Ultrasound evaluation of testicular vein diameter in suspected cases of varicocele: Comparison of measurements in supine and upright positions.

BACKGROUND: Scrotal ultrasonography has high sensitivity in the detection of intra-scrotal abnormalities. Various ultrasonographic parameters such as the spermatic cord diameter, venous diameter, and venous retrograde flow in either supine or upright positions with or without Valsalva maneuver have been investigated to assess patients suspected of having varicocele. AIMS: This study aimed at comparing testicular vein diameter in supine and upright positions using ultrasonography. METHODOLOGY: This is a prospective multicenter study conducted between September 2018 and June 2019. Eighty-two consenting suspected cases of varicocele, 20 years and above, referred for scrotal ultrasonography were included in this study. RESULTS: The study population had a mean age of 42.9 + 14.89 (SD) with a range of 20-96 years. The highest number of participants fell within the age range of 30-39 years 23 (28%). Varicocele was demonstrated in 96.3% of the patients. More patients showed sonographic evidence of varicocele in the upright position, on the right 50 (61%) as well as left 50 (61%). Bilateral varicocele had a higher frequency in the upright position 45 (54.9%), while supine was 23 (28%). Upright position had the widest diameter in 72% of participants on the right and 82% on the left. The upright position also showed higher average vein diameter of 2.6 mm and 2.9 mm on the right and left, respectively, while it was 2.2 mm and 2.3 mm for right and left in the supine position. CONCLUSION: The upright position is more predictive of varicocele in scrotal ultrasound examination for suspected cases of varicocele. We recommend an upright position where one position is to be used.

Transfontanelle ultrasonography of infant brain: analysis of findings in 114 patients in Benin City, Nigeria.

OBJECTIVES: To analyse the pattern of findings in sonographic examination of infant brains. SETTING: Radiology Department of a University Teaching Hospital. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The ultrasound request cards, reports and case notes of 114 consecutive term infants who underwent transfontanelle ultrasonography over a four-year period (between 1st May 2000 and 31st April 2004) were retrospectively analysed. The transfontanelle ultrasonographies were done using a two dimensional Sonoace 1500 (Medison Inc, South Korea 1995) ultrasound scanner fitted with 6.5 megahertz (MHz) curvilinear small head probe. The scans were done in both coronal and sagittal sections applying the standard techniques. RESULT: Atotal of 114 infants were seen in the study period with male to female ratio of 1:1. Sixty eight patients (59.65%) presented within the first 2 months of age. Hydrocephalus 34 (29.04%), seizure disorders 16 (14.04%) and suspected intracranial bleeding 19 (16.67%) constituted over half of the presenting complaints. The result showed that 54 patients (47.37%) had normal findings, 43 (37.72%) had hydrocephalus of which in 25 (21.93%) it was communicating while in 18 (15.79%) it was non-communicating 6 (5.26%) had cephalohaematoma, 5 (4.39%) had encephalcoele, 4 (3.51%) had periventricular leukomalacia, and 2 (1.75%) had subgaleal cyst. CONCLUSION: Transfontanelle ultrasonography is a useful technique for diagnosis of lesions within the infant brain. Hydrocephalus is the most frequent reason for request of transfontanelle ultrasound scan and also the most frequent abnormal finding.