Objective To evaluate the feasibility and accuracy of three-dimensional (3D) printed left atrial appendage (LAA) models based on 3D transesophageal echocardiography (3D-TEE) data and the application value for treating special anatomic LAA.Methods Data of 18 patients of atrial fibrillation who were underwent LAA occlusion were retrospectively analyzed,including 3D-TEE and CT volume data of the patients.The 3D-TEE data of the LAA were post-processed and a flexible material was used to print the LAA model by 3D printer.The morphological classification and lobulated classifications of LAAs were assessed by the 3D printed models.The measurements of long axis,short axis and depth of LAAs were also performed.And the measurement and classification results were compared with those based on 3D-TEE and CT volume images.A occluder release test was performed on the 3D printed models for patients with challenging LAA morphology.Results For all 18 patients,3D-TEE full volume data of the LAA were successfully reprocessed and printed as 3D LAA models.The consistency of morphological classifications and lobulated classifications of LAAs based on 3D printed models and cardiac CT were 0.92 and 0.83,respectively.No significant differences of LAA ostium dimensions (long axis and short axis) and depth were found between the measurement results based on 3D printed models and 3D-TEE (all P＞0.05).A simulation of LAA occlusion rehearsal was successfully performed on 3D models of two challenging cases.Conclusion The echocardiographic 3D printing technique has high feasibility and accuracy,and can be promising for personalized planning in cases of transcatheter special morphological LAA occlusion.

Objective To explore the clinical value of two‐dimensional transesophageal echocardiography (2D‐TEE) and real‐time three‐dimensional transesophageal echocardiography (RT3D‐TEE) for the left atrial appendage (LAA) closure procedures by the visualization of LAA shape by 2D‐TEE and RT3D‐TEE and the comparison between the measurement of LAA ostium and the sized LAmbreTM device during the procedure .Methods Forty‐one atrial fibrillation patients ,who had undergone 2D‐TEE examination at our hospital ,were enrolled in the study .At the mid‐esophageal ,dimensions of inner and outer ostium and depth of LAA were measured at the 2D‐TEE views of 0 ,45 ,90 and 135 degree respectively . RT3D‐TEE views were acquired and the maximal and the minimal dimensions of LAA inner ostium were measured .The measurement by RT3D‐TEE and 2D‐TEE were compared to find the difference and correlation .Eleven of 41 patients who have complied with the requirements for the LAA closure ,were undergone the procedures ,measured the dimension of LAA inner ostium at selective angiography intraoperative .Sizes of closure disks of the closure device and the measurement at selective angiography were recorded to compare the measurement at RT3D‐TEE and 2D‐TEE .Results Forty‐one atrial fibrillation patients were completed TEE examination successfully .Inner ostial dimension of LAA was (20.0±04.3)cm,(19.7±03.8)cm,(21.2±04.6)cm,(23.0±05.0)cmat2D‐TEEviewsof0,45,90and135 degree ,respectively .The maximum dimensions of LAA inner ostium by RT3D‐TEE was (2 4.9 ± 0 5.2)cm . At 2D‐TEE views ,the maximum dimensions of LAA inner ostium was at 135 degree ,there was a difference between it and the measurement by RT3D‐TEE ( P =0 0.12) .Monitoring by TEE ,LAA closure procedures with LAmbreTM device were successful for all 11 patients ,the landing zone by selective angiography was (2 4.9 ± 0 4.4)cm ,and the appropriate sized closure disk of the LAmbreTM device was 2 4. - 3 6. cm . Correlation between the measurements by RT3D‐TEE and selective angiography and the sized closure disk were r =0 8.16 ,P =0 0.02 and r =0 9.14 ,P =0 0.00 ,respectively .Correlation between the measurements by 2D‐TEE and selective angiography and the sized closure disk were r =0 6.93 ,P =0 0.18 and r =0 6.88 , P=0 0.19 ,respectively .Conclusions There was better correlation among the measurements by RT3D‐TEE and selective angiography and the size of closure device .Therefore ,compared to 2D‐TEE ,the guidance of RT3D‐TEE was more accurate during LAA closure procedures for LAmbreTM device selection .

