OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical features, laboratory and imaging results, treatment and outcomes of eosinophilic fasciitis (EF) and assess the value of ultrasound in the diagnosis of EF. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 45 patients with EF treated in our center from January 1, 2006 to February 28, 2022. The consistency between the diagnoses of EF based on ultrasound and MRI findings was assessed. RESULTS: In the 45 EF patients (male/female ratio 3.5:1), the age of onset ranged from 16 to 64 years with a mean disease course of 22.6 months. The average time from symptom onset to diagnosis was 16 months. The most common possible trigger of the disease was vigorous exercise (10/45), causing symmetrical lesions in the limbs, most commonly in the forearms (86.7%) and lower legs (80%). Clinical features of EF included subcutaneous swelling and induration (95.6%), arthralgia and arthritis (55.6%), groove sign (42.2%), hand joint contractures (42.2%), skin pigmentation (37.8%), and peau d'orange appearance (13.3%). Eosinophilia was found in 31 patients (68.9%). Hypergammaglobulinemia was seen in 23/44 (52.3%) and positive antinuclear antibodies in 9 (20%) of the patients. Twentyone of the patients were treated with high-dose methylprednisolone (≥200 mg daily for 3 to 5 consecutive days), and compared with the patients who did not receive this treatment, these patients more frequently experienced relapse before admission, had more extensive involvement, and had a higher rate of hypergammaglobulinemia without fever, but these differences were not statistically significant. Of the 31 patients (68.9%) with follow-up data (for a median of 3.2 years [range 0.2-15.9]), complete remission was achieved in 12 (38.7%) patients, and the accumulative complete remission rate was 44.1% at 5.5 years. No specific baseline characteristics or immunosuppressants were found to correlate with the treatment response. A total of 26 patients underwent both ultrasound and MRI examination, and the Kappa value of the diagnostic results between ultrasound and MRI was 0.91. CONCLUSION EF is characterized by symmetrical subcutaneous swelling and induration in the limbs, accompanied by eosinophilia and hypergammaglobulinemia. Glucocorticoid is effective for treating EF. Ultrasound examination can identify thickening of subcutaneous fascia for an early diagnosis of EF.
Humans ; Female ; Male ; Infant ; Child, Preschool ; Retrospective Studies ; Hypergammaglobulinemia ; Eosinophilia ; Ultrasonography ; Hand ; Contracture ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVE: To explore the genetic etiology of 5 cases of monochorionic-diamniotic (MCDA) with genetic discordance. METHODS: 148 cases of MCDA twins who were diagnosed by amniocentesis at the Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region from January 2016 to June 2020 were selected as the study subjects. Relevant clinical data of the pregnant women were collected, and amniotic fluid samples of the twins were collected separately. Chromosomal karyotyping analysis and single nucleotide polymorphism array (SNP array) assay were carried out. RESULTS: The results of chromosomal karyotyping analysis showed that 5 of the MCDA twins had inconsistent chromosome karyotypes, with an incidence of 3.4% (5/148). SNP array assay showed that 3 fetuses were mosaics. CONCLUSION Genetic discordance occurs among MCDA twins, and prenatal counseling for such cases should be given by doctors with experience in medical genetics and fetal medicine, and personalized clinical management should be recommended.
Child ; Pregnancy ; Female ; Humans ; China ; Twins/genetics* ; Amniocentesis ; Karyotyping ; Fetus ; Twins, Monozygotic/genetics* ; Ultrasonography, Prenatal ; Retrospective Studies

In December 2022, the American Academy of Pediatrics released a clinical guideline for point-of-care ultrasonography (POCUS) in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). The guideline outlined the development and current status of POCUS in the NICU, and summarized the key elements and implementation guidelines for successful implementation of POCUS in the NICU. This article provides an overview of the key points of the clinical guideline and analyzes the current status of POCUS in China, providing a reference for the implementation of POCUS in neonatal care in China.
