ObjectiveThis study aimed to construct a neural network model integrating readily available clinical data and two-dimensional （2D） conventional ultrasound images to evaluate the severity of steatotic liver disease （SLD）. MethodsClinical data and ultrasound images were retrospectively collected from 649 patients who underwent ultrasound attenuation imaging （ATI）. Using ATI as the reference standard， patients were divided into four groups： normal （S0）， mild （S1）， moderate （S2）， and severe （S3） SLD. Data were randomly divided into training and validation sets at an 8∶2 ratio. A contrastive language-image pre-training （CLIP） model was utilized to extract features from both clinical and imaging data， which were then used to train random forest （RF） and multilayer perceptron （MLP） models. The diagnostic performance of these multimodal models was compared their single-modal counterparts in the validation set. ResultsThe MLP model outperformed the RF model （AUC［95%CI］： S0 = 0.96 ［0.93-0.99］， S1 = 0.99 ［0.96-1.00］， S2 = 0.75 ［0.64-0.82］， S3 = 0.88 ［0.81-0.93］）. Furthermore， the multimodal fusion model demonstrated significantly superior performance compared to single-modal models （clinical data only： AUC［95%CI］ of 0.89 ［0.81-0.95］， 0.69 ［0.52-0.79］， 0.64 ［0.43-0.67］ and 0.80 ［0.73-0.90］ for S0-S3， respectively； image data only： AUC［95%CI］ of 0.91 ［0.86-0.96］， 0.89 ［0.67-0.89］， 0.69 ［0.58-0.78］ and 0.86 ［0.82-0.94］）. Metrics including precision， recall， F1-score， F2-score， confusion matrices， and loss function learning curves further confirmed that multimodal data fusion significantly improved the predictive capability. ConclusionThe proposed CLIP-based MLP multimodal model can effectively and automatically grade SLD severity. This demonstrates the significant advantage of integrating clinical and ultrasound data， providing an accurate and reliable adjunctive tool for the clinical management of chronic SLD.

Objective:To compare dose distributions of hypofractionated radiotherapy for pancreatic cancer between IMPT and VMAT.Methods:Ten pancreatic cancer cases were included in this retrospective study. Photon (Edge) and proton (Proteus?PLUS) plans were designed by Eclipse and RayStation TPS, respectively. All plans were transferred to MIM system for extraction of parameters, which included Dmin, Dmean and Dmax of PTV, conformity index (CI), new conformity index (nCI), homogeneity index (HI), gradient index (GI), coverage, Dmax and dose-volume of the organs at risk (OARs). Results:There was no significant difference in CI between the two groups. The higher PTV Dmin, Dmean, Dmax, D98%, D2%, HI, coverage and the better GI, D2 cmwere found in VMAT ( t/ Z=-4.63-5.32, P<0.05). The lower 10%_PD was found in IMPT ( t=-7.47, P<0.05). Regarding the OARs, Dmax of the intestine, stomach, and duodenum and Dmean of the left kidney were similar between two groups without significant difference ( P>0.05). The D5 cm 3 of the intestine, D10 cm 3 of the stomach, D5 cm 3 and D10 cm 3 of the duodenum, D2/3 of the left kidney, Dmean and D2/3 of the right kidney were lower in IMPT than those in VMAT ( t/ Z=-8.12--2.60, P<0.05). However, the Dmax and D0.35 cm 3 of the spinal cord were higher in IMPT than those in VMAT ( t=7.30, 6.77, P<0.05). Conclusions:Both of hypofractionated radiotherapy plans of pancreatic cancer designed by VMAT and IMPT could meet clinical needs. No significant difference was found in Dmax of the adjacent gastrointestinal tracts between the two groups. While IMPT had the advantage over VMAT in the case of lower dose-volumes of the gastrointestinal tracts. Nevertheless, less protections of the OARs in front of the tumor volume could be provided by IMPT compared with VMAT.

