Diagnostics (Basel, Switzerland)
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Diagnostics (Basel) · Oct 2019
Case ReportsUltrasound-Guided Needle Aspiration of Peritonsillar Abscesses: Utility of Transoral Pharyngeal Ultrasonography.
A peritonsillar abscess is a common deep infection that is usually related to acute tonsillitis. Needle aspiration is often performed for diagnosis and treatment, but several complications, including puncture of the carotid artery, may occur, even when performed by properly trained physicians. The utility of transoral pharyngeal ultrasonography (TOPU) equipped with a biopsy adaptor for safe and full aspiration is presented. ⋯ TOPU showed the abscess and a branch of the carotid artery, and an otolaryngologist performed puncture through the biopsy adaptor with the aid of the ultrasound image. Needle aspiration was accomplished by avoiding arterial puncture and monitoring the shrinkage of the abscess. TOPU-guided needle aspiration is useful in the safe drainage of peritonsillar abscesses.
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Diagnostics (Basel) · Aug 2019
Diagnostic Accuracy of Ultrasound in the Diagnosis of Small Bowel Obstruction.
Small bowel obstruction (SBO) is a common presentation to the Emergency Department (ED). This study aimed to analyze the accuracy of ultrasound (US) in diagnosing and staging SBO. ⋯ This study, similarly to the existing literature, suggests that ultrasound is highly accurate in the diagnosis of SBO, and that the most valuable sonographic signs are the presence of dilated bowel loops ad abnormal peristalsis.
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Diagnostics (Basel) · Jul 2019
Smartphone Application with Virtual Reality Goggles for the Reliable and Valid Measurement of Active Craniocervical Range of Motion.
This study aimed to determine the intra-rater and inter-rater reliability and validity of a hybrid device, combining virtual reality goggles, a magnetometer and an inclinometer application for smartphones, to measure craniocervical range. ⋯ For healthy participants, excellent intra-rater and inter-rater reliability was noted for the hybrid device, and the measurements were consistent with the universal goniometer measurements. Future studies are needed to examine whether the device can perform similarly for patients with neck disorders.
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Diagnostics (Basel) · Jul 2019
Lipid-Rich Necrotic Core of Basilar Artery Atherosclerotic Plaque: Contrast-Enhanced Black Blood Imaging on Vessel Wall Imaging.
We wished to evaluate the lipid-rich necrotic core (LRNC) using contrast-enhanced T1-weighted (CE-T1W) black-blood (BB) imaging for vessel walls. ⋯ Identification of an LRNC on CE-T1W BB imaging was associated with high-grade stenosis and massive plaque burden from BA atherosclerosis.
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Diagnostics (Basel) · Jun 2019
ReviewHand-Held Ultrasound Devices Compared with High-End Ultrasound Systems: A Systematic Review.
The aim of this study was to review the scientific literature available on the comparison of hand-held ultrasound devices with high-end systems for abdominal and pleural applications. PubMed, Embase, Web of Science and Cochrane were searched following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Original research describing hand-held ultrasound devices compared with high-end systems was included and assessed using Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies (QUADAS)-2. ⋯ QUADAS-2 analysis suggested few risks of bias and almost no concerns regarding applicability. For distinct clinical questions, hand-held devices may be a valuable supplement to physical examination. However, evidence is inadequate, and more research is needed on the abdominal and pleural use of hand-held ultrasound with more standardised comparisons, using only blinded reviewers.