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 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 investigate the current basic situation of the staff of ultrasound departments in Shanghai′s medical institutions, for providing references in making management policy of these professionals. Methods: Questionnaire surveys on human resource and service ability were made to all the ultrasound departments of medical institutions in Shanghai in December 2013 and November 2018 respectively. Data of the two surveys were compared and analyzed, and were descriptively analyzed by mean and percentage. Results: The number of ultrasound professionals per 10 000 people in Shanghai was 1.04 in 2018. Tertiary hospitals had advantages in the number of the professionals, and the proportion of professional qualification, age, education background and professional title of the professionals. Compared to those data in 2013, the number of ultrasound professionals had increased 31.8% in 2018. The proportion of medical practitioners with medical imaging specialty was 95.6%(2 063/2 158), and had increased by 4.7 percent. The medical services workload of ultrasound was 19.82 million person-time, and had increased 45.8%. Conclusions Development of ultrasound departments was rapid, but the development of professionals was unbalanced with the development of medical services. It is suggested to strengthen training of ultrasound professionals and improve the system of hierarchical medical system.

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.

Objective: To detect the viscoelasticity of carotid artery in healthy volunteers using ultrasonic shear wave dispersion (SWD) technique, and explore the feasibility and influencing factors for SWD parameters. Methods: Forty-five healthy volunteers were recruited and divided into elder group (≥50 years old) and younger group (<50 years old) according to the age. The carotid arteries were examined by SWD at systole, axial elastic modulus (SWE_R) and viscous index (SWD_R) were obtained. The pulse wave velocity (PWV), a carotid artery circumferential elastic parameter was obtained and considered as the reference indicator. The difference of SWE_R, SWD_R and PWV were compared between two groups; and the correlation between them were analyzed by Pearson analysis, respectively. Results: ①Compared with the younger group, the carotid PWV increased, while SWE_R and SWD_R decreased in the elder group(all P<0.05). ②In all subjects, SWE_R was negatively correlated with PWV (r=-0.256, P<0.05). In the elder group, SWE_R was negatively correlated with systolic blood pressure (r=-0.357, P<0.05), and SWD_R was negatively correlated with PWV (r=-0.393, P<0.05). In the younger group, SWD_R was positively correlated with systolic blood pressure (r=0.366, P<0.05). Conclusions Compared with the elder group, the carotid viscoelasticity was higher in young people, and it is correlated with PWV. SWD can evaluate carotid viscoelasticity, and contribute to better understanding of its tissue characteristics.

Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic efficiency in differential diagnosis for breast sentinel lymph nodes, and to analyze the imaging characteristics of involved breast sentinel lymph node in lymphatic contrast enhanced ultrasound. Methods: Sixty-one patients suspected with breast cancer from May 2017 to March 2019 in Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University were included in the study. Ultrasound contrast agent was injected subcutaneously, and axillary lymph nodes were displayed under contrast enhanced ultrasound mode. The longitudinal diameter (anteroposterior diameter), transverse diameter, longitudinal/transverse ratio and the distance from skin surface were measured. Five types were concluded according to the imaging characteristics in lymphatic contrast enhanced ultrasound: typeⅠ, uniform enhancement; type Ⅱ, ring-shape enhancement; type Ⅲ, ununiform enhancement; type Ⅳ, regional filling defect; type Ⅴ, total filling defect. Sentinel lymph nodes were guided by wire guides and verified in pathology after excision in the operation. Results: The detection rate of sentinel lymph nodes was 95.08% (58/61). Seventy-seven lymph nodes, including 21 involved nodes and 56 uninvolved nodes were detected by lymphatic contrast enhanced ultrasound in 58 patients. The longitudinal diameters and transverse diameters of involved lymph nodes were larger than those of uninvolved ones (P=0.001, 0.003). When type Ⅳ(regional filling defect) and type Ⅴ(total filling defect) were classified as involved, the sensitivity, specificity, positive-predictive value, negative-predictive value, accuracy and the area under ROC curve of predicting sentinel lymph node metastases were 85.71%, 96.43%, 90.00%, 94.70%, 93.51% and 0.911, respectively. Conclusions Lymphatic contrast enhanced ultrasound reaches a high diagnostic efficiency in qualitative analysis of breast sentinel lymph nodes. Regional filling defect and total filling defect are the imaging characteristics of involved sentinel lymph nodes in lymphatic contrast enhanced ultrasound.

