The authors wish to acknowledge Dr. Paul Zamudio, a specialist in Nephrology and Critical Care, for his contributions to this manuscript.

1. Assess Extravascular Compartment Before Diuresis: Chest Ultrasound
<ol>
	<li>Use a low-frequency, phased array probe.</li>
	<li>Select the appropriate machine setting (abdomen or lung) with the screen marker operator-left.</li>
	<li>Adjust the depth to 8-12 cm.</li>
	<li>Place the patient in supine or semi-recumbent position and expose the anterior chest. Place the transducer at a 90&#176; angle to the patient&#39;s anterior chest with the probe marker facing cephalad.
	<ol>
		<li>Perform this protocol at the midclavicular line in two locations on each side of the chest for a total of four locations: in the 2nd-3rd or the 3rd-4th intercostal space, and in the 4th-5th or 5th-6th intercostal space.</li>
		<li>Visualize B-lines, if present. 
		NOTE: B lines are echogenic artifacts with a narrow origin on the pleural line, and they move synchronously with respiratory movements (Figure 1).</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Count the number of B-lines in each scan plane to quantify the extent of pulmonary edema. 
	NOTE: Up to one B-line is normal; two to three B-lines represent mild pulmonary edema, whereas 4 or more B-lines represent moderate to severe edema; a whiteout pattern with no A-lines represents very severe pulmonary edema (Figure 2).</li>
</ol>
2. Assess Intravascular Compartment Before Diuresis: IVC Ultrasound
<ol>
	<li>Use a low frequency, phased array probe.</li>
	<li>Select the cardiac machine setting with the screen marker operator-right and adjust the depth to 12-21 cm for optimal image resolution.</li>
	<li>Place the patient in a supine position and expose the anterior chest. Place the transducer at a 90&#176; angle to the patient&#39;s sub-xiphoid region with the probe marker facing cephalad.
	<ol>
		<li>Perform this protocol with the transducer located just right of the midline, tilted slightly right-lateral and cephalad.</li>
		<li>By scanning right-to-left, visualize both the IVC and the aorta.</li>
		<li>Note that the objective is to visualize the cavo-atrial junction, diaphragm, liver, hepatic vein, and IVC in its longitudinal plane. The aorta is visualized by angulating the scan plane medially (Figure 3).</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Once the IVC and the cavo-atrial junction have been identified, set the ultrasound to M-Mode to measure the anterior-posterior diameter of the IVC.
	<ol>
		<li>Using the touch pad, select the M-mode beam that corresponds to a near-orthogonal section, 2-4 cm distal to the cavo-atrial junction just beyond the visible hepatic vein.</li>
		<li>Select the M-mode button a second time, and freeze the screen after the M-mode reading is complete through at least 1 respiratory cycle.</li>
		<li>Use machine calipers for all measurements, measuring the vessel from internal edge to internal edge.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Measure D-max and D-min during a normal respiratory cycle.</li>
</ol>
3. Set Fluid Management Goals Based on Gradation of Pulmonary Edema and Diameter of IVC
<ol>
	<li>Assess the lung ultrasound to determine the need for diuresis (Figure 2).</li>
	<li>Assess the IVC ultrasound to determine the patient&#39;s ability to withstand diuresis (Figure 3).</li>
</ol>
4. Reassess Extravascular and Intravascular Compartments Throughout Diuretic Therapy.
<ol>
	<li>Repeat the protocol as outlined above every 6 hours to evaluate the progress of diuretic therapy and to guide fluid management goals.</li>
</ol>

