Cystic renal mass(CRM)is common in clinic,covering a variety of diseases,and the differentiation of benign and malignant CRM is crucial for treatment decisions.Imaging technologies had their own advantages for diagnosis of CRM,while new grading systems and diagnostic methods kept emerged.The definition of CRM,the application and diagnostic progresses of imaging,especially ultrasound for CRM,and the characteristics and shortcomings of existing diagnostic methods were reviewed in this article,aiming to provide reference for accurate diagnosis and treatment of CRM.

Objective:To analyze the imaging features of testicular conventional ultrasonography（US），shear wave elastography（SWE），and contrast-enhanced ultrasonography（CEUS）in subtypes of spermatogenic dysfunction（focal，arrest，and exhausted），and to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of testicular multimodal ultrasound.Methods:A prospective study enrolled 310 spermatogenic dysfunction patients（focal type group： n=77，arrest type group： n=20，exhaustive type group： n=213）and 30 healthy volunteers（control group）at Shanghai General Hospital between October 2023 and December 2024. All patients underwent preoperative testicular US，SWE，and CEUS examinations，followed by microdissection testicular sperm extraction. Ultrasound parameters were compared among groups，and receiver operating characteristic（ROC）curves were plotted to assess the diagnostic efficacy of multimodal ultrasound for different subtypes. Results:①Testicular volume：The arrest group exhibited significantly greater volume compared to the focal group and the exhausted group（all P<0.05）. No statistically significant difference was observed between the arrest group and the normal group（ P>0.05）. ②Mean Young's modulus（Emean）：The arrest group exhibited significantly lower Emean compared with both the focal and exhausted groups（all P<0.05），but showed no significant difference versus the normal group（ P>0.05）. ③CEUS quantitative parameters：The arrival time（AT）and time to peak（TTP）in the exhausted group were higher than those in the normal group，while the peak intensity（PI）and area under the time-intensity curve（AUC）were lower（all P<0.05）. No significant differences were found in AT，TTP，or AUC among the three spermatogenic dysfunction subgroups（all P>0.05）. ④CEUS perfusion patterns：The focal group predominantly exhibited a mottled pattern（70.13%，54/77）. Both the arrest group（90.00%，18/20）and the normal group（93.33%，28/30）predominantly exhibited an rich pattern. The exhausted group predominantly exhibited a sparse pattern（56.34%，120/213）. ⑤ROC curve analysis showed that for differentiating the arrest group from the focal type group and the exhaustive type group，the combination of Emean，testicular volume，and CEUS perfusion pattern yielded an AUC of 0.931，with a sensitivity of 95.00% and specificity of 85.86%. For differentiating the focal type group from the exhaustive type group，the combination of testicular echogenicity，CEUS perfusion pattern，and Emean yielded an AUC of 0.833，with a sensitivity of 81.82% and specificity of 75.12%. Conclusions:Multimodal ultrasonography can comprehensively characterize the imaging features of different subtypes of spermatogenic dysfunction，holding promise as a noninvasive predictive tool.

Cystic renal mass(CRM)is common in clinic,covering a variety of diseases,and the differentiation of benign and malignant CRM is crucial for treatment decisions.Imaging technologies had their own advantages for diagnosis of CRM,while new grading systems and diagnostic methods kept emerged.The definition of CRM,the application and diagnostic progresses of imaging,especially ultrasound for CRM,and the characteristics and shortcomings of existing diagnostic methods were reviewed in this article,aiming to provide reference for accurate diagnosis and treatment of CRM.

