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Objective:To investigate the correlation of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) classified by contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) Liver Imaging Data and Report System (LI-RADS) with differentiation degree and Ki-67 index.Methods:A multicenter, retrospective study was conducted.The clinical and CEUS imaging data of 208 patients with 208 HCC lesions from December 2017 to December 2020 in China CEUS database were included and analyzed. According to the CEUS LI-RADS version 2017 proposed by the American College of Radiology, the HCC was classified. The diagnosis and pathological information of all lesions were confirmed by pathology. The differentiation degree of HCC and the distribution of Ki-67 index in different LI-RADS categories were evaluated, and their correlation was analyzed.Results:The degree of differentiation and Ki-67 index among HCC of different CEUS LI-RADS were statistically significant ( P<0.001, P=0.009). LI-RADS M HCC was more likely to be poorly differentiated and showed a higher Ki-67 index. The category of LI-RADS was positively correlated with the degree of tumor differentiation (tau-b=-0.250, P<0.001) and the Ki-67 index (tau-b=0.178, P=0.002), that is, the higher the category of LI-RADS, the lower differentiation degree and the higher the Ki-67. Conclusions:The CEUS LI-RADS classification of HCC is correlating with the degree of differentiation and Ki-67 index.
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Objective:To evaluate the feasibility and applicability of using phospholipid-hybridization method for preparing biomimetic microbubbles (Bio-MBs) ultrasound contrast agents.Methods:Leukocyte biomimetic microbubbles (MB leu), platelet biomimetic microbubbles (MB pla) and erythrocyte biomimetic microbubbles (MB ery) were prepared by multiple steps: film-hydration, phospholipid-hybridization, mechanical oscillation. The size and zeta potential of Bio-MBs were measured by dynamic light scattering. A laser scanning confocal microscopy experiment was performed to confirm the presence of membrane proteins on the shell of Bio-MBs. The fluorescence of FITC-labeled typical membrane protein was evaluated using a flow cytometer. Sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis was used to characterize the membrane protein. Biosafety of Bio-MBs was evaluated by CCK-8 counting kit, blood and major organs. The contrast enhancement effect and stability were observed in vitro and in vivo. An in vivo fluorescence imaging system was performed to evaluate the distribution of Bio-MBs. The application value of biomimetic microbubbles was measured by ultrasound molecular imaging by using ischemia-reperfusion rat models and acute hepatitis rat models. Results:Bio-MBs with spherical shape distributed homogenously, without obvious aggregation. The membrane proteins were successfully integrated into the shell of Bio-MBs.The diameter of three Bio-MBs was similar to that of control microbubbles (MB con) ( P>0.05), three Bio-MBs had a lower zeta potential than MB con ( P<0.05). The Bio-MBs had an appreciable performance in vitro and in vivo biosafety. The Bio-MBs retained the main proteins inherited from cell membrane. Contrast enhanced ultrasound imaging in vitro and in vivo showed that the Bio-MBs had a stable imaging ability.MB leu and MB pla have good targeted imaging effect in two disease models. Conclusions:A series of Bio-MBs ultrasound contrast agents, which have high stability, biosafety and targeted imaging efficiency, were successfully prepared by using phospholipid-hybridization method. This fabrication method for obtaining Bio-MBs can be applied to different clinical scenarios with different cell types in the future.
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As a treatment option for cancer, thermal ablation has satisfactory effects on many types of solid tumors (such as liver and renal cancers). However, its clinical applications for the treatment of thyroid nodules and metastatic cervical lymph nodes are still under debate both in China and abroad. In 2015, the “Zhejiang Expert consensus on thermal ablation for thyroid benign nodules, microcarcinoma, and metastatic cervical lymph nodes (2015 edition),” was released by the Thyroid Cancer Committee of Zhejiang Anti-Cancer Association, China. To further standardize the application of thermal ablation for thyroid tumors, the Thyroid Tumor Ablation Experts Group of Chinese Medical Doctor Association has organized many seminars and finally produced a consensus to formulate the “Expert consensus workshop report: Guidelines for thermal ablation of thyroid tumors (2019 edition).”
