Journal of ultrasound in medicine : official journal of the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine
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Neonates in the neonatal intensive care unit often require considerable support with endotracheal tubes, umbilical arterial and venous catheters, and peripherally inserted central venous catheters. Support device evaluation with radiography exposes neonates to ionizing radiation. This study evaluated the effectiveness of sonographic localization for endotracheal tubes, umbilical arterial and venous catheters, and peripherally inserted central venous catheters. ⋯ The effectiveness of sonography was excellent for evaluation of umbilical arterial and venous catheters, endotracheal tubes, and peripherally inserted central venous catheters. These results support the goal of further point-of-care training and accreditation to use sonography as a primary modality for complete evaluation of NICU support devices.
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To compare older and newer magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) criteria for placental invasion and to compare the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of MRI and sonography in determining the depth of placental invasion. ⋯ The diagnosis of placental invasion remains challenging on sonography and MRI, which perform similarly. The presence of 2 or more criteria adds specificity to the diagnosis of placental invasion on MRI.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Comparison of Two Injection Techniques for Intra-articular Hip Injections.
Intra-articular hip joint injections have traditionally relied on the use of image guidance to confirm intra-articular needle placement. Musculoskeletal ultrasound (US) has emerged as a popular tool to aid the clinician in performing intra-articular hip injections. Modern automated injection delivery systems are commercially available and may offer the potential to optimize clinical efficiency while limiting procedural morbidity. The purpose of this study was to compare patient-reported outcomes and clinical efficiency between two US-guided intra-articular hip injection techniques. The hypothesis was that the use of an automated delivery system for US-guided intra-articular hip joint injections would show superiority in clinical efficiency over traditional syringe injections. ⋯ Use of an automated delivery system for US-guided intra-articular hip injections did not show superior efficiency or patient comfort over traditional syringe injections. Intra-articular corticosteroid injections led to clinically and statistically significant improvements in pain and function for patients with intra-articular hip pain, irrespective of the delivery method. Smoking history and female sex were independent predictors of increased pain associated with intra-articular hip joint injections.
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The purpose of this study was to determine prognostic factors affecting semen parameters in patients with varicocele during the postadolescent period. ⋯ The left peak retrograde flow velocity and reflux grade in the standing position were significantly associated with all semen analysis parameters. This finding supports the use of testicular duplex Doppler sonography as a noninvasive tool for evaluation of testicular function in patients with varicocele and helps clinicians determine patients' fertility status.
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We have designed, produced, and tested an echogenic needle based on a sawtooth pattern where the height of the tooth was 1.25 times the wavelength of the ultrasound transducer. A numeric solution to the time-independent wave equation (Helmholtz equation) was used to create a model of backscattering from a needle. A 21-gauge stainless steel prototype was manufactured and tested in a water bath. ⋯ A prototype needle was tested in a water bath and compared to the model prediction. After verification of our model, we designed an 18-gauge needle, which performed better than an existing echogenic needle (Pajunk) at 60° of insonation. Our needle will require further testing in human trials.