Ultrasound最新文献

{"title":"Supporting obstetric sonographers following diagnostic error: Evidence-informed interventions to promote well-being, learning and patient safety.","authors":"Elaine Gardiner, Julie Roberts, Evelyn McElhinney, Thelma Okey-Adibe, Morgyn Kay","doi":"10.1177/1742271X261489050","DOIUrl":"10.1177/1742271X261489050","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Diagnostic errors in obstetric ultrasound can cause significant harm to patients and are increasingly recognised to have profound emotional and professional consequences for clinicians, described as the second victim phenomenon. An empirical study of obstetric sonographers identified substantial second victim distress and highlighted gaps in preparation, support and organisational response. This paper translates those findings into practical, evidence-informed interventions for clinical practice.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>An abductive, pragmatic intervention development approach was used, informed by empirical findings and relevant literature on second victim support, trauma-informed care and just culture. A structured mapping process linked identified gaps in knowledge, skills, policy and resources to proposed intervention components.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Three complementary intervention models were developed. Model 1 proposes a supportive learning environment to better prepare sonographers for diagnostic error through education, peer support and structured learning opportunities. Model 2 presents an Ultrasound Manager Second Victim Support Tool to guide consistent and compassionate managerial responses. Model 3 outlines a phase-based early intervention guideline to support timely, trauma-informed responses following diagnostic error, including immediate, follow-up and ongoing support.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>These models provide a practical framework to support sonographers and ultrasound managers following diagnostic error. By addressing identified gaps in preparation, managerial response and early support, they aim to promote well-being, learning and patient safety, and support the development of just, learning-orientated cultures. Future research should evaluate these interventions in clinical practice.</p>","PeriodicalId":23440,"journal":{"name":"Ultrasound","volume":" ","pages":"1742271X261489050"},"PeriodicalIF":0.7,"publicationDate":"2026-10-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13646191/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149138480","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Obstetric sonographers' second victim experiences following diagnostic error: implications for wellbeing, support and patient safety.","authors":"Elaine Gardiner, Julie Roberts, Evelyn McElhinney, Thelma Okey-Adibe, Morgyn Kay","doi":"10.1177/1742271X261489049","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/1742271X261489049","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Diagnostic errors in obstetric ultrasound can have devastating consequences for mothers and babies. While patients are the primary victims, healthcare professionals involved may experience psychological harm as 'second victims'. Obstetric sonographers work in high-risk environments where diagnostic errors can occur; however, their experiences and perceptions of support are underexplored. This study investigated sonographers' experiences following diagnostic error, focusing on perceived support.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This qualitative study used a mixed-methods sequential explanatory design within an abductive pragmatic approach. A survey (n = 8) provided context but was limited for quantitative analysis; therefore, qualitative findings are reported. Eight obstetric sonographers with experience of diagnostic error were recruited via purposive and snowball sampling. Semi-structured interviews were conducted remotely, transcribed verbatim and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Rigour was enhanced through reflexivity, audit trails and supervisory review.</p><p><strong>Findings: </strong>Five themes were identified. Participants described experiences consistent with the second victim phenomenon, including emotional distress, loss of confidence, burnout and trauma-like symptoms. While strong professional pride was evident, high workload and emotional demands were emphasised. Unique challenges included delayed awareness of error, caring for both mother and baby and lack of opportunity for apology or closure. Peer support was valued most, while managerial and organisational support was often perceived as inadequate or procedural. Participants called for learning-orientated, just cultures.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Obstetric sonographers experience substantial psychological impact following diagnostic error, shaped by emotional and organisational factors. Greater recognition and trauma-informed, learning-focused support systems are needed to promote wellbeing, patient safety and workforce sustainability.