Objective To investigate the clinical application of high-frequency color Doppler ultrasound (HFCDU) in detecting perforators in the deep adipose layers for harvesting super-thin anterolateral thigh flap (ALTF). Methods Between August 2019 and January 2023, 45 patients (46 sides) with skin and soft tissue defects in the foot and ankle were treated, including 29 males and 16 females, aged from 22 to 62 years, with an average of 46.7 years. The body mass index ranged from 19.6 to 36.2 kg/m2, with an average of 23.62 kg/m2. The causes of injury included traffic accident injury in 15 cases, heavy object crush injury in 20 cases, mechanical injury in 8 cases, heat crush injury in 1 case, and chronic infection in 1 case. There were 20 cases on the left side, 24 cases on the right side, and 1 case on both sides. After thorough debridement, the wound size ranged from 5 cm×4 cm to 17 cm×11 cm. All patients underwent free super-thin ALTF transplantation repair. HFCDU was used to detect the location of the perforators piercing the deep and superficial fascia, as well as the direction and branches of the perforators within the deep adipose layers before operation. According to the preoperative HFCDU findings, the dimensions of the super-thin ALTF ranged from 6 cm×4 cm to 18 cm×12 cm. The donor sites of the flaps were directly sutured. Results A total of 55 perforators were detected by HFCDU before operation, but 1 was not found during operation. During operation, a total of 56 perforators were found, and 2 perforators were not detected by HFCDU. The positive predictive value of HFCDU for identifying perforator vessels was 98.2%, and the sensitivity was 96.4%. Among the 54 perforators accurately located by HFCDU, the orientation of the perforators in the deep adipose layers was confirmed during operation. There were 21 perforators (38.9%) traveled laterally and inferiorly, 12 (22.2%) traveled medially and inferiorly, 14 (25.9%) traveled laterally and superiorly, 5 (9.3%) traveled medially and superiorly, and 2 (3.7%) ran almost vertically to the body surface. Among the 54 perforators accurately located by HFCDU, 35 were identified as type 1 perforators and 12 as type 2 perforators (HFCDU misidentified 7 type 2 perforators as type 1 perforators). The sensitivity of HFCDU in identifying type 1 perforators was 100%, with a positive predictive value of 83.3%. For type 2 perforators, the sensitivity was 63.2%, and the positive predictive value was 100%. The surgeries were successfully completed. The super-thin ALTF had a thickness ranging from 2 to 6 mm, with an average of 3.56 mm. All super-thin ALTF survived, however, 1 flap experienced a venous crisis at 1 day after operation, but it survived after emergency exploration and re-anastomosis of the veins; 1 flap developed venous crisis at 3 days after operation but survived after bleeding with several small incisions; 3 flaps had necrosis at the distal edge of the epidermis, which healed after undergoing dressing changes. All 45 patients were followed up 6-18 months (mean, 13.6 months). Three flaps required secondary defatting procedures, while the rest had the appropriate thickness, and the overall appearance was satisfactory. Conclusion Preoperative application of HFCDU to detect the perforator in the deep adipose layers can improve the success and safety of the procedure by facilitating the harvest of super-thin ALTF.
ObjectiveTo investigate the application of high frequency color Doppler ultrasound (HFCDU) combined with wide-field imaging in the preoperative navigation of anterolateral thigh perforator flap graft.MethodsBetween January 2017 and March 2018, 28 patients with skin and soft tissue defects were treated, including 22 males and 6 females, with an average age of 33.5 years (range, 17-66 years). The causes of injury included 2 cases of scald scar, 7 cases of heavy object crushing injury, 12 cases of traffic accident injury, 4 cases of fall injury, 2 cases of machine injury, and 1 case of infection ulcer. Injury sites included 6 cases of hand and wrist, 12 cases of lower leg, 10 cases of foot. After debridement, the wound area ranged from 6.0 cm×3.5 cm to 24.0 cm×9.0 cm, and all patients were treated with free circumflex femoral artery perforator flap graft. Combo of HFCDU and wide-field imaging navigation were done preoperatively to detect the origin, quantity, course, surface location, hemodynamic characteristics, and the relationship with body area of perforator branch of lateral circumflex femoral artery. According to the perforator information displayed by wide-field imaging of source artery, the dominant perforator was determined to be a pedicle for designed flap. The flap size ranged from 7.0 cm×4.5 cm to 26.0 cm×7.0 cm. The flap donor area was sutured directly.ResultsThe dominant perforator was successfully detected by HFCDU combined with wide-field imaging in 28 patients before operation. The existence of the perforator was confirmed during operation, and the location was accurate. The course characteristics of the perforate were consistent with the results of wide-field imaging. The grafted flaps survived completely among 27 patients after operation. Necrosis at the edge of the flap was observed in 1 patient, which healed after dressing change. All patients were followed up 3-12 months, with an average of 9 months. All the flaps have good blood supply, good elasticity and shape. The donor areas healed perfectly.ConclusionUsing HFCDU and wide-field imaging navigation for designing of anterolateral thigh perforator flaps can clearly show the characteristics of perforators, hemodynamic information, and the relationship with body area, so that the surgeons can understand the perforators more accurately and intuitively, and improve the success and efficiency of flap graft surgery.
