【Abstract】ObjectiveBy using multidetectorrow spiral CT (MDCT), to investigate the CT imaging features of inflammatory diseases in retroperitoneal space with correlation of radiological anatomy.MethodsThe clinical and laboratory dada of 30 patients with proven inflammatory diseases of retroperitoneal space were collected. All patients underwent MDCT plain scanning and portal venous acquisition. CT imaging data generated at portal venous phase were processed with coronal, sagittal and oblique multiplanar reformation (MPR) technique.ResultsAcute pancreatitis and various types of renal infection were the two main sources of retroperitoneal inflammation. Depending on the specific anatomic locations, retroperitoneal inflammation of different subspaces demonstrated characteristic imaging features. Spreading of inflammatory process across subspaces was also quite common.ConclusionMDCT is the imaging method of choice to depict comprehensively and clearly the inflammatory diseases of various retroperitoneal spaces.
There are various examination methods for cardiovascular diseases. Non-invasive diagnosis and prognostic information acquisition are the current research hotspots of related imaging examinations. Positron emission tomography (PET)/magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a new advanced fusion imaging technology that combines the molecular imaging of PET with the soft tissue contrast function of MRI to achieve their complementary advantages. This article briefly introduces several major aspects of cardiac PET/MRI in the diagnosis of cardiovascular disease, including atherosclerosis, ischemic cardiomyopathy, nodular heart disease, and myocardial amyloidosis, in order to promote cardiac PET/MRI to be more widely used in precision medicine in this field.
Objective To observe the imaging features of the optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) of complex retinal arterial macroaneurysm (RAM). Methods Nineteen eyes of 19 patients with RAM were enrolled in this retrospective study. There were 1 male (1 eye) and 18 females (18 eyes). The patients aged from 62 to 85 years, with the mean age of 71.3 years. The fundus photography examination revealed the tumors were located in the 1 - 3 branch of the artery, which showed focal spindle-shaped or fusiform angiomatous dilatation. The fundus fluorescein angiography revealed the early uniform fluorescence of the tumor, and the tumor was a high-fluorescence leak in the late period. RAM was divided into exudative type and hemorrhagic type according to the literature and based on the ocular fundus appearance. In 19 eyes, 8 eyes were exudative RAM and 11 eyes were hemorrhagic RAM. All eyes were examined by OCTA, and the retinal blood flow images of 3 mm ×3 mm diameter were routinely collected to observe the OCTA imaging features. Results OCTA examination showed that the superficial RAM of all eyes had strong reflection signal connected with retinal artery. B-scan image showed smaller tumors in the lumen with strong reflection of expansion, or large tumor with peak-like uplift and the blood flow signals in the tumor body were abundant. The enface image clearly showed the three-dimensional shape of the tumor. Tumors with exudation or multi-level bleeding could be clearly documented for their bleeding range and boundary. The white signal co-localized with the superficial retinal blood vessels by the function of multi-color fluoroscopy. The pattern of blood flow density can also clearly show the three-dimensional shape of the tumor. Conclusion The complex RAM is a strong reflection signal in the superficial layer of retina, which is connected with the retinal vessels; B-scan images shows small tumors with a small piece of strong reflection and dilation, or large tumors with mountain-like elevation with abundant blood flow signals. En face image can clearly show the three-dimensional shape of the tumor.
Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of computed tomography (CT)-guided percutaneous and cone beam CT-guided transbronchial ablation in the treatment of early multiple primary lung cancer (MPLC). Methods Retrospective analysis was performed on patients who met inclusion criteria in Shanghai Chest Hospital between May 2020 to June 2022. According to ablation pathway, lesions were divided into two groups: percutaneous ablation group and transbronchial ablation group. Results A total of 13 MPLC patients with 26 lesions were included (14 percutaneous ablation and 12 transbronchial ablation). There were no statistically significant differences in solid component, lesion location, lung field and lesion size between the two groups. The distance from the parietal pleura in the transbronchial ablation group was longer than that in percutaneous ablation group (P=0.03). The median follow-up period time were 13 months and 12 months for group percutaneous ablation and transbronchial ablation. No significant differences were found in 3-month complete ablation rate (100.0% vs. 83.3%), 1-year local control rate (100.0% vs. 91.7%) and severe complication rate (7.1% vs. 16.7%). The minor complication rate in percutaneous ablation group was higher than that in transbronchial ablation group (50.0% vs 0.0%, P=0.02). Conclusions Percutaneous ablation and transbronchial ablation have high efficacy and safety, and the latter involves lower minor complication rate. They complement each other, which provide the individualized treatments for early MPLC patients who are not suitable for or refuse surgery.
Objective To assess value and limitations of non-invasive methods in assessing liver fibrosis．Methods By summarized current situation and advancement of serum fibrotic markers, ultrasound, CT and MRI in assessing liver fibrosis, we investigated their value and limitations. Results In addition to diagnosis, non-invasive methods of assessing liver fibrosis assess severity of liver fibrosis. For liver fibrosis, however, non-invasive methods can not monitor effectively reaction to therapy and progression. Conclusion Non-invasive methods play important roles in diagnosis and assessing severity of liver fibrosis, and reduce the need of liver biopsy.
