Project description:ObjectiveIn this video, we present our technique for ureter assessment during pelvic ultrasound examination.MethodsWe used a general electric Voluson E10 (General electric, Wauwatosa, WI, USA) to perform transvaginal ultrasonography. These images were shared after thorough counselling, and obtaining informed consent from the patient. This video was edited using FinalCut ProX® (Apple Inc, Cupertino, CA, USA).ResultsWe systematized this routine after assessing the cervix, uterus, and adnexa. The vaginal probe was slightly removed to focus on the urethra. Next, we approached the hand on the contralateral thigh to the ureter. At this point, the probe was directed to the lateral pelvic wall where the ureteric orifice was found. Then, we raised our hands and perform an internal rotation movement to ascend the ureteral segments until it is related to the iliac vessels.ConclusionThe urinary tract may be involved in gynecological pathologies. Transvaginal ultrasound is an easy, reproducible, and well-tolerated examination that can be used to evaluate the ureters below the pelvic brim.
Project description:BackgroundHysteroscopic surgery is a safe procedure used for diagnosing and treating intrauterine lesions, with a low rate of intraoperative complications. However, it is important to be cautious as fluid overload can still occur when performing any hysteroscopic surgical technique.Case presentationIn this case report, we present a unique instance where lung ultrasound was utilized to diagnose pulmonary edema in a patient following a hysteroscopic myomectomy procedure. The development of pulmonary edema was attributed to the excessive absorption of fluid during the surgical intervention. By employing lung ultrasound as a diagnostic tool, we were able to promptly identify and address the pulmonary edema. As a result, the patient received timely treatment with no complications. This case highlights the importance of utilizing advanced imaging techniques, such as lung ultrasound, in the perioperative management of patients undergoing hysteroscopic procedures.ConclusionsThis case report underscores the significance of early detection and intervention in preventing complications associated with fluid overload during hysteroscopic myomectomy procedures.
Project description:Thrombus embolization is a rare consequence of ultrasonographic examination of the vessels of the lower limbs. We present a case of a 77-year-old woman with lung cancer who developed pulmonary embolism originating from the right femoral deep vein thrombus during the compression maneuver of the ultrasonographic examination of the lower limbs. (Level of Difficulty: Beginner.).
Project description:Complete mesocolic excision (CME) with central vascular ligation (CVL) in laparoscopic surgery for right-sided colon cancer (RSCC) requires a precise understanding of the vascular anatomy. The efficacy of intraoperative ultrasound (IUS) in the identification of blood vessels for RSCC surgery was not evaluated. The aim of this study was to compare the intraoperative and short-term outcomes of CME with CVL with or without IUS by laparoscopic surgery for RSCC. We performed IUS on 26 patients of RSCC and compared with a total of 124 patients who underwent the surgery for RSCC at our institution. Propensity score matching (PSM) was performed to reduce the confounding effects to imbalances in the use of IUS. The IUS identified the main feeding artery and the accompanying vein in all 26 cases. After PSM, the amount of intraoperative blood loss in the IUS group was significantly lower than that in the conventional group (5 ml vs. 30 ml, p = 0.035) and no significant difference of the postoperative complications was observed. The IUS reduced the risk of bleeding in the surgery for RSCC. The IUS is a safe and feasible technique that help the surgeons for anatomical understandings under real-time condition in the laparoscopic surgery of RSCC.
Project description:Purpose: Endometrial thickness is one of the most important indicators in endometrial disease screening and diagnosis. Herein, we propose a method for automated measurement of endometrial thickness from transvaginal ultrasound images. Methods: Accurate automated measurement of endometrial thickness relies on endometrium segmentation from transvaginal ultrasound images that usually have ambiguous boundaries and heterogeneous textures. Therefore, a two-step method was developed for automated measurement of endometrial thickness. First, a semantic segmentation method was developed based on deep learning, to segment the endometrium from 2D transvaginal ultrasound images. Second, we estimated endometrial thickness from the segmented results, using a largest inscribed circle searching method. Overall, 8,119 images (size: 852 × 1136 pixels) from 467 cases were used to train and validate the proposed method. Results: We achieved an average Dice coefficient of 0.82 for endometrium segmentation using a validation dataset of 1,059 images from 71 cases. With validation using 3,210 images from 214 cases, 89.3% of endometrial thickness errors were within the clinically accepted range of ±2 mm. Conclusion: Endometrial thickness can be automatically and accurately estimated from transvaginal ultrasound images for clinical screening and diagnosis.