ObjectiveTo explore the value of ultrasound evaluation and marking before arteriovenous internal fistula in end-stage renal disease hemodialysis patients. MethodsTwenty-five uremia end-stage patients were admitted into our nephrology department from January 2012 to July 2012. All of the patients had encountered several times of fistula failure or had difficulty in establishing the forearm arteriovenous fistula. We focused on observing the brachial artery, radial artery, cephalic vein, the basilica vein and great saphenous vein. We measured the diameter of the vessels and marked the trend of arteries and veins in the body surface under the ultrasonic navigation. Our goal was to look for appropriate bypass vessels in the elbow and the upper arm. ResultsFourteen patients had endured several times of fistula failure. Among the 14 patients, 9 patients completed the surgery of reengineering fistula and autogenous great saphenous vein transplantation, 2 accepted artificial vascular transplantation, 1 completed the removal of blood clots in the left upper limb artificial blood vessels and arteriovenous internal fistula molding, and 2 gave up surgery. Eleven patients could not complete the arteriovenous fistula operation for the fine forearm superficial vein. Of them, 2 patients accepted artificial vascular operation, 6 underwent autogenous great saphenous vein transplantation, 1 with slender radial artery in diameter completed higher position fistula between the brachial artery and median cubital vein, and 2 gave up surgery. ConclusionArteriovenous internal fistula preoperative ultrasound assessment and marking have very important value in improving the success rate of operation in end-stage uremia patients.
With introduction of current main methods for heart fluid mechanics researches, we studied the characteristics and weakness for three primary analysis methods based on magnetic resonance imaging, color Doppler ultrasound and grayscale ultrasound image, respectively. It is pointed out that particle image velocity (PIV),speckle tracking and block match have the same nature, and three algorithms all adopt block correlation. The further analysis shows that, with the development of information technology and sensor, the research for cardiac function and fluid mechanics will focus on energy transfer process of heart fluid, characteristics of Chamber wall related to blood fluid and Fluid-structure interaction in the future heart fluid mechanics fields.
Objective To observe the ultrasonographic features of idiopathic uveal effusion syndrome (IUES). MethodsA retrospective controlled study. From January 2012 to December 2023, 13 patients with IUES (26 eyes) diagnosed by ophthalmology examination in Department of Ophthalmonogy of Beijing Tongren Hospital (IUES group) and 22 healthy people with 30 eyes (control group) were included in the study. Both eyes of all participants were examined by color Doppler ultrasound (CDU) and ultrasonic biomicroscopy (UBM). The thickness of the ocular wall at 300 μm on the temporal side of the optic disc was measured by CDU. UBM was used to measure the thickness of the nasal and temporal scleral processes. Corneal thickness (CT), anterior chamber depth (AD), lens thickness (LT) and axial length (AL) were measured by A-mode ultrasound. There were no significant differences in age (t=0.842), sex component ratio (χ2=0.540), eye difference (χ2=0.108) and AL (t=0.831) between IUES group and control group (P＞0.05). The CDU and UBM imaging features and biometrics of IUES affected eyes were observed. Independent sample t test was used for comparison between groups. ResultsCDU examination results showed that in 26 eyes of IUES group, choroidal detachment occurred in 20 eyes (76.9%, 20/26), which showed arc-shaped band echo connected with peripheral and equatorial eye wall echo, with uniform low echo area below, and blood flow signal could be seen on the band echo. The echo thickened and decreased in 4 eyes (15.3%, 4/26). Nine eyes (33.3%, 9/26) were accompanied by retinal detachment, which showed that the posterior pole vitreous echo was connected to the optic disc echo, and the blood flow signal was seen on the ribbon echo. UBM results showed ciliary detachment in 22 eyes (84.7%, 22/26), showing a spongy thickening of the ciliary body with interlamellar echo separation and an echoless area between the sclera. Ciliary body echo thickened and decreased in 2 eyes (7.7%, 2/26). Shallow space between ciliary body and sclera was observed in 2 eyes (7.7%, 2/26). Compared with the control group, CT (Z=2.054), LT (Z=1.867), scleral thickness (Z=2.536) and ocular wall thickness (Z=2.094) were thickened in IUES group, and AD (Z=1.888) were decreased, with statistical significance (P＜0.05). ConclusionsThe CDU of IUES is characterized by a thickened echo of the ocular wall and a uniform low echo area under the detached choroid. UBM is characterized by a spongy thickening of the ciliary body echo with interlaminar echo separation.
