can also be used for identification of substantial fibrosis in patients with chronic liver disease.

To evaluate the diagnostic performance of combined B-mode sonography and ultrasound elastography for differentiation between benign and malignant breast masses with circumscribed margins.

We analyzed 109 pathologically proven circumscribed breast masses. Two radiologists retrospectively reviewed B-mode sonograms and elastograms in consensus. Based on the American College of Radiology Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System, we determined categories of the masses on B-mode sonography. Elastographic scores were assessed by a 3-point scale (negative, 0; equivocal, 1; and positive, 2). When the elastographic score for a lesion was 0 or 2, we downgraded or upgraded the B-mode category, respectively; thus, the reclassified Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System category was defined as the „reclassification category.” Mean category values for benign and malignant lesions were compared by a Student t test. The diagnostic performance of B-mode, elastographic, and reclassification assessments was compared by receiver operating characteristic curve analysis.

The mean B-mode category (2.5 versus 1.7), elastographic score (1.7 versus 0.8), and reclassification category (3.2 versus 1.6) were significantly higher in malignant than benign lesions (P < .001). The area under the curve for reclassification assessment was significantly higher than that for B-mode sonography (0.916 versus 0.795; P < .05). With a cutoff value between 1 and 2, the specificity was increased from 26.5% to 42.9% after reclassification.

For differentiation between benign and malignant circumscribed breast masses, combined use of B-mode sonography and elastography could provide a better diagnostic performance than B-mode sonography alone.

For differentiation between benign and malignant circumscribed breast masses, combined use of B-mode sonography and elastography could provide a better diagnostic performance than B-mode sonography alone.

Practicing anesthesiologists have generally not received formal training in ultrasound-guided perineural catheter insertion. We designed this study to determine the efficacy of a standardized teaching program in this population.

Anesthesiologists in practice for 10 years or more were recruited and enrolled to participate in a 1-day program lectures and live-model ultrasound scanning (morning) and faculty-led iterative practice and mannequin-based simulation (afternoon). Participants were assessed and recorded while performing ultrasound-guided perineural catheter insertion at baseline, at midday (interval), and after the program (final). Videos were scored by 2 blinded reviewers using a composite tool and global rating scale. Participants were surveyed every 3 months for 1 year to report the number of procedures, efficacy of teaching methods, and implementation obstacles.

Thirty-two participants were enrolled and completed the program; 31 of 32 (97%) completed the 1-year follow-up. Final scores [median lenge.

This study was performed to evaluate the diagnostic utility of quantitative analysis of benign and malignant breast lesions using contrast-enhanced sonography.

Contrast-enhanced sonography using the perflubutane-based contrast agent Sonazoid (Daiichi Sankyo, Tokyo, Japan) was performed in 94 pathologically proven palpable breast mass lesions, which could be depicted with B-mode sonography. Quantitative analyses using the time-intensity curve on contrast-enhanced sonography were performed in 5 region of interest (ROI) types (manually traced ROI and circular ROIs of 5, 10, 15, and 20 mm in diameter). The peak signal intensity, initial slope, time to peak, positive enhancement integral, and wash-out ratio were investigated in each ROI.

There were significant differences between benign and malignant lesions in the time to peak (P < .05), initial slope (P < .001), and positive enhancement integral (P < .05) for the manual ROI. Significant differences were found between benign and malignant lesions in the time to peak (P < .05) for the 5-mm ROI; the time to peak (P < .05) and initial slope (P< .05) for the 10-mm ROI; absolute values of the peak signal intensity (P< .05), time to peak (P< .01), and initial slope (P< .005) for the 15-mm ROI; and the time to peak (P < .05) and initial slope (P < .05) for the 20-mm ROI. There were no statistically significant differences in any wash-out ratio values for the 5 ROI types.

Kinetic analysis using contrast-enhanced sonography is useful for differentiation between benign and malignant breast lesions.

Kinetic analysis using contrast-enhanced sonography is useful for differentiation between benign and malignant breast lesions.

To investigate effects of needle and catheter size on in vitro ultrasound contrast agent (UCA) enhancement and concentrations using 4 commercially available UCAs.

Definity (Lantheus Medical Imaging, North Billerica, MA), Optison (GE Healthcare, Princeton, NJ), SonoVue (Bracco SA, Geneva, Switzerland), and Sonazoid (GE Healthcare, Oslo, Norway) were investigated. The UCA was injected via a 1-mL syringe (BD, Franklin Lakes, NJ) into a 3-way stopcock (Smith Medical, Dublin, OH) and flushed with 10 mL of saline through an 18-cm infusion extension tube connected to either a 16-, 18-, 20-, 22-, or 24-gauge catheter (BD) or an 18-, 20-, 21-, or 25-gauge needle (BD). In vitro enhancement was determined in a flow phantom (ATS Laboratories, Bridgeport, CT), and microbubble concentrations were determined using an LSRII flow cytometer (BD Biosciences, San Jose, CA).

