Objective:To assess the consistency of ultrasound and dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) in the diagnosis of gouty arthritis(GA), reasons of the differences were further analyzed.Methods:The ultrasound and DECT images of 150 knee joints from 147 patients diagnosed with gout at the Gout Specialty Clinic of Qingdao University Affiliated Hospital from February 2022 to October 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. According to anatomy, the knee joint was anatomically segmented into five regions: intra-articular, anterior, posterior, medial, and lateral.Location of monosodium urate (MSU) deposition was meticulously recorded. The Kappa consistency test was employed to assess the consistency of the two examination results in different regions of the knee joint. The McNemar chi-square test was utilized to conduct a differential analysis between DECT and ultrasound results.Results:Double contour sign(DCS) (81.2%, 92/112) was the most common intra-articular ultrasound sign in knee joints with GA. In the extra-articular region, MSU was commonly deposited in and around the popliteal tendon (ultrasound: 51.6%, 66/128; DECT: 54.7%, 70/128). Corresponding MSU deposits on DECT were found in 9 of 92 joints with DCS and in 9 of 49 joints with aggregates detected on ultrasound.In the assessment of MSU deposits, ultrasound showed an overall higher positive rate than DECT (87.3% vs. 72.3%, P=0.001), with poor consistency between the two examinations (Kappa=0.153). In distinct anatomical regions, ultrasound and DECT showed high consistency in the medial (Kappa=0.697) and lateral (Kappa=0.718) sides and the difference was not statistically significant ( P>0.05). Intra-articular (Kappa=0.289) and anterior (Kappa=0.303) regions exhibited only fair consistency, with statistically significant diagnostic differences ( P<0.05). When exclusively assessing cases with tophus, ultrasound and DECT demonstrated high consistency in the medial and lateral aspects(Kappa=0.685, 0.748) without statistical difference ( P>0.05). In the anterior region, the consistency between the two examinations was moderate (Kappa=0.256), while in the intra-articular region, the consistency of the two methods was lower (Kappa=0.147), and the differences was statistically significant ( P<0.001). Conclusions:Both ultrasound and DECT exhibit good diagnostic capabilities for gouty knee arthritis.However, the consistency between the two techniques varies in different anatomical locations. Clinical assessment should be tailored based on the specific anatomical position. DECT has an advantage in evaluating intra-articular MSU deposits, while ultrasound is more sensitive to detect early and scattered MSU deposits.

Objective:To assess the discriminatory value of the Thyroid Follicular Tumor Ultrasound Risk Stratification System (F-TIRADS) in differentiating follicular thyroid carcinoma (FTC) from follicular thyroid adenoma (FTA), and to compare its performance with other risk stratification systems(RSS).Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 325 patients (327 thyroid nodules) diagnosed postoperatively as FTC or FTA at Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University from January 2016 to December 2023. The cases were divided into FTC group (81 nodules) and FTA group (246 nodules). The nodules were classified based on F-TIRADS, the 2020 Chinese Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System (C-TIRADS), the 2015 American Thyroid Association guidelines (ATA guidelines), and the 2017 European Thyroid Association Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System (EU-TIRADS) by two ultrasound physicians. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent predictors associated with FTC. Diagnostic performance of the 4 RSS was compared using postoperative pathological results as the gold standard.Results:Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed maximum diameter, solid composition, hypoechogenicity, unclear or angular margins, marginal or ring calcifications, trabecular structure, and central blood flow were independent predictors of FTC( OR=1.914, 3.427, 9.926, 9.163, 45.918, 3.191, 8.936, respectively; all P<0.05). Within each RSS, the actual malignancy rate increased with higher risk categories, aligning closely with the recommended malignancy rates (except for ATA guidelines). The optimal cut-off values for distinguishing FTC from FTA were FTC risk 50%-90% in F-TIRADS, C-TIRADS 4B, moderately suspicious nodules in ATA guidelines, and EU-TIRADS 4, with areas under the curve of 0.916, 0.808, 0.827, and 0.836, respectively. F-TIRADS demonstrated the best overall performance (sensitivity: 82.72%, specificity: 82.93%), with significant differences compared with C-TIRADS, ATA guidelines, and EU-TIRADS (all P<0.05). Conclusions:F-TIRADS is highly effective in distinguishing FTA from FTC, outperforming C-TIRADS, ATA Guidelines, and EU-TIRADS. Clinicians should pay close attention to solid hypoechoic nodules with unclear or angular margins, marginal or ring calcifications, central blood flow, or a trabecular structure.

