Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 2002. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 176-185).

Thesis (PhD (Veterinary Science))--University of Pretoria, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.S.)--Ohio State University, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 280-305). Available online via OhioLINK's ETD Center.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2007. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

Includes bibliography. / The aim of this thesis was to investigate the feasibility of using the shape of the umbilical flow waveform, obtained clinically with Doppler ultrasound, to monitor the condition growth impaired foetuses. This aim was addressed via the following . 1. Survey the literature to obtain information regarding : a) the foetal blood flow distribution for normal foetuses. b) the effect of placental pathology and maternal hyperoxygenation in compromised foetuses. 2. Model the foetal circulation to investigate the effect, on the umbilical flow waveform, of physiological changes resulting from placental insufficiency. 3. Perform a theoretical and practical assessment of Doppler ultrasound by considering its suitability in monitoring foetal condition, through alterations in the umbilical blood flow waveform shape. 4. Clinically gather and analyse umbilical blood flow waveforms from foetuses currently on a trial to investigate appropriate protocols for the assessment of maternal hyperoxygenation.

Thyroid cancer is the most prevalent endocrine cancer (1). The prevalence of palpable thyroid nodules in the general adult population is 4% to 7% (2). Ultrasound imaging detects thyroid nodules in 19%-68% of randomly selected individuals (3). The rate of thyroid cancer in nodules found on US is 4% to 15% (4). In order to evaluate thyroid nodules patients undergo thyroid ultrasonography and, if needed, a fine-needle aspiration biopsy. Of all fine-needle aspiration biopsies, 15-30% are indeterminate on cytology (5). While only 3% of these nodules are malignant on average, a much higher percentage of nodules are surgically removed in order to rule out malignancy after indeterminate FNA results. Our goal is to identify clinical and ultrasound predictors of benign results in indeterminate nodules, to assist physicians in selecting nodules for surgical removal versus monitoring with ultrasound imaging. Between October 2010 and November 2017 there were 129 patients with 134 thyroid nodules from Temple University Hospital, Jeanes Hospital, and Fox Chase Cancer Center who had a total or partial thyroidectomy after a cytology report of at least one AUS or FLUS thyroid nodule. These patients were evaluated for age, sex, BMI, TSH, fT4, tT3, nodule size, and ultrasonography features to determine if any features were predictive of a benign or malignant thyroid nodule. Additionally, we looked at whether any of these features were more likely to occur in an AUS nodule or a FLUS nodule. We found that none of the demographic factors, thyroid function tests, or ultrasound features were good predictors of malignancy in AUS or FLUS thyroid nodules. We found that AUS nodules are more likely to be malignant than FLUS nodules, and this held true when we accounted for age, sex, smoking history, and BMI. We concluded that demographic factors and thyroid function tests are unable to predict increased risk of malignancy in Bethesda category III nodules, AUS nodules are more likely to be malignant that FLUS nodules, and nodules with at least one suspicious ultrasound feature are more likely to be AUS nodules than FLUS nodules due to AUS nodules having nuclear atypia and FLUS nodules having architectural atypia.

A research report submitted to the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Medicine in Emergency Medicine, Johannesburg / Introduction Point-of-care ultrasound (PoCUS) is a widely utilized tool in Emergency Medicine (EM). The core PoCUS curriculum in South Africa (SA) does not currently include lung ultrasound or basic bedside echocardiography, although the burden of disease in a typical South African Emergency Department (ED) is skewed towards respiratory and cardiac pathologies. This study was undertaken to determine the profile of PoCUS examinations actually performed and potentially indicated in this ED, and whether current training in PoCUS is meeting the need in clinical practice. Methods This was a prospective observational audit of bedside PoCUS examinations actually performed, and potentially indicated, over a two-week period in the Helen Joseph Hospital ED in Johannesburg. Results The study included 372 patients. Ultrasound aided in the diagnosis and management of 107 (28,8%) of the patients. A total of 137 PoCUS investigations were performed. A total of 38,9% of the patients had positive ultrasound findings. The most frequently performed PoCUS applications were e-FAST (extended focused assessment by sonography in trauma) (32,8%), DVT assessment (13,9%) and procedural guidance (10,9%). A total of 758 PoCUS examinations were indicated in 307 (82,5%) of the patients. Overall, 18,1% of the potentially indicated PoCUS investigations were performed. The most frequently potentially indicated PoCUS applications were lung ultrasound (28,2%), basic cardiac (28%) and haemodynamic assessments (20,4%). Conclusions These findings reflect the high number of respiratory and cardiac cases seen in South African EDs. This highlights the consequent need for additional ultrasound skills to assist in the emergency management of such cases. Training of future South African EM specialist consultants should include both lung ultrasound and basic bedside echocardiography. It is time to update to the South African core PoCUS curriculum. / LM2019

Background Expectations and knowledge of pregnant women prior to fetal ultrasound are well documented in developed countries. Women have generally been shown to have appropriate and reasonable expectations and knowledge. The main objective of this study was to examine whether the views of women in our setting are similar to findings from studies in developed countries. Methods This was a descriptive study done on pregnant women attending the ultrasound department and antenatal clinic at Rahima Moosa Mother and Child Hospital. An interview questionnaire was administered before the ultrasound scan. Results Two hundred and fifty women were recruited. The most frequently expressed expectation was to determine sex of baby (n=154). This was followed by wanting to know the baby’s wellbeing and health (n=136). All the women interviewed had expectations. The majority of women did not know that fetal anomalies could be detected at fetal ultrasound (n=235), this was statistically significant (p=0.003) and was correlated to educational level. Almost half the women did not know the purpose of the ultrasound for which they were referred for (n=124). Conclusion Most women had appropriate expectations in keeping with studies from developed countries. Lack of education was directly linked to poor knowledge of fetal ultrasound. This study has identified areas where patient education is needed regarding fetal ultrasounds. / LG2018

Qin, Yun. / "April 2002." / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2002. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 229-254). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Electronic reproduction. Ann Arbor, MI : ProQuest Information and Learning Company, [200-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Mode of access: World Wide Web. / Abstracts in English and Chinese.

Liu Kin Hung. / "May, 2003." / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2003. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 153-193). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Mode of access: World Wide Web. / Abstracts in English and Chinese.