ObjectiveTo evaluate the safety and effect of balloon sinuplasty for the treatment of chronic sphenoid sinusitis. MethodsFrom November 2011 to March 2013, 17 patients received balloon catheter dilation of sinus ostia. All the patients were followed up for 12 months postoperatively and the therapeutic effect was evaluated. ResultsAt the end of the following-up, the clinical symptoms of all the patients got relieved. Through nasal endoscopic examination, we found that apertura sphenoidalis developed well in 15 cases, sinus mucosa edema in one case, sinus stenosis in one case, and no postoperative complications occurred. The mean visual analogue scale (VAS) scores were 5.21±1.51 preoperatively and 3.23±1.34, 3.35±1.41, 3.58±1.46 at 3, 6 and 12 months postoperatively. The mean sino-nasal outcome test-20 scores were 12.50±1.96 preoperatively and 7.30±1.79, 7.64±1.93, 7.77±2.02 at 3, 6, 12 months postoperatively. The mean Lund-Kennedy endoscopic mucosal morphology scores were 3.51±1.47 preoperatively and 1.77±1.11, 1.88±1.01, 2.00±0.97 at 3, 6, 12 months postoperatively. The mean CT scores were 1.57±1.06 preoperatively and 0.85±0.62 at 12 months postoperatively. Compared with the preoperative scores, the postoperative scores were significantly different. ConclusionBalloon sinuplasty is worthy of clinical application for its advantages of good clinical effect and safety.
Achalasia is a rare motor disorder of the esophagus and its etiology and pathogenesis remain unclear. Its clinical presentation typically includes various degrees of dysphagia, regurgitation, aspiration, chest pain and weight loss. The main therapy purpose for achalasia is to reduce lower esophageal sphincter pressure (LESP) so as to alleviate clinical symptoms. There are a variety of treatment methods for achalasia, such as pharmacotherapy, intrasphincteric botulinum toxin injection, endoscopic pneumatic dilatation and surgical intervention. At present, most scholars prefer laparoscopic or thorascopic surgery to achieve satisfactory long-term results including alleviated symptoms and prevention of acid reflux. However, great controversy still exists among scholars regarding the choice of conservative therapy or surgery, transthoracic or transabdominal surgery, optimal distal extent of myotomy, the need and choice of additional antireflux procedures. In this review, we focus on current therapy and progress of achalasia.
Objective To investigate therapeutic effect of endoscopic sphincterotomy with small incision (SES) combined with endoscopic papillary balloon dilation (EPBD) in treatment of larger common bile duct stones. Methods The clinical data of 80 patients with common bile duct stones treated in our hospital from February 2014 to October 2015 were retrospectively analyzed. These patients were divided into endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST) group (n = 40) and SES+EPBD group (n = 40) according to the therapeutic methods. The diameter of common bile duct stone was 10–20 mm. The operation status, recurrence rate and residual rate of common bile duct stone, and complications rate within 3 months after operation were compared between these two groups. Results The age and gender had no significant differences between these two groups (P>0.05). The operation time was shorter (P<0.05) and the intraoperative bleeding was less (P<0.05) in the SES+EPBD group as compared with the EST group. There were no significant differences in the hospital stay and recovery time of gastrointestinal function between these two groups (P>0.05). The levels of ALT, AST, DBIL, and TBIL in these two groups before treatment had no significant differences (P>0.05); after treatment, the above indicators of liver function in the SES+EPBD group were significantly lower than those in the EST group (P<0.05), and which were significantly decreased more in the same group (P<0.05). The residual stone, stone recurrence, and complications such as acute pancreatitis, acute cholangitis, bile leakage and postoperative hemorrhage were not found in the SES+EPBD group, the rates of these indicators in the SES+EPBD group were significantly lower than those in the EST group (P<0.05). Conclusion SES combined with EPBD has a good therapeutic effect on larger common bile duct stones (diameter of common bile duct stone is 10–20 mm) and recurrence rate is low.
ObjectiveTo describe the effect of sequential pulmonary balloon angioplasty for patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension, who was accompanied with progressed pulmonary hypertension after pulmonary endarterectomy surgeries.MethodsFrom 2014 to December 2017, 7 patients were treated with a combination therapy of pulmonary endarterectomy and sequential pulmonary balloon angioplasty. There were 1 male and 6 females at age of 58 (43–59) years. A follow-up period of more than 1 year was accomplished. The result of right sided heart catheterization and ultrasonic cardiogram between and after the pulmonary endarterectomy or balloon angioplasty was collected.ResultsSeven patients were treated with a combination of pulmonary endarterectomy and sequential pulmonary balloon angioplasty, which included 1 patient of single pulmonary balloon angioplasty and 6 patients of multiple pulmonary balloon angioplasties. The balloon dilation times was 2 (2–6), and the number of segments during each single balloon dilatation was 3–5, compared with the first clinical results before the first balloon dilation, systolic pulmonary artery pressure [53 (47–75) mm Hg vs. 45 (40–54) mm Hg, P=0.042), mean pulmonaryartery pressure [38 (29–47) mm Hg vs. 29 (25–39) mm Hg, P=0.043], N terminal-B type natriuretic peptide [1 872 (1 598–2 898) pg/ml vs. 164 (72–334) pg/ml, P=0.018] improved significantly after the last balloon angioplasty. Heart function classification (NYHA) of all the 7 patients were recovered to Ⅰ-Ⅱclasses (P<0.05).ConclusionSequential pulmonary balloon angioplasty after pulmonary endarterectomy can further reduce the patient's right heart after load, improve the heart function for patients with progressed pulmonary hypertension after pulmonary endarterectomy surgeries.
