Correlation analysis between multi-slice CT perfusion imaging and microvessel density in ovarian tumors / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To analyze the correlation between the perfusion data and microvessel density (MVD) in ovarian tumors, and investigate the hemodynamic features of the tumors in terms of anatomy and functional CT imaging.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Six patients with surgically confirmed benign ovarian tumors and 6 with malignant ovarian tumors underwent multi-slice CT perfusion imaging to acquire the perfusion parameters including perfusion, PEI, TTP, BV peak enhancement image(PEI), time to peak(TTP) and blood volume(BV). The tumors were stained and counted by Immunohistochemical staining of the microvessels in the tumor was performed to detect the MVD.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>s The time-density curves of the benign ovarian tumors increased slowly, reaching the peak at 40 s; the curves of the malignant tumors rose rapidly and continuously and reached the peak at 25 s. The differences in the perfusion data (PEI, TTP, BV) were statistically significant between the benign and malignant tumors (P<0.05). The MVD of the malignant tumors was significantly greater than that of the benign tumors (P<0.05). The mean BV of the malignant ovarian tumor was positively correlated to MVD (r=0.786, P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Multi-slice spiral CT perfusion imaging can provide accurate enhancement data of the ovarian tumors and helps in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of the ovarian tumors by presenting the changes of the hemodynamic features in the tumors.</p>

Atypical magnetic resonance imaging vs pathological findings of leiomyoma in the female reproductive system / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of the atypical leiomyoma in the female reproductive system in comparison with the pathological features of the neoplasms.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A retrospective analysis of the MRI findings and the pathological features was conducted in 24 cases of atypical leiomyoma involving the female reproductive system.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Atypical leiomyomas were displayed by MRI as solid tumor mass surrounded by cystic degeneration, pseudotumors, or solid mass with homogeneous signal intensity. Intrauterine lesions were found in 19 cases, involving the subserosal layer (n=11), intramural region (n=4), broad ligament (n=3), cervix (n=2), submucous layer (n=2), vagina (n=1), and the ovary (n=1). Except for two cases with submucous lesions shown as solid mass, all the cases had lesions appearing as solid cystic mass, whose solid part showed hypo or isointense signals on T1WI and moderate hyperintense signals on T2WI, with heterogeneous enhancement after contrast agent injection. Tumor cell and interstitial cell swelling, vascular hyalinosis, hyalinosis, myxoedema, cystic degeneration, and hemorrhage were found in the lesions.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Leiomyoma can occur at almost any site in the female reproductive system, and atypical leiomyoma usually are shown as solid cystic mixed mass in the pelvic cavity. Evaluation of the relationship between the solid mass and cystic portion and observation for the presence of low signal on T2WI may help in the diagnosis of atypical leiomyoma.</p>

Anatomic study of the facial artery using multislice spiral CT angiography / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the anatomy of the facial artery using 16-slice spiral CT angiography (CTA).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty-five patients without vascular pathologies or other anomalies underwent 16-slice spiral CT angiography after injection of 350 mg I/ml Omnipaque through the ulnar vein. MIP and volume rendering of the images were performed to analyze the left and right facial artery.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The left facial artery arose from the external carotid artery with the distances from the carotid artery bifurcation of 4.5-47.90 mm (mean 18.77-/+8.98 mm), and in 1 case (2.2%), the artery arose from the common carotid artery. The right facial artery arose from the external carotid artery in all the 45 cases (100%) with distances from the carotid artery bifurcation of 6.8-39.70 mm (mean 19.23-/+8.25 mm). The bilateral facial arteries more commonly arose from the external carotid artery independently, and the lingual artery and facial artery sharing the same trunk arising from the external carotid artery was less common. In 1 case, the left facial artery and the submental artery shared the same trunk, and in another case, the left facial artery, thyroid artery and lingual artery shared the same trunk. The diameter of the left facial artery ranged from 1.40 to 4.70 mm (mean 2.83-/+0.77 mm), and that of the right facial artery was 1.60-4.30 mm (mean 2.81-/+0.79 mm). The left facial artery ended below the angle of the mouth in 12 cases (26.67%), between the angle of the mouth and the nasal wing in 7 cases (15.56%), and above the nasal wing in 26 cases (57.77%). The right facial artery ended below the angle of the mouth in 7 cases (15.56%), between the angle of the mouth and the nasal wing in 12 cases (26.67%), and above the nasal wing in 26 cases (57.77%). The bilateral facial arteries frequently passed through the submandibular gland parenchyma (23 cases on the left and 24 cases on the right), and the facial arteries were found occasionally to run below the submandibular gland (11 cases on the left and 9 on the right).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>16-slice spiral CT angiography can help in preoperative facial artery evaluation noninvasively. This modality can clearly display the bilateral facial arteries, including their origin, course, distribution and ending to provide detailed information for flap designing before plastic surgery and for preoperative evaluation for microvascular surgery.</p>