biopsy results were made with SPSS software (SPSS: An IBM Company, version 20, IBM Corporation, Armonk, NY, USA). RESULTS: Of the 65 patients included in this study, pathology showed acute T-cell-mediated rejection in 37 patients. There was a significant correlation between the pathologic Banff scores and the sonographic acoustic radiation force impulse values (P = .002), where the degree of Banff increased as the mean acoustic radiation force impulse values elevated. A rise in mean impulse values correlated with increased degree of interstitial fibrosis in renal allografts. Renal parenchymal echogenicity of patients significantly differed by sex (P = .009), with an average renal echogenicity of grade 1 in women and grade 0 in men. Also, a statistically significant difference was found between age of the renal transplant recipient and resistive index values. CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed a significant correlation between Banff degree and the acoustic radiation force impulse values of renal transplant patients. In addition to biopsy, sonoelastography can be beneficial for the diagnosis of fibrosis in renal transplant patients.

Comparison of clinical features and laboratory findings of coronavirus disease 2019 and influenza A and B infections in children: a single-center study.

BACKGROUND: As the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak continues to evolve, it is crucially important for pediatricians to be aware of the differences in demographic and clinical features between COVID-19 and influenza A and B infections. PURPOSE: This study analyzed and compared the clinical features and laboratory findings of COVID-19 and influenza A and B infections in children. METHODS: This retrospective study evaluated the medical data of 206 pediatric COVID-19 and 411 pediatric seasonal influenza A or B patients. RESULTS: COVID-19 patients were older than seasonal influenza patients (median [interquartile range], 7.75 [2-14] years vs. 4 [2-6] years). The frequency of fever and cough in COVID-19 patients was lower than that of seasonal influenza patients (80.6% vs. 94.4%, P<0.001 and 22.8 % vs. 71.5%, P<0.001, respectively). Ageusia (4.9%) and anosmia (3.4%) were present in only COVID-19 patients. Leukopenia, lymphopenia, and thrombocytopenia were encountered more frequently in influenza patients than in COVID-19 patients (22.1% vs. 8.5%, P=0.029; 17.6% vs. 5.6%, P=0.013; and 13.2% vs. 5.6%, P= 0.048, respectively). Both groups showed significantly elevated monocyte levels in the complete blood count (70.4% vs. 69.9%, P=0.511). Major chest x-ray findings in COVID-19 patients included mild diffuse ground-glass opacity and right lower lobe infiltrates. There were no statistically significant intergroup differences in hospitalization or mortality rates; however, the intensive care unit admission rate was higher among COVID-19 patients (2.4% vs. 0.5%, P=0.045). CONCLUSION: In this study, pediatric COVID-19 patients showed a wide range of clinical presentations ranging from asymptomatic/mild to severe illness. We found no intergroup differences in hospitalization rates, oxygen requirements, or hospital length of stay; however, the intensive care unit admission rate was higher among COVID-19 patients.

Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse Elastography Findings of Achilles Tendons in Patients on Chronic Hemodialysis and in Renal Transplant Patients.

OBJECTIVES: The Achilles tendon, which is composed of tendinous parts of gastrocnemius and soleus muscles, is the strongest and the largest tendon in the human body. Chronic renal disease can lead to reduced physical activity and exercise capacity. Spontaneous rupture of the Achilles tendon can occur in patients with chronic renal failure, with recurrent microtraumas, hypoxia, and chronic acidosis as predisposing factors. Here, we assessed and compared the elastographic findings in the Achilles tendon using acoustic radiation force impulse elastography in patients on chronic hemodialysis, in renal transplant patients, and in healthy volunteers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Our study included 25 patients on chronic hemodialysis, 25 renal transplant patients, and 25 healthy individuals (control group). The thickness and shear wave velocity of the Achilles tendons were measured bilaterally by ultrasonography and acoustic radiation force impulse elastography. RESULTS: The mean shear wave velocity was 3.67 m/s in the right and 3.64 m/s in the left Achilles tendon in the hemodialysis group. In the renal transplant group, the mean shear wave velocity was 4.29 and 4.25 m/s for the right and left Achilles tendon, respectively. In the control group, the mean shear wave velocity was 6.68 and 6.59 m/s, respectively for the right and left Achilles tendon. A statistically significant difference in shear wave velocities was shown among the groups (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Achilles tendons in patients with chronic renal failure and on hemodialysis were softer than in renal transplant patients and softer than in the control group. Chronic tendinopathy causes softening of the tendon. In the renal transplant group, stiffness of the Achilles tendon was increased versus the hemodialysis group but still softer than the control group, which could be explained as a positive clinical effect of renal transplant. Acoustic radiation force impulse elastography is an objective, easy, and noninvasive method to assess Achilles tendinopathy.

