Objectives-The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of the novel "superb microvascular imaging" (SMI) Doppler ultrasound technique to detect ovarian vascularity in healthy children and to compare it with the conventional Doppler ultrasound techniques.Methods-This prospective study included 140 girls, aged 3 to 18 years, for which an abdominal ultrasound study was requested in the pediatrics outpatient clinics for suspicion of nonovarian pathologies. Nineteen individuals were excluded from the study due to incomplete ultrasound scanning. For the remaining 121 cases, gray scale ultrasound evaluation was performed followed by color Doppler imaging, power Doppler imaging, advanced dynamic flow, color SMI, and monochrome SMI to detect the presence and degree of vascularity in the ovaries. Ultrasound scanning was performed for all participants by the same doctor by using curvilinear probe via the suprapubic approach, and the images were independently evaluated by 3 different observers. The images were assessed with regard to the degree of vascularity and the presence of artifacts.Results-A total of 146 ovaries (42 right, 54 left, and 25 bilateral) were examined by sonography. The mean interrater agreement regarding the detection of vascularity was moderate for the color Doppler imaging, power Doppler imaging, advanced dynamic flow, and monochrome SMI techniques (κ = 0.514-0.551) and substantial for the color SMI technique (κ = 0.636) (P < .001). The techniques were found to be statistically significant for detecting vascularity: monochrome SMI > color SMI > power Doppler imaging > color Doppler imaging > advanced dynamic flow (P < .001).Conclusion-SMI is a promising tool that can detect ovarian vascularity more effectively than the conventional Doppler ultrasound techniques.

Venous thrombus hardens with age; however, elastography pattern on RTE, in its present form, may not be able to differentiate acute DVT from subacute DVT.

Objectives-To evaluate testicular vascularity in neonates by using the novel Superb Microvascular Imaging (SMI; Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation, Tokyo, Japan) ultrasound (US) technique and to compare this technique to conventional Doppler US techniques.Methods-A total of 140 healthy neonates between 2 and 60 days old who were admitted for routine screening were included in the study. However, in 9 cases, the Doppler study could not be completed. In the remaining 131 cases, color Doppler imaging (CDI), power Doppler imaging (PDI), Advanced Dynamic Flow (ADF; Toshiba Medical Systems), and monochrome SMI (mSMI) techniques were performed on a single representative testicle. Real-time cine images were captured for 5 to 10 seconds for each technique by using a high-frequency (7.2-14-MHz) linear transducer. The images were evaluated by 3 observers using a grading system to quantify the degree of vascularity and artifact interference.Results-A total of 131 testicles (74 right and 57 left) were evaluated, and vascularity was shown in 110 (84%) testicles with CDI, 109 (83%) with PDI, 94 (72%) with ADF, and 128 (98%) with mSMI by the consensus of all observers. The Doppler techniques were ranked from highest to lowest in the following order based on the degree of vascularity detected: mSMI > PDI > CDI > ADF (P < .001). Based on the presence of artifacts, the Doppler techniques were ranked as follows from high to low: ADF > CDI > PDI > mSMI (P < .001). Conclusions-SuperbMicrovascular Imaging is a promising US technique that appears to detect testis vascularity better than conventional Doppler US techniques; however, further research is needed to support the results of this study.

SUMMARY:The purpose of this study was to investigate the ultrastructural effects of lead on the kidney cortex of rats. Wistar Albino rats (180-200g body weight) were divided into a controlled and lead acetate-exposed group. Rats received lead acetate at 500 ppm in their drinking water for 60 days. Both groups were fed with the same standard food, but lead acetate was added to the drinking water. During the experimental period, blood samples were taken from the abdominal aorta of the anesthetised animals. At the end of exposure, body weight and blood lead levels were measured. The kidney tissue samples were prepared and analyzed by light and transmission electron microscopy. Cortical renal tubules show various degenerative changes with focal tubular necrosis invaded by inflammatory cells. The ultrastructural alterations found in lead acetate-treated rats were a diminution in the amount of filtration slits, increased fusion of foot processes in epithelial cells of the glomeruli, increase of lysosomal structures and pinocytic vesicles as well as large mitochondria in proximal tubule cells.

Context. Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is the most common type of thyroid cancer due to its high fibrotic content; it can affect the blood flow resistance.Objective. To introduce duplex Doppler ultrasonography (DDUS) parameters of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and their correlation with size.Design. The study was designed as a prospective study.Subjects and Methods. Thyroid nodules of the patients who were already scheduled for thyroid surgery either for malignant thyroid nodules or multinodular goiter were evaluated for DDUS parameters. Size, systolic to diastolic flow velocity (S/D) ratio, pulsatility index (PI), and resistive index (RI) of each nodule were recorded. Nodules were diagnosed as PTC or benign nodules based on histopathology. DDUS parameters were compared between PTCs versus benign nodules and micro PTCs (≤ 10 mm) versus large PTCs (> 10 mm). A correlation analysis was performed between the size and DDUS parameters.Results. 140 thyroid nodules (30 PTCs, 110 benign nodules) were obtained. The mean S/D ratio, PI, and RI values were significantly higher in PTC than in benign nodules (p values were 0.0001, 0.0003, and 0.0001 respectively). The optimal cut-off values of S/D (0.732), PI (0.732), and RI (0.738) had accuracy rates of 71%, 69%, and 69%, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference between micro PTC and large PTC with regards to DDUS parameters. The size and DDUS parameters of PTC showed no significant correlation.Conclusions. PTC has a high resistive flow pattern regardless of its size; however the clinical utility of DDUS to differentiate a PTC from benign nodule is limited.