The impact of multimodality integrated positron emission tomography-computed tomography on improving the staging and management of head and neck malignancy: a cross- sectional study

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Clinical assessment of head and neck cancers is highly challenging owing to the complexity of regional anatomy and wide range of lesions. The diagnostic evaluation includes detailed physical examination, biopsy and imaging modalities for disease extent and staging. Appropriate imaging is done to enable determination of precise tumor extent and involvement of lymph nodes, and detection of distant metastases and second primary tumors. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the initial staging discrepancy between conventional contrasted computed tomography (CT) and 18F-fluorodeoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT) and its impact on management plans for head and neck malignancies. DESIGN AND SETTING: Prospective cross-sectional study in two tertiary-level hospitals. METHODS: This study included 30 patients with primary head and neck malignant tumors who underwent contrasted computed tomography and whole-body 18F-FDG PET/CT assessments. The staging and treatment plans were compared with the incremental information obtained after 18F-FDG PET/CT. RESULTS: 18F-FDG PET/CT was found to raise the stage in 33.3% of the cases and the treatment intent was altered in 43.3% of them, while there was no management change in the remaining 56.7%. 18F-FDG PET/CT had higher sensitivity (96% versus 89.2%) and accuracy (93% versus 86.7%) than conventional contrast-enhanced computed tomography. CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrated that 18F-FDG PET/CT had higher sensitivity and accuracy for detecting head and neck malignancy, in comparison with conventional contrast-enhanced computed tomography. 18F-FDG PET/CT improved the initial staging and substantially impacted the management strategy for head and neck malignancies.

Application value of imaging examinations in the diagnosis of small hepatocellular carcinoma / 中华消化外科杂志

