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Background Sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (SOS) refers to liver injury caused by hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and anticancer drugs including oxaliplatin. Increased splenic volume (SV) on computed tomography (CT) indicates oxaliplatin-induced SOS. Similarly, ultrasonography and liver stiffness measurement (LSM) by shear-wave elastography (SWE) can help diagnose SOS after HSCT; however, their usefulness for diagnosing oxaliplatin-induced SOS remains unclear. We investigated the usefulness of the Hokkaido ultrasonography-based scoring system with 10 ultrasonographic parameters (HokUS-10) and SWE in diagnosing oxaliplatin-induced SOS early. Methods In this prospective observational study, ultrasonography and SWE were performed before and at 2, 4, and 6 months after oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy. HokUS-10 was used for assessment. CT volumetry of the SV was performed in clinical practice, and an SV increase ≥ 30% was considered the diagnostic indicator of oxaliplatin-induced SOS. We assessed whether HokUS-10 and SWE can lead to an early detection of oxaliplatin-induced SOS before an increased SV on CT. Results Of the 30 enrolled patients with gastrointestinal cancers, 12 (40.0%) with an SV increase ≥ 30% on CT were diagnosed with SOS. The HokUS-10 score was not correlated with an SV increase ≥ 30% (r = 0.18). The change in rate of three HokUS-10 parameters were correlated with an SV increase ≥ 30% (r = 0.32–0.41). The change in rate of LSM by SWE was correlated with an SV increase ≥ 30% (r = 0.40). Conclusions The usefulness of HokUS-10 score was not demonstrated; however, some HokUS-10 parameters and SWE could be useful for the early diagnosis of oxaliplatin-induced SOS.

Background: The superior vena cava (SVC) flow velocity waveform from the supraclavicular window reflects right atrial pressure (RAP) status. Recent guidelines have stated that the subcostal window is an alternative view for recording SVC flow, but the validity of this approach remains unclear. The aim of this study was to determine the usefulness of SVC flow evaluation from the subcostal window for estimating RAP. Methods: Differences in SVC flow characteristics between opposite approaches were examined in 38 healthy adults. In 115 patients with cardiovascular diseases who underwent cardiac catheterization and echocardiography within 48 hours, the ratio of peak systolic to diastolic forward SVC flow (SVC-S/D) was measured, and the diagnostic ability of SVC-S/D for elevated RAP was tested. A validation cohort was used to confirm the diagnostic ability of SVC-S/D in 48 patients who underwent both cardiac catheterization and echocardiography within 24 hours. In 59 patients in the derivation and validation cohorts, the relationship between SVC flow and RAP was compared between the opposite windows. Results: Both systolic and diastolic SVC flow velocities were higher in the subcostal than in the supraclavicular approach, and effect of position change on subcostal SVC-S/D was smaller than that on supraclavicular SVCS/D in healthy adults. Measurement of SVC-S/D from the subcostal window was feasible in 98 patients (85%). RAP was inversely correlated with SVC-S/D (r = -0.50, P

Aims Elevated left ventricular filling pressure (LVFP) is a powerful indicator of worsening clinical outcomes in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF); however, detection of elevated LVFP is often challenging. This study aimed to determine the association between the newly proposed echocardiographic LVFP parameter, visually assessed time difference between the mitral valve and tricuspid valve opening (VMT) score, and clinical outcomes of HFpEF. Methods and results We retrospectively investigated 310 well-differentiated HFpEF patients in stable conditions. VMT was scored from 0 to 3 using two-dimensional echocardiographic images, and VMT ≥2 was regarded as a sign of elevated LVFP. The primary endpoint was a composite of cardiac death or heart failure hospitalization during the 2 years after the echocardiographic examination. In all patients, Kaplan–Meier curves showed that VMT ≥2 (n = 54) was associated with worse outcomes than the VMT ≤1 group (n = 256) (P Conclusions In patients with HFpEF, the VMT score was independently and incrementally associated with adverse clinical outcomes. Moreover, it could also predict clinical outcomes in HFpEF patients with AF.

