Aim. To study capabilities of quantitative elastographic study to assess the elasticity of the uterine cervix in women with a fetal chromosomal abnormality in the first trimester of pregnancy.Methods. 230 pregnant women of high-risk group at 11-13.6 weeks of pregnancy (parietal-coccygeal length 45-84 mm) were included in this study. The first group consisted of 213 women without fetal pathology. The second group included 17 women, in whose fetuses different chromosomal abnormalities were detected. In ultrasound examination of pregnant women in the I trimester of pregnancy, in addition to standard methods of examination, quantitative cervical elastography was performed.Results. According to results of quantitative elastography in 14 (82.35%) out of 17 pregnant women (second group) one or another degree of the cervical tissue softening was found, and 3 (17.64%) pregnant women with fetal chromosomal pathology had stiff cervix (all 3 cases with Down syndrome). In the control group in 10 (4.7%) of 213 pregnant women relatively soft cervix was identified, and in 203 (95.3%) women cervical density was higher than the myometrial density. A statistically significant difference between the indices of SWE-Ratio in groups was revealed. Quantitative elastography, as a diagnostic test predicting the risk of miscarriage due to chromosomal abnormalities, has a high sensitivity (84.38%) and even higher specificity (95.26%) of negative predictive value 97.57%.Conclusion. Quantitative elastography reveals a significant decrease in the cervical elasticity (softening) in pregnant women with fetal chromosomal abnormality in the I trimester of pregnancy, which allows us to recommend this method of ultrasound examination as an additional marker for early diagnosis of miscarriage due to fetal chromosomal abnormality.

Aim. To optimize a proper diagnosis of thromboses associated with high risk of embolism and pulmonary embolism prevention in patients with neoplasms. Methods. Ultrasonography of veins of lower extremities, iliac veins and the distal part of inferior vena cava was performed in patients with and without neoplasms in a prospective study to detect thromboses associated with high risk of embolism and thrombophlebitis. Ultrasonography was performed once in control group subjects, and before and during specialized antineoplastic treatment (surgical, chemotherapy, radiotherapy) in patients of the main group, the results were compared. A detection of a new thrombus in previously intact venous segment of inferior vena cava system was assessed as a high risk for pulmonary embolism. Results. Thromboses associated with high risk of embolism and thrombophlebitis were found in 6 patients of control group, in 5 patients of the main group before and in 27 patients of the main group while at specialized antineoplastic treatment. Specific measures for pulmonary embolism prevention were taken immediately in all of the cases according to ultrasonography results after the detection of thromboses associated with high risk of embolism. No fatal cases of pulmonary embolism were registered both in main (before and while at treatment) and control groups. Conclusion. Ultrasonography of veins of lower extremities, iliac veins and the distal part of inferior vena cava in patients with neoplasms before the start of specialized antineoplastic treatment allows to optimize the choice of prevention measures for pulmonary embolism and thus significantly decreases mortality from pulmonary embolism.

Aim. To determine the optimal terms for detection of thrombosis with high risk for embolism in patients with malignancies receiving specialized treatment. Methods. 117 patients (50 males, 67 females - the main group) with malignancies were randomly picked out (using the random numbers tables) underwent daily ultrasonography of inferior vena cava tributaries for detection of thrombosis with high risk for embolism. Ultrasonography of inferior vena cava distal part, both common iliac veins and veins of lower extremities was done in patients while on surgical treatment, chemotherapy or radiotherapy. The control group consisted of 130 patients (58 males, 72 females) with malignancies in whom ultrasonography was performed only if clinical signs of venous thrombosis were present. Results. Ultrasonic features of venous blood flow decrease (spontaneous contrast phenomenon) in veins of lower extremities were found in 27 out of 117 main group patients on the second day. On the third day features of saphenous veins thrombosis were found in 13 patients. On the fourth day, 4 patients were diagnosed with iliofemoral thrombosis. 5 more patients developed ultrasonic features of venous blood flow decrease (spontaneous contrast phenomenon) on the fourth and fifth day. Signs of thrombosis progression and floating thrombus were found in 6 patients on the 6th and 7th day. No fatal cases of pulmonary embolism were registered in the main group. 10 patients of the control group had clinical signs of inferior vena cava tributaries and underwent distal part of inferior vena cava, both common iliac veins and veins of lower extremities ultrasonography while on specialized treatment. 5 cases of pulmonary embolism were reported in the rest of the control group patients (120 patients). Conclusion. Inferior vena cava tributaries thrombosis with high risk for embolism in patients with malignancies can be reliably detected by repeating ultrasonography every 3-4 days; Reliable diagnosis of thrombosis with high risk for embolism by means of ultrasonography during the post-surgical period allows to prevent pulmonary embolism in a timely and targeted manner.

Uterine cervix undergoes various changes throughout the pregnancy, which are characterized by the general term “remodeling”. In particular, this process includes changes of the length (shortening) and consistency (softening) of uterine cervix. The latter from the clinical point of view is important not only for observation of pregnant women with normal course of pregnancy but also for predicting such states as an outcome of labor induction or preterm delivery. Traditionally, cervical elasticity has been estimated through digital examination and Bishop score, however, currently there are available imaging techniques, which are more objective and precise. Amongst these methods, elastography plays a special role. Elastography allows measuring the capacity of tissues to deform. The softer the tissues, the higher mentioned capacity under the applied pressure. Currently there are various methods of elastography, starting from real-time elastography, when the capacity to be deformed is registered under the influence of physiologic movements or minimal manual pressure, to shear wave elastography, when the velocity of propagation of shear waves is measured. Although there are number of methods of elastography and perspectives of their use in obstetric practice, at the present time there is no consensus on standardization of these methods. In the cervical elastography this task is even more complicated, because there is no reference tissue to be compared with, especially this is true for strain elastography. The aim of this study was comparative analysis of methods estimating cervical elasticity and underlining current problems from the clinical point of view.

Aim. Develop new approaches to the diagnosis of right heart failure and pulmonary hypertension in recurrent thromboembolism of small branches of the pulmonary artery in patients with malignant tumors. Methods. 83 patients with malignant tumors of various localizations were examined and followed-up. The main group included 49 patients with malignant tumors of various localizations and related venous thrombosis. The control group included 34 patients who did not have venous thrombosis. Patients in both groups underwent ultrasonography of inferior vena cava system veins and echocardiography at intervals of 3-4 days during the diagnosis and treatment of malignant tumors. Right ventricle ejection fraction and systolic pressure in the pulmonary artery were calculated at echocardiography. Results. No signs of inferior vena cava system veins thromboses, right heart failure, pulmonary hypertension were identified in patients of the control group while setting up the diagnosis and treatment of malignancies. In 38 out of 49 patients of the main group, right ventricular failure and pulmonary hypertension of varying severity were detected. The condition of 46 patients of the main group gradually improved after treating with anticoagulants. Conclusion. Recanalization of venous thrombosis is accompanied by frequent rejection of micro thrombi and embolization of small branches of pulmonary artery, causing right heart failure and pulmonary hypertension, which can be promptly detected by repeated echocardiography.