This study aims to explore the inferior adhesion of the renal fascia (RF), and the inferior connectivity of the perirenal spaces (PS) with multidetector computed tomography (MDCT), and to investigate the diagnostic value of CT for showing this anatomy. From May to July 2012, eighty-two patients with acute pancreatitis presented in our hospital were enrolled into this study and underwent contrast-enhanced CT scans. All the image data were used to perform three dimensional reconstruction to show the inferior attachment of RF and the inferior connectivity of PS. The fusion of anterior renal fascia (ARF) and posterior renal fascia (PRF) next to the plane of iliac fossa were found on the left in 71.95% (59/82) cases, and on the right in 75.61% (62/82). In these cases, bilateral perirenal spaces, and anterior and posterior pararenal spaces were not found to be connected with each other. No fusion of ARF and PRF below the level of bilateral kidneys occurred on the left side in 28.05% (23/82) cases and on the right side in 24.39% (20/82). In these patients, the PS extended to the extraperitoneal space of the pelvic cavity and further to the inguinal region, and bilateral anterior and posterior pararenal spaces were not found to be connected with each other. Three-dimensional reconstruction on contrast-enhanced MDCT could be a valuable procedure for depicting inferior attachment of RF, and the inferior connectivity of PS.
Right-sided cardiac valvular diseases have traditionally been considered less important than disease of mitral or aortic valve. However, severe tricuspid regurgitation could lead to right ventricle dysfunction and reduce patients' survival rate. In clinic setting, tricuspid valve disease should be paid more attention for patients with secondary tricuspid regurgitation caused by left-sided valvular surgery combined with irreversible annular dilatation increasing the risk of re-operation. In this review, we summarize the epidemiology, anatomy, pathology, diagnosis, ultrasound and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging findings in patients with tricuspid regurgitation.
This paper aims to investigate the value of diffusiion weighted imaging (DWI) and different apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) methods to predict the curative effects of neoadjuvant chempotherapy (NAC) for breast cancer. From March 2010 to December 2012, seventy-one patients were pathologically confirmed invasive breast cancer by needle puncture biopsy received before surgery, and underwent magnetic resonance before and after NAC, the ADC were measured by mean ADC method and lower ADC method. The pathologic response after NAC was divided to major histological response (MHR) group and non-major histological response (NMHR) group according to Miller & Payne system. Results displayed that ADC values obtained before NAC, at the end of the second cycle of NAC, and after whole course of treatment, had good correlations between mean and lower ADC methods (the Pearson's correlation=0.699, 0.749 and 0.895, respectively). Significant difference in ADC obtained both with mean and lower ADC methods could be found between MHR and NMHR groups after the second cycle of NAC (P<0.05). After the second cycle of NAC, significant difference in the change rate of ADC could be found between MHR and NMHR groups by using lower ADC method (P<0.05), but not be found by using mean ADC method (P＞0.05). In conclusion, DWI could monitor the pathologic changes of breast cancer after NAC, and the lower ADC method might be used to evaluate the curative effect of NAC with the change rate of ADC.
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.
In order to investigate the features of multidetector CT (MDCT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as well as the corresponding pathogic basis of solitary fibrous tumor (SFT) in the pelvis, we collected the clinical data of 13 patients with pathologically confirmed SFT in pelvis, and retrospectively reviewed the MDCT and MRI appearances. Of these enrolled patients, 6 received MDCT scans, 5 underwent MRI scans, and 2 underwent both MDCT and MRI examinations. Shown on the MDCT and MRI, the maximum diameters of the masses ranged from 4.0 to 25.2 cm (averaged 11.8 cm). Six masses were lobulated, and seven were round or oval. In addition, all masses were well-defined and displaced the adjacent structures to some degrees. On the computed tomography, all masses were of isodensity on unenhanced scans in general, among which five masses were demonstrated with hypodense areas. On the MRI T1-weighted image, all lesions were isointense, of which patchy hypointense areas were detected in 3 cases and radial hypointense areas were in 3 cases, and the other one was presented with homogenous intensity. On T2-weighted images, most of the lesions were mixed hyperintense, of which 3 cases were of heterogenous hyperintesity, radial hypointense areas were detected in 3 patients, and the other one was homogenously intense. On enhanced computed tomography and MRI, large supplying vessels were found in 4 cases; 12 cases showed moderate to conspicuous enhancement, and the other one was presented with mild homogenous enhancement. Of the patients with moderate to conspicuous enhancement, patchy areas of non-enhancement were detected in 7 cases, radial areas of progressive enhancement were detected in 3 cases, and the remained 2 cases showed homogenous enhancement. On pathology, the radial area presented as progressive enhancement was fibrosis. During the follow-ups after surgery, 2 patients had local recurrence and 1 had metastasis to liver. In conclusion, the SFT in the pelvis are commonly presented as a large solid, well-defined and hypervascular mass with necrosis or cystic changes at some extents together with the displacement of adjacent structures. The radial area with hypointensity on T2-weighted image and with progressive enhancement on enhanced magnetic resonance imaging is an important feature of SFT, which can be helpful for the diagnosis of this mass.
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.
This study aims to explore the clinical value of the computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) system for early detection of the pulmonary nodules on digital chest X-ray. A total of 100 cases of digital chest radiographs with pulmonary nodules of 5-20 mm diameter were selected from Pictures Archiving and Communication System (PACS) database in West China Hospital of Sichuan University were enrolled into trial group, and other 200 chest radiographs without pulmonary nodules as control group. All cases were confirmed by CT examination. Firstly, these cases were diagnosed by 5 different-seniority doctors without CAD, and after three months, these cases were re-diagnosed by the 5 doctors with CAD. Subsequently, the diagnostic results were analyzed by using SPSS statistical methods. The results showed that the sensitivity and specificity for detecting pulmonary nodules tended to be improved by using the CAD system, especially for specificity, but there was no significant difference before and after using CAD system.