Victoria J. A. Baumann, Richard Banati, Jillian L. Clarke
{"title":"Ultrasound measurement of perirenal adipose tissue indicates cardiovascular disease, but standardisation is needed: A systematic review","authors":"Victoria J. A. Baumann, Richard Banati, Jillian L. Clarke","doi":"10.1002/ajum.12407","DOIUrl":"10.1002/ajum.12407","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Introduction</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>In both highly industrialised and developing countries, obesity is reaching epidemic proportions and increasingly becoming a critical indicator of general morbidity, cardiovascular disease (CVD) and renal dysfunction. A promising trend in detection and management of obesity is the measurement of perirenal adipose tissue (PRAT), increasingly recognised as a metabolically active endocrine organ in itself. Its measurement by ultrasound is used increasingly to indicate visceral obesity and its clinical management. This review synthesises current techniques for measuring PRAT and its potential use as an indicator of CVD.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>We included clinical studies published between 2010 and 2023, investigating the current practice and use of specific ultrasonographic techniques and assessed the reliability and accuracy of included papers. The risk of bias was assessed using the Downs and Black Checklist, and the methodological quality examined using the Grade of Recommendations, Assessments, Development and Evaluation.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>It found, PRAT measures are predictive of CVD risk factors and the accuracy of ultrasound is comparable to CT and MRI, but there is no consistency in ultrasound technique. The lack of any randomised control trials and the use of 20 different non-standardised ultrasound techniques across the 21 studies resulted in inconsistent and imprecise clinical observations and interpretations, which decreased the overall quality of the studies.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusion</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>This review found the inclusion of ultrasound measures in routine abdominal imaging potentially invaluable but demonstrates the need for standardisation of the perirenal fat ultrasound measuring technique to improve reproducibility and reliability.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":36517,"journal":{"name":"Australasian Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine","volume":"28 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-10-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11761460/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143053627","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":"Ultrasound transducer disinfection for percutaneous procedures: A review of the evidence supporting guideline recommendations","authors":"Nathan Peters, Frances Williamson, Victoria Eley","doi":"10.1002/ajum.12408","DOIUrl":"10.1002/ajum.12408","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Introduction/Purpose</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>There are varying international recommendations regarding the minimum level of disinfection required for ultrasound transducers used in percutaneous procedures. While some guidelines recommend high-level disinfection (HLD), others question the additional benefit this delivers over low-level disinfection (LLD).</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>This narrative review identifies current guidelines and evaluates the evidence used to support disinfection recommendations for ultrasound transducers used in percutaneous procedures. Thirteen guidelines were identified using a search encompassing PubMed, Embase, Scopus and Google from 1st January 2013 to 31st January 2024.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>No guidelines were supported by high-quality evidence, instead, guidelines relied upon: expert opinion through the application of national standards and infection control principles; consideration of recommendations from other published guidelines; and the incidence of infection from retrospective studies. Guidelines were uniformly supportive of using ultrasound transducer covers and sterile ultrasound gel during ultrasound-guided percutaneous procedures. However, the minimum recommended disinfection level was varied with seven guidelines recommending HLD, four LLD and two not specifying a level. Spaulding's classification was commonly used to support disinfection recommendations, however, the resultant wide variation in classification and subsequent recommendations suggest that its utility in accurately determining the minimum level of disinfection in this specific context is low.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusion</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Without high-level evidence, using a risk-based assessment will likely remain fundamental to future guideline recommendations in determining the minimum disinfection level for an ultrasound transducer used in percutaneous procedures. This risk assessment must include the highest level of evidence available in addition to acknowledging the contribution of all steps taken to prevent infection during ultrasound-guided percutaneous procedures.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":36517,"journal":{"name":"Australasian Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine","volume":"27 4","pages":"242-250"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-09-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11671742/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142903693","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":"Klebsiella liver phlegmon mimicking a solid liver tumour","authors":"Martin Necas, Jereme Mitchell","doi":"10.1002/ajum.12406","DOIUrl":"10.1002/ajum.12406","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Introduction</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>This case examines the sonographic and clinical challenge of diagnosing a <i>Klebsiella pnumoniae</i> pyogenic liver abscess with systemic metastatic infection.