Uniform light delivery in volumetric optoacoustic tomography

Accurate image reconstruction in volumetric optoacoustic tomography implies the efficient generation and collection of ultrasound signals around the imaged object. Non‐uniform delivery of the excitation light is a common problem in optoacoustic imaging often leading to a diminished field of view, limited dynamic range and penetration, as well as impaired quantification abilities. Presented here is an optimized illumination concept for volumetric tomography that utilizes additive manufacturing via 3D printing in combination with custom‐made optical fiber illumination. The custom‐designed sample chamber ensures convenient access to the imaged object along with accurate positioning of the sample and a matrix array ultrasound transducer used for collection of the volumetric image data. Ray tracing is employed to optimize the positioning of the individual fibers in the chamber. Homogeneity of the generated light excitation field was confirmed in tissue‐mimicking agar spheres. Applicability of the system to image entire mouse organs ex vivo has been showcased. The new approach showed a clear advantage over conventional, single‐sided illumination strategies by eliminating the need to correct for illumination variances and resulting in enhancement of the effective field of view, greater penetration depth and significant improvements in the overall image quality.      

Polyvinyl alcohol cryogel based vessel mimicking material for modelling the progression of atherosclerosis

PurposeThe stiffness of Polyvinyl-alcohol cryogel can be adjusted through application of consecutive freeze-thaw cycles. This material has potential applications in the production of tissue mimicking phantoms in diagnostic ultrasound. The aim of this study was to use PVA-c to produce a range of geometrically and acoustically identical vessel phantoms modelling stages of atherosclerosis which could be verified through mechanical testing, thus allowing for more precision in quantitative in-vitro flow analysis of atherosclerosis.MethodsA series of anatomically realistic walled renal artery flow phantoms were constructed using PVA-c. In order to ensure precise modelling of atherosclerosis, a modified procedure of ISO27:2017 was used to compare the mechanical properties of PVA-c. Results were compared for the standard “dumbbell” test object and a modified vessel test object. The geometric accuracy and reproducibility of the vessel models were tested before and after implantation in flow phantoms.ResultsNo significant difference was found between the mechanical properties of the dumbbell test samples and the vessels for any number of freeze thaw cycles, with a correlation coefficient of R² = 0.9767 across the dataset, indicating that a direct comparison between the mechanical properties of the dumbbell test samples and the phantom vessels was established. The geometric reproducibility showed that before and after implantation there was no significant difference between individual vessel geometries (p = 0.337 & p = 0.176 respectively).ConclusionsPolyvinyl-alcohol cryogel is a useful material for the production of arterial flow phantoms. Care should be taken when using this material to ensure its mechanical properties have been correctly characterised. The guidelines of ISO37:2017 potentially provide the best procedure to ensure this.     

A simple uniformity test for ultrasound phased arrays

PurposeIt is difficult to test phased array ultrasound transducers for non functioning elements. We aimed to modify a widely performed test to improve its ease and effectiveness for these arrays.MethodsA paperclip was slowly moved along the transducer array, with the scanner operating in M-mode, imaging at a fundamental frequency with automatic gain and grey scale adjustment disabled. Non-functioning elements are identified by a dark vertical line in the image. The test was repeated several times for each transducer, looking for consistency of results. 2 transducers, with faults already shown by electronic transducer testing, were used to validate the method. 23 transducers in clinical use were tested.ResultsThe results of the modified test on the 2 faulty transducers agreed closely with electronic transducer testing results. The test indicated faults in 5 of the 23 transducers in clinical use: 3 with a single failed element and 2 with non-uniform sensitivity. 1 transducer with non-uniform sensitivity had undergone lens repair; the new lens was visibly non-uniform in thickness and further testing showed a reduction in depth of penetration and a loss of elevational focus in comparison with a new transducer.ConclusionsThe modified test is capable of detecting non-functioning elements. Further work is required to provide a better understanding of more subtle faults.     