Infant, Newborn ; Humans ; United States ; Child ; Intensive Care Units, Neonatal ; Point-of-Care Systems ; Ultrasonography ; China

INTRODUCTION: Doppler scrotal ultrasonography (US) is the modality of choice in diagnosing testicular torsion. We aimed to evaluate the performance of scrotal US in diagnosing testicular torsion over the past 18 years in our institution and determine the factors contributing to the length of wait times for it. METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted of boys who presented with acute scrotal pain from 2014 to 2015. US reports, operative findings, final diagnosis and key time points of the patients' journey (time to emergency department consultation, time to admission, time to US and time to operating theatre [OT]) were collected. US performance results were compared with those observed in a historical cohort from 1998 to 2004. Wait times were compared between operated and non-operated patients. RESULTS: Data from 519 boys with a mean age of 9.15 years was collected. Of these, 438 (84.4%) boys had undergone initial scrotal US; of these scrotal US cases, 28 were surgically explored, with 23 confirmed to have torsion. Another five cases were explored without prior US, and all were confirmed to have torsion. Performance analysis of US showed a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 98.8%. There was no significant difference between wait times of operated and non-operated patients. Time to US (P < 0.0001, r = 0.96) and time to OT (P < 0.0001, r = 0.64) correlated significantly with the total time from presentation to surgery. CONCLUSION There has been an improvement in the diagnostic performance of scrotal US for testicular torsion over the past 18 years. Quality improvement programmes targeted at reducing wait times for patients presenting with acute scrotum should target time to US and time to OT.
Male ; Child ; Humans ; Female ; Scrotum/surgery* ; Spermatic Cord Torsion/surgery* ; Acute Pain/diagnostic imaging* ; Ultrasonography ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the short-term effectiveness of ultrasound-guided closed reduction by Kirschner wire provocation technique in the treatment of Salter-Harris types Ⅰ and Ⅱ periosteal entrapment of distal tibial epiphyseal fractures in children and adolescents. METHODS: Between May 2019 and May 2022, 41 patients with Salter Harris types Ⅰ and Ⅱ distal tibial epiphyseal fractures were admitted, all of whom had periosteal entrapment on preoperative MRI, and 38 cases (92.7%) were confirmed to have periosteal entrapment by intraoperative ultrasound. There were 24 males and 14 females, the age ranged from 6.8 to 15.7 years, with an average of 10.7 years; and there were 20 cases of Salter Harris type Ⅰ and 18 cases of type Ⅱ. The time from injury to operation was 22-76 hours, with an average of 28.4 hours. The preoperative imaging examination showed excellent alignment in 4 cases, good in 20 cases, and poor in 14 cases. The ultrasound guided Kirschner wire provocation technique for closed reduction and percutaneous Kirschner wire internal fixation were performed. The operation time, intraoperative fluoroscopy frequency, fracture healing time, and complications were recorded. Anteroposterior and lateral X-ray films of the affected ankle joint were taken before operation, at 3 months after operation, and at last follow-up to observe the healing of the fracture, and anteroposterior X-ray films of the whole length of both lower limbs were taken to evaluate the alignment of the force lines of the affected limbs. The range of motion (ROM), visual analogue scale (VAS) score, and American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot score were used to evaluate ankle function. The mechanical lateral distal tibia angle (mLDTA) and the anatomic anterior distal tibia angle (aADTA) were measured. RESULTS: The operation time ranged from 17 to 52 minutes, with an average of 22.6 minutes, and the intraoperative fluoroscopy frequency ranged from 3 to 11 times, with an average of 4.2 times. X-ray examination during operation and at 2 days after operation showed that anatomical reduction was achieved. All patients were followed up 10-24 months, with an average of 16.4 months. All fractures healed in 6.1-7.2 weeks, with an average of 6.3 weeks; no fracture displacement occurred, and the patients recovered to their pre-injury level of motion at 6 months after operation. Needle tail irritation occurred in 2 cases at 4 weeks after operation, and they recovered after symptomatic treatment. During the follow-up, there was no serious complication such as incision deep infection, bone nonunion, delayed union, and malunion. At last follow-up, the patients' alignment were all excellent, and the difference was significant when compared with preoperative one ( Z=-7.471, P<0.001). The VAS score, AOFAS ankle-hindfoot score, dorsiflexion-plantar flexion ROM, varus-valgus ROM, mLDTA, and aADTA significantly improved at 3 months after operation and last follow-up when compared with preoperative ones ( P<0.05). CONCLUSION Ultrasound-guided closed reduction by Kirschner wire provocation technique for treating Salter-Harris types Ⅰ and Ⅱ periosteal entrapment of distal tibial epiphyseal fractures in children and adolescents is minimally invasive and safe.