Objective:To evaluate the feasibility and the application values of quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) for the assessment of meniscal injury and in distinguishing meniscus degeneration and tears.Methods:The clinical and imaging data of 70 patients suspected of meniscus injury and scheduled for arthroscopy in Shandong Medical Imaging Research Institute, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University from November 2019 to June 2020 were analyzed retrospectively. Thirty age-and sex-matched healthy subjects were also examined as controls. All subjects received knee joint QSM and routine MR imaging. According to the results of arthroscopy, the patients was divided into meniscus degeneration and meniscus tear groups, respectively. The conventional MR was evaluated by two radiologists. The meniscus injury area was delineated on the original QSM magnitude images (the central area of the posterior corner of the lateral meniscus was selected in the healthy controls) and mapped to the corresponding QSM maps, and the magnetic susceptibility values were measured. Kruskal-Wallis H test was used to analyze the magnetic sensitivity values of meniscal degeneration, meniscal tear and healthy control groups; and Bonferroni was used to correct the pairwise comparison. ROC curve was established to evaluate the threshold and efficacy of magnetic susceptibility value in the diagnosis of meniscal tear. The results were compared with those of conventional MRI. Results:The magnetic susceptibility values of meniscus of healthy controls, meniscal degeneration and meniscal tear groups were (0.035±0.016)ppm, -0.031(-0.040,-0.005)ppm, and(-0.122±0.115)ppm, respectively, with significant difference found among the three groups (χ2=44.419, P<0.05). The magnetic susceptibility values of meniscus of healthy controls was significantly higher than those of meniscus degeneration patients and meniscus tear patients (χ2=-23.843, -48.253, P<0.05). The magnetic susceptibility values of meniscus of meniscus tear group was significant lower than those of meniscus degeneration group (χ2=-24.410, P<0.05). Taking magnetic susceptibility values of -0.062 5 ppm as threshold, the area under the ROC curve for the diagnosis of meniscal tears was 0.949, with the sensitivity as 87% and the specificity as 100%. The sensitivity and specificity of conventional MRI in the diagnosis of meniscal tears were 86.8% and 87.5%, respectively. Conclusion:QSM can quantitatively evaluate meniscus injury and can be used as an effective supplement method to conventional MRI, which is helpful to improve the diagnosis of meniscus tear.

Objective:To explore the effect of systolic anterior motion (SAM) of mitral valves on the morphology and function of left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) in patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) using computer fluid dynamics based on three-dimensional echocardiography with inverted grey values.Methods:A total of 40 patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy were divided into SAM group (24 cases) and non SAM group (16 cases) in Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University from April 2016 to October 2019. Two dimensional and three-dimensional echocardiographic data of the patients were collected. The LVOT morphological model was constructed based on the post-processing of three-dimensional echocardiography data, and the LVOT flow field model was constructed based on the time-volume curve of left ventricle. LVOT peak velocity was obtained to assess the agreement with echocardiography measurements. Area of LVOT, average velocity, flow rate and iso-surface area of vortex of different levels were obtained and compared between the two groups.Results:There was a good correlation between cardiac fluid model and echocardiographic measurement ( r=0.943, P<0.01). The Bland-Altman consistency interval was -75.0-111.3, and 92.5% of the points were within the consistency limit. Compared with non-SAM group patients, the peak velocity of LVOT increased, the area of LVOT decreased, the flow rate decreased and the area of vortex increased in SAM patients (all P<0.01). In the SAM group, in 16 patients the double orifice LVOT was observed due to the contact between mitral valve and septum, in 1 patient the single orifice LVOT structure was observed with contact between mitral value and septum, and in 7 patients, single orifice LVOT without contact between mitral value and septum. In SAM patients, compared with single orifice LVOT, patients with double orifice LVOT were observed with higher LVOT velocity, smaller LVOT area and higher vortex area with high level(all P<0.05). Conclusions:Accurate fluid models can be obtained using three-dimensional echocardiography with inverted grey values. In SAM patients, contact between mitral valve and septum leads to the formation of double orifice structure and the increase of vortex level in LVOT.