Objective To investigate theory guidance for preoperative appraisal of advanced stage lower limb arteriosclerosis obliterans and clinical application of arteriae surales. Methods From September 2007 to June 2008, one hundred cases without obviously arteriosclerosis were collected to accepted color Doppler ultrasonography, and parameters of the arteriae surales were observed， such as location, macro-body morphous, caliber, and blood parameters value, meanwhile the caliber and blood parameters value of anterior tibial artery and posterior tibial artery were also measured. Results Detection rate of arteriae surales was 96% (96/100). Arteriae surales located midpiece sequentiae of popliteal fossa, and above flatfish tendinous arch, which in 89 cases were geminous branched from popliteal artery; in the remaining 7 cases, popliteal artery diverged a bole, walked 1-3 cm, then diverged two branches and ingressed gastrocnemius. Diameter and cross section area of arteriae surales were smaller than those of anterior tibial artery and posterior tibial artery (P＜0.05）, but peak flow rate of systolic phase, maximum positive direction flow rate of relaxing period and mean flow rate were not significantly differents between arteriae surales and anterior tibial artery or posterior tibial artery （P＞0.05）. The flow of geminous arteriae surales was 63.1% of anterior tibial artery, and 59.1% of posterior tibial artery. Conclusion Through the ultrasonic study, it is significant for clinical therapy to master the normal anatomy, blood parameters value and flow of arteriae surales.
ObjectiveTo investigate the application value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) technique to assist the repair of oral and maxillofacial defects by superficial inferior epigastric artery perforator flap.MethodsSixteen oral cancer patients, 10 males and 6 females, who were to undergo superficial inferior epigastric artery perforator flap repair between June 2018 and February 2020, were selected, with an average age of 55.8 years (range, 24-77 years). There were 13 cases of squamous cell carcinoma, 2 cases of adenoid cystic carcinoma, and 1 case of mucinous epidermis-like carcinoma. The color Doppler ultrasound (CDUS) and CEUS were used to screen the superficial inferior epigastric artery, assisted in the design of the flap, and compared it with the actual intraoperative exploration. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of CEUS and CDUS examinations were analyzed. Fourteen of 16 patients were repaired with superficial inferior epigastric artery perforator flap, and 2 patients were repaired with superficial iliac artery flap because the source artery was not found. After surgery, regular follow-up was performed to check for disease recurrence and metastasis and to evaluate the appearance of the patien’s donor area, the recovery of transoral feeding function, and the presence of complications.ResultsComparison of preoperative CDUS and CEUS findings and intraoperative exploration showed that CEUS had 100% sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value for vascular exploration of the superficial inferior epigastric artery perforator flap, compared with 57%, 100%, 100%, and 25% for CDUS. The preoperative CDUS identified 25 penetrating vessels in 14 cases repaired with superficial inferior epigastric artery flaps. All vessel signals were enhanced by CEUS enhancement, and an additional 11 penetrating vessels were identified confirmed intraoperatively. The preoperative CEUS measurements of the initial diameter of superficial arteries in the abdominal wall were significantly higher than both CDUS and intraoperative measurements (P<0.05); the difference in peak systolic velocity between CEUS and CDUS measurements was significant (t=3.708, P=0.003). One case of superficial epigastric artery perforator flap developed venous embolism crisis at 48 hours after operation, the wound healing delayed. The other incisions in donor sites healed by first intention. All the patients were followed up 3-12 months, with an average of 8 months. No recurrence or metastasis appeared during the follow-up. There was no serious complications such as abdominal wall hernia, the location of abdominal scarring was hidden, and transoral feeding was resumed.ConclusionThe superficial inferior epigastric artery perforator flap with small injury in supply area and hidden scar location is a better choice for repairing oral and maxillofacial defects. The use of CEUS technique to assist the preoperative design of the superficial inferior epigastric artery perforator flap has good feasibility and high accuracy.
