Clinical Research Directory

Urine and Ultrasound Screening for Kidney Disease in Children

The aim of this study is to early detect kidney disease in the natural population cohort of children by urine and ultrasound screening, to assist in the precise prevention and treatment of children's kidney disease, and to establish a risk prediction system for children's kidney disease. About 10,000 children called KunQi Cohort are born in Jiangsu Province(8,000 in Kunshan and 2,000 in Qidong) and about 3,000 born in Shanghai. Through the project, child who is found with abnormal urine or ultrasound result will be referred to Children's Hospital of Fudan University to get further examination and treatment.

Compared Reversed US-Guided Dorsal Penile Nerve Block (RUSDPNB) With DPNB in Circumcisions for Pediatric Patients

Circumcision is a widely performed surgical procedure. For this reason, optimal analgesic management is essential. Loco-regional anesthesia, particularly penile blocks, combined with general anesthesia is the technique of choice for managing analgesia during circumcisions. Ultrasound is increasingly used in locoregional anesthesia techniques. There is already human research on penile blocks and the use of ultrasound. Studies carried out to date describe an optimization of pain relief in children after circumcision compared with the alternative technique without ultrasound, as well as a reduction in local complications due to injection. However, other studies tend to contradict these findings. In order to provide additional knowledge and to verify whether ultrasound could provide with more optimal relief after your circumcision, the investigators are carrying out this study. The investigators are proposing to every patient aged 0 to under 18 who is going to undergo circumcision to take part in this project. A letter is sent to all potential participants no later than 3 days before the operation. Consent can be signed no later than the day of the operation. The cooling-off period is the same regardless of age. Taking part in the study does not affect the operation in any way. The block will take place in the operating room, prior to surgery. In this study, participants are randomized into groups. This method is important for obtaining reliable results. * Group 1 (intervention group): The penile block will be performed using ultrasound. * Group 2 (control group): The penile block will be performed using anatomical landmarks. This is a "single-blind" study, which means that only the anaesthetists, investigators and operating room team will be aware of the allocation to one of the two groups. Data on opiate consumption will be registered as well as the different durations preoperatively, intraoperatively, postoperatively, back in the recovery room and before returning home or any complications as well as pain assessment.

Placental Imaging Techniques

The goal of this proof-of-concept, case-control, clinical trial is to evaluate the efficacy of using two newer ultrasound technologies, quantitative ultrasound (QUS) and ultrafast power Doppler imaging (uPDI), to evaluate the health of the placenta, visualize blood flow through the placental vasculature by color Doppler imaging in singleton pregnancies with and without fetal growth restriction (FGR). * Our primary objective is to investigate the ability of using these ultrasound technologies to distinguish healthy pregnancies from those affected by FGR, a condition characterized by a fetal weight below the 10th percentile for the gestational age or abdominal circumference of the pregnancy. * Secondary aims include longitudinal evaluation of differences in QUS and uPDI imaging over gestation and changes in these measures with evolution of utero-placental insufficiency including with the development of abnormal umbilical-artery Doppler testing, diagnosis of severe FGR, identification of stillbirth, and detection of preeclampsia or preterm birth. Investigators will compare QUS/uPDI imaging and values in pregnancies determined to be healthy by approved, standard-of-care growth ultrasounds to those diagnosed with FGR. Participants will receive research ultrasounds with the experimental Verasonics Vantage 256 system (Verasonics, Inc, Kirkland, WA) utilizing uPDI/QUS every three weeks following their routine growth ultrasound evaluation until delivery. Demographic, obstetric, and delivery-related information, as well as portions of subjects' past medical history will be utilized by researchers to further contextualize imaging and variables gathered during the research ultrasounds.

The Relationship Between Transversus Abdominis Muscle Architecture and Upper Extremity Function in Patients With Chronic Low Back Pain

Core stability is the ability to control the position and movement of the trunk for optimal production, transfer, and control of forces in the upper and lower extremities during functional activities. Studies have shown that TrA activation is delayed in individuals with low back pain. The relationship between core stability and the lower extremity has been frequently studied in the literature, and according to Kibler's 'Kinetic Chain' theory, loss of proximal stability is known to lead to dysfunction in distal segments; however, the relationship between the upper extremity and core stability is still unclear. The aim of our study is to investigate the upper extremity reach capacity and scapular stability of individuals with low back pain in relation to TrA involvement and to compare them with healthy individuals without low back pain.

The Relationship Between Ultrasonographic Findings and Sleep Quality in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

The aim of our study is to determine the relationship between disease severity and sleep quality in CTS patients and to compare the findings with healthy controls.