OBJECTIVE To compare anti-ischemic stroke （IS） effect of different extraction parts from Gastrodia elata， and to provide reference for screening the anti-IS effective parts of G. elata. METHODS G. elata was extracted and separated by ethanol reflux extraction and ethyl acetate extraction. The rat model of diffuse cerebral thrombosis was induced by internal carotid artery injection of arachidonic acid （AA）； the anti-IS effect of G. elata powder， ethanol extract of G. elata， residue of ethanol extract of G. elata， ethyl acetate extract of G. elata， residue of ethyl acetate extract of G. elata， gastrodin and aspirin （positive control drug） were investigated with the content of Evans blue （EB） in the ischemic brain tissue as index. RESULTS Compared with model group， aspirin， ethanol extract of G. elata and ethyl acetate extract of G. elata could significantly decrease the content of EB in the ischemic brain tissue of model rats （P＜0.05）. G. elata powder had the tendency to reduce the content of EB in the ischemic brain tissue of model rats， without statistical significance （P＞0.05）. The residue of ethanol extract of G. elata， residue of ethyl acetate extract of G. elata and gastrodin had little effect on the content of EB in the ischemic brain tissue of model rats. CONCLUSIONS Both ethanol extract of G. elata and ethyl acetate extract of G. elata have anti-IS effects， which are stronger than that of G. elata powder.

Objective To analyze correlation between ultrasound features and clinical lab indexes of refractory secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT).Methods Two-dimensional ultrasound and CEUS were performed in 30 patients with refractory SHPT before operation.The sum volume of hyperplastic parathyroid glands and sum volume of enhanced area of parathyroid glands in each patient were measured and calculated.Clinical lab indexes,including serum intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH),serum calcium,serum phosphorus,serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were recorded,and corrected serum calcium and corrected serum calcium-phosphorus product were calculated 2 days before operation.The correlation between sum volume of parathyroid glands and lab indexes was analyzed.Results There were positive correlations (r=0.48,0.50,both P=0.01) between sum volume of parathyroid glands,sum volume of enhanced area of parathyroid glands and iPTH level.No correlation was found between the volume of hyperplastic parathyroid glands and serum calcium,serum phosphorus,ALP,corrected serum calcium,nor calcium-phosphorus product (all P＞0.05).Conclusion The sum volume of parathyroid can reflect active state of parathyroid glands,which is helpful to diagnosis and monitoring refractory SHPT.

Objective To compare the clinical and sonographic characteristics of aggressive and nonaggressive papillary thyroid microcarcinomas(PTMC)in order to improve the preoperative predictive value of aggressive PTMC.Methods A total of 309 patients with PTMC from January 2014 to December 2016 were included in this study.Patients with lymphatic metastasis,extrathyroidal invasion,reccurence, distant metastasis and death were classified into aggressive PTMC group,and patients without above characteristics were classified into nonaggressive group.Clinical and sonographic features were reviewed and compared between the two groups.Results Among the 309 patients,76 cases(24.6%)were aggressive PTMC,and 233 cases(75.4%)were nonaggressive.Patients were younger and larger cancerous nodules, microcalcification,capsular inconnection and multifocality were seen more frequently in aggressive PTMC group compared with nonaggressive group.The best cut-off value of age and diameter were 44.5 years and 0.66 cm respectively.Advanced age was the protective factor and larger tumor size and multifocality were independent risk factors for PTMC aggressiveness.The capsular invasion was related with the lateral cervical lymph node metastasis while other features were not.Conclusions Extra attention should be paid to patients with age<44.5 years,tumor size>0.66 cm and multifocal cancerous nodules because their PTMCs are more likely to be aggressive.Thyroid capsule adjacent to the cancerous nodule should be observed carefully.If there is interruption in the capsule,lateral cervical lymph nodes should be carefully examed.

