ABSTRACT
Context: It is necessary to explore a minimally invasive, effective, and efficient treatment for those lung cancer patients who are poor candidates for surgery. Aim: This study aimed to investigate the application of microwave ablation (MWA) in the treatment of lung cancer. Settings and Design: A total of 43 patients with 44 pulmonary lesions were examined following identical procedures before being randomly divided into two groups. The experimental group consists of 17 patients with a total of 18 pulmonary lesions, while the control group consists of 26 patients with a total of 26 pulmonary lesions. Materials and Methods: The experimental group was treated using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-guided MWA while the control group was treated using computer tomography (CT)-guided MWA. A transverse relaxation time-turbo spin echo (T2-TSE) sequence was used for signal collection in the experimental group to determine puncture location and microwave needle position while T2-TSE, T1-turbo field echo, and diffusion-weighted MRI (DWI) sequences were used for timely efficacy evaluation. Whereas in the control group, CT axial scanning was performed to serve similar purposes. Statistical Analysis Used: A nonparametric Wilcoxon test, median (M [25%, 75%]). Results: All of the 44 lesions were successfully located on the first attempt. The mean time for scanning and locating lung lesions under MRI and CT guidance were 64.53 and 42.96 min, the mean times of positioning were 12 and 18 min, and the mean durations of MWA were 12.48 and 15.06 min, respectively. Conclusions: As a minimally invasive method for treating lung tumors, MRI-guided MWA requires fewer localization scans, a shorter MWA duration, no radiation, real-time observation of the curative effect, and it prevents overtreatment
ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the clinical value of cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the diagnosis and treatment of central nervous system candidiasis (CNSC), which has no specific clinical manifestations and has no rapid and specific diagnostic tools.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical data of 10 children who were diagnosed with CNSC in Beijing Children's Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University between 2009 and 2013.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Nine of the 10 children underwent cranial MRI within 8 days after admission, and 5 of the 9 children underwent contrast-enhanced MRI at the same time. Eight of the 9 children showed the features of meningoencephalitis, and 6 cases were accompanied by varying degrees of brain atrophy; one case showed hydrocephalus and cerebral abscess, and another case showed leukoencephalopathy. Six cases were found to have the features of cerebral vasculitis after infection in the first MRI after admission, including cerebral infarction (2 cases), venous sinus thrombosis (3 cases), and Moyamoya disease (1 case). Infectious granulomatous lesions were confirmed by contrast-enhanced MRI in 3 cases. Given the clinical manifestations, 8 of the 9 cases were diagnosed as suspected CNSC after MRI, and 7 of these cases received antifungal therapy before the pathogen test results were returned. The lesions on MRI were improved in 6 cases after 3-4 weeks of antifungal treatment. All the 10 children were diagnosed with CNSC by positive cerebrospinal fluid culture results.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Cranial MRI, especially contrast-enhanced MRI, is of great significance for the diagnosis and treatment of CNSC. To confirm the guidance of MRI in the diagnosis and treatment of CNSC, further case-control studies are needed.</p>