Small Bowel Ultrasound and Antibody Levels in Celiac Disease Activity

This observational study aims to evaluate the relationship between small bowel ultrasound findings and tissue transglutaminase (tTG) antibody blood levels in assessing celiac disease activity. The traditional gold standard for diagnosing and monitoring celiac disease involves an invasive duodenal biopsy. Researchers want to determine if combining a painless, non-invasive small bowel ultrasound with tTG antibody blood tests can accurately predict disease severity and monitor a patient's response to a gluten-free diet. The study will enroll 140 participants aged 2 years and older, including newly diagnosed patients, patients currently on a gluten-free diet, and a control group. All participants will undergo a clinical assessment, blood tests for tTG antibodies, and a high-resolution small bowel ultrasound. Newly diagnosed patients will also undergo an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and biopsy to confirm their diagnosis. Researchers will score the ultrasound severity based on factors like bowel wall thickness and compare it to the antibody levels. A cohort of patients will be monitored over time with serial assessments at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months.

Should Anaesthesiologists Be Taught to Perform Ultrasound-- Assisted Neuraxial Access in Spinal Anaesthesia?

Neuraxial blockade is commonly performed using a manual palpation technique, but the procedure can be challenging, particularly in patients with high body mass index, pregnancy, or spinal deformities. Preprocedural ultrasound may improve identification of the optimal injection site, yet its use in clinical practice remains limited, partly due to a lack of structured training. This multicentre randomised controlled trial investigates whether anaesthesiologists performing ultrasound-assisted spinal anaesthesia achieve better clinical outcomes and higher patient satisfaction compared with the traditional manual palpation technique. Both novice anaesthesia residents and more experienced anaesthesiologists are included. Participants receive structured simulation-based training using either ultrasound-assisted or manual palpation techniques, following a mastery learning approach with predefined performance standards. After certification, participants perform spinal anaesthesia during elective lower limb surgery, with clinical performance assessed by senior anaesthesiologists. The primary outcome is first-attempt success of spinal block. Secondary outcomes include number of attempts, needle redirections, time spent, need for assistance, and overall block success. Patient satisfaction and complications are assessed as tertiary outcomes. This study aims to provide evidence on the clinical effects of structured training in ultrasound-assisted neuraxial access and to explore the role of prior clinical experience.

Lung Ultrasound in Critically Ill Obstetrics and Gynecological Patients

Pulmonary dysfunction aggravates the illness of critically ill obstetrics and gynecological patients. Early identification with bedside technique and prompt management may improve the outcome of critical care in this vulnerable population

New Generation Rehabilitation Approach in Children With Dysfunctional Voiding

The investigators hypothesize that Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization training, a next-generation exercise approach, and transabdominal ultrasound-guided pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) will be more effective than PFMT guided solely by transabdominal ultrasound in reducing post-void residual volume, improving voiding disorder symptoms, and enhancing pelvic floor muscle relaxation in children with dysfunctional voiding.

Ultrasound-guided Non-invasive Simulation in Anesthesia Residency Training

Study Aim: This trial evaluates if a novel non-invasive, AI-assisted simulation training improves ultrasound-guided needle visualization skills in anesthesia residents. Design: Trainees were randomized into two groups: Intervention: AI-based, non-invasive simulated needle puncture training. Control: Conventional ultrasound teaching. Key Outcomes: The primary outcome is objective needle tip visibility. Secondary outcomes include anatomical identification, correct view acquisition, operator confidence, and overall scanning performance. Assessment: Outcomes are measured via blinded expert evaluation and theoretical tests. The goal of this randomized controlled clinical trial is to determine whether an ultrasound-guided non-invasive simulated needle puncture training technique can improve ultrasound-guided needle visualization skills in anesthesiology residents undergoing standardized residency training. The study is conducted in anesthesiology residents enrolled in a standardized residency training program. The main questions it aims to answer are: 1. Does non-invasive simulated needle puncture training improve objective needle tip visibility during ultrasound-guided peripheral nerve block procedures? 2. Does this training method improve anatomical structure identification, acquisition of correct block views, operator confidence, and overall scanning performance compared with conventional ultrasound teaching? Researchers will compare a non-invasive simulated needle puncture training group with a conventional ultrasound teaching group to see if the simulated training technique leads to superior needle visualization and procedural performance. Participants will: Receive standardized theoretical instruction on ultrasound- guided peripheral nerve blocks; Be randomly assigned to either non-invasive simulated needle puncture training using an artificial intelligence-assisted system or conventional ultrasound scanning training; Perform ultrasound scanning and simulated or conventional practice on healthy volunteers; Undergo theoretical examinations and blinded expert assessments of ultrasound scanning performance and needle visualization outcomes.

