scholarly journals WFUMB position paper on reverberation artefacts in lung ultrasound: B-lines or comet-tails?

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gebhard Mathis ◽  
Rudolf Horn ◽  
Susanne Morf ◽  
Helmut Prosch ◽  
Serena Rovida ◽  
...  

The analysis of vertical reverberation artefacts is an essential component of the differential diagnosis in pulmonary ultra-sound. Traditionally, they are often, but not exclusively, called B-line artefacts (BLA) and/or comet tail artefacts (CTA), but this view is misleading. In this position paper we clarify the terminology and relation of the two lung reverberation artefacts BLA and CTA to spe-cific clinical scenarios. BLA are defined by a normal pleura line and are a typical hallmark of cardiogenic pulmonary edema after exclusion of certain pathologies including pneumonia or lung contusion, whereas CTAs show an irregular pleura line representing a variety of parenchymal lung diseases. The dual approach using low frequency transducers to determine BLA and high frequency transducer to determine the pleural surface is recommended.

2017 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 349 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wen-Ping Wang ◽  
Yi Dong ◽  
Jiaying Cao ◽  
Feng Mao ◽  
Yadan Xu ◽  
...  

Aim: To evaluate the benefits of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) with high frequency transducers in the detection and characterization of small superficially located focal liver lesions (FLLs).Material and methods: From January 2015 to October 2016, 27 superficial FLLs detected by MRI were examined, first with the low frequency convex transducer (1-5 MHz) and afterwards with a high frequency transducer (7.5-12 MHz). High frequency dynamic CEUS was performed after a bolus injection of 2.4 ml SonoVue®. FLLs were confirmed by histopathology after surgery (n=18) or ultrasound guided 18-gauge core-needle biopsy (n=8), or by MRI follow-up (n =1).Results: The mean diameter of FLLs was 10.5±3.1 mm, and meandepth was 6.2±5.3 mm. While using a high frequency transducerthe detection rate of FLLs (100%, 27/27) was significantly higher than low frequency transducer (25.9%, 7/27) (p<0.05). The overall sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic accuracy were significantly improved by CEUS with a high frequency transducer (sensitivity 88.9%; specificity 92.6%; accuracy 96.2%).Conclusion: Combining CEUS with the performance of high-frequency transducers is a promising technique to improve the detection and accurate diagnosis of small and superficial FLLs appearing indistinctive on BMUS.


2017 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-29 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mileva Bertal ◽  
Eric Norman Carmel ◽  
Alessia Diana ◽  
Loic Desquilbet ◽  
Swan Specchi ◽  
...  

Objectives The purpose of this study was to determine whether the presence of a splenic mass or a diffusely moth-eaten parenchyma on ultrasonographic scans could represent potential criteria of malignancy in the feline spleen. Methods Feline patients with ultrasonographic images and cytological analysis of the spleen obtained by fine-needle aspiration were retrospectively included in a multicentre study. Results One hundred and ninety-five cats met our inclusion criteria. There was a lack of agreement between the moth-eaten ultrasonographic appearance of the spleen and the presence of a malignant neoplasia on cytological analysis. The sensitivity and specificity of a moth-eaten parenchyma for predicting malignant neoplastic disease were 13.2% and 84.8%, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of a splenic mass >1 cm for predicting malignant neoplastic disease were 21.0% and 94.7%, respectively. A marbled appearance of the splenic parenchyma was significantly more frequent among patients examined with a high-frequency transducer (11–18 MHz) than among those examined with a low-frequency transducer (6.6–10 MHz) (27.6% vs 11.1%, respectively; P = 0.004). Similarly, although not statistically significant, a moth-eaten parenchyma was more frequent in the high-frequency transducer group than in the low-frequency group (17.1% vs 8.9%, respectively; P = 0.09). Conclusions and relevance Based on our findings, a moth-eaten ultrasonographic appearance of the spleen in cats does not necessarily reflect a lymphoma or another malignant neoplastic process on cytological analysis. The presence of a splenic mass >1 cm on ultrasound is suggestive of malignancy in cats. Finally, the transducer frequency must be taken into account when assessing the splenic parenchyma, as a high-frequency transducer seems to improve the detection of a marbled or moth-eaten parenchyma.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Persona Paolo ◽  
Valeri Ilaria ◽  
Zarantonello Francesco ◽  
Forin Edoardo ◽  
Sella Nicolò ◽  
...  