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Objective To investigate the effectiveness and safety of thermal ablation of patients with 3－5 cm hepatocellular carcinoma ( HCC ) under the assistance of ultrasound fusion imaging . Methods From December 2010 to December 2017 ,76 HCC patients with 78 medium‐size ( 3 －5 cm ) lesions who underwent radiofrequency ablation ( RFA ) or microwave ablation ( M WA ) were included in the study . Ultrasound fusion imaging was used to assist the ablation procedures and assess the technical success immediately ,then guided supplementary ablation . Contrast‐enhanced CT/M R was performed one month after ablation to assess the technique efficacy rate . T he complication ,local tumor progression ( L T P ) rate were followed up . Results According to the ultrasound fusion imaging evaluation ,24 lesions ( 30 .8% , 24/78) received supplementary ablation immediately during the ablation procedure . Seventy‐one of 78 liver tumors were evaluated to achieve 5 mm ablative margin while the other 7 liver tumors were not achieved . T here were no ablation‐related deaths ,and the major complication rate was 6 .6% ( 5/76 ) .T he technique efficacy rate was 100% ( 78/78) according to the contrast‐enhanced CT/M R one‐month later . Patients were followed up from 6 to 79 months with a median time of 22 months . L T P occurred in 4 lesions and the LT P rate was 5 .1% ( 4/78) . Conclusions With the assistance of ultrasound fusion imaging ,thermal ablation of medium‐sized HCC is effective and safe w hich could achieve a higher technique efficacy rate and a lower L T P rate .
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Objective To assess the applicability of sound touch elastography ( ST E) and sound touch quantify ( ST Q ) in measuring liver and spleen stiffness . Methods One hundred and eighteen healthy volunteers were included and underwent ST E and ST Q . T he success rate ,variability and reproducibility of ST E and ST Q were analyzed . T he accurate sampling size and number of tests for liver ST Q were also analyzed . Results T he success rates ,variability ,reproducibility of ST E and ST Q in liver were 97 .5% and 99 .2% ,8 .7% and 12 .0% ,0 .917 and 0 .916 , respectively . While those with spleen were 76 .3% and 66 .9% ,12 .4% and 16 .4% ,0 .847 and 0 .706 ,respectively . The sampling size of 1 .5 cm×1 .0 cm yield the lowest variability ( 8 .5% ) ( F ＝6 .562 , P ＝0 .002) ,and there was no significant difference between results of detecting 5 times and 10 times( P ＝0 .571) . T he liver and spleen stiffness of ST E were 5 .75 kPa ( 95%CI :5 .60－5 .91 kPa) and 15 .58 kPa ( 95% CI :14 .99 －16 .16 kPa) . Conclusions The measurement of liver stiffness using both ST E and ST Q have a high success rate and low variability . However ,ST E is better than STQ in measuring spleen stiffness .
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To evaluate the impact of intrahepatic cholestasis on liver stiffness measurement ( LSM ) of two‐dimensional shear wave elastography ( 2D‐SWE ) in patients with chronic hepatitis B . Methods Between June 2011 and December 2016 , total of 1 188 patients with chronic hepatitis B infection were enrolled to collect clinical ,2D‐SWE ,biochemical variables and histological ( M ET AVIR scoring system ) datas . LSM was compared between normal total bilirubin group ( TB ＜ 23 .9 μmol/L ) versus abnormal TB group( ≥23 .9 μmol/L ) . Correlation of TB with LSM s was assessed . Results Nine hundred and seventy‐three patients with effective LSM in the study were analyzed . Within the same fibrosis stage ( F1‐F4) ,LSM showed significantly higher value in abnormal TB group than those of normal TB group ( r＝0 .328 ,0 .247 ,0 .495 ,0 .435 ,all P ＜ 0 .001 ) . Increased LSM for abnormal TB group was generally found within different subset of patients [ fibrosis stage ≤ F2 ,AL T ≥ 2 × upper limit of normal ( ULN ) ;fibrosis stage≤ F2 ,M ET AVIR activity grade ≤ A1 or ≥ A2 ] ,with r ＝ 0 .266 ,0 .210 ,0 .243 ( all P ＜0 .001) ,respectively .Increased LSM for abnormal TB group was also found within different subset of patients [ fibrosis stage≥F3 ,AL T＜2× ULN ,≥2×ULN ; fibrosis stage≥F3 ,M ET AVIR activity grade≥A2 ,with r ＝ 0 .671 ,0 .200 ,0 .468 ( all P ＜ 0 .05 ) ] . Conclusions Hepatogenous jaundice induced to intrahepatic cholestasis shows slight positive correlation with LSM s in patients with chronic hepatitis B .