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Case Description</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The patient in this case study is an 81-year-old man who presented with intermittent rigors. Following radiological and clinical assessments, a <i>Klebsiella pnumoniae</i> pyogenic liver abscess, with evidence of systemic metastatic infection, was diagnosed. Sonographic features of the liver abscess were atypical for a cystic lesion and instead appeared as a solid mass, raising the possibility of malignancy. Treatment of intravenous ceftriaxone infusions resulted in full resolution of the liver lesion.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Discussion</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The discussion criticises the terminology when describing hepatic lesions, which result from a <i>Klebsiella pnumoniae</i> infection. The term hepatic phlegmon is appropriate when a liver lesion caused by bacterial infection demonstrates a solid appearance on radiologic imaging. The term hepatic abscess is appropriate in cases where liver lesions caused by bacterial infection demonstrate a fluid filled core on radiologic imaging. Differentiation of these terms is important when treating the underlying lesion as a phlegmon, in contrast to an abscess, cannot be drained because it contains no pus. The variable sonographic appearances of <i>Klebsiella pnumoniae</i> pyogenic abscesses were also examined. Despite reported sonographic appearances in the literature, none are sufficient to distinguish a pyogenic liver abscess from malignancy without further investigation.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusion</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Ultrasound operators should be aware of the variable sonographic appearances of a <i>Klebsiella pnumoniae</i> liver abscess and how these features, combined with non-homogenous terminology, can obfuscate the correct diagnosis.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":36517,"journal":{"name":"Australasian Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine","volume":"28 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-09-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143053398","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The impact of ultrasound imaging on patient management – Let's practice the evidence","authors":"Gillian Whalley","doi":"10.1002/ajum.12412","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/ajum.12412","url":null,"abstract":"<p>As a novice researcher, I worked with a cardiology professor who was driven by clinical evidence. Clinical trials were his bread and butter, and leading guideline writing groups became his passion. The most memorable take-home message for me was this: Before you do any test, a clinician should ask themselves, ‘Will this change management? And if so, how?’ A clinician should know what they will do if the test is positive or negative and be able to articulate that. Sadly, this is not always the case. And whilst it might be ‘nice to know’, the cost of confirmatory tests is certainly not insignificant.</p><p>When I trained in ultrasound, we still called it ‘diagnostic ultrasound’ to differentiate it from therapeutic ultrasound, but this also highlighted the immense and unique diagnostic properties of ultrasound. Increasingly, ultrasound is used to not only diagnose, but also to monitor and screen for conditions, as well as to aid in management and prognosis. While all of these are laudable uses, I still think it is helpful when we can link our imaging directly to change in management.</p><p>In this issue of AJUM, Smith and Mistry<span><sup>1</sup></span> present research documenting the impact of formal echocardiography (echo) on patient management in a small clinical audit of formal echos in their intensive care unit (ICU). Although half of the patients had critical findings found on formal echo, only 25% resulted in management change. Perhaps, the remainder of the critical findings were either already suspected, and therefore being treated; or had been anticipated. Indeed, it is possible that a point of care ultrasound (POCUS) had already given them some clinical cues, and thus, the formal echo was simply confirmatory. In a reasonable number of patients, the formal echo helped make the decision to proceed with palliation and this seems an entirely reasonable reason to do an extra imaging test.</p><p>Also, in the ICU setting, Xin <i>et al</i>.<span><sup>2</sup></span> report on the use of Tissue Doppler Imaging (TDI) of the diaphragm to optimise the timing of weaning from mechanical ventilation in ICU patients. Using TDI to measure the low velocity motion of heart muscle is fundamental to echocardiography, so the extension to the diaphragm seems a logical extension of practice. But a good idea still needs to be tested and shown to aid patient management. Innovation needs to be effective.</p><p>Innovation is a key part of medicine, and finding new applications for imaging is part of that. Lau <i>et al</i>.<span><sup>3</sup></span> applied shear wave elastography to patients in a case–control study comparing patients with COVID-19 with controls and found that patients with recent (<6 months) COVID-19 had increased liver stiffness. They were prompted to do the study after observing elevated liver enzymes in these patients. But as the authors point out, these may be transient changes, and data are needed to see whether these abnormalities are asso","PeriodicalId":36517,"journal":{"name":"Australasian Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine","volume":"27 3","pages":"139-140"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-09-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/ajum.12412","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142320923","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":"Comparing transabdominal and transvaginal cervical length measurements at mid-trimester fetal anomaly scan: The impact of bladder fullness and lower uterine contractions","authors":"Heidi Beaver, Valeria Lanzarone, Gary KK Low","doi":"10.1002/ajum.12409","DOIUrl":"10.1002/ajum.12409","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Purpose</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>To assess the effects of bladder fullness and lower uterine contractions ultrasound on transabdominal and transvaginal cervical length measurements at the mid-trimester fetal anomaly scan (FAS).