Weaning Ventilator Using Heart, Lung And Diaphragm Ultrasound

Postextubation distress is detrimental to the prognosis of critically ill patients with successful spontaneous breathing trial. Failure to wean is known to be connected with heart, lung, and diaphragm problems. The aim of this study was to investigate how a composite model comprising diaphragm, lung, and heart ultrasonography indications could predict the weaning outcome. Methods: Ultrasonic features of the diaphragm, heart, and lungs are going to be collected along with clinical data about the patients. Either the successful weaning group or the failed weaning group is going to comprised the patients. Multivariate logistic regression analysis is going to be used to identify the variables that may be associated with the likelihood of weaning failure. A multiindicator combination model is going to be developed to increase the predictive accuracy after the possible indicators' accuracy in foretelling the weaning outcome was assessed.

A New Landmark-formula for Cephalic Vein in Children

In children undergoing surgery, a venous access line almost always has to be placed. Through this line, medications and fluids can be administered during anesthesia or later during the hospital stay. In young children, it is often difficult to find a suitable vein. This can lead to multiple puncture attempts and may be a traumatic experience for both children and their parents. With ultrasound, however, in such difficult cases a specific vein on the forearm (the "cephalic vein") can usually be visualized and cannulated. Mostly, this vein is not visible to the naked eye. In our research project, we aim to determine whether it is possible to identify a simple and reliable anatomical orientation aid ("landmark") on the forearm that enables parents to place a topical anesthetic EMLA patch precisely at the correct location where the vein can subsequently be found using ultrasound. In this way, we want to assess whether this method simplifies the preparation for venipuncture and thereby increases the success rate. The examination is carried out during the routine preparation for anesthesia. In a first step, the course of the vein is identified by ultrasound, marked on the skin in a controlled manner, and photographic documentation of the forearm region is created. From this, a visual orientation guide describing the landmark is developed. In a second step, parents and staff of the anesthesia department mark the defined landmark using this visual orientation guide. Ultrasound is then used again to verify whether the vein is located at the marked site. No additional needle puncture is performed and no additional blood sample is taken.

Ultrasound-Guided External Oblique Intercostal Plane Block Versus Subcostal Transversus Abdominis Plane Block For Perioperative Analgesia in Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy

This study aims to compare the analgesic efficacy, duration of analgesia, and overall opioid consumption between the external oblique intercostal plane (EOIP) block and subcostal transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block in patients undergoing laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy.

Application of Ultrasound Radiomics in Ultrasound Fusion Targeted Prostate Biopsy

To predict prostate cancer by ultrasound radiomics in ultrasound fusion prostate targeted biopsy.

Efficacy of Combining Ultrasound-Guided Needle Release of Transverse Carpal Ligament and Median Nerve Dextrose Water Hydrodissection for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a common musculoskeletal disorder, which is caused by compression of the median nerve as it travels through the wrist. There are several treatments for CTS, including conservative and surgical options. Though local corticosteroid injection has been considered more effective than physical therapy for treatment of CTS and has significant short-term benefits, long term benefits are not evidenced. Several studies in recent years reported significantly superior longer-term benefit of D5W and PRP compared with corticosteroid injections and other conservative managements. In addition, percutaneous release of the transverse carpal ligament (TCL) was developed to treat CTS in recent years. Because the effectiveness of the recently developed techniques in treating CTS has not been well established, the investigators aim to investigate whether combining US-guided partial release of the transverse carpal ligament with a needle plus D5W hydrodissection is more beneficial for CTS comparing to either treatment alone.

Optic Nerve Ultrasound for Assessing Cerebral Inflammation and Intracranial Hypertension in Cerebral Pathologies

Timely detection of signs of raised intracranial pressure or persistent inflammation within the meninges can expedite therapeutic decisions improving the prognosis of patients with brain damage. Optic nerve ultrasonography provides a user-friendly, safe, low-cost, and non-invasive imaging method that can be easily deployed for ICU patient assessment. This study aims to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of optic nerve ultrasound in estimating cerebral inflammation extension and cerebral edema in patients in the ICU. The working hypothesis is that optic nerve ultrasound is a useful tool in the rapid diagnosis of cerebral edema and the presence or persistence of cerebral inflammation, which can enable adapted and rapid therapeutic interventions.