<ol>
	<li>Zoccali, C., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Pulmonary+congestion+predicts+cardiac+events+and+mortality+in+ESRD.">Pulmonary congestion predicts cardiac events and mortality in ESRD.</a> Journal of the Amerian Society of Nephrology. 24, 639-646 (2013).</li><li>Vitturi, N., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Lung+ultrasound+during+hemodialysis,+the+role+in+the+assessment+of+volume+status.">Lung ultrasound during hemodialysis, the role in the assessment of volume status.</a> International Urology and Nephrology. 46, 169-174 (2014).</li><li>Noble, V. E., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Ultrasound+assessment+for+extravascular+lung+water+in+patients+undergoing+hemodialysis.+Time+course+for+resolution.">Ultrasound assessment for extravascular lung water in patients undergoing hemodialysis. Time course for resolution.</a> Chest. 135, 1433-1439 (2009).</li><li>Lang, R. M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Recommendations+for+Cardiac+Chamber+Quantification+by+Echocardiography+in+Adults:+An+Update+from+the+American+Society+of+Echocardiography+and+the+European+Association+of+Cardiovascular+Imaging.">Recommendations for Cardiac Chamber Quantification by Echocardiography in Adults: An Update from the American Society of Echocardiography and the European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging.</a> Journal of the American Society of Echocardiography. 28, 1-39 (2015).</li><li>Barbier, C., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Respiratory+changes+in+inferior+vena+cava+diameter+are+helpful+in+predicting+fluid+responsiveness+in+ventilated+septic+patients.">Respiratory changes in inferior vena cava diameter are helpful in predicting fluid responsiveness in ventilated septic patients.</a> Intensive Care Medicine. 30, 1740-1746 (2004).</li><li>Feissel, M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+respiratory+variation+in+inferior+vena+cava+diameter+as+a+guide+to+fluid+therapy.">The respiratory variation in inferior vena cava diameter as a guide to fluid therapy.</a> Intensive Care Medicine. 30, 1834-1837 (2004).</li><li>Lichtenstein, D. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Lung+ultrasound+in+the+critically+ill.">Lung ultrasound in the critically ill.</a> Annals of Intensive Care. 4, 1 (2014).</li><li>Lichtenstein, D. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=BLUE-Protocol+and+FALLS-Protocol:+Two+Applications+of+Lung+Ultrasound+in+the+Critically+Ill.">BLUE-Protocol and FALLS-Protocol: Two Applications of Lung Ultrasound in the Critically Ill.</a> Chest. 147, 1659-1670 (2015).</li><li>Moore, C. L., Copel, J. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Point-of-care+ultrasonography.">Point-of-care ultrasonography.</a> New England Journal of Medicine. 364, 749-757 (2011).</li><li>Lichtenstein, D., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A-lines+and+B-lines:+lung+ultrasound+as+a+bedside+tool+for+predicting+pulmonary+artery+occlusion+pressure+in+the+critically+ill.">A-lines and B-lines: lung ultrasound as a bedside tool for predicting pulmonary artery occlusion pressure in the critically ill.</a> Chest. 136, (2009).</li><li>Trezzi, M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Lung+ultrasonography+for+the+assessment+of+rapid+extravascular+water+variation,+evidence+from+hemodialysis+patients.">Lung ultrasonography for the assessment of rapid extravascular water variation, evidence from hemodialysis patients.</a> Internal and Emergency Medicine. 8, 409-415 (2013).</li><li>Lyon, M., Blaivas, M., Brannam, L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Sonographic+measurement+of+the+inferior+vena+cava+as+a+marker+of+blood+loss.">Sonographic measurement of the inferior vena cava as a marker of blood loss.</a> American Journal of Emergency Medicine. 23, 45-50 (2005).</li><li>Katzarski, K. S., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+critical+evaluation+of+ultrasound+measurement+of+inferior+vena+cava+diameter+in+assessing+dry+weight+in+normotensive+and+hypertensive+hemodialysis+patients.">A critical evaluation of ultrasound measurement of inferior vena cava diameter in assessing dry weight in normotensive and hypertensive hemodialysis patients.</a> American Journal of Kidney Disease. 30, 459-465 (1997).</li><li>Goyfman, M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Combined+aquaretic+and+diuretic+therapy+in+acute+heart+failure.">Combined aquaretic and diuretic therapy in acute heart failure.</a> International Journal of Nephrology and Renovascular Disease. 10, 129-134 (2017).</li></ol>

The authors have nothing to disclose.

Many studies have demonstrated that bedside US is a reliable diagnostic tool that can be used to guide the management of various disease states such as shock and dyspnea5. The correlation of B-lines with extravascular lung water has good sensitivity and specificity in evaluating for pulmonary edema, and studies have shown that lung US can reliably detect even modest variations in extravascular lung water2,10. Similarly, studies have shown ...

