Ultrasonography

Genetic influence on femoral plaque and its relationship with carotid plaque: an international twin study

To disentangle genetic and environmental influences on the development of femoral plaques using a population of adult twins. To evaluate the potential role of shared genetic and environmental factors in the co-occurrence of femoral and carotid plaques. The sample included 566 twins belonging to 164 monozygotic (MZ) and 119 dizygotic (DZ) twin pairs, who underwent peripheral arterial assessment by B-mode ultrasound in different centers. The variance in femoral plaques onset was due to genetic factors and the remaining 50% was explained by common (15%) and unique (35%) environmental factors.

What future for ultrasound in medicine?

What comes to mind when asked the question: “Welche Zukunft für Ultraschall in der Medizin” (What Future for Ultrasound in Medicine?)? I guess all of us would think about the editorial policies, publisher’s choices and administrative issues of our beloved journal and might frown. However, at the beginning of the year 2018, the future of the journal is fortunately very bright.

Focal breast lesion characterization according to the BI-RADS US lexicon: role of a computer-aided decision-making support

The breast imaging-reporting and data system (BI-RADS) lexicon was first developed in 2003 by the American College of Radiology (ACR), in an attempt to standardize image interpretation, reporting and teaching breast imaging, including ultrasound (US) [1]. Despite this validation, the variability in the assessment of focal breast lesions (FBLs) with the use of BI-RADS US lexicon is still an issue, in particular for some of the descriptors, such as margin and echo pattern of lesion.

The use of handheld ultrasound devices-an EFSUMB position paper

The miniaturization of ultrasound equipment in the form of tablet-or smartphone-sized ultrasound equipment is a result of the rapid evolution of technology and handheld ultrasound devices (HHUSD). This position paper of the European Federation of Societies in Ultrasound and Medicine (EFSUMB) assesses the current status of HHUSD in abdominal ultrasound, pediatric ultrasound, targeted echocardiography and heart ultrasound, and we will report position comments on the most common clinical applications.

Minimally-invasive treatments for benign thyroid nodules: a Delphi-based consensus statement from the Italian minimally-invasive treatments of the thyroid (MITT) group

Benign thyroid nodules are a common clinical occurrence and usually do not require treatment unless symptomatic. During the last years, ultrasound-guided minimally invasive treatments (MIT) gained an increasing role in the management of nodules causing local symptoms. In February 2018, the Italian MIT Thyroid Group was founded to create a permanent cooperation between Italian and international physicians dedicated to clinical research and assistance on MIT for thyroid nodules.

Ultrasound in the assessment of tumor response in the age of targeted and immuno-oncology therapies back to the future

In Oncology, ultrasound has been long considered among the least convincing imaging techniques to evaluate response to chemoteraphy. The inter-operator variability, reduced panoramic view, and the impossibility of providing information about lung and bones were justified reasons for considering computed

Taller-than-wide shape: a new definition improves the specificity of TIRADS systems

Introduction: A taller-than-wide (TTW) shape is a suspicious feature of thyroid nodules commonly defined as an anteroposterior/transverse diameter (AP/T) ratio >1. An intraobserver variability of up to 18% in AP diameter evaluations has been described, which may lead to overreporting of this feature. To potentially improve the reliability of the TTW definition, we propose an arbitrary ratio of ≥1.2. Objective: The aim of this study was to estimate the impact of this definition on diagnostic performance.

Assessment of masticatory and cervical muscles' thickness by ultrasonography in patients with facial asymmetry

The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between the thickness of masticatory and cervical muscles (temporalis, masseter and sternocleidomastoid) and facial asymmetries in young patients.METHODS:
21 subjects were selected, through a detailed anamnesis and clinical examination, in order to assess the normality of oral tissues, the presence of normal occlusion, the absence of alteration in tooth dimensions and of congenital or developmental anomalies of lips, mouth or face.

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