ObjectiveTo analyze the efficacy and safety of percutaneous balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty (PBPV) for pulmonary valve stenosis guided by ultrasound.MethodsFrom March 2016 to July 2019, 32 patients with pulmonary valve stenosis were treated in our hospital. There were 19 males and 13 females with an average age of 1-12 (6.2±3.1) years and weight of 7-45 (22.7±9.2) kg. The clinical efficacy of PBPV guided by transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) was evaluated.ResultsThe transvalvular pressure gradient (PG) of the patients before PBPV was 65.4±11.9 mm Hg. All patients successfully received PBPV under TTE guidance. The PG was 19.7±4.0 mm Hg immediately after operation, which was significantly decreased (P<0.001). All patients survived without any serious complications. The PG values at 3 months, 6 months and 12 months after operation were 18.4±4.0 mm Hg, 16.4±3.9 mm Hg, 15.2±3.3 mm Hg, respectively, which were significantly lower than that before the operation (P<0.001).ConclusionPBPV guided by echocardiography is safe and effective in the treatment of pulmonary valve stenosis with low complications rate.
Objective To observe the clinical effect of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) combined with balloon dilatation and routine swallowing training on dysphagia caused by cricopharyngeal dysfunction (CPD) after stroke. Methods Patients with dysphagia after stroke who were hospitalized at Hubei Provincial Hospital of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine between January 2022 and February 2023 were selected. The patients were divided into the trial group and the control group by random number table method. The control group received balloon dilatation and routine swallowing training, and the trial group received rTMS based on the treatment plan of the control group. All patients were treated for 3 weeks. The videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS), Penetration Aspiration Scale (PAS), and Functional Oral Intake Scale (FOIS) were used at pre-therapy and 3 weeks after treatment to assess the improvement of swallowing function. Results A total of 49 patients were included, including 25 in the trial group and 24 in the control group. There was no statistically significant difference in age, gender, course of disease, stroke type, and swallowing function before treatment between the two groups of patients (P>0.05). After 3 weeks of treatment, the VFSS dysphagia scores (Z=−4.465, −4.327, P<0.001) of the trial group and the control group were higher than those before treatment, and the trial group was better than that in the control group (t=2.099, P=0.041). The PAS scores (Z=−4.179, −3.729, P<0.001) and FOIS scores (Z=−4.476, −4.419, P<0.001) of the trial and control groups were improved after treatment, and the improvement of the PAS score (t=−2.088, P=0.042) and FOIS score (Z=−2.134, P=0.033) in the trial group were more significant (P<0.05). No serious adverse reactions were observed in patients during the study process. Conclusion The rTMS combined with balloon dilatation and routine swallowing training can significantly improve the swallowing function of patients with dysphagia caused by CPD after stroke, and further improve its clinical efficacy, worthy of clinical application.
Objective To investigate the effect of percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty under echocardiographic guidance for patients with moderate to severe mitral stenosis during pregnancy. Methods A retrospective observational study was conducted to include pregnant women who were diagnosed with moderate to severe mitral stenosis and underwent percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty under echocardiographic guidance in Fuwai Hospital from August 2018 to June 2022, and their baseline characteristics, surgical outcomes, echocardiographic results, and follow-up results were analyzed. Results A total of 3 pregnant women aged 30-35 years, with gestational age of 19-26 weeks, and New York Heart Association (NYHA) function class Ⅲ were included. All the procedures were successfully performed. The mitral valve orifice area increased from 0.9 cm2 preoperatively to 2.1 cm2 postoperatively. The mean transvalvular pressure gradient decreased from 15.0 mm Hg preoperatively to 6.7 mm Hg postoperatively. No perioperative adverse events occurred. The follow-up time ranged from 3 to 48 months. All patients delivered uneventfully and returned to normal life, with maternal-fetal safety. Conclusion Percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty under echocardiographic guidance is a feasible and effective procedure for the treatment of patients with moderate to severe mitral stenosis in pregnancy, with satisfactory maternal-fetal outcomes.