The Flashlight-Sign: A Novel B-Flow Based Ultrasound Finding for Detection of Intraluminal, Wall-Adherent, Floating Structures of the Abdominal Aorta and Peripheral Arteries

Lottspeich, Christian; Puhr-Westerheide, Daniel; Stana, Jan; Hoffmann, Ulrich und Czihal, Michael (2022): The Flashlight-Sign: A Novel B-Flow Based Ultrasound Finding for Detection of Intraluminal, Wall-Adherent, Floating Structures of the Abdominal Aorta and Peripheral Arteries. In: Diagnostics, Bd. 12, Nr. 7

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the potential diagnostic value of a novel, sonographic, B-Flow (BFl)-based sign (flashlight sign, FLS) for the detection of wall-adherent, floating arterial structures (WAFAS). The FLS, characterized by a fast moving, very bright, intraluminal signal, was detected in 28 patients with WAFAS. We divided this cohort into three subgroups according to the affected vascular segments: (1) peripheral arteries (n = 10);(2) native abdominal aorta (n = 8);and (3) abdominal aorta after endovascular aortic repair (EVAR;n = 10). Clinical characteristics were analyzed and BFl-findings were compared with contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) and computed tomography angiography (CTA). Seven patients (25%) suffered from arterial embolism downstream to the FLS (EVAR, n = 4;native abdominal aorta, n = 1;peripheral arteries, n = 2). WAFAS of the abdominal aorta (native or after EVAR), as indicated by the FLS, were visible by CEUS and CTA in 60% and 93.3%, respectively. Based on the largest cohort (to this point) of patients with WAFAS, we propose a clinically useful, BFl-based sonographic sign for the detection of these underrated arterial pathologies in the abdominal aorta and the peripheral arteries.

• Dokumententyp: Zeitschriftenartikel
• Fakultät: Medizin
• Themengebiete: 600 Technik, Medizin, angewandte Wissenschaften > 610 Medizin und Gesundheit
• Sprache: Englisch
• DFG: Gefördert durch die Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - 491502892