Abstract Background During COVID-19 pandemic, optimization of the diagnostic resources is essential. Lung Ultrasound (LUS) is a rapid, easy-to-perform, low cost tool which allows bedside investigation of patients with COVID-19 pneumonia. We aimed to investigate the typical ultrasound patterns of COVID-19 pneumonia and their evolution at different stages of the disease. Methods We performed LUS in twenty-eight consecutive COVID-19 patients at both admission to and discharge from one of the Padua University Hospital Intensive Care Units (ICU). LUS was performed using a low frequency probe on six different areas per each hemithorax. A specific pattern for each area was assigned, depending on the prevalence of A-lines (A), non-coalescent B-lines (B1), coalescent B-lines (B2), consolidations (C). A LUS score (LUSS) was calculated after assigning to each area a defined pattern. Results Out of 28 patients, 18 survived, were stabilized and then referred to other units. The prevalence of C pattern was 58.9% on admission and 61.3% at discharge. Type B2 (19.3%) and B1 (6.5%) patterns were found in 25.8% of the videos recorded on admission and 27.1% (17.3% B2; 9.8% B1) on discharge. The A pattern was prevalent in the anterosuperior regions and was present in 15.2% of videos on admission and 11.6% at discharge. The median LUSS on admission was 27.5 [21–32.25], while on discharge was 31 [17.5–32.75] and 30.5 [27–32.75] in respectively survived and non-survived patients. On admission the median LUSS was equally distributed on the right hemithorax (13; 10.75–16) and the left hemithorax (15; 10.75–17). Conclusions LUS collected in COVID-19 patients with acute respiratory failure at ICU admission and discharge appears to be characterized by predominantly lateral and posterior non-translobar C pattern and B2 pattern. The calculated LUSS remained elevated at discharge without significant difference from admission in both groups of survived and non-survived patients.


Sensors ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 137 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wenjie Wang ◽  
Weihao Shi ◽  
Peter Thomas ◽  
Mingsui Yang

Based on traditional sandwich structure, two piezoelectric transducers were designed to meet the strict underwater application backgrounds such as high pressure, corrosion resistance, and high strength. Both transducers integrated most of previous researches while one transducer has a multilayer cavity structure which is different from the other structure and previous transducer structures. After a detailed simulation analysis of every structural parameter, key parameters were pointed out to have an obvious influence on its performance. Then, two models were constructed and compared with chosen sets of geometry parameters and manufacturing process, which can also provide a reference for low-frequency transducer design. The simulation results and experimental results of our transducers show a good consistency which indicates the cavity structure can reduce the resonance frequency.


2020 ◽  
Vol 36 (09) ◽  
pp. 667-672
Author(s):  
Megumi Ishiko ◽  
Koichi Yano ◽  
Ema Onode ◽  
Kiyohito Takamatsu

Abstract Background The ulnar artery perforator (UAP) flap, which is hairless, thin, and pliable, has been used for the reconstruction of soft tissues from the finger to the elbow. Preoperative planning is essential for a perforator flap surgery, and there are some tests to identify perforators. Color Doppler ultrasonography (US) with a high-frequency transducer helps in detecting decreased flow in smaller vessels, such as perforators. The purpose of this study was to determine the anatomical locations and origins of perforators arising from the ulnar artery using color Doppler US in healthy volunteers. Methods Forty forearms of 20 healthy volunteers were included in the study. Perforators arising from the ulnar artery, within 100 mm proximal to the pisiform, were investigated using color Doppler US with a high-frequency transducer. Results A total of 205 perforators were identified. On comparing the locations in each 20 mm section from the pisiform, the largest number of perforators was 58 (28%), within 20 mm proximal to the pisiform. The axial view demonstrated 44 (21%), 64 (31%), 32 (16%), and 65 (32%) perforators in the radial, ulnar, superficial, and deep aspects of the ulnar artery, respectively. Fifty-two and 28 essential perforators were supplied by the UAPs arising from the superficial and ulnar aspect within 20 mm proximal to the pisiform and between 21 and 40 mm proximal to the pisiform, respectively, while elevating the UAP flap. Conclusion This is the first study to assess the UAP using color Doppler US. Identification of UAP using color Doppler US can be used as a preoperative assessment for reliable elevation of a UAP flap.


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