Our findings indicate that ARFI imaging may provide a non-invasive, simple and fast means of assessment of glandular impairment as an alternative test when other salivary gland tests are inconclusive or cannot be performed. ARFI may be a valuable adjunct for the clinical diagnosis of pSS.

Aims We aimed to evaluate the elastographic features of Achilles tendon with Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse in patients with and without diabetic neuropathy. Methods According to the presence of peripheral neuropathy, 45 patients with type 2 diabetes were divided into 2 subgroups. Those with peripheral neuropathy were defined as group I (22 patients) and those without peripheral neuropathy were defined as group II (23 patients). A total of thirty age-, gender-, and body mass index-matched healthy individuals were selected as controls. All participants underwent both ultrasonographic and Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse elastographic examination in order to evaluate Achilles Tendon thickness and stiffness. Results Achilles tendon thicknesses were similar between groups (p=0.991). Achilles tendon thicknesses of both patient groups were significantly higher than the control group (group I vs control p=0.01; group II vs control p=0.006). Stiffness values of Achilles tendons were similar between the control group and group II (p=0.993). Shear Wave Velocity was significantly lower in group I than group IIand control group (p<0.001). Conclusion Diabetic patients with neuropathy have thicker and softer Achilles tendon while the elasticity of Achilles tendon in diabetic patients without neuropathy is similar to the healthy controls. Softening of the Achilles tendon may be an early sign of diabetic foot and reveal the patients with a risk of diabetic foot.

No abstract

No abstract

Background/aim: This study was performed to assess the diagnostic accuracy of shear wave elastography by virtual touch tissue imaging quantification in patients with diffuse thyroid gland pathology and to differentiate Graves' disease from Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Materials and methods: Thirty patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis and 22 patients with Graves' disease were evaluated with conventional ultrasonography and shear wave elastography by virtual touch tissue imaging quantification. Thirty healthy participants formed the control group. Ten elastographic measurements of each thyroid lobe were performed in all three study groups. The mean shear wave velocity was calculated and compared between the patients and controls. Results: The mean shear wave velocity of the controls (1.92 ± 0.14 m/s) was significantly lower than that of the patients with Graves' disease (2.71 ± 0.22 m/s) and Hashimoto's thyroiditis (2.50 ± 0.20 m/s). Patients with Graves' disease had significantly higher shear wave velocities than those with Hashimoto's thyroiditis (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Shear wave elastography by virtual touch tissue imaging quantification can be used to discriminate a normal thyroid gland from diffuse thyroid gland pathology after conventional sonography and may assist in the diagnosis of Graves' disease and Hashimoto's thyroiditis.

No abstract

No abstract

No abstract