Keith Dewbury

Transrectal ultrasound-guided biopsy of the prostate: aspirin increases the incidence of minor bleeding complications

AIM To assess whether patients taking aspirin were more likely to experience bleeding complications after transrectal ultrasound (TRUS)-guided prostate biopsy. MATERIALS AND METHODS Three hundred and eighty-seven patients taking aspirin who underwent prostate biopsy over a 3.5 year period and 731 patients not taking aspirin over a 2 year period returned a questionnaire assessing the incidence and severity of bleeding complications. RESULTS Patients taking aspirin had a significantly higher cumulative incidence of haematuria and rectal bleeding, but not of haemospermia. They also had a longer mean duration of bleeding, but no increase in bleeding severity. Severe bleeding was very uncommon in both groups and no patients required intervention for bleeding complications. CONCLUSION Aspirin exacerbates minor bleeding complications in patients undergoing TRUS guided biopsy of the prostate, but in this large group of aspirin-taking patients no dangerous bleeding complications were encountered. It may be that the risks associated with aspirin cessation outweigh the risks of haemorrhagic complications.

Ultrasound imaging of the appendix testis and appendix epididymis

The appendix testis and epididymis are well visualized on ultrasound examination. It is important to recognize the normal anatomy of the appendages to exclude them as a cause of pathology and confirm their presence as normal structures. We describe the appearances of the appendices testis and epididymis in fifty-one consecutive patients presenting to the Southampton Radiology Department. The appendix testis was identified on 80% of testes examined by ultrasound and the appendix epididymis on 6% of testes.

Musculoskeletal ultrasound imaging of the plantar forefoot in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: inter-observer agreement between a podiatrist and a radiologist

BackgroundThe use of musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSUS) in the diagnosis and management of foot and ankle musculoskeletal pathology is increasing. Due to the wide use of MSUS and the depth and breadth of training required new proposals advocate tailored learning of the technique to discrete fields of practice. The aims of the study were to evaluate the inter-observer agreement between a MSUS radiologist and a podiatrist, who had completed basic skills training in MSUS, in the MSUS assessment of the forefoot of patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis.MethodsA consecutive sample of thirty-two patients with rheumatoid arthritis was assessed for presence of synovitis, erosions and bursitis within the forefoot using MSUS. All MSUS assessments were performed independently on the same day by a podiatrist and one of two Consultant Radiologists experienced in MSUS.ResultsModerate agreement on image acquisition and interpretation was achieved for bursitis (kappa 0.522; p < 0.01) and erosions (kappa 0.636; p < 0.01) and fair agreement for synovitis (kappa 0.216; p < 0.05) during the primary assessments. Following a further training session, substantial agreement (kappa 0.702) between the two investigators was recorded. The sensitivity of the podiatrist using MSUS was 82.4% for detection of bursitis, 83.0% for detection of erosion and 84.0% for detection of synovitis. Specificity of the podiatrist using MSUS was 88.9% for detection of bursitis, 80.7% for detection of erosion and 35.9% for detection of synovitis.ConclusionThis study demonstrated good inter-observer agreement between a podiatrist and radiologist on MSUS assessment of the forefoot, particularly for bursitis and erosions, in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. There is scope to further evaluate and consider the role of podiatrists in the MSUS imaging of the foot following appropriate training and also in the development of reliable protocols for MSUS assessment of the foot.

Ultrasound of the breast in the symptomatic and X-ray dense breast

Our preliminary experience of direct-contact B-scan sonomammography in 500 patients is recorded and is compared with X-ray mammography. The technique has been of considerable value in the radiologically dense breast and, since standard equipment can be used, the practice should become more widespread, in the anticipation that identification and exclusion of malignancy can be increased above that achievable by X-ray mammography alone.

