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Archive for the ‘Ultrasonography’ Category

…where non-enhanced CT missed to confidently characterize many of the cancerous tumors, cost-effective CEUS (contrast-enhanced ultrasound scan) came out as a winner, for real-time patient diagnoses at the bedside: a research study!

(Courtesy: Dr. Stephanie Wilson, Professor of Radiology at the University of Calgary, and Practicing Radiologist at Foothills Medical Center in Calgary)

“Lower cost (than other imaging modalities), lack of ionizing radiation, diagnostic precision are some of the attributes that make CEUS distinct…!”

 

Patients with abdominal cancer can breathe a sigh of relief, as contrast-enhanced ultrasound scan (CEUS), with no high-energy radiation (being involved) is here to help them getting diagnosed through it.

Yes, CEUS is cost effective than other imaging modalities for early cancer detection, as the technology does not involve ionizing radiation, and is safe on patients; the contrast agent involved in CEUS gets expelled out of the body, few minutes after the examination, and is safe on kidney patients, as well.

Research authors believe, this tool will replace some of computed tomography procedures, allowing radiologists to precisely diagnose cancer/tumor in patients, without exposing them to harmful radiation.

More and more patients are exposed every now and then to ionizing radiation, through varied examinations (radiology/nuclear medicine), where exposure to these increase their lifetime risk of cancer.

Contrast agents are not recommended for kidney patients, as they can not tolerate it; non-enhanced CT (without contrast agents) for such patients would not yield desired results that the technology is famed of providing ‘with contrast agents’.

CT scan without contrast agents may miss to provide enough (coveted) results in detection of cancerous tumors, especially of kidney/liver – for clearly-defined diagnosis, and this was even validated by research authors through various examination results of patients.

One of the patients with severe flank pain (high creatinine) that could not endure CT contrast agent had to undergo the non-enhanced process/technique, which showed “spontaneous retroperitoneal hematoma”; on the other, CEUS demonstrated the patient with – “aggressive infiltrative kidney cancer”.

Similarly, there were many cases (examinations), where non-enhanced CT failed to diagnose patients properly, but every time CEUS did it nicely…!

The research author (Dr. Wilson) said, CEUS is an excellent tool for variety of cancers – benign and malignant: liver, bladder, kidney, spleen, bowel etc.!

CEUS is secure and cost-effective option than other imaging modalities, for equivalent results, if not beyond…; the technology is approved for specific types of cardiac imaging in the United States; but is commonly used for various disorders (inclusive of cancer/tumor) in some of these countries, viz. Asia, Brazil, Canada, Europe etc.!

For more details about CEUS, and other blogs and stories – stay connected with MedicExchange!

Ultrasound guided nerve blocks have no contribution in “increased pain relief”, than enhanced use of regional anesthesia, corroborates International Anesthesia Research Society.

 

In contrast to conventional nerve localization technique, no adequate data is available to substantiate ultrasound guided nerve blocks, for acute pain. (Courtesy: the study contributors – Dr. Stephen Choi and Richard Brull from the University of Toronto)

The research team evaluated data of about 1,674 patients (23 studies), for ultrasound guided nerve blocks over conventional nerve block methods; evidences lacked to confirm ultrasound guided approach in acute pain relief.

Out of 16 studies (severity of pain), about 8 cases experienced less pain with ultrasound-guided nerve block, though the pain reductions were mostly small.

Assorted results were found with respect to continuance/duration of nerve block, and/or for the requirement of analgesics/pain medication. Other results demonstrated no deviation amid ultrasound-guided approach and conventional nerve localization methods.

Ultrasound-guided nerve block was not lower/of sub-standard to the conventional approach, for any of the outcomes, asserts – research authors. The enhanced use of nerve blocks for anesthesia (surgical) and post-operative pain management is highly actuated by ultrasound.

So far, the study results do not support any pain-relieving effects of ultrasound-guided nerve block, and more studies are anticipated further to substantiate it.

For more about ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia, and other related articles, stay tuned with MedicExchange!

Ovarian/uterine cancer, bladder tumors, prostate cancer – and other irregularities in women and men; get to read, how ultrasound can save them!

