Abstract
Risk of pulmonary embolism in patients with isolated great saphenous vein thrombus . Gupta A, Pandya V, Baran T, et al. Ultrasound Q 2018; 34: 167–169.
Here's a retrospective review of 127 patients. They comprised three groups: patients with isolated great saphenous vein (GSV) thrombosis, patients with GSV thrombosis and a concomitant deep vein thrombosis, and a control group with leg swelling but normal ultrasound appearances. The results indicate that there was no significant increase in risk of pulmonary embolism in the group with isolated GSV thrombosis compared with the normal group suggesting it’s still only deep vein thrombosis that is a concern for PE.
The clinical value of maternal and fetal Doppler parameters in low-risk postdates pregnancies – A prospective study . Lebovitz O, Barzilay E, Mazaki-Tovi S, et al. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med 2018; 31: 2893–2897.
Researchers studied 120 low-risk pregnant women over 40 weeks of gestation and found that Doppler indices of the maternal uterine artery, the umbilical artery and the fetal middle cerebral artery differed very little between those who experienced an adverse perinatal outcome and those who did not. The conclusion is that routine Doppler contributes little to this cohort.
A retrospective study of ultrasound-guided high intensity focussed ultrasound ablation for multiple uterine fibroids in South Africa . He M, Jacobson H, Zhang C, et al. Int J Hyperthermia 2018; 34: 1304–1310.
This study involving 81 black women found that ultrasound-guided high intensity focused ultrasound was an effective method for treating multiple uterine fibroids. No severe complications were seen, and one patient even conceived three months after treatment and went on to have a term vaginal delivery.
The effect of obesity on early fetal growth and pregnancy duration: A cohort study . Thagaard IN, Krebs L, Holm JC, et al. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med 2018; 3: 2941–2946.
Over 9000 women were included in this large Danish study, which found that fetuses of women with a higher body mass index were more likely to measure smaller in the first and second trimesters. Furthermore, the overall pregnancy duration was longer.
Clinical improvements are not explained by changes in tendon structure on ultrasound tissue characterization after an exercise program for patellar tendinopathy . van Ark M, Rio E, Cook J, et al. Am J Phys Med Rehab 2018; 97: 708–714.
This randomised clinical trial investigated 29 volleyball and basketball players with clinically diagnosed patellar tendinopathy who were enrolled on an exercise programme to try to reduce pain. Despite participants reporting a reduction in pain symptoms, the tendons showed no ultrasonic change in appearance.
Changes in cerebral haemodynamics in cirrhotic patients after liver transplantation . Macías-Rodríguez RU, Ruiz-Margáin A, Cantú-Brito C, et al. Liver Transplant September 2018. DOI: 10.1002/lt.25335 [Epub ahead of print].
This prospective cohort study included 27 patients with a median follow-up after transplant of six months. Both middle cerebral arteries were assessed using transcranial Doppler ultrasound before and after transplant. Significant improvement in cerebral haemodynamics was observed, indicating less arterial vasoconstriction, which can be the basis for cognitive improvement after liver transplant in the long term.
Visuospatial skills are better predictors than dexterity for basic ultrasonographic and fluoroscopic skills in veterinary students . Walker MA, MacCormick MRA, Kilkenny JJ, et al. Vet Radiol Ultrasound September 2018. DOI: 10.1111/vru.12678 [Epub ahead of print].
This cohort study from Canada gave 50 veterinary students various tasks to complete against the clock. Interestingly, the results found that those who used chopsticks completed the ‘non-dominant hand ultrasound test' faster than those who did not. Apart from the chopstick use, which to me is a feat of dexterity forever beyond my capability, it was the visuospatial tasks that better predicted students' ultrasound skill.