Objective To evaluate the diagnosis value of temporal Done high-resolution computed tornography (HRCT) in cholesteatoma. Methods There were 30 causes that had received the mastoid surgery because of cholesteatoma. Each patient’s mastoid plain films (Schuller’s and Mayer’s ) and HRCT had been taken and compared with each other and surgical findings and evaluated with health economic evaluation methods. Results The sensitivity rate in diagnosing cholesteatoma with HRCF was much higher than that with mastoid film (Plt;0.005). The more important benefit with HRCT was that it can afford the detail information in ear such as the ossicular chain, facial nerve canal, tympanic sinus, etc. which were basis for otologist in surgery to remove the focus thoroughly and reconstruct the middle ear function at the same time. In the view of health economic evaluation, HRCT is also much better than mastoid X-ray film. Conclusion HRCT should replace masloid Schuller’s and Mayer’s film in diagnosis cholesteatoma and HRCT should use as ordinary examination in chronic otitis media.
ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical, radiographic characteristics and differential diagnosis of pulmonary Langerhans cell histiocytosis (PLCH) mimicking metastasis of cancer in radiography. MethodsClinical data of 2 patients with PLCH manifesting as metastatic cancer on HRCT and PET/CT were retrospectively analyzed. Patients reported as PLCH on WanFang Database, China Knowledge Resource Integrated Database and Pubmed were reviewed to screen misdiagnosis literature and further analyzed the clinical and radiographic characteristics. ResultsTwo cases both presented with cough and sputum. 18F-FDG PET/CT showed increased 18F-FDG up-take in both nodules in the lungs. One patient presented with multiple nodules, diffuse multiple cystic changes in lungs and osteoclasia in the right 4th rib on HRCT who was diagnosed by a video-assisted thoracoscopic biopsy of rib biopsy. The other patient presented with diffuse multiple nodules on HRCT who was diagnosed by a video-assisted thoracoscopic biopsy of lung biopsy. The pathological characteristics of both biopsy specimen demonstrated infiltration by Langerhans cells (LC) and eosinophils. The LC were positive for CD1a. Literature review found seven PLCH cases who were misdignosed as depression, eosinophilic pneumonia, interstitial lung disease involvement of autoimmune disorders and malignant tumor. ConclusionWhen clinician faced with a patient suspected as metastatic cancer by HRCT and PET/CT, it is reasonable to consider PLCH as a differential diagnosis and obtain the pathological information as soon as possible so that better prognosis can be achieved through early intervention.
Objectives The aim of the review was to assess the effectiveness of anti-reflux therapy for patients with hoarseness, in the absence of other identifiable causes, whether or not a definitive diagnosis of laryngopharyngeal and gastro-oesophageal reflux has been made. This was assessed by evaluation of prospective randomised controlled studies that were identified by a systematic review of the literature. Both medical and surgical treatments were evaluated. Method The Cochrane ENT Group Specialised Register, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (Cochrane Library Issue 3, 2005), MEDLINE (1966 to 2005), EMBASE (1974 to 2005) and conference proceedings were searched with prespecified terms. The date of the last search was September 2005.Randomised controlled trials recruiting patients with hoarseness in the absence of other identifiable causes, such as malignancy, cord palsy or nodules, whether or not a definitive diagnosis of laryngopharyngeal and gastro-oesophageal reflux has been made. Data collection and analysis?Three reviewers examined the search results and identified studies before deciding which would be included in the review. Results 302 potential studies were identified by the search strategy. No trials were identified which met our inclusion criteria. Six randomised controlled trials were identified in which some, but not all patients presented with hoarseness, and were treated with proton pump inhibition. As we could not determine with certainty whether all these patients had hoarseness among the other laryngeal symptoms, these were excluded. However, these studies suggest a significant placebo response, which is comparable to the benefit derived from anti-reflux therapy in some studies. As no trials met our criteria, we are unable to reach any firm conclusions regarding the effectiveness of anti-reflux treatment for hoarseness. Conclusions There is a need for high quality randomised controlled trials to evaluate the effectiveness of anti-reflux therapy for patients with hoarseness which may be due to laryngopharyngeal and gastro-oesophageal reflux.
Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of metformin for metabolic syndrome. Methods We searched The Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, EMBASE, China Biological Medicine Database, VIP, and CMAC up to the year of 2007. Handsearches and additional searches were also conducted. Randomized controlled trials of metformin for metabolic syndrome were included. Two reviewers independently extracted data from eligible studies and evaluated the quality of included studies. Meta-analysis was performed for the results of homogeneous studies by The Cochrane Collaboration’s software RevMan 4.2.9. Results Six trials involving a total of 2442 patients with metabolic syndrome were included. Meta-analysis was not performed due to the apparent heterogeneity. Metformin, compared with placebo, exhibited more favorable effects in reducing the proportion of patients with metabolic syndrome (RR 1.27, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.60), the proportion of patients with low HDL-c (RR 1.61, 95%CI 1.16 to 2.23), wide waist circumference (RR 1.64, 95%CI 1.06 to 2.55), and high FPG (RR 1.55, 95%CI 1.17 to 2.05). Metformin was also more effective in improving FPG and insulin sensitivity. The addition of metformin to atenolol plus nitrendipine was superior to atenolol plus nitrendipine alone in reducing the proportion of patients with high TG (RR 5.57, 95%CI 1.56 to 19.84), abdominal obesity (RR 14.47, 95%CI 3.34 to 62.61), and IGT (RR 16.51, 95%CI 6.06 to 45.0). Compared with low-fat diet therapy, metformin was superior in improving FPG, 2-hour postload plasma glucose, and insulin sensitivity. No differences were observed between metformin and acarbose in the reduction of TG and FPG, but metformin was less effective than acarbose in improving 2-hour postload plasma glucose. No adverse drug reactions were reported. Conclusion Metformin has beneficial effects in reducing the incidence of high FPG, IGT, and abdominal obesity. It also proved beneficial in reducing the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and increasing insulin sensitivity. The therapeutic effects of metformin on blood pressure, obesity, and lipid profile are uncertain. There is insufficient evidence to recommend the use of metformin in the treatment of metabolic syndrome due to low methodological quality, small sample size, and limited number of trials. More high quality, large-scale randomized controlled trials are required.
Objective To evaluate the quality of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of traditional Chinese medicine published inChinese Journal of Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine, and to analyze changes. Methods We searched CNKI to collect RCTs published inChinese Journal of Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine (CJITWM) in 2014. Reporting quality of RCTs was evaluated by using CONSORT 2010 checklist, the methodological quality and ethics requirements were also analyzed. The changes of quality was also analyzed by comparing with those of 2004. Results A total of 80 RCTs were included. The top three interventions were Chinese patent medicine, decoction, acupuncture. Items with high reporting rate (>80%) included abstract, participants, randomization sequences and informed consent. Items with reporting rate of 50% to 80% including introduction, interventions, harms and funding, and others were all less than 50%. Among them, the reporting quality of title, trial design, outcomes, sample size, type of randomization, allocation concealment, blinding, numbers analyzed, outcomes and estimation, generalizability, interpretation, registration and protocol was less than 10%. Compared with those of 2004, the quality of reporting, methodology, and ethics has all increased. Significant progress was made in items of structured summary, background and objectives, collecting participants, adverse reactions, quality control standards of TCM interventions, diagnostic evaluation criteria of TCM, follow-up, funding, ethical approval and informed consent. But small progress was made in randomization, allocation concealment and implementation, sample size, blinding and ITT. There has been no participant flow. Conclusion The quality of reporting, methodology, and ethics of RCTs published inChinese Journal of Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine have made some progress, however, trial design, outcomes selection, estimation of sample size, randomization, blinding, registration and participant flow are still needed to be further improved.
ObjectivesTo systematically review the efficacy of Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) combined with chemotherapy for ovarian cancer.MethodsCNKI, VIP, WanFang Data and PubMed databases were searched to collect randomized controlled trials on the CHM combined with chemotherapy for ovarian cancer from inception to March 31st, 2018. Two reviewers independently screened literature, extracted data and evaluated the risk bias of included studies. Meta-analysis was then performed using RevMan 5.3 software.ResultsThirteen studies were included. Meta-analysis showed that, CHM combined with chemotherapy group was superior to the chemotherapy alone group in effective rate of TCM syndrome (RR=1.72, 95%CI 1.46 to 2.03, P<0.00.000 1), effective rate of tumor change (RR=1.40, 95%CI 1.21 to 1.63,P<0.000 01), physical condition score (MD=9.19, 95%CI 5.89 to 12.48,P<0.000 01), tumor markers (MD=–18.00, 95%CI –20.62 to –1.538,P<0.000 01), leukocyte reduction (RR=0.67, 95%CI 0.58 to 0.77,P<0.000 01), granulocy tedepletion (RR=0.67, 95%CI 0.55 to 0.81,P<0.000 1), thrombocytopenia (RR=0.55, 95%CI 0.45 to 0.69,P<0.000 01), and digestive tract reaction (RR=0.66, 95%CI 0.50 to 0.87,P=0.004).ConclusionsThe current evidence shows that CHM combined with chemotherapy is superior to chemotherapy alone in the treatment of ovarian cancer. Due to limited quality and quantity of included studies, the above conclusions are required to be verified by more high-quality studies.
