Ultrasound, abdominal X-ray and dual-source CT in the diagnosis of colon tumor mechanical obstruction / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the value of ultrasound, abdominal X-ray, and dual-source CT (DSCT) in the diagnosis of colon tumor obstruction.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A retrospective analysis was conducted among 45 patients who were admitted to our department between October 2010 and August 2011 for abdominal pain. All the patients underwent ultrasound, abdominal X-ray and DSCT examinations and subsequent surgical interventions, which confirmed the diagnosis of colon tumor obstruction.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>DSCT diagnosis was obviously more efficient than ultrasound and X-ray in detecting colon obstruction by neoplasms, and could better predict the position of the obstruction. Complete information of the vessels in the surgical field could be obtained by DSCT imaging three-dimensional reconstruction.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Compared with ultrasound and X-ray, DSCT is more effective in the diagnosis of colon tumor obstruction by acquiring more thorough information by imaging reconstruction and should be considered for a rapid and accurate diagnosis.</p>

High-field MRI and pathological diagnosis of supratentorial primitive neuroectodermal tumors / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To analyze the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features of supratentorial primitive neuroectodermal tumors (sPNET) and improve the diagnosis of this disease.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>MRI manifestations of 14 cases of PNET were retrospectively analyzed and compared with their pathological features.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The supratentorial lesions involved the occipital lobe in 4, frontal lobe in 3, fronto-occipital lobe in 2, temporo-occipital lobe in 3, lateral ventricle in 1 case and the saddle region in 1. All the lesions were large in volume and most of them presented heterogeneous signals in MRI. Of the 14 cases, 12 showed cystic degeneration and necrosis, 2 had hemorrhage and 6 showed signs of emptied small blood vessels. Twelve cases had heterogeneous enhancement and 2 had moderate enhancement. Pathologically, 10 cases of neuroblastomas were identified, along with 3 ganglioneuroblastomas and 1 atypical rhabdoid tumor.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>MRI findings of PNET are rather characteristic to assist in the diagnosis and treatment of the disease, but a final definite diagnosis still relies on pathological examination.</p>

Imaging findings of craniopharyngioma in relation to its surgical management: a retrospective analysis / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To analyze the CT and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of craniopharygioma and explore the correlation between the pathological findings and clinical features of the disease.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The CT and MRI findings of 123 pathologically confirmed craniopharygioma cases were reviewed retrospectively in conjunction with the pathological findings and surgical data.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>This patient cohort consisted of 70 male and 53 female patients with their age ranging from 1 to 72 years (mean 23.82 years). Of the 123 craniopharyngioma patients, 59 were found to have adamantinous craniopharyngiomas, 41 had papillary squamous craniopharyngiomas, and 23 had mixed tumors. Solid tumor was found in 18 cases, cystic tumor in 38 cases, and calcification in 78 cases; in 23 cases, the posterior of the tumor did not exhibit clear boundary from the wall of the three cerebral ventricles, and in 11 cases CT and MRI displayed hypophysial stalk, which was found intraoperatively in 53 cases.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>MRI allows clear vision of the range of craniopharyngioma involvement and the anatomical structures surrounding the tumor. CT, on the other hand, shows better performance in displaying the calcification foci. Accurate identification of the site, dimension, calcification patterns and relation between the hypophysial stalk and hypothalamus by the imaging modalities significantly benefits the optimization of the surgical plan for the tumor.</p>

Clinical value of multislice spiral CT in caudal block / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore a new method for body surface orientation of the puncture site, determination of the direction of the needling and puncture depth for caudal block.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Three-dimensional reconstruction of the pelvis was performed in 8 cases for measuring the distances between the sacral hiatus and the planned site of anesthetic delivery and the size of the sacral hiatus. After image processing with the technique of shaded surface display (SSD), the shapes of sacral hiatus and sacral tube were evaluated.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Three-dimensional reconstruction of the pelvis in the 8 cases allowed clear view from any directions of the sacral hiatus and sacral tube and accurate measurement of the size of the sacral hiatus. After simulated cutting of half of the rumpbone, the distances between the sacral hiatus and the drug injection site were accurately measured. With these measurements, accurate preoperative localization of the puncture site on the skin was achieved and the anesthesia was successful in all the cases.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>This technique can provide accurate data for localization of the puncture site on the skin and determination of the direction of the needling and the puncture depth for caudal block to increase the successful rate of anesthesia, lower the operative risks and allow simulated operative training.</p>

Finger reconstruction with extended free second toe flap transfer / 中华整形外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate an ideal method for finger reconstruction with extended the second toe flap transfer.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The second toe free flap was created, combined with an pedicled skin flap from the fibular side of the great toe inlaid in the ventral side of the second toe, a double-wing flap and the distal part of the metatarsal bone. The composite free flap was transferred by vascular anastomosis for finger reconstruction.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The reconstructed finger exhibited nice looking and better function. The procedure had little influence to the appearance and function of the donor foot.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>This method is effective in ameliorating the appearance and function of the reconstructed finger with the second toe transfer.</p>