BACKGROUND Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is usually used to evaluate palpable nodes in patients with melanoma. The goal of our study is to review the sensitivity and specificity of this technique when applied to palpable but also to nonpalpable nodes. METHODS FNAC was performed during 1984-2007 in 1279 patients with suspicious lesions and/or lymph nodes. Indications for biopsy includ...

Ultrasound-guided vacuum-assisted breast biopsy (VABB) is regarded as a feasible, effective, minimally invasive and safe method for the removal of benign breast lesions, without the occurrence of serious complications. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility, efficacy and safety of ultrasound-guided VABB using the Mammotome® biopsy system in the treatment of breast lesions. The cl...

Abdominal and pelvic abscesses can occur as a consequence of surgery and are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. It is well accepted that the primary treatment is antibiotic therapy and minimally invasive drainage. Surgical measures are typically reserved for patients with luminal perforations or those who do not respond to conservative measures. Previously available modalities...

Background The role of ultrasound in the thoracic spine has been underappreciated, partly because of the relative efficacy of the landmark-guided technique and the limitation of imaging through the narrow acoustic windows produced by the bony framework of thoracic spine. The aim of this study was to make a comparison between the 12th rib and the spinous process of C7 as a landmark for effective...

abstract background: peripheral insertion of central catheters can be difficult in neonates. we compared the success rates of peripherally inserted central catheters by two methods of using static ultrasound and traditional technique (vein visualization and palpation) in neonates. materials and methods: in a prospective randomized, controlled trial, 52 neonates with birth weight lower than 1500...

BACKGROUND Numerous studies have shown significant benefits of using real-time ultrasonography for central line intravenous access. Traditionally, the ultrasound probe is placed along the short axis of the vein to visualize and direct needle placement. This view has some limitations, particularly being able to visualize the needle tip. Some practitioners place the ultrasound probe in the long a...

BACKGROUND To assess the accuracy of ultrasound-guided 16G or 18G core needle biopsy (CNB) for ultrasound-visible breast lesions, and to analyze the effects of lesion features. METHODS Between July 2005 and July 2012, 4,453 ultrasound-detected breast lesions underwent ultrasound-guided CNB and were retrospectively reviewed. Surgical excision was performed for 955 lesions (566 with 16G CNB and...

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES The use of the ultrasound to guide the puncture in peripheral nerve blocks has become increasingly more frequent. With the lower probability of promoting vascular damage the ultrasound has become an interesting tool in peripheral nerve blocks especially in patients in use of anticoagulants or with coagulopathies. The objective of this article was to report two cases in...

The use of ultrasound to facilitate regional anesthesia is an evolving area of clinical, education, and research interests. As our community's experience grows, it has become evident that anesthesiologists performing "routine" ultrasound-guided blocks may very well be confronted with atypical or even pathologic anatomy. As an educational resource for anesthesiologists, the following articles pr...

BACKGROUND The aim of this article is to describe the technique used to perform ultrasound guided steroid joint injections in children in a group of joints that can be injected using ultrasound as the only image guidance modality. FINDINGS The technique is described and didactic figures are provided to illustrate key technical concepts. CONCLUSION It is very important to be familiar with th...