Male ; Female ; Child ; Humans ; Adolescent ; Tibia ; Bone Wires ; Treatment Outcome ; Fractures, Bone/surgery* ; Fracture Fixation, Internal/methods* ; Ultrasonography, Interventional ; Retrospective Studies ; Tibial Fractures/surgery*

OBJECTIVE: To explore characteristics of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) images features and diagnostic value of rotator cuff tear subtypes. METHODS: From January 2019 to March 2022, percutaneous ultrasound-guided subacromial bursography (PUSB) with persutaneous ultrasound-guide tendon lesionography (PUTL) was performed on 114 patients with suspected rotator cuff injury were evaluated, including 54 males and 60 females ranged in age from 35 to 75 years old with an average of (58.8±8.7 ) years old;76 patients on the right side and 38 patients on the left side;the course of disease ranged from 0.13 to 111 months with an average of (10.2±9.8) months. GE LOGIQ E9 color doppler ultrasound diagnostic high frequency(6 to 12 MHz) was used to CEUS Using arthroscopy as gold standard, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate diagnostic efficacy of US, MRI and CEUS for rotator cuff injury, also sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy were calculated. RESULTS: The sensitivity of US in diagnosing full-thickness tears was 72.1%, specificity was 93.0%, and accuracy was 85.1%. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of MRI diagnosis of full-thickness tear were 90.9%, 92.6% and 92.1% respectively. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of CEUS in diagnosis of full-thickness tear were 100%. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of US in the diagnosis of partial tear were 85.7%, 77.2% and 79.8% respectively. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of MRI diagnosis of partial tear were 83.7%, 81.7% and 82.5% respectively. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of CEUS in diagnosis of partial tear were 95.7%, 92.6% and 93.9% respectively. There were significant differences in diagnosis results of US, MRI and CEUS for rotator cuff bursa tear (P<0.001). Kapp test showed good consistency between CEUS and arthroscopy in diagnosing rotator cuff tear subtypes (full-thickness and partial tears). CONCLUSION Using PUSB/PUTL to observe distribution of contrast media in bursa, tendon and joint cavity to evaluate the type of rotator cuff tear, its diagnostic performance is significantly better than US and MRI. Therefore, percutaneous contrast-enhanced ultrasound can be a reliable method for diagnosing subtypes of rotator cuff tears.
Male ; Female ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant ; Child, Preschool ; Child ; Rotator Cuff Injuries/diagnostic imaging* ; Rotator Cuff/diagnostic imaging* ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Ultrasonography ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging/methods* ; Rupture ; Arthroscopy

OBJECTIVE: Based on the anatomical differences between discoid lateral meniscus(DLM) and normal lateral meniscus (NLM), this study aims to setting up the ultrasound examination parameters to distinguish DLM and NLM and explore the diagnostic value of these parameters on DLM. METHODS: According to the inclusion, exclusion and matching criteria, 66 DLM patients(DLM group) and 132 NLM patients with other knee joint diseases(NLM group), hospitalized from October 2019 to June 2020, were included in this study. There were 18 males and 48 females in the DLM group, ranging in age from 3 to 60 years old, with a mean of (36.9±12.1) years old;36 males and 96 females in the NLM group, ranging in age from 3 to 60 years old, with a mean of (40.0±12.2) years old. Philips high frequency(3.0 to 12.0 MHz) linear array ultrasound probe was used to examine the lateral meniscus of all patients in two groups. Nine parameters including the thickness, width and the included angle of the anterior angle, body and posterior angle respectively in the lateral meniscus were measured. The included angke is formed by the chords of the upper and lower curved surfaces of the meniscus at the free edge. The independent t test was used to analyze the difference of the measured parameters between the DLM group and the NLM group. The receiver operating characteristic(ROC) curve was used to evaluate the cut-off value of each parameter for diagnosing DLM and the corresponding sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and area under the ROC curve(AUC). RESULTS: The above 9 ultrasound measurement parameters between the DLM group and the NLM group had significant statistical differences(P<0.001). The ROC curve analysis method evaluated the cut-off value and diagnostic capabilities of these nine ultrasound parameters for DLM. The results showed that the cut-off value of the included angle of anterior part, body and posterior part were 25.85°, 24.85° and 29.15 °, respectively;and the sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value, positive predictive value and AUC were significantly higher than other parameters, which were 88%, 91%, 79%, 95%, 0.94;89%, 94%, 82%, 97%, 0.96; 92%, 97%, 86%, 98%, 0.97, respectively. CONCLUSION Ultrasound diagnosis of DLM is feasible and reliable. The diagnostic ability of the included angle of the anterior part, body and posterior part in the lateral meniscus measured by ultrasound to diagnose DLM are significantly better than other ultrasound measurement parameters, and the sensitivity and specificity of those parameters are close to MRI. Therefore, ultrasound can be used as a reliable method for preliminary diagnosis of DLM.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Knee Joint/diagnostic imaging* ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging/methods* ; Male ; Menisci, Tibial/diagnostic imaging* ; Middle Aged ; Osteoarthritis, Knee ; Ultrasonography ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVES: To study the clinical efficacy of ultrasound-guided endoscopic retrograde appendicitis therapy in children with appendix-related chronic abdominal pain. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed on the medical data of 30 children with the chief complaint of chronic abdominal pain who were admitted from August 2019 to May 2021. All the children were found to have inflammation of the appendix or intracavitary stool and fecalith by ultrasound and underwent ultrasound-guided endoscopic retrograde appendicitis therapy. The medical data for analysis included clinical manifestations, endoscopic findings, white blood cell count, neutrophil percentage, length of hospital stay, and cure rate. RESULTS: Among the 30 children with chronic abdominal pain, there were 13 boys (43%) and 17 girls (57%), with a mean age of (9±3) years (range 3-15 years) at diagnosis. The median duration of the disease was 12 months, and the median length of hospital stay was 3 days. The children had a median white blood cell count of 6.7×10⁹/L and a neutrophil percentage of 50%±13%. Fecalith and a large amount of feces were flushed out of the appendix cavity for 21 children (70%) during surgery. The follow-up rate was 97% (29/30), and the median follow-up time was 11 months (range 5-26 months). Of the 29 children, abdominal pain completely disappeared in 27 children (93%). CONCLUSIONS Ultrasound-guided endoscopic retrograde appendicitis therapy is effective in children with chronic abdominal pain caused by feces or fecalith in the appendix cavity.
