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Biomedical subjects

E Sabo

Publications and source records attributed to E Sabo.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed2000

Role of tumor necrosis factor-alpha in the differential diagnosis of parapneumonic effusion.

OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to investigate the role of tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-a) in discriminating between uncomplicated parapneumonic effusion (UCPPE) and complicated parapneumonic effusion (CPPE). METHOD: Using a commercially available high sensitivity enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit, concentrations of TNF were measured in the serum (TNFs) and pleural fluid (TNFpf) of 21 patients with parapneumonic effusion (PPE), 13 patients with UCPPE, and 8 patients with nonempyemic CPPE. RESULTS: No significant difference in values of TNF concentration was found between the group with UCPPE and that with CPPE (P > 0.05). Concentration levels of TNFpf were significantly higher in the group with CPPE than in that with UCPPE (P = 0.0008). Levels of TNF in pleural fluid were significantly higher than in serum in both groups (P < 0.001). The ratio of TNF in pleural fluid to that in serum (TNFr) was significantly higher in the CPPE group than in the UCPPE group (P = 0.0002). At an optimal cutoff point of 10.7 pg/mL for TNFpf, the sensitivity was 87.5%, specificity was 92.3%, positive predictive value was 87.5%, negative predictive value was 93.3%, and total accuracy was 90.5% (P < 0.001). At an optimal cutoff point of 3.0 for TNFr, all values were 100% (P < 0.00001). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study indicate that TNFpf, and particularly TNFr, may be helpful in discriminating between UCPPE and CPPE. However, further studies are needed in a larger population to confirm these findings.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

Immune aberrations in B and T lymphocytes derived from chronic urticaria patients.

To investigate the pathophysiology of chronic urticaria (CU) in light of the abundant evidences that it is an autoimmune disease and to define some cellular markers in B/T lymphocytes that could be of pathogenic significance, we investigated 14 patients suffering from CU, compared to 7 contact dermatitis patients and 10 normal control individuals. We tested the expression of CD5, B7.1 (CD80), CD23, and CD25 on B cells and of CD(40L)) and CD25 on T cells from all studied individuals. We also tested B cell proliferation upon their activation followed by dexamethazone induced inhibition of proliferation. The expression of bcl-2 protein in activated lymphocytes from normal individuals was compared to that of contact dermatitis and CU patients. CD(40L) expression was found significantly higher on in (vitro activated CD3 [with phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) and ionomycine Ca2+ at 12 hr of culture] from CU patients compared to that of contact dermatitis and normal individuals. Whereas the proliferation of activated B cells from CU patients was higher, dexamethazone-induced inhibition of B cell proliferation was found statistically similar in both groups yet lower in B cells from most severe CU patients. We demonstrate a higher bcl-2 expression in activated B and T lymphocytes of severe CU patients compared to that of moderate CU and both contact dermatitis and normal individuals. The increased expression of CD(40L) on activated T cells might play a role in the polyclonal increased B cell proliferation of CU patients. This increased proliferation accompanies the finding that activated B and T lymphocytes from these patients demonstrate increased bcl-2 expression. The resistance of some B cells to dexamethazone-induced inhibition of proliferation encourages us to investigate the possibility that B cells from some CU patients might develop rescue mechanisms from activated cell death. These findings provide further evidence that CU is indeed an autoimmune disease, although its precise nature has yet to be fully elucidated.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

The capnography head-up tilt test for evaluation of chronic fatigue syndrome.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the hemodynamic and ventilatory responses to autonomic challenge evoked by upright tilt table testing in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) to healthy individuals. METHODS: Thirty-two consecutive patients with CFS and 32 healthy volunteers were evaluated with the aid of the recently introduced capnography head-up tilt test (CHUTT). The main outcome measures were values of blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), and end-tidal pressure of co2 (ETPco2) recorded during recumbence and tilt. In addition, the end points of vasodepressor and cardioinhibitory reactions, hyperventilation (defined by ETPco2 <25 mm Hg) and the postural tachycardia syndrome, were recorded. RESULTS: The BP, HR, RR, and ETPco2 recorded during recumbence were similar in both groups. During tilt, patients with CFS developed significantly lower systolic BP, diastolic BP, and ETPco2, and a significant rise in HR and RR (P<.01). In CFS patients, the postural tachycardia syndrome occurred in 44%, vasodepressor reaction in 41%, cardioinhibitory reaction in 13%, and hyperventilation in 31% of cases. One or more end points of the CHUTT were reached in 78% of patients with CFS but in none of the controls (P<.0001). CONCLUSIONS: In most patients with CFS, a spectrum of abnormal homeostatic reactions is diagnosed with the aid of the CHUTT. Data provided by the CHUTT may reinforce the clinical diagnosis by adding objective and unbiased criteria to the subjective assessment of CFS.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis: how do fever and leucocytosis relate to conversion and complications?

