ObjectiveTo analyse the outcomes of patients with Child-Pugh A class cirrhosis and a single hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) up to 5 cm in diameter who underwent liver transplantation versus resection. MethodsDuring 2007 to 2011, 263 Child-Pugh A class cirrhotic patients with a single HCC up to 5 cm in diameter either underwent liver resection (n=227) or received liver transplantation (n=36) in our centre. Patients and tumour characteristics and outcomes were analysed. ResultsThe 1-, 3-, and 5-year recurrence-free survival rates of patients who received liver transplantation and liver resection were 91.7%, 85.3%, 81.0% and 80.6%, 59.8%, 50.8%, respectively (P=0.003). The 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival rates of patients who underwent liver transplantation were 100%, 87.5%, and 83.1% versus 96.9%, 83.8%, and 76.1% for patients received liver resection (P=0.391). The 1-, 3-, and 5-year recurrence-free survival rates for patients with a diameter of HCC < 3 cm underwent liver transplantation were 92.3%, 92.3%, and 92.3% versus 80.2%, 62.5%, and 50.5% for live resection group (P=0.019). The 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival rates for patients with a diameter of HCC < 3 cm underwent liver transplantation and liver resection were 100%, 91.7%, 91.7% and 97.7%, 87.5%, 79.5%, respectively (P=0.470). ConclusionsAlthough more recurrences are observed in Child A class cirrhotic patients with a single HCC up to 5 cm in diameter after liver resection, but overall survival rates for patients with a single HCC up to 5 cm in diameter are similar after liver resection and transplantation.
ObjectiveTo investigate the short-term effectiveness of balloon vertebroplasty combined with short-segment pedicle screw instrumentation for the treatment of thoracolumbar burst fractures. MethodsBetween June 2011 and December 2013, 22 patients with thoracolumbar burst fractures were included. There were 14 males and 8 females, aged 20-60 years (mean, 42.5 years). The fracture segments included T11 in 1 case, T12 in 4 cases, L1 in 10 cases, L2 in 6 cases, and L3 in 1 case. According to AO classification system, there were 13 cases of type A and 9 cases of type B. Spinal cord injury was classified as grade C in 2 cases, grade D in 3 cases, and grade E in 17 cases according to Frankel scale. The time from injury to operation was 3-10 days (mean, 5.5 days). All patients underwent posterior reduction and fixation via the injured vertebra, transpedicular balloon reduction of the endplate and calcium sulfate cement (CSC) injection. The ratio of anterior vertebral height, the ratio of central vertebral height, the sagittal Cobb angle, the restoration of nervous function, and internal fixation failure were analyzed. ResultsPrimary healing of incision was obtained in the others except 2 cases of poor healing, which was cured after dressing change or debridement. All the patients were followed up 9-40 months (mean, 15 months). CSC leakage occurred in 2 cases. Absorption of CSC was observed at 8 weeks after operation with complete absorption time of 12-16 weeks (mean, 13.2 weeks). The mean fracture healing time was 18.5 weeks (range, 16-20 weeks). The ratio of anterior vertebral height, ratio of central vertebral height, and sagittal Cobb angle were significantly improved at 1 week and 3 months after operation and last follow-up when compared with preoperative values (P<0.01), but no significant difference was found among 3 time points after operation (P>0.01). There was no internal fixation failure or Cobb angle loss more than 10°. Frankel scale was improved with no deterioration of neurologic function injury. ConclusionBalloon vertebroplasty combined with short-segment pedicle screw instrumentation is simple and safe for the treatment of thoracolumbar burst fractures, and it can improve the quality of reduction, restore vertebral mechanical performance effectively, and prevent the loss of correction and internal fixation failure.
ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical characteristics of primary mass of the hepatoduodenal ligament (HDL) and present some thoughts in the diagnosis and treatment of this disease. MethodsSixteen consecutive patients diagnosed as having a primary mass of the HDL in the West China Hospital of Sichuan University from September 2004 to May 2013 were retrospectively investigated. ResultsThe symptoms and blood testing both lacked specificity. In this group, fourteen patients were examined by ultrasound and fifteen by contrast-enhanced computed tomography, with 3/14 (21.43%) and 5/15(33.33%) respectively defining the location of the lesions and characteristic of benign/malignant. When combining the ultrasound and contrast-enhanced computed tomography, six of twelve(50.00%) defined the location and characteristic of benign/malignant. When combined with contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance, ten of sixteen (62.5%) defined the location and characteristic of benign/malignant. All cases underwent abdominal exploration, 11 cases (68.8%) were porformed mass resected, 2 cases(12.5%) were porformed the simple HDL mass biopsy combined with biliary drainage with T tube, 1 case(6.2%) was porformed drainage for abscess of HDL, and 2 cases(12.5%) were porformed simple frozen biopsy. All cases recovered and discharged. ConclusionsThe diagnosis of a primary mass of the HDL is difficult. The united usage of multiple imageological examinations can increase the accuracy rate of the noninvasive preoperative diagnosis. Surgery and other active treatment can produce good prognosis.
ObjectiveTo investigate the influence of ISOBAR TTL dynamic internal fixation system on degeneration of adjacent intervertebral disc by MRI measurement of lumbar nucleus pulposus volume in treating lumbar degenerative disease after operation. MethodsBetween March 2010 and October 2011, 34 patients with lumbar intervertebral disc herniation (23 cases of paracentral type and 11 cases of lateral type) underwent operation with ISOBAR TTL dynamic internal fixation system for fixation of single segment, and the clinical data were analyzed retrospectively. There were 20 males and 14 females, aged 39-62 years (mean, 47.5 years). The disease duration was 6-18 months (mean, 14 months). Involved segments included L4, 5 in 21 cases and L5, S1 in 13 cases. The X-ray films and MRI images were taken at 6, 12, 18, 24, 36, and 48 months after surgery. Based on X-ray films, the height of intervertebral space was measured using angle bisectrix method. The nucleus pulposus volume was measured based on the MRI scan. The postoperative change of nucleus pulposus volume and intervertebral disc height were used to evaluate the influence of ISOBAR TTL system on degeneration of adjacent intervertebral disc nucleus pulposus. ResultsThirty patients were followed up 48 months. The height of intervertebral space showed no significant difference between at pre-and post-operation (P>0.05). The nucleus pulposus volume increased after operation, showing no significant difference at 6, 12, and 18 months when compared with preoperative value (P>0.05), but significant difference was found at 24, 36, and 48 months when compared with preoperative value (P < 0.05). The height of nucleus pulposus increased after operation but the width was decreased; the values showed no significant difference at 6, 12, and 18 months when compared with preoperative ones, but showed significant difference at 24, 36, and 48 months when compared with preoperative ones (P < 0.05). The diameter of nucleus pulposus at 18, 24, 36, and 48 months after operation was significantly langer than that at preoperation (P < 0.05). ConclusionISOBAR TTL dynamic internal fixation system can prevent or delay the degeneration of intervertebral discs.