A feasibility study for determining ablative margin with 3D-CEUS-CT/MR image fusion after radiofrequency ablation of hepatocellular carcinoma.

PURPOSE: To explore the feasibility and value of 3D-CEUS-CT/MR image fusion in evaluating ablative margin (AM) after radiofrequency ablation of hepatocellular carcinoma. METHODS AND MATERIALS: There were 49 HCC in 41 patients enrolled in our prospective study. The AM were evaluated with 3D-CEUS-CT/MR image fusion, the results were divided into two groups: in group A, the tumor was completely ablated with a 5 mm AM; in group B, the tumor was completely ablated, but a 5 mm AM was not obtained. The time used in US-CT/MR image fusion and 3 D image post-processing, the technical success rate of 3D-CEUS-CT/MR image fusion and the relation between LTP and AM were observed. RESULTS: The time taken for US-CT/MR image fusion and 3 D image post-processing was 9.2 ±â€Š2.1 min (6 - 12 min), 14.6 ±â€Š2.6 min (9 - 20 min), respectively. The technical success rate of 3D-CEUS-CT/MR image fusion was 81.6 % (40/49). 27 HCC had sufficient AM (group A) and 13 HCC had insufficient AM (group B). The LTP rates in groups A and B were 0/27 and 4/13, respectively. There was a significant difference between groups A and B (P = 0.002). There was a significant negative correlation between LTP and AM (r = -1.000, P< 0.001), and the locations of LTP and insufficient AM were concordant. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that 3D-CEUS-CT/MR image fusion is feasible and useful in evaluating the AM after HCC ablation.

Five-year follow-up after anterior iris-fixated intraocular lens implantation in phakic eyes to correct high myopia.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the 5-year follow-up of safety, efficacy, predictability, stability, and complications of anterior iris-fixated phakic intraocular lens (pIOL) implantation to correct high myopia, and patients' satisfaction after implantation. DESIGN: Prospective, nonrandomized, and comparative (self-controlled) trial. METHODS: A prospective clinical trial of 84 eyes of 43 patients with high myopia was conducted. Uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), best spectacle-corrected visual acuity (BSCVA), refraction, endothelial cell count, intraocular pressure (IOP), anterior chamber depth, slit lamp biomicroscopy, and indirect ophthalmoscope were measured preoperatively and postoperatively. RESULTS: At the 5-year follow-up, UCVA was significantly improved, with 85.7% of eyes reaching 20/25 or better. No eyes experienced a loss in BSCVA, and 71.4% gained one or more lines of their preoperative BSCVA. There was a significant reduction in spherical errors in all patients after operation. Loss of endothelial cells was observed 3 years after operation and no more loss was observed 4 years after operation in statistical analysis. No increase in IOP was observed 5 years after operation in statistical analysis. No intraoperative complications were observed in this study. However, pigment precipitates of varying intensities on the lens optic were noted in all patients 1 day after operation, and only five eyes were observed to have the pigment residual five years after operation. CONCLUSION: At the 5-year follow-up, the implantation of the anterior iris-fixated pIOL was proved to be effective, predictable and capable of reversibility to correct high myopia in phakic eyes. It was a safety addition to the laser refractive surgery. However, longer follow-up with larger numbers of patients is still necessary to evaluate long-term complications.

Direct pathogen detection from swab samples using a new high-throughput sequencing technology.

The detection of emerging infectious diseases has been a continuing concern, especially with the novel influenza A (H1N1) viral pandemic of 2009. In the present study, we validated a 'second-generation' parallel sequencing platform for viral detection in swab samples collected during recent influenza virus infections in Beijing. This operation yielded millions of valid reads per sample and resulted in an almost complete spectrum of nucleotide information. Importantly, novel A (H1N1) and seasonal A (H3N2) influenza virus-derived sequences were detected without prior knowledge or use of genetic information in advance, suggesting that this approach could be a valuable tool for diagnosing emerging infectious diseases.

Vascular metatarsophalangeal to ankylosed temporomandibular joint replacement.

Four cases of unilateral temporomandibular (TM) joint ankylosis were successfully treated by metatarsophalangeal to TM joint replacement by microvascular technique. Results 6 to 20 months postoperatively were encouraging. Further follow-up studies are necessary to evaluate the long-term results.