Objective:To investigate the application value of contrast-enhanced ultra-sound, enhanced computed tomography (CT) and enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the diagnosis of small hepatocellular carcinoma.Methods:The clinical diagnositic trial was con-ducted. The clinicopathological data of 145 patients with small hepatocellular carcinoma who were admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Amy Medical University from January 2019 to June 2021 were collected. There were 121 males and 24 females, aged from 26 to 78 years, with a median age of 54 years. All patients were examined with contrast-enhanced ultrasound, enhanced CT and enhanced MRI, and underwent surgical resection of liver lesions within one month. Observation indicators: (1) postoperative histopathological examinations of patients with small hepatocellular carcinoma; (2) examination of small hepatocellular carcinoma by contrast-enhanced ultrasound, enhanced CT and enhanced MRI; (3) imaging features of small hepatocellular carcinoma in the contrast-enhanced ultrasound, enhanced CT and enhanced MRI; (4) enhancement mode distribution of small hepatocellular carcinoma in the arterial, portal and delayed phases of contrast-enhanced ultrasound, enhanced CT and enhanced MRI; (5) the efficacy of contrast-enhanced ultrasound, enhanced CT and enhanced MRI in the diagnosis of small hepatocellular carcinoma. Measurement data with normal distribution were represented as Mean± SD, and measurement data with skewed distribution were represented as M(range). Count data were described as absolute numbers or percentages, and comparison between groups was conducted using the Cochran′s Q test or the chi-square test. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy were used to analyze the efficacy of contrast-enhanced ultrasound, enhanced CT and enhanced MRI in the diagnosis of small hepatocellular carcinoma. Results:(1) Postoperative histopathological examinations of patients with small hepatocellular carcinoma. There were 154 lesions detected in the postoperative histopathological examinations for the 145 small hepatocellular carcinoma patients, with the tumor diameter as (2.2±0.6)cm. (2) Examination of small hepatocellular carcinoma by contrast-enhanced ultrasound, enhanced CT and enhanced MRI. There were 153, 154 and 154 lesions detected in contrast-enhanced ultrasound, enhanced CT and enhanced MRI for the 145 patients with small hepatocellular carcinoma, respectively, with the detection rate as 99.35%(153/154), 100.00%(154/154) and 100.00%(154/154), showing no significant difference among the 3 imaging examination methods ( Q=2.00, P>0.05). (3) Imaging features of small hepatocellular carcinoma in the contrast-enhanced ultrasound, enhanced CT and enhanced MRI. Of the 153 lesions reported in contrast-enhanced ultrasound for patients with small hepatocellular carcinoma, 140 lesions showed "fast-in and fast-out" enhancement, 12 lesions showed "fast-in and slow-out" enhancement and 1 lesion showed isoenhancement in arterial phases and hypoenhancement in portal and delayed phase. Of the 154 lesions reported in enhanced CT for patients with small hepatocellular carcinoma, 112 lesions showed "fast-in and fast-out" enhancement, 13 lesions showed "fast-in and slow-out" enhancement, 14 lesions showed isoenhancement in arterial phase and hypoenhancement in portal and delayed phases, 5 lesions showed rim-like hyperenhancement in arterial phase and hypoenhancement in portal and delayed phases, 5 lesions showed hypoenhancement in the three phases, 3 lesions showed hyperenhancement in the three phases, 1 lesion showed isoenhancement in the three phases and 1 lesion showed isoenhancement in arterial and portal phases and hypoenhancement in delayed phase. Of the 154 lesions reported in enhanced MRI for patients with small hepatocellular carcinoma, 134 lesions showed "fast-in and fast-out" enhancement, 1 lesion showed "fast-in and slow-out" enhancement, 8 lesions showed isoenhancement in arterial phase and hypoenhance-ment in portal and delayed phases, 5 lesions showed rim-like hyperenhancement in arterial phase and hypoenhancement in portal and delay phases, 2 lesions showed rim-like hyperenhancement in the three phases, 1 lesion showed hyperenhancement in the three phases, 1 lesion showed hypoenhancement in the three phases, 1 lesion showed isoenhancement in arterial and portal phases and hypoenhancement in delayed late phase, 1 lesion showed edge delay enhancement in the three phases. (4) Enhancement mode distribution of small hepatocellular carcinoma in the arterial, portal and delayed phases of contrast-enhanced ultrasound, enhanced CT and enhanced MRI. Of the 153 lesions reported in contrast-enhanced ultrasound for patients with small hepatocellular carcinoma, there were 152 lesions with hyperenhancement and 1 lesion with iso or hypoenhance-ment in the arterial phase, there were 55 lesions with hyper or isoenhancement and 98 lesions with hypoenhancement in the portal venous phase, there were 12 lesions with hyper or isoenhancement and 141 lesions with hypoenhancement in the delayed phase. Of the 154 lesions reported in enhanced CT for patients with small hepatocellular carcinoma, there were 133 lesions with hyperen-hancement signal and 21 lesions with iso or hypoenhancement in the arterial phase, there were 53 lesions with hyper or isoenhancement and 101 lesions with hypoenhancement in the portal phase, there were 17 lesions with hyper or isoenhancement and 137 lesions with hypoenhancement in the delayed phase. Of the 154 lesions reported in enhanced MRI for patients with small hepatocellular carcinoma, there were 143 lesions with hyperenhancement and 11 lesions with iso or hypoenhance-ment in the arterial phase, there were 29 lesions with hyper or isoenhancement and 125 lesions with hypoenhancement in the portal phase, there were 5 lesions with hyper or isoenhancement and 149 lesions with hypoenhancement in the delayed phase. There were significant differences in the enhancement mode distribution of lesions in the arterial, portal and delayed phases among contrast-enhanced ultrasound, enhanced CT and enhanced MRI ( χ2=19.47, 13.21, 6.92, P<0.05). (5) The efficacy of contrast-enhanced ultrasound, enhanced CT and enhanced MRI in the diagnosis of small hepatocellular carcinoma. Of the 153 lesions reported in contrast-enhanced ultrasound for patients with small hepatocellular carcinoma, there were 3 lesions misdiagnosed according to the postoperative histopathological examinations. Of the 154 lesions reported in enhanced CT and enhanced MRI for patients with small hepatocellular carcinoma, there were 7 lesions and 2 lesions misdiagnosed according to the postoperative histopathological examinations, respectively. Lesions misdiagnosed in one imaging examination method were correctly diagnosed in the other two imaging examination methods. The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy were 97.4%, 63.0%, 92.3% for contrast-enhanced ultrasound in the diagnosis of small hepatocellular carcinoma. The above indica-tors were 95.5%, 63.0%, 90.6% for enhanced CT and 98.7%, 63.0%, 93.4% for enhanced MRI in the diagnosis of small hepatocellular carcinoma. There was no significant difference in the sensitivity and accuracy among the 3 imaging examination methods ( Q=2.92, 0.00, 1.81, P>0.05). Conclusion:Contrast-enhanced ultrasound, enhanced CT and enhanced MRI all have good diagnostic value in diagnosis of small hepatocellular carcinoma, and they complement each other.