Objective:To analyze the imaging features of testicular conventional ultrasonography（US），shear wave elastography（SWE），and contrast-enhanced ultrasonography（CEUS）in subtypes of spermatogenic dysfunction（focal，arrest，and exhausted），and to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of testicular multimodal ultrasound.Methods:A prospective study enrolled 310 spermatogenic dysfunction patients（focal type group： n=77，arrest type group： n=20，exhaustive type group： n=213）and 30 healthy volunteers（control group）at Shanghai General Hospital between October 2023 and December 2024. All patients underwent preoperative testicular US，SWE，and CEUS examinations，followed by microdissection testicular sperm extraction. Ultrasound parameters were compared among groups，and receiver operating characteristic（ROC）curves were plotted to assess the diagnostic efficacy of multimodal ultrasound for different subtypes. Results:①Testicular volume：The arrest group exhibited significantly greater volume compared to the focal group and the exhausted group（all P<0.05）. No statistically significant difference was observed between the arrest group and the normal group（ P>0.05）. ②Mean Young's modulus（Emean）：The arrest group exhibited significantly lower Emean compared with both the focal and exhausted groups（all P<0.05），but showed no significant difference versus the normal group（ P>0.05）. ③CEUS quantitative parameters：The arrival time（AT）and time to peak（TTP）in the exhausted group were higher than those in the normal group，while the peak intensity（PI）and area under the time-intensity curve（AUC）were lower（all P<0.05）. No significant differences were found in AT，TTP，or AUC among the three spermatogenic dysfunction subgroups（all P>0.05）. ④CEUS perfusion patterns：The focal group predominantly exhibited a mottled pattern（70.13%，54/77）. Both the arrest group（90.00%，18/20）and the normal group（93.33%，28/30）predominantly exhibited an rich pattern. The exhausted group predominantly exhibited a sparse pattern（56.34%，120/213）. ⑤ROC curve analysis showed that for differentiating the arrest group from the focal type group and the exhaustive type group，the combination of Emean，testicular volume，and CEUS perfusion pattern yielded an AUC of 0.931，with a sensitivity of 95.00% and specificity of 85.86%. For differentiating the focal type group from the exhaustive type group，the combination of testicular echogenicity，CEUS perfusion pattern，and Emean yielded an AUC of 0.833，with a sensitivity of 81.82% and specificity of 75.12%. Conclusions:Multimodal ultrasonography can comprehensively characterize the imaging features of different subtypes of spermatogenic dysfunction，holding promise as a noninvasive predictive tool.

Objective:To investigate gender differences in arterial velocity pulse index(AVI), which is an indicator of vascular stiffness, across various age groups.Additionally, the study will also examine the risk factors associated with AVI.Methods:This cross-sectional study enrolled 4311 patients with an average age of 57.8±12.8 years at Jiading Branch of Shanghai First People's Hospital between August 2020 and September 2021.Patients were divided into three groups based on age: young(<45 years old, n=755), middle-aged(45-59 years old, n=1260), and elderly(≥60 years old, n=2 296). The AVI of the subject was obtained using the cuff oscillation wave method.The subject's AVI was acquired using the cuff oscillation wave.High AVI, indicating arteriosclerosis, was defined as AVI≥33.The subjects were then divided into two groups: the high AVI group(122 cases)and the normal AVI group(4 189 cases).Results:The ankle-brachial index(AVI)was found to be 12.8±3.7, 17.5±5.7, and 19.8±6.5 in the young, middle-aged, and elderly groups, respectively.The study revealed that AVI increased with age( Ftrend=767.819, P<0.01). Additionally, the incidence of high AVI in middle-aged women was found to be(2.8% or 20/722), which was higher than that in men 0.9%(5/538)in the same age group.This difference was statistically significant( χ2=5.371, P<0.05). The results of the multivariate logistic regression analysis indicate that being overweight, having a higher height, and a pulse rate greater than 80 BPM are protective factors in preventing a high incidence of AVI.The odds ratios( OR)with 95% confidence intervals( CI)for these factors were 0.468(0.317-0.690), 0.926(0.895-0.958), and 0.143(1.026-2.432), respectively, all with a P-value less than 0.01.On the other hand, old age, systolic blood pressure of 140 mmHg or higher, and diastolic blood pressure of 90 mmHg or higher were identified as risk factors for AVI.The ORs with 95% CIs for these factors were 2.119(1.322-3.396), 6.652(4.136-10.699), and 1.580(1.026-2.432), respectively, all with a P- value less than 0.05l. Conclusions:Arterial stiffness, as measured by the ankle-brachial index(ABI), tends to increase with age.In middle-aged subjects, women have a higher incidence of high ABI than men.Independent risk factors for high ABI include age and increased blood pressure, while factors such as overweight and height may affect the measured value of ABI.

