Retrospective analysis of 44 breast cancer cases verified by morphological examination was done. All malignant tumors were divided in two groups according to their maximal size as follows: 1st group – 32 tumors with size ≥1 cm, 2nd group – 12 tumors with size <1 cm. There were significant positive cor-relations between maximal size of tumor and values of Emax (r_S = 0.47), E_mean (r_S = 0.43), SD (r_S = 0.36), and SWE-ratio (r_S = 0.33) (P < 0.05 for all correlations). There was a significant difference between values of Emean, Emax, and SD in first and second groups (P < 0.05 for all comparisons). Vertical orientation was noticed more frequently in tumors with size <1 cm (P < 0.05). There was a sig-nificant correlation between Emax value and lesion’s vascularization in small tumors (<1 cm) (rS = 0.67, P < 0.05). Emax values were significantly higher in small tumors (<1 cm) with vascular signals comparing to avascular tumors (156.9 and 124.78 kPа) (medians) (P < 0.05). SWE-ratio in first group (tumor size ≥1 cm) correlated significantly with absence of retraction pattern in 3D mode (r_S = 0.50, P < 0.05). SWE-ratio was significantly lower if there was a retraction pattern in 3D mode (8.2 and 11.1) (medians) (P < 0.05). Received data can be useful in differential diagnosis of small malignant tumors (<1 cm).

Aim of the study was to investigate by ultrasound point shear wave elastography different parts of pancreas in chronic pancreatitis. Two groups consisted of 19 patients in each of them (32 men and 6 women) aged from 20 up to 57 years old were examined. 28 patients were with chronic pancreatitis and 10 volunteers were healthy. Chronic pancreatitis was verified by contrast enhanced computed tomography and morphological examination of resected pancreatic tissue. Fibrosis, pseudocysts, and calcifications were considered as main signs of chronic pancreatitis for multiple factor analysis. Main characteristics of chronic pancreatitis which affected stiffness of pancreatic tissue were revealed.

These guidelines may have been translated, from the originals published by ISUOG, by recognized experts in the field and have been independently verified by reviewers with a relevant first language. Although all reasonable endeavors have been made to ensure that no fundamental meaning has been changed the process of trans-lation may naturally result in small variations in words or terminology and so ISUOG makes no claim that trans-lated guidelines can be considered to be an exact copy of the original and accepts no liability for the consequence of any variations. The CSC's guidelines are only officially approved by the ISUOG in their English published form.

Aim of the study was to find three-dimensional ultrasound criteria which could help to predict risk of levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (Mirena) expulsion. Uterus cavity shape and size in coronal view were used as such criteria. 103 patients aged from 28 up to 52 years old who underwent treatment by Mirena due to menometrorrhagia, endometrial hyperplasia, and adenomyosis were included in to the study. First subgroup was formed by 86 patients who underwent mandatory three-dimensional transvaginal ultrasound with uterus coronal plane reconstruction before treatment by Mirena; second subgroup - by 17 patients with Mirena expulsion who did not undergo preliminary three-dimensional ultrasound. High frequency of expulsions was related to uterine cavity deformation (64.7% among second subgroup patients without preliminary three-dimensional ultrasound); increase of uterine cavity width on tubal orifices level in coronal view more than 4.5 cm (sensitivity of expulsion prediction 58%, specificity - 98%); increase of uterine cavity area more than 9.0 cm² (sensitivity of expulsion prediction 58%, specificity - 98%).

10 years retrospective analysis of preoperative diagnosis of Meckel’s diverticulum and its complications is presented. 47 cases were analyzed. 38 (80.9%) patients among them underwent ultrasound investigation. This group included 11 children with Meckel’s diverticulitis; 8 children with Meckel’s diverticulum complicated by intestinal bleeding; 5 children with Meckel’s diverticulum complicated by intestinal intussusception; 4 children with Meckel’s diverticulum complicated by other different kinds of bowel obstruction. By accident Meckel’s diverticulum was found out in 2 children during surgery due to gangrenous and perforated appendicitis and in 1 child during surgery due to ileal stenosis in Crohn’s disease. Meckel’s diverticulum was combined with other congenital malformations in 4 children. Complete umbilical fistula was diagnosed in 3 children. Analysis showed low sensitivity (5.3%) of ultrasound in Meckel’s diverticulum diagnosis: this anomaly was suspected before surgery in 2 children only. It confirmed significant difficulties of preoperative diagnosis of this disease in children. On the other hand, acute surgery pathology including intestinal intussusception and other kinds of bowel obstruction, destructive acute appendicitis, and complete umbilical fistula was diagnosed with ultrasound in 71.1% of children (n = 27). Consequently, despite low sensitivity of Meckel’s diverticulum diagnosis among children, ultrasound plays an important role in diagnosis of associated complications.

Ultrasound follow-up of central venous patency was provided in 72 most severe patients (with severe combined trauma or acute surgery abdominal pathology). Age of patients varied from 1.5 up to 17 years old. High risk of central venous thrombosis persisted in severe patients in critical life conditions in spite of preventive treatment with heparin. 25 thrombi of different location and degree of occlusion were revealed among 17 from 72 (23.6%) patients. Thrombi were localized in internal jugular (12), femoral (6), external iliac (5), and subclavian (2) veins. They were classified according to degree of occlusion as follows: nonocclusive thrombi - 14 (56.0%), floating - 5 (20.0%), totally occlusive - 6 (24.0%) (4 in internal jugular vein, 1 in subclavian vein, 1 in femoral vein). Ultrasound follow-up of central venous patency is required among children at intensive care unit due to absence of venous thrombosis clinical symptoms among majority of patients (15 (88.2%) among 17 patients) and severe complications including the pulmonary thromboembolism (2 (11.8%) among 17 patients).

Practical use of ultrasound shear wave elastography is discussed in the article. Advantages and limitations of point shear wave elastography and two-dimensional shear-wave speed imaging are presented. Description of quantitative values (shear wave speed (m/s) and Young’s modulus (kPa)) and their reciprocal relationship are shown. Comparative analysis of magnetic resonance and ultrasound shear wave elastography results is presented. Elastographic terminology is discussed. Current value and potential advantages of shear wave elastography within multiparametric ultrasound are shown as well.

Ultrasound semiotics of lumbar lymph nodes which are involved in tumor process of different malignant diseases is presented in the article. Value of ultrasound in diagnosis and assessment of disease extension is shown. Information regarding to location, size, and structure of altered lymph nodes at beginning of treatment may allow treatment efficacy to be assessed. Follow-up of patients who received treatment allows diseases recurrence to be revealed. Ultrasound helps to start treatment on time.

Short history of spine ultrasound and use of ultrasound guided lumbar puncture in clinical practice are presented in the article. It is shown priority of Russian scientists in method invention. First study (Application of the method of two-dimensional echospondylography for determining landmarks in lumbar punctures) was published in 1971 in Russia. Ultrasound guided lumbar puncture plays important role in treatment and diagnostic manipulations.