An investigation on the accuracy of a simple measurement method of glomerular filtration rate / 中华检验医学杂志

Objective:To evaluate the proper blood collection time and calculation formula by measuring the iohexol plasma clearance as a representative of glomerular filtration rate at the same time of routine enhanced computed tomography (CT) examination.Methods:The prospective study method was applied, and 9 subjects with normal renal function, who admitted in Civil Aviation General Hospital from September 2018 to June 2019, were included. A single bolus of a standard dose (5 ml) (iodine concentration: 350 mgI/ml) was injected. The concentration of iohexol was measured from heparin plasma at fasting state of the subject and at nine different times after the injection, respectively. More than 24 hours after the injection of the standard dose, an enhanced CT-level dose (50 ml) of iohexol was injected to the subject and the concentration of iohexol was measured at similar time points as the standard dose. Using a multi-point method of a standard dose as the standard, the clearance rate was calculated by three kinds of formulas including Groth and Aasted formula, Jacobsson formula and Fleming formula with the single-point method to assess iohexol plasma clearance at 0.5 to 8.0 hours post injection of enhanced CT-level dose. The correlation consistency and accuracy of the multi-point method and the single-point method, as well as the dual-point method and the single-point method were compared, and the proper blood collection time and calculation formula of the single-point method at regular enhanced CT-level dose were evaluated. The correlation between the multi-point method and the single-point method, as well as the dual-point method and the single-point method were assessed using Pearson correlation coefficient; the consistency between the multi-point method and the single-point method, as well as the dual-point method and the single-point method were assessed by bias using mean±standard deviation ( SD) and 95% confidence interval ( CI) of mean difference and so on. We assessed the concordance of GFR using GFR±5% ( P5),±10% ( P10) and 1±30% ( P30) intervals. Results:Compared with the multi-point method, the mean deviation of iohexol plasma clearance obtained by the three single-point methods increased gradually from 5 hours after the injection of iohexol ( P<0.05). Compared with the multi-point method, only 3 h results, which was calculated by the Groth and Aasted formula, reached a P value greater than 0.05, a correlation coefficient of 0.938, a mean deviation of (-5.2±8.8) ml·min -1·1.73 m -2, and the concordances were 100% corresponding to P30,77.8% corresponding to P10, and 66.7% corresponding to P5; the 2, 3 and 4 hours results, which was calculated by the Jacobsson formula, reached P values greater than 0.05, when the blood collection time was 3 hours, the correlation coefficient was 0.938, and the mean deviation was the smallest, which was (1.5±6.2) ml·min -1·1.73 m -2, and the concordances were 100% corresponding to P30, 88.9% corresponding to P10, and 66.7% corresponding to P5; the 2 and 3 hours results, which was calculated by the Fleming formula, reached P values greater than 0.05, when the blood collection time was 2 h, the correlation coefficient was 0.956, and the mean deviation was the smallest, which was (-4.5±8.8) ml·min -1·1.73 m -2, and the concordances were 100% corresponding to P30, 77.8% corresponding to P10, and 55.6% corresponding to P5,Compared with the dual-point method, when Groth or Aasted formula was used, the mean deviation was the smallest at 3 hours, which was (-5.3±5.7) ml·min -1·1.73 m -2; when Jacobsson formula was used, the mean deviation was the smallest at 2 hours, which was (1.6±1.6) ml·min -1·1.73 m -2; when Fleming formula was used, and the mean deviation was the smallest at 2 hours, which was (-4.6±4.0) ml·min -1·1.73 m -2. Conclusion:At a regular enhanced CT-level dose, one blood collection can accurately measure the glomerular filtration rate, the proper time for blood collection can be 3 hours after iohexol injection, and the appropriate calculation formula can be Jacobsson formula.

Inconsistent and consistent classifications for small liver lesions by contrast-enhanced ultrasound LI-RADS and CECT/MRI LI-RADS / 中华超声影像学杂志

Objective:To explore the inconsistent and consistent classifications for lesions ≤2 cm by contrast-enhanced ultrasound(CEUS) Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System(LI-RADS) v2017 and contrast-enhanced computed tomography/contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging(CECT/MRI) LI-RADS v2018.Methods:The focal liver lesions ≤2 cm underwent CEUS and CECT/MRI within 1 month were enrolled in this retrospective study.Each nodule was categorized according to the CEUS LI-RADS v2017 and CECT/MRI LI-RADS v2018. Intermodality agreement between the CEUS LI-RADS and CECT/MRI LI-RADS for each lesion was assessed with Cohen′s Kappa. Lesions with inconsistent classification for CEUS LI-RADS and CECT/MRI were analyzed.Results:A total of 145 lesions with a size of (1.65±0.33)cm in 145 patients were included. The numbers of lesions in LR-3, 4, 5 and M were 16, 23, 90 and 16 on CEUS LI-RADS, 25, 31, 87 and 2 on CECT/MRI, respectively. And 73.1% lesions were classified as LR-5 or M on CEUS, while 61.4% lesions were classified as LR-5 or M on CECT/MRI ( P=0.033). The incidences of HCC in LR-3, 4 and 5 were 37.5%, 52.2% and 97.8% on CEUS LI-RADS, 56.0%, 64.5% and 96.6% on CECT/MRI LI-RADS respectively. Among the 145 lesions, 56 lesions had inconsistent classifications of CEUS and CECT/MRI LI-RADS. Twenty-eight lesions in CECT/MRI LR-3 and 4 were escalated to LR-4 and 5 by CEUS and 82.1% of them were found to be HCC. Fourteen lesions on CEUS LR-3 and 4 were escalated to LR-4 and 5 by CECT/MRI and 85.7% of them were found to be HCC. Conclusions:The LR-5 of the CEUS and CECT/EOB-MRI LI-RADS has a comparable incidence of HCC. However, the inter-modality agreement of the LI-RADS category between CEUS and CECT/EOB-MRI is poor. The proportion of lesions in CEUS LR-5 and M is much higher than that in CECT/MRI LR-5 and M, while the proportion of lesions in CECT/MRI LR-3 and 4 is high than that in CEUS LR-3 and 4.