Background Ultrasonography (US) is widely used for the diagnosis of liver tumors. However, the accuracy of the diagnosis largely depends on the visual perception of humans. Hence, we aimed to construct artificial intelligence (AI) models for the diagnosis of liver tumors in US. Methods We constructed three AI models based on still B-mode images: model-1 using 24,675 images, model-2 using 57,145 images, and model-3 using 70,950 images. A convolutional neural network was used to train the US images. The four-class liver tumor discrimination by AI, namely, cysts, hemangiomas, hepatocellular carcinoma, and metastatic tumors, was examined. The accuracy of the AI diagnosis was evaluated using tenfold cross-validation. The diagnostic performances of the AI models and human experts were also compared using an independent test cohort of video images. Results The diagnostic accuracies of model-1, model-2, and model-3 in the four tumor types are 86.8%, 91.0%, and 91.1%, whereas those for malignant tumor are 91.3%, 94.3%, and 94.3%, respectively. In the independent comparison of the AIs and physicians, the percentages of correct diagnoses (accuracies) by the AIs are 80.0%, 81.8%, and 89.1% in model-1, model-2, and model-3, respectively. Meanwhile, the median percentages of correct diagnoses are 67.3% (range 63.6%–69.1%) and 47.3% (45.5%–47.3%) by human experts and non-experts, respectively. Conclusion The performance of the AI models surpassed that of human experts in the four-class discrimination and benign and malignant discrimination of liver tumors. Thus, the AI models can help prevent human errors in US diagnosis.

Purpose: The staging of liver fibrosis is clinically important, and a less invasive method is preferred. Quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) has shown a great potential in estimating liver fibrosis in addition to R2* relaxometry. However, few studies have compared QSM analysis and liver fibrosis. We aimed to evaluate the feasibility of estimating liver fibrosis by using QSM and R2*-based histogram analyses by comparing it with ultrasound-based transient elastography and the stage of histologic fibrosis.Methods: Fourteen patients with liver disease were enrolled. Data sets of multi-echo gradient echo sequence with breath-holding were acquired on a 3-Tesla scanner. QSM and R2* were reconstructed by water-fat separation method, and ROIs were analyzed for these images. Quantitative parameters with histogram features (mean, variance, skewness, kurtosis, and 1st, 10th, 50th, 90th, and 99th percentiles) were extracted. These data were compared with the elasticity measured by ultrasound transient elastography and histological stage of liver fibrosis (F0 to F4, based on the new Inuyama classification) determined by biopsy or hepatectomy. The correlation of histogram parameters with intrahepatic elasticity and histologically confirmed fibrosis stage was examined. Texture parameters were compared between subgroups divided according to fibrosis stage. Receiver operating character-istic (ROC) analysis was also performed. P < 0.05 indicated statistical significance.Results: The six histogram parameters of both QSM and R2*were significantly correlated with intrahe-patic elasticity. In particular, three parameters (variance, percentiles [90th and 99th]) of QSM showed high correlation (r = 0.818-0.844), whereas R2* parameters showed a moderate correlation with elasticity. Four parameters of QSM were significantly correlated with fibrosis stage (rho = 0.637-0.723) and differentiated F2-4 from F0-1 fibrosis and F3-4 from F0-2 fibrosis with areas under the ROC curve of > 0.8, but those of R2* did not.Conclusion: QSM may serve as a promising surrogate indicator in detecting liver fibrosis.

Background: There are no reports on the effects of interventions, such as discontinuation and change and/or deescalation of carbapenems and anti-methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) antibiotics by an antimicrobial stewardship team focusing on detailed patient outcomes. This study aimed to evaluate these effects. Methods: This retrospective cohort study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital from December 2018 to November 2019. Results: Favorable clinical responses were obtained in 165 of 184 cases (89.7%) in the intervention-accepted group, higher than those in the not accepted group (14/19 cases, 73.7%; P = .056). All-cause 30 day mortality was lower in the accepted group than in the not accepted group (1.1% and 10.5%, respectively; P = .045). The microbiological outcomes were similar between the two groups. Duration of carbapenem and anti-MRSA antibiotic use in the accepted group was significantly lower than that in the not accepted group (median [interquartile range]: 8 days [5-13] versus 14 days [8-15], respectively, P = .026 for carbapenem; 10 days [5.3-15] vs 15.5 days [13.8-45.3], respectively, P = .014 for anti-MRSA antibiotic). Conclusions: This is the first study to investigate the effects of interventions such as discontinuation and change and/ or de-escalation of antibiotics on detailed outcomes. Our intervention could reduce the duration of carbapenem and anti-MRSA antibiotic use without worsening clinical and microbiological outcomes. (c) 2021 Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The standard diagnostic modalities for gastrointestinal (GI) diseases have long been endoscopy and barium enema. Recently, trans-sectional imaging modalities, such as computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, have become increasingly utilized in daily practice. In transabdominal ultrasonography (US), the bowel sometimes interferes with the observation of abdominal organs. Additionally, the thin intestinal walls and internal gas can make structures difficult to identify. However, under optimal US equipment settings, with identification of the sonoanatomy and knowledge of the US findings of GI diseases, US can be used effectively to diagnose GI disorders. Thus, the efficacy of GIUS has been gradually recognized, and GIUS guidelines have been published by the World Federation for Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology and the European Federation of Societies for Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology. Following a systematic scanning method according to the sonoanatomy and precisely estimating the layered wall structures by employing color Doppler make diagnosing disease and evaluating the degree of inflammation possible. This review describes current GIUS practices from an equipment perspective, a procedure for systematic scanning, typical findings of the normal GI tract, and 10 diagnostic items in an attempt to help medical practitioners effectively perform GIUS and promote the use of GIUS globally.