Evaluation of the Effect of Using Ultrasound Robots for Breast Cancer Screening: A Multicenter, Parallel-group, Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if robotic ultrasound screening works as well as or better than traditional sonographer-led screening for detecting breast cancer. It will also explore how well participants follow recommended post-screening care. The main questions it aims to answer are: Does robotic ultrasound screening detect more cases of breast cancer compared to traditional sonographer-led screening? How well do participants follow up on recommended care after robotic ultrasound screening? Researchers will compare robotic ultrasound screening to traditional sonographer-led screening to see if robotic ultrasound works effectively for breast cancer screening. Participants will: Receive a breast ultrasound performed either by a robotic system or a human sonographer. Undergo follow-up management based on their BI-RADS classification.

Ultrasound Guided External Oblique and Rectus Abdominis Plane Block (EXORA) on Neuroendocrine Stress Response in Adults Undergoing Umbilical Hernia Surgery

This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of ultrasound-guided external oblique and rectus abdominis plane block on the neuroendocrine stress response and postoperative analgesia in adults undergoing umbilical hernia repair.

3D Contrast Enhanced Microvascular Ultrasound of Carotid Atherosclerosis for the Detection of Carotid Plaque Neo-Revascularisation.

Atherosclerotic plaques, the build-up of fatty materials within our arteries, can develop over a long period of time without causing any symptoms. These plaques may continue to grow and rupture causing narrowing and blockages of the blood vessels. This can lead to serious cardiovascular disease such as a heart attack or stroke causing over 160,000 deaths each year. Lots of research has been done on why particular groups of people may develop atherosclerosis and controlling risk factors such as diabetes and high blood pressure go a long way to reduce people's risks. However, despite the treatments we have available and controlling these risk factors, some people unfortunately still go on to develop a potentially serious disease. Further research has shown us that certain plaques in the blood vessels may be more vulnerable to rupturing compared to others. So far we know that plaques with thin caps, soft centres or those that are able to grow their own tiny blood vessels are more likely to rupture. We have now started to develop new imaging methods to try and help us detect these vulnerabilities. The hope is by being able to detect more vulnerable plaques we may be able to treat these earlier and therefore more effectively. There are different scans available to try and visualise the tiny vessels within these plaques in the neck arteries. These include, MRI (a Magnetic Resonance Imaging scan, taking pictures using a small tunnel), CT (Computed Tomography, uses a ring-shaped machine to take pictures), and ultrasound. Ultrasound has the benefit of being free of ionising radiation and iodinated contrast, therefore posing less risk to patients. However, current ultrasound uses 2D ultrasound. Although this has shown promising results, our blood vessels and any plaques are 3D structures so we don't get to see the whole plaque using 2D imaging and therefore may miss important information. The available 3D probes in use at the moment are not able to visualise the tiny vessels accurately enough. This study uses a different 3D ultrasound probe and ultrasound machine that is able to produce many more images than our usual probes. By taking images with this probe and using offline computer programmes to track the contrast through structures we hope that this system will be able to give us a visualisation of the whole plaque enabling us to detect any new blood vessels more accurately.

A Comparative Study of MRI and Ultrasound for Detection of Primary Hepatocellular Carcinoma, Body Composition and Risk Factors for Decompensation in Liver Cirrhosis

DETECT-HCC-ESLD is a prospective multicenter study designed to examine early detection and risk stratification of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in individuals with advanced liver disease. Adults with cirrhosis of different etiologies are enrolled and followed longitudinally with structured clinical assessments and imaging at predefined intervals. A key objective is to evaluate ultrasound and abbreviated MRI (AMRI) as surveillance modalities for HCC. The study examines detection performance, feasibility, and factors influencing image quality and interpretability. The protocol also includes the study of body composition, focusing on how variations in adiposity and muscle mass may relate to imaging characteristics, disease progression, and HCC risk. Longitudinal clinical and imaging data are used to explore prediction models aimed at identifying patients with differing levels of HCC risk. The study records outcomes such as incident HCC, liver-related complications, and mortality to support analyses of disease trajectories. The DETECT-HCC-ESLD study provides a structured framework for collecting clinical, imaging, and body composition data over time, enabling detailed evaluation of surveillance strategies and risk patterns in advanced liver disease.