Retroperitoneal lymphangiectasia: a great clinical masquerade

Retroperitoneal lymphangiectasia is a very rare lymphatic disorder characterized by abnormal proliferation of lymphatics. We present series of 3 cases of retroperitoneal lymphangiectasia which are diagnosed in our institute with the help of Ultrasonography (USG), Computed Tomography (CT) and Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of abdomen and pelvis with unusual clinical presentation. We include clinical features and imaging findings of this disorder with its pathogenesis and diagnosis. Two of the cases were clinically masquerading as hernia and one case was mimicking varicocele. Thorough clinical examination and USG, colour Doppler, CT and MRI are extremely helpful imaging investigation that aid in differentiating these lesions from hernia/ varicocele and the cross sectional imaging like CT and MRI can  depict the anatomical extent of the disease.

Untargeted contrast-enhanced ultrasound versus contrast-enhanced computed tomography: a differential diagnostic performance (DDP) study for kidney lesions

OBJECTIVES: Histopathology is the 'gold standard' for diagnosing renal cell carcinoma but is limited by sample size. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound can differentiate malignant and benign lesions, but the Chinese guidelines on the management of renal cell carcinoma do not include this method. The purpose of this study was to compare the diagnostic parameters of contrast-enhanced ultrasound against those of contrast-enhanced computed tomography for detecting kidney lesions, with histopathology considered the reference standard. METHODS: Patients with suspected kidney lesions from prior grayscale ultrasonography and computed tomography were included in the analysis (n=191). The contrast-enhanced ultrasound, contrast-enhanced computed tomography, and histopathology data were collected and analyzed. A solid, enhanced mass was considered a malignant lesion, and an unenhanced mass or cyst was considered a benign lesion. The Bosniak criteria were used to characterize the lesions. RESULTS: Contrast-enhanced ultrasound and contrast-enhanced computed tomography both detected that 151 patients had malignant tumors and 40 patients had benign tumors. No significant differences in the tumors and their subtypes were reported between contrast-enhanced ultrasound and histopathology (p=0.804). Chromophobe renal cell carcinoma was detected through contrast-enhanced computed tomography (n=1), but no such finding was reported by contrast-enhanced ultrasound. A total of 35 cases of papillary renal cell carcinoma were reported through contrast-enhanced ultrasound while 32 were reported through histopathology. CONCLUSIONS: Contrast-enhanced ultrasound might be safe and as accurate as histopathology in diagnosing kidney lesions, especially renal cell carcinoma. Additionally, this study provides additional information over histopathology and has an excellent safety profile. Level of evidence: III.

Imaging spectrum and prevalence of variant branching pattern of aortic arch

Background: Variant branching patterns of the aortic arch are not infrequent but are commonly under reported. This study was conducted to determine the spectrum of Variant branching pattern of aortic arch and their prevalence using contrast enhanced computed tomography (CECT) images of the cases from a tertiary care centre.Methods:  Contrast enhanced computed tomography (CECT) images of aortic arch region from 1116(629 male and 487 female) cases from 18 to 85 years of age were examined retrospectively. The images were reviewed for normal and variant anatomy of aortic arch and the results were analyzed statistically.Results: Of 1116 patients, 878 (78.6%) cases showed normal and 238 (21.3%) cases had variant branching pattern of the aortic arch. The most common variation was the common origin of brachiocephalic trunk (BCT) and the left common carotid artery (LCCA) which was observed in 160 (14.3%) cases. In 8 (0.7%) cases, BCT and LCCA took origin from a single common trunk arising from the aortic arch. In 60(5.4%) cases, the left vertebral artery (LVA) originated directly from the aortic arch between the origin of the LCCA and left subclavian artery (SCA). 8 (0.7%) cases had aberrant right subclavian artery. Two (0.2%) cases showed right aortic arch.Conclusions: Interventional radiologists and surgeons should be well aware of variant anatomy of aortic arch. Contrast CT is a highly reliable imaging method for demonstrating anatomical features and variations of the arch.