Significant decreases in enhancement and microbubble concentrations were observed for all 4 UCAs (P < .001) when administration was performed through a 25-gauge needle. No statistically significant differences in enhancement or concentrations were observed between all catheter sizes and 18- to 21-gauge needles for SonoVue and Sonazoid. Definity and Optison administration through a 24-gauge catheter resulted in a significant loss of enhancement (P < .02), although these differences were not significant on flow cytometry.

Administration of commercial UCAs in a clinical scenario is possible with catheters or needles smaller than 20 gauge, although the minimal allowable size appears to be UCA specific.

Administration of commercial UCAs in a clinical scenario is possible with catheters or needles smaller than 20 gauge, although the minimal allowable size appears to be UCA specific.Chiral aluminum nanoparticles, dispersed in water, are prepared, which provide strong ultraviolet plasmonic circular dichroism, high-energy superchiral near-fields, and charge-selective protein detection.This study sought to investigate whether isolated abnormal strict morphology ( less then 5% normal forms) and very low strict morphology (0-1% normal forms) affects pregnancy rates in intrauterine insemination (IUI). This was a retrospective study performed at an Academic Medical Center/Reproductive Medicine Center. Four hundred and eight couples were included for 856 IUI cycles. 70 IUI cycles were performed in couples with abnormal strict morphology and otherwise normal semen parameters. Outcomes were measured as clinical pregnancy rate per IUI cycle as documented by fetal heart activity on maternal ultrasound. Clinical pregnancy rate did not significantly differ between the group with abnormal strict morphology [11/70 (15.7%)] and the normal morphology group [39/281 (13.9%)]. Additionally, there was no significant difference between the pregnancy rate in the abnormal morphology group compared to that of our overall institutional IUI pregnancy rate [145/856 (16.9%)]. Furthermore, there was no significant difference between pregnancy rate in the very low morphology group [3/14 (21.4%)] compared to those with normal morphology or the overall IUI pregnancy rate. Patients with isolated abnormal strict morphology have clinical pregnancy rates similar to those with normal morphology for IUI. Even in those with very low normal forms, consideration of IUI for assisted reproduction should not be excluded.

The eosin-5’maleimide (EMA) binding test has been studied extensively for the detection of hereditary spherocytosis (HS). Its performance characteristics have been compared to NaCl-based or glycerol lysis-based red cell osmotic fragility tests and cryohemolysis. HS samples are also better identified when both mean channel fluorescence (MCF) of EMA relative to controls and the coefficient of variation (CV) are analyzed.

We looked at 65 normal controls including 30 adults 25-65 years old and 35 newborns and 12 HS cases. In addition to the MCF and the CV, we used a side scatter (SSC) vs. EMA fluorescence gate or „footprint” to depict where normal erythrocytes should appear. Erythrocytes that have reduced band 3 protein appear outside of the footprint.

In our study, newborn data did not cluster with the samples from working age individuals. The MCF and the CVs of normal newborns were higher than normal adult group. However, the footprint data of normal samples relative to their controls was around 99.5% for each group, because the footprint was moved to fit the pattern of the normal.

The inclusion of footprint parameter will help in better standardization as well as implementation of this test across different age groups as well as different instruments. © 2015 International Clinical Cytometry Society.

The inclusion of footprint parameter will help in better standardization as well as implementation of this test across different age groups as well as different instruments. © 2015 International Clinical Cytometry Society.One of the most important aspects of cancer treatment is radiation therapy, which is used for a wide range of malignancies. However, this treatment modality has side effects that impose the patient to increased risks of mortality and morbidity. Total dose, fraction size, and duration of radiation therapy are among the factors contributing to toxicities. In recent decades, fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-PET/computed tomography (CT) has been extensively used for diagnosis, prognostication, response to treatment assessment, and management of cancers and is currently a standard modality for many cancers. This article discusses the role of PET/CT, and especially FDG-PET/CT, in radiotherapy complications.PET imaging has contributed substantially in oncology by allowing improved clinical staging and guiding appropriate cancer management. Integration with radiotherapy planning via PET/computed tomography (CT) simulation enables improved target delineation, which is paramount for conformal radiotherapy techniques. This article reviews the present literature regarding implications of PET/CT for radiotherapy planning and management.Thermal ablation (radiofrequency, microwave, cryosurgery, laser interstitial thermal therapy) is being used more frequently as a local treatment of secondary but also primary cancers and benign lesions. It has a low morbidity and is repeatable. The problem is that computed tomographic scan has limits, and RECIST criteria are not applicable. The objective of this article is to summarize the usefulness and pitfalls of PET/computed tomography in detecting a relapse after thermal ablation as soon as possible.