Objective To investigate the effects of ketamine and propofol on cardiovascular system and cognitive function in the patients with depression during the modified electroconvulsive therapy (MECT). Methods A total of 60 patients with depression treated by MECT were randomly divided into 2 groups. Induced anesthesia with ketamine and propofol were performed respectively during MECT. The course of treatment was 8 times. The mean arterial pressure(MAP)was recorded before therapy and at 5 min after MECT.Depression and the cognitive function were evaluated by using the Hamilton Depression Scale(HAMD)and the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test(WCST)before treatment and 1 day after treatment. Results There was no significant difference in MAP between the two groups after MECT(P > 0.05). The HAMD scores of the two groups were lower than those before treatment(P<0.05). In the total number of errors and the number of random errors,there was no significant difference between two groups (P > 0.05). But in completing classification of WCST ,the ketamine group was better than the propofol group(P<0.05). Conclusion Propofol has no obvious influence on the cognition function and little influence on MAP,so it could be the first choice of anaesthetic for the induction of MECT.

Objective To investigate the application value of the ultrasonic elastic tissue dispersion quantitative analysis technique in different stages of subacute thyroiditis (SAT).Methods One hundred and forty-four SAT lesions detected from 81 patients were enrolled in the patient group.They were further divided into three subgroups,including acute group (group Ⅰ),medium group (group Ⅱ) and recovery group (group Ⅲ).Another 59 healthy volunteers were collected as control group.All the participants accepted conventional ultrasound and elastographic examinations.Eleven parameters were obtained by the tissue dispersion quantitative analysis software.These parameters were compared between groups and among subgroups by ANOVA.The correlation between all the parameters and the course of SAT were analyzed by Spearman and Multiple linear regression methods.Results Between groups and among subgroups,the complexity (COMP) and correlation (CORR) were not statistically different(all P ＞0.05).Differences of kurtosis (KURT) and angular secon moment (ASM) among the three subgroups were not significant (all P ＞0.05).Differences between groups and among subgroups were significantly different among the value of all the other seven indexes (all P ＜0.01).Moreover,they were all correlated with the clinical staging,with the highest coefficient in area ration of low-strain region (％ AREA)(r =-0.881).Regression model was constructed and only ％ AREA was selected into the regression equation.ROC curves were constructed to estimate the clinic value of ％ AREA in staging patients of SAT,the areas under ROC curves were0.986(group Ⅰ vs group Ⅱ-Ⅲ) and 0.988 (group Ⅰ-Ⅱ vs group Ⅲ[) for ％AREA,respectively.Conclusions The tissue dispersion quantitative analysis technique is helpful in estimating the stiffness of thyroid in patients with SAT.

Objective To provide valuable references for ultrasonic diagnosis of pelvic organ prolapsed (POP) by finding an eas ily detecting referential line based on MRI.Methods Data of 107 patients who underwent pelvic MRI were retrospectively analyzed.All the patients were divided into 6 groups according to age:Group 1 (20 29 years old),group 2 (30-39 years old),group 3 (40-49 years old),group 4 (50-59 years old),group 5 (60-69 years old) and group 6 (≥70 years old group).Four reference lines were set basing on the median sagittal view of T2WI:PS-PS line (the line connecting the two endpoint of the pubic symphysis),PIAS line (the line connecting the inferior margin of pubic symphysis and the bottom of sphincter internal anal sphincter),PPC line (the line connecting of the inferior margin of pubic symphysis and the point of the pubococcygeous attached on the rectum) and PM line (the line connecting of the inferior margin of pubic symphysis and the M point [the midpoint of the line from the crosspoint of PPC line and the front wall of the rectum mucosa to the bottom of sphincter internal anal sphincter]).The angles between the horizontal line and PS-PS line,PIAS line,PM line,PPC line (angle 1,angle 2,angle 3,angle 4) were measured,respectively.The differences of the angle among various age-groups were compared.The consistency between the two observes were evaluated.Results PM line was the closest line to the horizontal line.There was no statistical differences of angle 1,angle 2 and angle 3 among the 6 groups (all P＞0.05).The difference of angle 4 among the 6 groups were significant (F=3.42,P=0.01).Intergroup pairwise comparisons showed that significant differences were found between group 1 and group 4,group 5,group 6,between group 2 and group 4,group 5,group 6,between group 3 and group 4,group 5,group 6,respectively (all P＜0.05).And no significant difference was found in the other comparisons.The consistency of the two observers in meaning angle 1,angle 3 and angle 4 were good,but the consistency of angle 2 was poor.Conclusion Of all the referential lines,PM is the closest to the horizontal line and is less influenced by the patient's age.However,the feasibility of using PM lines as the ultrasound referential line is still unclear.

