Objective To investigate the dosimetric comparison of target volumes and organs at risk (OAR) between volumetric-modulated arc therapy (VMAT) and intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) for esophageal cancer by a meta-analysis.Methods A literature search was performed to collect the clinical studies on dosimetric comparison between VMAT and IMRT.The primary endpoints of interest were dosimetric parameters of target volumes and OAR, number of monitor units (MUs), and treatment time (TT).Results A total of 17 studies involving 323 patients were included in this meta-analysis.When the total dose was>50.4 Gy, VMAT showed significantly lower mean dose (Dmean) of gross tumor volume (GTV) and maximum dose (Dmax) of planning target volume (PTV) than IMRT (P=0.009;P=0.039).There were no significant differences in Dmean, V30, and V40 of the heart, Dmax of the spinal cord, and V5, V10, and Dmean of the lung between VMAT and IMRT (P>0.05).VMAT showed significantly lower V15, V20, and V30 of the lung than IMRT (P=0.001;P=0.000;P=0.023).When the single dose was 1.8 Gy and 2.0 Gy, VMAT showed significantly lower TT (reduced by 323.5 s and 193.7 s) and number of MUs (reduced by 275.4 MU and 134.2 MU) than IMRT (P=0.000 and 0.009;P=0.000 and 0.022).Conclusions VMAT can significantly reduce TT, MUs, irradiation dose to the lung, and the risk of radiation pneumonitis, and improve the utilization rate of equipment.Compared with IMRT, VMAT has no significant advantages in protection of the spinal cord and the heart and dosimetric parameters of target volumes except Dmean of PTV and Dmean and Dmax of GTV when the total dose was ≤50.4 Gy.

Objective To probe into the angiographic signs and the variations of bronchial arteries for pulmonary tuberculosis or bronchiectasis with massive hemoptysis.Methods 25 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis and 15 patients suffered from bronchiectasis accompanied by massive hemoptysis were undertaken bronchial arterial embolization(BAE).All patients were embolized with gelfoam including 32 with spring coils in addition. Results 63 arteries demonstrated angiographic signs of hemoptysis in 40 patients.The immediate stanching rate was 92.5%(37/40). The bronchopulmonary shunt formation sign shown by angiograph was the major feature of tuberculosis(P=(0.0528)) and the enlarged tortuous arteries in bronchiectasis were more to be demonstrated than in tuberculosis(P

Objective To evaluate the application of flexible thoracoscopy in the diagnosis of pleural effusion.Methods Thoracoscopy was performed in 20 pleural effusion patients in our hospital from May to December 2007.Biopsies were performed in 16 patients,not in the other 4 patients since difinite diagnosis had been reached before thoracoscopy.Results Rate of accurate diagnosis via thoracoscopy was 93.75%(15/16).Results Of biopsy were as follows:adenocarcinoma 8 cases,squamous carcinoma 1 case,adenosquamous carcinoma 1 case,malignant pleural effusion 1 case,tuberculous pleuritis 4 cases,malignant mesothelioma 3 cases,chronic suppurative pleuritis 1 case,failed diagnosis 1 case.Presentations of lesions under thoracoscope were as follows:diffused miliary nodules 10 cases(10/20),multiple mass 7 cases(7/20),fibrous compartmentation or conglutination 9 cases(9/20).There were no severe complications.Conclusion Flexible medical thoracoscopy is a safe and efficient method of etiologic diagnosis of pleural effusion.