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[Technique and diagnostic value of musculoskeletal ultrasonography in rheumatology. Part 6: ultrasonography of the wrist/hand].

Sonography of the hands is especially helpful in the diagnosis of early arthritis. Sonography allows for a very sensitive detection of small joint-effusion, tenosynovitis and small erosive bone lesions earlier than conventional radiography. Musculoskeletal sonography is also helpful in morphological analysis of changes of the median nerve in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome. The following standard scans are suggested for the sonographic evaluation of the wrist: 1. dorsal longitudinal scan along the radio-carpal joint, 2) along the ulno-carpal joint, and 3) dorsal transverse scan along the wrist to detect joint fluid collection, synovitis, tenosynovitis, ganglia, irregularities of the bone surface in osteoarthritis, and erosions due to inflammatory disease, 4) volar longitudinal scan along the radio-carpal joint, and 5) along the ulno-carpal joint, and 6) volar transverse scan along the wrist to diagnose the same objective as the above mentioned scans and to evaluate the median nerve in cases of carpal tunnel syndrome. Optional scans are the following: 7) ulnar longitudinal 8) transverse scan along the ulnar joint space and the extensor carpi ulnaris muscle to detect tenosynovitis and caput ulnae syndrome, 9) radial longitudinal, and 10). transverse scan along the joint space to diagnose synovitis and tenosynovitis. The following standard scans are suggested for the sonographic evaluation of the fingers: 1) volar longitudinal, 2) volar transverse scan in extension along the finger joints to detect effusion and synovial proliferation, tenosynovitis, irregularities of the bone surface (osteophytes, erosions), 3) dorsal longitudinal scans in extension and flexion >70 degrees along the CMC I, MCP, PIP and DIP joints to evaluate effusion and synovial proliferation, tenosynovitis or tendinitis, irregularities of the bone surface (osteophytes, erosions), and 4) dorsal transverse scans along the finger joints to evaluate these structures in an additional dimension. Optional 5) scans include the following: medial longitudinal scan along the MCP I, II, PIP and DIP joints, and 6) lateral longitudinal scan along the MCP V, PIP and DIP joints to evaluate the erosive bone process and joint instability. A linear transducer with a frequency of between 7.5 and 12 MHz is recommendable. The anterior distance between the bone and the joint-capsule of the wrist is > or = 3 mm in probable and > or = 4 mm in definite synovitis or effusions. Synovitis or effusions are probable if the difference between right and left wrist is > or = 1 mm, and they are definite if the difference is > or = 2 mm. A carpal tunnel syndrome is probable with a cross-sectional area of the median nerve of > or = 12 mm(2).

Arthritis, Rheumatoid↗

[Transrectal ultrasonography in the assessment of patients after radical prostatectomy. Normal and pathologic ultrasonography anatomy of vesico-urethral anastomosis].

OBJECTIVE: To determine the ultrasound characteristics of the vesico-urethral anastomotic complex in patients with radical prostatectomy to separate normal prostate fossae from those affected by local recurrence or residual tumour. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between January 1998 and June 1999 15 ultrasound guided transrectal biopsies of vesico-urethral anastomosis or prostate fossae were performed in patients with radical prostatectomy. The selection criteria to perform puncture in these patients were a negative extension study (abdominal-pelvic CT and bone scan), PSA higher than 0.4 ng/mL and/or suspicious DRE. The study was completed with 10 transrectal ultrasound (TRU) after radical prostatectomy in patients with normal PSA and DRE. TRU parameters in patients with tumour-positive biopsies were compare to those from patients with negative biopsies and those obtained from TRU in patients with both normal PSA and normal DRE. RESULTS: The ultrasound parameters that best described prostate fossa abnormalities were the presence of hypoechoic masses or nodes and the integrity or not of the retro-anastomotic fat layer. When a hypoechoic mass or node was found at the anastomosis level, 80% biopsies were positive for tumour local recurrence. The percentage increases when changes are seen at the retro-anastomotic fat layer. CONCLUSIONS: In spite of a good correlation between ultrasound abnormalities and positive biopsies, ultrasound findings from the vesico-urethral anastomosis in patients with radical prostatectomy are not well defined. Nodes or ultrasound irregularities can exist in normal prostate fossae as well as normal anastomosis ultrasound in the presence of tumoral relapses. We believe TRU of vesico-urethral anastomosis to be the best method available to evaluate local recurrence or tumoral persistence after radical prostatectomy.