Fluid retention is the most common modifiable risk factor for mortality and cardiovascular events in volume overloaded patients1. Fluid retention leads to poorly controlled hypertension, cardiac dysfunction and pulmonary edema, and has been associated with excess mortality in this population. The clinical estimation of a patient's volume status by combining the patient's symptoms, blood pressure, and weight changes represent a clinical assessment that is prone to imprecision2. This article proposes a protocol that utilizes bedside ultrasound (US) techniques to guide the effective management of pulmonary edema. Chest and inferior vena cava (IVC) US form the cornerstone of this proposed clinical protocol for fluid removal. Both Chest and IVC US have a long track record in the literature for a spectrum of applications including the management of acute respiratory failure, end-stage renal disease (ESRD), and circulatory shock. 
Chest US has been shown to provide objective data for the assessment of pulmonary edema in ESRD patients, and accurately reflects the decreasing severity of pulmonary edema as dialysis goes on3. Similarly, US of the inferior vena cava (IVC) has long been utilized for various clinical applications. IVC US is recommend as a routine component of transthoracic echocardiographic examination and serves several purposes, including for the estimation of right atrial pressure (RAP) that is a mark of volume status and pre- load to the heart4. Several studies have elucidated a correlation between IVC caliber and fluid responsivity in shock states5,6. Also notable in the management of shock states, chest ultrasound has been used to detect the onset of new pulmonary edema during fluid resuscitation in circulatory shock, commonly by way of a bedside US application referred to as the Fluid Administration Limited by Lung Sonography (FALLS) protocol7,8. The protocol proposed here, named the Reverse-FALLS protocol, combines well-documented features of chest and IVC ultrasound for the safe and effective management of pulmonary edema. 
Portable, or bedside, US is an imaging modality that offers immediate and reliable data that reduces exposure to radiation, eliminates the need for patient transport, and reduces resource utilization. Due to its availability and the essential absence of associated adverse effects, bedside US can be repeated to monitor and tailor diuretic therapy. Finally, bedside US is easy for clinicians to perform and interpret in real-time9. 
Chest US is a widely-accepted technique that detects specific artifact patterns that represent various pleural and parenchymal pathologies. For instance, "A-lines" are horizontal hyperechoic (bright) reverberation artifacts of the pleural surface and they indicate normal parenchyma that is free of fluid. Alternatively, "B-lines" are hyperechoic vertical artifacts that begin at the inferior aspect of the pleural line and extend to the end of the screen, moving synchronously with respiration. The presence of B-lines in the setting of suspected volume overload indicates extravascular lung water. These B-lines characteristically dissipate during diuresis in a manner that corresponds to volume removal leading to the re-emergence of the dry A-line artifact pattern3. Studies indicate that these US findings are closely associated with elevated pulmonary filling pressures, as assessed by invasive methods10. 
US may also be used to measure the IVC vessel diameter and collapsibility index, which is the percentage of diameter reduction during spontaneous breathing. Several studies have shown a correlation between IVC measurements and volume changes during diuresis, demonstrating the feasibility and applicability of this tool for patients with pulmonary edema11. 
Here, we propose a sample US protocol, the Reverse-FALLS protocol, which integrates both lung and IVC US to guide fluid removal therapy in patients with pulmonary edema.

<table border="1" fo:keep-together.within-page="1" fo:keep-with-next.within-page="always">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>Portable Ultrasound machine&#160;</td>
			<td>Shown in video: FUGIFILM/Sonosite</td>
			<td>Shown in video:&#160; M- Turbo</td>
			<td>Any portable ultrasound machine with the following capabilities 
			&#8226;&#160; B- Mode 
			&#8226;&#160; M- Mode 
			&#8226;&#160; Caliper measurement tool</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Transducer</td>
			<td>Shown in video: FUGIFILM/Sonosite</td>
			<td>Shown in video:&#160; P21</td>
			<td>Any ultrasound transducer probe with the following capabilities: 
			&#8226;&#160; Phased Array 
			&#8226;&#160; Low frequency (1-5MHz)</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

bedside ultrasound for guiding fluid removal in patients with pulmonary edema: the reverse-falls protocol

Fluid retention is the most common risk factor for mortality and cardiovascular complications in patients with volume-overloaded disease states. The extent of diuresis or fluid removal is frequently determined by physical examination which is subject to inaccuracies.
Bedside ultrasound (US) is a portable tool that brings real-time diagnostic imaging to the patient's bedside. This versatile modality makes it possible for the clinician to investigate patients' extravascular and intravascular volume states. The extravascular volume, particularly in the case of pulmonary edema, can be quantitatively assessed by US of the anterior chest. Intravascular volume is estimated by visualizing the inferior vena cava (IVC) caliber. Taken together, the degree of extravascular lung water and the IVC caliber provide objective data that can guide the clinician to determine the level of diuresis needed to effectively yet safely treat pulmonary edema. 
The objective of this article is threefold: 1) to summarize the findings of previous studies on the efficacy of portable US to guide fluid management, 2) to describe a proposed ultrasound protocol to help guide fluid management, and 3) to elucidate techniques that address the measurement of intravascular and extravascular volumes using portable US.

