Search

Duplex kidney is a urinary tract anomaly commonly associated with a wide range of primary and secondary parenchymal structural abnormalities. We present a unique comparison of US and MRI findings with histopathology following partial resection of duplex kidneys due to nephropathy. We examined a group of 21 children with duplex kidneys who were qualified for heminephrectomy (24 kidney units (KU)). All patients underwent US and MRI prior to the surgery. The imaging results were compared with histopathologic findings. In 21/24 KU, dysplastic changes were found on histopathology, including all with obstructive nephropathy and 7/10 specimens with refluxing uropathy. The loss of corticomedullary differentiation on US and increased signal on T2-weighted images (T2WI) on MRI were the imaging findings that best correlated with fibrosis. In children with megaureter, there were no statistical differences in histopathological findings between primary megaureter, megaureter with ureterocele, and megaureter with ectopia (p > 0.05). The extent of dysplasia of the affected pole correlated negatively with residual function in MRI. Kidney dysplasia and inflammation in the kidney with obstructive nephropathy are the most important histopathologic findings of this study. US is a valuable screening tool, and MRI enables morphologic and functional assessments of the nephropathy in duplex kidneys. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Polish Journal of Allergology / Alergologia Polska is the property of Termedia Publishing House and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background Vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) is a frequent cause of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in children. Using blood oxygenation level-dependent magnetic resonance imaging (BOLD-MRI), we measured cortical and medullary oxygenation in children with CKD due to VUR and compared the results to those obtained on healthy controls. Method The study population comprised 37 children (19 with CKD due to VUR and 18 healthy age-matched controls). BOLD-MRI was performed before and after furosemide treatment. MR images were analyzed with the region-of-interest (ROI) technique to assess the mean R2* values (=1/T2*) of the cortex and medulla of each kidney and with the concentric object (CO) technique that divides renal parenchyma in 12 equal layers. Results R2* values were significantly lower (corresponding to higher oxygenation) in the cortex and medulla of kidneys of children with CKD due to VUR than in those of the healthy controls (cortex 16.4 ± 1.4 vs. 17.2 ± 1.6 s.sup.-1, respectively; medulla 28.4 ± 3.2 vs. 30.3 ± 1.9 s.sup.-1, respectively; P < 0.05), and furosemide-induced changes in medullary R2* were smaller in the former than in the latter (-5.7 ± 3.0 vs. -6.9 ± 3.4 s.sup.-1, respectively; P < 0.05). Similar results were found with the CO technique. In children with a history of unilateral reflux (n = 9), the non-affected contralateral kidneys presented similar R2* values as the diseased kidneys, but their response to furosemide was significantly larger (-7.4 ± 3.2 vs. -5.7 ± 3.0, respectively; P = 0.05). Conclusions Chronic kidney disease due to VUR is not associated with kidney tissue hypoxia in children. The significantly larger furosemide-induced decrease in medullary R2* levels in the healthy group and unaffected contralateral kidneys of the VUR group points towards more intense renal sodium transport in these kidneys., Author(s): Hassib Chehade[sup.1] , Bastien Milani[sup.2] , Annalisa Ansaloni[sup.2] , Christiane Anex[sup.2] , Isabelle Bassi[sup.2] , Maciej Piskunowicz[sup.2] [sup.3] , Matthias Stuber[sup.4] , Francois Cachat[sup.1] , Michel Burnier[sup.2] , Menno [...]

The quality of contrast‐enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) imaging performed with high‐frequency convex and linear transducers is often suboptimal. A common solution to improving the microbubble signal is by increasing the volume of the ultrasound contrast agent being administered. An alternative technique to improve the signal from the contrast agent is to adjust the mechanical index (MI). This study aimed to compare the manufacturer's default MI to an optimal MI (as determined by the best contrast‐to‐tissue ratio) for improving the CEUS image quality using linear and convex transducers. This study found that in most cases, the default CEUS MI setting by the manufacturer is often suboptimal, and increasing the MI is necessary to improve the contrast‐to‐tissue ratio and image quality. The MI can be modified by the clinician during the study to improve the quality of the clinical CEUS examination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This statement summarises basic settings in lung ultrasonography and best practice recommendations for lung ultrasonography in COVID-19, representing the agreed consensus of experts from the Ultrasound Subcommittee of the European Society of Radiology (ESR). Standard lung settings and artefacts in lung ultrasonography are explained for education and training, equipment settings, documentation and self-protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bowel diseases of prematurity, including necrotizing enterocolitis, are dreaded ailments of neonates. Early diagnosis is difficult, with clinical and radiographic findings often inconclusive. We present a novel use of contrast‐enhanced ultrasound in detection of pediatric bowel disease. Early identification of compromised blood flow or an at‐risk bowel can be quantitatively detected and monitored. This ability has implications for guidance of emerging therapies, allowing targeting of inflammation. These findings represent an advancement in detection of bowel disease in neonates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]