Anastomosis, Surgical↗

A technique for the measurement of visceral fat by ultrasonography: comparison of measurements by ultrasonography and computed tomography.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to create a method of calculating intra-abdominal visceral fat volume by using ultrasound (US). The visceral fat volume measured by US was evaluated by comparison with the volume measured by computed tomography (CT). METHODS: Eighty-seven patients (52 males and 35 females) were enrolled in this study. Both US and CT were performed, and the visceral fat volume was measured. Both the distance and thickness of the parameters in US were measured as follows: 1) the distance between the internal surface of the abdominal muscle and the splenic vein, 2) the distance between the internal surface of the abdominal muscle and the posterior wall of aorta on the umbilicus, and 3) the thickness of the fat layer of the posterior right renal wall. RESULTS: The equation was calculated as follows: [visceral fat volume]=-9.008+1.191x[distance between the internal surface of the abdominal muscle and the splenic vein (mm)]+0.987x[distance between the internal surface of the abdominal muscle and the posterior wall of the aorta on the umbilicus (mm)]+3.644x[thickness of the fat layer of the posterior right renal wall (mm)]. There was a good correlation between the visceral fat volume calculated by the above equation and the volume by CT described (r=0.860, p<0.0001). CONCLUSION: The measurement of the visceral fat volume using US provided results as effectively as CT, and it was proven to be a useful method.

Adult↗

Ultrasonography in the differential diagnosis of Achilles tendon injuries and related disorders. A comparison between pre-operative ultrasonography and surgical findings.

PURPOSE: To assess the value of US in the diagnosis of various Achilles tendon disorders. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Pre-operative US was compared with surgical findings in 79 patients with an Achilles tendon complaint. RESULTS: US was highly reliable for verifying a complete Achilles tendon rupture, only one false-negative US examination was found in the 26 surgically verified cases. For diagnosing retrocalcanear bursitis, US was accurate: 6 out of the 8 cases of bursitis were found and there were no false-positive cases. There were also no false-positive US findings in patients with peritendinitis/tendinitis, but 7 false-negative US cases among the 40 surgically verified peritendinitis/tendinitis patients indicated that a negative US finding in a clinically suspected case of peritendinitis/tendinitis is unreliable. US also seemed to be inadequate for differentiating partial tendon rupture from a focal tendon degeneration. Nevertheless, the occurrence and location of such a lesion could be adequately determined by US. CONCLUSION: US can reliably be used for locating the Achilles tendon abnormality, estimating its severity, and determining most of the conditions requiring surgical intervention. However, US is not completely reliable for diagnosing peritendinitis and tendinitis, and it cannot be used to differentiate partial tendon ruptures from focal degenerative lesions.

Achilles Tendon↗

[Potential of ultrasonography and ultrasonography-guided biopsy in the diagnosis of local recurrence following radical prostatectomy].

INTRODUCTION: [corrected] We investigated the diagnostic role of combined transrectal US (TRUS) and biopsy to detect recurrent cancer after radical prostatectomy, in patients with negative bone scintigraphy and elevated prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From March, 1997, to May, 1998, we examined 12 patients with persistently detectable serum PSA levels and negative bone scintigraphy. At the time of diagnosis, an average 36 months had elapsed since prostatectomy. Digital rectal examination (DRE) and disease stage at the time of surgery were also considered. Patients age ranged 47 to 83 years (mean: 65). All patients underwent TRUS with a 7.5 MHz biplane probe; biopsy was performed with a 16 G cutting needle. TRUS findings were considered suspicious if the scan showed any unusual hypoechoic tissue adjacent to the bladder neck, in retrotrigone or peri-retroanastomotic site. In these cases a transperineal US-guided biopsy was performed. RESULTS: The biopsy proved cancer in 10/12 cases (in 12 cases after two biopsies), showing a better diagnostic accuracy than DRE, which poorly distinguished postoperative changes from recurrent or residual cancer. CONCLUSIONS: The early detection of recurrences after radical prostatectomy in patients with negative bone scintigraphy is feasible when the above examinations are performed in the same order as described: PSA levels, if altered, indicate the patients to be submitted to TRUS. The latter may be falsely negative in some cases because small recurrences may exhibit no findings at US, and therefore US-guided biopsy of peri-retro-anastomotic regions should be always performed too. The recurrence must be confirmed at histology because histologic findings help choose adjuvant treatment and/or radical irradiation.

