59 patients aged from 45 up to 76 years old with prostate cancer (main group) were examined (histopathology was a reference standard). Benign prostatic hyperplasia was revealed in 36 (62.5%) patients. 38 patients aged from 25 up to 35 years old without clinical and ultrasound findings of any prostatic pathology (control group) were examined as well. All patients underwent transrectal ultrasound on Aixplorer (Supersonic Imagine, France) scanner with shear wave elastography use. Emean was significantly higher in prostate cancer (100.3 kPa (median), 38.4-265.9 kPa (2.5-97.5^th percentiles)) than in benign prostatic hyperplasia (36.9 kPa, 23.3-91.1 kPa) (P < 0.0001) and control group (14.5 kPa, 5.0-23.0 kPa) (P < 0.00001). Emean was significantly correlated with Gleason score (r_s - 0.66, P < 0.0001), level of the PSA (r_s - 0.58, P < 0.0001), pT (r_s - 0.57, P < 0.0001), and patients age (r_s - 0.33, P - 0.01) in patients with prostate cancer. Sensitivity of shear wave elastography in prostate cancer diagnosis (Emean >53.0 kPa) was 93.1%, specificity - 95.8%, positive predictive value - 98.5%, negative predictive value - 82.1%, AUC - 0.956. Sensitivity of shear wave elastography in significant prostate cancer detection (Emean >106.8 kPa - Gleason score ≥7) was 87.9%, specificity - 76.9%, positive predictive value - 82.9%, negative predictive value - 83.3%, AUC - 0.882.

Aim of the study was to determine the most significant ultrasound signs of thyroid cancer. Retrospective analysis of 93 thyroid nodules ultrasound images was performed. Morphological examination was done in all cases. Cancer was detected in 36 cases, adenoma - 38, colloid nodule - 16, pseudonodule - 3. The main B-mode ultrasound signs of the thyroid cancer (highly specific) were: irregular margins (macro-, microlobulated, spiculated); blurred, ill-defined margins; marked hypoechogenicity; microcalcifications; taller-than-wide shape. Additional criteria of possible malignancy were macrocalcifications, dorsal shadowing, rounded shape. Color Doppler imaging is a complementary method of thyroid nodules examination. Pathologic vascularization and type IV of blood flow (particularly in lesions less than 1 cm with ill-defined margins and marked hypoechogenicity) are highly sensitive for thyroid cancer. Mixed intranodular flow is a doubtful sign of thyroid cancer.

136 patients with suspected regional lymph nodes metastases underwent multiparametric ultrasound. 189 lymph nodes were analyzed. They were divided into to two groups according to the morphological examination. 148 metastatic lymph nodes formed the first group, and 41 nonmetastatic lymph nodes - the second group. The B-mode remains the main method of lymph nodes examination. Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of the B-mode in differentiation between the malignant and benign lymphadenopathy were 98.0, 73.2, and 92.6% respectively. Color and power Doppler and strain elastography should be considered as complementary methods. Strain elastography can be used as an additional method in patients with suspected lymph nodes metastases, which can increase the specificity of the ultrasound up to 75.6%. Multiparametric ultrasound with strain elastography allows differentiating between the malignant and benign lymphadenopathy in most cases.

Aim of the study - early left ventricular morphometry and function changes assessment in children with β-thalassemia. Echocardiography including tissue Doppler imaging analysis of the diastolic velocities of the mitral annulus motion was done to 50 children with β-thalassemia and 47 healthy children from 2 to 16 years old. Patients with β-thalassemia had significantly higher left ventricular end-systolic and end-diastolic diameters, left ventricular end-systolic and end-diastolic volume indexes, left ventricular myocardial mass index, left atrial diameter, cardiac index, transmitral diastolic velocities (Е and А), diastolic velocities of the mitral annulus motion (е’ and а’), and ratio Е/е’ in compare with the control group (P < 0.05 for all comparisons). Left ventricular ejection fraction in children with β-thalassemia was significantly lower in compare with the control group (P < 0.05).

Aim of the study was visceral adipose tissue quantitative assessment with ultrasound and computed tomography. 101 people (51 men and 50 women) aged from 18 up to 65 years old were included in the study. Correlation between the ultrasound and computed tomography quantitative measures was moderate (P < 0.05). The normal value of thickness from abdominal muscle to aorta was ≤37 mm (sensitivity - 69.0%, specificity - 88.9%, AUC - 0.853). Cut-off level for inferior part of the perirenal fat area on the right was 11.5 cm² side (sensitivity - 86.2%, specificity - 84.5%, AUC - 0.888), on the left - 10.0 cm² (sensitivity- 80.8%, specificity - 88.2%, AUC - 0.884). The thickness of the epicardial and pericardial fat should be measured at the end of the systole, cut-off levels were 3.5 mm (sensitivity - 82.8%, specificity - 77.8%, AUC - 0.833) and 5.0 mm (sensitivity - 93.1%, specificity - 61.1%, AUC - 0.789) respectively.

Patient (female child) 5 month old with the generalized tuberculosis was under follow-up. The child was admitted with lymph nodes enlargement, cough, weakness, and subfertility. She has been ill for 2 weeks since relatives noticed gagging and mucus eructation. Ultrasound revealed pathologic changes in brain, abdomen, lungs, and cervical lymph nodes. All ultrasound findings were confirmed by X-ray and computed tomography. However, the diagnosis of generalized tuberculosis was established only based on a multimodal approach.

Comparative analysis of ultrasound contrast agents used in different countries is presented. The review is based on the studies done over the past ten years. The application of ultrasound contrast agents in clinical practice for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes is described.