Objective To muhi-directionally visualize and measure the normal anatomy of palatovaginal canal and its communications with high-resolution multi-slice spiral CT and its post-processing technologies.Methods One hundred and sixty-seven subjects with normal PPF and its communications were examined by 16-MSCT using high-resolution technique.The MPR and CPR images of palatovaginal canal were obtained on postproeessing workstation.The length and diameter of the palatovaginal canal and its communications was measured and analyzed with one way ANOVA analysis and independent samples t test.Results In this study, the detection rate of palatovaginal canal on 167 subjects was 98.8% (330/334).The mean length of left and right palatovaginal canal was (1.18 ± 0.22) cm and (1.07 ± 0.29) cm, respectively.The mean diameter of anterior opening (0.19±0.06)cm was significantly larger than median (0.10 ± 0.04) cm and posterior opening (0.16 ± 0.07)cm in left palatovaginal canal (F = 211.109, P < 0.01).Similarly,The mean diameters of anterior, median and posterior opening in right palatovaginal canal were (0.19±0.06)cm, (0.10±0.03)cm and(0.16±0.06) cm, respectively (F = 139.350,P <0.01).No significant difference on length measurements was revealed between the men [left: (1.18±0.22) cm; right: (1.12 ± 0.31)cm] and women [left: (1.07±0.25)cm; fight: (1.02±0.25)cm] (left: t = 0.919, P > 0.05 ;right:t = 1.117,P > 0.05).Between the men [left: (0.19±0.06) cm, (0.10 +0.04) cm and (0.16±0.07) cm; right: (0.19±0.06) cm,(0.10±0.04) cm,(0.16±0.06) cm] and women [left: (0.20±0.08) cm, (0.10±0.04) cm and (0.15±0.05) cm; right: (0.20±0.06) cm, (0.09± 0.04) cm and (0.15±0.05) cm], no significant difference on diameter measurements was revealed (left: t =- 1.183,0.190 and 1.660 ; fight: t = - 1.420,1.210 and 0.802 ; all P > 0.05).Conclusion On the basis of high-resolution MDCT scan, MPR and CPR images could visualize clearly the morphologic features of the palatovaginal canal, which may be helpful for making diagnostic and therapeutic decisions because more imaging information could be obtained.

OBJECTIVE To study the incidence of ?-lactamases,mainly the extended-spectrum beta-lactamases(ESBLs) and metallo-beta-lactamases(MBLs) of Chryseobacterium indologenes and Ch.gleum.METHODS Agar dilution method was applied to detect minimal inhibitory concentrations(MIC) to 12 different antibiotics used frequently.Three-dimensional test was used to detect ESBLs and metallo-?-lactamases.The genes of ?-lactamases were amplified with 3 pairs of primers special for Ch.indologenes and Ch.gleum.RESULTS Among the 25 strains of Ch.indologenes and 10 strains of Ch.gleum,68%(17/25) isolates of Ch.indologenes and 90%(9/10)isolates of Ch.gleum were considered as MBLs positive strains,but no isolates were detected for the production of ESBLs.CONCLUSIONS MBLs are the important mechanism of multi-drug resistance for Ch.indologenes and Ch.gleum.

Objective To evaluate the relationship between cranial CT characteristics and prognosis after first-ever primary supratentorial intracerebral hemorrhage (PSICH). Methods The data of clinic and CT in patients with first-ever PSICH were registered prospectively and followed up for 6 months. The relationship between the prognosis and the clinic data was analyzed using univariate and multivariate Logistical regression analysis.Results (1) The volume of hematoma was an independent CT predictor of death at 1st, 3rd and 6th month. (2) Both the volume of hematoma and secondary ventricular hemorrhage were independent CT predictors of death/disability at 6th month.Conclusions (1)The volume of hematoma can be used to predict death in patients with PSICH.(2)The volume of hematoma and secondary ventricular hemorrhage can be used to predict the death/disability rate of PSICH.