Hepatic sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (SOS)/veno-occlusive disease is a life-threatening complication after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). We previously reported the efficacy of the Hokkaido Ultrasonography (US)-based scoring system (HokUS-10) for US findings. To establish easier-to-use criteria, we retrospectively evaluated US findings from 441 patients, including 30 patients with SOS using the HokUS-10 scoring system. Using logistic regression analysis, we established the novel diagnostic criteria HokUS-6. In the presence of ascites, US diagnosis was made in the presence of two of the following 6 parameters: moderate amount of ascites, the appearance of a paraumbilical vein blood flow signal, gallbladder wall thickening, portal vein dilatation, portal vein velocity decrease, and hepatic artery resistive index increase. The AUC, sensitivity, and specificity of HokUS-6 were 0.974 (95% confidence interval 0.962-0.990), 95.2%, and 96.9%, respectively. The scores were significantly higher in patients with severe SOS than in those with non-severe SOS (p = 0.013). Furthermore, the scores before HSCT were significantly higher in patients who developed SOS than in controls (p = 0.001). The HokUS-6 is an easy and useful way to diagnose and identify the risk of SOS.

Background: Liver elastography with virtual touch quantification (VTQ) measures the velocity of the shear wave generated by a short-duration acoustic force impulse, with values expressed in units of velocity (m/s). VTQ can evaluate right or left hepatic lobes separately. VTQ might be appropriate for the evaluation of future remnant liver after hepatectomy. Methods: We analyzed 95 patients underwent liver elastography with VTQ and both future remnant liver and resected side before hepatectomy of more than two sections, except for central bisectionectomy. We divided the patients into a high VTQ group (>= 1.52 m/s, n=37, 39%) and a low VTQ group (= 7.9 kPa as the high LSM group (n=29, 40%) and those with LSM = 2.0 mg/dL (70% vs. 40%; P

Background The efficacy and safety of colistin for the treatment of infections caused by multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacilli have been poorly investigated in Japanese patients. This study was performed to investigate the efficacy and safety of colistin in Japanese patients by analyzing a considerable number of cases. Furthermore, we evaluated the relationship between the plasma concentration and efficacy and safety of colistin in some cases. Methods A retrospective cohort study was conducted at Hokkaido University Hospital, analyzing patients treated with colistin (colistimethate sodium) during the period from January 2007 to December 2019. Results Overall, 42 cases were enrolled. Favorable clinical response was observed in 25 cases (59.5%), with an all-cause 30-day mortality of 33.3% (14/42 cases). Microbiological eradication was achieved in 18 cases (42.9%). Nephrotoxicity was observed in 20 cases (47.6%) and was mild and reversible in all cases. Plasma trough concentrations of colistin determined in nine patients correlated with changes in serum creatinine concentration (⊿) and creatinine clearance (%). The cutoff value of colistin trough concentration for nephrotoxicity was 2.02 μg/mL. Conclusion Our results showed approximately 60% clinical efficacy of colistin therapy against infections caused by multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacilli in the patients. Further studies with larger populations are needed to elucidate the efficacy and safety of colistin in Japanese patients.

