1,720,986 research outputs found
Doppler ultrasonography assessment of the inferior mesenteric artery. Feasibility study and definition of morphologic and flowmetric characteristics.
No full textFrequency of musculoskeletal symptoms in diagnostic medical sonographers. Results of a pilot survey
No full textINTRODUCTION: We report the results of a pilot survey in diagnostic medical sonographers. Aim of the study was to evaluate the frequency of musculoskeletal disorders in sonologists and the relationship of these symptoms to ergonomic factors.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: 340 sonographers (258 male, 82 female doctors; mean age 41.5 +/- 7.2 years) were given a questionnaire to fill out. The questionnaire asked questions about the sonologist's age, gender, technique of ultrasound procedure, physical activity, and work-related musculoskeletal complaints. Two symptom lists regarded carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) symptoms (8 items) and other work-related musculoskeletal symptoms (13 items). The categorized response variables "have now" or "in the past" were provided. The symptoms experienced were categorized into three levels as no symptoms, few symptoms (1-4 symptoms), and many symptoms (> 5 symptoms).
RESULTS: One third of the respondents reported having at least one or more work-related symptoms in the upper extremities. The most frequent symptoms were tingling (17.6%), numbness or finger pain (13.5%). Carpal tunnel syndrome had been diagnosed in 5 cases (1.5%). More than 60% of all respondents have experienced one or more musculoskeletal symptoms in the cervical or lumbar spine. The commonest symptom was neck and low back pain (67%). The pain was generally intermittent and occurred at the end of the workday. Motion impairment in the neck and/or back was present in 23.5% of cases. Twenty-five percent of respondents had received treatments for their symptoms and 10% reported having stopped work because of their symptoms. Data analysis showed that muscular efforts such as gripping the transducer, applying sustained pressure, and scanning with a correlated flexed or hyperextended wrist were significantly correlated with increasing severity of symptoms in the hand, wrist, and forearm area. On the other hand, low back pain appeared to be negatively correlated with correct position of the body.
CONCLUSIONS: Several physical risk factors (e.g., repetitive work and force exertion, twisting of the body and poorly-adjustable chairs) have been identified for work-related upper extremity and spine disorders. Ergonomic redesign of the workstation configuration as well as allowing sufficient recovery time to body and arm muscles appear to be the main goals to achieve prevention of musculoskeletal disorders in sonographers
Which imaging technique should we use in the follow up of gynaecological cancer?
No full textFollow-up routines after gynaecological cancer vary. The optimal approach is unknown, and no randomised-controlled trials comparing surveillance protocols have been published. In this chapter, we summarise the diagnostic performance of ultrasound, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging in the follow up of women treated for ovarian or uterine cancers. Computed tomography is today the standard imaging method for the follow up of women treated for endometrial, cervical, or ovarian cancer. Six-monthly or annual follow-up examinations have not been shown to positively affect survival. Instead, a combination of transvaginal and transabdominal ultrasound examination with clinical examination might be a more cost-effective strategy for early detection of recurrence. Positron-emission tomography might play a role in women with clinical or serological suspicion of recurrence but without evidence of disease at conventional diagnostic imaging. To create guidelines, more studies, preferably randomised-controlled trials, on follow-up strategies are needed
Transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS) assessment of cervical cancer response to neoadjuvant therapies
No full textTo determine the accuracy of TRUS in evaluating the invasive cervical carcinoma response to neoadjuvant therapies. Thirty-eight patients with locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma (IB bulky-IIIB), before and after 2 cycles of systemic chemotherapy (23 pts) or concurrent chemotherapy and radiation therapy (15 pts) where examined with TRUS evaluating this parameters cervix volume, vaginal and parametrial involvement, bladder and rectal wall invasion. Imaging data were compared to findings of clinical examination (CE) and MR imaging; post-treatment and pre-treatment images were evaluated to assess the tumor response and the results were compared to histopathologic results of resected hysterectomy specimens. Pre-treatment results showed, in local staging, a substantial agreement between TRUS and MR, but not between CE and imaging procedures. Post-treatment, a statistically significant (p<0.001) decrease of the cervix volume, confirmed by histologic findings was detected diagnostic accuracy of TRUS in estimating vaginal and parametrial involvement was 81% and 86%. TRUS demonstrated an high accuracy in evaluation of tumor response, however, in same cases vaginal and parametrial involvement was overestimated
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