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OBJECTIVE: To assess diagnostic capabilities of a modern handheld ultrasound device (HUD) for portal vein (PV) evaluation in pediatric patients and to verify if age, body mass index (BMI) and object depth correlate to imagequality. METHODS: 45 patients (3.9 months– 17.9 years; 10.3 years±5.4) were examined using a HUD and cart-based high-end ultrasound system (HEUS). The intra-and extrahepatic PV was scanned using B-Mode and Color-coded Doppler sonography (CCDS). A five-point Likert scale was applied to evaluate image quality. Results were interpreted by two readers in consensus. Scores were compared between the scanners and correlated to age, BMI and skin-to-portal-vein-distance (SPVD). The influence on image quality and the difference between the two devices were analyzed using ordinal and Bayesian logistic regression models. RESULTS: ≥4 points (mild or no limitations) were achieved by the HUD in 60% for B-Mode and 56% for CCDS. There was a statistically significant negative correlation between the image quality achieved by the HUD and the SPVD for B-Mode and CCDS. The effect of BMI and SPVD on having≥4 points differed significantly between the HUD and HEUS for B-Mode and for CCDS. CONCLUSIONS: Sufficient to excellent image quality for portal vein assessment in pediatric patients was achieved by the HUD except for the most deep-lying structures. Compared to HEUS, diagnostic performance of the HUD is lower, based on a negative correlation with object depth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Ultrasound-guided interventions (such as biopsies) of unclear lesions are indicated if microcirculatory changes indicate possible malignant lesions. These place high demands on the ultrasound device used. In order to potentially reduce the often associated high technical effort, the wireless ultrasound device Vscan AirTM was examined as a possible ultrasound device for the intervention biopsy. METHODS: As part of an advanced training course on Computertomographie- and ultrasound-guided biopsy and ablation procedures, participants were asked about the image quality of the handheld device used by means of questionnaires. Various lesions were evaluated at a depth of 1.0 to 5.0 cm in an in vitro liver model. The image quality was evaluated independently before, during and after the intervention. The rating scale contained values from 0 (no assessment possible) to 5 (maximum high image quality). A high-end device was used as a reference. RESULTS: A total of 11 participants took part in the study (n = 4 male [36.4%], n = 7 female [63.6%]). A total of five tumor like lesions at different depths (1 cm, 2 cm, 3 cm, 4 cm, >4 cm) were assessed separately. In all cases, an adequate biopsy of the target lesion (1 cm in length, core filling 5 mm) was successful. From a depth of 3 cm, the image quality of the mobile device increasingly decreased, but the image quality of the high-end system was still not impaired. Compared to the high-end device, there was a highly significant difference in image quality from a depth of 3 cm (p < 0.01). Assessment by inexperienced examiners using a handheld device was adequately possible. CONCLUSIONS: Mobile interventional ultrasound represents a potential alternative for the biopsy of unclear tumorous lesions with microcirculatory disorders with limited depth localization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Rapid evolution of ultrasound technology has allowed widespread use of handheld ultrasound devices (HHUDs) for many possible applications. Along with the adult population, the use of HHUDs for Point of Care Ultrasound (POCUS) in pediatric medicine has been increasing over the last few years. However, pediatric-specific literature is still scarce on mobile vascular ultrasound. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate diagnostic capabilities of Vscan Air™ in comparison with high-end ultrasound for the assessment of the internal jugular vein in children and adolescents. METHODS: 42 Internal Jugular Veins (IJVs) of 21 pediatric patients were scanned by an experienced examiner using a WLAN-supported handheld ultrasound device (Vscan Air™) and high-end cart-based ultrasound (LOGIQ E9) as reference. B-Mode and Color-coded Doppler (CCDS) were performed and compared. Image quality was assessed using a score of 0 to 5 and statistically analyzed. Results were interpreted independently by two readers in consensus. RESULTS: 21 patients (2–17 years; mean 11,00±4,5 years; female n = 11, male n = 10) were examined. The rating score never dropped below 3 for both devices. The median score evaluation of B-Mode and CCDS for the