Application effects of enhanced computed tomography and three-dimensional reconstruction technology in reconstruction of pediatric post-burn scars with expanded flaps / 中华烧伤杂志

Objective@#To explore the application effects of enhanced computed tomography (CT) and three-dimensional reconstruction technology in the reconstruction of pediatric post-burn scars with expanded flaps.@*Methods@#From May 2016 to March 2019, 19 children with hypertrophic scars after thermal injuries were admitted to our unit, including 10 boys and 9 girls, aged from 4 years and 5 months to 15 years and 11 months. The area of scars ranged from 5 cm×4 cm to 23 cm×9 cm. One or more skin and soft tissue expanders with suitable volume and shape were implanted into the normal skin area around scar of children. Three to six months later, enhanced CT and three-dimensional reconstruction were performed before the second stage operation to obtain three-dimensional images of the vascular branches in the donor site for expanded flaps to be cut, so as to determine the course and distribution of the vascular branches and guide the design of expanded flaps. According to the design scheme, the resection of scar, removal of expanders, and excision and transfer of flaps were performed to repair the wounds after scar resection. The area of flaps ranged from 6 cm×4 cm to 25 cm×10 cm. The donor site was closed directly. The number of flaps was counted. The anatomical structure, vascular distribution, and adverse reactions during enhanced CT and three-dimensional reconstruction of site for expanded flaps to be cut, the survival of expanded flaps and the follow-up after the second-stage operation were observed.@*Results@#A total of 48 expanded flaps were designed and excised in 19 children. The anatomical structure of the site for expanded flaps to be cut and the adjacent spatial position relationship were visually observed through the three-dimensional reconstruction after enhanced CT, and no adverse reactions were observed. Arterial branch blood supply or venous return was observed in 29 sites for expanded flaps to be cut. All the expanded flaps survived well without blood supply disorder after the second stage operation. The children were followed up for 6 months to 1 year and 6 months after the second stage operation. The appearance of the flaps was natural, and the color and thickness of the flaps were similar to those of the surrounding normal skin, except for one child with obvious linear scar.@*Conclusions@#Enhanced CT and three-dimensional reconstruction can assist the vascular assessment of the expended flaps, which is helpful for rational design of the flap excision and transfer protocol to improve the survival rate of flaps. Thus, it has certain clinical application value in the reconstruction of post-burn scar in children with expanded flaps.

Study on the value of des-γ-carboxy-prothrombin combined with enhanced CT in predicting microvascular invasion of hepatocellular carcinoma / 中国实用外科杂志

OBJECTIVE: To explore the predictive value of preoperative enhanced CT combined with des-γ-carboxy-prothrombin(DCP) level for microvascular invasion(MVI) of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).METHODS: The clinicaldata of 105 cases of HCC diagnosed by pathology after surgical resection from January 1,2016 to March 1,2019 in thethe Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University were analyzed retrospectively. According to the pathologicalresults,they were divided into two groups: experimental group(with MVI): 30 cases,control group(without MVI): 75 cases,using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis to predict influencing factors of MVI in HCC. Thereceiver working curve(ROC curve)was used to evaluate the predictive value of DCP combined with enhanced CT forMVI in HCC.RESULTS: Univariate analysis showed that serum DCP level(t=4.667,P<0.001),tumor size(t=9.427,P<0.001),capsule type(χ~2=18.456,P<0.001) and pathological type(χ~2=11.914,P=0.003) were risk factors for MVI in HCC,with statistically significant differences(P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that tumor size(OR=12.610,P=0.001),capsule type(OR=14.363,P=0.008) and serum DCP level(OR=19.254,P=0.014)were independentrisk factors of MVI in HCC,with statistically significant differences(P<0.05). ROC curve analysis showed that thesensitivity,specificity and area under the curve(AUC) of serum DCP and enhanced CT model for predicting MVI in HCCwere 90.0%,74.7% and 0.856,respectively.CONCLUSION: Preoperative serum DCP level combined with enhanced CThelps predict MVI in HCC.