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Objective To explore the feasibility and convenience of automatic registration ultrasound-CT/MR fusion imaging based on hepatic vessel trees. Methods The PercuNav fusion imaging system of Philips Epiq 7 was used to perform ultrasound-CT/MR fusion imaging on 22 patients with focal liver lesions detected by contrast-enhanced CT or MR.Both automatic registration ultrasound-CT/MR fusion imaging based on hepatic vessel trees and the conventional ultrasound-CT/MR fusion imaging based on internal anatomic landmarks were employed for alignment in these patients.The results including the success rate of registration,duration time of initial registration,error of initial registration,number of times of fine-tuning, duration time of fine-tuning and the overall duration time of registration were compared between these two methods.Results The success rates of registration,duration time of initial registration,errors of initial registration,numbers of times of fine-tuning,duration time of fine-tuning and the overall duration time of registration for automatic registration ultrasound-CT/MR fusion imaging based on hepatic vessel trees and the conventional ultrasound-CT/MR fusion imaging based on internal anatomic landmarks were 72.73% and 95.45%,16.5 s (10~30 s) and 13 s (8~24 s),3 mm (1~14 mm) and 14 mm (2~43 mm),0 time (0 to 2 times) and 1 time (0~3 times),0 s(0~46 s) and 30 s (0~88 s),and 20 s (12~61 s) and 42 s (9~102 s),successively and respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in the success rates between these two methods ( P >0.05).The duration time of initial registration of conventional method was less than that of automatic registration method( P <0.05).The error of initial registration,number of times of fine-tuning,duration time of fine-tuning and the overall duration time of registration of automatic registration method were superior to those of conventional method ( P < 0.05).Conclusions Automatic registration ultrasound-CT/MR fusion imaging based on hepatic vessel trees is feasible. It is also more convenient than conventional ultrasound-CT/MR fusion imaging based on internal anatomic landmarks.
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Objective To discuss the value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in evaluating gallbladder injury during the thermal ablation of liver tumors adjacent to the gallbladder. Methods From January 2016 to March 2017, 40 patients with 42 hepatic tumors adjacent to the gallbladder who underwent ultrasonography-guided percutaneous microwave ablation or radiofrequency ablation in the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University were included in the study. Ultrasonography (US) was used to assess the change of gallbladder wall thickness before and after procedure. CEUS was used to assess the perfusion of gallbladder wall and determine the gallbladder injury immediately after ablation. Patients with bad perfusion of gallbladder wall accept combined treatment with cholecystectomy. The safety and therapeutic efficacy of the procedures were assessed in follow-up examinations. The change of gallbladder wallthickness were compared by signed ranks sum test. Results Assessed by US immediately after the ablations, gallbladder wall thickening adjacent to the ablated zone was noted in 8 of 40 patients. According the results of CEUS immediately after ablations, 38 patients was evaluated with good perfusion of gallbladder wall and 2 patients was evaluated with bad perfusion, who were treated with cholecystectomy. Perforation of the gallbladder was found in one of them. However, the necrosis of serosal tissue in gallbladder wall was confirmed by postoperative pathology. Another 4 patients with multiple gallbladder stones were also treated with cholecystectomy. Gallbladder wall thickening developed in six patients (17.6%) within 3 days after the ablation. Wall thickening showed complete disappearance on subsequent follow up US in 4 patients, and showed existence in 2 patients. However, complications related to the ablation such as acute cholecystitis and gallbladder perforation were not noted in 34 patients without cholecystectomy. There was significant difference in gallbladder wall thickness between preoperative and intraoperative assessment [5.00 mm (4.00-6.25 mm) vs 3.50 mm (3.00-5.00 mm), Z=-3.741, P < 0.001], as well as between preoperative and postoperative assessment[5.0 mm(3.0-8.0 mm)vs 3.5 mm(3.0-5.0 mm),Z=-3.735,P < 0.001].The complete ablation rate was 97.6% (41/42) based on one-month follow-up CT or MR imaging. Local tumor progression was not found in these completely ablated tumors during the follow-up period. Conclusion Immediate post-procedural CEUS can be used to demonstrate the perfusion of gallbladder wall in US-guided ablation of hepatic tumors adjacent to the gallbladder, which is helpful to determine thermal injury of the gallbladder.
