The purpose of this study was to explore the feasibility of dual-source computed tomography (DSCT) high-pitch scan mode in the preoperative evaluation of severe aortic stenosis (AS) referred to transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). Thirty patients with severe AS referred for TAVI underwent cervico-femoral artery joint DSCT angiography. Measurement and calculation of contrast, contrast noise ratio (CNR) and noise of aorta and access vessels were performed. The intra-and inter-observer reproducibilities for assessing aortic root and access vessels were evaluated. Evaluation of shape and plagues of aorta and access vessels was performed. The contrast, CNR and noise of aorta and access vessels were 348.2~457.9 HU, 12.2~30.3 HU and 19.1~48.1 HU, respectively. There were good intra-and inter-observer reproducibilities in assessing aortic root and access vessels by DSCT (mean difference:-0.73~0.79 mm, r=0.90~0.98, P < 0.001; mean difference:-0.70~0.73 mm, r=0.90~0.96, P < 0.001). In the 30 patients, the diameters of external iliac artery, femeral artery or subclavian artery were less than 7 mm in 5 cases (16.7%), marked calcification in bilateral common iliac arteries in 1 case (3.3%) and marked soft plaque in left common iliac artery in 1 case (3.3%). DSCT high-pitch scan mode was feasible in the preoperative evaluation of aorta and access vessels in patients with AS referred for TAVI.
Objective To detect the features of breast carcinoma with nipple discharge using selective galactography and evaluate the value of this method. Methods The galactography findings of 39 cases of pathology proved breast carcinoma with nipple discharge were analyzed retrospectively. Results Among the 39 cases, the pathology diagnosis included 7 cases of intraductal papillary carcinoma, 13 cases of ductal carcinoma in situ, and 19 cases of invasive ductal carcinoma. The galactographic features included: duct filling defect (24 cases, 61.5%), ductal obstruction (15 cases, 38.5%), rigidity and disorder (31 cases, 79.5%), wormy erosion sign (18 cases, 46.2%), pond lake sign (4 cases, 10.3%), ductal interruption (17 cases, 43.6%), ductal stenosis (24 casesm, 61.5%), ductal dilatation (22 cases, 56.4%). Among all of the cases, the accuracy rate of mammography and galactography was 64.1% (25/39) and 87.2% (34/39), respectively (P＜0.05). Among the 13 cases of ductal carcinoma in situ, the accuracy rate of mammography and galactography was 61.5% (8/13) and 100% (13/13), respectively (P＜0.05). Conclusion Selective galactography could improve the detection rate of breast carcinoma, and has great value in the early diagnosis of ductal carcinoma in situ.