Evaluation of liver stiffness (LS) by magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) is useful for estimating right atrial pressure (RAP) in patients with heart failure (HF). However, its prognostic implications are unclear. We sought to investigate whether LS measured by MRE (LS-MRE) could predict clinical outcomes in patients with HF.We prospectively examined 207 consecutive HF patients between April 2018 and May 2021 after excluding those with organic liver disease. All patients underwent 3.0-T MRE. The primary outcome of interest was the composite of all-cause death and hospitalisation for HF.During a median follow-up period of 720 (interquartile range [IQR] 434-1013) days, the primary outcome occurred in 44 patients (21%), including 15 (7%) all-cause deaths and 29 (14%) hospitalisations for HF. The patients were divided into two groups according to median LS-MRE of 2.54 (IQR 2.34-2.82) kPa. Patients with higher LS-MRE showed a higher incidence of the primary outcome compared to those with lower LS-MRE (p0.001). Multivariable Cox regression analyses revealed that LS-MRE value was independently associated with the risk of adverse events (hazard ratio 2.49, 95% confidence interval 1.46-4.24). In multivariable linear regression, RAP showed a stronger correlation with LS-MRE (β coefficient = 0.31, p0.001) compared to markers related to liver fibrosis.In patients without chronic liver disease and presenting with HF, elevated LS-MRE was independently associated with worse clinical outcomes. Elevated LS-MRE may be useful for risk stratification in patients with HF and without chronic liver disease.• Magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) is an emerging non-invasive imaging technique for evaluating liver stiffness (LS) which can estimate right atrial pressure. • Elevated LS-MRE, which mainly reflects liver congestion, was independently associated with worse clinical outcomes in patients with heart failure. • The assessment of LS-MRE would be useful for stratifying the risk of adverse events in heart failure patients without chronic liver disease.

While immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have antitumor effects, they also have characteristic side effects, including colitis. However, gastritis has rarely been reported. We report a case of a patient with lung adenocarcinoma who presented with epigastric pain and diarrhea following pembrolizumab administration. Sonography of the abdomen demonstrated diffuse, although mild, gastric wall thickening (mainly in the submucosa), as well as a slight decrease in echogenicity throughout the gastric wall. While the mucosal surface was relatively smooth, color Doppler examination showed increased vascularity. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy and pathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of ICI-related gastroenteritis.

Masafumi Yamamoto,1 Satoshi Konno,2 Hironi Makita,2,3 Katsuaki Nitta,4 Kaoruko Shimizu,2 Masaru Suzuki,2 Mutsumi Nishida,1 Junichi Sugita,1 Takanori Teshima,1 Masaharu Nishimura2,3 1Division of Laboratory and Transfusion Medicine, Hokkaido University Hospital, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan; 2Department of Respiratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan; 3Hokkaido Institute of Respiratory Diseases, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan; 4Makita Hospital, Sapporo, Hokkaido, JapanCorrespondence: Masaharu NishimuraDepartment of Respiratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, N-15 W-7, Kita-Ku, Sapporo, 060-8638, JapanTel +81-11-706-5911Fax +81-11-706-7899Email ma-nishi@med.hokudai.ac.jpBackground: Generally, the maximal expiratory flow–volume (MEFV) curve must be measured for the diagnosis and staging of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). As this test is effort dependent, international guidelines recommend that three acceptable trials are required for each test. However, no study has examined the magnitude and factors for the variability in parameters among three acceptable trials.Methods: We evaluated the intra-individual variations in several parameters among three acceptable MEFV curves obtained at one-time point in patients with COPD (n = 28, stage 1; n = 36, stage 2; n = 21, stages 3– 4). Next, the factors for such variations were examined using forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC).Results: The averages of coefficient of variation (CV) for FEV1 and FVC were 2.0% (range: 1.0– 3.0%) and 1.6% (0.9– 2.2%), respectively. Both parameters were significantly better than peak expiratory flow rate, forced expiratory flow at 50% of expired FVC, and forced expiratory flow at 75% of expired FVC (CVs: 5.0– 6.9%). A higher spirometric stage was significantly associated with higher CVs for FVC and FEV1, and older age was significantly correlated with a higher variation in FEV1 alone. Furthermore, a significantly inverse association was observed between emphysema severity, and the CVs for FEV1, but not that for FVC, regardless of spirometric stage.Conclusion: Both FVC and FEV1 are highly reproducible; nevertheless, older age, lower FEV1 at baseline, and non-emphysema phenotype are factors for a higher variability in FEV1 in patients with COPD.Keywords: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, coefficient of variation, flow–volume curve, forced expiratory volume in 1 second, variability