超声弹性成像组织弥散定量分析诊断宫颈良恶性病变的临床效果

目的:探讨超声弹性成像组织弥散定量分析诊断宫颈良恶性病变中的临床效果。方法:选择2018年2月到2019年7月在我院诊治的宫颈病变患者88例,包括病理检查为良性病变68例(良性组)和恶性病变20例(恶性组)。所有患者都给予常规超声、多普勒血流超声与超声弹性成像组织弥散定量分析,记录影像学特征,分析诊断效果。结果:恶性组的超声血流分级2级和3级、超声弹性成像半定量评分4分和5分显著高于良性组(P0.05)。恶性组SR值显著高于良性组(P0.05)。超声弹性成像组织弥散定量诊断宫颈良恶性病变的敏感性与特异性分别为95.6%和95.0%。ROC曲线结果显示超声弹性成像组织弥散定量诊断宫颈良恶性病变的AUC值为0.914。结论:超声弹性成像组织弥散定量分析能有效诊断宫颈良恶性病变,敏感性与特异性均较高。     

超声造影在甲状腺结节鉴别诊断及良性结节微波消融治疗中的应用价值

摘要 目的：研究超声造影在甲状腺结节鉴别诊断及良性结节微波消融治疗中的应用价值。方法：选取2015年1月～2018年2月我院收治的甲状腺结节患者100例作为研究对象,所有纳入对象均进行超声造影检查,分析甲状腺结节的超声造影特征,并与病理诊断结果进行对照。此外,将甲状腺良性结节患者以随机抽签法分成超声造影组31例和常规超声组30例。超声造影组微波消融治疗前后均予以超声造影配合,常规超声组微波消融治疗前后均予以常规超声配合。比较两组治疗前后甲状腺结节造影情况以及术后1年结节复发情况。结果：甲状腺恶性结节增强强度为低增强、增强模式为不均匀、无环绕增强占比均高于良性结节（均P＜0.05）。以病理诊断为金标准,超声造影诊断恶性甲状腺结节的灵敏度为92.31%、特异度为78.69%、准确度为84.00%。治疗后超声造影组甲状腺结节最长径、体积均低于常规超声组（均P＜0.05）。超声造影组术后1年结节复发率为0.00%,低于常规超声组的16.67%（P＜0.05）。结论：超声造影应用于甲状腺结节鉴别诊断的价值较高,且结合微波消融治疗良性结节的效果明显,预后理想,值得临床推广应用。     

小波阈值降噪的超声多普勒技术在胎儿中枢神经系统畸形筛查中的临床应用价值

摘要 目的：探究小波阈值降噪的超声多普勒技术在胎儿中枢神经系统（CNS）畸形筛查中的临床应用价值。方法：选择2018年1月-2021年1月于本院进行规范化妊娠早期超声结构筛查的1092例11-13+6周单胎妊娠孕妇,所有孕妇均进行常规超声和小波阈值降噪的超声多普勒技术的检查,并对其妊娠过程和结果进行随访。结果：1092例胎儿产后病理或超声检查显示,胎儿CNS畸形共计19例,发生率为1.74％（19/1092）。其中,露脑畸形8例,无脑畸形5例,前脑无裂畸形3例,脑膜膨出2例,脊柱裂1例。基于小波阈值降噪的超声多普勒技术对胎儿CNS畸形检出的符合率94.74%（18/19）显著高于常规超声63.16%（12/19）,差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）;且基于小波阈值降噪的超声多普勒技术检出胎儿CNS畸形的准确性、敏感度、特异度、阳性预测值、阴性预测值均显著高于常规超声,差异均均有统计学意义（P<0.05）。结论：小波阈值降噪的超声多普勒技术对妊娠早期孕妇进行规范化结构筛查更有助于及早发现胎儿CNS畸形,对降低畸形胎儿的出生率以及指导临床治疗方案的选择具有重要指导意义。     

Phantom study quantifying the depth performance of a handheld magnetometer for sentinel lymph node biopsy

