Value of Superb Micro-vascular Imaging in Diagnosing Carotid Artery Vulnerable Plaque / 中国医学科学院学报

Objective To explore the diagnostic value of superb micro-vascular imaging (SMI) for patients with vulnerable plaque of carotid artery. Methods Totally 69 patient with carotid hypoechoic or predominantly hypoechoic plaque (108 plaques),which were identified by conventional ultrasound,underwent SMI and contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS). Based on the scores of CEUS and SMI (0,1,and 2 points),the consistency of SMI and CEUS in detecting plaque neovascularization was assessed. Results SMI could more clearly display the profile and morphology of the plaques than conventional ultrasound. SMI showed that there were neovascularization in 75 plaques,and CEUS showed that there were neovascularization in 76 plaques;the number of scoring consistency in the plaque neovascularization under SMI and CEUS was 90,suggesting these two results were highly consistent (Kappa value=0.748). There were 6 ulcerated carotid plaques detected by SMI,and the same 6 ulcerated carotid plaques were detected by CEUS,showing complete consistency. Of these 108 plaques,55 caused stenosis of the lumen,and SMI showed there was no correlation between plaque neovascularization and stenosis of the lumen caused by plaques (P=0.473). Conclusion SMI can clearly display the morphology and outline of the plaques and the plaque neovascularization. Therefore,it can be used for evaluating plaque vulnerability.

Comparing the effect of An's Shaobei Injection (symbols; see text) with Xiaozhiling Injection (symbols; see text) in patients with internal hemorrhoids of grade I-III: a prospective cohort study / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the effect of An's Shaobei Injection ([symbols; see text]) with Xiaozhiling Injection ([symbols; see text]) in patients with internal hemorrhoids of grade I-III.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>This cohort study included 1,520 internal hemorrhoids patients with grade I-III who were scheduled for liquid injection treatment from July 2003 to July 2009. The cohort included patients who underwent either An's Shaobei Injection treatment (the treatment group, 760 cases) or Xiaozhiling Injection treatment (the control group, 760 cases). All patients were followed up regularly for 3 years; the observing indices included anal function recovery and clinical response after operation.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Among the 1,520 patients, 1,508 (99.2%) completed the 3-year follow-up. The efficacy rate was 97.5% in the treatment group, significantly higher than the control group (91.8%, P<0.01). The recurrence rate in the treatment group was 0.5%, significantly lower than that of the control group (1.3%, P<0.01). In addition, perianal callosity occurred in 8 cases (1.1%) and anorectal stricture in 26 cases (3.5%) after operation in the control group. There was no perianal callosity and anorectal stricture in the treatment group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The treatment with An's Shaobei Injection demonstrated superior clinical effect to Xiaozhiling Injection with fewer adverse effects.</p>

Ultrasound diagnosis of congenital intrahepatic portosystemic shunt / 中华肝脏病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the ultrasonographic features of congenital intrahepatic portosystemic venous shunt (CIPSVS) and to assess the clinical value of ultrasonography in the diagnosis of CIPSVS.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Six cases of CIPSVS diagnosed in our hospital between March 2010 and March 2012 and confirmed by enhanced computed tomography (CT) were retrospectively reviewed. Five of the six cases had follow-up data that was included in the analysis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Among the six CIPSVS cases, only one was classified as Park's type II and the rest were classified as Park's type III. Five cases involved the right lobe of the liver and only one case involved the left lobe. The lesion shapes included cystic, tubular, and irregular with clear contour and appeared to be anechoic on CT scan. The lesions ranged in size from 1.1*0.6 cm to 2.0*1.7 cm. For all cases, the color Doppler ultrasound images showed blood flowing from the portal vein to the hepatic vein, and single-phase spectrum was detected in the diversion channel. The differences observed in level of lesion size and blood flow velocity at the shunt from the time of examinations at diagnosis and subsequent follow-up did not reach statistical significance (P = 0.223 more than 0.05 and P = 0.930 more than 0.05 respectively).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Although cases of CIPSVS are rare, they share some specific sonographic features that may help in diagnosis. Color Doppler ultrasound findings have high diagnostic accuracy and may represent a preferred modality for follow-up monitoring.</p>