Objective:To evaluate alterations of periventricular pseudocysts (PVPC) on MRI before and after birth, and to assess the prognosis.Methods:We retrospectively analyzed the data of 67 cases that were diagnosed with PVPC on prenatal MRI, of which 24 cases were lost to follow-up, 2 died after birth. A total of 41 surviving fetuses were included in this prognosis study. The gestational ages in this group were between 23 and 39 weeks, with an average of (33±3) weeks.All the subjects underwent brain MRI examinations and Gesell Developmental Scale (GDS) testing between 0-3 years of age. According to the location of cysts and with or without other intracranial and extracranial malformations (dilated ventricles orcerebella medulla, hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, TORCH virus infection, corporal hypoplasia, chromosomal malformations and nodular sclerosis) , the patients were divided into four groups: isolated connatal cysts, connatal cysts with additional findings,isolated subependymal pseudocysts, and subependymal pseudocysts with additional findings.The MR images were independently reviewed by two radiologists blinded to the clinical information. Intraclass correlation efficient (ICC) was used to analyze the consistency between the two reviewers.Chi-square test was used to compare the location of cysts (single/bilateral), the number of cyst cavities (single/multi-chamber), and other abnormalities in the connatal cyst group and subependymal cyst group. The mean anteroposterior diameter and mean height of cysts between the connatal cyst group and subependymal cyst group were compared by independent sample t-test.The ANOVA test was used to compare the differences in GDS outcomes among the groups. Multiple comparisons were conducted using the LSD test. Results:Inter-observer agreements between the two radiologists were good for the collected data (all ICC>0.75). Eleven isolated connatal cysts and 7 connatal cysts with additional findings became smaller or disappeared, and all had good prognosis. Of the 14 isolated subependymal cysts, 12 became smaller or disappeared, 2 had no change in size, and 13 had good prognosis. The subependymal cysts with additional findings group included 9 cases: 6 became smaller or disappeared, only 3 showed no apparent changes, and 7 had an abnormal outcome. Subependymal cysts with additional findings were significantly reduced and patients demonstrated significant differences compared with the those with isolated subependymal cysts in the development quotients (DQ) of adaptability, large movements, fine movements, personal social interaction, and language DQ ( P all<0.05). DQ between patients with isolated connatal cysts and isolated subependymal cysts was comparable ( P all>0.05). When associated with additional findings, connatal cysts and subependymal cysts could induce significant different DQ outcome ( P all<0.05). Conclusions:Isolated PVPC usually become smaller or disappeared and have a benign presentation after birth, whereas patients with subependymal cysts with additional findings usually have a poor prognosis. Connatal cysts usually have a good prognosis.

Objective:To summarize the clinical and imaging presentations of stapical footplate hernia related to inner ear malformation (SFH-Re-IEM).Methods:The clinical and imaging data of 19 patients (24 ears) with SFH-Re-IEM from Shandong Provincial ENT Hospital between June 2014 to June 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. The clinical presentations and headache and the high resolution CT (HRCT) and MRI findings including associated inner ear malformation (IEM) type, internal auditory canal (IAC) malformation, bony defect of the stapical footplate, the extent, margin, density and signal of the herniation cysts, the density and signal of ipsilateral intratympanic, cochlear osseous labyrinthitis were recorded.Results:Among 19 SFH-Re-IEM patients, including 14 males and 5 females, 3 (1, 12) years old. All of the affected ears presented sensorineural or mixed hearing loss, 1 ear for moderate, 7 ears for severe and 16 ears for extremely severe. Besides this, the vertigo in 1 case, otalgia and ear fullness in 2 cases were found, and the others were detected accidentally. Among 24 ears with SFH-Re-IEM, 9 ears (37.5%) consisting with incomplete partition type Ⅰ, 3 ears (12.5%) with common cavity, 7 ears (29.2%) with cochlear aplasia, 3 ears (12.5%) with cochlear dysplasia type Ⅱ, and 2 ears (8.3%) with Mondini deformity were found respectively. Four ears (16.7%) were associated with IAC enlargement and the bony defect of IAC fundus, 19 ears (79.2%) were accompanied with dysplasia in the IAC fundus. In all the 24 ears with SFH-Re-IEM, the focal bony defect of the affected stapical footplate and the hemispherical soft-tissue-density herniating cysts protruding into the tympanium were presented on HRCT, and the herniating cysts presenting the cerebrospinal fluid-like signal with the well-defined margin and the ipsilateral normal tympanium were shown on the MRI hydrographic sequence. Two ears underwent the perilymphaticum gadolinium based on MRI, which demonstrated the hypersignal gadolinium in the perilymphatic space entered into the herniating cysts. Two ears were accompanied with the cochlear osseous labyrinthitis.Conclusion:The ears with IEM-Re-SFH usually present the serious hearing loss. The ipsilateral severe IEM, focal bony defect of the stapical footplate and perilymph herniating are characteristic imaging appearances.

