Journal of ultrasound in medicine : official journal of the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine
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The aim of this study was to explore the sonographic and elastographic properties of patellar and Achilles tendons in smoking and nonsmoking otherwise healthy adults. ⋯ Thickness and strain ratio measurements of patellar and Achilles tendons were reduced (thinner and harder tendons) in smokers. Clinical implications of these morphologic and elastographic changes should be investigated in future studies.
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To report our success and complication rates with emergency department (ED) technician-performed ultrasound (US)-guided peripheral intravenous (IV) catheter placement and to compare our results to similar studies in the literature. ⋯ With brief but comprehensive training, ED technicians can successfully obtain US-guided peripheral IV catheter access in patients with difficult IV access.
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To investigate the value of 2-dimensional (2D) speckle-tracking echocardiography for assessing right ventricular (RV) systolic function in patients with chronic pulmonary heart disease (CPHD) and the correlation of its parameters with the right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF) on cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). ⋯ The ability of speckle-tracking echocardiography to directly monitor RV myocardial function may allow early sensitive detection of subclinical myocardial dysfunction in patients with CPHD, with better risk stratification and timely institution of therapy.
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Observational Study
Effectiveness and Validity of Sonographic Upper Airway Evaluation to Predict Difficult Laryngoscopy.
Our objective was to evaluate the effectiveness of 9 airway sonographic parameters imaged from the submandibular view as predictors of difficult laryngoscopy. Additionally, we aimed to evaluate the validity of the models of combined sonographic and clinical tests in predicting difficult laryngoscopy. ⋯ Sonographic predictors may help identify patients with difficult laryngoscopy. Individual measures have unsatisfactory diagnostic profiles. The models based on combined tests have improved diagnostic value.
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Comparative Study
Comparison of Ultrasound-Guided to Fluoroscopy-Guided Biceps Tendon Sheath Therapeutic Injection.
Biceps tendinitis is a source of anterior shoulder pain and is amenable to therapeutic injection. Studies have shown greater accuracy with image-guided compared to unguided injection of the biceps tendon sheath. There is no literature comparing ultrasound-guided to fluoroscopy-guided biceps tendon sheath injection. The purpose of this study was to compare clinical outcomes, complication rates, procedure success rates, and financial costs of the two imaging-guided methods. ⋯ Compared to fluoroscopy-guided biceps tendon sheath injection, ultrasound had higher initial- and final-pass success rates, visualized abnormalities before injection, and had similar pain relief and complication rates. Ultrasound is more accurate and has greater diagnostic benefits than unguided or fluoroscopy-guided biceps tendon sheath injection.