Ultrasound

To report a case of heterotopic interstitial pregnancy after in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET), presenting with a second trimester uterine rupture. To review the clinical presentations, risk factors, treatment options, and outcome of heterotopic interstitial pregnancies.

We describe the clinical presentation, management, and outcome of a patient with a heterotopic interstitial pregnancy, diagnosed following second trimester rupture of the interstitial pregnancy. We reviewed all published cases of heterotopic interstitial pregnancies.

A 35-year-old pregnant woman with a past history of right adnexectomy and 16 weeks pregnant with dichorionic diamniotic twins following IVF-ET, was admitted to our department with unexplained recurrent abdominal pain and anemia. Further investigation showed a hemoperitoneum and because of hypovolemic shock an emergency laparotomy was performed, with diagnosis of a ruptured heterotopic interstitial pregnancy. The uterine defect was sutured using simple interrupted sutures. The intrauterine pregnancy progressed uneventful afterwards.

We found 86 cases in the published literature, reporting on heterotopic interstitial pregnancies. 80.2% (69/86) occurred after IVF-ET. History of uni- or bilateral salpingectomy is a major risk factor, present in 39.5% (34/86). 37.2% (32/86) presented with cornual rupture. Surgery was performed in 53.5% (46/86) of cases. Medical management was possible in case of unruptured, early diagnosed heterotopic interstitial pregnancy (32.6% (28/86)). Watchful waiting was only possible when the interstitial pregnancy miscarried (5.8% (5/86)). The live birth rate of the intrauterine pregnancy, when viable at presentation, was 70.0% (56/80). The live birth rate of the interstitial pregnancy was only 4.7% (4/86).

The majority of cases are diagnosed by detailed ultrasound in the setting of early follow-up after IVF-ET and are asymptomatic at diagnosis. Yet, a substantial number of patients present with cornual rupture. Risk factors are IVF-ET and a history of salpingectomy. Depending on clinical presentation, treatment options include watchful waiting, medical treatment, or surgery. Unfortunately, the interstitial pregnancy is generally lost, and only has a chance of survival in case of presentation at a viable gestational age. The outcome of the coexisting intrauterine pregnancy is generally good.

Quantitative ultrasound imaging is gaining popularity in research and clinical settings to measure the neuromechanical properties of the peripheral nerves such as their capability to glide in response to body segment movement. Increasing evidence suggests that impaired median nerve longitudinal excursion is associated with carpal tunnel syndrome. To date, psychometric properties of longitudinal nerve excursion measurements using quantitative ultrasound imaging have not been extensively investigated.

This study investigates the convergent validity of the longitudinal nerve excursion by comparing measures obtained using quantitative ultrasound imaging with those determined with a motion analysis system. A 38-cm long rigid nerve-phantom model was used to assess the longitudinal excursion in a laboratory environment. The nerve-phantom model, immersed in a 20-cm deep container filled with a gelatin-based solution, was moved 20 times using a linear forward and backward motion. Three light-emitting diodes were used to record nerve-phantom excursion with a motion analysis system, while a 5-cm linear transducer allowed simultaneous recording via ultrasound imaging.

Both measurement techniques yielded excellent association (r = 0.99) and agreement (mean absolute difference between methods = 0.85 mm; mean relative difference between methods = 7.48 %). Small discrepancies were largely found when larger excursions (i.e. > 10 mm) were performed, revealing slight underestimation of the excursion by the ultrasound imaging analysis software.

Quantitative ultrasound imaging is an accurate method to assess the longitudinal excursion of an in vitro nerve-phantom model and appears relevant for future research protocols investigating the neuromechanical properties of the peripheral nerves.

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common health problem among males, and radiology has limited use in its diagnosis and treatment. Shear wave elastography (SWE) is a new sonographic technique. In this study, we examined the significance of SWE in the diagnosis of ED.

