266 research outputs found

    Current and prospective use of musculoskeletal diagnostic ultrasound imaging at chiropractic teaching institutions: A worldwide survey of diagnostic imaging staff

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    Objective The purpose of this study was to survey the use of musculoskeletal diagnostic ultrasound imaging (MSK-DUSI) at chiropractic educational programs worldwide and to elicit opinions of academic diagnostic imaging staff of its prospective use at their teaching institutions. Methods An electronic questionnaire was delivered in 2014 using SurveyMonkey and notifications were disseminated by e-mail to 127 diagnostic imaging staff at chiropractic programs worldwide. The questionnaire consisted of 27 items using multiple-choice, Likert-type, and open-ended questions. Descriptive statistics were used for basic demographic data and the results of the numerical scales used in each item. Results Fifty-nine respondents (46.5%) from 24 (24/41) chiropractic programs returned questionnaires. The reported use of MSK-DUSI at chiropractic programs is low (n = 5/24); however, respondents from 9 institutions stated that it is planned to be implemented. Few respondents stated they had formal MSK-DUSI qualifications (4/59); however, 7 respondents stated they were in the process of becoming certified. Most respondents expressed an interest in the prospect of incorporating MSK-DUSI at their chiropractic program. Sixty-five percent stated that chiropractic programs should provide MSK-DUSI training to chiropractic students, and 75% of respondents stated that chiropractic programs should be providing accredited postgraduate MSK-DUSI courses. Conclusions The current use of MSK-DUSI among chiropractic programs that responded to this survey is low. The opinions of diagnostic imaging staff who responded suggest a positive attitude to its use and possible growth in its use if foundational work, including gaining funding, accreditation, and acceptance of within the scope of chiropractic practice, is undertaken

    How often do we identify fetal abnormalities during routine third‐trimester ultrasound? A systematic review and meta‐analysis

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    Background Routine third‐trimester ultrasound is frequently offered to pregnant women to identify fetuses with abnormal growth. Infrequently, a congenital anomaly is incidentally detected. Objective To establish the prevalence and type of fetal anomalies detected during routine third‐trimester scans using a systematic review and meta‐analysis. Search strategy Electronic databases (MEDLINE, Embase and the Cochrane library) from inception until August 2019. Selection criteria Population‐based studies (randomised control trials, prospective and retrospective cohorts) reporting abnormalities detected at the routine third‐trimester ultrasound performed in unselected populations with prior screening. Case reports, case series, case‐control studies and reviews without original data were excluded. Data collection and analysis Prevalence and type of anomalies detected in the third trimester. We calculated pooled prevalence as the number of anomalies per 1000 scans with 95% confidence intervals. Publication bias was assessed. Main results The literature search identified 9594 citations: 13 studies were eligible representing 141 717 women; 643 were diagnosed with an unexpected abnormality. The pooled prevalence of a new abnormality diagnosed was 3.68 per 1000 women scanned (95% CI 2.72–4.78). The largest groups of abnormalities were urogenital (55%), central nervous system abnormalities (18%) and cardiac abnormalities (14%). Conclusion Combining data from 13 studies and over 140 000 women, we show that during routine third‐trimester ultrasound, an incidental fetal anomaly will be found in about 1 in 300 scanned women. This information should be taken into account when taking consent from women for third‐trimester ultrasound and when designing and assessing cost of third‐trimester ultrasound screening programmes

    Transvaginal ultrasound cervical length for prediction of spontaneous labour at term: A systematic review and meta-analysis

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    BACKGROUND: The possibility to predict the delivery date is a question frequently raised by pregnant women. However, a clinician has currently little to predict when a woman at term will deliver. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the predictive accuracy of transvaginal ultrasound (TVU) cervical length (CL) for spontaneous onset of labour in singleton gestation enrolled at term by a meta-analysis. SEARCH STRATEGY: We performed a literature search in electronic databases. SELECTION CRITERIA: We included only studies assessing the accuracy of TVU CL in prediction of spontaneous onset of labour in singleton gestations with vertex presentation who were enrolled at term. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: The primary outcome was the accuracy of CL for prediction of spontaneous labour within 7 days. Pooled sensitivities and specificities were calculated. MAIN RESULTS: Five studies including 735 singleton gestations were included. For the prediction of spontaneous labour within 7 days for CL <30 mm the pooled sensitivity was 64% and pooled specificity was 60%. The higher the CL, the better the sensitivity; the lower the CL, the better the specificity. A woman with a singleton gestation at term and a TVU CL of 30 mm has a <50% chance of delivering within 7 days, while one with a TVU CL of 10 mm has an over 85% chance of delivery within 7 days. CONCLUSIONS: TVU CL at term has moderate value in predicting the onset of spontaneous labour. A woman with a TVU CL of 10 mm or less has a high chance of delivering within a week. TWEETABLE ABSTRACT: Cervical length at term has moderate value in predicting the onset of spontaneous labour