Objective: To analyze the correlations between intraoperative ultrasound and MRI metrics of the spinal cord in degenerative cervical myelopathy and identify novel potential predictive ultrasonic indicators of neurological recovery for degenerative cervical myelopathy. Materials and Methods: Twenty-two patients who underwent French-door laminoplasty for multilevel degenerative cervical myelopathy were followed up for 12 months. The Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) scores were assessed preoperatively and 12 months postoperatively. Maximum spinal cord compression and compression rates were measured and calculated using both intraoperative ultrasound imaging and preoperative T2-weight (T2W) MRI. Signal change rates of the spinal cord on preoperative T2W MRI and gray value ratios of dorsal and ventral spinal cord hyperechogenicity on intraoperative ultrasound imaging were measured and calculated. Correlations between intraoperative ultrasound metrics, MRI metrics, and the recovery rate JOA scores were analyzed using Spearman correlation analysis. Results: The postoperative JOA scores improved significantly, with a mean recovery rate of 65.0 ± 20.3% (p < 0.001). No significant correlations were found between the operative ultrasound metrics and MRI metrics. The gray value ratios of the spinal cord hyperechogenicity was negatively correlated with the recovery rate of JOA scores (ρ = -0.638, p = 0.001), while the ventral and dorsal gray value ratios of spinal cord hyperechogenicity were negatively correlated with the recovery rate of JOA-motor scores (ρ = -0.582, p = 0.004) and JOA-sensory scores (ρ = -0.452, p = 0.035), respectively. The dorsal gray value ratio was significantly higher than the ventral gray value ratio (p < 0.001), while the recovery rate of JOA-motor scores was better than that of JOA-sensory scores at 12 months post-surgery (p = 0.028). Conclusion For degenerative cervical myelopathy, the correlations between intraoperative ultrasound and preoperative T2W MRI metrics were not significant. Gray value ratios of the spinal cord hyperechogenicity and dorsal and ventral spinal cord hyperechogenicity were significantly correlated with neurological recovery at 12 months postoperatively.

Objective: To analyze the correlations between intraoperative ultrasound and MRI metrics of the spinal cord in degenerative cervical myelopathy and identify novel potential predictive ultrasonic indicators of neurological recovery for degenerative cervical myelopathy. Materials and Methods: Twenty-two patients who underwent French-door laminoplasty for multilevel degenerative cervical myelopathy were followed up for 12 months. The Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) scores were assessed preoperatively and 12 months postoperatively. Maximum spinal cord compression and compression rates were measured and calculated using both intraoperative ultrasound imaging and preoperative T2-weight (T2W) MRI. Signal change rates of the spinal cord on preoperative T2W MRI and gray value ratios of dorsal and ventral spinal cord hyperechogenicity on intraoperative ultrasound imaging were measured and calculated. Correlations between intraoperative ultrasound metrics, MRI metrics, and the recovery rate JOA scores were analyzed using Spearman correlation analysis. Results: The postoperative JOA scores improved significantly, with a mean recovery rate of 65.0 ± 20.3% (p < 0.001). No significant correlations were found between the operative ultrasound metrics and MRI metrics. The gray value ratios of the spinal cord hyperechogenicity was negatively correlated with the recovery rate of JOA scores (ρ = -0.638, p = 0.001), while the ventral and dorsal gray value ratios of spinal cord hyperechogenicity were negatively correlated with the recovery rate of JOA-motor scores (ρ = -0.582, p = 0.004) and JOA-sensory scores (ρ = -0.452, p = 0.035), respectively. The dorsal gray value ratio was significantly higher than the ventral gray value ratio (p < 0.001), while the recovery rate of JOA-motor scores was better than that of JOA-sensory scores at 12 months post-surgery (p = 0.028). Conclusion For degenerative cervical myelopathy, the correlations between intraoperative ultrasound and preoperative T2W MRI metrics were not significant. Gray value ratios of the spinal cord hyperechogenicity and dorsal and ventral spinal cord hyperechogenicity were significantly correlated with neurological recovery at 12 months postoperatively.