 

Sonography/ultrasound is an imaging type, where high-frequency sound waves are manifested for image construction of body organs, for various therapeutic/diagnostic approaches; the technology is commonly used for to monitor and ascertain fetal growth and development (embryo) in pregnant women.

Real-time images are possible through ultrasonography, for – blood flow through vessels, and movement/structure of internal body organs; since, the technology does not involve ionizing radiation, it is safe on pregnant women, over other imaging modalities.

Doppler ultrasound facilitates for evaluation of heart, valves, and blood vessels; ultrasound is extensively used for to image pelvic region, abdomen, to evaluate heart and structures etc.! In case of pelvic ultrasound imaging, the non-invasive technique is used for visualization of organs and structures in the pelvis/lower abdomen.

About transabdominal ultrasound, abdominal organs are examined in detailed, for irregularities; vaginal ultrasound is quite common with females, in gynecology.

Pelvic ultrasound is used for to evaluate the following in women: ovaries, uterus, cervix, bladder, fallopian tubes – for abnormalities, viz. ovarian/uterine cancers etc.! Female pelvic organs/reproductive organs are visualized for follicular development, during therapy; the technology is viable for individuals that are suspected of cysts and other disorders.

Ultrasound is a favorable diagnostic approach for women that have irregular bleeding, menstrual problems, pelvic pain etc.!

In the same manner, for men – transrectal ultrasound is used for detailed visualization of pelvic organs – prostate, seminal vesicles, bladder; the technology is viable for to stage prostate cancer/tumors in men (vide: Oncology).

For both men and women with bladder tumors, kidney stones and other urinary bladder irregularities – pelvic ultrasound is a feasible option, over other imaging modalities.

The ultrasound technology is not limited only to these conditions/irregularities, as has scope beyond that you read here; for more about it, various technology innovations, equipment vendors and related – stay affixed with MedicExchange!

ADV bubbles may alleviate clinical high-intensity focused ultrasound ablation, by lessening the therapy time, and furnish imaging response of the thermal treatment.

 

Acoustic droplet vaporization (ADV) is a procedure to utilize ultrasound to phase-transition/transform liquid droplets (super-heated) into gas bubbles; the bubbles can be put in use for following and more – drug deliverance, occlusion therapy, aberration correction etc.

ADV demonstrates hope for spatial control, and increased-rate of thermal lesion production; the research objective was to evaluate whether microbubbles produced by acoustic droplet vaporization could augment high-intensity focused ultrasound thermal ablation, by increasing and managing topical energy absorption.

Thermal lesions were generated in phantoms (tissue-mimicking) through concentrated ultrasound in degassed water; through with T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging, and apparent shift in optical opacity, the average lesion volume was gauged by.

More to that, in vivo high-intensity focused ultrasound lesions were produced in a canine liver, prior and after an intravenous injection (droplets) with an identical acoustic setting.

Of results, in comparison to phantoms devoid of droplets, thermal lesions were observed the most in phantoms with droplets; the mean lesion volume with a 2-second high-intensity focused ultrasonic approach in phantoms with droplets was equal to that through 5-second exposition in phantoms, devoid of droplets.

The mean lesion volumes with and otherwise droplets were equated through, in the in-vivo study; the form of acoustic droplet vaporization bubbles imaged with ultrasound (B-mode) was identical to the real lesion shape, as estimated optically and by MR approach.

Conclusion: ADV bubbles may alleviate clinical high-intensity focused ultrasound ablation, by bringing down therapy time, and furnish imaging response of the thermal treatment.

From bone to fetus; heart to visualization of blood flow – ultrasound has diverse applications; have an insight over!

 

Sonography, or an ultrasound imaging is not a new concept for many; high-frequency ultrasonic waves are utilized for visualization of soft tissues, viz. internal organs and muscles; the technology facilitates for real-time imaging, to have a view of internal body organs in motion, and is even practicable for blood flow through vessels.

Hand-held transducers are put in use over the skin, for various ultrasound examinations; transducer transmits sound waves of high-frequency – the reverberated waves (echo) are demonstrated over the display monitor.

Image is generally based on amplitude and frequency of the signal (of sound), and the time of reverberation to the transducer from the patient; akin to x-ray therapy, it does not involve ionizing radiation.