Liver Stiffness Measurements Using Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse in Recipients of Living-Donor and Deceased-Donor Orthotopic Liver Transplant.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic efficiency of the acoustic radiation force impulse (Siemens Medical Solutions, Erlangen, Germany) elastography in assessment of fibrosis in orthotopic liver transplant patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We enrolled 28 orthotopic liver transplant patients (deceased and living donors), whose biopsy decision had been prospectively given clinically. Ten acoustic radiation force impulse elastographic measurements were applied before the biopsy or within 3 days after the biopsy by 2 radiologists. After the core tissue needle biopsy, specimens of all patients were analyzed according to the modified Ishak scoring system. Measurements of acoustic radiation force impulse elastography and pathology specimen results were compared. RESULTS: From 28 biopsies, fibrosis scores of 4 biopsies were evaluated as F0 (14.3%), 16 as F1 (57.1%), 4 as F2 (14.3%), and 4 as F3 (14.3%). Mean results of acoustic radiation force impulse measurements were calculated as 1.4 ± 0.07 in F0, 1.74 ± 0.57 in F1, 2.19 ± 0.7 in F2, and 2.18 ± 0.35 in F3. There were no significant correlations of mean acoustic radiation force impulse values between the F0 versus F1 (P = .956) and F0 versus F2 stages (P = .234). A statistically significant correlation of mean acoustic radiation force impulse values was found between the F0 and F3 fibrosis stages (P = .046). CONCLUSIONS: Acoustic radiation force impulse imaging is a promising screening test for detecting significant liver fibrosis (≥ F3 in modified Ishak) in living-donor or deceased-donor orthotopic liver transplant recipients.

Interobserver and intermethod variability in data interpretation of breast strain elastography in suspicious breast lesions

Background/aim: Strain elastography has the disadvantage of being operator-dependent. Interobserver variability is observed during image acquisition and interpretation. This study aimed to analyze the interobserver and intermethod variability of strain elastography in image interpretation and evaluate the diagnostic performance combining elasticity score and strain ratio with ultrasonography. Materials and methods: A retrospective study was conducted on 70 breast lesions evaluated with B-mode ultrasonography and strain elastography. B-mode ultrasonography findings, elasticity scores, and strain ratio values were evaluated using static images by two radiologists. BI-RADS assessment of the lesions and the decision of both observers as to whether the biopsy was required using B-mode ultrasonography, and the combined ultrasonography+elasticity score, and the combined ultrasonography+elasticity score+strain ratio were compared with the histopathological results. Also, the interobserver agreement was analyzed for all the combinations. Results: There was very good agreement (weighted κ = 0.865) between the observers for the elasticity scores. Very good agreement was observed between the observers for BI-RADS assessments using the combined ultrasonography+elasticity score and the combined ultrasonography+elasticity score+strain ratio (weighted κ = 0.848, and 0.902, respectively). Area under the curve of B-mode ultrasonography, the combined B-mode ultrasonography+elasticity score, and the combined B-mode ultrasonography+elasticity score+strain ratio, were calculated as 0.859, 0.866, and 0.916 for observer 1, and 0.851, 0.829, and 0.916 for observer 2, respectively. There were no statistically significant differences between the observers' diagnostic performances in any of the combinations (P = 0.703, 0.067, and 0.972, respectively). Conclusion: In the evaluation and further assessment of breast lesions, semiquantitative strain ratio calculation may help improve diagnostic accuracy by reducing interpretational variety, when used together with B-mode ultrasonography and elasticity scoring, especially for inexperienced individuals.