Project description:Objectives: Endometrial peristalsis (EP) in non-pregnant uterine can be assessed by visual assessment of transvaginal ultrasound (TVUS). However, visual assessment is subjective, and the outcome depends on the sonographers and video analysts. This study aimed to create a newly developed automatic analysis algorithm for measuring the EP compared to visual assessment. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed using the datasets from in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET), who underwent the evaluation of EP by TVUS within 5 days prior to transplantation. 158 cine TVUS images were used to develop the automated analysis algorithm, and 37 cine TVUS images were evaluated by both visual and automated analysis algorithms. The algorithm was developed by applying the optical flow technology and enabled objective analysis of the number, direction, and intensity of EP. Results: The number of peristaltic waves counted by visual assessment was 4.2 ± 2.3 (mean ± standard deviation) and 4.1 ± 2.1 for doctors one and two, respectively. The number of waves counted with the algorithm was 3.6 ± 2.1 at first evaluation and 3.7 ± 2.0 at repeated evaluation. A significant difference was found between the algorithm count and visual assessment (p = 0.001, 0.002, 0.003, 0.008). The ICC values for algorithm versus manuals ranged from 0.84 to 0.96 and 0.87 to 0.96. The numbers of the cervix-to-fundus (CF), fundus-to-cervix (FC), and both cervix-to-fundal and fundus-to-cervix (CF + FC) directions of EP counted by the algorithm were 50, 52, and 32, respectively. The numbers counted by visual assessment were 43, 45, and 46, respectively. The number of EP was the same in 87% of the two algorithm counts. The number was lower between the algorithm and visual analysis (79% with complete agreement). The EP intensity assessed by the algorithm was 2.6 ± 1.1, and the peristalsis velocity was 0.147 (0.07) mm/s. Conclusion: The fully automated analysis algorithm can be used to quantify uterine peristalsis comparable to visual assessment.
Project description:Schwannomas are peripheral nerve sheath tumors. Due to their low incidence, few cases of colorectal schwannomas have been published, which increases the diagnostic challenge. The aim of this case report is to discuss the role of transvaginal ultrasound in different areas than the gynecological disorders, when on hands of properly trained professionals that perform systematized procedures. A 56-year-old woman consulted for postmenopausal genital bleeding. During transvaginal ultrasound, a colonic solid, hypervascularized mass of 23 × 26 mm was visualized. As a result of this incidental finding, the patient underwent a sigmoidectomy, with a final diagnosis of intestinal schwannoma. Transvaginal ultrasound is today one of the most useful and accurate diagnostic tools in the assessment of gynecological disorders. However, the proximity of other pelvic structures makes it possible to evaluate the presence of nongynecological conditions. This fact should encourage gynecologists to systematize the transvaginal ultrasound procedure.
Project description:The value of transvaginal ultrasound in gynaecological examinations is beyond dispute. But it is of particular forensic importance that the validity of this type of imaging with regard to the reliable detection of early-stage malignancy is properly understood. Vaginal ultrasound screening in asymptomatic patients for the early detection of endometrial carcinoma is not useful from a medical point of view, nor is it cost-efficient. However, even though the validity of transvaginal ultrasound for screening has currently not been proven, the method should still be an integral part of gynaecological examinations.
Project description:ObjectiveThis study aims to provide additional support for the equipment needed in hospitals and medical practices for reprocessing transvaginal ultrasound probes (TVUS) through an economic analysis comparing manual and automated reprocessing methods. A questionnaire survey was also conducted in hospitals and medical practices to analyze the current practice of TVUS reprocessing.MethodsThe economic analysis compared four manual reprocessing methods using disinfection wipes and one automated device-based disinfection method using hydrogen peroxide vapor. The working times were measured with a stopwatch and complemented by passive working time (disinfection exposure time or machine cycle duration). The personnel costs for the working time were calculated and combined with the calculated acquisition and material costs to determine the total process costs.ResultsThe economic analysis revealed that machine disinfection is not only time-saving but also more cost-effective per reprocessing cycle compared to two manual methods using wipes for cleaning and disinfection, where the disinfectant is applied to the wipe before use. However, two methods using ready-to-use (rtu) disinfection wipes from a container were more cost-effective. It is important to note that all wipe disinfection methods would incur additional costs due to the lack of validation. The additional costs for validation could not be calculated due to a lack of experience, making a final cost assessment for wipe disinfection methods currently impossible.Despite extensive efforts to send the survey to hospitals and medical practices through three professional societies and attempts to acquire participants via a publication, only 35 institutions participated. Except for one case, all reprocessed manually. The survey revealed a deficit in knowledge regarding TVUS reprocessing. Manual reprocessing had not been validated despite national legal requirements existing since 2002.ConclusionAs long as manual reprocessing is not validated in all steps, only machine reprocessing is ethically acceptable for patient safety. Even if manual wipe disinfection is validated, machine reprocessing offers higher patient safety, since deviations from the validated SOP cannot be excluded during manual execution. Machine reprocessing should always be preferred for occupational safety reasons.Since the process costs for methods involving the application of the disinfectant to the wipe before disinfection were higher than for the machine method, the latter is preferred in this comparison. It is not possible to determine whether the overall process is economically superior to machine reprocessing because the cost calculation for rtu disinfection wipes does not include the entire process of reprocessing, including the legally required validation. Due to the better standardization of the machine reprocessing process, along with increased procedural, worker, and patient safety, machine reprocessing should be preferred regardless of process costs, especially if the economic difference is not significant. Additionally, avoiding disposable wipes is beneficial in terms of sustainability.The lack of knowledge regarding national legal requirements and recommendations for TVUS reprocessing is a reason why the principles of reprocessing were not adhered to in several practices. Therefore, it is necessary to convey the basic knowledge of reprocessing during medical studies, followed by further training during specialization. Persons tasked with reprocessing must have the required education or participate in specialized training to demonstrate current knowledge (§ 8 Sect. 7 Medical Device Regulation).