OBJECTIVE: To find out whether fever and raised white cell count (WCC) are associated with conversion and complications of laparoscopic cholecystectomy in acute cholecystitis, and whether their presence could help in deciding the place of laparoscopic procedures. DESIGN: Prospective study. SETTING: Teaching hospital, Israel. SUBJECTS: 256 patients who were treated for clinical acute cholecystitis between January 1994 and November 1997. INTERVENTIONS: Emergency laparoscopic cholecystectomy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Raised temperature and WCC; incidence of conversion and complications. RESULTS: Raised temperature (>38 degrees C) was independently associated with advanced cholecystitis (p = 0.002, odds ratio [OR] 2.7) and a palpable gallbladder preoperatively (p = 0.02, OR 2.1). Total complications correlated with a temperature of >38 degrees C. Raised WCC (>15 x 10(9)/L) was independently associated with age >45 years (p = 0.02, OR 2.4), a palpable gallbladder preoperatively (p = 0.001, OR 2.9), and a raised temperature (>38 degrees C) (p < 0.0001, OR 6.2). Conversion was associated with a WCC >18 x 10(9)/L (p = 0.0, OR 3.2). CONCLUSION: A WCC of >18 x 10(9)/L may assist in predicting conversion, and fever of >38 degrees C may assist in predicting the development of complications.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2000

Tumour necrosis factor alpha in the diagnostic assessment of pleural effusion.

We investigated the role of tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF) in the evaluation of pleural effusion aetiology. Using a commercially-available ELISA kit, concentrations of TNF were measured in the serum and pleural fluid of patients with malignant effusions (n=19), uncomplicated parapneumonic effusions (n=13), and exudative (n=13) and transudative (n=13) effusions due to congestive heart failure (CHFex and CHFtr, respectively). Serum TNF did not differ significantly between the four groups (p>0.05). In the group with malignancy, pleural fluid TNF was significantly higher than in the other groups (p<0.001), which were not significant different from each other (p>0.05). However, a considerable overlap between all four groups was found. Pleural fluid TNF was significantly higher than serum TNF in the malignant and the uncomplicated parapneumonic groups (p<0.001), and there was a significant positive correlation between serum TNF and pleural fluid TNF in the group with uncomplicated parapneumonic effusion (r=0.7, p<0.005), in the group with CHFex (r=0.54, p<0.01), and in the group with CHFtr (r=0. 8, p<0.005), but not in the group with malignancy. Pleural fluid TNF:serum TNF (TNF ratio) was significantly higher in the malignancy group than in the other groups (p<0.001); no significant difference was found between the other three groups (p>0.05). At an optimal cut-off point of 2.0 for TNF ratio, determined by ROC analysis for discrimination between malignant and non-malignant groups, sensitivity was 84%, specificity 90%, and total accuracy 88% (p<0. 0001). TNF ratio might be helpful in the diagnostic assessment of exudative pleural effusion.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

Does the addition of fentanyl to bupivacaine in caudal epidural block have an effect on the plasma level of catecholamines in children?

