1.Multimodal ultrasound of the testis in differentiating subtypes of spermatogenic dysfunction:a preliminary study
Tingting LEI ; Gaoxiang FAN ; Penglin ZOU ; Chao JIA ; Hongmei LIANG ; Jun LIN ; Rong WU ; Lianfang DU ; Zheng LI ; Qiusheng SHI
Chinese Journal of Ultrasonography 2025;34(8):678-685
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.
2.Multimodal ultrasound of the testis in differentiating subtypes of spermatogenic dysfunction:a preliminary study
Tingting LEI ; Gaoxiang FAN ; Penglin ZOU ; Chao JIA ; Hongmei LIANG ; Jun LIN ; Rong WU ; Lianfang DU ; Zheng LI ; Qiusheng SHI
Chinese Journal of Ultrasonography 2025;34(8):678-685
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.
3.Study of the malignant potential of histopathological category B3 and B5a lesions from percutaneous core needle biopsy process under the guidance of ultrasonography
Hui LI ; Chao JIA ; Jing WANG ; Penglin ZOU ; Long LIU ; Gang LI ; Xin LI ; Rong WU ; Lianfang DU ; Qiusheng SHI
Chinese Journal of Ultrasonography 2023;32(12):1076-1082
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.
4.Value of scrotal combined with transrectal ultrasound in the emplacement diagnosis of obstructive azoospermia
Rui YANG ; Penglin ZOU ; Yuchen TAO ; Qiusheng SHI ; Lianfang DU ; Zheng LI ; Xiaodong JIN ; Fengbin ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Reproduction and Contraception 2023;43(10):1057-1061
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.
5.Value of scrotal combined with transrectal ultrasound in the emplacement diagnosis of obstructive azoospermia
Rui YANG ; Penglin ZOU ; Yuchen TAO ; Qiusheng SHI ; Lianfang DU ; Zheng LI ; Xiaodong JIN ; Fengbin ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Reproduction and Contraception 2023;43(10):1057-1061
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.
6.Ultrasonic classification and evolution of thyroid shrinking nodules
Yifan ZHAO ; Penglin ZOU ; Yuchen TAO ; Chao JIA ; Gang LI ; Yunhua LI ; Feng GAO ; Yubiao JIN ; Lianfang DU ; Qiusheng SHI
Chinese Journal of Ultrasonography 2021;30(12):1046-1051
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.

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