MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between June 2011 and May 2012, 20 patients with upper urinary tract stones were included in this prospective randomized study. The patients were assigned into the LESS group or CL group in a one-on-one manner using a random table. The clinical parameters were evaluated in the immediate postoperative period, and the stone clearance rate was evaluated via non-contrast computer tomography at one month postoperatively.
RESULTS: There were no significant differences in patient demographics or preoperative stone sizes between the two groups. The perioperative parameters, including operative time, estimated blood loss, postoperative pain scores, length of hospital stay, and changes in renal function, were comparable. No transfusions or open conversions were required in either group. The incidence of residual stones was lower in the LESS group (1 case) than in the CL group (2 cases). However, this difference was not statistically significant.
CONCLUSIONS: For large and impacted upper ureteral stones, the effectiveness and safety of LESS were equivalent to those of CL. Further randomized control trials with larger sample sizes are needed to strengthen the conclusions of this study. .
METHODS: A Total of 51 patients with 105 carotid artery plaques were screened using 3D and 2D US probes attached to the same US scanner. Two independent observers characterized the plaques based on the morphological features namely echotexture, echogenicity and surface characteristics. The scores assigned to each morphological feature were used to determine intra- and inter-observer performance. The level of agreement was measured using Kappa coefficient.
RESULTS: The first observer with 2D US showed fair (k=0.4-0.59) and very strong (k>0.8) with 3D US intra-observer agreements using three morphological features. The second observer indicated moderate strong (k=0.6-0.79) with 2D US and very strong with 3D US (k>0.8) intra-observer performances. Moderate strong (k=0.6-0.79) and very strong (k>0.8) inter-observer agreements were reported with 2D US and 3D US respectively. The results with 2D and 3D US were correlated 62% using only echotexture and 56% using surface morphology coupled with echogenicity. 3D US gave a lower score than 2D 71% of the time (p=0.005) in disagreement cases.
CONCLUSION: High reproducibility in carotid plaque characterization was obtained using 3D US rather than 2D US. Hence, it can be a preferred imaging modality in routine or follow up plaque screening of patients with carotid artery disease.