Ultrasonography is widely used for varied procedures and examinations; bone sonography is used for osteoporosis (irregular loss of bony tissue), while an echocardiogram is done for to view the heart.

Fetal ultrasound is quite common in medical scenario, to ascertain growth/development of the fetus; about Doppler fetal heart monitors – are utilized for to listen to the heart beat.

Doppler ultrasound imaging is plausible for visualization of blood flow through the vessel; ultrasound is even used for image guided biopsies for sampling, and related.

Since no ionizing radiation is involved, ultrasound is safe for patients, and it does not pose hazards similar to x-rays and other forms of radiations.

Even though ultrasound is safe for diagnostic imaging, the waves when pass through the body – heat up the body tissues; cavitation/empty cavities in tissues and body fluids are common due to this, but long-run effects of tissue-heating are unknown, yet.

For more on the ultrasound technology, and other Healthcare blogs, stay connected with MedicExchange!

Aplio MX – the advanced ultrasound technology from Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation proved feasible for fetal echocardiography program

 

Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta has adopted one for fetal echo program, to enhance clinical performance.

Aplio MX, with the ‘differential tissue harmonics imaging’ technology ensures comprehensive diagnostic information, during fetal heart imaging; augmented contrast resolutions aid care providers tell apart tissues more clearly.

Aplio MX ascertains detailed visualization, for enhanced diagnosis during cardiac examinations; the Aplio MX from Toshiba is about 30% lighter, and consumes 35% less power, in contrast to traditional ultrasound equipment; smaller size, portability features make it easy to work with, for ultrasound procedures.

Swift and more precise cardiac examinations have become possible through Aplio MX system for Sibley Heart Center – make it one for you, too; for more on ultrasound technology of Toshiba, and many other, stay tuned with MedicExchange!

Sonography is feasible for identification and localization of soft tissue foreign bodies: study

 

The study was contributed by: Afshin Mohammadi, Mohammad Ghasemi-Rad, and Maryam Khodabakhsh from the Radiology Department; and Student research committee, School of Medicine, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran.

Penetrating trauma is common in emergency departments (orthopedics); foreign bodies in soft tissues make it more intricate; traditional radiology is only feasible for radio-opaque foreign bodies. Since foreign body can cause grave inflammatory reaction/infection, discovery and elimination of foreign bodies are vital. (Courtesy: BioMed Central)

The research objective was to assess diagnostic precision of Sonography for localization and revelation of non-opaque foreign bodies.

About 47 patients, doubtful of foreign bodies in soft tissues were assessed through 10 MHz linear array transducer, after they showed negative on X-rays; through radiographic evaluations, radio-opaque bodies were corroborated, within soft tissues, viz. metal, stone, glass etc.!

The contra-lateral extremity was evaluated, for all the patients; on foreign body localization – computerized calipers were used for length and depth measurements below the skin; sonographic findings of foreign bodies in soft tissue were assessed by, viz. halo sign, posterior acoustic shadowing, posterior comet tail etc.

About 38% of foreign bodies were neglected at primary examination, in the emergency department; sonography indicated sensitivity of 95% for foreign bodies.

Foreign bodies were identified in following through with Sonography, for the patients: fingers, forearms, toes, calves etc.

Soft tissue foreign body was detected in about 45 cases, as hyperechoic foci; posterior acoustic shadowing was observed in about 36 cases; due to abscess/granulation tissue formation, 5 cases showed up with halo sign; through surgical procedure, 44 foreign bodies were taken out from 39 patients.

Conclusion: Sonography is doable for localization and identification of soft tissue foreign bodies (radiolucent), and this can shun wrong-diagnosis during preliminary emergency assessment.

Multimodality imaging approach is useful in complex/ambiguous cases; cognition of pertinent radiologic features and prime clinical information is vital for convinced lesion delineation and discrimination.

 

The CME paper in Radiology has been contributed by Gavin Low, MBChB, MRCS, FRCR; Anukul Panu, MD; Noam Millo, MD and Edward Leen, MD, FRCR from the Department of Radiology and Diagnostic Imaging, University of Alberta Hospital, Edmonton, AB, Canada; and Department of Imaging Science, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, London, England. (Courtesy: RSNA Journal)

Cystic pancreatic lesions depict miscellaneous group of entities, which can be widely categorized as either non-neoplastic or neoplastic.

