Objective To observe any differences in the morphology of the lumbar multifidus (LM) muscles between normal subjects and persons with chronic lumbar disc herniation (CLDH).Methods Thirty-two persons with CLDH and thirty-five matched,healthy controls performed various maneuvers in prone lying.Ultrasound imaging was used to measure the antero-posterior diameter (A-P),lateral diameter (Lat),cross sectional area (CSA) and flattening ratio (FR) of the bilateral LM muscles at the L4/5 level.Results In the control subjects,A-P,Lat,CSA and FR were not significantly different between the left and right sides.In those with CLDH,A-P,Lat and CSA were significantly smaller on the painful side than on the no-pain side,and this difference showed asymmetry between the two sides.Average A-P,Lat,FR and muscle CSA were all significantly smaller among the CLDH subjects on both sides compared with the controls.Conclusion CLDH induces asymmetric local atrophy of the bilateral multifidus muscles which can be detected and measured using ultrasound.

Objective To investigate the prevalence of nutritional risk and malnutrition,and the application of nutrition support in hospitalized patients with surgically treated gynecologic malignant tumors.Methods 237 hospitalized patients with malignant tumors receiving surgery in Department of Gynecology of Beijing Hospital from January 1 to December 31,2013 were continuously sampled.Nutritional Risk Screening 2002 (NRS 2002) was performed in the morning the day after admission.NRS 2002 score ≥ 3 was considered indicating nutritional risk.Malnutrition was judged in accordance with NRS 2002.The application of postoperative nutrition support was recorded.Results The nutritional risk screening was applicable in all the patients (100％).The prevalence of malnutrition was 5.1％ (12/237) in the whole study population,9.2％ in the elderly (≥65 years),significantly higher than that in the patients ＜ 65 years (2.7％) (P =0.034).The nutritional risk rate was 21.1％ (50/237),which was 29.9％ in the patients ≥ 65 years and significantly lower in the patients ＜ 65 years (16.0％) (P =0.014).The nutritional risk rate in the patients with ovarian and endometrial cancers was higher the rate in those patients with vaginal and vulvar cancer was lower.47 patients (19.8％)received postoperative nutrition support,all being parenteral nutrition,including total parenteral nutrition in 13 patients (5.5％) and single transfusion (providing two or more than two amongs glucose,fat emulsion,andi amino acids) in 34 (14.3％).Tube feeding was not applied in all the patients.33 cases (66％) in the 50 patients with nutritional risk were supported by parenteral nutrition,while 14 cases (7.5％) in the 187 patients without nutritional risk were supported by parenteral nutrition.Conclusions There is nutritional risk in the patients with gynecology malignant tumors,the rate of which is higher in elderly patents (≥ 65 years) than in the patients of other age groups.Therefore,attention must be paid to ensure adequate postoperative nutrition support in the elderly patients.

Objective:To investigate the application value of the ultrasonic elastic tissue dispersion quantitative analysis technique in differentiating thyroid nodules.Methods:A total of 164 nodules in 143 patients with thyroid nodules were examined by elastography ultrasound at Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine from January to November 2014. Eleven parameters were obtained by the tissue dispersion quantitative analysis software. These parameters were compared between benign and malignant groups by Mann-Whitney U test. The correlations between all the parameters and the pathologic results of thyroid nodules were analyzed by Spearman analysis. The receiver operating characteristic(ROC) curve of the parameter with the highest correlation coefficient was constructed. The cut-off value was calculated. Results:All parameters except correlation (CORR) had statistically significant differences between the groups of benign and malignant thyroid nodules(all P<0.01). Moreover, except CORR, the other parameters were correlated with the pathologic results of thyroid nodules(all P<0.05), with the highest coefficient in area ration of low-strain region (%AREA)( r s=0.818). ROC curves were constructed to estimate the clinic values of %AREA in diagnosis of thyroid cancer, the area under ROC curve was 0.991 for %AREA, the cut-off point was 74.83%, the sensitivity and specifity was 98.1% and 89.8%, respectively. Conclusions:The tissue dispersion quantitative analysis technique has high value in the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant thyroid nodules.