Objective To assess the efficacy and safety of glimepiride for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods We searched the literature from PubMed, Ovid (All EBM Reviews), CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, CBM and other databases. Evaluating the quality of the study according to Cochrane systematic reviews, Meta-analysis was performed for the results of homogeneous studies by The Cochrane Collaboration’s software RevMan 5.0, and the heterogeneous data conducted a descriptive qualitative analysis. Results Six RCTs included in the analysis and Meta-analysis was not performed due to the insufficient data (for the median or standard deviation). Six RCTs are multi-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials. The results showed that glimepiride groups to reduce glycosylated hemoglobin, lower fasting and postprandial blood glucose, postprandial plasma insulin enhance the efficacy were statistically significant differences (Plt;0.05) compared to placebo groups. Four studies informed the impact of fasting plasma insulin (FI) and 3 studies showed that the glimepiride groups improving the fasting plasma insulin (FI) were statistically significant differences (Plt;0.05), but 1 study showed the two groups had no significant difference (Pgt;0.05). All studies showed minor adverse reactions of glimepiride. Conclusion Glimepiride can reduce the glycosylated hemoglobin, lower the fasting and postprandial blood glucose, improve fasting and postprandial plasma insulin for type 2 diabetes patients, and have minor adverse reactions. In a word, glimepiride is an effective and security sulfonylureas drug.
ObjectivesTo systematically review the efficacy and safety of catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT) versus anti-coagulation (AC) for deep vein thrombosis (DVT). MethodsWe searched PubMed, EMbase, The Cochrane Library, Web of Science, WanFang Data and CNKI databases to collect randomized clinical trials (RCTs) about CDT versus AC for DVT from inception to March 2018. Two reviewers independently screened literature, extracted data and evaluated the risk of bias of included studies. Then, meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.3 software. ResultsA total of 5 RCTs and 989 patients were included. Meta-analysis showed that there was no significant difference between the two group in incidence of post-thrombotic syndrome (RR=0.73, 95%CI 0.49 to 1.09, P=0.13), iliofemoral venous patency rate (RR=2.57, 95%CI 0.59 to 11.24, P=0.21), bleeding (RR=2.03, 95%CI 0.50 to 8.28, P=0.32), severe bleeding (RR=1.77, 95%CI 0.91 to 3.42, P=0.09) and recurrence rate of venous thromboembolism (RR=1.00, 95%CI 0.42 to 2.36, P=0.99). However, the incidence of moderate-severe PTS decreased in CDT group was lower than that in the control group (RR=0.70, 95%CI 0.53 to 0.92, P=0.01). ConclusionsCompared with the control group, catheter-directed thrombolysis does not reduce the incidence of PTS and VTE recurrence rate, cannot improve the long-term patency of the iliofemoral vein, yet can prevent the occurrence of moderate to severe PTS. Due to limited quality and quantity of the included studies, more high quality studies are required to verify above conclusions.
ObjectivesTo systematically review the efficacy and safety of sufentanil versus fentanyl used in patient-controlled intravenous analgesia (PCIA) after cesarean section.MethodsAn online search of computerized searches of the database of MEDLINE (OVID), Web of Science, The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, PubMed, EMbase, CNKI, WanFang Data, VIP and SinoMed were conducted. Randomized controlled trials published since the inceptions of these databases until April 1st 2018, involving the comparison of sufentanil versus fentanyl for PCIA after cesarean section were included. Two reviewers independently screened literature, extracted data and assessed the risk of bias of included studies. Then, meta-analysis was conducted using the RevMan 5.1 software.ResultsA total of 19 studies were included. The results of meta-analysis showed that, compared with the fentanyl group, the sufentanil group had statistically significant lower VAS scores at 4-hour (MD=–0.99, 95%CI –1.03 to –0.95, P<0.001), 8-hour (MD=–0.30, 95%CI –0.40 to –0.21, P<0.001), 12-hour (MD=–0.54, 95%CI –0.62 to –0.46, P<0.001) and 24-hour (MD=–0.35, 95%CI –0.41 to –0.28, P<0.001); statistically significant higher Ramsay scores at 4-hour (MD=0.72, 95%CI 0.66 to 0.78, P<0.001), 8-hour (MD=0.93, 95%CI 0.86 to 1.00, P<0.001), 12-hour (MD=0.98, 95%CI 0.91 to 1.05, P<0.001), 24-hour (MD=0.07, 95%CI 0.03 to 0.11, P=0.000 5), 48-hour (MD=0.05, 95%CI 0.03 to 0.08, P<0.000 1). As for the adverse reactions, sufentanil group had lower risks of having nausea and vomiting (RR=0.25, 95%CI 0.19 to 0.31, P<0.001), pruritus (RR=0.41, 95%CI 0.30 to 0.57, P<0.001), dizziness (RR=0.27, 95%CI 0.17 to 0.44, P<0.001) and urinary retention (RR=0.35, 95%CI (0.15, 0.82), P=0.02).ConclusionsThe current evidence shows that, sufentanil has better analgesia and sedative effects, and less risks of adverse reactions for safer clinical use.