Value of 18F-FDG PET-CT in the diagnosis, staging and treatment decision of lymphoma / 白血病·淋巴瘤

Objective To investigate the clinical value of 18F-FDG PET-CT in the diagnosis, clinical staging and treatment guide of malignant lymphoma. Methods A total of 136 lymphoma patients confirmed by pathological diagnosis who received 18F-FDG PET-CT and contrast enhanced CT (CECT) examination in Gansu Provincial Hospital from January 2011 to December 2016 were collected. The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive values (PPV) and negative predictive values (NPV) of 18F-FDG PET-CT and CECT were evaluated, respectively. The effects of 18F-FDG PET-CT on diagnosis, clinical staging and treatment regimens of lymphoma were analyzed. Results The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, PPV and NPV of 18F-FDG PET-CT in the diagnosis of lymphoma for all 136 patients was 98.2%, 82.1%, 94.9%, 95.5% and 92.0%, respectively. CECT was 80.6%, 67.9%, 77.9%, 90.6% and 47.5%, respectively. The difference in sensitivity and specificity between 18F-FDG PET-CT and CECT was statistically significant (χ2＝ 16.0, P<0.01). The accuracy of 18F-FDG PET-CT was higher than that of CECT. Compared with CECT, 26 (20.6%) patients with image of 18F-FDG PET-CT showed the increase of the clinical staging, 4 (2.9%) patients showed the decrease of the clinical staging, and 16 (11.8%) patients changed the treatment regimen after the stage alteration. Conclusion 18F-FDG PET-CT is superior to CECT in the diagnosis, clinical staging and treatment guide of lymphoma, which shows the promising prospect in the diagnosis and treatment of lymphoma.

Differentiation Of Lung Masses With Radiodensity Determined Contrast Enhanced Computed Tomography

Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related death in both males and females. The disease has a poor prognosis with an overall 5-year mortality rate of approximately 84% (1). Twenty patients with lung cancer, 25 with pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) and 5 with inflammatory lung pseudotumors diagnosed by CTand confirmed by pathology in our hospital were selected. There were no significant differences in the radiodensities of the masses detected by plain CTamong patients with lung cancer, TB and inflammatory lung pseudotumors (P> 0.05). However, there were significant differences (P< 0.01) between all the groups in terms of radiodensities of masses detected by contrast enhanced CT. The radiodensities of lung masses detected by contrast enhanced CTcould potentially be used to differentiate between lung cancer, pulmonary TB and inflammatory lung pseudotumors.

Application of contrast enhanced ultrasound in TN staging of pancreas cancer: comparison with contrast enhanced computed tomography / 中华超声影像学杂志

Objective@#To assess value of contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in TN staging of pancreatic cancer and compared with contrast enhanced computed tomography(CECT).@*Methods@#Seventy-eight cases with pancreatic cancer confirmed by pathology were enrolled in this study. All patients were examined using CEUS and CECT and staged according to the 8th guideline of pancreas tumors of AJCC. The diagnostic accuracies of CEUS in TN staging of pancreas tumors were compared with CECT.@*Results@#The diagnostic accuracies of CEUS in T staging and N staging of pancreatic cancer were 80.8%, and 78.2%, respectively. For CECT, the diagnostic accuracies in T staging and N staging were 88.5%, and 88.5%, respectively. There was no significant difference in the diagnostic accuracies between CEUS and CECT in T staging(χ2=1.56, P=0.21). The diagnostic accuracy of CEUS in N staging was significantly lower than that of CECT(χ2=3.86, P=0.04).@*Conclusions@#The diagnostic accuracy of CEUS in T staging of pancreatic cancer is similar to that of CECT, while in its N staging is lower than that of CECT.

Application of three-dimensional reconstruction of the enhanced CT with iPlan CMF software in head and neck neoplasms / 北京大学学报(医学版)

Objective:Three-dimensional reconstruction of the enhanced CT is increasingly becoming a valuable tool in head and neck neoplasms.The aim of this study is to reconstruct three-dimensional imaging of tumor and its surrounding important anatomical structure using iPlan CMF software,and to investigate the application of three-dimensional tumor mapping technique for the diagnosis and treatment of the head and neck neoplasms.Methods:In the study,13 cases with head and neck tumors in Department of Oral and Maxilloficial Surgery,Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology from June 2014 to June 2015 were studied using spiral CT scanning technology based on the same scanning condition.iPlan CMF software was used to read the original CT data,and surface shaded technology was applied to reconstruct the spatial relationship of the tumor,vessel and skull.The distance between the tumor and its surrounding important anatomical structure could be measured.iPlan CMF software was also used to accomplish the virtual osteotomy to expose the tumor,vessel and skull.The preoperative preparation,operative situation and postoperative complication were reviewed.Results:In this study 6 patients were male and 7 female.The age range was from 23 to 65 years,and the median patient age was 50 years.The threedimensional reconstruction image clearly demonstrated the extent of the tumor size,location,and the relation to its surrounding important anatomical structure.According to the three-dimensional image,the surgical risk of the patients was evaluated.The preoperative preparation and surgeries were successfully performed for 10 patients.Blood transfusion for 3 patients was considered before the surgery and actually accomplished during the operation.The operations for 2 patients were performed with the help of doctors from other departments.Only one patient had hoarseness because the tumor resulted from the pneumogastric nerves.For 10 patients,the average operation time was (202 ± 135) min,and the average operation bleeding was (235 ± 252) mL.The other 3 patients were not suitable cases for surgery.Conclusion:The three-dimensional reconstruction of enhanced CT image with iPlan CMF software is very helpful to make the treatment plan to avoid damaging important anatomical structures and postoperative complications.

