Objective To retrospectively analyze the contrast-enhanced ultrasound(CEUS)features of metastatic hepatic neuroendocrine neoplasm(MHNEN)and their diagnostic value.Methods Twenty-eight patients with 35 MHNEN lesions were enrolled in this retrospectively study and underwent CEUS examination.The dynamic enhancement features,including enhancement pattern,peak intensity,and washout pattern were analyzed.Results The arrival time of contrast agent,time to peak,time to iso-echogenity and time to hypo-echogenity was(15.96 ± 4.14)s,(21.42 ± 5.01)s,(29.41 ± 4.83)s and (42.06±22.84)s,respectively.Compared with adjacent liver parenchyma,rapid enhancement,synchronous enhancement and slow enhancement were found in 42.9% (15/35),48.6%(17/35),8.5%(3/35) of MHNEN lesions,respectively.As for enhancement patterns,82.9%(29/35)of MHNEN lesions showed global enhancement,while 17.1%(6/35)showed rim-like enhancement.In addition,22.9%(8/35)of the selesions had a centripetal pattern during the arterial phase.Compared with liver parenchyma,all lesions demonstrated hyper-enhancement at peak enhancement.In portal venous phase,68.6%(24/35)of MHNEN lesions presented marked hypo-enhancement and 31.4%(11/35)with slight hypo-enhancement.And in late phase,all the lesions showed marked hypo-enhancement.Moreover,the boundaries of the lesions became distinct after contrast injection and another 36 lesions were identified on CEUS compared with conventional ultrasound.Conclusions CEUS can afford more diagnostic information of MHNEN and may be a good technique for diagnosing MHNEN.

Objective To compare the clinical and sonographic characteristics of aggressive and nonaggressive papillary thyroid microcarcinomas(PTMC)in order to improve the preoperative predictive value of aggressive PTMC.Methods A total of 309 patients with PTMC from January 2014 to December 2016 were included in this study.Patients with lymphatic metastasis,extrathyroidal invasion,reccurence, distant metastasis and death were classified into aggressive PTMC group,and patients without above characteristics were classified into nonaggressive group.Clinical and sonographic features were reviewed and compared between the two groups.Results Among the 309 patients,76 cases(24.6%)were aggressive PTMC,and 233 cases(75.4%)were nonaggressive.Patients were younger and larger cancerous nodules, microcalcification,capsular inconnection and multifocality were seen more frequently in aggressive PTMC group compared with nonaggressive group.The best cut-off value of age and diameter were 44.5 years and 0.66 cm respectively.Advanced age was the protective factor and larger tumor size and multifocality were independent risk factors for PTMC aggressiveness.The capsular invasion was related with the lateral cervical lymph node metastasis while other features were not.Conclusions Extra attention should be paid to patients with age<44.5 years,tumor size>0.66 cm and multifocal cancerous nodules because their PTMCs are more likely to be aggressive.Thyroid capsule adjacent to the cancerous nodule should be observed carefully.If there is interruption in the capsule,lateral cervical lymph nodes should be carefully examed.

Objective To provide a reference for differential diagnosis of thyroid microcarcinoma classified as TI-RADS 3-4 grade using contrast-enhanced ultrasound.Methods SonoLiver software was used to analyze the process of contrast-enhanced ultrasound of 112 thyroid small nodules classified as TI-RADS 3-4 grade.The dynamic vascular pattern curve(DVPC)and the time-intensity curve(TIC)were automatically acquired for summarization of the types and characteristics of the two curves.The relevant parameters such as the rise time(RT),time to peak(TTP),maximum intensity(IMAX%),mean transit time(mTT),area under curve(AUC)and perfusion index(PI)were acquired and calculated using the software.Receiver operating curve (ROC) analysis was used to achieve the cut-off value of these parameters for differential diagnosis.Results For thyroid microcarcinoma which TI-RADS assessment of grade 3-4,TIC showed as slow rise and slow drop wave or slow rise and fast drop wave,DVPC showed negative waveform or negative-positive bi-directional waveform.ROC analysis demonstrated that IMAX of 96.5%,AUC of 443.08 and PI of 47.64 were the best cut-off values for the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant nodules.When IMAX<96.5%,AUC<443.08,PI<47.64,the nodules were highly likely to be thyroid microcarcinoma.Conclusions The contrast-enhanced ultrasound parameters can provide effective reference for the differential diagnosis of thyroid carcinoma with grade 3-4 in TI-RADS classification.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of fetal heart diameter(HD)Z-score as predictors of homozygous α-thalassemia-1.Methods Two hundred and fourteen cases of Single mid-pregnancies(1 5-22 W)at risk of homozygous α-thalassemia-1 were enrolled.Fetal HD were first measured.Next,the Z-scores of HD were calculated separately based on previously constructed Z-score models.Finally,the accuracy of this variable was analyzed and compared with that from the cardiothoracic ratio(CTR)by ROC curves analysis.Results ①A total of 214 singleton pregnancies were recruited in which 57 cases were homozygous α-thalassemia-1 fetuses and the other 157 cases were unaffected.②The affected fetal HD and Z-score were significantly higher than those in the unaffected fetuses(P <0.01).③With the HD Z-score >2.76 as the best cutoff value,the sensitivity and specificity of predicting homozygous α-thalassemia-1 fetuses in 1 5-22 gestational week were 92.98% and 100%;If a best cut-off value of CTR >0.52 was used for prediction,the sensitivity was 87.72% and the specificity was 91.72%.Compared with CTR,the discriminative power of HD Z-score was better(Z value=2.286,P <0.01).Conclusions HD Z-score is a novel,effective and noninvasive predictor of homozygous α-thalassemia-1 in mid-pregnancy.Its prediction efficiency is higher than that of traditional CTR.It can improve the prenatal detection rate of homozygous α-thalassemia-1 fetus,reduce unnecessary invasive operation and save expenses.

