Clinical value of conventional magnetic resonance imaging combined with diffusion-weighted imaging in predicting pelvic lymph node metastasis of cervical cancer.

Background: In cervical cancer (CC), the involvement of pelvis lymph nodes is a crucial factor for patients' outcome. We aimed to investigate the value of conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) combined with diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) in predicting CC pelvic lymph node metastasis (PLNM). Methods: This retrospective study included CC patients who received surgical treatments. Surgical pathology results served as the gold standard for investigating the diagnostic performance of conventional MRI combined with DWI. We analyzed the association between tumor ADC and PLNM, as well as other pathological factors. The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUCs) for ADC in assessing PLNM and pathological factors were evaluated, and optimal cut-off points were obtained. Results: A total of 261 CC patients were analyzed. PLNM patients had significantly lower tumor ADC (0.829 ± 0.144×10-3mm2/s vs. 1.064 ± 0.345×10-3mm2/s, p<0.0001), than non-PLNM CC. The agreement between conventional MRI combined with DWI and pathological results on PLNM diagnosis was substantial (Kappa=0.7031, p<0.0001), with 76% sensitivity, 94.31% specificity, and 90.8% accuracy. The AUC of tumor ADC was 0.703, and the optimal cut-off was 0.95×10-3 mm2/s. In multivariate analysis model 1, tumor ADC<0.95×10-3mm2/s was significantly associated with PLNM (OR, 2.83; 95%CI, 1.08-7.43; p= 0.0346) after adjusting for age and pathological risk factors. In multivariate analysis model 2, tumor ADC<0.95×10-3mm2/s (OR, 4.00; 95%CI, 1.61-9.89; p=0.0027), age<35 years old (OR, 2.93; 95%CI, 1.04-8.30; p=0.0428), increased tumor diameter on MRI (OR, 2.17; 95%CI, 1.18-3.99; p=0.0128), vaginal vault involvement on MRI (OR, 2; 95%CI, 1.002-3.99; p=0.0494) were independent predictors for PLNM. Tumor ADC<0.95×10-3mm2/s was significantly associated with higher risk of tumor diameter ≥4cm (OR, 2.60; 95%CI, 1.43-4.73; p=0.0017), muscular layer infiltration >1/2 (OR, 5.46; 95%CI, 3.19-9.34; p<0.0001), vaginal vault involvement (OR, 2.25; 95%CI, 1.28-3.96; p=0.0051), and lymphovascular space involvement (OR, 3.81; 95%CI, 2.19-6.63; p<0.0001). Conclusion: Conventional MRI combined with DWI had a good diagnostic performance in detecting PLNM. The tumor ADC value in PLNM patients was significantly lower than that in non-PLNM patients. Tumor ADC <0.95×10-3mm2/s, age <35 years old, increased tumor diameter on MRI, vaginal vault involvement on MRI were independent predictors for PLNM.

Peri-operative risk factors for in-hospital mortality in acute type A aortic dissection.

BACKGROUND: Acute type A aortic dissection (TAAD) is cardiovascular emergency and requires surgical interventions. In-hospital mortality rate of surgical-treated TAAD patients remains high. We aim to examine the prognostic implications of peri-operative parameters to identify high-risk patient for in-hospital mortality. METHODS: A total of 264 surgically treated TAAD patients were included in this study. The association between in-hospital mortality and peri-operative parameters were examined. RESULTS: Thirty patients (11.36%) died during hospitalization. Patients with higher Apache II score had a significantly higher rate of in-hospital mortality when compared with patients scored ≤20 in unadjusted model [Score 21-25: HR =12.9 (1.7-100.8), P=0.0148; Score >25: HR =94.5 (12.6-707.6), P<0.0001]. Patients with Sbp >120 mmHg, Cr >200 mmol/L (both at admission and after surgery), BUN >8.2 mmol/L (both at admission and after surgery), AST >80 µ/L, aortic cross-clamping time >120 min and cardiopulmonary bypass time (CPBT) >230 min were also significantly related to higher rate of in-hospital mortality in univariate analysis. In multivariable analysis, APACHE II score [Score 21-25: HR =9.5 (1.2-74.4), P=0.032; Score >25: HR =51.0 (6.7-387.7), P=0.0001], AST >80 µmol/L [HR =2.3 (1.1-4.8), P=0.0251], aortic cross-clamping time >120 min (HR =2.9 (1.1-7.7), P=0.0315) remained significant in predicting TAAD in-hospital mortality. CONCLUSIONS: APACHE II score could be a useful tool to predict TAAD in-hospital mortality. AST >80 µ/L and aortic cross-clamping time >120 min were also independent predictors.

