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ObjectiveTo explore the clinical application of ultrasound-guided radiofrequency thermocoagulaion in brachial plexus block.MethodsC5-C7 brachial plexus block was performed by 6-13 MHz high-frequency ultrasound probe in 65 patients with cervical spondylotic radiculopathy. Visual analogue scale (VAS) score were compared before and after treatment.ResultsThe brachial plexus was showed clearly in 62 patients; however, 3 patients had to be confi rmed by nerve stimulation positioning. The percentage of successful rate is 100%. There was no operation related nerve injury and other complications. The VAS score of preoperation and 1st, 4th and 12nd week after treatment was 8.67±0.76, 3.58±0.62, 2.46±0.2 and 1.77±0.28, respectively. There were significantly difference between before and after treatment (t=58.71, 6.23, 107.72, allP<0.01).ConclusionThe brachial plexus block using radiofrequency thermocoagulaion combined with ultrasound guidance is a safe and radiation-free treatment and warrants to be promoted in clinical practices.
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Objective To investigate the clinical value of the test injection at popliteal arteries on 64-slice CTA in lower extremity peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD). Methods Twenty-eight patients with PAOD referred for 64-slice CTA were enrolled consecutively in the study. Test injection was performed at bilateral popliteal arteries (the level of knee joints) and the clinic value of the peak value and the time to peak was analyzed. The relationship between the time to peak and the peak value was evaluated with Pearson test. The time to peak was used for programming of the CT angiographic acquisitions with fast scanning mode. The quality of visualization of each arterial segment was determined independently by two radiologists. Results Fifty-four (96%, 54/56) time-attenuation curves were obtained in 28 patients. The wide interindividual variation in the peak value and the time to peak was observed in 52 curves of 26 patients with range of 60-178 HU,21-46 s and an average of (135±28) HU,(31±6) s, respectively. The difference in the peak value and the time to peak between bilateral popliteal arteries was also observed with range of 10-80 HU and an average of (32±18) HU in 19 patients,with range of 1-12 s and an average of (5±3) s in 21 patients. There was negative relationship between the peak value and the time to peak (r=-0.526, P<0.01). The CTA images were of good (598 segments) or medium quality (12 segments) in 99% segments (610/616). Conclusions The test injection at popliteal arteries was useful for 64-slice CTA in the patients with PAOD, as it could accurately specify the delay time of CT angiographic acquisitions.
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Objective To probe the CT findings of menisci in degenerative osteoarthrosis of knees joint.Methods CT features of meniscus damage in 151 cases with degenerative osteoarthrosis of knees joint collected randomly from 2003~2005 were retrospectively analysed.Results CT features included:abnormal outline of meniscus or its edge to be coarse in 16 cases(10.5%),local hypodense in the meniscus in 107 cases(70.8%),gap sign in 9 cases(5.9%) and vacuum sign in 19 cases(12.5%).Conclusion CT scan is of benefit for evaluating the meniscus damage in degenerative osteoarthrosis of knees joint,which can be used to plan the mode of treatment.