</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Transabdominal and transvaginal cervical length measurements from 925 mid-trimester FAS examinations were retrospectively analysed. Images were assessed for lower uterine contraction and bladder fullness using a novel qualitative assessment. Bland–Altman plots and single-score interclass correlation (ICC) were used to determine correlation between transabdominal and transvaginal measurements. Sensitivity and specificity of transabdominal cut-offs were calculated.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Transabdominal and transvaginal measurements of the cervix correlated poorly (ICC 0.306). An overfilled bladder and lower uterine contractions on average increased the length of transabdominal cervical length measurements. Removing these variables did not significantly improve correlation between transabdominal and transvaginal measurements of the cervix but resulted in an improved sensitivity of transabdominal assessment to detect a clinically relevant short cervix.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Discussion</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Resolving the confounding factors of an overfilled bladder and lower uterine contractions can help improve the our ability to detect a short cervix on transabdominal ultrasound. Our data set supported a two-stage approach to cervical length screening which would allow 100% sensitivity when a cut-off of ≤35 mm is used on transabdominal ultrasound and would limit the need for transvaginal scanning to approximately 39% of patients. This cut-off is in line with the findings of other studies. The low prevalence of short cervix in our study did however make it difficult to extrapolate reliable calculations.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusion</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Although transabdominal measurements correlate poorly with transvaginal measurements of the cervix, we demonstrated an improved sensitivity for detecting a short cervix using a transabdominal approach when no contractions or overfilled bladder is present. This potential could be explored in a future study with a larger sample size.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":36517,"journal":{"name":"Australasian Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine","volume":"27 4","pages":"218-228"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-08-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11671743/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142903684","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}
Michelle J. Wang, Cassandra R. Duffy, Yinka Oyelese
{"title":"Case report of recurrent vasa previa","authors":"Michelle J. Wang, Cassandra R. Duffy, Yinka Oyelese","doi":"10.1002/ajum.12405","DOIUrl":"10.1002/ajum.12405","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Introduction</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Vasa previa is a complication of pregnancy, which affects approximately 1:1200 pregnancies, and when undiagnosed prenatally, it can be associated with significant perinatal mortality. This condition is thought to be a sporadic entity without known genetic or familial associations and thus considered to carry a negligible recurrence risk.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Key Findings</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>We present a case of a 42-year-old gravida 3 para 2 diagnosed on transvaginal ultrasound with a vasa previa at 34 weeks associated with vaginal bleeding, which required an urgent caesarean in a prior spontaneous pregnancy. In the current pregnancy conceived with in vitro fertilisation, she was again diagnosed with a vasa previa at 30 weeks’ gestation at transvaginal ultrasound. She ultimately delivered at 37 weeks’ gestation via an uncomplicated repeat caesarean.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Discussion</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Patients with vasa previa in one pregnancy may be at risk for recurrence in subsequent pregnancy and thus should be screened in future pregnancies. Further research should be done to explore and identify any risk factors for recurrence of vasa previa.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":36517,"journal":{"name":"Australasian Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine","volume":"28 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-08-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143053360","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Acute aortic occlusion: A point-of-care ultrasound case report","authors":"Erin Newman","doi":"10.1002/ajum.12404","DOIUrl":"10.1002/ajum.12404","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Introduction</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Acute aortic occlusion (AAO) is a rare vascular emergency with significant associated morbidity and mortality</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>This case report discusses a 39-year-old gentleman with methamphetamine-associated cardiomyopathy (MACM) who presented with bilateral lower limb ischaemia. A POCUS was performed to rapidly evaluate the patient on arrival, which demonstrated AAO. A literature review was conducted to identify similar cases where AAO was detected by POCUS.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>POCUS showed a left ventricular thrombus (LVT), an embolus in the distal abdominal aorta and no flow distal to the embolus, which is consistent with AAO. The patient was successfully reperfused and had a good outcome after a timely diagnosis and management.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Discussion</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>This case report outlines a rare pathology in an uncommon age group where POCUS can expedite diagnosis and management.