The Role of Combined Diffusion-Weighted Imaging and Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced MRI for Differentiating Malignant From Benign Breast Lesions Presenting Washout Curve.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to evaluate the diagnostic performance of combined breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) protocol including dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI) and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) in patients with enhancing lesions that demonstrated washout curve and to determine whether applying apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) cutoff value could improve the diagnostic value of breast MRI. METHODS: The retrospective study included 116 patients with 116 suspicious breast lesions, which showed washout curve on DCE-MRI, who underwent subsequent biopsy. Morphologic characteristics on DCE-MRI and ADC values on DWI were evaluated. Apparent diffusion coefficient values and morphologic features of benign and malignant lesions were compared. Diagnostic values of DCE-MRI and combined MRI, including DCE-MRI and DWI (applying an ADC cutoff value) for distinguishing malignancy from benign lesions, were calculated. RESULTS: Of the 116 breast lesions, 79 were malignant and 37 were benign. The ADC value of malignant tumors (median ADC, 0.72 × 10-3 mm2/s) was significantly lower than that of benign lesions (median ADC, 1.03 × 10-3 mm2/s; P < .000). The sensitivity and specificity of an ADC cutoff value of 0.89 × 10-3 mm2/s were 92% and 95%, respectively. Dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI alone presented 100% sensitivity and 59.4% specificity. Adding an ADC cutoff value of 0.89 × 10-3 mm2/s provided 100% sensitivity and 81% specificity, which would have prevented biopsy for 21.6% of benign lesions without missing any malignancies. CONCLUSION: Applying an ADC cutoff value to DCE-MRI provides an improvement in the diagnostic value of breast MRI for differentiating among lesions presenting washout curve.

Lower Urinary Tract Dysfunction and Pediatric Renal Transplant.

OBJECTIVES: Lower urinary tract abnormalities have been considered to be contraindications for renal transplant. However, advancements in diagnosis and treatment in this area have allowed renal transplant as a treatment choice in selected cases. We evaluated clinical outcomes of pediatric renal transplant in patients with lower urinary tract dysfunction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated data from 165 pediatric renal transplant patients, and data were compared between patients with and without lower urinary tract dysfunction. Patient demographics, cause of chronic renal failure, acute rejection episodes, and graft loss were included in our analyses. RESULTS: Seventeen patients had lower urinary tract dysfunction, and the remaining 148 patients had functional lower urinary tracts. Patients with lower urinary tract dysfunction were younger than the other patient group at diagnosis of chronic renal failure. The mean follow-up after renal transplant in the 2 groups was similar. Differences with regard to donor type, immunosuppressive treatment, and acute rejection episodes were not significant between the 2 groups. Eight patients had lost their grafts during follow-up; however, only 1 of these patients was in the lower urinary tract dysfunction group. Graft loss rate was similar between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Pediatric patients with lower urinary tract dysfunction had similar graft outcomes versus other pediatric renal transplant patients. Careful evaluation and preparation of the lower urinary tract are important factors for renal transplant success.

Diffusion-Weighted Imaging of Breast Cancer: Correlation of the Apparent Diffusion Coefficient Value with Pathologic Prognostic Factors.

