J Med Ultrason (2001)
· 2026 Jan · PMID 41578113
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PURPOSE: We previously reported a manipulation technique for frozen shoulder using ultrasound-guided cervical nerve root block. Although the results were excellent, we considered that the range of external rotation could...PURPOSE: We previously reported a manipulation technique for frozen shoulder using ultrasound-guided cervical nerve root block. Although the results were excellent, we considered that the range of external rotation could be improved. In the present study, we aimed to confirm the effectiveness of our modified manipulation technique for further improving the range of external rotation at the shoulder joint. METHODS: We retrospectively searched our electronic medical records to identify patients who underwent manipulation for frozen shoulder at our institution between January 2024 and June 2024. A total of 173 shoulders of 169 patients (mean age 53.8 ± 6.9 years) were included. Three changes were made to our previous method: a change in the method for intra-articular injection of the glenohumeral joint, addition of C7 to the nerve block, and changes in the manual manipulation technique. Range of motion (ROM) at the shoulder was measured before manipulation and at 1 week, 1 month, 2 months, and 3 months after the procedure. The results were compared with those in our previous report. RESULTS: Mean range of external rotation (95% confidence interval) was 11.5° (9.5-13.5, p = 0.51) before manipulation, 56.2° (52.9-59.5, p < 0.001) at 1 week, and 58.0° (53.9-62.7; p < 0.001) at 3 months. The results for range of external rotation were significantly better than in the previous report. There was no significant difference in ROM in terms of flexion and abduction between the two studies. CONCLUSION: Range of external rotation at the shoulder joint was significantly improved by use of the revised manipulation technique.
Soejima Y, Onishi E, Yamauchi M
… +1 more, Arakawa M
J Med Ultrason (2001)
· 2026 Jan · PMID 41569396
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PURPOSE: Epidural anesthesia under real-time ultrasound guidance has been studied to enhance puncture safety. However, in the thoracic spine, where the anatomy is complex and the interlaminar space is narrow, improved im...PURPOSE: Epidural anesthesia under real-time ultrasound guidance has been studied to enhance puncture safety. However, in the thoracic spine, where the anatomy is complex and the interlaminar space is narrow, improved image quality is necessary. Because imaging quality is degraded in bones that are greatly tilted relative to the probe, we aimed to improve the imaging quality by steering the transmitted ultrasonic beam. METHODS: We investigated a method to improve bone visibility by selecting appropriate transmit steering angles and receiving aperture ranges for each of the two bones forming the interlaminar space, and by compensating for the directivity of the receiving elements. RESULTS: The proposed method emphasized the delineation of a bone phantom near the gap corresponding to the puncture site. Furthermore, when comparing the contrast ratio in the region of interest of the bone and gap areas, the proposed method showed an improvement of 24.2 dB on the left side and 4.2 dB on the right side compared to the conventional B-mode image. CONCLUSION: The proposed method was confirmed to emphasize the bones and is expected to improve the image quality of the thoracic spine gap.
Ultrasound echo signals from organs contain various physical information and numerous studies have been conducted to extract new diagnostic insights from these signals. This article reviews the research and development I...Ultrasound echo signals from organs contain various physical information and numerous studies have been conducted to extract new diagnostic insights from these signals. This article reviews the research and development I have undertaken in diagnosing liver tissue characteristics, reflecting on its historical progression. Initially, texture analysis aimed to identify features of liver fibrosis, but it was found to be more effective for quantifying fatty liver. Consequently, the analysis algorithm and product specifications were refined to address this need. For fatty liver, the importance of early detection of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) has grown, leading to investigations into quantifying the liver's attenuation coefficient. After several prototype trials, a real-time quantitative measurement function was achieved.
J Med Ultrason (2001)
· 2026 Jan · PMID 41493684
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PURPOSE: To observe and measure the levator aponeurosis (LA) in patients with unilateral aponeurotic ptosis (AP) using high-frequency (22 MHz) B-mode ultrasound with a water balloon. METHODS: Thirty-two unilateral APs we...PURPOSE: To observe and measure the levator aponeurosis (LA) in patients with unilateral aponeurotic ptosis (AP) using high-frequency (22 MHz) B-mode ultrasound with a water balloon. METHODS: Thirty-two unilateral APs were recruited. Palpebral fissure height (PFH), levator function (LF), and marginal reflex distance 1 (MRD1) of the affected eyes and the normal control eyes were measured. Sagittal ultrasound images of the central upper eyelid of both eyes were captured, and ultrasound indicators such as the thickness of the LA, the distance from the upper border of the tarsal plate to the septoaponeurosis junction (TJD), the thickness of the tarsal plate (TTP), the height of the tarsal plate (HTP), and the distance from the insertion point of the LA to the lower border of the tarsal plate (ITD) were measured in the ultrasound images. RESULTS: The PFH, LF, MRD1, and thickness of the LA were all significantly lower in the affected eyes compared to the normal control eyes. The TJD value in the affected eyes was significantly greater than that in the normal control eyes. In contrast, the other three measurement parameters-namely, TTP, HTP, and ITD-showed no significant intergroup differences. CONCLUSIONS: High-frequency (22 MHz) B-mode ultrasound is a noninvasive and highly effective tool for visualizing and measuring the LA. In cases of unilateral AP, the LA exhibits reduced thickness compared to that of normal control eyes.
