Tapering of the interventricular septum can affect ultrasound shear wave elastography: An in vitro and in silico study

Shear wave elastography (SWE) has the potential to determine cardiac tissue stiffness from non-invasive shear wave speed measurements, important, e.g., for predicting heart failure. Previous studies showed that waves traveling in the interventricular septum (IVS) may display Lamb-like dispersive behaviour, introducing a thickness-frequency...

New reference charts for testicular volume in Dutch children and adolescents allow the calculation of standard deviation scores

Aim Accurate calculations of testicular volume standard deviation (SD) scores are not currently available. We constructed LMS-smoothed age-reference charts for testicular volume in healthy boys. Methods The LMS method was used to calculate reference data, based on testicular volumes from ultrasonography and Prader orchidometer of 769 healthy...

A thrombin generation assay may reduce the need for compression ultrasonography for the exclusion of deep venous thrombosis in the elderly

Introduction. The exclusion of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) by pre-test probability (PTP) and D-dimer in the elderly is safe, but has a low specificity. There is increasing interest in the diagnostic role of thrombin generation in patients with thrombosis. We evaluated the value of thrombin generation in the exclusion of DVT, especially in...

Testiculaire microlithiasis bij jongens [Testicular microlithiasis in boys]

In three boys aged 15, 9, and 10 years respectively scrotal ultrasound revealed testicular microlithiasis (TM). Two boys were free of symptoms and one suffered from testicular pain. TM is characterized by multiple echogenic foci within the seminiferous tubules with no acoustic shadowing. The pathophysiology is largely unknown. In adult men, TM...

Testicular microlithiasis in a 2-year-old boy with pseudoxanthoma elasticum

Pseudoxantoma elasticum (PXE) is a rare chromosomal disorder that results in mineralization of elastic fibers, especially in the skin, eye, and cardiovascular system. Recently, PXE has been associated with testicular microlithiasis (TM),1 which itself might be associated with testicular malignancy.2 Here we report on a 9-year-old boy with PXE...

The effects of shoulder load and pinch force on electromyographic activity and blood flow in the forearm during a pinch task

The object of the current study was to determine whether static contraction of proximal musculature has an effect on the blood flow more distally in the upper extremity. Static contractions of muscles in the neck shoulder region at three levels (relaxed, shoulders elevated and shoulders elevated loaded with 4.95 kg each) were combined with...

Time to threshold (TT), a safety parameter for heating by diagnostic ultrasound

Activities in the standardisation of medical ultrasonic imaging and monitoring devices have been undertaken to ensure the safe application and to provide the user with tools to perform risk-to-benefit analysis. Internationally, agreement has not been reached to implement a system based on a physical quantity such as temperature rise. Therefore,...

Beat-to-beat noninvasive stroke volume from arterial pressure and Doppler ultrasound

The proper understanding of the cardiovascular mechanisms involved in complaints of short-lasting dizziness and the evaluation of unexplained recurrent syncope requires continuous monitoring of cardiac stroke volume (SV) in addition to blood pressure and heart rate. The primary aim of the present study was to evaluate a pulse wave analysis...

Erytromycine bij prematuur gebroken vliezen gunstig voor de gezondheid van het kind [Erythromycin for premature rupture of membranes is beneficial for infant]

In the 'Overview of the role of antibiotics in curtailing labour and early delivery'(ORACLE I)-trial in women with premature rupture of membranes, the use of erythromycin was found to be associated with a decrease in the primary composite outcome (neonatal death, chronic lung disease or major cerebral abnormality on ultrasound; p = 0.08) and in...

Spina bifida: Preventief beleid kan effectiever [Spina bifida: Prevention can be more effective]

The prevalence of the severe disease spina bifida is decreasing, but the present rate is still unacceptably high. Only one-third of women planning motherhood use the recommended folic acid, although compliance is increasing. Campaigns for the use of folic acid by these women should be intensified. This method, however, cannot completely prevent...

Development of an example flow test object and comparison of five of these test objects, constructed in various laboratories

Doppler test objects are used to characterise Doppler systems, both stand-alone systems and the Doppler part of so-called duplex scanners. The aim of the project partially presented here is the development and validation of an example of a Doppler test object fulfilling the requirements of the IEC 1685. The project has been carried out by nine...

Doppler haematotachographie: interpretatieproblemen env nieuwe mogelijkheden