Objective To compare the value of ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (FNA) and core needle biopsy (CNB) in diagnosing benign and malignant cervical lymph nodes.Methods A retrospective analysis was performed on 88 patients who received biopsy for cervical lymph node enlargement from January 2015 to May 2017.FNA (n =39) or CNB (n =49) were performed respectively to compare the sensitivity,specificity and accuracy of the two methods in diagnosing benign and malignant cervical lymph node enlargement.Results 84.6％ (33/39) of FNA cases were successfully collected,and 98％ (48/49) of FNA cases were successfully collected for definite pathological diagnosis (P =0.000).The sensitivity,specificity and accuracy of FNA and CNB in diagnosing malignant cervical lymph nodes were 90.9％ and 97.2％,94.1％ and 100％,92.3％ and 98％,respectively.Compared with FNA,there were statistically significant differences in sensitivity,specificity and accuracy in differentiating benign and malignant lymphatic lesions in cervical enlargement (P ＜0.01).The sensitivity and specificity of FNA and CNB in diagnosing cervical lymph node metastatic carcinoma were 100％ and 100％,95.2％ and 100％.Compared with FNA,there was no statistically significant difference in the sensitivity to the diagnosis of cervical lymph node metastatic carcinoma (P =0.102).Conclusions CNB is superior to FNA in sensitivity,specificity and accuracy in diagnosing cervical lymphadenopathy.However,when metastatic cancer was diagnosed,FNA was not significantly different from CNB in sensitivity (P =0.102),and FNA was recommended as the first choice.

Objective To investigate the value of CEUS in differential diagnosis of benign and malignant renal focal hyperechoic lesions.Methods Data of conventional ultrasound (US) and CEUS of 56 patients with single renal focal hyperechoic lesion were retrospectively analyzed,and differential diagnosis of benign and malignant lesions was performed with US and CEUS,respectively.Taking pathological diagnosis as golden standard,the diagnostic efficacy of US and CEUS were calculated and compared.Results The sensibility,specificity,positive predictive value (PPV),negative predictive value (NPV) and accuracy of US was 70.00％ (14/20),75.00％ (27/36),60.87％ (14/23),81.82％ (27/33) and 73.21％ (41/56),while of CEUS was 80.00％ (16/20),94.44％ (34/36),88.89％ (16/18),89.47％ (34/38) and 89.29 ％ (50/56),respectively.The accuracy,specificity and PPV of CEUS were higher than those of US (all P＜0.05).The consistency of CEUS and pathology was good (Kappa=0.761),while of US and pathology was ordinary (Kappa=0.435).Conclusion CEUS can improve differential diagnostic efficacy of renal focal hyperechoic lesions.

Objective To evaluate the application value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in the diagnosis of vascular complication (VC) of transplanted kidney. Methods Imaging data of conventional ultrasound and CEUS in 28 patients suspected with VC of transplanted kidney were analyzed retrospectively.The results of computed tomography angiography (CTA)or digital subtraction angiography (DSA)were served as the diagnostic standard. The value of CEUS in diagnosing VC of transplanted kidney was analyzed. Results No adverse reaction related to contrast agent was observed in 28 patients during the CEUS examination. And 22 cases with VC were confirmed. VCs were detected correctly by CEUS in 17 cases,but 5 cases with transplant renal artery stenosis (TRAS ) were missed and 1 case with focal infarction in transplanted kidney was misdiagnosed. The diagnostic sensitivity,specificity,positive predictive value (PPV),negative predictive value (NPV)and accuracy of CEUS for VC of transplanted kidney were 0.77,1.00,1.00,0.55 and 0.82, respectively. The diagnostic sensitivity,specificity,PPV,NPV and accuracy of conventional ultrasound and CEUS for TRAS were 0.37 and 0.74,0.89 and 1.00,0.88 and 1.00,0.40 and 0.64,0.54 and 0.82, respectively. There were significant differences in the sensitivity and accuracy between conventional ultrasound and CEUS (both in P<0.05 ). Conclusions CEUS is an effective method for detecting VC of transplanted kidney.