OBJECTIVE: The aim was to evaluate relationship between apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values with pathologic prognostic factors in breast carcinoma (BC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: 83 patients were enrolled in this study. Prognostic factors included age, tumor size, expression of estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), nuclear grade (NG), lymph node involvement and histologic type. The relationship between ADC and prognostic factors was determined using Independent sample t-test, ANOVA, Pearson correlation and relative operating characteristics (ROC) analysis. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between ADC and prognostic factors, including age, tumor size, ER, HER2 and histologic type. The PR-positive tumors (p=0.03) and axillary lymph node involvement (p=0.000) showed a significant association with lower ADC values. The ADC values were significantly lower in high-grade tumors than low-grade tumors (p=0.000). ROC analysis showed an optimal ADC threshold of 0.66 (×10-3 mm2/s) for differentiating low-grade tumors from high-grade tumors (sensitivity, 85.5%; specificity, 81%; area under curve, 0.90). CONCLUSION: The lower ADC values of BC were significantly associated with positive expression of PR, LN positivity and high-grade tumor. Especially, ADC values were valuable in predicting NG subgroups.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Evaluation of the Effects of Low-Level Laser Therapy With Ultrasound Strain Imaging.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy of low-level laser therapy on median nerve stiffness by using strain elastography in carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). METHODS: This study included 37 wrists of 34 patients with mild or moderate CTS between January 2016 and August 2016. The control group comprised 17 patients (18 wrists) with CTS who were treated with wrist splinting for 3 weeks. The low-level laser therapy group included 17 patients (19 wrists) with CTS who were treated with a combination of splinting and low-level laser therapy, which was applied 5 times per week for 3 weeks. Clinical assessment scales, including the Symptom Severity Scale (SSS) and Functional Status Score (FSS), were obtained from our database. The cross-sectional area by ultrasound and strain ratio by elastography were studied. The differences in the strain ratio, cross-sectional area, SSS, and FSS between pretreatment and posttreatment periods in the groups were compared by the paired-sample t test. The correlations between changes in the strain ratio and the cross-sectional area, SSS, and FSS were analyzed by Pearson correlation coefficients. RESULTS: The control group included 13 women and 4 men, and the therapy group included 14 women and 3 men. In the therapy group, the mean values of the strain ratio, cross-sectional area, SSS, and FSS decreased significantly after laser therapy (P < .001) in contrast to the control group. No significant correlation was observed between the decreasing degree of the strain ratio and the cross-sectional area, SSS, and FSS after laser therapy. CONCLUSIONS: The strain ratio and cross-sectional area of the median nerve decrease after low-level laser therapy. These changes may be related to the therapeutic effects of low-level laser therapy, such as nerve regeneration and improvement of the vascular supply.

Assessment of Parotid and Submandibular Glands With Shear Wave Elastography Following Radioactive Iodine Therapy for Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma.

OBJECTIVES: Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is the most common thyroid malignancy. Radioactive iodine (RAI) therapy is used for remnant ablation following thyroidectomy. Side effects such as dysphagia, xerostomia, and sialoadenitis may occur. We aimed to determine the differences in the parotid and submandibulary glands between healthy patients and patients with PTC who had undergone RAI therapy and have dry mouth symptoms using both shear wave elastography and ultrasonography. METHODS: We enrolled 30 patients with PTC who had undergone RAI therapy following surgery and 30 healthy controls. Ultrasonography and shear wave elastography of submandibular and parotid glands were performed. The volume of the submandibular glands and the thickness of parotid glands were determined. Ten independent measurements were obtained from each gland, with the region of interest placed at different points on the glands. The mean shear wave velocities (SWVs) were calculated and compared between the patients and controls. RESULTS: In the PTC group, there was a significant reduction in the volume of the submandibular glands (P < .05) and in the thickness of the parotid glands (P < .05) compared with the control group. The mean SWVs of the parotid glands and submandibular glands were significantly higher in the PTC group compared with the control group (P < .0001). The SWVs of the parotid glands were higher than the SWVs of the submandibular glands (P < .0001). CONCLUSIONS: Shear wave elastography could be a noninvasive and easy assessment method of parotid and submandibular glands in patients who had undergone RAI therapy and experience dry mouth.

Value of shear wave elastography by virtual touch tissue imaging quantification in patients with diffuse thyroid gland pathology

Background/aim: This study was performed to assess the diagnostic accuracy of shear wave elastography by virtual touch tissue imaging quantification in patients with diffuse thyroid gland pathology and to differentiate Graves' disease from Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Materials and methods: Thirty patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis and 22 patients with Graves' disease were evaluated with conventional ultrasonography and shear wave elastography by virtual touch tissue imaging quantification. Thirty healthy participants formed the control group. Ten elastographic measurements of each thyroid lobe were performed in all three study groups. The mean shear wave velocity was calculated and compared between the patients and controls. Results: The mean shear wave velocity of the controls (1.92 ± 0.14 m/s) was significantly lower than that of the patients with Graves' disease (2.71 ± 0.22 m/s) and Hashimoto's thyroiditis (2.50 ± 0.20 m/s). Patients with Graves' disease had significantly higher shear wave velocities than those with Hashimoto's thyroiditis (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Shear wave elastography by virtual touch tissue imaging quantification can be used to discriminate a normal thyroid gland from diffuse thyroid gland pathology after conventional sonography and may assist in the diagnosis of Graves' disease and Hashimoto's thyroiditis.