</p>","PeriodicalId":23440,"journal":{"name":"Ultrasound","volume":" ","pages":"1742271X261489049"},"PeriodicalIF":0.7,"publicationDate":"2026-09-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13627462/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149114878","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Closing the gap in ultrasound probe hygiene: Improving ultrasound probe decontamination through evidence-based interventions.","authors":"Jincy Jerry, Michelle Cranmer, Vasantha Gopalan, Trevor Duffy, Mary Walsh, Sine Gilchriest, Paul Ryan, Ana Safara, Suganthi Sundaram, Cian McDermott, Cleona Gray, Mary R Curran, Kathryn Byrne, Deirdre Brady","doi":"10.1177/1742271X261484807","DOIUrl":"10.1177/1742271X261484807","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background and aim: </strong>Ultrasound is integral to many aspects of healthcare. Patient harm can occur when ultrasound decontamination is not adequate. Evidence-based guidance exists to inform operators of appropriate practice. A clinical audit was performed to assess compliance with these standards in an acute hospital.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>An assessment tool was developed to capture data across multiple domains to evaluate compliance with ultrasound reprocessing standards. Key variables included operator identity, professional role, and location, alongside procedure type and Spaulding classification to ensure correct risk stratification. Infection prevention and control nurses observed ultrasound procedures, categorising probes as critical, semi-critical or non-critical and assessed whether the correct level of decontamination was applied. Adherence to manufacturer instructions for use and local standard operating procedures was evaluated. Traceability of reprocessing was examined. Compliance was summarised as proportions by year and by Spaulding category with statistical analysis performed in Python. Between audit cycles, a multi-modal quality improvement plan was devised and implemented.</p><p><strong>Results/discussion: </strong>Between the pre- and post-intervention phases, adherence to appropriate disinfection selection and technique improved significantly overall (p < 0.0001) and specifically in critical and non-critical probes. In all six areas that were fully subject to the interventions and re-audit, there was improvement. In the one area subject to re-audit where staff did not participate in training programmes, there was a decline in compliance, supporting that the availability of a standard operating procedure and appropriate equipment is not sufficient on its own but that training of operators is a key contributing factor to improvement.</p>","PeriodicalId":23440,"journal":{"name":"Ultrasound","volume":" ","pages":"1742271X261484807"},"PeriodicalIF":0.7,"publicationDate":"2026-09-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13619978/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149081404","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Liver metastasis from hepatoid adenocarcinoma of the sigmoid colon: A case report.","authors":"Long Tan, Lingjiao Chen, Jiayi Wei, Baoming Luo, Xiaolin Xu","doi":"10.1177/1742271X261480040","DOIUrl":"10.1177/1742271X261480040","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Liver metastasis from hepatoid adenocarcinoma of the sigmoid colon is a rare clinical case with atypical clinical symptoms, a high degree of malignancy, and a poor prognosis.</p><p><strong>Case report: </strong>A 28-year-old male presented with recurrent upper abdominal pain. Abdominal computed tomography revealed a hepatic mass. Laboratory tests showed markedly elevated alpha-fetoprotein (72,020 ng/mL) with negative hepatitis markers. Conventional ultrasound revealed multiple hepatic masses, some of which were hyperechoic. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound demonstrated a \"fast-in and fast-out\" enhancement pattern, supporting the impression of metastatic liver disease and prompting further investigation for an extrahepatic primary source, which was subsequently confirmed by colonoscopy, liver biopsy, and immunohistochemistry as hepatoid adenocarcinoma of the sigmoid colon with liver metastasis (stage IVA, pT4aN2bM1). The patient received systemic chemotherapy (initially FOLFIRI plus cetuximab, then bevacizumab plus mFOLFOX6 upon progression), achieving rapid alpha-fetoprotein decline and significant tumor shrinkage initially, followed by stabilisation on the second-line regimen.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This case highlights the diagnostic value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound in alpha-fetoprotein-elevated hepatic lesions and the role of alpha-fetoprotein as a monitoring biomarker. Multimodal evaluation-integrating imaging, laboratory, histopathological, and immunohistochemical findings-is essential for accurate diagnosis and therapeutic guidance in this rare malignancy.