Lung ultrasound estimates the amount of fluid in the extravascular compartment by visualizing A-line or B-line artifacts, as illustrated in Figure 1. The quantity of B-lines on lung ultrasound helps determine the amount of fluid removal required as illustrated in Figure 2. A mixed A-line and B-line pattern, or an A-line predominant pattern suggests lung parenchyma that is relatively free from extra fluid. Mild diuresis may be nec...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Bedside Ultrasound for Guiding Fluid Removal in Patients with Pulmonary Edema: The Reverse-FALLS Protocol at JoVE.com

Bedside Ultrasound for Guiding Fluid Removal in Patients with Pulmonary Edema: The Reverse-FALLS Protocol

We describe an imaging protocol that enables the clinician to visualize, in real-time, the patient&#39;s intravascular and extravascular space volumes and set diuresis and fluid removal parameters accordingly for the safe and efficient treatment of pulmonary edema.

Fluid retention is the most common risk factor for mortality and cardiovascular complications in patients with volume-overloaded disease states. The ...

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11.1K Views.  Stony Brook University School of Medicine. We describe an imaging protocol that enables the clinician to visualize, in real-time, the patient's intravascular and extravascular space volumes and set diuresis and fluid removal parameters accordingly for the safe and efficient treatment of pulmonary edema.

Video: Bedside Ultrasound for Guiding Fluid Removal in Patients with Pulmonary Edema: The Reverse-FALLS Protocol

Real-time X-ray Imaging of Lung Fluid Volumes in Neonatal Mouse Lung

At birth, the lung undergoes a profound phenotypic switch from secretion to absorption, which allows for adaptation to breathing independently. Promoting and sustaining this phenotype is critically important in normal alveolar growth and gas exchange throughout life. Several in vitro studies have characterized the role of key regulatory proteins, signaling molecules, and steroid hormones that can influence the rate of lung fluid clearance. However, in vivo examinations must be performed to evaluate whether these regulatory factors play important physiological roles in regulating perinatal lung liquid absorption. As such, the utilization of real time X-ray imaging to determine perinatal lung fluid clearance, or pulmonary edema, represents a technological advancement in the field. Herein, we explain and illustrate an approach to assess the rate of alveolar lung fluid clearance and alveolar flooding in C57BL/6 mice at post natal day 10 using X-ray imaging and analysis. Successful implementation of this protocol requires prior approval from institutional animal care and use committees (IACUC), an in vivo small animal X-ray imaging system, and compatible molecular imaging software.

We present a protocol to assess the rate of alveolar fluid clearance or pulmonary edema in neonatal mouse lung using X-ray imaging technology.

At birth, the lung undergoes a profound phenotypic switch from secretion to absorption, which allows for adaptation to breathing independently. Promoting ...

MRI-guided Focused Ultrasound Thalamotomy for Patients with Medically-refractory Essential Tremor

Essential tremor (ET) is the most common type of tremor in adults. While ET does not result in decreased life expectancy, the disabilities associated with ET can have a significant impact on quality of life, mood, functional activities, and socialization. Patients suffering from ET not sufficiently treated with first line medications may be eligible for alternative strategies such as deep brain stimulation, radiofrequency ablation, and MRI guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS). High-intensity MRgFUS is an emerging modality to treat ET, its attraction for patients being that it is noninvasive and associated with short recovery time, as patients are home the day after treatment. While MRgFUS centers are still limited, it will become important for clinicians to consider MRgFUS as a treatment alternative, particularly in the case of a patient for whom open surgery is contraindicated. This article outlines the steps of patient selection, equipment setup, sonication, and post-treatment follow-up, as well as critical steps to be aware of when performing a MRgFUS procedure.