Objective:To quantitatively evaluate and compare the morphology and dynamics parameters of mitral valve devices in patients with atrial functional mitral regurgitation (AFMR) and ventricular functional mitral regurgitation (VFMR) by real-time three-dimensional ultrasound, in order to provide theoretical basis for diagnosis and clinical treatments of the two types of regurgitation patients.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted on 20 AFMR patients (AFMR group) and 20 VFMR patients (VFMR group) who underwent transesophageal echocardiography at Wuhan University People′s Hospital from May to November 2022. Additionally, 20 patients who underwent transesophageal echocardiography at our hospital during the same period due to patent foramen ovale or non cardiac surgery monitoring were selected as the control group. All subjects were measured mitral annulus anteroposterior diameter (AP diameter), anterolateral posteromedial diameter (ALPM diameter), anteroposterior diameter/anterolateral posteromedial diameter (AP/ALPM), commissural width (CW), annular area (AA), annular circumference (AC), annular height (AH), coaptation depth (CD), tenting volume (TV), non-planar angle (NPA) and posterior leaflet angle at isovolumic relaxation time, early diastole, mid diastole, late diastole, isovolumic contraction time, early systole, mid systole, and late systole. The total change rate and systolic change rate of the above parameters were calculated, the differences in structure and dynamic changes of the mitral valve device among three groups were compared, and the correlations between the change rate of mitral annular parameters and left ventricular long axis strain (GLS) were analyzed.Results:①The GLS of three groups were as follows: control group>AFMR group>VFMR group, and the differences between the groups were statistically significant (all P<0.05). ②Static structure: The AP diameter, ALPM diameter, AA, AC, and total leaflet area (TLA) of the AFMR group and VFMR group were significantly larger than those of the control group (all P<0.05), but there was no statistically significant difference between the AFMR group and VFMR group (all P>0.05). Compared with the other two groups, the TV, CD, and posterior leaflet angle of the VFMR group were significantly increased, exhibiting the mitral valve tethering; the control group had the largest AH/CW and the deepest saddle shape; the AFMR group had the smallest TLA/AA and the least mitral valve remodeling; there was no statistically significant difference in the junction area among the three groups (all P>0.05). ③Dynamic changes: AP diameter, ALPM diameter, AA and AC in the control group showed regular changes throughout the cardiac cycle, gradually decreased from isovolumic relaxation time to late diastole, and gradually increased from isovolumic contraction time to late systole; The changes in the above parameters in the AFMR and VFMR groups appeared more disordered. In addition, compared with the control group, the total change rate and systolic change rate of AP diameter in the AFMR group were significantly reduced, but the total change rate of ALPM diameter was significantly increased (all P<0.05). ④The total change rate of AA, ALPM diameter and AP diameter were moderately correlated with GLS ( r=0.353, P=0.006; r=-0.304, P=0.018; r=0.300, P=0.020), while the systolic change rate of posterior leaflet angle was weakly correlated with GLS ( r=0.267, P=0.039). Conclusions:There are differences in the morphology and dynamics parameters of mitral valve device in patients with AFMR and VFMR.Different clinical strategies can be used for the two kinds of functional mitral regurgitation.

