ObjectiveTo analyze and conclude CT and MRI imaging features of ectopic pancreas in gastrointestinal tract so as to improve the understanding of the features.MethodsThe clinical, imaging, and pathological data of 12 patients with ectopic pancreas in the gastrointestinal tract confirmed by the pathology in the Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital from November 2016 to June 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. The characteristics of image presentation were summarized.Results① The anatomical distribution: all patients had a single lesion. Of the 12 cases, 6 cases located in the gastric body lesser curvature, 3 cases located in the gastric angle, 1 case located in the posterior wall of gastric antrum, 1 case occurred in the upper jejunum, and 1 case occurred in the terminal ileum; 8 cases located in the submucosa, 2 cases located in the submucosa and muscular layer simultaneously, 1 case located in the submucosa, muscular and serous layer simultaneously, and 1 case located in the muscular layer. ② Size of the lesions: the maxium dimensions of the lesions were all 3 cm or less, and the long axes of the lesions were parallel to the gastrointestinal tract wall in 10 cases. ③ The internal characteristics: the results of 9 of 11 cases showed the isodensity compared to main pancreas on the plain CT scan. The results of 8 patients with enhanced CT showed the moderate to obvious enhancement, with 2 cases showed the slightly enhanced flaky or tube-like foci. In the arterial phase and portal venous phase, 6 cases showed the isodensity compared to main pancreas respectively. The result of MRI in 1 patient showed the isointensity compared to main pancreas on the plain scan and obviously heterogeneous enhancement.ConclusionCT and MRI could provide some information about location, size, and internal density or intensity of ectopic pancreas, and could be helpful for diagnosis.
Objective We sought a good understanding of the current role of computed tomography (CT) in the diagnosis of small bowel obstruction (SBO).Methods We looked for the best evidence on computed tomography for diagnosing small bowel obstruction by searching MEDLINE/PubMed (1978-April, 2006), SUMsearch (1978-April, 2006), CNKI (1978-April, 2006) and critically appraised the evidence. Results There was powerful evidence supporting the efficacy of computed tomography in the diagnosis of small bowel obstruction. Given the current evidence together with our clinical experience and considering the patient and his family members, values and preferences, computed tomography was done. We confirmed the diagnosis of strangulating small bowel obstruction, which needed immediate operation. Conclusions Computed tomography is a very useful tool for the diagnosis of small bowel obstruction with high sensibility and specificity.
Objective To evaluate the diagnostic value of analyzing the pattern of gallbladder wall enhancement on MDCT to identify the different causes of acute cholecystitis. Methods In January 2009 to December 2012， 169 patients diagnosed with acute cholecystitis caused by various pathologic conditions were performed MDCT scans， the images of portal venous phase and clinical data were retrospectively reviewed by two blinded radiologists. There were 146 cases in non-hepatopathy cholecystitis group and 23 cases in hepatopathy cholecystitis group. The other 5 normal gallbladder cases diagnosed by MDCT scans were retrospectively reviewed as contrast group. Using five patterns according to the enhancement pattern of flat gallbladder wall thickening on MDCT. The study cases were then divided into five patterns and the thickness of the mucous membrane were measured. The occurrence rate of each pattern and the thickness of the mucous membrane between the groups were compared respectively. Results In the non-hepatopathy cholecystitis group， there were typeⅡin 102 cases （69.9%）， typeⅢin 5 cases （3.4%）， typeⅣ in 30 cases （20.5%）， and typeⅤ in 9 cases （6.2%）. In the hepatopathy cholecystitis group， there were typeⅡin 2 cases （8.7%）， typeⅢ in 11 cases （47.9%）， typeⅣin 5 cases （21.7%）， and typeⅤin 5 cases （21.7%）. The occurrence rate of typeⅡin the non-hepatopathy cholecystitis group was significialtly higher than that in the hepatopathy cholecystitis group （P＜0.005）. The occurrence rate of typeⅢ and typeⅤ in the hepatopathy cholecystitis group were significialtly higher than those in the non-hepatopathy cholecystitis group（P＜0.005， P＜0.05）. The occurrence rate of type Ⅳ between the two groups had no significant difference （P＞0.05）. TypeⅠonly present in the contrast group. The non-hepatopathy group’s mean mucous membrane thickness was （2.61±1.30） mm ， which was thicker than the hepatopathy group’s （2.02±0.52） mm（t=2.22， P＜0.05）. Conclusion Analyzing the enhancement pattern of a thickened gallbladder wall on MDCT is helpful in identifying the causes of acute cholecystitis， and the gallbladder perforation or not.