Objective To detect the viscoelasticity of carotid artery in healthy volunteers using ultrasonic shear wave dispersion ( SWD ) technique ,and explore the feasibility and influencing factors for SWD parameters . Methods Forty‐five healthy volunteers were recruited and divided into elder group ( ≥50 years old) and younger group ( ＜50 years old) according to the age . T he carotid arteries were examined by SWD at systole ,axial elastic modulus ( SWER ) and viscous index ( SWDR ) were obtained . T he pulse wave velocity ( PWV ) ,a carotid artery circumferential elastic parameter was obtained and considered as the reference indicator . T he difference of SWE R ,SWDR and PWV were compared between two groups ; and the correlation between them were analyzed by Pearson analysis ,respectively . Results ① Compared with the younger group ,the carotid PWV increased ,w hile SWE R and SWDR decreased in the elder group ( all P ＜0 .05) . ②In all subjects ,SWER was negatively correlated with PWV ( r ＝ －0 .256 , P ＜ 0 .05 ) . In the elder group ,SWER was negatively correlated with systolic blood pressure ( r ＝ －0 .357 , P ＜ 0 .05 ) ,and SWDR was negatively correlated with PWV ( r ＝ －0 .393 , P ＜0 .05 ) . In the younger group ,SWDR was positively correlated with systolic blood pressure ( r ＝0 .366 , P ＜0 .05) . Conclusions Compared with the elder group ,the carotid viscoelasticity was higher in young people ,and it is correlated with PWV . SWD can evaluate carotid viscoelasticity ,and contribute to better understanding of its tissue characteristics .

Objective To explore the value of transvaginal three-dimensional power Doppler ultrasound in evaluation of endometrial receptivity in patients with intrauterine adhesions.Methods Totally 43 patients with intrauterine adhesions confirmed by hysteroscopy were enrolled in this study.According to the hysteroscopy,the patients were divided into mild adhesion group (n=17),moderate adhesion group (n=18) and severe adhesion group (n=8).All the patients were examined with transvaginal three-dimensional power Doppler ultrasonography on the day of ovulation.Endometrial thickness (ED),endometrial volume (EV),endometrial vascular index (VI),endometrial flow index (FI) and endometrial vascular flow index (VFI) were compared among three groups.Results There was significant difference in EV among three groups (P＜0.001).ED,VI and VFI were significantly different between the mild and severe adhesion groups,as well as between moderate and severe adhesion groups (all P＜0.05).Conclusion Transvaginal three-dimensional power Doppler ultrasound provides a safe and noninvasive approach to assess endometrial receptivity of patients with intrauterine adhesions.EV has good predictive value on endometrial receptivity.

Objective To observe the correlation between CEUS quantitative parameters of carotid plaques and leukocytes in patients with acute ischemic stroke.Methods Sixty-two patients with large artery atherosclerosis stroke (LAAS group) confirmed by CT or MRI were enrolled,while 54 patients in the same period of hospitalization,age and gender-matched,no history of cardiovascular events with atherosclerosis were taken as control group.The correlation between CEUS quantitative parameters of carotid plaques and leukocytes in two groups were compared.Multiple linear regression model was built and the risk factors of CEUS quantitative parameters were analyzed.Results The total leukocytes count,neutrophils count and neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio in LAAS group were higher,while the lymphocytes count was lower than those in control group (all P＜0.05).CEUS parameters,including timeqntensity curve (TIC) peak (TIC-P),mean (TIC-M),fitting curve (FC) peak (FC-P),sharpness (FC-S) and area under the curve (FC-AUC) of carotid plaques were higher than those in control group (all P＜0.05),while neutrophils count and neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio were positively correlated with FC-AUC (r=0.298 and 0.739,respectively;all P＜0.05).Total leukocytes count was independent risk factor of TIC-P,and neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio was independent risk factor of FC-AUC (all P＜0.05).Conclusion CEUS quantitative parameters of carotid plaques related to leukocytes count.Increased leukocytes or neutrophil/ lymphocyte ratio might rise vulnerability of plaques.