Abdominal Pain/etiology* ; Adolescent ; Appendicitis/surgery* ; Appendix/surgery* ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Fecal Impaction ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Ultrasonography, Interventional

OBJECTIVES: To study the clinical characteristics of ultrasound-guided central venous catheterization at various sites in infants with shock, and to explore how to quickly select the site for central venous puncture in infants with shock. METHODS: The medical data of 112 infants who were diagnosed with shock and underwent central venous catheterization in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Dongguan Children's Hospital Affiliated to Guangdong Medical University, from January 2016 to December 2020 were reviewed retrospectively. The patients were divided into an ultrasound group (n=70) and a body surface location group (n=42) according to whether the catheterization was carried out under ultrasound guidance. The application of ultrasound-guided catheterization at various sites in infants was summarized and analyzed, and the success rate of one-time puncture, overall success rate, catheterization time, and complications were compared between these sites. RESULTS: Compared with the body surface location group, the ultrasound group had a significantly higher success rate of one-time puncture, a significantly shorter catheterization time, and a significantly reduced incidence rate of complications in internal jugular vein and femoral vein catheterizations (P<0.05). In the ultrasound group, the proportion of internal jugular vein catheterization was the highest (51%, 36/70), followed by femoral vein catheterization (33%, 23/70), and subclavian vein catheterization (16%, 11/70). For the comparison between different puncture sites under ultrasound guidance, internal jugular vein catheterization showed the shortest time of a successful catheterization [5.5 (5.0, 6.5) minutes] (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the incidence rate of complications among the different puncture sites groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS In infants with shock, ultrasound-guided internal jugular vein catheterization can be used as the preferred catheterization method for clinicians.
Catheterization, Central Venous/adverse effects* ; Child ; Humans ; Infant ; Jugular Veins/diagnostic imaging* ; Retrospective Studies ; Ultrasonography ; Ultrasonography, Interventional

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to investigate the ultrasonographic features of paediatric acute appendicitis and incorporate them into a scoring algorithm that will quantify the risk of complications and the strength of recommendation for surgical intervention. METHODS: 179 patients with suspected appendicitis who had undergone ultrasonographic examination were included in this study. Based on their medical evaluation and post-surgical histopathological results, patients were categorised into confirmed appendicitis (n = 101) and non-appendicitis (n = 78) groups. RESULTS: In the appendicitis group, the appendix was visualised in 66 (65.3%) patients. In cases where the appendix was not visualised, we looked out for secondary inflammatory signs, which were present in 32 (31.7%) patients. Using stepwise logistic regression, Blumberg's sign, free fluid or collection, hyperaemia, non-compressible appendix and an appendix diameter > 7 mm were found to be significant predictive factors for appendicitis. A new scoring system called POPs was developed, combining inflammatory predictors and ultrasonography findings, with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.958 (95% confidence interval 0.929-0.986). CONCLUSION The newly developed POPs-based diagnosis scheme proved a promising alternative to existing scoring systems such as the Alvarado score. Although further calibration would be beneficial, the proposed scoring scheme is simple and easy to understand, memorise and apply in the emergency room.
Acute Disease ; Appendectomy ; Appendicitis/surgery* ; Appendix/surgery* ; Child ; Humans ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Ultrasonography/methods*