The ultrasound Doppler fetal heart rate measurement is the gold standard of fetal heart rate counting. However, the existing fetal heart rate extraction algorithms are not designed specifically to suppress the high maternal interference during the second stage of labor, and false detection occurrences are common during labor. With this background, a method combining time-frequency frame template library optimal selecting and non-linear template matching is proposed. The method contributes a template library, and the optimal template can be selected to match the signal frame. After the short-time Fourier transform of the signal, the difference between the signal and the template is optimized by leaky rectified linear unit (LReLU) function frame by frame. The heart rate was calculated from the peak of the matching curve and the heart rate was calculated. By comparing the proposed method with the autocorrelation method, the results show that the detection accuracy of the proposed method is improved by 20% on average, and the non-linear template matching of 23% samples is at least 50% higher than the autocorrelation method. This paper designs the algorithm by analyzing the characteristics of the interference and signal mixing. We hope that this paper will provide a new idea for fetal heart rate extraction which not only focuses on the original signal.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the clinical value of color Doppler ultrasound in diagnosing prehepatic portal hypertension. MethodsA retrospective analysis was performed to analyze the results of color Doppler ultrasonography in 9 patients with prehepatic portal hypertension diagnosed between June 2012 and January 2015, including vessel diameter, shape, nature and direction of blood flow, and fistula blood flow spectrum. ResultsAmong the 9 patients, the color Doppler ultrasound found 3 patients with regional portal widened, increased and faster blood flow with the emergence of low-impedance spectrum artery, splenic vein widened with returning blocked and flocculent substance within the splenic vein lumen, irregular or streak-shaped low weak echo during splenic vein reduction, and unstable or weakened blood flow velocity. Two patients were confirmed with splenic vein thrombosis by ultrasound and other imaging methods with significantly reduced blood in splenic vein. For the other four patients with regional portal hypertension, obvious abnormalities in portal system were not detected by color Doppler ultrasound, but they were checked with other methods. The ultrasound positive diagnosis of the 9 patients was 5, with 4 missed. ConclusionThe color Doppler ultrasound has some values in screening, diagnosis and follow-up of prehepatic portal hypertension, but it can also be influenced by many factors with a high missed diagnosis rate. Carefully observing the portal system lumen structure, internal echo and blood flow combined with other imaging studies, and emphasizing clinical history of the patients can further improve diagnostic accuracy.
ObjectiveTo investigate the sonographic characteristics and diagnostic value of color Doppler sonography for patients with renal schwannoma. MethodsTen patients with pathologically confirmed renal schwannoma dimensional ultrasonography treated between January 2008 and May 2014 were included in this study. We analyzed and summarized their color flow distribution characteristics. ResultsThe ultrasound of the 10 patients showed substantial hypoechoic mass with clear boundary and complete capsule; color Doppler flow imaging displayed mass within the probe and a small amount of dotted blood flow information or no obvious blood flow information. Four patients were suspected to have schwannoma before surgery by ultrasound diagnosis, while the remaining 6 cases only showed benign lesions without clear diagnosis. All the patients underwent surgery subsequently under laparoscope, and resection of the tumor was performed with the integrity of normal kidney tissue retained. Postoperative recovery was good, and follow-up did not detect any recurrence. ConclusionColor Doppler ultrasound has a certain specificity on the diagnosis of renal schwannoma. Combined with other examination methods, it can not only give the clinicians a good suggestion, but avoid laparotomy.