Objective To study the imaging features regarding perineural spread of tumor along the trigeminal nerve in malignant head and neck tumors, investigate its usefulness in improving diagnostic accuracy and palnning for clinical treatment. Methods Images in 9 patients with clinical or radiological findings suggestive of perineural spread along trigeminal nerve were retrospectively studied. Results Among the 9 patients, 6 were adenoid cystic carcinoma of the hard palate (n=3), maxillary sinus (n=1), parotid gland (n=1) and buccal space (n=1), respectively. Two were nasopharyngeal carcinoma and 1 was squamous carcinoma of the maxillary sinus. Enlargement and fat effacement of greater palatine foramen and pterygopalatine fossa distant from primary diseases were seen in all the 3 patients with adenoid cystic carcinoma of the hard palate and 1 with squamous carcinoma of maxillary sinus, furthermore, enlargement of foramen ovale and invasion of meckal cave was seen in 1 case. Erosion of infraorbital foramen and enlargement of the pterygopalatine fossa was seen in 1 patient with adenoid cystic carcinoma of maxillary sinus. Enlargement of pterygopalsatine fossa and foramen rotundum and invasion of the Meckal cave were seen in 1 patient with adenoid cystic carcinoma of buccal space. Perineural spread along auriculotemporal nerve and intracranial invasion through foramen ovale were seen in 1 patient with adenoid cystic carcinoma of parotid gland. Enhancement of mandibular nerve was seen in 2 patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Conclusion Perineural tumor spread along trigeminal nerve can be seen in malignant head and neck tumors, and knowledge of the anatomy of trigeminal nerve and its surrounding structures is important for correct diagnosis.

Objective To make a further recongnizing of the manifestations of diffuse axonal injury (DAI)on CT images for the early accurate clinical diagnosis.Methods The CT image data and its correlated clinic features of 56 cases with diffuse axonal injury(44 male,12 female)were analyzed retrospectively.In this series,43 cases were caused by traffic accident,13 by falling from high place.Results 1. 44 cases had haemorrhage lesions(less than 2 cm in diameter)in brain parenchyma which were at the corticomedullary junction,corpus callosum,brain stem,basal ganglia,internal capsule.2. 41 cases had subarachnoid and/or intraventricular hemorrhage 3. 9 cases had acute generalized brain swelling 4. 5 cases were associated with epidural hematoma and 16 with subdural hematoma.Conclusion CT manifestation of DAI have some featrues,and can provide reliable evidence for accurate clinic diagnosis of DAI.

Objective To investigate the CT features of the invasion of sublingual space by malignant oropharyngeal tumors in order to provide more accurate information for clinical treatment. Methods Fifty-eight cases of pathologically proven malignant oropharyngeal tumors were collected and retrospectively analyzed. Results Among all the cases, invasion of sublingual space by malignant oropharyngeal tumors could be seen in 14 cases, of which, 7 cases got access to sublingual space through tongue base, 3 cases through parapharyngeal space, 2 cases through pterygomandibular raphe, 2 cases through uncertain routes. Invasion of sublingual space manifested on CT scan as obliteration of fat plane in sublingual space and involvement of the sublingual vessels in the space. Conclusion Malignant oropharyngeal tumors can invade the adjacent sublingual space via tongue base, pterygomandibular raphe, and parapharyngeal space. The invasion of sublingual space by malignant oropharyngeal tumors manifests in CT as effacement of sublingual fat plane and envelopment of hyoid artery.

Objective　To study the scan technique that can completely demonstrate the structures of middle-inner ear.Methods　Ninety volunteers underwent 30° axial and 105° coronal HRCT scan.The manifestations of the ministructures of middle-inner ear were observed and their demonstration rate was calculated.The demonstration of different structures of middle-inner ear was evaluated and compared on HRCT.Results　(1)The scan planes of 30° axial and 105° coronal were correspondent to some structures of middle-inner ear and could completely demonstrate them.(2)30° axial and 105° coronal HRCT scan had their own advantages respectively in demonstrating the structures of middle-inner ear.Conclusion　The technique of 30° axial and 105° coronal HRCT scan of middle-inner ear is useful in demonstrating the structures,including the nerve,joint,ligament etc and the relationship among them.