Objective To explore the correlation between quantitative parameters of blood perfusion with contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) and microvessel density (MVD),microvessel area (MVA) in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC).And to investigate the value of CEUS in evaluating the angiogenesis in PTC before operation.Methods Totally 69 cases of patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma were selected from April 2014 to October 2016 in the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University.The CEUS characteristics of 69 patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma confirmed by pathology were retrospectively analyzed.The patients were divided into three groups according to maximum diameter of lesions (＜ 1 cm group,1-2 cm group and ＞ 2.0 cm group),and two groups according to pathologic reports (neck lymph node metastatic and nonmetastatic groups).The blood perfusion parameters between or among different groups were evaluated by ttest or one-way ANOVA.Immunohistochemical staining were performed to evaluate the MVD,MVA in the surgical specimens,and the correlation of quantitative parameters with MVD,MVA were assessed by Spearman.Results (1) Peak Intensity (Peak),area under the curve (AUC),MVD and MVA of thyroid carcinoma were lower than the surrounding normal thyroid tissue (14.95 ± 4.96 vs 22.67±6.11,970.01±263.20 vs 1798.35±563.67,118.91±31.32 vs 206.27±39.58,8.58±-2.68 vs 18.47±3.13),and the differences were statistically significant (t=-8.700,-11.061,-14.377 and-20.532,all P ＜ 0.05).(2)With the increase of the lesion's maximum diameter,Peak,AUC,MVD and MVA increased,and the differences were statistically significant (t=0.000,0.000,0.000,0.000;t=0.027,0.044,0.033,0.000;t=0.027,0.044,0.033,0.000,all P ＜ 0.05).(3) Papillary thyroid carcinoma with lymphatic involvement had significantly higher values of Peak,AUC,MVD and MVA than those without lymphatic involvement (16.86±4.36 vs 13.80±3.55,1128.16±290.85 vs 874.39±192.27,114.12±30.69 vs 103.67±22.19,10.30 ± 2.44 vs 7.54 ± 2.29),and the differences were statistically significant (t=3.177,4.366,6.336 and 4.742,all P ＜ 0.05).(4) A positive correlation existed between the Peak,AUC and MVD,and the differences were statistically significant (r=0.506,0.478,all P ＜0.05).Peak,AUC and MVA showed positive correlation,and the differences were statistically significant (r=0.648,0.653,all P ＜ 0.05).TP,MTT and MVD,MVA showed no correlations (all P ＞ 0.05).Conclusions The values of Peak and AUC calculated from CEUS were correlated to MVD and MVA.CEUS may be used to evaluated the angiogenesis of PTC before operation.And CEUS is helpful for prediction of prognosis of PTC.

Objective To evaluate the relationship between characteristics of cervical cancer at contrast-enhanced ultrasound and prognostic factors.Methods Thirty-five patients with pathologically confirmed cervical cancer were enrolled in this retrospective analysis.All the patients accepted contrast-enhanced ultrasound examination before the surgery.Relationships between the characters of contrast-enhanced ultrasound and the expression of ki-67 antigen(cell proliferation marker),tumor diameter,lymph node metastasis and histologic grade were studied.Results (1)Compared to the surrounding normal tissue, the cervical cancer had statistically significant differences in time to peak and peak intensity(P <0.05),the former was shortened,and the latter was increased.(2 )The ratio of perfusion defect and heterogeneous enhancement were significantly higher in tissues,including the ki-67 positive expression tissue,poorly differentiated or larger tumors (≥ 2.0 cm in diameter)(P < 0.05 ).(3 )Compared to the ki-67 negative expression group,time to peak of the ki-67 positive expression group was shorter and the peak intensity was higher,the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05 ).(4 )The peak intensity of poorly differentiated cervical cancers was significantly higher than that of the other groups (P <0.05).Conclusions Enhancement patterns and parameters of contrast-enhanced ultrasound were associated with prognosis, which may be useful in noninvasive prediction of the patients with cervical cancers.