The effects of long-term doppler ultrasound exposure in the prenatal period on renal tissue physiology in rats.

Doppler ultrasonography (DUSG) is widely used for fetal evaluations. This study investigated the effects of new generation Doppler ultrasound application at different frequencies during pregnancy on postnatal renal development. Six pregnant female rats were divided into three groups. No procedure was performed on the first (control) group. In the second group, transabdominal DUSG was performed continuously for 15 min every day from the first day of gestation until birth. In the third group, DUSG was applied for 15 min every two days. Twenty-four male pups were sacrificed after 60 days. Renal tissues were then collected and subjected to biochemical, histopathological, and immunohistochemical evaluation. Malondialdehyde, glutathione, urea, Ca, K, and Cl levels increased in the DUSG groups compared to the control group (p < .05). Histopathologically, tubular damage increased in the DUSG groups compared to the control group (p < .05). Immunohistochemically, an increase was determined in Caspase-3 expression in the DUSG groups compared to the control group (p > .05). The DUSG groups also exhibited an increase in the superficial areas of the proximal and distal tubules, although the difference compared to the control group was not significant (p > .05). Multiple administrations of new generation DUSG to pregnant rats resulted in deleterious effects on the development of postnatal renal tissue. This shows that DUSG should be applied for as short a time as possible and that re-exposure should be avoided.

Noninvasive Assessment of Liver Parenchyma Using Gray-Scale Ultrasound-Based Histogram Analysis in Patients With Chronic Hepatitis B Infection.

The aims of this study were to examine the alterations of liver echo-intensity histogram parameters in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients and to assess the potential role of histogram parameters in the evaluation of hepatic fibrosis. A total of 52 patients with CHB who underwent liver biopsies were included in the study. The control group consisted of 30 healthy individuals. Histogram parameters were obtained from histogram analysis of gray-scale ultrasound images of both groups. The histogram parameters of the groups were compared. The association of histogram parameters with the grading and staging of histological activity index (HAI) in patients with CHB were evaluated. The patient group had statistically significant lower skewness, kurtosis, and higher variance, mean, 50th, and 90th percentile values compared with control group. When patients with CHB were divided into subgroups according to HAI stage, there was the increasing trend in skewness values and decreasing trend in kurtosis values across subgroups. The first percentile values showed negative correlation with HAI staging in patients with CHB. Ultrasound is a fast, inexpensive, and reproducible imaging method; histogram analysis of gray-scale ultrasound images may provide useful information for evaluation of hepatic fibrosis in CHB patients.

Effects of Gadodiamide and Gadoteric Acid on Rat Kidneys: A Comparative Study.

BACKGROUND: Gadolinium-based contrast agents are complex chelates to provide contrast in NRI. However, recent studies have highlighted the deposition of free Gd+3 ion in various tissues. PURPOSE: To evaluate the histopathological and immunohistochemical changes on rat kidney tissue following both macrocyclic (gadoteric acid) and linear (gadodiamide) agents under the hypothesis that gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCA) lead to toxic, free Gd+3 accumulation in tissues. STUDY TYPE: The local Animal Care Committee approved the prospective animal study. ANIMAL MODEL: Thirty-two healthy Sprague-Dawley male rats were administered 2 mmol/kg gadodiamide and gadoteric acid for the first 4 days for 5 weeks. Group 1 received no drug (control, n = 8) and Group 2 (n = 8) was administered 0.1 ml/kg saline. Group 3 was administered 0.1 mmol/kg gadodiamide and Group 4 (n = 8) was administered 2 mmol/kg gadoteric acid. ASSESSMENT: Biochemical, histopathological, and immunohistochemical changes in testis kidney tissue were evaluated at the end of 10 weeks. STATISTICAL TESTS: Differences between groups were analyzed using the nonparametric Kruskal-Wallis test followed by one-way analysis of variance and the Tamhane test, also followed by Turkey's HSD test. RESULTS: Gadolinium increased serum urea, Ca+2 , and Caspase-3 positive tubular cell number. Larger Bowman capsules shrank proximal and distal tubules were revealed in the gadodiamide and gadoteric acid groups compared to the control group (P < 0.05). Histopathologic examination showed significantly more interstitial fibrosis, amyloid deposits, and vasocongestion in the gadodiamide group than the gadoteric acid and control groups, while the gadoteric acid group demonstrated significantly more leukocytic infiltration with atrophied proximal and distal tubules than the gadodiamide and control groups (P < 0.05). DATA CONCLUSION: GBCA administration causes significant histopathologic changes in kidney tissue. This study advocates additional investigation to assess the in vivo safety of GBCAs. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 1 Technical Efficacy: Stage 2 J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2019;49:382-389.

Renal Artery Dissection in a Patient With Degenerative Scoliosis: A Rare Complication Caused by Lumbar Vertebra Osteophyte.

Isolated spontaneous renal artery dissection (RAD) without known trauma is rare, and its etiology has not been determined. However, notable risk factors including hypertension, strenuous exercise, connective tissue disorders, atherosclerosis, extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy, and cocaine abuse have been reported. To the best of our knowledge, isolated RAD caused by lumbar vertebra osteophytes in patients with degenerative lumbar scoliosis has not been reported in the literature. In this article, we present a case of RAD caused by lumbar vertebra osteophyte in a patient with degenerative scoliosis and discuss the management of the disease.

Submandibular Lateral Ectopic Thyroid Tissue: Ultrasonography, Computed Tomography, and Scintigraphic Findings.

Ectopic thyroid can be encountered anywhere between the base of tongue and pretracheal region. The most common form is euthyroid neck mass. Herein, we aimed to present the findings of a female case with ectopic thyroid tissue localized in the left submandibular region. A 44-year-old female patient, who underwent bilateral subtotal thyroidectomy four years ago with the diagnosis of multinodular goiter, was admitted to our hospital due to a mass localized in the left submandibular area that gradually increased in the last six months. Neck ultrasonography, contrast-enhanced computed tomography, and scintigraphic examination were performed on the patient. On thyroid scintigraphy with Tc-99m pertechnetate, thyroid tissue activity uptake showing massive radioactivity was observed in the normal localization of the thyroid gland and in the submandibular localization. The focus in the submandibular region was excised. Pathological examination of the specimen showed normal thyroid follicle cells with no signs of malignancy. The submandibular mass is a rarely encountered lateral ectopic thyroid tissue. Accordingly, ectopic thyroid tissue should also be considered in the differential diagnosis of masses in the submandibular region.

A Case Report of Acute Acalculous Cholecystitis and Acute Hemorrhagic Cystitis due to Salmonella Typhi.

Acute acalculous cholecystitis and acute hemorrhagic cystitis due to Salmonella Typhi are a rare condition. A 24-year-old female patient was admitted to our clinic with abdominal pain, nausea, fever, headache, urinary burning, and bloody urine. Based on clinical, laboratory, and radiological evaluations, the patient was diagnosed with acute acalculous cholecystitis and acute hemorrhagic cystitis due to Salmonella Typhi. The patient was treated with intravenous ceftriaxone for two weeks. After the treatment, the patient's clinical and laboratory findings improved. Acute acalculous cholecystitis due to Salmonella Typhi concomitant with acute hemorrhagic cystitis is very rare and might be difficult to diagnose. Infectious agents such as Salmonella Typhi should be considered when acute acalculous cholecystitis and acute hemorrhagic cystitis are detected in adult patients with no underlying diseases.