The Flashlight-Sign: A Novel B-Flow Based Ultrasound Finding for Detection of Intraluminal, Wall-Adherent, Floating Structures of the Abdominal Aorta and Peripheral Arteries

Lottspeich, Christian; Puhr‐Westerheide, Daniel; Stana, Jan; Hoffmann, Ulrich; Czihal, Michael

doi:10.3390/diagnostics12071708

Cited by 5 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 18 publications

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“…Принцип формирования этого артефакта основан на осцилляции под воздей-ствием УЗ-луча и множественном отражении УЗлуча от неровной поверхности кристаллических частиц, с возникновением дополнительных отраженных волн, что приводит к фазовым сдвигам частот и более ярким сигналам на экране монитора позади этих объектов [1,14]. Высказывались мнения, что артефакт мерцания при B-flow в той или иной степени выраженности возникает при наличии доброкачественных макрокальцинатов (размером более 1 мм), преимущественно единичных [15,16]. В нашем проспективном исследовании мы не нашли таких особенностей для B-flow.…”

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Searching for a twinkling artefact in breast microcalcifications using B-flow ultrasonic non-doppler technology: a prospective study

Gazhonova,

Popova,

Mironova

2024

Lučevaâ diagn. ter.

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INTRODUCTION: The rapid rejuvenation of breast cancer in recent years has made it necessary to look for non-X-ray methods of imaging microcalcifications in women not yet covered by mammography screening. Developing technologies to see these microcalcifications on ultrasound is a promising goal, potentially reducing the number of unnecessary biopsies.OBJECTIVE: Evaluation of factors influencing the ability of the B-flow technique to detect the presence of a flickering artifact in patients with microcalcifications detected by mammography.MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective study of 57 patients with microcalcifications detected on mammograms was conducted. The Nondoppler technology of B-flow ultrasound examination was used for targeted ultrasound with the search for these areas during ultrasound. The possibilities of visualization of the twinkle artifact were evaluated for various microcalcifications in size, distribution, their number, and for pathological processes of different nature. Images in B-flow mode were found to be positive when a bright local flash occurred against a dark background in B-mode. Verification of diagnostic findings was performed by ultrasound-guided core- biopsy from areas with a twinkle artifact (in the presence of an imaging area during ultrasound) or with stereotactic biopsy (in the absence of visualization of the suspicious area with ultrasound with B-flow).Statistics: The ANOVA test was used for triple pairwise comparisons between positive groups. The p<0.05 value was considered statistically significant.RESULTS: According to the results of the study, out of 57 cases with microcalcifications, 34 (60%) recorded a twinkle artifact. The amount of microcalcifications with a visualized twinkle effect in B-flow was significantly higher in benign processes 34 (82.9%) out of 41, and less often in malignant 8 (50%) out of 16 (p=0.035). The effect of calcification morphology on the mammogram on their detection by ultrasound in the B-flow mode (p=0.035) was statistically significant. The most frequently manifested twinkle artifact were rounded, regular-shaped calcifications in 19 (95%) out of 20, which were found in granulomatous mastitis, fibrocystic changes, fibroadenomas, sclerosing adenosis, as well as polymorphic calcifications in 7 (63.6%) of 11. In the B-flow mode, it was not possible to obtain a twinkle artifact mainly with point small calcifications of 9 (69.2%) out of 13, and in all cases with linear or linear branching calcifications. In amorphous microcalcifications, the characteristics of background echogenicity and the presence or absence of a nodal component in the gray scale mode had a much greater influence on the appearance of the twinkle effect in the normal B-mode, whereas in the B-flow mode, these characteristics did not have a decisive effect on the appearance of a flickering artifact (p=0.8). The density of distribution of microcalcifications, the size of calcifications, the final pathomorphology, mammography characteristics, the background environment during ultrasound by the presence or absence of nodular formation and anechoic zones, did not affect the appearance of a bright flash in the B-flow mode.DISCUSSION: The density of calcification distribution was not decisive for the appearance of a shimmering artifact in the B-flow mode. The flicker artifact is recorded both in grouped microcalcifications and in single ones. B-flow can help to detect calcifications that are not visible in the usual B-flow mode due to the lack of pronounced tissue contrast. But this artifact cannot be used to differentiate between benign and malignant processes.CONCLUSION: The B-flow technique is promising for clarifying the twinkle artifact in the detected microcalcifications on the mammogram, which could potentially increase the incidence of ultrasound-guided trephine biopsies by detecting more areas with microcalcification accumulations.

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Searching for a twinkling artefact in breast microcalcifications using B-flow ultrasonic non-doppler technology: a prospective study

Gazhonova,

Popova,

Mironova

2024

Lučevaâ diagn. ter.

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Arterielle Durchblutungsstörungen des Auges

Lottspeich,

Mackert,

Czihal

2023

Klinische Angiologie

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Contrast-enhanced ultrasound reveals free-floating thrombus in carotid artery: The cause of stroke is surprisingly plaque rupture

Zou,

Li,

Yang

et al. 2024

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BACKGROUND: Acute stroke poses a serious threat to people’s health. The occurrence of a thrombus following the rupture of vulnerable plaques in the carotid artery is a significant contributor to the development of stroke. In previous case reports, it has been challenging to visualize tiny ulcerations within carotid artery plaques using computed tomography angiography (CTA) and digital subtraction angiography (DSA), even when the rupture of the plaque leads to the formation of a free-floating thrombus (FFT). However, in this particular case, contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) was able to overcome this limitation and provide a more precise assessment, confirming that the FFT formation was indeed a result of plaque rupture rather than any other potential causes. Cases that utilize CEUS to visualize the formation of ulcers and FFT resulting from plaque rupture are even more rare. As such, we present this case to shed light on this infrequent phenomenon. CASE SUMMARY: In this case study, we present a 65-year-old male patient who was admitted to the hospital due to headache and abnormal mental behavior for one day. During the routine cervical artery ultrasound examination upon admission, we detected the presence of plaque in the right internal carotid artery of the patient, resulting in luminal stenosis. Additionally, we observed suspected hypoechoic material at the distal end of the plaque. After undergoing CEUS examination, it was definitively determined that an ulcer had formed and a FFT had developed due to the rupture of carotid artery plaque. Subsequent CTA and DSA examinations further confirmed the presence of the FFT. The magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) reveals an acute lacunar infarction in the head of the right caput nuclei caudate, which strengthens the potential link between the patient’s neurological and psychiatric symptoms observed during admission. The patient received prompt antiplatelet therapy and underwent cervical artery stenting surgery with the assistance of a distal embolic protection device. Following the procedure, the patient was discharged on the fourth day and experienced a complete recovery. CONCLUSION: CEUS is a valuable tool for visualizing FFT resulting from the rupture of vulnerable plaques in the carotid artery.

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The Flashlight-Sign: A Novel B-Flow Based Ultrasound Finding for Detection of Intraluminal, Wall-Adherent, Floating Structures of the Abdominal Aorta and Peripheral Arteries

Cited by 5 publications

References 18 publications

Searching for a twinkling artefact in breast microcalcifications using B-flow ultrasonic non-doppler technology: a prospective study

Searching for a twinkling artefact in breast microcalcifications using B-flow ultrasonic non-doppler technology: a prospective study

Arterielle Durchblutungsstörungen des Auges

Contrast-enhanced ultrasound reveals free-floating thrombus in carotid artery: The cause of stroke is surprisingly plaque rupture

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