Objective To evaluate the application of real-time three-dimensional transesophogeal echocardiography(RT-3D TEE)in percutaneous left atrial appendage closure and its follow-up in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation.Methods Fifteen patients including 6 males and 9 females were refractory to percutaneous closure of left atrial appendage.The morphology of the left atrial appendage (LAA)in those patients was evaluated by RT-3D TEE.Combined with two-dimensional transesophogeal echocardiography(2D-TEE),RT-3D TEE was performed during the procedure of LAA occlusion,including the measurement of left atrial appendage,the selection of occluder,the puncture of atrial septal,the delivery and release of occlusive device.Finally,it was also used immediately to evaluate the effect of blocking and complications after the operation.The closure effect and related complication were also evaluated by RT-3D TEE at 3 months and 1 2 months followed up,respectively.Results Fifteen patients were successfully undergone the LAA closure procedures with LAmbre TM device.The dimension of LAA landing zone was (21.60±4.08)mm,the measurement of cardiac angiography(CAG)during the procedure was(20.91 ± 3.93)mm and finally the fixed plate size of LAmbreTMdevice was(26.13±4.69)mm.Correlation between the measurements by RT-3D TEE and selective angiography was significant(r =0.84,P =0.0001). Bland-Altman plot showed that 86.67% of plots were among limits of agreement.The width of the flow jet was <3 mm near the LAA closure device in 2 patients immediately after the procedure.At the 3 months and 1 2 months follow-up,the LAA closures had good morphology,fixed position,and no thrombus formation on the surface.There was still slight flow j et near the closure device in 2 patients at that time. Conclusions RT-3D TEE plays an important role in the procedure of left atrial appendage closure and its follow-up.There is better correlation and consistency between the measurements by RT-3D TEE and CAG.

Objective To evaluate the right atrial(RA)volume and phasic function using three-dimensional echocardiography(3DE),and to examine the clinical relevance in pulmonary hypertension(PH). Methods Fifty PH patients and 20 control subjects were studied.RA volume,including maximum RA volume(Vmax),minimum RA volume(Vmin)and the volume before active systolic(Vpre-A)were evaluated by 3DE.RA maximum volume index(VmaxI),total emptying volume index(TotEVI),passive emptying volume index(PassEVI)and active ejection fraction(ActEF)were calculated.The correlation between RAVmaxI and the parameters of RV structure,function,pulmonary hemodynamics were analyzed.Results Maximum RA volume index(RAVmaxI)was higher in WHO functional class(WHO-FC)Ⅲ,Ⅳ of PH patients than in controls(all P <0.01).TotEVI was significantly higher in PH patients than in controls (P<0.001),but PassEVI was lower in PH patients than in controls(P =0.01 1).ActEF was similar when comparing PH patients of WHO-FC Ⅱ with controls.ActEF increased in PH patients with WHO-FCⅢ as compared with controls(P =0.008)but reduced in advanced with WHO-FC Ⅳ patients(P <0.001).RAVmaxI correlated with the indices of right ventricular(RV)structure,function and RV cardiac output index(all P <0.05).Conclusions PH is associated with increased RA size,increased TotEVI,and decreased PassEVI.ActEF increases in PH patients with WHO-FC Ⅲ but decreases in patients with WHO-FCⅣ.RA systolic function plays an important role in compensating RV dysfunction.