Introduction: The Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM) lacks reliable blood tests for evaluating the nutrition status. We retrospectively compared the GLIM criteria, Controlling Nutrition Status (CONUT) score, and Subjective Global Assessment (SGA) to establish effective malnutrition screening and provide appropriate nutritional interventions according to severity. Methods: We classified 177 patients into 3 malnutrition categories (normal/mild, moderate, and severe) according to the GLIM criteria, CONUT score, and SGA. We investigated the malnutrition prevalence, concordance of malnutrition severity, predictability of clinical outcome, concordance by etiology, and clinical outcome by inflammation. Results: The highest prevalence of malnutrition was found using the GLIM criteria (87.6%). Concordance of malnutrition severity was low between the GLIM criteria and CONUT score. Concordance by etiology was low in all groups but was the highest in the “acute disease” group. The area under the curve of clinical outcome and that of the “with inflammation group” were significantly higher when using the CONUT score versus using the other tools (0.679 and 0.683, respectively). Conclusion: The GLIM criteria have high sensitivity, while the CONUT score can effectively predict the clinical outcome of malnutrition. Their combined use can efficiently screen for malnutrition and patient severity in acute care hospitals.

Pulmonary diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO) is a valuable pulmonary function test to evaluate the gas exchange capacity of the lungs. Generally, DLCO values are significantly lower in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), particularly in those with a predominantly emphysema phenotype. However, it is extremely rare that DLCO values cannot be obtained for reasons other than technical errors. Herein, we report two patients with COPD in whom DLCO values were undetectable without prolonging the breath-holding time for the test. We discuss possible mechanisms for these peculiar findings.

Purpose Sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (SOS)/hepatic veno-occlusive disease (VOD) is a fatal complication after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. We previously reported the usefulness of an ultrasonographical (US) scoring system, the Hokkaido US-based scoring system consisting of ten parameters (HokUS-10): (1) hepatomegaly in the left lobe and (2) right lobe, (3) dilatation of the main portal vein (PV), (4) hepatofugal flow in the main PV, (5) decreased velocity of the PV, (6) dilatation of the para-umbilical vein (PUV), (7) appearance of blood flow signal in the PUV, (8) gallbladder (GB) wall thickening, (9) ascites, and (10) increased resistive index of the hepatic artery, for the diagnosis of SOS/VOD. However, the reliability of this system among operators remains elusive. Therefore, we prospectively evaluated the reliability of HokUS-10. Methods Twenty-four healthy volunteers and 40 patients with liver dysfunction were enrolled. Inter- and intra-operator reliabilities were analyzed using three sonographers. Results The median concordance rate of HokUS-10 among three sonographers and intra-operator in 24 volunteers was 92% (95% CI: 73-98%) and 98% (95% CI: 92-100%), respectively. In all 64 cases, in terms of the reliability between two sonographers for three representative US parameters (amount of ascites, GB wall thickening, and appearance of PUV blood flow signal), the median concordance rate was more than 98% (95% CI: 86-106%). Conclusion The inter- and intra-reliabilities of HokUS-10 were excellent. Thus, US might be a reliable tool for SOS/VOD diagnosis.

Recent studies suggest that blood flow changes in the median nerve may help confirm a diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). Herein, we examined the utility of superb microvascular imaging (SMI), a new ultrasonographic (US) technique for visualizing microvascular flow, for detecting blood flow differences between CTS patients and healthy controls. We performed a retrospective analysis of 28 hands with suspected CTS. Patients received both nerve conduction and US examinations. Ten healthy volunteers were enrolled as the control group. The nerve compression ratio and the blood flow signal area were quantified using color Doppler US (CDUS), power Doppler US (PDUS), and SMI. Correlation analyses between the blood flow signal area, the compound muscle action potential of the thenar muscle, and the nerve compression ratio were performed. As a result, the mean nerve compression ratio was found to be significantly higher in the CTS group. There were no differences in the blood flow signal area between the groups using CDUS, while PDUS and SMI showed higher blood flow signals in the CTS group. The blood flow signal area measured by SMI had stronger correlations with the compound muscle action potential amplitude and the nerve compression ratio than those for PDUS. The diagnostic utility of SMI was equivalent to PDUS, but superior to conventional CDUS. Nevertheless, the blood flow signal by SMI was more strongly correlated with the electrophysiological severity and compression ratio than for PDUS. Use of SMI in future studies may help clarify the underlying mechanisms of blood flow changes in CTS.