Practical value of enhanced CT on clinical staging of renal cell carcinoma / 局解手术学杂志

Objective To evaluate the accuracy of enhanced spiral CT scans on the clinical staging of renal cell carcinoma.MethodsThe enhanced CT and clinical data of 48 patients with renal carcinoma verified by surgery and pathology in Chongqing Donghua hospital were retrospectively analyzed.Robson's classification was used to determine the clinical stages of CT data,and the staging findings based on CT data were compared with the postoperative and pathological outcomes.Results The results showed that the accuracy of preoperative CT on the staging was 91.7％.Enhanced scanning by spiral CT was useful to identify the boundaries of tumor and the filling defect of renal vein or inferior vena cava.Conclusion Enhanced scanning using the spiral CT can improve the accuracy of clinical staging for renal carcinoma,which provides guidance about the clinical therapeutic schedules for patients with renal carcinoma.

Intra-abdominal Organ Injuries in Blunt Injury Abdomen in SRM Medical College, Potheri: A Prospective Study.

Introduction: Blunt Abdominal trauma is the most common caused by road traffi c accidents (RTA). It also occurs as a result of fall from a height, assault with blunt objects, industrial mishaps, sports injuries, bomb blast. Investigative modality can only supplement the clinical evaluation and cannot replace it in the diagnosis of blunt abdominal trauma. In spite of the best techniques and advances in diagnostic and supportive care, the morbidity and mortality remain at large. Purpose: To estimate the frequency of various intra-abdominal organ involved, assess the various mode of blunt abdominal trauma and clinical presentation and various available investigation, treatment and complications. Methods: This a prospective study conducted in SRM Medical College among patients presenting to the casualty and general surgery outpatient department with a sample size of 72. Results: Males (91.6%) outnumbered females (8.33%). RTA forms the most common mode of injury. The most common age group affected is 21-30 years. Majority of the population presented with pain abdomen. Focused assessment with sonography for trauma has picked up solid organ injury in 46 cases. Computed tomography abdomen was performed in 100% of the population and forms the core investigation of choice and becomes more important in dealing operative versus conservative management. For splenic injury, the most common surgery performed was splenectomy (26 cases). Multiple intra-abdominal organs were involved accounting for 9.7%. Wound infection is the most common post-operative complication. The study showed a mortality of 19%. Conclusion: Blunt injury abdomen with solid organ injury forms a considerable load of patients in our society and is usually less obvious. Early diagnosis, repeated clinical examination and use of appropriate investigations form the key in the management.

Adult Intussusception due to a Rare Tumor (Inflammatory Myofibroblastic Tumor of Mesentery): A Case Report.

Adult intussusception occurs infrequently and differs from childhood intussusception in its presentation, etiology, and treatment. Diagnosis can be delayed because of its long-standing, intermittent, and non-specific symptoms and most cases are diagnosed at emergency laparotomy. We report a case of 23-year-old female with complaints of abdominal pain, constipation, and loss of appetite since 2 months. Computed tomography revealed right colonic obstruction caused by intussusception of the ileocecum. On exploration, a mesenteric mass was seen extending with the intussusceptum following, which ileocecal intussusception was found. The mass was excised. Histopathology examination of the specimen revealed an inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor. These tumors can occur throughout the body, most commonly in the lung, mesentery, and omentum. Complete surgical resection is the treatment of choice. A Review of this rare condition is interesting and should be borne on the mind.