Objective:To evaluate the cardiac morphological and functional parameters of patients with persistent atrial fibrillation (per-AF) and paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) using two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2D-STE) and real-time three-dimensional echocardiography (RT-3DE), and to explore their predictive value for the occurrence and progression of atrial fibrillation.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted on 30 per-AF patients (per-AF group), 30 PAF patients (PAF group) and 25 non-AF subjects (control group) who underwent echocardiography at Wuhan University People′s Hospital from May 2022 to May 2023. The left/right atrial longitudinal strain of reservoir, conduct and contraction (LASr/RASr, LAScd/RAScd, LASct/RASct), and calculated left atrial stiffness (LASI) were assessed by 2D-STE. Three-dimensional left and right atrial maximum volume index (LAVImax/RAVImax), minimum volume index (LAVImin/RAVImin) and emptying fraction (LAEF/RAEF) were obtained by RT-3DE. Then, patients with atrial fibrillation were divided into the normal LAVI group and enlarged LAVI group, and the differences of atrial strain among each group were compared. ROC curve was used to evaluate the overall diagnostic efficiency and cutoff values of ultrasonic parameters in patients with normal volume of atrial fibrillation. Finally, a multivariate Logistic regression model was established to identify the ultrasonic parameters associated with the occurrence and progression of different types of atrial fibrillation.Results:①Structurally, LAD, RAD and RAVImin in control, PAF and per-AF groups increased gradually, while LAEF and RAEF decreased gradually (all P<0.05). ②In terms of strain, LASr in control, PAF and per-AF groups decreased gradually (all P<0.05); Compared with the control group, LAScd, RASr and RAScd in PAF and per-AF groups were significantly decreased, and LASct and RASct in PAF group were significantly decreased (all P<0.05). ③Compared with the normal LAVI group, the LASr, LAScd and LASct in the enlarged LAVI group were significantly decreased, while LASI was significantly increased (all P<0.05); Compared with control group, the left and right atrial strain parameters in LAVI normal group were decreased, and LASI was increased (all P<0.05). The atrial strain parameter ROC was constructed in all subjects with normal left atrial volume, and RASr was the most sensitive indicator.④Multi-factor Logistic regression analysis showed that LAVImin and RASr were the influence factors of PAF ( OR=1.521, 0.907; 95% CI=1.173-1.972, 0.825-0.998; P=0.002, 0.044), LASr was the influence factor of pre-AF ( OR=0.858, 95% CI=0.802-0.917, P<0.001). Conclusions:2D-STE and RT-3DE can be used to evaluate the structural and functional changes of both atria, especially LAVImin, LASr and RASr, which have certain predictive value for the occurrence and progression of atrial fibrillation.

Objective:To discuss the feasibility of prenatal MRI in evaluating fetal auricle developmental malformation and atresia of external auditory canal.Methods:Fifteen pregnant women (aged from 22 to 40 years old, mean age 31.3±5.2 years old) with fetal external ear developmental malformation suspected by ultrasound underwent MR scanning between November 2017 and May 2019. All of them were singleton. The gestational age ranged from 23 weeks to 35 weeks, with an average of (27.5±3.5) weeks. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of MRI and ultrasound in the diagnosis of fetal auricle malformation and atresia of external auditory canal were calculated and compared, using postnatal follow-up as the gold standard. Fisher exact test was used to compare the efficacy of MRI and ultrasound in diagnosing atresia of external auditory canal.Results:A total of 30 fetal external ears were detected in 15 fetuses, without auricle absence. Totally 19 external ears with developmental malformation were confirmed by postnatal follow-up, including 19 ears with auricle malformation and 15 ears with external auditory canal atresia. The accuracy of MRI and ultrasound in the diagnosis of auricle malformation was both 100% (19/19). For the diagnosis of external auditory canal atresia, the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of MRI and ultrasound were 93.3% (14/15), 75.0% (3/4), 89.5% (17/19) and 33.3% (5/15), 25.0% (1/4), 31.6% (6/19), respectively. The sensitivity and accuracy of MRI in the diagnosis of atresia of external auditory canal were significantly higher than those of ultrasound, with statistically significant difference ( P=0.004, 0.001). Conclusion:MRI plays an important role in the diagnosis of fetal external ear developmental malformation, which can be used as an effective supplement to ultrasound, especially for the diagnosis of external auditory atresia.