J Med Ultrason (2001)
· 2026 Jan · PMID 41493683
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PURPOSE: Posterior interosseous nerve (PIN) syndrome is an uncommon neuropathy that may mimic lateral epicondylitis. High-resolution ultrasound aids its diagnosis by revealing nerve swelling, while ultrasound-guided inje...PURPOSE: Posterior interosseous nerve (PIN) syndrome is an uncommon neuropathy that may mimic lateral epicondylitis. High-resolution ultrasound aids its diagnosis by revealing nerve swelling, while ultrasound-guided injection is increasingly employed for decompression. Nevertheless, the influence of injection axis on injectate distribution remains unclear. This study aimed to compare the spread characteristics and accuracy of short-axis vs. long-axis ultrasound-guided injections at the proximal and distal PIN using cadaveric validation.Kindly check and confirm the city name is correctly identified in affiliation [6].It is correctly identified. METHODS: Ten cadaveric limbs were randomized to short-axis (n = 5) or long-axis (n = 5) injections. Ultrasound parameters, including fascicle count, cross-sectional area, and surrounding muscle or tendon thickness, were recorded. Proximal and distal injections were performed separately with 5 mL of injectate. Subsequent dissection assessed target infiltration and spread dimensions (length, width). RESULTS: Ultrasound findings were comparable between the groups with no significant differences in cross-sectional area or muscle/tendon thickness. On dissection, all injections achieved successful proximal and distal PIN infiltration. At the proximal level, short-axis injections produced significantly greater infiltration width (43.6 ± 6.2 mm vs. 24.3 ± 13.2 mm, p = 0.032), while infiltration length was not significantly different (88.8 ± 17.4 mm vs 77.1 ± 37.1 mm, p = 0.690). At the distal level, both infiltration length (81.0 ± 24.4 mm vs. 67.7 ± 37.4 mm, p = 0.548) and width (28.2 ± 10.9 mm vs. 22.5 ± 8.8 mm, p = 0.548) were numerically greater with short-axis injections, although the differences did not reach statistical significance. CONCLUSION: Both short- and long-axis ultrasound-guided injections consistently achieved target infiltration of the PIN. The short-axis approach provided broader proximal spread, which may enhance circumferential perineural coverage, whereas the distal injections showed no significant differences between techniques. These findings support the reliability of both approaches, while highlighting a potential advantage of short-axis guidance at the proximal forearm.
Kamihara Y, Ozawa K, Ogawa K
… +4 more, Muromoto J, Sugibayashi R, Wada S, Sago H
J Med Ultrason (2001)
· 2025 Dec · PMID 41389115
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PURPOSE: To evaluate the role of ultrasound screening for fetal structural abnormalities at 20 and 30 weeks' gestation. METHODS: This retrospective study included women with singleton pregnancies who underwent routine ul...PURPOSE: To evaluate the role of ultrasound screening for fetal structural abnormalities at 20 and 30 weeks' gestation. METHODS: This retrospective study included women with singleton pregnancies who underwent routine ultrasound screening at our hospital between May 2014 and April 2021. Participants received two ultrasound screening examinations: at 20 and 30 weeks' gestation. We evaluated the frequency and details of fetal structural abnormalities identified during each examination. RESULTS: A total of 10,560 pregnant women underwent ultrasound screening at 20 and 30 weeks' gestation and delivered at our hospital. Structural abnormalities were observed in 142 (1.3%) women; of note, screening examinations at 20 and 30 weeks detected 42.3% and 23.9% of cases, respectively. Routine point-of-care ultrasound examinations performed between 20 and 30 weeks and beyond 30 weeks detected 8.5% and 6.3% of cases, respectively, with 19.0% of cases identified after birth. Cleft lip and palate and ventricular septal defects (VSDs) were the most common abnormalities detected at the 20-week ultrasound screening. At the 30-week ultrasound screening, in addition to hydronephrosis, VSD, and vascular rings, which were also detected at the 20-week ultrasound screening, diaphragmatic hernia, ovarian cysts, achondroplasia, duodenal atresia, and meconium peritonitis, which could be apparent later in pregnancy, were detected. CONCLUSIONS: The 20-week ultrasound screening revealed common fetal structural abnormalities, and the 30-week ultrasound screening detected fetal structural abnormalities that failed to be detected during the 20-week ultrasound screening and became apparent later in pregnancy. Adding a 30-week ultrasound screening provides enhanced diagnostic details in comparison to 20-week screening.