We prospectively compared the efficacy of PCR detection of SARS-CoV-2 between paired nasopharyngeal and saliva samples in nine COVID-19 patients. SARS-CoV-2 was detected in saliva in 8 of 9 (89%) patients and in all 11 samples taken within 2 weeks after disease onset. Viral load was equivalent at earlier time points but declined in saliva than nasopharyngeal samples. PCR negativity was also concordant in all 27 saliva samples from 24 patients between nasopharyngeal and saliva samples. These results suggest that saliva is a reliable noninvasive alternative to nasopharyngeal swabs and facilitate widespread PCR testing in the face of shortages of swabs and protective equipment without posing a risk to healthcare workers.

Aim Factors associated with improvement of liver fibrosis after successful hepatitis C virus (HCV) eradication by interferon (IFN)-free direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs) have been not clarified well. Angiopoietin-2 (Ang2) is reported to be associated with vascular leak and inflammation observed in patients with advanced liver fibrosis. Methods In this retrospective study, patients treated with IFN-free DAAs who underwent transient elastography before and at 24-weeks post-treatment and achieved sustained viral response were enrolled. Baseline serum Ang2 was measured, and its relationship with other clinical factors was analyzed. Liver fibrosis stage was defined based on liver stiffness according to a previous report. Predictive factors for regression of liver fibrosis stage after DAA therapy were evaluated. Results Overall, 116 patients were analyzed. Baseline serum Ang2 levels were significantly associated with liver stiffness, spleen index, and liver stiffness-based liver fibrosis stage. Moreover, 75% of patients experienced regression of liver fibrosis stage after DAA therapy. Multivariate analysis revealed that advanced liver fibrosis stage and Ang2 levels were significantly associated with regression of liver fibrosis stage after DAA therapy. In patients with advanced liver fibrosis (F3/4), baseline Ang2 level alone could predict regression of liver fibrosis stage. A baseline Ang2 cut-off value (354 pg/ML) could predict regression of liver fibrosis stage after DAA therapy with high accuracy (sensitivity 0.882, specificity 0.733). Conclusions Evaluation of serum Ang2 levels before DAA therapy is important. Our results provide a novel mechanistic insight into non-regression of liver stiffness after DAA therapy. Long-term and larger studies are required.

Nivolumab is an immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI), which is used for treatment of advanced malignancies. Diarrhea is a typical adverse effect of ICIs. Several endoscopic features of ICI-related colitis have been reported. Herein, we reported a case of ICI-related colitis, with successful follow-up using ultrasonography (US). A 54-year-old woman, diagnosed with renal cell carcinoma, underwent radical nephrectomy. Multiple liver and bone metastases appeared 6 months after surgery. She was prescribed sunitinib, which was discontinued, because of severe diarrhea. She was prescribed nivolumab after 1 week. However, she was hospitalized 9 days later, due to fever and diarrhea. US showed diffuse wall thickening from the cecum to the rectum. The wall layer structures were preserved, and thickening was observed mainly in the submucosa, but not in the mucosa, without a decrease in the echo level. Subsequently, sigmoidoscopy was performed. Severe edema was observed in the mucosa, without any erosion and granularity. She was clinically diagnosed with ICI-related colitis, and steroid therapy was administered. One week after steroid therapy, the diarrhea improved, and the earlier findings showed marked improvement on US. After another week of reduced steroid dose, US revealed further improvement, and she was discharged.

Gout, which is characterized by the deposition of monosodium urate monohydrate (MSU) in the synovial fluid and other tissues, is the most common form of inflammatory arthritis. Unlike the easily recognized acute and monoarticular gouty arthritis, advanced gout induces multiple finger joint disorders and may sometimes mimic rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or vice versa. The gold standard for gout diagnosis is the identification of MSU crystals via aspiration in the symptomatic joints or nodules; however, its feasibility and specificity may be inadequate. Recently, there have been important advances in imaging techniques, assisting in the non-invasive diagnosis of gout. Ultrasonography (US) has been known to have the ability to detect deposition of MSU crystals in patients with gout. Herein, we report an evocative case of long-standing gout with precisely detected specific US features indicating MSU crystal deposition and inflammation in multiple joints. Comprehensive US assessment included the bone, hyaline cartilage, soft tissue, subcutaneous nodules and tendon; we also discriminated gouty arthritis from RA.