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusion</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>POCUS is a valuable tool, which can expedite and facilitate rapid revascularisation of AAO.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":36517,"journal":{"name":"Australasian Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine","volume":"27 4","pages":"254-258"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-07-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142903771","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Ultrasound imaging of the femoral and saphenous nerves","authors":"Michelle Fenech, Bridie Roche, Jerome Boyle","doi":"10.1002/ajum.12403","DOIUrl":"10.1002/ajum.12403","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Introduction</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Iatrogenic and traumatic injuries to the femoral and saphenous nerves, and their branches are uncommon but can be a cause of clinically pertinent lower limb dysfunction and neuralgia. Despite this, direct sonographic imaging of these nerves is not commonly requested or performed.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>A review of the literature regarding the detailed relative anatomy, sonographic technique to image these nerves and their branches and their normal and abnormal appearances was conducted.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Discussion</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>These nerves are often in the direct imaging field of many ultrasound examinations including the assessment of the groin and lower limb vasculature and musculoskeletal studies. They can become entrapped at certain points throughout their path, where particular attention should be provided to these nerves.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusion</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Improved knowledge regarding the sonographic imaging of the femoral and saphenous nerves and their branches can assist identification and discrimination between normal and abnormal appearances, and subsequent ultrasound-guided nerve blockades or radiofrequency ablations for pain management where required.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":36517,"journal":{"name":"Australasian Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine","volume":"27 4","pages":"229-241"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-07-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11671740/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142903690","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}
Bruno Antonio Zanfini, Agata Katia Patanella, Francesco Vassalli, Stefano Catarci, Marika Pane, Luciano Frassanito, Matteo Biancone, Mariangela Di Muro, Chiara Bravetti, Eugenio Maria Mercuri, Mario Sabatelli, Gaetano Draisci
{"title":"Ultrasound-assisted and landmark-based nusinersen delivery in spinal muscular atrophy adults: A retrospective analysis","authors":"Bruno Antonio Zanfini, Agata Katia Patanella, Francesco Vassalli, Stefano Catarci, Marika Pane, Luciano Frassanito, Matteo Biancone, Mariangela Di Muro, Chiara Bravetti, Eugenio Maria Mercuri, Mario Sabatelli, Gaetano Draisci","doi":"10.1002/ajum.12401","DOIUrl":"10.1002/ajum.12401","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Introduction/Purpose</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Nusinersen, the first treatment approved for all spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) types, is administered intrathecally through lumbar puncture. We used ultrasound assistance or a landmark-based technique to access the lumbar intrathecal space in adult SMA patients. This study aimed to evaluate the technical success and adverse events (AEs) in such patients using either technique over a long observation period.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Fifty-one adult patients received 507 consecutive interlaminar nusinersen administrations. Patients presented with both ‘uncomplicated spines’ or ‘complicated spines’; two patients had previous back surgery. Technical success and AEs were recorded using either technique. A generalised linear mixed model was applied to evaluate predictors of technical success and complications.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>An overall success rate of 99.6%, with only two procedures failing to reach the intrathecal space, and an overall optimal procedure rate of 90.3% have been reported. A total of 455 procedures (89.7%) were uneventfully performed. One (0.2%) case of severe AE (puncture of a bulky abdominal annexal cyst) was recorded. Twenty-seven episodes (5.3%) of post-dural puncture headache (PDPH) and 24 episodes (4.7%) of radicular or back pain, both successfully treated with medical therapy, have also been reported. Technical success was significantly associated with ‘complicated spines’ (P = 0.022) and the use of ultrasound assistance (P = 0.01), and the use of ultrasound was the only independent predictor of uncomplicated procedures (P = 0.007).</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Discussion</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>In adult patients with SMA both landmark-based and ultrasound-assisted techniques are safe and effective even in the long term. The use of assistance is associated with technical success and can predict uncomplicated procedures.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusion</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Our results support the use of ultrasonography in order to improve the success and reduce the burden of nusinersen intrathecal administration.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":36517,"journal":{"name":"Australasian Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine","volume":"27 4","pages":"210-217"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-07-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/ajum.12401","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141646794","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}