ObjectiveTo explore the impact of different monochromatic reconstruction on image quality of early lesions of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).MethodsThe chest spectral CT images of 11 patients confirmed as COVID-19 in West China Hospital of Sichuan University between January and February 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. A total of 34 inflammatory lesions were found in the 11 cases. Seven groups of images were reconstructed from the raw data for each patient, including the conventional polychromatic image and different monochromatic images of 40-140 keV (with intervals of 20 keV). CT and standard deviation (SD) values of all lesions were measured to calculate the signal-noise ratio (SNR) and contrast-noise ratio (CNR). The image quality was subjectively scored by two radiologists, and the differences in image quality among different monochromatic groups and the polychromatic group were compared.ResultsWith the increase of X-ray energy, the CT values and SD values of reconstructed images in monochromatic groups gradually decreased, and the SNRs and CNRs gradually increased, and the differences between adjacent two groups were all statistically significant (P<0.001). In the range of 80-140 keV, the SD values of different monochromatic groups were lower than that of the polychromatic group, and the SNRs and CNRs were higher than those of the polychromatic group, and the pairwise comparison results showed statistically significant differences (P<0.001). The 120 keV-reconstructed image had the highest subjective score, and the difference from that of the polychromatic image was statistically significant (P<0.05).ConclusionsDifferent monochromatic reconstruction of spectral CT can significantly reduce the image noise in early COVID-19 lesions, and improve the image quality. Combining subjective and objective evaluation of images, the 120 keV-reconstructed monochromatic image shows the best early lesions of COVID-19 and is of great significance for early clinical screening.
Objective To determine the influence of combinative assessment of 64 multi-slice spiral computer tomography (MSCT) and serum amyloid A protein (SAA ) on the selection of operative procedures in lower rectal cancer.MethodsProspectively enrolled 130 patients diagnosed definitely as lower rectal cancer (distance of tumor to the dentate line ≤7 cm) at West China Hospital of Sichuan University from July 2007 to September 2008 were randomly assigned into two groups with 65 participants, respectively. In one group named MSCT+SAAgroup, both 64 MSCT and SAA combinative assessment were made for the preoperative evaluation. In another group named MSCT group, only the preoperative MSCT was made. Furthermore, the preoperative staging and predicted operation procedures were compared with postoperative pathologic staging and practical operation program, respectively.ResultsAccording to the criteria, 119 patients with colorectal cancer were actually included into MSCT+SAA group (n=58) and MSCT group (n=61). The baselines characteristics of two groups were basically identical. For MSCT+SAAgroup, the accuracies of preoperative staging T, N, M and TNM were 89.66%, 79.31%, 100% and 77.59%, respectively; For MSCT group, the corresponding rates were 86.89%, 70.49%, 100% and 65.57%, respectively. There was a statistically significant difference of the accuracy of prediction to operative procedures in two groups (93.10% vs. 80.33%, P=0.041). The clinical staging (P=0.001), preoperative T staging (P=0.000), M staging (P=0.016), TNM staging (P=0.013) and serum level of SAA (P=0.029) were related to the selection of operative procedures when analyzing the relationship between the operative procedures and multiple clinicopathologic factors in lower rectal cancer. ConclusionCombinative assessment of 64 MSCT and SAA could improve the accuracy of preoperative staging, thus provide higher predictive coincidence rate to operative procedures for surgeon.