High-intensity MRI guided focused ultrasound is an emerging noninvasive technique to precisely ablate brain tissue. It has been shown to be safe and effective in treating medically-refractory essential tremor. This article describes the protocol for thalamotomy from patient selection to equipment setup to post-treatment follow-up.

Essential tremor (ET) is the most common type of tremor in adults. While ET does not result in decreased life expectancy, the disabilities associated with ...

A Detailed Protocol for Physiological Parameters Acquisition and Analysis in Neurosurgical Critical Patients

Intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring is now widely used in neurosurgical critical patients. Besides mean ICP value, the ICP derived parameters such as ICP waveform, amplitude of pulse (AMP), the correlation of ICP amplitude and ICP mean (RAP), pressure reactivity index (PRx), ICP and arterial blood pressure (ABP) wave amplitude correlation (IAAC), and so on, can reflect intracranial status, predict prognosis, and can also be used as guidance of proper treatment. However, most of the clinicians focus only on the mean ICP value while ignoring these parameters because of the limitations of the current devices. We have recently developed a multimodality monitoring system to address these drawbacks. This portable, user-friendly system will use a data collecting and storing device to continuously acquire patients&#39; physiological parameters first, i.e., ABP, ICP, and oxygen saturation, and then analyze these physiological parameters. We hope that the multimodality monitoring system will be accepted as a key measure to monitor physiological parameters, to analyze the current clinical status, and to predict the prognosis of the neurosurgical critical patients.

Recently, we have developed a portable multimodality monitoring system for the monitoring of various physiological parameters in neurosurgical critical patients. Detailed protocols on how to use this multimodality monitoring system are presented here.

Intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring is now widely used in neurosurgical critical patients. Besides mean ICP value, the ICP derived parameters such as ...

An Optimized Evans Blue Protocol to Assess Vascular Leak in the Mouse

Vascular leak, or plasma extravasation, has a number of causes, and may be a serious consequence or symptom of an inflammatory response. This study may ultimately lead to new knowledge concerning the causes of or new ways to inhibit or treat plasma extravasation. It is important that researchers have the proper tools, including the best methods available, for studying plasma extravasation. In this article, we describe a protocol, using the Evans blue dye method, for assessing plasma extravasation in the organs of FVBN mice. This protocol is intentionally simple, to as great a degree as possible, but provides high quality data. Evans blue dye has been chosen primarily because it is easy for the average laboratory to use. We have used this protocol to provide evidence and support for the hypothesis that the enzyme neprilysin may protect the vasculature against plasma extravasation. However, this protocol may be experimentally used and easily adapted for use in other strains of mice or in other species, in many different organs or tissues, for studies which may involve other factors that are important in understanding, preventing, or treating plasma extravasation. This protocol has been extensively optimized and modified from existing protocols, and combines reliability, ease of use, economy, and general availability of materials and equipment, making this protocol superior for the average laboratory to use in quantifying plasma extravasation from organs.

In this article, an economical, optimized, and simple protocol is described which uses the Evans blue dye method for assessing plasma extravasation in the organs of FVBN mice that can be adapted for use in other strains, species, and other organs or tissues.

Vascular leak, or plasma extravasation, has a number of causes, and may be a serious consequence or symptom of an inflammatory response. This study may ...

Left Atrial Stenosis Induced Pulmonary Venous Arterialization and Group 2 Pulmonary Hypertension in Rat

The mechanism of mitral stenosis-induced pulmonary venous arterialization and group 2 pulmonary hypertension (PH) is unclear. There is no rodent model of group 2 PH, due to mitral stenosis (MS), to facilitate the investigation of disease mechanisms and potential therapeutic strategies. We present a novel rat model of pulmonary venous congestion-induced pulmonary venous arterialization and group 2 PH caused by left atrial stenosis (LAS). LAS is achieved by constricting the left atrium using a half-closed titanium clip. After the LAS surgery, a rat model with a transmitral inflow velocity greater than or equal to 2.0 m/s on echocardiography gradually develops pulmonary venous arterialization and group 2 PH over an 8- to 10-week period. In this protocol, we provide the step-by-step procedure of how to perform the LAS surgery. The presented LAS rat model mimics MS in humans and is useful for studying the underlying molecular mechanism of pulmonary venous arterialization and for the preclinical evaluation of therapies for group 2 PH.