We evaluated the effect of adding fentanyl to bupivacaine, compared with bupivacaine alone, on the stress response. The effect was evaluated by determining blood levels of epinephrine (E) and norepinephrine (NE) in pediatric patients receiving caudal epidural blocks. Sixty children, 1-8 yr of age, scheduled for elective herniorrhaphy, were randomly allocated to two groups of 30 patients each. Group A received inhaled anesthesia and caudal epidural block with bupivacaine 0.25% alone, 1.0 mL/kg. Group B received identical anesthesia; however, fentanyl 1 microg/kg was added to the bupivacaine in the caudal block. Blood samples for E and NE plasma levels were drawn at induction time (H(0)), at the end of surgery (H(1)), and in the postanesthesia care unit (H(2)). In both groups, there was a significant decrease in the E and NE plasma levels, when comparing H(1) and H(2) with H(0) within the same group (P < 0.001). There were no significant differences in the E and NE plasma levels between the two groups at H(0), H(1), and H(2) (P = 0.5, P = 0.12, P = 0.5, respectively). Pain scores (modified Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Pain Score) were also similar in both groups (P = 0. 19). This study suggests that adding fentanyl 1 microg/kg to bupivacaine in the caudal epidural block in children does not influence plasma levels of E and NE, nor does it improve the analgesic intensity of the caudal block.

Adjuvants, Anesthesia↗
PubMed2000

The biomechamcal and surgical solutions for patella implant in total knee arthroplasty.

A basic fault in designs of patella implants that calls for a prompt remedy is the inadequate polyethylene thickness in contact areas. The requirement for thickness of patella implants should be similar to the requirement set up by the FDA in 1993 regarding the tibial implants, that is, a minimal thickness of 8 mm. A solution is presented for the optimal design of the patella implant and for the appropriate surgical technique. The implant's undersurface that fixes to bone is concave and has a 1-cm wide but 5 to 6 mm short central peg that does not risk the integrity of the bone. Fixation of the concave aspect to the convex aspect of the bony patella strongly enhances resistance to medio-lateral and supero-inferior shear forces. The circumferential facet of the implant 8 mm thick assures uniform thickness of the entire implant and assures optimal mechanical properties of the polyethylene. The articulating surface is tailored to conform to the corresponding femoral trochlear groove and condyles. It can be made to fit any femoral component of any knee implant.

Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee↗
PubMed2000

Treatment of refractory, symptomatic, hepatitis C virus related mixed cryoglobulinemia with ribavirin and interferon-alpha.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the benefit of interferon-alpha/ribavirin combination therapy in hepatitis C virus (HCV) infected patients with symptomatic mixed cryoglobulinemia (MC) who failed to respond to treatment with interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha). METHODS: Nine patients (mean age 57 +/- 14 yrs) with type II symptomatic MC who failed to respond to IFN-alpha monotherapy were re-treated with combination treatment of IFN-alpha 3 times weekly and ribavirin 15 mg/kg daily for 6 months. Five of 9 patients had previously received additional treatment during IFN-alpha monotherapy. Clinical and laboratory evaluations (including cryocrit level) were performed weekly for the first month and monthly thereafter. RESULTS: Baseline mean alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and cryocrit levels were 119 +/- 97 IU/l and 7.9% +/- 10%, respectively. All patients were HCV-RNA positive and 5 had cirrhosis. At the end of therapy, mean ALT level was 84 +/- 79 IU/l (p = 0.02), while normal ALT levels were observed in 4 of 9 patients (44%). However, complete virological response was achieved in only 2 patients (22%). Cryoglobulin became undetectable within 6 weeks of therapy in 7 patients (78%) and decreased significantly in 2 others (p = 0.008). A substantial improvement in MC related symptoms (arthralgia/arthritis, proteinuria, skin vasculitis) was achieved in all patients within 10 weeks of combination therapy, although polyneuropathy related symptoms were relatively resistant to treatment. CONCLUSION: Symptomatic, refractory HCV related MC should be considered as an indication for combination therapy with IFN-alpha and ribavirin. Improvement in MC related symptoms can be achieved even without complete biochemical or virological response.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Enterocyte apoptosis and proliferation are increased in microvillous inclusion disease (familial microvillous atrophy).