Case Report: Multiple Epidermoid Cysts of the Testes - The Ultrasound Appearances

Epidermoid cysts are uncommon tumours of the testes representing approximately 1% of all testicular tumours. Their importance lies in the fact that they are completely benign and can be treated by local excision, thereby saving the patient an orchidectomy. We describe a case in which the patient had multiple epidermoid cysts involving both testes and faced possible bilateral orchidectomy.

Ultrasound appearances of the rete testis

Improved technology enables better visualization of normal anatomical structures. The rete testis is now visible as an ill-defined echo-poor region at the testicular hilum, sometimes with arboriform projections into the parenchyma. In a retrospective review of 100 cases of non-inflamed testes, the rete testis was seen in 18%. The anatomy was confirmed by scanning post-mortem specimens in a waterbath, marking the echo-poor region and then studying the histology. The spectrum of ultrasound appearances of the normal rete testis is presented. The rete testis can be distinguished easily from pathology because the parenchyma remains otherwise homogeneous and normal in appearance.

Case report: Paratesticular rhabdomyosarcoma — Colour Doppler appearances

Paratesticular rhabdomyosarcoma is a rare tumour of childhood and early adult life. We report a case in which the paratesticular location and colour Doppler appearances led to confusion with epididymitis.

Assessment of the natural history of forefoot bursae using ultrasonography in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a twelve-month investigation.

To determine the natural history and clinical significance of forefoot bursae over a 12‐month period in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Improvement in symptoms and signs in the forefoot of patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated with anti-TNF therapy

BackgroundInhibition of tumour necrosis factor (TNF) is an effective way of reducing synovitis and preventing joint damage in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), yet very little is known about its specific effect on foot pain and disability. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether anti-TNF therapy alters the presence of forefoot pathology and/or reduces foot pain and disability.MethodsConsecutive RA patients starting anti-TNF therapy (infliximab, etanercept, adalimumab) were assessed for presence of synovial hypertrophy and synovitis in the 2nd and 5th metatarso-phalangeal (MTP) joints and plantar forefoot bursal hypertrophy before and 12 weeks after therapy. Tender MTP joints and swollen bursae were established clinically by an experienced podiatrist and ultrasound (US) images were acquired and interpreted by a radiologist. Assessment of patient reported disease impact on the foot was performed using the Manchester Foot Pain and Disability Index (MFPDI).Results31 patients (24 female, 7 male) with RA (12 seronegative, 19 seropositive) completed the study: mean age 59.6 (SD 10.1) years, disease duration 11.1 (SD 10.5) years, and previous number of Disease Modifying Anti Rheumatic Drugs 3.0 (1.6). Significant differences after therapy were found for Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (t = 4.014, p < 0.001), C-reactive protein (t = 3.889, p = 0.001), 28 joint Disease Activity Score (t = 3.712, p = 0.0001), Visual Analog Scale (t = 2.735, p = 0.011) and Manchester Foot Pain and Disability Index (t = 3.712, p = 0.001).Presence of MTP joint synovial hypertrophy on US was noted in 67.5% of joints at baseline and 54.8% of joints at twelve weeks. Presence of plantar forefoot bursal hypertrophy on US was noted in 83.3% of feet at baseline and 75% at twelve weeks. Although there was a trend for reduction in observed presence of person specific forefoot pathology, when the frequencies were analysed (McNemar) this was not significant.ConclusionsSignificant improvements were seen in patient reported foot pain and disability 12 weeks after commencing TNF inhibition in RA, but this may not be enough time to detect changes in forefoot pathology.

Ultrasound findings of masses of the paratesticular space.

Ultrasound is a routine investigation for the assessment of scrotal masses. Many of the detected lesions involve the paratesticular structures. The most common paratesticular masses in clinical practice are epididymal cysts and spermatoceles, but there are a large number of other pathologies that can be encountered and may result in diagnostic uncertainty. This review covers a wide range of the common and the rare, but important, causes of paratesticular masses. The ultrasound findings (both typical and atypical) of these lesions are clarified, and emphasis is given to the features that help to differentiate between them.