Objective:To investigate the malignant potential of histopathological class B3 and B5a lesions by ultrasound-guided core needle biopsy (CNB).Methods:Retrospective analysis of the histopathological results of 712 breast lesions that successively underwent CNB process and surgical resection in the Shanghai General Hospital from January 2018 to December 2022, of which 47 lesions were reported as class B3 and 70 lesions as class B5a.Results:CNB identified 47 category B3 lesions, comprising 19 cases of atypical ductal hyperplasia, 17 papillary lesions, 8 phyllodes tumors, and 3 complex sclerosing lesions. Of these cases, surgical pathology was in full agreement with CNB pathology in 27 instances, indicating a concordance rate of 57.4% (27/47) and an inconsistency rate of 42.6% (20/47). Out of the 20 inconsistent cases, 70.0% (14/20) were upgraded based on the findings from the surgical pathology.Specifically, 4 cases of atypical ductal hyperplasia and 2 cases of intraductal papilloma were upgraded to invasive breast cancer (B5b) after surgery. Among the 4 cases with puncture pathology indicating atypical ductal hyperplasia and one complex sclerosing lesion, these five lesions were upgraded to ductal carcinoma in situ (B5a) after surgery. Two puncture pathologies were diagnosed as atypical ductal hyperplasia, and these were upgraded to ductal carcinoma in situ with microinvasion (B5b) after surgery. One puncture pathology indicated a borderline phyllodes tumor, and this was upgraded to malignant phyllodes tumor (B5b) after surgery. And 30.0% (6/20) resulted in downgrade after surgery, specifically 4 cases of atypical ductal hyperplasia, which were downgraded to breast adenopathy (B2). Of these, 1 puncture pathology was identified as atypical ductal hyperplasia and one as a borderline phyllodes tumor, which were both downgraded to fibroadenoma (B2). Seventy lesions were diagnosed as B5a lesions by CNB pathology, with 28 of them showing complete concurrence with the surgical pathology, a concordance rate of 40.0% (28/70), and an inconsistency rate of 60.0% (42/70). Of the 42 cases with discrepancies, all 42 were upgraded, yielding an upgrading rate of 100% (42/42). Of these, 21 were upgraded to ductal carcinoma in situ with microinvasion (B5b) and 21 to invasive breast cancer (B5b).Conclusions:Lesions with CNB pathology in categories B3 and B5a have a high rate of postoperative escalation. B3 and B5a lesions should be treated with considerable care, especially atypical ductal hyperplasia, which should be surgically resected, and CNB examination should be performed twice if necessary.

Objective:To evaluate the accuracy of imaging findings on scrotal and transrectal ultrasonography in diagnosing the disease of obstructive azoospermia.Methods:Retrospective analysis of the data of 58 patients with azoospermia and infertility were performed who visited the Department of Andrology in the Shanghai General Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine from June 2015 to May 2020. Obstructive azoospermia was revealed by ultrasonography and confirmed by surgery. The qualitative and positional parameters on the sonogram were compared with the surgical results.Results:Among 58 patients with obstructive azoospermia diagnosed by ultrasonography, 3 patients with intratesticular obstruction performed microsurgical sperm extraction. In 21 patients with epididymal obstruction, 18 cases were treated by vasoepididymostomy. Six patients with vas deferens obstruction were treated by vasovasostomy. Two cases with low-level ejaculatory duct obstruction were treated by transurethral resection of the ejaculatrory duct, and 1 case with high-level ejaculatory duct obstruction was treated by microsurgical sperm extraction. A total of 25 patients with congenital absence of bilateral vas deferens performed scrotal exploration and sperm collection for assisted reproduction. Sperm was detected in epididymal fluid or testicular tissue in 57 cases. The accuracy of the diagnosis of obstructive azoospermia by ultrasound scan was 98.3% (57/58) with reference to the existence of sperm identified in the surgery. The intraoperative findings of 54 cases were consistent with the preoprerative ultrasound localization, and the coincidence rate of emplacement diagnosis was 93.1% (54/58).Conclusion:Scrotal and transrectal ultrasound can accurately diagnose obstructive azoospermia qualitatively and regionally, which is of great clinical significance for the correct diagnosis and treatment of the disease.