Objective To prepare ultrasound(US)responsive nanodroplets(NDs)simultaneously loaded with anticancer drug Sorafenib(SF)and Doxorubicin(DOX),and to characterize its ultrasound responsibility in vitro and in vivo.Methods The SF/DOX NDs were prepared using the thin-film hydration method.The particle diameter,Zeta potential and drug-encapsulation efficiency were characterized.The acoustic droplets vaporization activity was monitored by in vitro ultrasound imaging and light microscope. The cavitation effect was monitored by in vitro ultrasound imaging and transmission electron microscopy. Results SF/DOX NDs were round in shape,the mean diameter and Zeta potential of SF/DOX NDs was (498 ± 67.34)nm,-(38.87 ± 3.78)mV,respectively.The entrapment efficiency of SF and DOX was (58.14±2.93)%,(51.23±4.11)%,respectively.SF/DOX NDs underwent a phase transition into bubbles and could be continuously imaged for more than 25 min in vitro,and afterward therapeutic ultrasound pulse induced inertial cavitation and substantially enhanced treatment.Conclusions US-responsible SF/DOX NDs are prepared using thin-film hydration mehtod,it can enhance ultrasonic echo in vitro and release anticancer drug by the aid of US exposure,which possesses greater researching and applicating value.

Objective To evaluate the left ventricular(LV)myocardial mechanical changes with contrast agent and different power irradiation in open-chest beagle canines.Methods The anesthetized open-chest beagle canines were assigned into two groups randomly:group A(n=6)for baseline,diagnostic ultrasound power irradiation(300 mW)5 min,combined with contrast agent irradiation 5 min and contrast agent 20 min conditions;group B(n=6)for baseline and intensity ultrasound irradiation(1 W,2 W and 3 W,5 min respectively)conditions.The peak circumferential strain(CS),longitudinal strain(LS)and radial strain(RS)of LV myocardial wall were measured and analyzed using a dedicated Syngo velocity vector imaging(VVI)method.Results In group A,the peak CS and LS were increased significantly on diagnostic power irradiation,contrast agent irradiation 5 min and contrast agent 20 min(all P <0.05,respectively) compared with baseline condition;there was no significant difference of the peak RS on diagnostic power irradiation,contrast agent irradiation 5 min and contrast 20 min compared with baseline condition(P >0.05).In group B,the peak CS and LS were higher on power 1 W than on baseline condition(P <0.05), the peak RS was increased gradually on power 1 W than on baseline condition(P >0.05);the peak CS,LS, RS were lower on power 2 W than on baseline condition(P >0.05);the peak of CS,LS were lower on power 3 W than on baseline condition(P <0.05);the peak of RS was decreased gradually without significant changes between power 3 W on baseline condition(P >0.05).Conclusions These findings indicate potential positive inotropic effects with diagnostic ultrasound power irradiation 5 min,combined with contrast agent irradiation 5 min,contrast agent 20 min conditions,power 1 W and negative inotropic effects with power 3 W on LV myocardial CS,LS deformation.LV myofiber deformation reactions appear no significant differences on LV myocardial RS deformation in same disturbed setting.

Objective To detect the effectiveness of ultrasound-guided glenohumeral joint injection combined with distension for treatment of frozen shoulder.Methods Fifty-two patients diagnosed as frozen shoulder by physical and ultrasound examination were performed the ultrasound-guided glenohumeral joint injection combined with distension.Finally,48 patients completed the continuously three times'treatment were included in this study.Patients were assessed using Visual Analogy Score(VAS),the influence of sleeping and the Active Range of Motion(AROM)at the beginning of each time's treatment and at 2 weeks after the third treatment in order to compare the effectiveness of each time's treatment.Results The pain and sleeping influence of the first treatment were significantly improved compared with before treatment(all P <0.05),but the AROM was not significantly improved(P >0.05).The pain,sleeping influence and AROM of the second treatment were significantly improved by comparing with the first treatment respectively(all P <0.05).The pain and AROM of the third treatment were further improved than the second treatment(all P <0.05).However there was no significant improvement of sleeping influence for the third treatment(P >0.05).Conclusions The pain,sleeping influence and AROM of frozen shoulder patients are significantly improved after the treatment of ultrasound-guided glenohumeral joint injection combined with distension for continuous three times,which is an effective treatment for frozen shoulder.

Objective To evaluate the mesh implants following minimally invasive abdominal sacrocolpopexy using three-dimensional ultrasound with OmniView and volume contrast imaging.Methods Sixteen patients underwent the mesh implant were examined from the 6 months to 1 0 months after sacrocolpopexy retrospectively by 3D OmniView combining with VCI to view the mesh at rest and on Valsalva.Results Nine cases appeared straight flat and 7 cases appeared folded or shrinkage among the 16 cases mesh implants.3D Omniview combining with VCI could image all the cases of mesh in any planes. The imaging rate was 100%.Conclusions 3D OmniView combining VCI can well image the mesh implants appeared shrinkage or folded.