Efficacy of ultrasound-, computed tomography-, and magnetic resonance imaging-guided radiofrequency ablation for hepatocellular carcinoma

Purposes: This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of ultrasound (US)-, computed tomography (CT)-, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-guided radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Materials and Methods: This retrospective study included 141 patients with HCC who were treated with US-guided (n = 29), CT-guided (n = 50), or MRI-guided RFA (n = 62). The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS). The secondary endpoints included overall survival (OS), technique success (TS), and technique efficacy (TE). Cox model and logistic regression were used to determine the risk factors for tumor recurrence and TE. Results: The US, CT, and MRI groups did not show a significant difference in terms of baseline variables. The three groups did not differ significantly in PFS rate (P = 0.072) and OS rate (P = 0.231). The PFS rates at 3 years for the US, CT, and MRI groups were 40.90%, not reached, and 14.80%, respectively. The OS rates at 3 years were 94.70%, 97.50%, and 85.50% for US, CT, and MRI groups, respectively. No significant differences were observed between the three groups in terms of TS rate (P = 0.113) and TE rate (P = 0.682). In multivariate analysis, liver cirrhosis (P = 0.001), level of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP, P = 0.004), and number of tumors (P = 0.012) were independent risk factors for PFS. For TE, the level of AFP (P = 0.018) was an independent factor. Conclusion: US-, CT-, and MRI-guided RFA was effective for treating HCC patients. Liver cirrhosis, AFP level, and tumor number were associated with tumor recurrence, and the level of AFP was an independent risk factor affecting TE

Transcatheter hepatic arterial chemoembolization combined with CT guided radiofrequency ablation for treatment of primary liver cancer in caudate lobe / 中国介入影像与治疗学

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of transcatheter hepatic arterial chemoembolization (TACE) combined with CT guided radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for primary liver cancer in the caudate lobe.Methods Sixteen patients with primary liver cancer in the caudate lobe were treated with combination therapy of TACE and RFA.Complet ablation rate,overall and recurrence-free survival,and complications were evaluated.Results A total of 15 cases achieved complet ablation,complet ablation rate was 93.75％ (15/16).Recurrence-free survival time was 19.35 months,overall survival time was 44.62 months.Overall survival rates were 88.23％,66.65％ and 33.18％ at 1,3,5 years after therapy,respectively.Conclusion TACE combined with RFA is a safe and useful therapeutic option for treatment of primary liver cancer in the caudate lobe.

Clinical characteristics and radiological manifestations of immune reconstitution inflamnmtory syndrome in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome patients with tuberculosis during Mghly active antiretrovirai therapy / 中华放射学杂志

ObjectiveTo explore the clinical characteristics and radiological manifestations of immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome(IRIS)in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome(AIDS)patients with tuberculosis(TB)during highly active antiretroviral therapy(HAART).MethodsThe clinical and radiological data in 4 AIDS patients with TB who presented IRIS were analyzed retrospectively.ResultsThe clinical presentations of IRIS in 4 patients included fever(4 cases),weakness and weight loss(3 cases),abdominal pain(2 cases),cough with sputum(1 case),dyspnea(1 case).Cervical and(or)supra-clavicular lymph node enlargement were seen in 3 patients,inguinal lymph node enlargement in 1 patient,abdominal lymph node enlargement in 1 patient,hilar or mediastinal lymph node enlargement in 2 patients,pulmonary parenchyma and liver were involved in 2 patients,the involvement of kidney,adrenal gland,mesentery,peritoneum,psoas,brain and cutis was respectively found in 1 patient.The clinical and radiological presentations of IRIS were temporary and self-limited,improvement can be seen with antituberculosis therapy and HAART. ConclusionsIt is possible to have IRIS during HAART in AIDS patients with TB.Imaging examinations play an important role in the early diagnosis,monitoting and evaluating the response to therapy of IRIS.

Early X-ray and CT appearances of severe acute respiratory syndrome: an analysis of 28 cases / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the early X-ray and CT findings of patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Chest radiography and CT were performed in 28 patients with SARS within one to three days after onset of the disease. CT examinations included conventional spiral CT and high-resolution CT (HRCT). The radiographic and CT findings of these patients were analyzed retrospectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Abnormal CT findings were noted in all the patients, but abnormal chest radiographic findings in 17 cases (60.7%, 17/28). CT showed single small focal patchy opacities in 23 patients (82.1%, 23/28), including oval ground-glass opacities in 20 patients, lobular distribution ground-glass opacities in 2 and small patchy consolidation in one. Multi-focal ground-glass opacities were found in 2 patients and extensive opacities in three. In the 28 patients, a total of 31 lesions were found in the upper (7, 22.6%), middle (3, 9.7%), and lower lobes (21, 67.7%). The diameter of the lesions ranged from 20 to 35 mm.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The dominant feature of early SARS patients is focal patchy opacity in the lung, and oval small ground-glass opacities are the common morphological findings on CT.</p>