</p>","PeriodicalId":23440,"journal":{"name":"Ultrasound","volume":" ","pages":"1742271X261480040"},"PeriodicalIF":0.7,"publicationDate":"2026-09-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13593947/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149026103","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Sonographic features of Dupuytren's disease on high-resolution ultrasound: A retrospective imaging review.","authors":"Tania Toma, Ingrid Yuile, Christopher Lord, Miny Walker","doi":"10.1177/1742271X261486555","DOIUrl":"10.1177/1742271X261486555","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To describe the features of Dupuytren's disease on high-resolution ultrasound, highlighting the deep and superficial band-like structures related to Dupuytren's nodules, and to correlate these appearances with the anatomy of the palmar fascial complex.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A retrospective review was undertaken of 20 consecutive ultrasound examinations reported as Dupuytren's disease between February 2019 and August 2020. Features assessed included nodule location, size, vascularity and the presence of deep or superficial hypoechoic bands. These findings were related to established anatomical descriptions of the palmar fascial complex.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 27 nodules were demonstrated in 20 patients. Nodules were typically found overlying the ring and middle finger metacarpophalangeal joints. On high-resolution ultrasound, nodules appeared as elongated or mildly lobulated hypoechoic lesions related to the palmar fascia. Linear hypoechoic structures extending deep or superficial to the nodules were present in most cases. Intralesional vascularity was variable. One case required further magnetic resonance imaging assessment, which confirmed features consistent with Dupuytren's disease.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>High-resolution ultrasound enables detailed assessment of Dupuytren's nodules and their relationship to the surrounding palmar structures. The recognition of characteristic superficial and deep band-like extensions may improve diagnostic confidence and aid differentiation from other soft tissue lesions.</p>","PeriodicalId":23440,"journal":{"name":"Ultrasound","volume":" ","pages":"1742271X261486555"},"PeriodicalIF":0.7,"publicationDate":"2026-09-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13593955/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149026155","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Penoscrotal extravascular papillary endothelial hyperplasia (Masson's tumour): Contrast-enhanced ultrasound features with magnetic resonance imaging and histopathology correlation.","authors":"Sara Lim, Amman Bhambra, Karolina Markiet, Giorgio Garzillo, Dean Y Huang","doi":"10.1177/1742271X261484035","DOIUrl":"10.1177/1742271X261484035","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Papillary endothelial hyperplasia, or Masson's tumour, is a benign, reactive endothelial proliferation classified as intravascular, mixed or extravascular, with the extravascular subtype arising as a reactive process at a site of vascular injury. Genitourinary presentations are rare and predominantly intravascular; extravascular disease at the penoscrotal junction is exceptionally rare and can mimic soft-tissue sarcoma due to its hypervascular, avidly enhancing appearance. We report a case of penoscrotal extravascular papillary endothelial hyperplasia and describe, to our knowledge, the first documented contrast-enhanced ultrasound features of this entity. A man in his sixties presented with a 4-week history of a small, non-tender lump at the left penoscrotal junction, with no reported history of local trauma. Grey-scale ultrasound demonstrated a well-defined, hypoechoic lesion abutting the tunica albuginea, with internal vascularity on colour Doppler. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound showed marked hypervascularity with rapid, avid, and persisting enhancement during the arterial and late venous phases, together with a large, serpiginous vein in close proximity to the lesion and appearing mildly compressed by the mass - a distinctive vascular morphology not previously described in papillary endothelial hyperplasia at any site. Magnetic resonance imaging confirmed a well-defined, uniformly enhancing nodule, with an adjacent peripheral vessel of indeterminate arterial or venous nature. Given residual diagnostic uncertainty, staging computed tomography excluded metastatic disease before surgical excision. Histopathology confirmed extravascular papillary endothelial hyperplasia, most likely reactive, possibly arising at a site of previously unrecognised local trauma. This case highlights a novel contrast-enhanced ultrasound appearance in extravascular papillary endothelial hyperplasia that may aid diagnostic confidence and support multimodality triage of indeterminate penoscrotal masses.