Objective To explore the sonographic features and clinical factors associated with skip metastasis in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC).Methods We reviewed 276 PTC cases pathologically confirmed after operation in our hospital,analyzing the ultrasonographic features and clinical characteristics of primary site and risk factors of skip metastasis.Results The rate of skip metastasis was 16.6％,and level Ⅱ or level Ⅲ were the most common area.In univariate analysis,skip metastasis was associated with tumor location,tumor maximum size,and calcification.Multivariate analysis showed the primary tumor location in the upper portion,tumor size ≤ 10 mm,and microcalcification were independent predictive factors for skip metastasis.Conclusions In papillary thyroid carcinoma,skip metastases rate is high when primary tumor location in the upper portion,tumor size ≤ 10 mm,and there is microcalcification.

Objective:To investigate the value of BRAF V600E mutation combined with 2015 American Thyroid Association (ATA) Guidelines ultrasound (US) pattern in fine-needle aspiration (FNA) cytology of thyroid nodules with atypia of undetermined significance or follicular lesion of undetermined significance (AUS/FLUS).Methods:This study retrospectively enrolled 96 consecutive patients with 101 AUS/FLUS thyroid nodules who underwent preoperative US, FNA, and BRAF V600E mutation analysis. All AUS/FLUS nodules were classified based on US pattern-based risk stratification of 2015 ATA Guidelines. With postoperative pathology as the gold standard, the diagnostic value of BRAF V600E mutation, US pattern and the combination of two methods were compared.Results:Postoperative pathology confirmed 33 benign nodules and 68 malignant nodules. The mutation rates of BRAF V600E in AUS/FLUS nodules was 51.5%. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of BRAF V600E in the diagnosis AUS/FLUS nodules were 72.1%, 90.9% and 78.2%, respectively. The ROC curve demonstrated that the best cut-off of US pattern was high suspicion. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of US pattern in the diagnosis of AUS/FLUS nodules were 63.2%, 81.8% and 69.3%, respectively. The accuracy of US pattern in determining AUS/FLUS nodules without BRAF V600E mutation was 70.6%. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of the combination of two methods in the differential diagnosis of AUS/FLUS nodules were 89.7%, 75.8%, and 85.1%, respectively. The combination had the highest sensitivity ( P<0.05). Conclusions:BRAF V600E mutation has a good diagnostic value for differentiating benign and malignant AUS/FLUS nodules. Combined with US pattern, the differential diagnostic value for AUS/FLUS nodules without BRAF V600E mutation can be improved, and the sensitivity can be raised.

Objective:To establish a predictive model of lateral lymph node metastasis in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma(PTC), and further to compare the diagnostic efficiency of this model with the suspected abnormal lymph node thyroglobulin in fine-needle aspirate fluid (FNA-Tg) for lateral lymph node metastasis.Methods:The preoperative clinical and ultrasonographic data of 110 patients (257 lymph nodes) who underwent PTC cervical lymph node dissection were retrospectively analyzed. According to the postoperative pathological results, they were divided into lateral lymph node metastasis and non-metastasis group. Regression analysis was used to screen out independent risk factors affecting lateral lymph node metastasis and establish a predictive model. The ROC curve was used to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy and the best diagnostic cut-off point.Results:Prediction model: Logit( P)=-2.987+ 2.189(S/L ratio of lymph nodes)+ 1.748(hilum absent)+ 2.030(hyperechoic)+ 1.849(vascular abnormalities). The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy and AUC of the prediction model in the diagnosis of lateral lymph node metastasis were 92.1%, 83.9%, 87.9% and 0.929, respectively. The Homser-Lemeshow goodness of fit test showed that the Logistic model has a good fitting effect. The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and AUC of FNA-Tg in the diagnosis of lateral lymph node metastasis were 87.4%, 95.4%, 90.3% and 0.968, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and AUC of the combined diagnosis of the predictive model and FNA-Tg were 92.9%, 96.9%, 94.2% and 0.989, respectively. Conclusions:The model has a good predictive value for PTC cervical lymph node metastasis. Combined with FNA-Tg, it can improve its diagnostic efficiency and provide more valuable information for the decision-making of clinical surgical procedures.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical value of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) in assessing the high-risk population of hepatic malignant tumor (HMT).