The study included a total number of 70 participants. The mean age of the participants was 54.14 ± 8.03 years (range: 39 and 71 years old). We composed two groups. Group 1 had 35 patients who presented to the urology clinic in our hospital complaining of ED, and had a score of 17 or lower from the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) questionnaire. Group 2 consisted of 35 healthy volunteers who did not have ED. SWE measurements were performed from corpus cavernosum penis in both groups, and the results were noted. Differences between the groups were evaluated statistically.

The difference between the mean SWE measurements of two groups (Group 1: 20.94 ± 6.23 kPa and group 2: 24.63 ± 7.58 kPa) was found to be statistically significant (p = 0.027; p < 0.05). For a cut-off value of 17.1 kPa, the SWE method has specificity, sensitivity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value regarding diagnosis of ED as 94.29%, 34.29%, 85.71%, and 58.93%, respectively. The mean age of the groups did not show a statistically significant difference (p = 0.287; p > 0.05).

Due to its high specificity and positive predictive value, SWE can offer useful data in the radiologic evaluation of ED cases.

The aim of this study was to compare the intra-observer repeatability when using two different methods for estimating the volume of foetal urinary bladders.

The urinary bladders of 20 foetuses were documented by three-dimensional ultrasound. Standard deviation was compared when the volumes of identical bladder images were repeatedly estimated using the Virtual Organ Computer-aided AnaLysis and the experimental SUM-OF-CYLINDERS methods.

No systematic deviation was found between the estimated volumes when using these two methods. Standard deviation was smaller for the SUM-OF-CYLINDERS compared to the Virtual Organ Computer-aided AnaLysis method (p < 0.0001). In relation to bladder volumes of 5–25 ml, standard deviation was 11–14% for the Virtual Organ Computer-aided AnaLysis and 4–5% for the SUM-OF-CYLINDERS method.

Using three-dimensional ultrasound images adapted for the Virtual Organ Computer-aided AnaLysis method, foetal urinary bladder volumes can also be estimated using the SUM-OF-CYLINDERS method. The SUM-OF-CYLINDERS method employs technical advances which may result in a lower standard deviation and therefore higher intra-observer repeatability.

Ultrasound scan has gained attention for diagnosing appendicitis due to its avoidance of ionizing radiation. However, studies show that ultrasound scan carries inferior sensitivity to computed tomography scan. A non-diagnostic ultrasound scan could increase the time to diagnosis and appendicectomy, particularly if follow-up computed tomography scan is needed. Some studies suggest that delaying appendicectomy increases the risk of perforation.

To investigate the risk of appendiceal perforation when using ultrasound scan as the initial diagnostic imaging modality in children with suspected appendicitis.

We retrospectively reviewed 1411 charts of children ≤17 years old diagnosed with appendicitis at two urban academic medical centers. Patients who underwent ultrasound scan first were compared to those who underwent computed tomography scan first. In the sub-group analysis, patients who only received ultrasound scan were compared to those who received initial ultrasound scan followed by computed tomography scan. Main outcome measures were appendiceal perforation rate and time from triage to appendicectomy.

In 720 children eligible for analysis, there was no significant difference in perforation rate between those who had initial ultrasound scan and those who had initial computed tomography scan (7.3% vs. 8.9%, p = 0.44), nor in those who had ultrasound scan only and those who had initial ultrasound scan followed by computed tomography scan (8.0% vs. 5.6%, p = 0.42). Those patients who had ultrasound scan first had a shorter triage-to-incision time than those who had computed tomography scan first (9.2 (IQR: 5.9, 14.0) vs. 10.2 (IQR: 7.3, 14.3) hours, p = 0.03), whereas those who had ultrasound scan followed by computed tomography scan took longer than those who had ultrasound scan only (7.8 (IQR: 5.3, 11.6) vs. 15.1 (IQR: 10.6, 20.6), p < 0.001). Children < 12 years old receiving ultrasound scan first had lower perforation rate (p = 0.01) and shorter triage-to-incision time (p = 0.003).

Children with suspected appendicitis receiving ultrasound scan as the initial diagnostic imaging modality do not have increased risk of perforation compared to those receiving computed tomography scan first. We recommend that children <12 years of age receive ultrasound scan first.