PurposeThe use of a magnetic nanoparticle tracer and handheld magnetometer for sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) was recently introduced to overcome drawbacks associated with the use of radioisotope tracers. Unlike the gamma probe, the used magnetometers are not only sensitive to the tracer, but also the diamagnetic human body. This potentially limits the performance of the magnetometer when used clinically.MethodsA phantom, mimicking the magnetic and mechanical properties of the human axilla, was constructed. The depth performance of two current generation magnetometers was evaluated in this phantom. LN-phantoms with tracer uptake ranging from 5 to 500 μg iron were placed at clinically relevant depths of 2.5, 4 and 5.5 cm. Distance-response curves were obtained to quantify the depth performance of the probes.ResultsThe depth performance of both probes was limited. In the absence of diamagnetic material and forces on the probe (ideal conditions) a LN-phantom with high uptake (500 μg iron) could first be detected at 3.75 cm distance. In the phantom, only superficially placed LNs (2.5 cm) with high uptake (500 μg iron) could be detected from the surface. The penetration depth was insufficient to detect LNs with lower uptake, or which were located deeper.ConclusionThe detection distance of the current generation magnetometers is limited, and does not meet the demands formulated by the European Association for Nuclear Medicine for successful transcutaneous SLN localization. Future clinical trials should evaluate whether the limited depth sensitivity is of influence to the clinical outcome of the SLNB procedure.     

Ultrasound-facilitated formalin fixation of biological specimens

Abstract

In a previous study, we showed that ultrasound can dramatically reduce the time required for tissue fixation in formalin. It generally is believed that ultrasound increases the speed of tissue fixation in two possible ways: 1) increasing the speed of penetration of fixative molecules into tissue samples and 2) increasing the speed of cross-linking reactions. We addressed here the second possible way by using protein solutions and cultured cells, which minimized the effects of the penetration factor. Proteins or cultured cells in solution were fixed with formalin with or without ultrasound irradiation. Fixed proteins and cell lysates then were separated by SDS-poly acrylamide gel electrophoresis and subjected to Western blotting to examine cross-linking formation in certain proteins. Unexpectedly, irradiation with ultrasound did not produce an observable difference in the rate of cross-linking in protein solutions. In similar experiments using cultured cells, however, we observed a significant reduction in recovery of certain proteins from cells fixed by formalin under the influence of ultrasound, which indicated that the ultrasound fixation procedure accelerated cross-linking formation within cells. Studies on protein and cell fixation without ultrasound showed that cross-linking formation was closely related to incubation temperature, which indicates that the heating function, which is inherently associated with ultrasound is another major factor in the ability of ultrasound to accelerate cross-linking.     

An adaptation of the ultrasound transducer element test for multi-row arrays

PurposeA simple “paperclip test” for the function of individual elements in a diagnostic ultrasound transducer array is widely performed and has been adapted for phased arrays. The aim of this study was to adapt the test further for multi-row transducer arrays.MethodsAn embossing tool was used in place of the usual paperclip or metal rod and was slowly moved along the transducer array, attempting to isolate the signal from each row in turn. Phased array transducers were operated in M-mode. Non-functioning elements were identified by a reduction in amplitude of the reverberation line. The test was repeated several times for each transducer, ensuring that all non-functioning elements were identified and looking for consistency of results. 28 phased arrays and 5 linear/curvi-linear arrays in clinical use and 1 phased array and 1 linear array already identified as faulty by electronic transducer testing, and not in clinical service, were available for testing.Results8 of the clinical phased arrays were found to have 1 or more faulty elements; 3 had only minor defects and 5 were replaced under warranty or service contract. The linear/curvi-linear arrays showed no fault. The adapted test showed the failed elements in the known faulty phased array, except at the end of the array, but weak elements were not detected. The faulty linear array had a block of failed outer elements which was identified by the test.ConclusionsThe adapted test is capable of detecting non-functioning elements in multi-row arrays, but weak elements were not detected.     