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[Objective]To compare the clinical application value of fusion imaging of ultrasound(US)and computed tomogra-phy(CT)or magnetic resonance(MR)(US-CT/MR fusion imaging)and fusion imaging of US and three-dimensional US(US-US fusion imaging)in treatment response assessment of thermal ablation combined with other surgeries and procedures.[Methods]This clinical research included patients confirmed with liver cancers that underwent thermal ablation combined with other surgeries and procedures from Aug to Dec 2015. Both US-CT/MR and US-US fusion imaging together with contrast-enhanced US was applied on the same patient to assess the treatment response of the thermal ablation during the ablation procedure. The applicable rate ,the success rate of registration and the duration required for fusion imaging were recorded and compared. Contrast-enhanced CT/MR 1-3 months after the ablation procedure was taken as the golden reference of the technical efficacy rate for ablation.[Results]67 liver can-cers in 50 patients were enrolled in this clinical research in total. The ablation of 47 lesions in 37 patients were combined with artifi-cial hydrothorax or ascites ,14 lesions in 10 patients with open surgeries and 8 lesions in 5 patients with laparoscopy surgeries. The applicable rate for US-US fusion imaging[52.5%(35/67)]was lower than that for US-CT/MR fusion imaging[98.7%(66/67)](P<0.001)while the success rate of registration for US-US fusion imaging[88.6%(31/35)]was higher than that for US-CT/MR[66.7%(44/66)](P=0.018). The duration time for US-US fusion imaging[3.8 min(2.7~10.0 min)]was significantly shorter than that for US-CT/MR fusion imaging[5.5 min(3.0 ~ 14.0 min)](P < 0.001). No major complication related to ablation was observed. The technical efficacy rate for ablation was 100%(62/62)according to the contrast-enhanced CT/MR 1-3 months after the ablation proce-dure.[Conclusion]For ablation combined with other surgeries and procedures ,US-US fusion imaging should be priority when the tumor is conspicuous in US,especially for cases combined with open surgeries while US-CT/MR fusion imaging should be selected in some cases when the tumor is inconspicuous on US.
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[Objective]To evaluate the two-dimensional shear wave elastography(2D SWE)in predicting the prognosis of the patients with acute-on-chronic hepatitis B liver failure(ACLF-HBV).[Methods]312 patients diagnosed with ACLF-HBV at the De-partment of Infectious Diseases in the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University from October 1st 2013 to December 31th 2015 were recruited. The baseline data of all patients,including 2D SWE,laboratory data,ultrasonographic data,Model for End-stage Liver Disease score(MELD),Child-Turcotte-Pugh score(CTP),and King′s College Hospital score(KCH),were collected when enrolled. All patients were followed up for at least 90 days and their clinical outcomes(recovering or worsening)were recorded. 2D SWE values of all patients were dynamically collected every 2~4 weeks during the follow-up until death,liver transplantation, or discharging from hospital.[Results]The worsening patients showed higher 2D SWE values than the recovering ones[(44.0 ± 7.5) kPa vs(36.8 ± 10.3)kPa,t=-6.5,P=0.000],2D SWE value less than 39.2 kPa could be a prediction of the patient′s recovery in 90 days.The predictive value of 2D SWE(AUROC=0.73)was higher than that of KCH(AUROC:0.65,z=2.1,P=0.033). Among all the dynamically measured patients,2D SWE rose from(42.1 ± 8.0)kPa to(47.5 ± 9.3)kPa in the worsening group during the 90-day follow-up,while nearly stable in the recovery group.[Conclusion]Noninvasive liver stiffness measurement by 2D SWE is a use-ful method in evaluating the prognosis of ACLF-HBV patients. Taking a cutoff of 39.2 kPa,patients with higher 2D SWE values could have worse clinical outcomes ,otherwise better. It seems that dynamically measuring 2D SWE values could also be helpful ,but more research in the future should be needed.