Contrast-Induced Nephropathy in Patients Undergoing Intravenous Contrast-Enhanced Computed Tomography in Korea: A Multi-Institutional Study in 101487 Patients

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence of known risk factors for contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) and their association with the actual occurrence of CIN in patients undergoing intravenous contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) in Korea. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients who underwent CECT in 2008 were identified in the electronic medical records of 16 tertiary hospitals of Korea. Data on demographics, comorbidities, prescriptions and laboratory test results of patients were collected following a standard data extraction protocol. The baseline renal function was assessed using the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). We identified the prevalence of risk factors along the eGFR strata and evaluated their influence on the incidence of CIN, defined as a 0.5 mg/dL or 25% increase in serum creatinine after CECT. RESULTS: Of 432425 CECT examinations in 272136 patients, 140838 examinations in 101487 patients met the eligibility criteria for analysis. The mean age of the participants was 57.9 +/- 15.5 years; 25.1% of the patients were older than 70 years. The prevalence of diabetes mellitus was 11.9%, of hypertension 13.7%, of gout 0.55% and of heart failure was 1.7%. Preventive measures were used in 40238 CECT examinations (28.6%). The prevalence of risk factors and use of preventive measures increased as the renal function became worse. A CIN was occurred after 3103 (2.2%) CECT examinations, revealing a significant association with decreased eGFR, diabetes mellitus, and congestive heart failure after adjustment. CONCLUSION: Risk factors for CIN are prevalent among the patients undergoing CECT. Preventive measures were seemingly underutilized and a system is needed to improve preventive care.

Comparison of Non-contrast-Enhanced Computed Tomography and Intravenous Pyelogram for Detection of Patients With Urinary Calculi

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the changing pattern in the use of intravenous pyelogram (IVP), conventional computed tomography (CT), and non-contrast-enhanced computed tomography (NECT) for evaluation of patients with acute flank pain. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 2,180 patients with acute flank pain who had visited Bundang Jesaeng General Hospital between January 2008 and December 2012 and analyzed the use of IVP, conventional CT, and NECT for these patients. RESULTS: During the study period there was a significant increase in NECT use (p<0.001) and a significant decrease in IVP use (p<0.001). Conventional CT use was also increased significantly (p=0.001). During this time the proportion of patients with acute flank pain who were diagnosed with urinary calculi did not change significantly (p=0.971). CONCLUSIONS: There was a great shift in the use of imaging study from IVP to NECT between 2008 and 2012 for patients with acute flank pain.

Immature Teratoma with Somatic Tumor-Type Sarcoma: A Case Report.

Teratoma is a germ cell tumor seen mainly in neonates and young adults; it contains elements derived from all three germinal layers, with its usual site of occurrence being the ovary and testis and less common sites being several extragonadal locations. This case is of a 10-year-old boy who presented with an asymptomatic mass, heterogenous on ultrasonography and showing enhanced solid areas along with nonenhancing cystic areas on contrast enhanced computed tomography. Cytological diagnosis of malignant mesenchymal tumor was made; however, exact categorization could not be done. After surgical excision, histological and immunohistochemical studies yielded the diagnosis of immature teratoma with somatic malignancy – sarcoma. Teratomas with malignant transformation refer to a form of germ cell tumor in which a somatic teratomatous component becomes morphologically malignant and develops aggressively. These are associated with chromosomal abnormalities i (12p) reflecting germ cell tumor clonality. The occurrence of an identifiable sarcomatous component is a well recognized but distinctly uncommon phenomenon.

Pre-operative contrast enhanced computer tomographic evaluation of cervical nodal metastatic disease in oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Aims: This prospective study was undertaken to evaluate the contrast enhanced computed tomography (CECT) criteria in detecting cervical lymph node metastasis in 50 patients with an oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSQCC). Materials and Methods: A total of 50 patients with OSQCC who underwent clinical assessment, routine CECT scanning of cervical lymph node and radical neck dissection were analyzed. Radiologic criteria for diagnosing nodal metastasis in this imaging study were: A nodal size of 1 cm, the presence of central lucency despite the size of the lymph node and grouping of lymph nodes. These criteria were based on modified American Joint Committee on Cancer Radiological Nodal Staging Guidelines. Statistical Analysis: Chi-square test/Fisher Exact test has been used to find the significant association of findings. Diagnostic statistics viz.: Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value, and diagnostic accuracy were obtained. The results were considered significant when P value was less than 0.05. Results: On using a nodal size of 1 cm and the presence of central nodal necrosis (CNN) as radiological criteria for nodal metastasis CT scanning staged 23 of the 27 histopathologically positive necks, providing accuracy of 88%, sensitivity of 92%, and specificity of 84% in detection of nodal metastasis. A significant relationship between the incidence of CNN, different nodal densities, and primary tumor differentiation was observed. Conclusions: The nodal size cut-off of 1-1.5 cm had a maximal sensitivity of 90.91% and PPV of 86.96%. Furthermore, observation of nodal densities in the absence of frank CNN on the CT scan may be necessary especially in low grade primary tumor. CT assessment of cervical node metastasis was found acceptable, although adjuncts like ultrasound guided fine needle aspiration may further increase efficacy of CT scan in nodes lesser than 1 cm in size.