A Deep Learning Model for Blood Volume Estimation From Multi-modal Ultrasound

1. Background \& Rationale: Accurate assessment of a patient's blood volume (BV) status before surgery is critical for preventing perioperative complications. However, there is currently no clinically feasible, accurate, and non-invasive method for direct BV quantification. We hypothesize that dynamic ultrasound videos of major blood vessels contain rich, sub-visual spatiotemporal information about vascular compliance and filling that can be leveraged to estimate BV. 2. Objective: To develop and validate a deep learning model that integrates multi-modal ultrasound video data to achieve non-invasive, quantitative estimation of preoperative blood volume. 3. Study Design: A prospective, single-center, observational study. 4. Methods: Participants: Adult patients scheduled for surgery. Data Acquisition: Input (Features): Preoperative ultrasound video clips will be recorded in standardized views of four key vessels: the Internal Jugular Vein (IJV), Subclavian Vein (SCV), Inferior Vena Cava (IVC), and Common Carotid Artery (CA). Target (Label): The true Blood Volume (BV) will be calculated for each patient using the acute normovolemic hemodilution (ANH) method. The change in hemoglobin concentration before and after this process is used to calculate the total blood volume with high clinical reliability. Model Development: A hybrid deep learning architecture (e.g., CNN + LSTM/Transformer) will be trained to extract features from the ultrasound videos and learn the complex, non-linear mapping to the BV value derived from ANH. The model will be trained and internally validated using a k-fold cross-validation approach. 5. Expected Outcome \& Significance: We anticipate the development of a novel, end-to-end deep learning model capable of providing a quantitative BV estimate from routine ultrasound scans. This technology has the potential to revolutionize perioperative fluid management by offering a rapid, non-invasive, and accurate tool for objective volume status assessment, ultimately guiding personalized therapy and improving patient outcomes.

Urethral Vascularization and Urodynamics

The urethra plays a crucial role in maintaining urinary continence. Its complex blood supply is still not well understood. Particularly in the context of urethral pressure. Urethral pressure can be measured by bladder and urethral pressure studies (urodynamic). This study aims to use advanced imaging techniques to analyse the blood supply of the urethra and correlate it to urethral pressure measurements. Elucidating these relationships will improve our understanding of urethral function and malfunction, and ultimately optimise diagnosis and treatment of stress urinary incontinence. A total of 35 participants with stress urinary incontinence and 35 without stress urinary incontinence will be asked to participate in this study.

Muscle Architecture vs Alfredson Protocol in Achilles Tendinopathy

Achilles tendinopathy is a frequent overuse disorder caused by repetitive loading of the tendon, particularly observed in athletes and middle-aged men. It is typically characterized by mid-portion pain, stiffness in the morning, and functional limitations, with structural alterations such as thickening and disrupted collagen alignment. Chronic progression often compromises performance and quality of life. Eccentric training protocols, such as the Alfredson regimen, are commonly prescribed but their standardized nature does not fully address individual variability. Alternative approaches including Heavy Slow Resistance training and progressive loading models (e.g., Silbernagel protocol) have demonstrated clinical effectiveness and higher patient adherence, yet they still apply uniform loading across the triceps surae without accounting for architectural differences. Given the heterogeneous structure of the soleus and gastrocnemii, targeted loading strategies may be required to optimize tendon adaptation. To address this, the present study employs a muscle architecture-based exercise program tailored to the functional and structural properties of each muscle. Ultrasound imaging will be used to evaluate muscle-tendon morphology, while isokinetic dynamometry and functional performance tests will quantify outcomes. Pain (VAS) and functional capacity (VISA-A) will also be assessed. This randomized controlled trial aims to compare the effectiveness of an architecture-specific program with the Alfredson protocol on tendon remodeling, strength, endurance, functional performance, and symptom reduction in individuals with non-insertional Achilles tendinopathy.

Ultrasound and Respiratory Physiological Signals in Lung Diseases

The use of lung ultrasound is instrumental in the evaluation of many chest pathologies and its ability to detect pleuro-pulmonary pathology is widely accepted. However, the use of ultrasound to explore the state of the peripheral lung parenchyma, when the organ is still aerated, is a relatively new application. Horizontal and vertical artifacts are separate and distinct artifacts that can be seen during ultrasound examination of the lungs. While the practical role of lung ultrasound artifacts is accepted to detect and monitor many conditions, further research is needed for the physical interpretation of ultrasound artifacts. These artifacts are diagnostic signs, but we don't fully understand their origin. The artifactual information deriving from the surface acoustic interaction, beyond the pleural line, in the ultrasound images of the normally aerated and non-deflated lung, represents the final result of complex interactions of acoustic waves with a specific three-dimensional structure of the biological tissue. Thus, the umbrella term "vertical artifacts" oversimplifies many physical phenomena associated with a pathological pleural plane. There is growing evidence that vertical artifacts are caused by physiological and pathological changes in the superficial lung parenchyma. Therefore, the need emerges to explore the physical phenomena underlying the artifactual ultrasound information deriving from the surface acoustic interaction of ultrasound with the pleuro-pulmonary structures.