high-end device was 5.00, of Vscan Air™ 5.00 for B-Mode and 4.00 for CCDS. A significant difference was shown between the two devices in the evaluation of CCDS. CONCLUSIONS: Vscan Air™ ultrasound device allows sufficient assessability of the IJV in pediatric patients, opening up new possibilities for fast and mobile POCUS of cervical veins and potential guidance of central venous catheter placement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AIM: To evaluate the usefulness of handheld ultrasound in comparison with high-end ultrasound for lesion evaluation before and after sclerotherapy in pediatric patients with venous malformations (VMs). MATERIAL AND METHODS: 10 pediatric patients prior to and after sclerotherapy were scanned by an experienced examiner using handheld ultrasound (Vscan AirTM) and high-end ultrasound (LOGIQ E9/E10) as reference. Patients with associated venous thromboses and intralesional aneurysms had been excluded. Results were interpreted independently by two readers in consensus. RESULTS: 10 patients (4-17 years; 10.0±4.32 years; female n = 6, male n = 4) with 10 VMs (4 of the head and neck region, 4 of the upper and 2 of the lower extremities) were examined. 7 phleboliths were detected. The average rating score achieved by the high-end device never was less than 4, by Vscan AirTM never less than 3. An exception was the assessment of AV fistulas. In comparison with the evaluation of variables examined, we found a significant difference between the high-end scanner and the handheld device regarding the achieved image quality. CONCLUSION: Vscan AirTM ultrasound device allows new possibilities for procedure planning and post-procedural control of pediatric patients with VMs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: To test and initially describe a new handheld wireless ultrasound technique (TE Air) for clinical use. METHODS: In this pilot study, the new ultrasound device TE Air from Mindray was used to examine the hepatic and renal vessels of healthy volunteers for first impressions. The probe has a sector transducer with a frequency range of 1.8–4.5 MHz. The B-mode and color-coded doppler sonography (CCDS) scanning methods were used. A high-end device from the same company (Resona 9, Mindray) was used as a reference. The results were evaluated using an image rating scale ranging from 0 to 5, with 0 indicating not assessable and 5 indicating without limitations. RESULTS: Altogether, 61 participants (n = 34 female [55.7%], n = 27 male [44.3%]), age range 18–83 years, mean age 37.9±16.5 years) could be adequately studied using TE AIR and the high-end device. With one exception, the image quality score for TE Air never fell below 3 and had a mean/median scored of 4.97/5.00 for the B-mode, 4.92/5.00 for the color flow (CF) mode, and 4.89/5.00 for the pulse wave (PW) mode of the hepatic vein, 4.90/5.00 for the portal vein, 4.11/4.00 for the hepatic artery, and 4.57/5.00 for the renal segmental artery. A significant difference in the assessment of flow measurement of the hepatic artery and renal segmental arteries was found between TE AIR and the high-end device. CONCLUSIONS: TE Air represents a new dimension in point-of-care ultrasound via wireless handheld devices. Especially, its flow measurement ability offers a relevant advantage over other available handheld models. TE Air provides a formally sufficient image quality in terms of diagnostic significance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: The study aim was to investigate the use of a novel device, the Vscan Air™, for rapidly and effectively performing ultrasound in student teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic. MATERIAL AND METHODS: As part of the ultrasound practical course with integrated hands-on activity required by the regular medical curriculum, 100 medical students were instructed in the use of the Vscan Air™, including duplex mode. They then evaluated the quality of the ultrasound images obtained by the Vscan Air™ from previously selected organs. RESULTS: 100 students were interviewed (female n = 68, male n = 32; age >18 years n = 100). The rated image quality never fell below a mean of 3 for the examined organs and portal vein flow (liver 4,58; spleen 3,99; kidneys 4,29; aorta 4,16; Douglas/rectovesical space 4,14; portal vein 4,43; pancreas 3,53; Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma 4,38). Scores below 3 were found sporadically in ultrasounds of the spleen (n = 4), kidneys (n = 3), Douglas/rectovesical space (n = 2), and pancreas (n = 15). The liver was rated the lowest for 59 ratings. The portal vein was evaluated in 68 cases. The hepatic artery and hepatic veins could be