The Italian multicentre dosimetric study for lesion dosimetry in 223Ra therapy of bone metastases: Calibration protocol of gamma cameras and patient eligibility criteria

PurposeThe aims of this work were to explore patient eligibility criteria for dosimetric studies in ²²³Ra therapy and evaluate the effects of differences in gamma camera calibration procedures into activity quantification.MethodsCalibrations with ²²³Ra were performed with four gamma cameras (3/8-inch crystal) acquiring planar static images with double-peak (82 and 154 keV, 20% wide) and MEGP collimator. The sensitivity was measured in air by varying activity, source-detector distance, and source diameter. Transmission curves were measured for attenuation/scatter correction with the pseudo-extrapolation number method, varying the experimental setup. ²²³Ra images of twenty-five patients (69 lesions) were acquired to study the lesions visibility. Univariate ROC analysis was performed considering visible/non visible lesions on ²²³Ra images as true positive/true negative group, and using as score value the lesion/soft tissue contrast ratio (CR) derived from ^99mTc-MDP WB scan.ResultsSensitivity was nearly constant varying activity and distance (maximum s.d. = 2%). Partial volume effects were negligible for object area ⩾960 mm². Transmission curve measurements are affected by experimental setup and source size, leading to activity quantification errors up to 20%. The ROC analysis yielded an AUC of 0.972 and an optimal threshold of CR of 10, corresponding to an accuracy of 92%.ConclusionThe minimum calibration protocol requires sensitivity and transmission curve measurements varying the object size, performing a careful procedure standardisation. Lesions with ^99mTc-MDP CR higher than 10, not overlapping the GI tract, are generally visible on ²²³Ra images acquired at 24 h after the administration, and possibly eligible for dosimetric studies.     

超声造影技术联合血清CA12-5、CEA、HE-4检查诊断卵巢良恶性肿瘤的临床价值研究

摘要 目的：研究超声造影技术联合血清糖类抗原125（CA12-5）、癌胚抗原（CEA）及人附睾分泌蛋白4（HE-4）检查诊断卵巢良恶性肿瘤的临床价值。方法：将我院从2019年1月～2020年3月收治的83例卵巢肿瘤患者纳入研究。将其按照病理学诊断结果分成恶性组40例与良性组43例,按照是否发生淋巴结转移将恶性组分为转移亚组18例和未转移亚组22例。比较恶性组和良性组各项超声造影指标水平和血清CA12-5、CEA及HE-4水平,比较转移亚组和未转移亚组血清CA12-5、CEA及HE-4水平。通过受试者工作特征（ROC）曲线分析超声造影技术联合血清CA12-5、CEA及HE-4在卵巢良恶性肿瘤中的诊断能效。分析血清CA12-5、CEA及HE-4与卵巢恶性肿瘤患者淋巴结转移的关系。结果：恶性组超声造影增强强度及增强速率均高于良性组,而增强时间短于良性组（P＜0.05）。恶性组血清CA12-5、CEA及HE-4水平均高于良性组（P＜0.05）。超声造影技术联合血清CA12-5、CEA及HE-4诊断卵巢肿瘤良恶性的曲线下面积、灵敏度及特异度分别为0.947、0.96、0.93,高于超声造影技术单独检测或血清CA12-5、CEA及HE-4联合检测。转移亚组患者的血清CA12-5、CEA及HE-4水平均高于未转移亚组患者（P＜0.05）。结论：超声造影技术联合血清CA12-5、CEA及HE-4检查诊断卵巢良恶性肿瘤的价值较高,且联合检测血清CA12-5、CEA及HE-4水平有助于判断淋巴结转移情况,具有较高的临床应用价值。     

高频肺部超声结合分区域扫查早期鉴别新生儿肺透明膜病及湿肺的研究

摘要 目的：探讨高频肺部超声结合分区域扫查早期鉴别新生儿肺透明膜病（HMD）及湿肺（TTN）的临床价值。方法：选取2019年1月～2020年7月因呼吸窘迫进入我院新生儿重症监护室的163例新生儿作为研究对象,患儿均接受X线和高频肺部超声检查,采用最终临床诊断作为金标准,采用受试者工作曲线（ROC）计算超声和X线诊断HMD和TTN的灵敏度、特异性、阳性预测值、阴性预测值、曲线下面积（AUC）、95％CI。结果：超声诊断HMD的灵敏度、特异性、阳性预测值、阴性预测值、AUC均高于X线检查。Z检验显示超声与X线诊断HMD的AUC存在统计学意义（Z=3.996,P=0.001）。超声诊断TTN的灵敏度、特异性、阳性预测值、阴性预测值、AUC均高于X线。Z检验显示,超声与X线诊断TTN的AUC存在统计学差异（Z=4.188,P＜0.001）。结论：高频肺部超声结合分区域扫查早期鉴别新生儿肺透明膜病及湿肺的临床价值高于X线,值得临床推广应用。     

