Journal of ultrasound in medicine
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Guiding Acute Heart Failure Treatment by Point-of-Care Ultrasound: Validation of a Score Combining Lung Ultrasound and Venous Excess Ultrasound

Mar 21, 2026

The authors aimed to validate a dynamic ultrasound congestion score (DUCS) that combines lung and venous excess ultrasound assessments to evaluate acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) in patients with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction. Their findings indicate that changes in DUCS over 72 hours and the score at discharge are independent predictors of in-hospital mortality and 30-day outcomes, suggesting that DUCS could be a valuable tool for guiding treatment in ADHF.

Exploration of a Multimodal Machine Learning Model Integrating Ultrasound and Clinical Indicators for the Diagnosis of Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy

Mar 20, 2026

The authors aimed to develop and evaluate multimodal machine learning models that integrate ultrasound and clinical indicators for diagnosing diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN). Among the four models tested, the random forest (RF) model exhibited the best performance, achieving an AUC of 0.852, and identified key risk factors for DPN, indicating its significant potential for clinical application in risk assessment.

Ultrasound of the Cheek: Examination Technique, Anatomy, and Abnormal Findings

Mar 16, 2026

This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of ultrasound examination techniques for the cheek, detailing its anatomy and common abnormalities. The authors seek to enhance understanding of the clinical and sonographic assessment of cheek bumps, while also highlighting the importance of ultrasound guidance in diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.

A Comparison of Detection Rates Between Ultrasound and Post-Therapeutic I-131 SPECT/CT for Cervical Lymph Node Metastasis in Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma

Mar 13, 2026

This study aims to compare the effectiveness of ultrasound versus post-therapeutic I-131 SPECT/CT in detecting cervical lymph node metastases in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma. The results indicate that ultrasound has a significantly higher detection rate for metastatic nodes (75.0%) compared to SPECT/CT (55.8%), with specific sonographic features such as microcalcifications and hypoechogenicity serving as strong predictors of malignancy. The findings suggest that a combined imaging approach may be beneficial for optimizing detection and management of metastatic disease.

AI-Driven Analysis of the Fetal Left Ventricular Outflow Tract: Diagnostic Value and Applications

Mar 11, 2026

The authors aimed to develop and validate a deep-learning pipeline for identifying left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) views in obstetric screening images and assessing their quality based on predefined criteria. Their findings demonstrated substantial agreement with expert evaluations, indicating that the automated system could effectively enhance quality assurance and training in fetal cardiac screening. The high sensitivity and specificity of the algorithm suggest its potential utility in routine clinical practice.

Placental Versus Cerebral Doppler Parameters in Early-Onset and Late-Onset Fetal Growth Restriction: No Additional Prognostic Value of Middle Cerebral Artery Diastolic Deceleration Area

Mar 11, 2026

The authors aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of middle cerebral artery (MCA) diastolic deceleration area (DDA) in relation to fetal growth restriction (FGR) and composite adverse neonatal outcomes (CANOs) compared to established Doppler parameters. Their findings indicate that while placental Doppler parameters, specifically umbilical artery pulsatility index (UA PI) and cerebroplacental ratio (CPR), are strong independent predictors of both early-onset and late-onset FGR, MCA DDA does not provide additional prognostic value for FGR or CANOs. The study suggests that further research is needed to explore the clinical relevance of MCA DDA in this context.

Deresuscitation Informed by Ultrasound in Patients with Septic Shock Trial: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Study

Mar 10, 2026

This pilot randomized controlled trial aimed to assess the feasibility and impact of venous excess ultrasound (VExUS)-guided fluid management on fluid balance and clinical outcomes in patients with septic shock. The study found that while VExUS-guided management did not significantly differ in adverse outcomes compared to usual care, it was associated with a lower fluid volume administered. Overall, the results suggest that VExUS-guided fluid management is feasible and may help tailor resuscitation efforts in this patient population.

Shear Wave Elastography for Characterization of Breast Lesions in Clinical Routine

Mar 9, 2026

This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of shear wave elastography (SWE) in differentiating benign from malignant breast lesions in routine clinical practice, particularly for lesions categorized as BI-RADS 3-5. The authors found that SWE provided significant improvements in diagnostic accuracy, with an optimal stiffness cut-off value of 40.03 kPa, which could help reduce unnecessary biopsies. The results indicate that SWE is a reliable method for characterizing breast lesions, warranting further standardization for broader clinical use.

Prospective Evaluation of Automated Right and Left Ventricular Myocardial Performance Index in Late-Onset Fetal Growth Restriction

Mar 8, 2026

The authors aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the automated right- and left-ventricular myocardial performance index (Mod-MPI) in detecting cardiac dysfunction in fetuses with late-onset fetal growth restriction (FGR) and to assess its relationship with Doppler parameters and neonatal outcomes. The study found that right-ventricular Mod-MPI was significantly elevated in FGR fetuses, indicating early cardiac dysfunction, while left-ventricular Mod-MPI did not show significant differences. These findings suggest that right-sided MPI may serve as a reliable indicator of early myocardial adaptation in FGR cases before traditional Doppler changes occur.

The Oocyte/Antral Follicle Count Index: Does Maximizing Oocyte Yield Translate into Better Assisted Reproductive Technology Outcomes?

Mar 8, 2026

The authors investigate whether aspirating more oocytes than the antral follicle count (AFC) improves outcomes in assisted reproductive technology (ART) cycles, specifically looking at clinical pregnancy rates (CPR) and live birth rates (LBR). Their findings indicate that while a higher oocyte/AFC index (OAFCI) does not significantly affect CPR or LBR, it is associated with an increased number of cryopreserved embryos and vitrified oocytes, suggesting potential benefits for future cumulative pregnancy rates.