ObjectiveTo introduce the new nomenclature scheme of the International Working Group (1995) on hepatic nodules, and summarize the imaging features of various hepatic nodules in light of their pathological characteristics, and evaluate the diagnostic values of various imaging facilities.MethodsUltrasound, computed tomography(CT), magnetic resonance imaging(MRI), and angiographic CT were reviewed and introduced.ResultsMany of these types of hepatic nodules play a role in the de novo and stepwise carcinogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) in the following steps: regenerative nodule, lowgrade dysplastic nodule, highgrade dysplastic nodule, small HCC, and large HCC. Accompanying such transformations, there are significant alterations in the blood supply and perfusion of these hepatic nodules.ConclusionModern stateoftheart medical imaging facilities can not only delineate and depict these hepatic nodules, but also provide important clues for the characterization of focal hepatic lesions in most cases, thus facilitating the early detection, diagnosis and management of HCC in its early stage.
Objective To determine the influence and significance of combinative assessment of 64 multi-slice spiral computed tomography (MSCT) with serum amyloid A protein (SAA) or C-reactive protein (CRP) on the selection of operative procedures of rectal cancer under the multi-disciplinary team. Methods Prospectively enrolled patients diagnosed definitely as rectal cancer at West China Hospital of Sichuan University from February to August 2009 were randomly assigned into two groups. In one group named MSCT+SAA group, both 64 MSCT and SAA combinative assessment were made for the preoperative evaluation. In another group named MSCT+CRP group, both MSCT and CRP combinative assessment were made for preoperative evaluation. Furthermore, the preoperative staging and predicted operation procedures were compared with postoperative pathologic staging and practical operation procedures, respectively, and the relationship between the choice of operation procedures and clinicopathologic factors was analyzed. Results All 165 patients were randomly assigned into MSCT+SAA group (n=83) and MSCT+CRP group (n=82). The baseline characteristics of two groups were statistically similar (Pgt;0.05). For MSCT+SAA group, the accuracies of preoperative staging T, N, M and TNM were 74.7%， 68.7%, 100% and 66.3%, respectively. For MSCT+CRP group, the accuracies of preoperative staging T, N, M and TNM were 72.0%, 86.6%, 100% and 81.7%, respectively. There were statistically significant differences in the accuracies of N staging and TNM staging between two groups (P＜0.05). However, there was no statistically significant difference of the accuracy of prediction to operative procedures between two groups (90.4% vs. 95.1%, Pgt;0.05). The pathological T staging (P＜0.001), N staging (P＜0.001), TNM staging (P＜0.001), preoperative serum level of SAA (P=0.010), serum level of CRP (P=0.042), and distance of tumor to the dentate line (P=0.011) were associated with the operative procedures. Conclusion Combinative assessment of MSCT+CRP could improve the accuracy of preoperative staging and operative procedures prediction, which may be superior to MSCT+SAA.
Objective To determine the influence of combinative assessment of 64 multi-slice spiral computer tomography (MSCT) and serum amyloid A protein (SAA) on the selection of operative procedures of upper rectal cancer in multi-disciplinary team. Methods Prospectively enrolled 110 patients, who were diagnosed definitely as upper rectal cancer (distance of tumor to the dentate line gt;7 cm) at West China Hospital of Sichuan University from August 2007 to October 2008, randomly assigned into two groups. In one group named MSCT+SAA group, both MSCT and SAA combinative assessment were made for the preoperative evaluation. In another group named MSCT group, only MSCT was made preoperatively. Then, the pooled data were analyzed for the correlative relationship between the choice of surgery strategy and clinicopathologic factors. Furthermore, the preoperative staging and predicted operative procedures were compared with postoperative pathologic staging and practical operative procedures, respectively. Results According to the criteria, 106 patients with upper rectal cancer were randomly assigned into MSCT+SAA group (n=52) and MSCT group (n=54). The baseline characteristics of two groups were statistically identical. When analyzing the proportion of multiple clinicopathologic factors in different operative procedures of upper rectal cancer, there were statistical differences in the preoperative N staging (P=0.003), M staging (P=0.022), TNM staging (P=0.003), serum level of SAA (P=0.005) and general category of tumor (P=0.027). For MSCT+SAA group the accuracies of preoperative staging T, N, M and TNM were 84.6%, 86.5%, 100% and 86.5%, respectively; For MSCT group the corresponding rates were 83.3%, 2.9%, 100% and 64.8%, respectively. There were statistically significant differences accuracies of preoperative N staging and TNM staging (P=0.005, P=0.009, respectively) in two groups. There was a statistically significant difference of the accuracy of prediction to operative procedures in two groups (96.2% vs. 81.5%, P=0.017). Conclusion Combinative assessment of 64 MSCT and SAA could improve the accuracy of preoperative staging, and thus provide higher predictive coincidence rate to operative procedures for surgeon.
