Objective: Surfactant administration has an essential role in the treatment of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). This is coupled with the capability of a lung sonography scoring system (LUS scoring) in assessing neonatal lungs with RDS, makes evaluating the role of such a scoring system important in deciding to use surfactant therapy. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on neonates with RDS, at a gestational age of more than 30 weeks. Using a high-frequency ultrasound transducer, neonates’ results were assessed by a radiologist, and then LUS scoring was determined in both groups, with and without the need for surfactant therapy. Results: The mean LUS scoring in the two groups was 9.08 ± 3.09 and 4.12 ± 2.56, respectively, which indicated a significant difference. The LUS scoring had a higher ability to predict the need for surfactant treatment, based on a receiver operating curve analysis. The best diagnostic cutoff point, for LUS scoring in predicting the need for surfactant treatment, was 6 in neonates 30–32 weeks and 7 in neonates 32–34 weeks. The use of LUS scoring had a sensitivity of 85.1%, 84% and a specificity of 87.2%, 88%, respectively. Conclusion: The LUS scoring may be used to help in the predicted need for surfactant therapy, in neonates with RDS.

Objective: Migraine is a debilitating disease affecting a large number of young people. In this study, he aim was to assess the extracranial arteries during migraine headaches and non-headache headache intervals using sonography. Materials and Methods: The study enrolled 210 patients with confirmed migraine headaches. The vertebral arteries, superficial temporal arteries, internal carotid arteries (ICAs), and common carotid arteries were assessed using a sonographic method. Grayscale and spectral doppler criteria, such as the diameter of arteries, peak systolic velocity (PSV), and pulsatility index (PI), during migraine headaches and non-headache headache intervals were measured. Results: Assessing the vertebral and external carotid arteries, a significant difference was observed between the diameter of the arteries during active headaches and that during non-headache headache periods. The mean PSV of ICA during active headaches was 60.05 cm/s, which was lower than that during non-headache headache periods, which was 69.35 cm/s ( P = .016). Conclusion: In this cohort’s migraine headaches, the diameter of the superficial temporal artery and ICA are increased and the diameter of the vertebral artery is decreased. Decreased PSV of the vertebral artery in contrast with increased PSV of the temporal artery is seen during headaches. These diagnostic findings may be useful in predicting migraine headaches and should be replicated with other patients.

ObjectivesPerianal fistula is a common disorder characterized by an anomalous perianal track connecting two epithelialized surfaces, most commonly the anal canal and the perianal skin. Although each has its limitations, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and endoanal ultrasound are currently two acceptable modalities for assessing perianal fistula. This study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of MRI and endoanal ultrasonography in diagosing perianal fistula, considering the surgical results as the references.MethodsThis prospective cohort study was performed on patients with symptomatic perianal fistulas. MRI results of patients reported by the radiologist were collected along with the findings of endoanal ultrasonography performed by a gastroenterologist. These results were compared with surgical findings as the reference standard.ResultsThe study enrolled 126 patients. Exactly 222 definitive fistulas were identified during surgery. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy of ultrasound for perianal fistula were 87.38, 38.46, 92.38, 26.31, and 82.25% respectively; and for MRI were 76.12, 57.69, 93.88, 22.05, and 74.19% respectively. The accuracy of endoanal ultrasound for detecting transsphincteric and intersphincteric fistulas was higher than MRI. In contrast, the diagnostic value of MRI for detecting suprasphincteric fistulas was higher than endoanal ultrasound.ConclusionsUsing endoanal ultrasonography to diagnose perianal fistulas is a relatively accurate method. This method may be more sensitive than MRI in detecting patients with perianal fistulas and abscesses.