    Acoustic Assessment of a Konjac–Carrageenan Tissue-Mimicking Material at 5–60 MHz

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    AbstractThe acoustic properties of a robust tissue-mimicking material based on konjac–carrageenan at ultrasound frequencies in the range 5–60 MHz are described. Acoustic properties were characterized using two methods: a broadband reflection substitution technique using a commercially available preclinical ultrasound scanner (Vevo 770, FUJIFILM VisualSonics, Toronto, ON, Canada), and a dedicated high-frequency ultrasound facility developed at the National Physical Laboratory (NPL, Teddington, UK), which employed a broadband through-transmission substitution technique. The mean speed of sound across the measured frequencies was found to be 1551.7 ± 12.7 and 1547.7 ± 3.3 m s−1, respectively. The attenuation exhibited a non-linear dependence on frequency, f (MHz), in the form of a polynomial function: 0.009787f2 + 0.2671f and 0.01024f2 + 0.3639f, respectively. The characterization of this tissue-mimicking material will provide reference data for designing phantoms for preclinical systems, which may, in certain applications such as flow phantoms, require a physically more robust tissue-mimicking material than is currently available

    Utilization of antenatal ultrasound scan and implications for caesarean section: a cross-sectional study in rural Eastern China

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    <p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Antenatal ultrasound scan is a widely accepted component of antenatal care. Studies have looked at the relationship between ultrasound scanning and caesarean section (CS) in certain groups of women in China. However, there are limited data on the utilization of antenatal ultrasound scanning in the general population, including its association with CS. The purpose of this study is to describe the utilization of antenatal ultrasound screening in rural Eastern China and to explore the association between antenatal ultrasound scan and uptake of CS.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Based on a cluster randomized sample, a total of 2326 women with childbirth participated in the study. A household survey was conducted to collect socio-economic information, obstetric history and utilization of maternal health services.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Coverage of antenatal care was 96.8% (2251/2326). During antenatal care, 96.1% (2164/2251) women received ultrasound screening and the reported average number was 2.55. 46.8% women received at least 3 ultrasound scans and the maximum number reached 11. The CS rate was found to be 54.8% (1275/2326). After adjusting for socio-demographic and clinical variables, it showed a statistically significant association between antenatal ultrasound scans and uptake of CS by multivariate logistic regression model. High husband education level, high maternal age, having previous adverse pregnant outcome and pregnancy complications during the index pregnancy were also found to be risk factors of choosing a CS.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>A high use of antenatal ultrasound scan in rural Eastern China is found and is influenced by socio-demographic and clinical factors. Evidence-based guidelines for antenatal ultrasound scans need to be developed and disseminated to clinicians including physicians, nurses and sonographers. Guidance about the appropriate use of ultrasound scans should also be shared with women in order to discourage unreasonable expectations and demands. It is important to monitor the use of antenatal ultrasound scan as well as the indications for caesarean section in rural China.</p

    The biological effects of diagnostic cardiac imaging on chronically exposed physicians: the importance of being non-ionizing

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    Ultrasounds and ionizing radiation are extensively used for diagnostic applications in the cardiology clinical practice. This paper reviewed the available information on occupational risk of the cardiologists who perform, every day, cardiac imaging procedures. At the moment, there are no consistent evidence that exposure to medical ultrasound is capable of inducing genetic effects, and representing a serious health hazard for clinical staff. In contrast, exposure to ionizing radiation may result in adverse health effect on clinical cardiologists. Although the current risk estimates are clouded by approximations and extrapolations, most data from cytogenetic studies have reported a detrimental effect on somatic DNA of professionally exposed personnel to chronic low doses of ionizing radiation. Since interventional cardiologists and electro-physiologists have the highest radiation exposure among health professionals, a major awareness is crucial for improving occupational protection. Furthermore, the use of a biological dosimeter could be a reliable tool for the risk quantification on an individual basis
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