Microvillous inclusion disease (MID) is characterized by diffuse villous atrophy without inflammatory changes. While increased apoptosis has been related to mucosal flattening in celiac disease, the role of apoptosis in the pathogenesis of MID is unknown. The aim of this study was to assess the rates of apoptosis and cell proliferation in MID and to compare them with those of normal controls and celiac disease. Small intestinal biopsies from 5 infants with MID, 10 children with normal villous architecture, and 10 children with untreated celiac disease were stained with the terminal uridine deoxynucleotidyl nick end labeling (TUNEL) method to assess apoptotic activity, and with Ki-67 immunohistochemistry to assess cellular proliferation. TUNEL and Ki-67 positive enterocytes were counted in a minimum of 20 well oriented half crypts per section. The percentage of apoptotic cells per crypt (apoptotic index) in normal, MID, and celiac biopsies was 0.03 +/- 0.01%, 0.08 +/- 0.08%, and 0.16 +/- 0.3%, respectively. Significant differences were found between normal and MID, and between normal and celiac cases. The percentage of Ki-67 positive cells per crypt (proliferation index) in normal, MID, and celiac cases was 14 +/- 2.5%, 28 +/- 9.2%, and 56 +/- 14%. Significant differences were found between the 3 groups. In conclusion, (1) enterocyte apoptosis and proliferation are increased in MID; (2) apoptosis appears to be an important factor of cell loss and may be, at least in part, responsible for villous atrophy in MID; and (3) crypts in MID are hyperplastic and not hypoplastic. HUM PATHOL 31:1404-1410.

Apoptosis↗
PubMed2000

Relationship between prostate size and percent free prostate-specific antigen in patients with operable prostate cancer.

BACKGROUND: The free-to-total prostate-specific antigen ratio is the best marker for optimizing prostate cancer detection. The main problem with studies of percent free PSA is the variability of reported cutoff values. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the influence of prostate size on the ratio of free to total PSA. METHODS: The study group included 58 patients (mean age 66.4 years) with clinically localized prostate cancer treated surgically at our institution. Total PSA and free PSA levels were measured by a solid phase enzyme immunoassay test (Hoffman-La Roche, Basel, Switzerland). The percent free PSA was compared with prostate size as determined from the surgical specimen. RESULTS: A direct relation was noted between prostate size and the percent free PSA value (r = 0.49, P = 0.0001). Mean percentage free PSA was 9% +/- 0.004 in men with normal-sized gland while in men with large prostate (> 60 g) the average percent free PSA was 15.9 +/- 0.09 (P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with prostate cancer the percent free PSA level is influenced by the gland size. The larger the prostate the higher the proportion of the free PSA. Such information may have influence on the recommendation for prostate biopsy in screening programs for early detection of prostate cancer.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

Sonovestibular symptoms evaluated by computed dynamic posturography.

The investigation of stability under bilateral acoustic stimulation was undertaken in an attempt to mimic the real-life conditions of noisy environment (e.g., industry, aviation). The Tullio phenomenon evaluated by computed dynamic posturography (CDP) under acoustic stimulation is reflected in postural unsteadiness, rather than in the classic nystagmus. With such a method, the dangerous effects of noise-induced instability can be assessed and prevented. Three groups of subjects were submitted. The first (group A) included 20 patients who complained of sonovestibular symptoms (i.e., Tullio phenomenon) on the background of an inner-ear disease. The second group (B) included 20 neurootological patients without a history of Tullio phenomenon. Group C consisted of 20 patients with normal hearing, as controls. A pure-tone stimulus of 1,000 Hz at 110 dB was delivered binaurally for 20 seconds during condition 5 and condition 6 of the CDP sensory organization test. The sequence of six sensory organization conditions was performed three times with two intermissions of 15-20 minutes between the trials. The first was performed in the regular mode (quiet stance). This was followed 20 minutes by a trial carried out in quiet stance in sensory organizations tests (SOTs) 1 through 4, and with acoustic stimulation in SOT 5 and SOT 6. The last test was performed in quiet stance throughout (identical to the first trial). A significant drop in the composite equilibrium score was witnessed in group A patients upon acoustic stimulation (p < .0001). This imbalance did not disappear completely until 20 minutes later when the third sensory organization trial was performed. In fact, the composite score obtained on the last SOT was still significantly worse than the baseline. Group B and the normal subjects (group C) showed no significant change in composite score. As regards the vestibular ratio score, again, group A marked a drop on stimulation with sound (p < .004). This decrease contrasted once more with the other two groups. The leading sensory organization pattern was vestibular dysfunction (i.e., 40%, 10%, and 0% before acoustic stimulation in groups A, B, and C, respectively). The initial proportion of vestibular dysfunction increased on acoustic stimulation to 55% in group A, but this subsequently decreased in the third trial. The percentages of vestibular dysfunction remained constant during repeated trials in the other two groups. The positive medical history of sonovestibular symptoms was confirmed objectively by CDP with sound stimulation with a high statistical significance. This establishes the described method as a sensitive testing technique for validating the existence of the Tullio phenomenon in patients with a variety of disorders of the inner ear, especially chronic noise-induced hearing loss and acute acoustic trauma. All patients who suffered phonic trauma, chronic exposure to noise (e.g., aviation employees, industry and army personnel), or other neurootological disorders and who complain of sonovestibular symptoms should be tested for the presence of the Tullio phenomenon. This should be carried out preferably by means of CDP with acoustic stimulation for an objective corroboration of their complaint before continuing activity in a noisy environment, thus preventing dangerous loss of balance when exposed to noise.