Neoplastic lesions comprise subsequent: pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor, solid pseudopapillary tumor, pancreatic adenocarcinoma, pancreatic lymphoma, pancreatoblastoma, metastases to the pancreas, and uncommon sundry neoplasms.

On the other, Non-neoplastic lesions embody: fatty infiltration-replacement, focal pancreatitis, intrapancreatic accessory spleen, congenital anomalies and infrequent sundry lesions.

These solid lesions can be assessed through following modalities: computed tomography, MRI, ultrasonography, endoscopic ultrasound, SPECT/CT, and PET/CT – all have own capability and restraints.

Precise diagnosis can be difficult, and utilization of multimodality imaging pattern is a great deal beneficial in complex/ambiguous cases.

Facts about pertinent clinical data and prime radiologic attributes is vital for sure-footed lesion distinction and delineation.

Knowledge about typical appearances of irregularities of the portal venous system facilitates for more convinced diagnosis, and timely interventions.

 

Submitted over as an education exhibit at 2009 RSNA annual meeting, contributions in this segment are being made by Wai-Kit Lee, MBBS; Silvia D. Chang, MD; Vinay A. Duddalwar, MD; Jules M. Comin, MBBS; Warren Perera, MBBS; Wing-Fai E. Lau, MBBS; Elhamy K. Bekhit, MBBS and Oliver F. Hennessy, MD from the Department of Medical Imaging, St Vincent’s Hospital, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Department of Radiology, Vancouver Coastal Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Department of Radiology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California; Department of Radiology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; and Department of Medical Imaging, Royal Children’s Hospital, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.

The article is available in the online journal of Radiological Society of North America.

Irregularities of the portal venous system are miscellaneous group of conditions, which can bring about considerable mortality and morbidity; it may even take on to intricacies on surgery, or percutaneous mediation, regarding the portal venous system.

High-resolved MRI, computed tomography and ultrasonography allow for detailed, non-invasive assessment of the portal venous system, and make possible recognition of functional and structural irregularities; still, comprehension about embryologic development of anatomic variants and standard venous anatomy is required for to precisely translate imaging discoveries.

Facts of the typical appearances of irregularities of the portal venous system facilitates for more convinced diagnosis, allowing timely treatment and more communicated guidance of percutaneous mediations and surgical approaches, for enhanced outcome.

somo•v ABUS system, from U-Systems has been sanctioned by Medical Devices Bureau of Health Canada for ancillary diagnostic approach with mammography.

 

U-Systems – the market leader in automated breast ultrasound technology has been authorized with medical device license by the Medical Devices Bureau of Health Canada, recently, ratified on basis of clinical evidence.

somo•v ABUS system has now become sole ultrasound equipment for breast cancer screening across European Union countries.

The company can now market and sell its registered brand – somo•v® Automated Breast Ultrasound (ABUS) system as an appendage to mammography for breast cancer cases (symptomatic/asymptomatic), in Canada.

Medical Devices Bureau of Health Canada is responsible for evaluating medical device safety, efficacy and quality; somo•v ABUS system has been one, solely approved by the agency.

FDA has even sanctioned the somo•v ABUS system in the US for ancillary diagnostic approach with mammography.

Elated with the approval, Ron Ho (President and CEO, U-Systems) now is up to make the technology available for breast cancer patients, in Canada, for better diagnosis and treatment.

He said, somo•v Automated Breast Ultrasound System has not been devised to substitute mammography, but the combined efforts of ultrasound & mammography will be utilized for enhanced cancer detection, than mammography alone.

The technology is ideally fit for high-volume set-ups; somo•viewer™ (3D workstation) facilitates for swift review and storage of patient exams, to optimize workflow.

U-Systems has even patronized national SOMO•INSIGHT Clinical Study, to assess feasibility of the combination – digital mammography with somo•v Automated Breast Ultrasound System over routine mammogram for breast cancer detection, in women.

More than 15,000 female subjects partook in the clinical study, and it recognized considerable amount of patients that showed negative on mammogram, but recognized well through ABUS system.