Aged↗

[Assessment of microvascularization around the plaques in Peyronie's disease with Doppler color ultrasonography, power Doppler and ultrasonography contrast media].

INTRODUCTION: The origin of Peyronie's disease remains obscure although the first report of this condition dates back to 1743. The disease prevalence in 388.6 in 100,000 population and little physiopathologic information is available. Repeated microtrauma to the tunica albuginea appears to favor the onset of inflammatory phenomena which result in fibrosis and calcification. The disease activity produces a microvascularization around the fibrocalcific plaques. We studied the evolution of the inflammatory process in Peyronie's disease relative to clinical symptoms, in order to optimize treatment follow-up. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We examined 20 patients with Peyronie's disease aged 34 to 56 years using a GE Sonora Logic 500 MD US scanner with linear probes of 7.5 and 13 MHz. The microvascularization around the plaques was studied with color and power Doppler investigations before contrast agent administration and with combined color and power Doppler after contrast agent administration. We injected Levovist (300 mg/mL) and 10 micrograms prostglandin E1 (PGE1). Examinations were repeated after 2-4 months in the patients with evidence of microvascularization around the plaques. RESULTS: US demonstrated fibrocalcific plaques in all the patients. The microvascularization around the plaques was seen with color Doppler in 3 cases (15%), with power Doppler in 5 cases (25%) and with contrast-enhanced color and power Doppler in 7 cases (35%). At 2-4 months' follow-up, we observed slight plaque enlargement and worsened symptoms in 5 of 7 patients (71%) with evidence of some microvascularization around the plaque. CONCLUSIONS: The plaque presence allows to define the condition and the microvascularization provides information on its evolution. The disease activity can be distinguished into 3 stages which can be related to the painful symptoms. US exhibits a better cost/benefit ratio than contrast-enhanced MRI.

Adult↗

[Ultrasonography and Doppler color ultrasonography in kidney neoplasms: the demands of the clinician].

The high number of diagnostic methods for images (ultrasound, computer tomography--CT, magnetic nuclear resonance--MNR) has allowed the urologist diagnosis more precocious of renal masses contributing to increase the survival rate and quality of life of patients affected by renal carcinoma. Although many are the advantages that the ultrasound scan gives to the urologist, still today in presence of ultrasound scan results showing expansive renal masses, probably malignant, many perform a CT or MNR for diagnostic confirmation and tumor extension.

Diagnosis, Differential↗

[Transrectal ultrasonography in the early diagnosis of prostate carcinoma: use of a new ultrasonography technique with endorectal probe].

Seventy-80% of prostatic carcinoma develops in the peripheral gland. Transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) has the capacity to identify nodules or hypoechogenic areas in the peripheral zone, suspected to be carcinoma. We describe a new echographic technic with endorectal probe (target compression test), to study hypoechogenic areas or nodules in the peripheral gland, during TRUS examination. Thirty-three patients, aged 49-77 years, with prostatic peripheral hypoechoic lesion at transrectal ultrasound, were studied. All patients underwent prostatic biopsy. Ten of the 11 positive patients (non compressible lesion) at the target compression test resulted to be affected by adenocarcinoma. Only 3 of the 22 negative patients (compressible lesion) at the target compression test resulted to be affected by adenocarcinoma. Even if our data have to be confirmed by further studies, they suggest that the target compression test may be a useful complementary test, during TRUS, in the evaluation of hypoechogenic areas in the peripheral gland.