Objective To investigate the value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in percutaneous nephrostomy for the treatment of complex renal calculi without hydronephrosis.Methods 22 patients with complex renal calculi underwent puncture and catheterization under the conventional ultrasound guidance,and then were injected with ultrasound contrast agent (SonoVue) through the needles and tubes to confirm appropriate puncture and catheterization.The display rates of puncture needle,renal pelvis,calyces,drainage tube body and distal end under CEUS were observed,and the results were compared with those of routine ultrasonography.The dosage of contrast agent,success rate and complications were also recorded.Results The display rates of puncture needle,renal pelvis,calyces,drainage tube body and distal end under routine ultrasonography were 63.64％,36.36％,63.64％,18.18％,as compared with CEUS the display rates were 100％,100％,100％,81.18％.The differences were statistically significant between CEUS and routine ultrasonography (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions CEUS guided percutaneous catheterization makes up for the inadequacy of conventional ultrasound in patients of complex renal calculi without hydronephrosis,and it can be worthy for clinical application.

Objective To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy and safety of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) combined with ethanol injection with a multipronged needle under ultrasound guidance for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) larger than 3 cm in diameter.Methods 65 patients with 67HCC nodules ranging from 3.1 to 7.0 cm in diameter were treated percutaneously under ultrasound guidance.Tumor response and complications after treatment were observed.Results Complete ablation was achieved in 94.0％ (63/67) of HCC nodules.4 residual tumor nodules received complete ablation after additional treatment.Ablation-related major complications was occurred in 3 patients,including liver abscess in 1 case,abdominal bleeding in 1 case and massive ascites in 1 case,all were cured by conservative therapy.After a mean follow-up period of (20.0 ± 7.6) months (6.7-32.6 months),local-tumor progression was observed in 10 (14.9％) of 67 HCC nodules,and distant recurrence was observed in 32 (49.2％) of 65patients.The 1-year and 2-year survival rate were 93.1 ％ and 88.1％,respectively.Conclusions RFA combined with ethanol injetion with a multipronged needle is a safe and effective technique for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma larger than 3 cm,especially 3-5 cm in diameter.

Objective To compare the enhancement characteristic of the gallbladder diseases and to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy in differential diagnosis of the gallbladder diseases between contrast-enhanced sonography (CEUS) and contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT).Methods Seventy-two patiens with gallbladder lesions were examined by CEUS and CECT before operation and all final diagnoses were confirmed by surgery and/or pathological diagnosis.Results 1)In early phase,84.6％ (33/39) and 79.5％ (31/39) of benign diseases showed hyper-enhancement on CEUS and CECT,and 97.0％ (32/33) and 87.9％ (29/33) of malignant diseases showed hyper-enhancement on CEUS and CECT respectively (P =0.250).In later phase,91.2％ (31/34) and 88.2％ (30/34) of benign diseases showing hypo-enhancement (P =1.000),and 100％ of the malignant diseases showing hypo-enhancement on CEUS and CECT respectively.2)The time of enhancement from hyper-to hypo in CEUS for benign and malignant diseases were (39.9 ± 15.7)s and (29.9 ± 5.6)s respectively (t =3.61,P =1.000).3)The inhomogeneous enhancement on CEUS and CECT were 41.0％ (16/39) and 53.8％ (21/39) in the benign diseases respectively (P =0.063),84.8 ％ (28/33) and 97.0 ％ (32/33) in the malignant diseases respectively(P =0.125).4)The destruction of the gallbladder wall on CEUS and CECT are 87.9％ (29/33) and 90.9％ (30/33) respectively(P =1.000).5)The accuracy,diagnostic sensitivity,specificity of CEUS and CECT were 91.7％(66/72) and 87.5％(63/72),97.0％(32/33) and 93.9％(31/33),87.2％(34/39) and 82.15％ (32/39) respectively (P =0.250,1.000,0.500).Conclusions The enhancement pattern of the gallbladder diseases on CEUS and CECT were much similar.CEUS has equal diagnostic efficacy in comparison with CECT,but CEUS can supply more diagnostic information than CECT.