Objective:To evaluate the accuracy of imaging findings on scrotal and transrectal ultrasonography in diagnosing the disease of obstructive azoospermia.Methods:Retrospective analysis of the data of 58 patients with azoospermia and infertility were performed who visited the Department of Andrology in the Shanghai General Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine from June 2015 to May 2020. Obstructive azoospermia was revealed by ultrasonography and confirmed by surgery. The qualitative and positional parameters on the sonogram were compared with the surgical results.Results:Among 58 patients with obstructive azoospermia diagnosed by ultrasonography, 3 patients with intratesticular obstruction performed microsurgical sperm extraction. In 21 patients with epididymal obstruction, 18 cases were treated by vasoepididymostomy. Six patients with vas deferens obstruction were treated by vasovasostomy. Two cases with low-level ejaculatory duct obstruction were treated by transurethral resection of the ejaculatrory duct, and 1 case with high-level ejaculatory duct obstruction was treated by microsurgical sperm extraction. A total of 25 patients with congenital absence of bilateral vas deferens performed scrotal exploration and sperm collection for assisted reproduction. Sperm was detected in epididymal fluid or testicular tissue in 57 cases. The accuracy of the diagnosis of obstructive azoospermia by ultrasound scan was 98.3% (57/58) with reference to the existence of sperm identified in the surgery. The intraoperative findings of 54 cases were consistent with the preoprerative ultrasound localization, and the coincidence rate of emplacement diagnosis was 93.1% (54/58).Conclusion:Scrotal and transrectal ultrasound can accurately diagnose obstructive azoospermia qualitatively and regionally, which is of great clinical significance for the correct diagnosis and treatment of the disease.

Objective:To investigate the ultrasonographic features and evolution of thyroid shrinking nodules in order to improve the differential diagnosis and management strategy and avoid unnecessary biopsy.Methods:A total of 245 patients with old bleeding of benign thyroid nodules diagnosed via fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) from May 2015 to July 2020 in the southern part of the Shanghai General Hospital Affiliated to the Medical College of Shanghai Jiaotong University, including 263 nodules. The sonographic parameters such as size, shape, aspect ratio, echo, edge, boundary, periphery, halo, calcification, posterior echo enhancement and posterior acoustic attenuation of nodules were analyzed retrospectively, and the ultrasonic appearances of nodules were classified; 41 nodules from 40 patients, who did ultrasound examinations more than twice and had both complete ultrasonographic data, were compared and then classified in order to explore the evolution rules of the nodules.Results:Two hundred and sixty-three thyroid shrinking nodules in 245 cases were classified into 4 types: "cystic wall shrinkage sign" type(71.48%, 188/263), "carcinoma-like" type (22.05%, 58/263), "inflammation-like" type(3.04%, 8/263) and "undefined atypical solid nodules" type(3.42%, 9/263). Of the 41 consecutive follow-up nodules, 37 cases showed obvious cystic wall shrinkage sign, and 7 of them developed into "carcinoma-like" type and 6 cases into "inflammation-like" type.Conclusions:The ultrasonographic appearance of thyroid shrinking nodules is a dynamic process, which can be divided into 4 types: "cystic wall shrinkage sign" , "carcinoma-like" , "inflammation-like" and "undefined atypical solid nodules" types. The "cystic wall shrinkage sign" type is typical and common. The "cystic wall shrinkage sign" type can develope into the "carcinoma-like" type or the "inflammation-like" type.

Objective:To evaluate the qualitative diagnosis of contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in different sizes′ benign and malignant breast nodules (BNs) of BI-RADS 4.Methods:A total of 506 BNs in 467 patients from Shanghai General Hospital between October 2017 and May 2019 classified as BI-RADS 4 were divided into large size group (>20 mm, n=198) and small size group (≤20 mm, n=308) according to their largest diameter lines. The CEUS characteristics of benign and malignant BNs in two groups were analyzed by Chi-square test. The CEUS characteristics of BNs were assigned scores for diagnosis of benign and malignant BNs with different sizes, the diagnostic efficacy of these scores was evaluated by ROC curve. Results:There were statistic differences in the degree, size change of the enhanced lesions, enhancement time of lesions compared with surrounding tissues, radial enhancement or not, homogeneity of enhancement, with or without penetrating of perfusion between benign and malignant BNs in both groups (all P<0.001). In small size group, with the critical value of 2.5 points, area under curve(AUC) of ROC curve was 0.793, and the sensitivity, specificity, accuracy of CEUS was 82.67%, 60.22% and 69.48%, respectively. In large size group, with the critical value of 3.5 points, AUC of ROC curve was 0.901, and the sensitivity, specificity, accuracy of CEUS was 85.42%, 80.00% and 82.65%, respectively. Conclusions:CEUS has great significance in qualitative diagnosis of benign and malignant in BI-RADS 4 BNs with different sizes. The biopsy could be avoided in BNs greater than 20 mm, while biopsy is still needed in BNs less than or equal to 20 mm.