彩色多普勒超声评估卵巢癌周围血管受侵程度及可切除性的应用价值

摘要 目的：探讨彩色多普勒超声评估卵巢癌周围血管受侵程度及可切除性的应用价值。方法：选择2018年2月至2019年8月在本院诊治的卵巢癌患者548例作为研究对象,所有患者都给予彩色多普勒超声,评估患者的周围血管受侵程度及可切除性,记录患者的超声血流频谱。结果：超声诊断为卵巢癌周围血管受侵犯78例,占比14.2 %,诊断敏感性与特异性为97.5 %和100.0 %, ROC曲线面积为0.963。超声诊断为卵巢癌可切除450例,占比82.1 %,诊断敏感性与特异性为99.1 %和90.4 %,ROC曲线面积为0.897。手术切除患者的年龄、体重指数、病理类型、病程等与未手术切除患者对比差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。手术切除患者的搏动指数(pulsation index,PI)和阻力指数(resistance index,RI)高于非手术切除患者,血管舒张末期流速(end-diastolic velocity,EDV)、峰值流速(peak systolic velocity,PSV)低于非手术切除患者,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论：彩色多普勒超声评估卵巢癌周围血管受侵程度及可切除性具有很好的敏感性与特异性,有利于指导卵巢癌患者的病情评估与治疗。     

超声造影联合超声弹性成像组织弥散定量分析在乳腺癌诊断中的应用

摘要 目的：探讨超声造影联合超声弹性成像组织弥散定量分析在乳腺癌诊断中的应用价值。方法：2019年1月至2020年5月选择在本院诊治的乳腺肿瘤患者148例,所有患者都给予超声造影联合超声弹性成像组织弥散定量分析,记录影像学特征。结果：在148例患者中,病理诊断为乳腺癌32例(恶性组),良性乳腺肿瘤116例(良性组)。良性组与恶性组的超声病灶形状、边缘、回声、微钙化等特征对比差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。恶性组的超声造影增强模式、强度与良性组对比差异都有统计学意义(P<0.05)。恶性组的造影灌注参数曲线下面积(Area under the curve,AUC)、峰值强度(Peak intensity,PI)、上升支斜率(Wash in slope,WIS)值都高于良性组,达峰时间(Time To Peak,TTP)值低于良性组,对比差异都有统计学意义(P<0.05)。恶性组的组织弥散定量参数蓝色区域面积百分比(area ratio,%AREA)低于良性组,标准差(standard deviation,SD)、应变均值(mean,MEAN)值高于良性组,对比差异都有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论：超声造影联合超声弹性成像组织弥散定量分析在乳腺癌诊断中的应用作为一种经济快捷、实时无创、重复性好的检查方法,能够定量评估乳腺癌的影像学特征,可为乳腺癌的临床治疗提供更多有价值的信息。     

Measurement of Thermal Effects of Doppler Ultrasound: An In Vitro Study

Objective

Ultrasound is considered a safe imaging modality and is routinely applied during early pregnancy. However, reservations are expressed concerning the application of Doppler ultrasound in early pregnancy due to energy emission of the ultrasound probe and its conversion to heat. The objective of this study was to evaluate the thermal effects of emitted Doppler ultrasound of different ultrasound machines and probes by means of temperature increase of in-vitro test-media.

Methods

We investigated the energy-output of 5 vaginal and abdominal probes of 3 ultrasound machines (GE Healthcare, Siemens, Aloka). Two in-vitro test objects were developed at the Center for Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, Medical University Vienna (water bath and hydrogel bath). Temperature increase during Doppler ultrasound emission was measured via thermal sensors, which were placed inside the test objects or on the probes’ surface. Each probe was emitting for 5 minutes into the absorbing test object with 3 different TI/MI settings in Spectral Doppler mode.

Results

During water bath test, temperature increase varied between 0.1 and 1.0°C, depending on probe, setting and focus, and was found highest for spectral Doppler mode alone. Maximum temperature increase was found during the surface heating test, where values up to 2.4°C could be measured within 5 minutes of emission.