Left atrial stenosis (LAS) is a novel surgical technique used for studying group 2 pulmonary hypertension (PH) and mechanisms underlying pulmonary venous arterialization. Here, we present a protocol to constrict the left atrium using a titanium clip to cause pulmonary venous arterialization and moderate PH in a rat.

The mechanism of mitral stenosis-induced pulmonary venous arterialization and group 2 pulmonary hypertension (PH) is unclear. There is no rodent model of ...

Protocol and Guidelines for Point-of-Care Lung Ultrasound in Diagnosing Neonatal Pulmonary Diseases Based on International Expert Consensus

Ultrasound is a safe bedside imaging tool that obviates the use of ionizing radiation diagnostic procedures. Due to its convenience, the lung ultrasound has received increasing attention from neonatal physicians. Nevertheless, clear reference standards and guideline limits are needed for accurate application of this diagnostic modality. This document aims to summarize expert opinions and to provide precise guidance to help facilitate the use of the lung ultrasound in the diagnosis of neonatal lung diseases.

Lung ultrasound is a noninvasive and valuable tool for bedside evaluation of neonatal lung diseases. However, a relative lack of reference standards, protocols and guidelines may limit its application. Here, we aim to develop a standardized neonatal lung ultrasound diagnostic protocol to be used in clinical decision-making.

Ultrasound is a safe bedside imaging tool that obviates the use of ionizing radiation diagnostic procedures. Due to its convenience, the lung ultrasound ...

A Real-World High-Intensity Interval Training Protocol for Cardiorespiratory Fitness Improvement

High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) has emerged as an interesting time-efficient approach to increase exercise adherence and improve health. However, few studies have tested the efficiency of HIIT protocols in a &#34;real world&#34; setting, e.g., HIIT protocols designed for outdoor spaces without specialized equipment. This study presents a &#34;real world&#34; training protocol, named &#34;beep training&#34;, and compares the efficiency of a HIIT regiment versus a traditional long-duration Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training (MICT) regiment using this beep training protocol on VO2 max of overweight untrained men. Twenty-two subjects performed outdoor running with MICT (n = 11) or HIIT (n = 11). Cardiorespiratory fitness was assessed before and after training protocols using a metabolic analyzer. Both training protocols were performed 3 days a week for 8 weeks using the Beep Test results. The MICT group performed the exercise program at 60%-75% of the maximum speed of the 20 m shuttle test (Vmax) and with a progression of the distance of 3,500-5,000 m. The HIIT group performed the interval exercise with 7-10 bouts of 200 m at 85%-100% of the maximum speed of the 20 m shuttle test (Vmax), interspersed with 1 min of passive recovery. Although the HIIT group presented a significantly lower training volume than the MICT group (p &#60; 0.05) after 8 weeks of beep training, HIIT was superior to MICT in improving VO2 max (MICT: ~4.1%; HIIT: ~7.3%; p &#60; 0.05). The &#34;real world&#34; HIIT regiment based on beep training protocol is a time-efficient, low-cost, and easy-to-implement protocol for overweight untrained men.

This study presents a low-cost and easy-to-implement "real world" high-intensity interval training (HIIT) protocol for scientific research and discusses its efficiency for cardiorespiratory fitness.

High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) has emerged as an interesting time-efficient approach to increase exercise adherence and improve health. However, ...

Modified Posterior Vertebral Column Resection for Patients with Thoracolumbar Kyphotic Deformity

Old compression vertebrae fracture or congenital kyphoscoliosis with abnormal vertebral body development and other diseases that invade the spine may cause severe thoracolumbar kyphotic deformity, often accompanied by intractable low back pain or compression of the spinal cord, leading to severe neurological symptoms or even paralysis. If conservative treatment cannot relieve the symptoms or correct the deformities, surgical treatment is usually needed. For severe kyphotic deformity, reconstruction of the physiological curvature and rigid fixation determine the prognosis of the patients. Osteotomy and orthopedics are the standard procedure for deformities with severe compression of the front and middle column, but the trauma to the patients is high, with a long operation time and massive blood loss. To avoid these disadvantages, we have developed a modified technique to remove the diseased vertebra unilaterally. In this technique, we use a modified trephine to resect the vertebral columns like in the pedicle screw technique by adding a locking instrument that can restrict the trephine to lower the risk of osteotomy and shorten the surgery time and blood loss.