Acoustic Stimulation↗
PubMed1999

Treatment of experimental avascular necrosis of the femoral head with hyperbaric oxygen in rats: histological evaluation of the femoral heads during the early phase of the reparative process.

The healing of vascular deprivation-induced necrosis of the femoral head of rats exposed to hyperbaric oxygen was compared with that in untreated rats. The amount of necrotic bone, extent of osteoneogenesis, degree of remodeling, and changes of the articular cartilage were histologically graded on a semiquantitative scale of 0 to 3+. On the 2nd, 7th, and 21st postoperative days, there were no differences between the two groups. Newly formed appositional and intramembranous bone was more abundant and remodeling was more advanced in the femoral heads of the hyperbaric oxygen-treated than untreated rats sacrificed on the 42nd postoperative day; also there was less necrotic debris in the femoral heads of the treated rats. There were no differences in the severity of the degenerative changes of the articular cartilage of the treated and untreated rats. Exposure of rats to hyperbaric oxygen does not preserve tissue viability after all arteries supplying the femoral head are severed. Yet, resulting in an increased oxygen tension of the tissues, it seems to provide the optimal settings for reparative processes. The results suggest that hyperoxygenation-mediated relief of ischemia enhances the fibroblastic, angioblastic, osteoblastic, and osteoclastic activities such that healing of the rats' necrotic femoral heads is expedited.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Evaluation of muscle capillary basement membrane in inflammatory myopathy. A morphometric ultrastructural study.

The capillary basement membranes from 16 skeletal muscle biopsies from patients with a clinical and histological diagnosis of inflammatory myopathy and from six controls were analysed ultrastructurally and morphometrically. Resin sections from 244 endomysial capillaries were examined by light microscope, and the results were correlated with findings seen in electron micrographs of these capillaries. The ultrastructural morphometric measurements and the statistical analysis showed that the capillary basement membrane was thick and multilaminated in 87% specimens affected by inflammatory myopathy. No thick or multilaminated basement membrane was observed in controls. In inflammatory myopathy the endomysial space next to the capillaries contained an increased amount of collagen fibrils and showed signs of a chronic reparative process. It is suggested that the thick multilaminated basement membrane in inflammatory myopathy represents an advanced stage of vascular regeneration.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

The impact of patient delay and physician delay on the outcome of laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is now used in the management of acute cholecystitis. Under these circumstances unfavorable conditions may result in conversion and complications. Information about these conditions may help in planning the laparoscopic approach or in proceeding directly to open cholecystectomy. This study was initiated to evaluate perioperative factors associated with conversion and complications of laparoscopic cholecystectomy in acute cholecystitis. Special attention was paid to the duration of complaints until surgery, to the delay on the part of the patient, and to the delay on the part of the physician. METHODS: Between January 1994 and December 1997, we attempted to perform laparoscopic cholecystectomy on 348 patients with acute cholecystitis. All perioperative data were collected on standardized forms. RESULTS: There were 182 cases (52%) of acute uncomplicated cholecystitis, 90 (26%) of gangrenous cholecystitis, 33 of hydrops (9.5%), and 43 of empyema of the gallbladder (12.5%). Seventy six patients (22%) needed conversion to open cholecystectomy and complications occurred in 57 cases. Advanced cholecystitis was associated with significant patient delay (P = 0.01), and it had a significantly higher conversion rate (39%) compared with early cholecystitis (14.5%); (P <0.00001). Conversion rates were also associated with male gender (P = 0.0017), a history of biliary disease (P = 0.0085), and a patient delay of >48 hours (P = 0.028). The total and infectious complication rates were associated with an age older than 60 years (P = 0.023 and 0.007, respectively) and male gender (P = 0.026 and 0.014, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: In acute cholecystitis, patient delay is associated with a high conversion rate. Early timing of laparoscopic cholecystectomy tends to reduce the conversion rate, as well as the total and the infectious complication rates. Male gender, a history of biliary disease, and advanced cholecystitis are associated with conversion. Male and older patients are associated with a high total and infectious complication rates.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1999

Effect of caudal block on the plasma adrenaline and noradrenaline concentrations in paediatric patients undergoing ilioinguinal herniorrhaphy.