</p>","PeriodicalId":23440,"journal":{"name":"Ultrasound","volume":" ","pages":"1742271X261484035"},"PeriodicalIF":0.7,"publicationDate":"2026-09-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13547552/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148907350","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Investigation of S-Detect AI (a computer-aided diagnosis tool) versus ultrasound operators for thyroid nodule classification using British Thyroid Association guidelines: A pilot diagnostic accuracy study.","authors":"Kieran Walker, James Michael, Mark Ballard, Geoffrey Chilvers, Steve Colley, Khalid Hussain, Lloyd Rickard","doi":"10.1177/1742271X261479402","DOIUrl":"10.1177/1742271X261479402","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Thyroid nodules affect more than 60% of the population, approximately 5% being malignant. The British Thyroid Association U-classification guides ultrasound risk stratification across the United Kingdom but is subject to inter-observer variability. Artificial intelligence decision support tools may offer more standardised assessment, yet no peer-reviewed study has validated S-Detect, a computer-aided diagnosis tool integrated into Samsung ultrasound systems, against the British Thyroid Association framework. This study compares S-Detect with experienced ultrasound operators using histology as the reference standard.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This retrospective pilot diagnostic accuracy study assessed 32 thyroid nodules (September 2023 to August 2024). S-Detect served as the index test applied retrospectively on a Samsung RS85 Prestige platform; prospectively assigned U-scores were the comparator and surgical histology the reference standard. A secondary analysis varied Doppler input across all four options in the 11 malignancies misclassified by S-Detect to test whether Doppler selection contributed to misclassification.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Operators achieved superior balanced performance (sensitivity: 78.9%, specificity: 84.6%, accuracy: 81.3%, and area under the curve: 0.870) compared with S-Detect (42.1%, 100%, 65.6%, area under the curve: 0.729), which under-classified 58% of malignancies. Inter-method agreement was slight (<i>κ</i> = 0.175), with significant directional discordance (McNemar <i>p</i> = 0.008). Doppler manipulation produced substantial variability: 81.8% of misclassified cases showed U-score change attributable solely to Doppler selection, with peripheral patterns yielding zero correct malignancy classifications.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Operators achieved superior diagnostic performance. S-Detect's high false-negative rate appears largely driven by over-reliance on Doppler. Its clinical utility is limited within this single-centre study. Future iterations excluding Doppler would likely achieve substantially improved sensitivity.</p>","PeriodicalId":23440,"journal":{"name":"Ultrasound","volume":" ","pages":"1742271X261479402"},"PeriodicalIF":0.7,"publicationDate":"2026-09-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13541991/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148897899","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Musculoskeletal ultrasonography versus standing radiography in grading knee osteoarthritis: A comparison study.","authors":"Mohadese Yadolahi, Elahe Mohammadnia, Ehsan Hedayat, Farzin Halabchi","doi":"10.1177/1742271X261459305","DOIUrl":"10.1177/1742271X261459305","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Aims: </strong>Musculoskeletal ultrasonography is an accessible imaging modality with potential utility in knee osteoarthritis. This study aims to compare the sonographic features of knee osteoarthritis with standing radiographic grading and to assess the association with pain severity.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>In this cross-sectional study, patients with knee osteoarthritis underwent knee ultrasonography and standing anteroposterior and lateral radiographs. Radiographs were independently assessed by a blinded reviewer and graded using the Kellgren-Lawrence system. Kellgren-Lawrence grades 1-2 were classified as mild osteoarthritis and grades 3-4 as moderate to severe osteoarthritis. Sonographic findings were compared with radiographic grades, and the association with pain severity measured by the visual analogue scale (VAS) was evaluated.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Sonographic measurements of medial femoral osteophytes, suprapatellar effusion, Baker's cyst, and medial meniscal protrusion significantly correlated to radiographic osteoarthritis severity (<i>p</i> ⩽ 0.05). A composite score derived from these four variables demonstrated acceptable diagnostic performance (Youden index: 0.61). This composite score significantly correlated to VAS pain scores (<i>p</i> = 0.003), whereas VAS was not significantly associated with the Kellgren-Lawrence grade.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Ultrasonography may serve as a valuable adjunct or alternative to plain radiography for estimating knee osteoarthritis severity and its clinical impact. Further well-designed studies are warranted to confirm these findings.