METHODSThree hundred patients with high-risk of HMT were enrolled and examined by CEUS. The clinical data of these patients were collected. A comparative analysis was performed to assess the ability of CEUS for detecting and characterizing lesions in the liver. Kappa test was used for assessing the intra-and inter-observer reliability of CEUS.

RESULTSIn 87 enrolled patients with 119 malignant lesions detected by contrast-enhanced MRI, 112 lesions were detected by CEUS and 95 lesions were detected by unenhanced ultrasonography (US). The detection rate of CEUS for HMT was significant higher than that of US (94.1% vs. 79.8%; P < 0.01). More HMT lesions were detected by CEUS than by US in 17.2% patients. One hundred and seventy-seven patients with 215 lesions were confirmed by pathological diagnosis or long-time follow-up. There were 118 malignant and 97 benign lesions. The accuracy of CEUS for differential diagnosis of the liver lesions was 91.6% (197/215), significantly higher than that by US (59.1%, 127/215) (P < 0.01). CEUS improved the accuracy for 35.0% (62/177) patients. For 96 patients with 105 lesions detected for the first time, the agreement of diagnosis by CEUS was 92.4% (97/105). The reliability of CEUS was high (Kappainter = 0.866; Kappaintra = 0.934).

CONCLUSIONSCEUS improves the detection rate and diagnostic accuracy rate of the HMT high-risk population, with a high agreement for diagnosing the new lesions. CEUS may be considered as a first-line method to assess the high-risk population of HMT conveniently, accurately and reliably.

Contrast Media ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Humans ; Liver ; diagnostic imaging ; Liver Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Reproducibility of Results ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Ultrasonography

Objective: To investigate the occurrence of occult carcinoma in contralateral lobes based on the ultrasonic features of unilateral papillary thyroid carcinoma. Methods: The study included 202 consecutives cases of unilateral papillary thyroid carcinoma with benign nodules in the contralateral lobe identified by preoperative ultrasound or fine-needle aspiration from June 2014 to December 2015. All patients received total thyroidectomies, and with postoperative pathological examination they were divided into two groups, one including 60 cases with positive occult cancer and another one consisting of 142 cases with negative occult cancer. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to analyze the sonographic features of unilateral papillary thyroid carcinoma relevant to the occurrence of occult carcinoma in the contralateral nodules. Results: Univariate analysis indicated occult carcinoma in the contralateral lobes was associated with Hashimoto's thyroiditis(χ²=3.955, P=0.047), unclear border (χ²=4.375, P=0.036)and multifocality in the ipsilateral(χ²=7.375, P=0.007), but not with tumors maximum size, location, A/T, shape, internal structure, internal echo, acoustic halo, calcification, capsular invasion and blood flow signal in the lobe with carcinoma on another side. Multivariate analysis showed unclear border (OR=2.727, P=0.010) and multifocality in the ipsilateral(OR=2.807, P=0.005)of carcinoma were independent predictive factor for contralateral occult PTC. Conclusions Unclear border and multifocality of PTC in the ipsilateral were closely relevant to the occurrence of occult carcinoma in the contralateral nodules.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the value of thyroglobulin measurement in ultrasound guided fine-needle aspiration(FNA-Tg)for detecting neck node metastasis in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma(PTC)after thyroidectomy.