We describe a modified technique for resecting the posterior vertebral column unilaterally based on a modified trephine for patients with thoracolumbar kyphotic deformity.

Old compression vertebrae fracture or congenital kyphoscoliosis with abnormal vertebral body development and other diseases that invade the spine may ...

Microscopic Cyst Resection for the Treatment of Patients Diagnosed with Epididymal Cyst

Epididymal cysts mostly occur in men aged 20-40 years old. Previous reports have covered concerns about postoperative complexes, including postoperative asoedema, hematoma, sustaining pain, and seminal tract obstruction in patients who have undertaken nonmicroscopic epididymal cyst resection or epididymal resection. Nonmicroscopic epididymal cyst surgery is suggested for patients with childbirth plans as a precaution. The treatment of male epididymal cysts via microtechnology is obviously a beneficial option; we took the lead in carrying out microscopic epididymal exploration and cyst resection surgery in China. From September 2017 to April 2021, 41 young and middle-aged male patients diagnosed with epididymal cysts underwent microtechnology treatment in a program titled &#34;microscopic epididymal exploration and cystectomy&#34;. The postoperative follow-up lasted for 3-50 months. The results confirmed that, as microscopic manipulation largely improved visualization of the subtle tissue structures of the epididymis, the cyst could be clearly dissected apart and completely removed intact under the microscope. Bleeding during the operation was significantly reduced (2-3 mL) and wound drainage was not required. According to follow-up data, microscopic treatment significantly reduced the incidence of postoperative scrotal hematoma, edema, and long-term postoperative pain, thereby promising a higher surgical success rate as well as recurrence prevention. Besides, preliminary experience and reflection suggest that microscopic epididymal exploration and cystectomy provide efficient preservation of the epididymal patency through refined treatment, while a better prognosis can be achieved. We recommend that surgery be carried out before the epididymal cyst develops to 0.8 cm in diameter, for fear that a larger epididymal cyst (&#62;0.9 cm in diameter) could cause the complete destruction of all tubules of the ipsilateral epididymis - a more severe case with damage to the testicular output network.

Here, we present a protocol to treat patients diagnosed with an epididymal cyst using microscopic cyst resection. Based on microscopic manipulation, a largely improved visualization of the subtle tissue structures of the epididymis was obtained, so the cyst could be clearly dissected apart and completely removed intact.

Epididymal cysts mostly occur in men aged 20-40 years old. Previous reports have covered concerns about postoperative complexes, including postoperative ...

Enhancing Pulmonary Nodule Diagnosis Using Whole-Lung 3D Reconstruction

Three-Dimensional Reconstruction for the Whole Lung with Early Multiple Pulmonary Nodules

For patients with early multiple pulmonary nodules, it is essential, from a diagnostic perspective, to determine the spatial distribution, size, location, and relationship with surrounding lung tissue of these nodules throughout the entire lung. This is crucial for identifying the primary lesion and developing more scientifically grounded treatment plans for doctors. However, pattern recognition methods based on machine vision are susceptible to false positives and false negatives and, therefore, cannot fully meet clinical demands in this regard. Visualization methods based on maximum intensity projection (MIP) can better illustrate local and individual pulmonary nodules but lack a macroscopic and holistic description of the distribution and spatial features of multiple pulmonary nodules.
Therefore, this study proposes a whole-lung 3D reconstruction method. It extracts the 3D contour of the lung using medical image processing technology against the background of the entire lung and performs 3D reconstruction of the lung, pulmonary artery, and multiple pulmonary nodules in 3D space. This method can comprehensively depict the spatial distribution and radiological features of multiple nodules throughout the entire lung, providing a simple and convenient means of evaluating the diagnosis and prognosis of multiple pulmonary nodules.

Author Spotlight: Advancing 3D Modeling for Enhanced Diagnosis and Treatment of Pulmonary Nodules in Early-Stage Lung Cancer 

This study introduces a three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction method for the entire lung in patients with early multiple pulmonary nodules. It offers a comprehensive visualization of nodule distribution and their interplay with lung tissue, simplifying the assessment of diagnosis and prognosis for these patients.

For patients with early multiple pulmonary nodules, it is essential, from a diagnostic perspective, to determine the spatial distribution, size, location, ...