</p>","PeriodicalId":23440,"journal":{"name":"Ultrasound","volume":" ","pages":"1742271X261459305"},"PeriodicalIF":0.7,"publicationDate":"2026-08-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13530031/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148875802","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Novel evaluation of the sternocleidomastoid muscle of head and neck cancer patients using shear wave elastography: A preliminary exploratory pilot study.","authors":"Mei S L Lai, Chin C Ooi, Ia C C Tan, Q H M Leow, Zhan H S Quek, Mahalakshmi S Rangabashyam, Wen L J Lau, Hiang K Tan, Meng A Png","doi":"10.1177/1742271X261469653","DOIUrl":"10.1177/1742271X261469653","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Aim: </strong>Shear wave elastography is commonly used to evaluate muscle stiffness and thickness. This study aimed to evaluate the stiffness and thickness of the sternocleidomastoid muscle in patients diagnosed with head and neck cancer undergoing neck dissection (removal of lymph nodes).</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>Ten subjects with head and neck cancer were recruited. Two radiographers performed ultrasound and shear wave elastography scans to evaluate muscle stiffness and thickness in the sternocleidomastoid muscle pre-surgery, at 6 weeks, and at 6 months post-surgery.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The cohort had a mean age of 56.8 (±8.22) years, with equal numbers of males and females. Half had unilateral surgery (four left and one right), while the other half had bilateral surgery. One patient had the entire sternocleidomastoid muscle resected (participant HN2). Comparing all time points from pre-surgery to 6 weeks and 6 months, there was no significant change in sternocleidomastoid muscle thickness (pre-surgery to 6 weeks: 0.11 ± 2.45 cm; <i>t</i> = 0.18, <i>p</i> = 0.86; pre-surgery to 6 months: 0.36 ± 2.08 cm; <i>t</i> = -0.64, <i>p</i> = 0.53; 6 weeks to 6 months: 0.47 ± 1.53 cm; <i>t</i> = -1.15, <i>p</i> = 0.26). From pre-surgery to 6 weeks and 6 months, there was no statistically significant change in shear wave elastography readings (pre-surgery to 6 weeks: 3.62 ± 7.45 kPa; <i>t</i> = -1.82, <i>p</i> = 0.08; pre-surgery to 6 months: 3.33 ± 11.2 kPa; <i>t</i> = 1.11, <i>p</i> = 0.28). However, from 6 weeks to 6 months, the shear wave elastography values increased significantly by 6.95 ± 6.48 kPa (<i>t</i> = 4.01, <i>p</i> < 0.001).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This preliminary exploratory study demonstrates the feasibility of longitudinal shear wave elastography assessment in this cohort and identifies an increase in sternocleidomastoid muscle stiffness between 6 weeks and 6 months, which warrants further investigation in larger, stratified studies with functional correlation.</p>","PeriodicalId":23440,"journal":{"name":"Ultrasound","volume":" ","pages":"1742271X261469653"},"PeriodicalIF":0.7,"publicationDate":"2026-08-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13522254/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148851593","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effects of region of interest size and measurement location on ultrasound-derived hamstrings muscle quality indices in children.","authors":"Chrysostomos Sahinis, Anthi Angelou, Nikolaos Varvariotis, Anastasios Lykidis, Rafail Georgios Pechlivanos, Eleftherios Kellis","doi":"10.1177/1742271X261459300","DOIUrl":"10.1177/1742271X261459300","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>This study primarily examined sex differences in ultrasound-derived hamstring muscle quality in physically active prepubertal children and secondarily evaluated the effects of region of interest selection and measurement site on these indices.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Twenty-six prepubertal children (9-11 years, 13 girls) underwent quantitative ultrasound assessment of the semitendinosus and biceps femoris at five measurement sites along the femur. Mean uncorrected echo intensity, corrected echo intensity, echovariation, and texture features were extracted from longitudinal ultrasound images using two region of interest approaches: maximal and standardised rectangular region of interest.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Linear mixed-effects models indicated that girls exhibited higher corrected echo intensity and homogeneity and lower contrast and correlation values in the semitendinosus (<i>p</i> < .05), while no sex differences were found in the biceps femoris (<i>p</i> > .05). Region of interest size affected the values of corrected echo intensity, echovariation, and correlation, with higher values observed in maximal region of interest, without altering group-level findings (<i>p</i> > .05). Corrected echo intensity was greater in the biceps femoris than the semitendinosus. Corrected echo intensity varied across the measurement sites, showing higher values at the proximal and proximal-middle locations (<i>p</i> < .05).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Region of interest size, sex, muscle, and measurement site influence muscle quality parameters in prepubertal children. Site- and muscle-specific differences underscore the need for standardised assessment protocols.</p>","PeriodicalId":23440,"journal":{"name":"Ultrasound","volume":" ","pages":"1742271X261459300"},"PeriodicalIF":0.7,"publicationDate":"2026-08-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13522255/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148851580","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}