This study is to prospectively evaluate the efficiency of sonography for volvulus diagnosis in neonates with clinically suspected intestinal malrotation.A total of 83 patients with suspected intestinal malrotation who underwent detailed abdominal sonography and upper gastrointestinal contrast study were included. Malrotation was characterized by inversion of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) and superior mesenteric vein (SMV) in sonographic examination. The “whirlpool sign” of Color Doppler Sonography was recognized as a characteristic for malrotation with volvulus. The degrees of rotation of the SMV winding around SMA were also detected by sonography. Surgery was performed in patients with sonography diagnosed malrotation.A total of 39 patients were sonographically diagnosed as malrotation which was subsequently confirmed by surgery. The sensitivity and positive predictive value of the sonographic diagnosis were both 100% (39/39). The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of “whirlpool sign” for the detection of midgut volvulus were 95.2% (20/21), 88.9% (16/18), and 92.3% (36/39), respectively. Greater degrees of rotation (equal or greater than 720°) showed higher risk (odds ratio, 5.0; P < .01) for intestinal necrosis occurrence.Sonography is more accurate in diagnosing suspected malrotation than upper gastrointestinal contrast study. Specific sonographic “whirlpool sign” related to volvulus may be used as a potential indicator for intestinal necrosis. In addition, sonography can exclude malrotation and may help the diagnosis of other diseases, such as annular pancreas and duodenal atresia.

Introduction : Piriformis muscle syndrome (PS) is a disorder encompassing a constellation of symptoms, including buttock and hip pain. In this study we aimed to assess the value of ultrasound (US) in the diagnosis of PS. Methods : Thirty‐three clinically diagnosed PS patients and 26 healthy volunteers underwent a clinical PS scoring examination and US and MRI assessment of the bilateral piriformis muscles. The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUROCs) of the US parameters (i.e., increased thickness [iTh] and increased cross‐sectional area [iCSA]) for piriformis muscle were evaluated. Results : On US and MRI, the thickness and CSA were increased in PS patients. The AUROCs for the iTh and iCSA for discriminating stage 0 (healthy volunteers) from stage 1 through stage 3 (PS patients) were 0.88 and 0.95, respectively. Discussion : US may be a reliable technique for the clinical diagnosis of PS. Muscle Nerve 59:411–416, 2019

Purpose To evaluate the effectiveness of microwave ablation (MWA) for the treatment of thyroid nodules according to nodule composition. Materials and methods This study evaluated 171 patients with 180 benign thyroid nodules (BTNs) that had been treated with ultrasound‐guided MWA. The volume reduction rate (VRR) of thyroid nodules and factors, which had an influence on the VRR, were assessed. Therapeutic success was defined as a >50% volume reduction at the 12‐month follow‐up. Multivariate regression analysis was used to identify independent predictors of VRR for BTNs after MWA treatment. Results The mean diameter and volume of the nodules were 4.3 ± 1.3 cm and 18.9 ± 2.1 ml, respectively. The VRRs at the 1‐, 3‐, 6‐, 12‐, 24‐, and 36‐month follow‐ups were 47.1%, 68.2%, 79.7%, 87.4%, 90.1%, and 93.2%, respectively. Of the 180 BTNs, there were 87 solid, 74 predominantly solid, and 19 predominantly cystic nodules. Solid nodules showed significantly lower VRRs compared with the predominantly solid and predominantly cystic nodules at the 1‐, 3‐, and 6‐month follow‐ups. For the multivariate regression analysis, the cyst component was an active prognostic factor for the VRR at the 1‐, 3‐, and 6‐month follow‐ups; the cyst component was not significantly associated with the VRR at the 12‐, 24‐, and 36‐month follow‐ups. Conclusion Our study suggested that ultrasound‐guided MWA is an effective and safe procedure for the treatment of BTNs. Solid nodules indicate a lower VRR and less efficient than predominant solid nodules and predominant cystic nodules after MWA.