This study aimed to determine whether ultrasonography (US) can detect increased vascular signal in the synovial tissue before overt synovitis in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Env-pX rats that spontaneously develop RA-like synovitis were used. Ankle joints of 15 pre-morbid env-pX rats were observed with power Doppler and superb microvascular imaging (SMI) using an ultrahigh-frequency (8–24 MHz) probe. Signal values were counted as the number of pixels. The total number of vessels and vessel area in the synovial tissue were histologically evaluated. Dilated vessels were determined from the mean value of synovial vessels in three wild-type rats. In all env-pX rats, apparent synovial proliferation was not observed. However, vasodilation was evident. Only SMI values were significantly correlated with the number of dilated vessels (r = 0.585, p = 0.022) but not with the total number of vessels. US with SMI using ultrahigh-frequency probe can detect increased vascular signal in the synovial tissue of arthritis-prone rats.

Ultrasonography is useful for assessment of synovitis in the hand of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the predictive value of the quantitative power Doppler (PD) signal assessment in the subchondral bone region of the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint in patients with RA showing radiographic progression of the hand by comparing with those of previously reported scoring systems. Twenty-two patients (20 women) with RA who underwent power Doppler ultrasonography (PDUS) of the bilateral one to five MCP joints at baseline were included in the study. Radiography of both hands was performed at baseline and at 1 year. PDUS of the synovial space was evaluated according to semi-quantitative scoring (0–3) and quantitative measurement (0–100%). The PD signal in the subchondral bone region was qualitatively (0, 1) and quantitatively (mm2) assessed. The performance of PDUS assessment was compared using the area under the curve (AUC) of the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and the risk ratio (RR). As a predictor for radiographic progression, the quantitative PD signal assessment in the subchondral bone region (AUC = 0.842, p

Purpose Although computed tomography (CT) has been the standard modality for diagnosing lymph node metastasis (LNM), transabdominal ultrasonography (US) can be useful due to its high spatial resolution and use of Doppler signals to precisely analyze lymph nodes. This study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of US for lymph node assessment, establish US-based diagnostic criteria for LNM, and compare the capability of US with CT for the diagnosis of LNM. Methods This retrospective, single-institution, cohort study included patients who underwent radical surgery for clinical stage 0–III colon cancer, between March 2012 and February 2019. Results Overall, 34.9% (66/189) of patients had pathological LNM. The optimal US diagnostic criteria were (1) short axis ≥ 7 mm and short/long ratio ≥ 0.75 and (2) at least two of the following: the absence of hilar echoes, expansive appearance, or peripheral/mixed vascularity vascularity by the color Doppler and/or contrast-enhanced method. US showed a higher diagnostic sensitivity (54.5% vs. 43.9%; P = 0.296), higher concordance with the number of pathological LNM (correlation coefficient: US, 0.42; CT, 0.27) and pathological N diagnosis (weighted κ: US, 0.35; CT, 0.18), and higher sensitivity for advanced LNM, including multiple LNMs (47.4% vs 18.4%; P = 0.014) and N2 stage (27.8% vs 5.6%; P = 0.177), than CT. Conclusions US has higher sensitivity than CT for diagnosing LNM in colon cancer, along with a more accurate preoperative diagnosis of the N stage. Thus, US may be more helpful than CT for preoperatively deciding the appropriateness of neoadjuvant treatment in patients with colon cancer with advanced LNM.

