Ercan Ayaz1, Muzaffer Ayaz2, Canver Önal2, Ali Yıkılmaz2. 1. Department of Radiology, Hacettepe University, Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey. 2. Department of Radiology, Istanbul Medeniyet University, Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To evaluate testicular vascularity in neonates by using the novel Superb Microvascular Imaging (SMI; Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation, Tokyo, Japan) ultrasound (US) technique and to compare this technique to conventional Doppler US techniques. METHODS: A total of 140 healthy neonates between 2 and 60 days old who were admitted for routine screening were included in the study. However, in 9 cases, the Doppler study could not be completed. In the remaining 131 cases, color Doppler imaging (CDI), power Doppler imaging (PDI), Advanced Dynamic Flow (ADF; Toshiba Medical Systems), and monochrome SMI (mSMI) techniques were performed on a single representative testicle. Real-time cine images were captured for 5 to 10 seconds for each technique by using a high-frequency (7.2-14-MHz) linear transducer. The images were evaluated by 3 observers using a grading system to quantify the degree of vascularity and artifact interference. RESULTS: A total of 131 testicles (74 right and 57 left) were evaluated, and vascularity was shown in 110 (84%) testicles with CDI, 109 (83%) with PDI, 94 (72%) with ADF, and 128 (98%) with mSMI by the consensus of all observers. The Doppler techniques were ranked from highest to lowest in the following order based on the degree of vascularity detected: mSMI > PDI > CDI > ADF (P < .001). Based on the presence of artifacts, the Doppler techniques were ranked as follows from high to low: ADF > CDI > PDI > mSMI (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Superb Microvascular Imaging is a promising US technique that appears to detect testis vascularity better than conventional Doppler US techniques; however, further research is needed to support the results of this study.
OBJECTIVES: To evaluate testicular vascularity in neonates by using the novel Superb Microvascular Imaging (SMI; Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation, Tokyo, Japan) ultrasound (US) technique and to compare this technique to conventional Doppler US techniques. METHODS: A total of 140 healthy neonates between 2 and 60 days old who were admitted for routine screening were included in the study. However, in 9 cases, the Doppler study could not be completed. In the remaining 131 cases, color Doppler imaging (CDI), power Doppler imaging (PDI), Advanced Dynamic Flow (ADF; Toshiba Medical Systems), and monochrome SMI (mSMI) techniques were performed on a single representative testicle. Real-time cine images were captured for 5 to 10 seconds for each technique by using a high-frequency (7.2-14-MHz) linear transducer. The images were evaluated by 3 observers using a grading system to quantify the degree of vascularity and artifact interference. RESULTS: A total of 131 testicles (74 right and 57 left) were evaluated, and vascularity was shown in 110 (84%) testicles with CDI, 109 (83%) with PDI, 94 (72%) with ADF, and 128 (98%) with mSMI by the consensus of all observers. The Doppler techniques were ranked from highest to lowest in the following order based on the degree of vascularity detected: mSMI > PDI > CDI > ADF (P < .001). Based on the presence of artifacts, the Doppler techniques were ranked as follows from high to low: ADF > CDI > PDI > mSMI (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Superb Microvascular Imaging is a promising US technique that appears to detect testis vascularity better than conventional Doppler US techniques; however, further research is needed to support the results of this study.
Authors: Subramaniyan Ramanathan; Michele Bertolotto; Simon Freeman; Jane Belfield; Lorenzo E Derchi; Dean Y Huang; Francesco Lotti; Karolina Markiet; Olivera Nikolic; Parvati Ramchandani; Jonathan Richenberg; Laurence Rocher; Paul S Sidhu; Katarzyna Skrobisz; Athina Tsili; Pieter De Visschere; Irene Campo; Oliwia Kozak; Vikram Dogra Journal: Eur Radiol Date: 2021-01-15 Impact factor: 5.315