METHODSA total of 128 suspicious metastatic lymph nodes in 112 patients were retrospectively analyzed. Postoperative pathologic results were taken as the gold standard. The values of FNA and FNA-Tg combined FNA in the diagnosis of metastatic lymph nodes were compared with different ultrasonic features.

RESULTSThe sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of single FNA for the diagnosis of neck node metastasis were 67.5%, 98.0% and 79.7% respectively, and those of FNA-Tg combined FNA were 87.0%, 100.0% and 92.2% respectively. Compared with single FNA, the sensitivity and accuracy of FNA-Tg combined FNA were increased significantly(χ(2)=8.319, P=0.004; χ(2)=8.275, P=0.004). When the ultrasonographic characteristics met any one of five indicators for neck node metastasis, the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of single FNA for the diagnosis of neck node metastasis were 38.1%, 95.7% and 68.2% respectively, and those of FNA-Tg combined FNA were 71.0%, 100.0% and 86.4% respectively. Compared with single FNA, the sensitivity and accuracy of FNA-Tg combined FNA were increased significantly(χ(2)=4.709, P=0.030; χ(2)=4.141, P=0.042). When the ultrasonographic characteristics met any two of five indicators for neck node metastasis, the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of single FNA for the diagnosis of neck node metastasis were 55.0%, 100.0% and 73.5% respectively, and those of FNA-Tg combined FNA were 90.0%, 100.0% and 94.1% respectively. Compared with single FNA, the sensitivity and accuracy of FNA-Tg combined FNA were increased significantly(χ(2)=6.140, P=0.013; χ(2)=5.314, P=0.021). The ultrasonographic characteristics met any three, four or five of five indicators or did not meet any of the indicators, there was no significant difference in the value of the diagnosis of metastatic lymph nodes between single FNA and FNA-Tg combined FNA(P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe combination of FNA with FNA-Tg could be helpful in diagnosis of lymph node metastasis. When the suspicious lymph nodes had one or two ultrasound characteristics for neck node metastasis, FNA-Tg could raise the sensitivity and accuracy of FNA, and FNA-Tg could not significantly improve in the diagnosis of FNA when presenting with no or with more than 2 ultrasonographic features.

Biopsy, Fine-Needle ; Carcinoma ; pathology ; Carcinoma, Papillary ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; pathology ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; diagnosis ; Postoperative Period ; Retrospective Studies ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Thyroglobulin ; analysis ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; pathology ; Thyroidectomy

Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic efficacies of BRAF^V600E testing and Bethesda system for reporting thyroid cytopathology (BSRTC) in thyroid nodules with thyroid imaging reporting and data system (TIRADS) category 4 and 5. Methods: A total of 187 thyroid nodules in 187 patients underwent the examinations of ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) and BRAF^V600E mutation were analyzed retrospectively. Receive operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to investigate the diagnostic values of both methods and the clinical application of BRAF^V600E combined with BSRTC was evaluated. SPSS17.0 software was used to analyze the data. Results: Among 187 thyroid nodules, 123 were malignant nodules confirmed with histopathological examination and 64 benign nodules determined by FNAC, histopathological examination, or long-term follow-up. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of BRAF^V600E test were better than those of BSRTC [69.1%, 98.4%, 98.8%, 62.4%(χ²=77.3, P=0.000) vs 62.6%, 93.8%, 95.1%, 56.6%(χ²=54.4, P=0.000)]. While the sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV of the combined test of BRAF^V600E and BSRTC for diagnosis of malignant thyroid nodules were 87.8%, 92.2%, 95.6%, 79.7%(χ²=112.6, P=0.000), respectively. The area under the ROC curve for the combined test was higher than that for each of tests (0.900 vs 0.858 or 0.838). Conclusions The combined test of BRAF^V600E mutation and BSRTC has a higher diagnostic efficacy for malignant thyroid nodules compared with BRAF^V600E mutation or BSRTC alone.