Feasibility of gastric contrast-enhanced ultrasound for high-level spinal cord injury and the evaluation of gastric emptying function
LIU Yushuang1 LI Xuemei1 ZHAI Lei2 GUO Zhixiang1 WANG Yanying2 MA Yingchun3 GAO Feng4
1.Department of Ultrasound, Rehabilitation Medical College, Capital Medical University Beijing Bo′ai Hospital, China Rehabilitation Research Center, Beijing 100068, China;
2.Department of Critical Care Medicine, Rehabilitation Medical College, Capital Medical University Beijing Bo′ai Hospital, China Rehabilitation Research Center, Beijing 100068, China;
3.Department of Nephrology, Rehabilitation Medical College, Capital Medical University Beijing Bo′ai Hospital, China Rehabilitation Research Center, Beijing 100068, China;
4.Department of Spinal and Neural Function Reconstruction, Capital Medical University Beijing Bo′ai Hospital, China Rehabilitation Research Center, Beijing 100068, China
Abstract:Objective To investigate the feasibility of contrast-enhanced ultrasound in patients with high-level spinal cord injury (SCI) and to evaluate gastric emptying function. Methods From March to December 2019, 33 patients (SCI group) and 30 healthy volunteers (control group) with high-level SCI and mechanical ventilation in the Department of Critical Care Medicine, Beijing Bo′ai Hospital, China Rehabilitation Research Center were selected for gastric contrast-enhanced ultrasound examination. The gastric wall structure of gastric fundus, gastric body, gastric antrum and gastric antrum peristalsis were observed. The peristalsis frequency and gastric emptying time were recorded. The results of gastric antrum peristalsis frequency and gastric emptying time were statistically analyzed. Results In the SCI group, 31 cases successfully completed contrast-enhanced ultrasound, and obtained complete images of gastric fundus, gastric body and gastric antrum. The peristalsis frequency of gastric antrum in SCI group was lower than that in control group and the gastric emptying time of SCI group was longer than that of control group, with all statistically significant differences (all P < 0.05). Conclusion Contrast-enhanced ultrasound can perform gastric examination and evaluate gastric emptying function in patients with high-level SCI and mechanical ventilation. Gastric antrum peristalsis is reduced and gastric emptying time is prolonged in patients with high-level SCI.