Manolya Kara1, Emine Caliskan2, Gurkan Atay3, Murat Sutcu4, Ozge Kaba5, Ibrahim Adaletli6, Selda Hancerli Torun5, Ayper Somer5. 1. Department of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Istanbul University Faculty of Medicine, Turgut Ozal Street, No: 118, 34093, Fatih, Istanbul, Turkey. manolya_kara@yahoo.com. 2. Department of Pediatric Radiology, Seyhan State Hospital, Adana, Turkey. 3. Department of Pediatric Intensive Care, Istanbul University Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey. 4. Department of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Konya Training and Research Hospital, Konya, Turkey. 5. Department of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Istanbul University Faculty of Medicine, Turgut Ozal Street, No: 118, 34093, Fatih, Istanbul, Turkey. 6. Department of Pediatric Radiology, Istanbul University Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Parotid gland (PG) involvement is common among the patients with HIV infection. Shear wave elastography (SWE) is a noninvasive method used to measure the tissue stiffness of several organs including PG. The aim of this study was to evaluate the tissue stiffness values of PGs of HIV-infected children via SWE and compare the results with the counterparts of healthy subjects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This single-center, prospective study included the PG examinations of 23 pediatric HIV patients and 40 healthy children via grayscale ultrasound and SWE. Independent sample T test and Mann-Whitney U test were used in statistical analysis. RESULTS: Stiffness of both PGs was significantly higher in patients' group when compared with control subjects. In addition, when the patients were separated into two groups according to the appearance of PG on grayscale ultrasound as homogeneous and heterogeneous, stiffness values were increased in the patients with homogeneous parenchymal appearance. No significant difference was achieved in terms of median CD4 and CD8 counts, HIV RNA levels or median duration of illnesses. CONCLUSIONS: PG examination of HIV-infected children via SWE reveals increased tissue stiffness when compared with healthy subjects. SWE can be used as an ultrasound-assisted noninvasive technique in this manner.
OBJECTIVES: Parotid gland (PG) involvement is common among the patients with HIV infection. Shear wave elastography (SWE) is a noninvasive method used to measure the tissue stiffness of several organs including PG. The aim of this study was to evaluate the tissue stiffness values of PGs of HIV-infectedchildren via SWE and compare the results with the counterparts of healthy subjects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This single-center, prospective study included the PG examinations of 23 pediatric HIVpatients and 40 healthy children via grayscale ultrasound and SWE. Independent sample T test and Mann-Whitney U test were used in statistical analysis. RESULTS: Stiffness of both PGs was significantly higher in patients' group when compared with control subjects. In addition, when the patients were separated into two groups according to the appearance of PG on grayscale ultrasound as homogeneous and heterogeneous, stiffness values were increased in the patients with homogeneous parenchymal appearance. No significant difference was achieved in terms of median CD4 and CD8 counts, HIV RNA levels or median duration of illnesses. CONCLUSIONS: PG examination of HIV-infectedchildren via SWE reveals increased tissue stiffness when compared with healthy subjects. SWE can be used as an ultrasound-assisted noninvasive technique in this manner.