also visualized in all 68 examinations. The aorta was evaluated in 62 cases. CONCLUSION: The Vscan Air™ technology offered adequate image quality and provided a new, fast and patient-oriented technique to support continuous ultrasound examinations and education of students, especially during a pandemic. Particularly noteworthy is the uncomplicated compliance with the required high level of hygiene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: The study aim was to investigate the use of a novel device, the Vscan Air™, for rapidly and effectively performing ultrasound in student teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic. MATERIAL AND METHODS: As part of the ultrasound practical course with integrated hands-on activity required by the regular medical curriculum, 100 medical students were instructed in the use of the Vscan Air™, including duplex mode. They then evaluated the quality of the ultrasound images obtained by the Vscan Air™ from previously selected organs. RESULTS: 100 students were interviewed (female n = 68, male n = 32; age >18 years n = 100). The rated image quality never fell below a mean of 3 for the examined organs and portal vein flow (liver 4,58; spleen 3,99; kidneys 4,29; aorta 4,16; Douglas/rectovesical space 4,14; portal vein 4,43; pancreas 3,53; Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma 4,38). Scores below 3 were found sporadically in ultrasounds of the spleen (n = 4), kidneys (n = 3), Douglas/rectovesical space (n = 2), and pancreas (n = 15). The liver was rated the lowest for 59 ratings. The portal vein was evaluated in 68 cases. The hepatic artery and hepatic veins could be also visualized in all 68 examinations. The aorta was evaluated in 62 cases. CONCLUSION: The Vscan Air™ technology offered adequate image quality and provided a new, fast and patient-oriented technique to support continuous ultrasound examinations and education of students, especially during a pandemic. Particularly noteworthy is the uncomplicated compliance with the required high level of hygiene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate a new W-Lan-supported ultrasound mobile technology for the diagnosis of vascular peripheral thrombosis. MATERIAL and METHODS: Fifty patients were examined by an experienced reference sonographer using high-end technology and a W-Lan supported device (VScan Air) to evaluate its diagnostic capabilities for peripheral thrombosis. RESULTS: Fifty patients were examined (age, 25–88 years; male, n = 27, female n = 23). Thromboses were diagnosed in the neck (n = 1), upper leg (n = 7), lower leg (n = 49), and muscle veins (n = 25). VScan Air technique also allows the diagnosis of circumscribed deep vein thrombosis with a sufficient diagnostic certainty. Moreover, for superficial thrombi that can be well-delineated, a maximum image quality is possible compared to high-end technology. CONCLUSION: The mobile VScan technology opens up new possibilities for near-patient and location-independent imaging in cases of deep vein thrombosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The study aim was to investigate the use of a novel device, the Vscan Air™, for rapidly and effectively performing ultrasound in student teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic., Material and Methods: As part of the ultrasound practical course with integrated hands-on activity required by the regular medical curriculum, 100 medical students were instructed in the use of the Vscan Air™, including duplex mode. They then evaluated the quality of the ultrasound images obtained by the Vscan Air™ from previously selected organs., Results: 100 students were interviewed (female n = 68, male n = 32; age >18 years n = 100). The rated image quality never fell below a mean of 3 for the examined organs and portal vein flow (liver 4,58; spleen 3,99; kidneys 4,29; aorta 4,16; Douglas/rectovesical space 4,14; portal vein 4,43; pancreas 3,53; Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma 4,38). Scores below 3 were found sporadically in ultrasounds of the spleen (n = 4), kidneys (n = 3), Douglas/rectovesical space (n = 2), and pancreas (n = 15). The liver was rated the lowest for 59 ratings. The portal vein was evaluated in 68 cases. The hepatic artery and hepatic veins could be also visualized in all 68 examinations. The aorta was evaluated in 62 cases., Conclusion: The Vscan Air™ technology offered adequate image quality and provided a new, fast and patient-oriented technique to support continuous ultrasound examinations and education of students, especially during a pandemic. Particularly noteworthy is the uncomplicated compliance with the required high level of hygiene.