This study compared the effect of two anaesthetic techniques on the catecholamine levels in children undergoing ilioinguinal herniorrhaphy. Forty male paediatric patients ASA class I were allocated randomly to one of two groups: the control group (n = 20) received general anaesthesia including intravenous fentanyl; and the caudal group (n = 20) received caudal anaesthesia with bupivacaine 0.25% 1 mL kg-1 combined with general anaesthesia but without opioids. Plasma adrenaline and noradrenaline concentrations were measured at induction, at the end of surgery and in the post-anaesthesia care unit (PACU). In the caudal group, there were significant decreases in the adrenaline and noradrenaline concentrations at the end of surgery and in the PACU compared with baseline concentrations. In the control group, there was a significant increase in PACU concentrations of adrenaline and noradrenaline compared with baseline concentrations. These findings suggest that the addition of a caudal block to general anaesthesia in children undergoing ilioinguinal herniorrhaphy decreases significantly the neurohormonal responses to surgery.

Anesthesia, Caudal↗
PubMed1999

The value of histomorphometric nuclear parameters in the diagnosis of well differentiated follicular carcinomas and follicular adenomas of the thyroid gland.

AIMS: To explore the potential of histomorphometric analysis in distinction between follicular adenomas and well differentiated follicular carcinomas of the thyroid gland. Their differentiation on routine histological study may be a challenging exercise, being contingent upon the absence or presence of vascular invasion and penetration of neoplastic follicles through the capsule of the tumour. METHODS AND RESULTS: Computer-assisted image analysis was performed to gauge the nuclear area, nuclear Ferret diameter, nuclear regularity factor, nuclear elongation factor, number of nuclear vesicles and total area of all nuclear vesicles in the follicles of 37 adenomas and 36 well differentiated carcinomas. By univariate analysis, these nuclear descriptors (with the exception of the elongation factor) were found to correlate with the benign or malignant nature of the tumours. By multivariate analysis, only the nuclear area, Ferret diameter and regularity factor were ascertained to be significant predictors of malignancy. A fitted logit model correctly predicted 91% of the cancers and 87% of the adenomas. CONCLUSIONS: Histomorphometrically gauged nuclear parameters of the tumour cells may reinforce pathologists' decision-making by adding objective and unbiased criteria to their subjective assessment of follicular neoplasms in cases in which vascular or capsular invasion are not detected.

Adenocarcinoma, Follicular↗
PubMed1999

The possible impact of a myomatous uterus on the accuracy of fetal biometric measurements.

OBJECTIVE: The propagation speed of ultrasound beams changes in different media. The aim of the study was to assess the possible measurement error of fetal biometry performed in cases of a myomatous uterus. DESIGN: Three iron phantoms of 30 mm, 50 mm and 70 mm were measured by ultrasound. Each phantom was measured by three different transducers of 3.5 MHz, 6.5 MHz and 7.5 MHz. Measurements were performed in a water bath and the intraobserver variability was assessed. Thereafter phantoms were measured with one of their edges covered by a specimen of a myomatous uterus while their other edge was covered with water. RESULTS: Artifactual lengthening of the phantoms' size was observed in measurements performed with the uterine myoma. The measurement errors were inversely related to the length of the phantoms and became statistically significant in the phantoms of 30 mm (13.15 +/- 3.16% without the myoma vs. 17.38 +/- 4.39% with the myoma; p < 0.0001). Measurement errors were independent of the transducer type (p = 0.001, p = 0.01 and p = 0.014 for the 3.5-MHz, 6.5-MHz and 7.5-MHz transducers, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasound measurement errors are expected while examining small fetal organs which are partially overshadowed by a myoma.

Embryonic and Fetal Development↗