Conclusions

Activation of Doppler ultrasound in the waterbath model causes a significant increase of temperature within one minute. Thermally induced effects on the embryo cannot be excluded when using Doppler ultrasound in early pregnancy.     

Spectroscopic investigations on DNA binding profile of two new naphthyridine carboxamides and their application as turn-on fluorescent DNA staining probes

Abstract

Two new 10-methoxydibenzo[b,h][1,6]naphthyridine-2-carboxamide derivatives (R1 and R2) have been synthesized and characterized using different spectral techniques. The binding of these probes with DNA was investigated using spectral (Electronic, fluorescence, ¹H NMR and circular dichroism) and molecular docking studies. These probes exhibited a strong fluorescence around 440?nm upon excitation around 380?nm. Electronic and competitive fluorescence titration studies, in HEPES [(4-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1-piperazineethanesulfonic acid)] buffer/dimethyl sulfoxide (pH 7.4) medium, suggest that these probes bind strongly to DNA, which is substantiated by ¹H NMR study. The binding constants are calculated to be 5.3?×?10⁷ and 6.8?×?10⁶ M^?1 for R1 and R2, respectively. From the results of spectral studies, it is proposed that the mechanism of binding of these probes with DNA is through minor groove binding mode, which is further confirmed by circular dichroism and molecular docking studies. Initial cell viability screening using MTT (3-[4,5-methylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide) assay shows that normal Vero cells are viable towards these probes at nano molar concentration, which is the concentration range employed in the present study for DNA staining (IC₅₀ in the order of 0.023?mM). The enhancement in fluorescence intensity of these probes upon binding with DNA enables the staining of DNA in agarose gel in gel electrophoresis experiment. The sensitivity of these probes is comparable with that of ethidium bromide and DNA amounts as low as 4 nano gram are detectable.

Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma     

产前经腹灰阶联合彩色血流超声多参数对胎盘植入性疾病的诊断效能研究

摘要 目的：探究产前经腹灰阶联合彩色血流超声多参数对胎盘植入性疾病的诊断效能。方法：2019年11月-2021年12月于我院收治的产前超声诊断为前置胎盘的孕妇共计62例,其中44例超声诊断合并了胎盘植入的孕妇。所有孕妇产前均进行经腹灰阶检查、经腹彩色超声检查和二者联合检查胎盘植入性疾病,通过分析胎盘植入性疾病筛查结果,评价产前超声经腹灰阶联合彩色血流超声多参数对胎盘植入性疾病的筛查效能。结果：（1）通过灰阶超声诊断检出胎盘植入的灵敏度为73.42 %,特异度为86.54 %;（2）通过彩色超声诊断检出胎盘植入的灵敏度为76.89%,特异度为89.07 %;（3）经腹灰阶联合彩色血流超声多参数诊断检出胎盘植入的灵敏度为87.79 %,特异度为90.36 %;（4）经腹灰阶检查、经腹彩色超声检查和二者联合检查对胎盘植入性疾病筛查阳性率分别为56.45 %、62.90 %和67.74 %,二者联合检查对产前胎盘植入性疾病筛查阳性率显著高于经腹灰阶检查和经腹彩色超声检查（P<0.05）。（5）二者联合检查的敏感度为72.26 %,特异度为90.54 %,阳性比为95.55 %,诊断比值比为78.89 %。结论：产前经腹灰阶联合彩色血流超声多参数对胎盘植入性疾病的诊断有较高的灵敏度和特异度,值得临床推广应用。     

