Objective To investigate the CT characteristics of retroperitoneal extra-adrenal paraganglioma(PGL).Methods CT findings of 11 patients with pathologically confirmed retroperitoneal extra-adrenal PGL were analyzed retrospectively,and the relevant literature was reviewed.All patients received plain CT as well as contrast-enhancement CT scan.Results All of the 11 tumors were located in the retroperitoneal space around large blood vessels,including 2 functional and 9 unfunctional extra-adrenal paragangliomas.Eight of 11 cases were benign tumors which presented as round or oval masses with sharp margins,separated from surrounding structures clearly;while the rest 3 cases,which with indistinct edge,even more with the invasion of surrounding structures (renal artery,renal venous and pancreas),were confirmed to be malignant.Most of the tumors were heterogeneous on plain CT.It was common to see intratumoral necrosis or cystic degeneration in the tumors (9 cases),while hemorrhage or calcification was uncommon,which was found in 3 and 2 cases,respectively.Homogeneous intensity was only observed in 2 masses with diameter less than 4 cm.On contrast-enhanced CT image, the solid part of the tumors presented continuously significant enhancement.Dilated feeding artery was found in or around the masses (8 cases) in artery phase.Conclusion There are certain characteristics of retroperitoneal extra-adrenal paraganglioma on CT scanning, which are helpful for preoperative diagnosis and treatment of this disease.

Objective:To observe influence of alprostadil injection on contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) in high risk patients after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).Methods: A total of 263 CIN high risk (CIN risk score ≥16 scores) patients were selected.According to random number table, patients were randomly divided into routine treatment group (n=121, received routine hydration therapy) and alprostadil group (n=142, received additional alprostadil injection based on routine treatment group).Serum creatinine (SCr), glomerular filtration rate(GFR), cystatin C (CysC) and β trace protein (β-TP) level before, 48h and 72h after PCI were measured and compared, and incidence rate of CIN, percentage of blood purification therapy and mortality were compared between two groups.Results: Compared with before PCI, there was significant rise in SCr level and significant reduction in GFR in both groups on 48h and 72h after PCI (P<0.01 all);Compared with routine treatment group, there were significant reductions in levels of SCr [72h: (190.04±28.92) μmol/L vs.(141.10±21.18) μmol/L], and significant rise in GFR [72h: (26.0±4.4) ml/min vs.(36.4±4.9) ml/min], and levels of CysC[72h: (1.75±0.74) mg/L vs.(1.47±0.55) mg/L] and β-TP [72h: (1.53±0.50) mg/L vs.(1.22±0.38) mg/L] significantly decreased in alprostadil group on 48h and 72h after PCI, P<0.05 or <0.01;there were significant reductions in incidence rate of CIN (30.6% vs.18.3%) and percentage of blood purification therapy (10.7% vs.3.5%) in alprostadil group, P=0.001, 0.045 respectively.There was no significant difference in mortality between two groups, P=0.728.Conclusion: Alprostadil injection can significantly improve kidney function, reduce incidence rate of CIN and percentage of blood purification therapy in CIN high risk patients after PCI, which is worth extending.

The "four-in-one" approach is based on the four-dimensional perspective of "property, position, tendency and syndrome", which helps to identify and analyze classical prescriptions in a multi-dimensional and three-dimensional way. The early pathogenesis of chronic heart failure (CHF) is deficiency of heart Qi and heart Yang and disorder in Qi transformation in triple energizer, while in the later stage of the disease, it progresses from deficiency to excess, with simultaneous occurrence of deficiency and excess syndromes. Fuling Guizhi Baizhu Gancao Decoction (Linggui Zhugan Decoction) plays its role in treating chronic heart failure by the four elements of "property, position, tendency and syndrome". Property—Linggui Zhugan Decoction is pungent, sweet, slight sweet and bitter in flavor, but warm in property. The sweet is able to tonify deficiency; the pungent is responsible for dispersing Yang, promoting Qi and draining water retention; the warm nourishes the spleen, raises Yang Qi and resolves phlegm; the bitter could excrete diuresis and dry dampness to guarantee the smooth operation of three energizer. Position-Linggui Zhugan Decoction acts on the heart, spleen and triple energizer. It can stimulate heart Yang, strengthen the spleen, resolve phlegm, and regulate the waterways to promote the Qi transformation in triple energizer. Tendency-The tendency of Linggui Zhugan Decoction is upward and downward in parallel, both internal and external. Warming up and promoting diuresis, raising Yang up and tonifying deficiency, it is conducive to the Yang Qi transformation in triple energizer. Syndrome-Linggui Zhugan Decoction is indicated for the syndrome of heart Yang deficiency and water-fluid retention, which begins with the upper abdomen swelling, Qi rushes against the chest. It is widely used in the treatment of water-vapor impulse heart disease. The disorder of Qi transformation in triple energizer is the main mechanism of recurrent CHF. Linggui Zhugan Decoction can not only warm the fire of Qi transformation in triple energizer, but also smooth the pathway of Qi transformation in triple energizer, which is compatible with the treatment of systemic fluid retention in chronic heart failure. Its pharmacological mechanisms include anti-inflammation, anti-platelet aggregation, regulation of cardiomyocyte cell membrane ion channels, protection against ischemia-reperfusion injury and modulation of vasodilation, etc. Deconstructing Linggui Zhugan Decoction with "four-in-one" approach and discussing its mechanism for treating CHF in combination with the theory of "Qi transformation in triple energizer", have great significance to rejuvenate the vitality of classical prescriptions and to apply them accurately and effectively.