ObjectivesTo investigate the influence of scanning parameters (tube voltages and tube currents) on image quality and corresponding radiation doses with simulated lung nodules in chest CT.MethodsThe anthropomorphic chest phantoms with 12 simulated, randomly placed nodules of different diameters and densities in the chest were scanned by different scanning parameters. The detection rate, degree of nodular deformation, image quality (with both subjective and objective evaluation) and the corresponding radiation doses were recorded and evaluated, and the correlation between nodule detection rate, degree of nodular deformation, radiation dose and image quality using different scanning parameters was analyzed.ResultsThe image quality improved with the increase of tube voltage and tube current (P<0.05). When the tube current was constant, the CT values of the vertebral decreased gradually with the increase of tube voltages (P<0.05); however, significant difference was not detected in CT values of the lung field (P>0.05). When the tube current was 100 mAs, the lung nodules with CT values of +100 HU and ?630 HU showed statistical difference when using different tube voltage (P<0.05); but there was no significant difference in nodules of ?800 HU (P=0.57). When tube voltage was 100 kV and 120 kV each, it was possible to detect all lung nodules with a detection rate of 100%. The detection rate was 33% and 66% in 3 mm diameter when the tube current was 80 kV/15 mA and 80 kV/20 mA, respectively. The nodules deformation in nodules with a CT value of ?630 HU and diameter less than 5 mm was the most prominent (P<0.05). After analyzing the relationship between image quality and radiation doses using different tube voltages, we established a system of correlation equations: 80 kV: Y=2.625X+0.038; 100 kV: Y=14.66X+0.158; 120 kV: Y=18.59X+0.093.ConclusionsThe image quality improves with the increase of tube current and tube voltage, as well as the corresponding radiation doses. By reducing the tube voltage and increasing the tube current appropriately, the radiation doses can be reduced. Follow-up CT examination of pulmonary ground glass nodules should apply the same tube voltage imaging parameters, so as to effectively reduce the measurement error of nodule density and evaluate the change of nodules more accurately.
ObjectiveTo systematically review the diagnostic value of FDG-PET, Aβ-PET and tau-PET for Alzheimer ’s disease (AD).MethodsPubMed, EMbase, The Cochrane Library, CNKI, WanFang Data, VIP and CBM databases were electronically searched to collect diagnostic tests of FDG-PET, Aβ-PET and tau-PET for AD from January 2000 to February 2020. Two reviewers independently screened literature, extracted data and assessed the risk of bias of included studies; then, meta-analysis was performed by Meta-Disc 1.4 and Stata 14.0 software.ResultsA total of 31 studies involving 3 718 subjects were included. The results of meta-analysis showed that, using normal population as control, the sensitivity/specificity of FDG-PET and Aβ-PET in diagnosing AD were 0.853/0.734 and 0.824/0.771, respectively. Only 2 studies were included for tau-PET and meta-analysis was not performed.ConclusionsFDG-PET and Aβ-PET can provide good diagnostic accuracy for AD, and their diagnostic efficacy is similar. Due to limited quality and quantity of the included studies, more high quality studies are required to verify the above conclusions.
Objective The purpose of this study is to compare the differences of opened collateral circulation status between hepatic portal hypertension (HPH) and pancreatogenic portal hypertension (PPH), to guide the clinical treatment. Methods From Nov. 2015 to Oct. 2017, data of 119 cases of computed tomography portography (CTP) from the Department of Radiology of Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital and Department of Radiology of West China Hospital of Sichuan University were retrospective analyzed, and the patients were divided into 2 groups, namely the HPH group (77 patients) and PPH group (42 patients) according to different causes. The diameter of portal vein system (including trunk of portal vein, left gastric vein, splenic vein, superior mesenteric vein, and gastroepiploic vein) and the incidences of varicose veins (lower esophageal vein, gastric fundal vein, gastric body vein, Retzius vein varix, umbilical vein open, and splenorenal shunt), as well as the degree of varicose of lower esophageal vein, gastric fundal, and gastric body vein were compared. Results The diameter of portal vein in the HPH group was larger than that of the PPH group, but the diameter of gastroepiploic vein was smaller than that of the PPH group, and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in left gastric vein, splenic vein, and superior mesenteric vein between the 2 groups (P>0.05). Significant differences were found in varicose veins incidence of gastric and lower esophageal vein (P<0.05), the varicose veins incidence of gastric was lower and varicose veins incidence of lower esophageal vein was higher in the HPH group. Statistically significant differences were also found in the incidence of umbilical vein open, Retzius varicose veins and splenorenal shunt between the 2 groups (P<0.05), and the incidences were all higher in the HPH group. Conclusions There are differences in collateral circulation status between the HPH and PPH. Gastric fundal and lower esophageal vein varices are easy to appear simultaneously in HPH, while gastric fundal and body vien varices are mostly only occurred in PPH. Compared with HPH, the degree of gastric fundal and lower esophageal vein varices is more mild in PPH.
Solitary pulmonary nodule (SPN) is defined as a rounded opacity≤3 cm in diameter surrounded by lung parenchyma. The majority of smokers who undergo thin-section CT have SPNs, most of which are smaller than 7 mm. In the past, multiple follow-up examinations over a two-year period, including CT follow-up at 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months, were recommended when such nodules are detected incidentally. This policy increases radiation burden for the affected population. Nodule features such as shape, edge characteristics, cavitation, and location have not yet been found to be accurate for distinguishing benign from malignant nodules. When SPN is considered to be indeterminate in the initial exam, the risk factor of the patients should be evaluated, which includes patients' age and smoking history. The 2005 Fleischner Society guideline stated that at least 99% of all nodules 4 mm or smaller are benign; when nodule is 5-9 mm in diameter, the best strategy is surveillance. The timing of these control examinations varies according to the nodule size (4-6, or 6-8 mm) and the type of patients, specifically at low or high risk of malignancy concerned. Noncalcified nodules larger than 8 mm diameter bear a substantial risk of malignancy, additional options such as contrast material-enhanced CT, positron emission tomography (PET), percutaneous needle biopsy, and thoracoscopic resection or videoassisted thoracoscopic resection should be considered.