Acuson s2000

The ultrasound examination was conducted to patients by the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus (Siemens Acuson S2000 and Philips Affiniti 70), the frequency of the abdominal probe was set as 2–7 MHz, and the frequency of the transvaginal probe was set as 4–9 MHz. Pregnant women were in the conventional supine position and took the lateral recumbent position, when necessary, with filling of the bladder before examination. The conventional ultrasound examination by abdomen was conducted first, the comprehensive two-dimensional and color Doppler scan was performed on the vertical section, cross-section, and crown section of the placental attachment range, and if the ultrasound examination by the abdomen failed to obtain the desirable effect or placenta accreta was suspected; then, a transvaginal scan was performed [7 ]. Finally, scores were given according to the patients' ultrasonic characteristics to evaluate the degree of placenta accreta.

Breast US imaging had been performed for all patients referred to a tertiary hospital with suspicious breast lesions, breast pain, and for routine screening for malignancy. Multi-parameter US systems (Mindray DC 8; Mindray Resona 7; Aloka Prosound α-7; Aloka Prosound α-10; Siemens Acuson S2000; Phillips EPIQ5 and GE Logiq E9) were used for the breast examination by physicians-in-ultrasound with 5 to 30 years of experience in breast US. During the examination, the US systems were adjusted to small parts mode (breast), and a linear array transducer with a frequency of 5–15 MHz was used. The patient was instructed to take a supine position with the upper limb abduction, fully exposing the breast and axillary region. The breast was scanned carefully to detect any lesion. If a breast lesion or aberrant echogenic area was found, its location, shape, size, orientation (parallel and nonparallel), margin, echo pattern, posterior features, calcifications, architecture, vascularity, other associated findings, lymph node in the axillary region and other special findings were identified and scrutinized. A breast lesion or aberrant echogenic area was scanned in different projections, and the size was determined at its greatest dimension and smallest dimension, respectively. Representative images were saved in the informatics database of Picture Archiving and Communications System.