Magnetic resonance spectroscopy for assessment of brain injury in the rat model of sepsis.

The diagnostic value of magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), T2-weighted imaging (T2WI) and serum markers of brain injury in a rat model of sepsis were investigated. Rats were randomly divided into the control group and 6, 12 and 24 h after lipopolysaccharide-injection groups. Brain morphology and metabolism were assessed with T2WI magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and MRS. Serum and brain tissue samples were then collected to examine the concentrations of neuron-specific enolase (NSE) and S100-ß protein. Brain T2WI showed no differences between the groups. N-acetylaspartate/choline (NAA/Cr) ratio measured by MRS showed different degrees of decrease in the sepsis groups, and serum NSE and S100-ß concentrations were increased compared with the control group. Apoptosis rates were measured in the right hippocampal area, and there were statistically significant differences between the indicated groups and the control group (p<0.05). The correlation between apoptosis rate and NAA/Cr ratio was closer than that between apoptosis rate and NSE or S100-ß (-0.925 vs. 0.434 vs. 0.517, respectively). In conclusion, MRS is a sensitive, non-invasive method to investigate complications of brain injury in septic rats, which may be utilized for the early diagnosis of brain injury caused by sepsis.

Prognostic Implications of Nonsustained Ventricular Tachycardia in High-Risk Patients With Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy.

BACKGROUND: The prognostic significance of nonsustained ventricular tachycardia (NSVT) in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is incompletely resolved. METHODS AND RESULTS: The study group comprised 160 patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs), of whom 94 patients had 24- to 48-hour ambulatory monitoring preimplant. ICDs were interrogated and ambulatory ECGs monitored for NSVT episodes, with associations between NSVT- and ICD-treated ventricular arrhythmias examined. Eighty-six (54%) patients had runs of NSVT, including 17 before implant on ambulatory monitoring, 44 after ICD implantation, and 22 on both. Agreement between preimplant ambulatory monitoring and ICD interrogation for detecting NSVT was poor (κ=0.18). Eighteen of 86 patients (21%) with NSVT and 6 of 74 patients (8%) without NSVT experienced ICD-treated ventricular tachycardia (VT)/ventricular fibrillation (VF). NSVT was significantly associated with ICD-treated VT/VF (adjusted hazard ratio, 3.98; 95% confidence interval, 1.41-11.29; P=0.0093). ICD-treated VT/VF was associated with NSVT runs at a rate >200 beats per minute (adjusted hazard ratio, 15.63; 95% confidence interval, 4.01-60.89; P<0.0001) and >7 beats (adjusted hazard ratio, 6.26; 95% confidence interval, 2.02-19.41; P=0.0015). Repetitive runs of NSVT were also associated with ICD-treated VT/VF (adjusted hazard ratio, 9.22; 95% confidence interval, 2.53-33.60; P=0.0008). Slower (≤200 beats per minute), shorter (≤7), or a single run of NSVT were not associated with ICD-treated ventricular arrhythmias. CONCLUSIONS: On extended monitoring, NSVT was independently associated with ICD-treated ventricular arrhythmias, supporting the importance of NSVT in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy risk stratification. Faster rate (>200 beats per minutes), longer (>7 beats), and repetitive runs of NSVT were more highly predictive of ICD-treated VT/VF.

Vertebral aspergillosis in a patient with autosomal-dominant hyper-IgE syndrome.

We present a report of an autosomal-dominant hyper-IgE syndrome patient with vertebral aspergillosis. Early diagnosis and antifungal therapy with surgery are crucial for improving the outcome of this aggressive condition.