Objective To determine the role of multimodal preoperative evaluation (MPE) system of transrectal ultrasound (TRUS), 64 multi-slice spiral computer tomography (MSCT) and serum amyloid A protein (SAA) in assessment of preoperative staging and selection of operative procedures of the lower and middle rectal cancer in multi-disciplinary team. Methods Prospectively enrolled 150 patients, who were diagnosed definitely as lower and middle rectal cancer (distance of tumor to the dentate line ≤10 cm) at West China Hospital of Sichuan University from November 2008 to March 2009, randomly assigned into two groups. In one group named MPE group, MPE consisting of TRUS, MSCT and SAA were made for the preoperative evaluation. In another group named MSCT+SAA group, both MSCT and SAA were made preoperatively. Then, the preoperative staging and predicted operative procedures were compared with postoperative pathologic staging and practical operative procedures, respectively. Furthermore, the pooled data were analyzed for the correlative relationship between the choice of surgery strategy and clinicopathological factors. Results According to the criteria, 146 patients with lower and middle rectal cancer were randomly assigned into MPE group (n=74) and MSCT+SAA group (n=72). The baselines characteristics of two groups were statistically identical. For MPE group the accuracy of preoperative staging T, N, M and TNM were 94.6% (70/74), 85.1% (63/74), 100% （74/74） and 82.4% (61/74), respectively; For MSCT+SAA group the corresponding rates were 77.8% (56/72), 84.7% (61/72), 100% （72/72） and 81.9% (59/72), respectively. The analysis showed a statistically difference in the accuracy of preoperative T staging between two groups (P=0.003) while there was no statistically significant difference of the accuracies of preoperative N, M and TNM staging between two groups (Pgt;0.05). There wasn’t a statistically significant increasing of the accuracy of prediction to operative procedures in MPE group compared with MSCT+SAA group 〔95.9% (71/74) vs.88.9% (64/72), P=0.106〕. When analyzing the relationship between multiple clinicopathologic factors and the operative procedures of lower and middle rectal cancer, there were statistical correlations between the pathological T staging (r=0.216， P=0.009), N staging (r=0.264， P=0.001), TNM staging (r=0.281， P=0.001), serum level of SAA before operation (r=0.252， P=0.002) or the distance of tumor to the dentate line (r=－0.261， P=0.001) and the operative procedures. Conclusion MPE system could display the accurate preoperative staging for lower and middle rectal cancer, on which the prediction of operative procedures can rest convincingly.
Objective To determine the role of multi-slice spiral computed tomography (MSCT) compared with transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) in preoperative staging of rectal cancer. Methods Patients with rectal cancer from January to May 2009 in Department of Anal-Colorectal Surgery of West China Hospital were enrolled. All patients were preoperatively examined by both MSCT and TRUS for T and N staging, which were compared with postoperative pathological findings. Results The study population consisted of 81 patients. Regarding depth of tumor invasion, the accuracy of TRUS (88.89%) was not significantly higher than that of MSCT (77.78%), P=0.168. Regarding lymph node metastasis, the result of MSCT was more accurate than that of TRUS (66.67% vs. 48.15%, P=0.034). Conclusions Although TRUS remains the advantages in evaluating local invasion, the gap between MSCT and TRUS are significantly diminished. MSCT is superior to TRUS in evaluation of lymph node metastasis, however, further improvement on the diagnostic accuracies would be warranted in both modalities.