Diagnostic value of acustic radiation force impulse imaging in the assessment of salivary gland involvement in primary Sjögren's sydrome.

AIMS: The aim of this study is to investigate the diagnostic value of Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse (ARFI) imaging in the assessment of salivary gland involvement in primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty five patients with pSS and 25 healthy volunteers were included. First, echostructures and the thickness of the submandibular and parotid glands were evaluated by B-mode ultrasonography. Then, ARFI imaging with Virtual Touch Quantification® was performed. Ten independent shear wave velocity measurements were taken from each gland. Finally, the mean shear wavevelocity (SWV) values were calculated, and used for further analysis. RESULTS: The mean SWV values of parotid and submandibular glands were significantly higher in the pSS patients than in the healthy control group (p<0.001). The cut-off of SWV values were calculated to be 1.98 m/s for submandibular glands, and 1.93 m/s for parotid glands. In pSS patients, the mean SWV values of parotid glands were higher than those of the submandibular glands (p<0.001) and no statistically significant relationships between symptom duration or the degree of xerostomia and mean SWV values of parotid and submandibularglands were found (all p>0.005). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that ARFI imaging may provide a non-invasive, simple and fast means of assessment of glandular impairment as an alternative test when other salivary gland tests are inconclusive or cannot be performed. ARFI may be a valuable adjunct for the clinical diagnosis of pSS.

Ultrasonography Findings of Urinary Tract Infection After Kidney Transplant: A Case Report.

Urinary tract infection is the most common complication after kidney transplant and often is associated with graft loss and mortality. Ultrasonography is the most widely applied imaging modality for diagnosis of complications after kidney transplant. Here, we report a case of a 52-year-old male patient who underwent renal transplant 1 month earlier and who presented with fever, leukocytosis, and leukocyturia. Klebsiella pneumoniae was found in the urine and blood cultures. Ultrasonography revealed multiple, ill-defined margined, hypoechoic areas and cysts within the cortex. Both clinical findings and ultrasonography findings were resolved after antimicrobial therapy. One month later, the patient presented again with fatigue, leukocytosis, and leukocyturia. Blood and urine culture results were consistent with Klebsiella pneumoniae. Ultrasonography revealed large hypoechoic mass, including multiple cysts in the upper pole of the transplanted kidney. Doppler ultrasonography showed increased vascularity within the hypoechoic mass and surrounding parenchyma. Renal parenchymal echogenicity was also increased in the upper pole. Ultrasonography-guided percutaneous drainage was performed. Clinical, laboratory, and ultrasonography findings were resolved after antimicrobial therapy. Ultrasonography plays an important role in the diagnosis and evaluation of the treatment response of urinary tract infections after kidney transplant.

Doppler Ultrasonography Findings During Recovery Period of Transplanted Kidney After Infarction and Necrosis Due to Renal Vein Thrombosis: A Case Report.

A 47-year-old male patient underwent living-related renal transplant. On day 3 posttransplant, without evidence of associated clinical symptoms, the patient's serum creatinine levels had increased. The patient was given immunosuppressive medication, and a followup Doppler ultrasonography revealed hypoechoic areas in the inferior pole of the renal parenchyma. Eventually, on day 25, there was no perfusion in the superior and inferior poles of the transplanted kidney. No venous flow was shown in the middle segment, and only arterial vascularization with a high resistive index and negative diastolic phase was observed. Renal biopsy showed acute humoral rejection. This was interpreted as venous thrombosis secondary to acute humoral rejection. Tissue plasminogen activator infusion, plasmapheresis, and hemodialysis were administered. After 1.5 months, arterial flow returned to its normal pattern and the renal allograft recovered by gaining back its full vascularity at the end of month 8.