Fujita K, Takata Y, Goshima K
… +6 more, Kanayama T, Takemoto N, Nishimura M, Saito M, Demura S, Nakase J
J Med Ultrason (2001)
· 2025 Dec · PMID 41364182
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PURPOSE: Medial meniscus extrusion compromises the ability of meniscus to distribute a load across the knee joint and is recognized as a risk factor for knee osteoarthritis. Despite a positive correlation between medial...PURPOSE: Medial meniscus extrusion compromises the ability of meniscus to distribute a load across the knee joint and is recognized as a risk factor for knee osteoarthritis. Despite a positive correlation between medial meniscus extrusion and medial tibial osteophyte width, the sequence of these pathological changes remains unclear. In this multicenter cross-sectional study, we aimed to clarify the relationship between osteophyte formation and medial meniscus extrusion by comparing extrusion distances in knees with and without medial tibial osteophytes. METHODS: We enrolled 207 Japanese patients with early-stage knee osteoarthritis, defined as Kellgren-Lawrence grade ≤ 2. Participants underwent radiography, magnetic resonance imaging, and ultrasonography (US). Knees were categorized into three groups based on the presence of osteophytes: N (no osteophytes), U (osteophytes detected only with US), and O (osteophytes detected with both radiography and US). The medial meniscus extrusion distance was assessed using US. RESULTS: Among the 211 knees evaluated, 89 were classified into the N group, 93 into the U group, and 29 into the O group. The medial meniscus extrusion distance was significantly greater in the O group (3.3 ± 1.3 mm) than in both the N (2.3 ± 1.1 mm, p < 0.001) and U (2.6 ± 0.9 mm, p = 0.004) groups. No significant difference was detected between the N and U groups (p = 0.27). CONCLUSION: Medial meniscus extrusion was significantly associated with osteophyte formation in early-stage knee osteoarthritis.
PURPOSE: Hepatic steatosis is a hallmark of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease, and increased hepatic fat (or steatosis) is associated with liver inflammation, fibrosis, and adverse outcomes. While...PURPOSE: Hepatic steatosis is a hallmark of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease, and increased hepatic fat (or steatosis) is associated with liver inflammation, fibrosis, and adverse outcomes. While MRI-derived proton density fat fraction (MRI-PDFF) is an accurate noninvasive reference standard, ultrasound attenuation imaging (UAI) offers an accessible cost-effective alternative. We herein systematically review and meta-analyze the accuracy of UAI in grading hepatic steatosis. METHODS: We searched Embase, PubMed/Medline, Scopus, and Web of Science through December 22, 2024, for studies comparing UAI with MRI-PDFF. Data on diagnostic performance were extracted from eligible studies. Pooled diagnostic odds ratios (DOR), sensitivity, specificity, likelihood ratios, and areas under the curve (AUCs) were calculated using random-effects models, with heterogeneity assessed through I. RESULTS: Twelve studies with a total of 3344 patients were included. For differentiating grade 0 from grade ≥ 1 steatosis, the pooled AUC was 0.82 (95% CI 0.78-0.85) and DOR was 21.10 (I = 67.2%), with sensitivity and specificity of 83%. For differentiating grades ≤ 1 from grade ≥ 2, the AUC was 0.80 (95% CI 0.73-0.86), DOR 19.87 (I = 89%), sensitivity 84%, and specificity 80%. For differentiating grades ≤ 2 from grade 3, the AUC was 0.78 (95% CI 0.66-0.87), DOR 19.21 (I = 85.3%), sensitivity 86%, and specificity 80%. CONCLUSION: UAI exhibits good diagnostic accuracy for grading hepatic steatosis and offers a practical, noninvasive alternative to MRI-PDFF, being particularly well-suited for screening and patient follow-up. Standardized protocols and further multicenter studies are needed to promote its clinical application.
PURPOSE: Chronic autoimmune thyroiditis shows increased stiffness on elastography. The sternocleidomastoid (SCM) or strap muscles have been used as references in strain elastography in prior studies. We aimed to compare...PURPOSE: Chronic autoimmune thyroiditis shows increased stiffness on elastography. The sternocleidomastoid (SCM) or strap muscles have been used as references in strain elastography in prior studies. We aimed to compare the effects of different reference points in strain elastography on its diagnostic performance. METHODS: Patients referred for thyroidectomy underwent strain elastography assessment of the non-tumor-bearing thyroid parenchyma. The strain ratio was determined using either the adjacent SCM muscle or the trachea at the same depth as reference points. Final pathological results served as the standard. RESULTS: A total of 174 patients were analyzed, with 39 (22%) diagnosed with autoimmune thyroiditis. Multivariate logistic regression identified thyroid peroxidase antibodies, thyroglobulin antibodies, and the strain ratio using the trachea as a reference as independent predictors of thyroiditis. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was significantly higher with the trachea as the reference compared to the SCM (0.854 vs. 0.611). Sensitivity analyses indicated that diagnostic performance was not affected by patient age or body habitus. CONCLUSIONS: Different reference points in strain elastography significantly influence the predictability of autoimmune thyroiditis, and using the trachea as a reference improves diagnostic performance.