Aged↗

[Pulse inversion ultrasonography with ultrasonography contrast media (levovist) in the evaluation of hepatic metastasis].

PURPOSE: To evaluate if Pulse Inversion Harmonic Imaging with contrast agent injection (Levovist) is able to determine an increase of echogenicity in normal hepatic parenchyma, and to compare its capability to detect metastatic focal lesions with that of standard US and spiral CT. To define and standardize the technical and methodological aspects of this new technique. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A selected group of 72 patients (42 males and 30 females) with clinical and instrumental suspect of hepatic metastatic lesions was included in the prospective study. Each patient was examined by conventional ultrasound (US), Pulse Inversion Harmonic Imaging (PI) and spiral-CT (spCT). US examination was performed using an HDI 5000 (ATL, Bothell, USA) equipped with a broadband probe (5.0-2.0 MHz). 2.5 g Levovist (Schering AG-Berlin) was administered intravenously, at concentration of 300 mg/ml and a flow rate of 7 ml/min. Video clips obtained with the acquired images before and after contrast medium administration were transferred to a magnet optic disk unit. Examinations were evaluated by an experienced radiologist blindly on a workstation that allowed a qualitative-quantitative analysis. SpCT images were evaluated separately by another experienced radiologist. US images were evaluated qualitatively (number of lesions, site of lesion, diameter of the smallest lesion detectable) and quantitatively (increase in parenchymal echogenicity 20", 40", 60" and 5' after the injection of contrast agent). RESULTS: In all cases examined, the echogenicity of normal hepatic parenchyma increased after contrast agent administration, reaching a peak of about 250% (1DS) at 60 s and a decreasing gradually in 5 minutes. Conventional US detected 195 focal lesions, CT 231, and US with pulse inversion technique and contrast agent (US-PI) 287. Mean differences among the number of lesions detected by the different techniques per each patient were also calculated. Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test showed a statistically significant difference between US-PI and US (p < .0001), CT and US (p = .0052) and US-PI and CT (p = .0121). US-PI detected the smallest lesions, which went undetected by the CT and conventional US examinations. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: In 10 cases (14.3%) contrast enhanced US-PI demonstrated the presence of a number of lesions greater than 5 (diffuse metastatization and inoperability) in comparison to that detected by spCT). The greater echogenicity of normal hepatic parenchyma using pulse inversion technique after Levovist infusion allowed to better demonstrate hepatic metastases. This technique showed a higher identification rate of small lesions in comparison to basal examination and to spiral CT. Contrast enhanced US-PI demonstrated a remarkable increase in echogenicity of hepatic parenchyma in portal phase. The technique significantly improves the detection of focal lesions allowing visualization of smaller lesions compared to CT and US. These results indicate that the technique could be used in the staging of liver metastasis. However, large multicentric trials are required to validate US-PI and better define its role in the work-up of patients with neoplastic disorder.

Adult↗

Is preoperative transrectal ultrasonography of value in localised prostatic carcinoma? A blind comparative study between preoperative transrectal ultrasonography and the histopathological radical prostatectomy specimen.

Digital rectal examination (DRE) for staging is subjective and unreliable. Understaging has been reported in 25-72% and clinical overstaging of T3 tumors varies from 24-50%. In the present study of 15 patients, transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) staging was compared, in a blind comparative fashion, with pathological staging of the surgical specimen. Multifocal lesions were present in 8/15 patients (53%). A distinction was made between capsular involvement and 'clear' capsular penetration. TRUS was more sensitive in predicting capsular involvement than DRE (83% vs 17%), but the specificity was low (67% vs 100%). If capsular perforation was considered, the sensitivity and specificity of TRUS are 43% and 91%, respectively. Sensitivity and specificity for seminal vesicle tumor involvement by TRUS was 63% and 86%. Using TRUS the overall staging was improved by 33% compared with DRE and therefore TRUS is considered to be a valuable acquisition in localising and staging prostate cancer.

Aged↗