Objective To determine the feasibility and safety of radiofrequeney(RF)ablation of entire prostate guided and monitored by contrast-enhanced transrectal ultrasound(CE-TRUS)in canine model.Methods Contrast ultrasound-guided RF ablation of entire prostate was preformed transrectally using Cool-tiptm electrodes in 7 normal canines under general anesthesia.The urethra/bladder and rectum were protected by infusion of cold distilled water through a Foley catheter and injection of cold distilled water into the prostate-rectum space,respectively.CE-TRUS findings were compared with TTC-stained pathologic results.Results All the 7 canines tolerated the ablation procedures.CE-TRUS clearly demonstrated hypoechoic thermal lesions as avascular/nonperfusion areas.The average number acquired for entire prostate ablation was 4.3(3 to 6).The average ablation volume achieved on pathology was 96.55%.There was no statistically significant difference when compared average ablative volumes between CE-TRUS and TTC-stained pathology[(9.16±5.20)cm3 vs(8.62±3.13)cm3,P=0.583].The coefficient correlation was 0.94(P=0.002).No thermal related injuries were found in anv of the bladder and rectum.The thermal related inj uries of the urethra were less than 1/4 quadrant.Conclusions It is feasible to ablate the entire prostate using RF thermal energy under CE-TRUS guidance.CE-TRUS plays a key role for achieving entire prostate ablation.The urethra and rectum can be protected by cooling of these structures during the procedure.

Objective To analyse the efficacy of microvascular decompression for hemifacial spasm (HFS) caused by vertebral basilar artery compression. Methods A total of 141 patients with HFS treated by microvascular decompression in our hospital were collected in this study. The improvement of the symptoms after operation was compared between patients with HFS caused by vertebral basilar artery compression (28 cases) and patients with HFS caused by non-vertebral basilar artery compression (113 cases). Results There was no significant difference in the effective rate between the two groups of HFS (96.43%vs. 98.23%,P=0.49) with mean following-up 13.81 ± 1.57 months. And there was no significant difference in the delayed cure rate after surgery between two groups (37.04%vs. 20.72%,χ2=1.38, P>0.05). Conclusion Microvascular decompression is a safe and effective method for the treatment of HFS caused by compressed vertebral basilar artery.