超声多技术联合在良恶性甲状腺结节鉴别诊断中的应用价值

摘要 目的：分析超声剪切波弹性成像（SWE）、超声造影（CEUS）、声触诊组织成像及定量（VTIQ）、促甲状腺激素（TSH）多技术联合在甲状腺结节良恶性鉴别诊断中的应用价值。方法：选取宁德市医院甲状腺不确定性质结节患者120例,以病理结果为金标准将其分为良性组和恶性组,分析两组SWE、CEUS、VTIQ各影像参数及术前TSH水平差异,绘制受试者工作特征曲线（ROC）评估上述技术联合对甲状腺结节良恶性的鉴别诊断价值。结果：120例患者共检出128个结节,其中良性47个,恶性81个;恶性组SWE中弹性模量值（Emax、Emin、Emean）均大于良性组（P＜0.01）;恶性组、良性组在CEUS中强化差异有显著性（P＜0.05）;VTIQ中恶性组剪切波速度（SWV）最大值、最小值、平均值均大于良性组（P＜0.01）;恶性组患者术前TSH水平高于良性组（P＜0.01）;ROC曲线分析显示,SWE、CEUS、VTIQ、TSH联合检测诊断甲状腺结节良恶性的效能最高,其灵敏度、特异度、准确度、曲线下面积（AUC）分别为85.19%、89.36%、86.72%、0.873。结论：SWE、CEUS、VTIQ、TSH联合对区分甲状腺结节良恶性有较高价值。     

实时三维超声输卵管造影与X线造影诊断不孕症患者输卵管病变的价值比较

目的:比较实时三维超声输卵管造影与X线造影检查诊断女性不孕症患者输卵管病变的临床应用价值。方法:选择2014年3月至2016年12月我院诊治的不孕症患者60例作为研究对象,所有患者都于月经干净后3-7 d同时随机实施实时三维超声输卵管造影与X线造影检查,观察并记录造影图像质量与诊断结果,比较两种方法的诊断效果。结果:实时三维超声输卵管造影与X线造影的图像质量优良率分别为98.3%和86.7%,实时三维超声输卵管造影的图像质量明显高于X线造影(P0.05)。实时三维超声输卵管造影与X线造影诊断不孕症患者输卵管不通畅率分别为56.7%和46.7%,实时三维超声输卵管造影组显著高于X线造影组(P0.05)。输卵管通畅性评价金标准腹腔镜下通液术诊断发现输卵管不通畅35例,在此基础上实时三维超声输卵管造影与X线造影检查不孕症的敏感性分别为97.1%和80.0%,特异性均为100.0%,超声诊断的敏感性明显高于X线(P0.05)。结论:相对于X线造影,实时三维超声输卵管造影检查不孕症患者输卵管病变的图像质量更好,有利于疾病的判断,对输卵管通畅度判断更精确,利于后期治疗及疾病预防,还可提高诊断敏感性。     

Comparison of accuracy of ultrasonography,progesterone, and pregnancy-associated glycoprotein tests for pregnancy diagnosis in semidomesticated reindeer

The aim of the study was to compare transrectal ultrasound with progesterone (P4) and pregnancy-associated glycoproteins (PAGs) as pregnancy detection methods for semidomesticated reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus) in field conditions. Female reindeer (n = 195) were scanned transrectally by a 7.5-MHz linear array transducer, and blood was sampled either in December 2005 (n = 33), December 2006 (n = 92), or January 2007 (n = 70) during early or mid gestation. Plasma levels of P4 and PAGs were assessed by radioimmunoassay (RIA). Based on calving records, the sensitivity, specificity, predictive values, and the overall accuracy of the three tests were calculated. The overall calving rate calculated from the calving records was 86.2%. The overall accuracy of transrectal ultrasound was 99.5%. The sensitivity and specificity of transrectal ultrasound were 99.4% and 100%, respectively. In the plasma P4 test, the threshold level of 5.0 nmol/L gave the highest overall accuracy (94.9%). The sensitivity of the P4 test decreased from 96.4% to 81.5%, when the threshold level increased from 5.0 nmol/L to 8.0 nmol/L, while the specificity remained at 85.2% over the range of these cutoff values. The overall accuracy of the plasma PAG test decreased from 96.4% to 64.1% when the plasma PAG threshold level increased from 0.5 ng/mL to 3.5 ng/mL, whereas sensitivity decreased from 99.4% to 58.3%. Specificity increased from 77.8% to 100% when the plasma PAG threshold level reached 3.0 ng/mL. Transrectal ultrasound showed higher diagnostic values than those of plasma P4-RIA and PAG-RIA in diagnosing pregnancy of reindeer, with the advantage that diagnoses can be made in real time in field conditions.