Nanomaterials for Ultrasound Imaging- Guided Sonodynamic Therapy.

Ultrasound examination is becoming the most popular medical imaging modality because of its low cost and high safety profile. Ultrasound contrast agents enhance the scattering of sound waves, which can improve the clarity and resolution of images. Nanoparticle Ultrasound contrast agents have the characteristics of a large specific surface area and a modifiable surface, which can increase drug loading capacity, prolong circulation time, and enable drug enrichment in specific organs or tissues. This leads to improved therapeutic effects and reducing toxic and side effects. Compared with traditional ultrasound contrast agents, Nano-ultrasound contrast agents overcome the limitation of imaging solely within blood vessels and facilitate imaging within tumor tissues, thereby extending the duration of enhanced imaging. Sonodynamic therapy is an emerging treatment method that has been developed rapidly in recent years, which has the advantages of noninvasive, high spatial and temporal resolution, and low toxicity and side effects. Sonodynamic therapy utilizes a sonosensitizer that, when excited by ultrasound at the tumor site, produces toxic reactive oxygen species, inducing apoptosis or necrosis in tumor cells. Ultrasound-guided sonodynamic therapy allows for real-time observation of lesions, is convenient and flexible, and is free of radiation exposure. With the use of nanomaterials as carriers, ultrasound-guided sonodynamic therapy has made significant strides. This study categorizes and summarizes the current research on acoustic sensitizer carrier materials, including carbon-based, silicon-based, peptide-based, iron-based, metal-organic frameworks, polymers, and liposomes. It concludes by highlighting the current challenges in the integration of ultrasound imaging with sonodynamic therapy and suggests future directions for clinical application development.

Ultrasound-guided puncture and drainage for penile abscess: Case report and review of the literature.

A subcutaneous abscess of the penis is a rare condition. It can be idiopathic or have an underlying cause, such as intracavernous injection therapy, foreign body, dilated perineal abscess, abnormal erection, or trauma. Clinical signs are mainly swelling in the penis, penile pain, and swelling. Conventional treatment is primarily surgical incision and drainage, followed by systemic antibiotic therapy. In recent years, with the development of medical technology, minimally invasive interventions and less invasive techniques, such as ultrasound-guided aspiration, are being developed. This article aims to report a case of ultrasound-guided successful diagnosis and treatment of an aseptic idiopathic subcutaneous abscess at the root of the penis and to review the literature on penile abscesses. The patient, a 61-year-old male, underwent ultrasound-guided puncture and drainage using a coaxial aspiration/flushing technique in combination with antibiotics to treat this rare urinary tract condition. The patient recovered well postoperatively and was discharged 3 days later. At a 2-week postoperative follow-up, an ultrasound showed a marked reduction in the penile abscess mass.