Summary Background Quantitative RT-PCR (RT-qPCR) of nasopharyngeal swab (NPS) samples for SARS-CoV-2 detection requires medical personnel and is time consuming, and thus is poorly suited to mass screening. In June, 2020, a chemiluminescent enzyme immunoassay (CLEIA; Lumipulse G SARS-CoV-2 Ag kit, Fujirebio, Tokyo, Japan) was developed that can detect SARS-CoV-2 nucleoproteins in NPS or saliva samples within 35 min. In this study, we assessed the utility of CLEIA in mass SARS-CoV-2 screening. Methods We did a diagnostic accuracy study to develop a mass-screening strategy for salivary detection of SARS-CoV-2 by CLEIA, enrolling hospitalised patients with clinically confirmed COVID-19, close contacts identified at community health centres, and asymptomatic international arrivals at two airports, all based in Japan. All test participants were enrolled consecutively. We assessed the diagnostic accuracy of CLEIA compared with RT-qPCR, estimated according to concordance (Kendall's coefficient of concordance, W), and sensitivity (probability of CLEIA positivity given RT-qPCR positivity) and specificity (probability of CLEIA negativity given RT-qPCR negativity) for different antigen concentration cutoffs (0·19 pg/mL, 0·67 pg/mL, and 4·00 pg/mL; with samples considered positive if the antigen concentration was equal to or more than the cutoff and negative if it was less than the cutoff). We also assessed a two-step testing strategy post hoc with CLEIA as an initial test, using separate antigen cutoff values for test negativity and positivity from the predefined cutoff values. The proportion of intermediate results requiring secondary RT-qPCR was then quantified assuming prevalence values of RT-qPCR positivity in the overall tested population of 10%, 30%, and 50%. Findings Self-collected saliva was obtained from 2056 participants between June 12 and Aug 6, 2020. Results of CLEIA and RT-qPCR were concordant in 2020 (98·2%) samples (Kendall's W=0·99). Test sensitivity was 85·4% (76 of 89 positive samples; 90% credible interval [CrI] 78·0–90·3) at the cutoff of 0·19 pg/mL; 76·4% (68 of 89; 68·2–82·8) at the cutoff of 0·67 pg/mL; and 52·8% (47 of 89; 44·1–61·3) at the cutoff of 4·0 pg/mL. Test specificity was 91·3% (1796 of 1967 negative samples; 90% CrI 90·2–92·3) at the cutoff of 0·19 pg/mL, 99·2% (1952 of 1967; 98·8–99·5) at the cutoff of 0·67 pg/mL, and 100·0% (1967 of 1967; 99·8–100·0) at the cutoff of 4·00 pg/mL. Using a two-step testing strategy with a CLEIA negativity cutoff of 0·19 pg/mL (to maximise sensitivity) and a CLEIA positivity cutoff of 4·00 pg/mL (to maximise specificity), the proportions of indeterminate results (ie, samples requiring secondary RT-qPCR) would be approximately 11% assuming a prevalence of RT-qPCR positivity of 10%, 16% assuming a prevalence of RT-qPCR positivity of 30%, and 21% assuming a prevalence of RT-qPCR positivity of 50%. Interpretation CLEIA testing of self-collected saliva is simple and provides results quickly, and is thus suitable for mass testing. To improve accuracy, we propose a two-step screening strategy with an initial CLEIA test followed by confirmatory RT-qPCR for intermediate concentrations, varying positive and negative thresholds depending on local prevalence. Implementation of this strategy has expedited sample processing at Japanese airports since July, 2020, and might apply to other large-scale mass screening initiatives. Funding Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, Japan.

In full waveform inversion (FWI) for ultrasound computed tomography (CT), choosing the right sound source is essential for generating high-resolution images. We developed an optimized source estimation method for FWI to efficiently reduce the value of any cost function and evaluated its performance using simulation data and measurement data. In our optimized source estimation method, we obtain the sound source as α(k)·f, where f is a sound source (an arbitrary complex value), coefficient α(k) is cos(θk)+i·sin(θk), k is integer (0, 1, ⋯, N-1), θk is 2π/N·k, and the integer value of N is 360. We then determine the coefficient α(k) that minimizes the value of the cost function. In contrast to conventional source estimation, which only minimizes the value of the L2 norm cost function, our proposed source estimation can minimize the values of any cost function, such as the L1 norm or a hybrid of L1 and L2 norms. The advantage of our method is that it can be easily applied to FWI with various cost functions. In this preliminary study, we implemented FWI with the L2 norm cost function and compared the performance of our proposed method with that of the conventional method. In the simulation study, FWI with both the conventional and proposed source estimation methods improved the contrasts of inclusions of a numerical phantom compared to FWI with no source estimation. They both also improved the contrasts of inclusions of a measured oil-gel-based phantom compared to a bent-ray reconstruction method. The absolute mean errors between ROI and true values were 39, 11, and 11 [m/s] for the bent-ray reconstruction method, FWI with the conventional method, and FWI with the proposed method, respectively. In addition, FWI with both the conventional and proposed methods improved the contrasts of a patient’s tumor compared to the bentray reconstruction method. These results demonstrate that FWI with the proposed source estimation method can provide the same contrast and quantitative accuracy as FWI with the conventional source estimation method.