The CT and MRI manifestations of pachygyria and agyria are presented with a review of the pathological features of the disorders and an evaluation of the diagnostic value of both imaging modalities. 15 cases were analysed retrospectively; of them, 12 were examined with CT and 3 with MRI. The analyses confirm 7 cases with agyria, 5 with pachygyria of bilateral cerebral hemisphere and 3 with limited pachygyria of unilateral hemisphere. On CT and MRI of the whole lesions, the cortex is thickened and the white matter is reduced in proportion. The surface of the brain remains flat and smooth or shows only a few broad gyri and shallow sulci. The border between gray and white matter is smooth. In 12 patients with agyria and pachygyria of the whole brain, the sylvian fissures are shallow, and insulae are exposed. The middle cerebral arteries course superficially along sylvian grooves close to the inner table of the skull. The cerebral contour is "hourglass" or "figure of eight". Associated brain anomalies include the heterotopia of gray matter in 5 cases, the schizencephaly (type I) in 2 cases and the agenesis of the corpus callosum in one case. In conclusion, the pathological changes of pachygyria and agyria are characteristics. CT and MRI are excellent modalities to evaluate these pathological features.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Brain ; abnormalities ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Cerebral Cortex ; abnormalities ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Background and purpose: Astrocytoma is the most common neuroepithelial neoplasm, and its grading has profound effect on its treatment and prognosis. To investigate the application of stepwise discriminant analysis in grading astrocytomas, this study developed two models of stepwise discriminant analysis according to relevant factors of astrocytoma. Methods: From January 2008 to April 2009, 111 primary astrocytoma patients were enrolled. Each patient was scored based on location, signal intensity on T1WI, signal intensity on T2WI, enhancement, edema, border, cyst or solidness, and mass effect of their magnetic resonance images. With their age score of grading, Fisher stepwise discriminant analysis and the Logistic discdminant were used. The results from the two models were then evaluated and compared. Results: According to Fisher stepwise diseriminant analysis, the predictive accuracy was 87.7% with 80.0% sensitivity, 91.5% specificity and 0.942 area of ROC curve. However, the predictive accuracy of Logistic discriminant analysis was 84.9% with 80.0% sensitivity, 86.8% specificity and 0.940 area of ROC curve. There were no statistically significant differences in terms of accuracy (P=0.250) and areas under ROC curve (Z=0.433, P=0.665) between the two models. Conclusion: Two stepwise discriminant analysis models are meaningful to predict the grading of astrocytoms, and the application of Fisher stepwise discriminant analysis is simpler than the Logistic discriminant analysis.

To investigate CT features of palatal malignant tumors and to evaluate, CT diagnostic value. CT manifestations of 32 cases of palatal malignant tumors were analyzed retrospectively. All cases were confirmed by pathology. There were 27 males and 5 females between 23 and 80 years of age. Axial contrast enhancement CT scan was performed in all cases, among them, nonenhancement CT scan was also performed in 8 cases and coronal CT scan was performed in 2 cases. The main signs of palatal malignant tumors were as follows: (1) Masses in palate in 26 cases, thickened palatal soft tissue in 6 cases and destruction of palate bone in 8 cases. The lesions were located in soft palate in 22 cases, in hard palate in 4 cases, and in the junction region between soft and hard palate in 3 cases; (2) Other adjacent structures and organs were involved in 27 cases; (3) Lymph nodes of neck metastasis were demonstrated in 17 cases. CT is an excellent technique, which can show the gross pathologic features and the invasion pathway of palatine malignant tumors, and it can provide some important information for the relevant clinical treatment and prognosis.
Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; diagnostic imaging ; secondary ; Female ; Humans ; Image Enhancement ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Palatal Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed