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.

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 understand the epidemiological characteristics and risk factors of fatal cases of hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) in children under 5 years old in China from 2008 to 2018, and provide evidence for the development of targeted prevention and control measures and reduction of the incidence of fatal HFMD cases.Methods:The incidence data of reported HFMD cases in China during 2008-2018 were collected from the National Notifiable Disease Surveillance Reporting System of China for the analyses on the demographic characteristics, spatial distribution, diagnosis or reporting and pathogen spectrum of the HFMD cases. Then the risk factors causing deaths were analyzed by using logistic regression model.Results:From 2008 to 2018, a total of 3 646 fatal cases of HFMD in children under 5 years old were reported in China. There were more fatal HFMD cases in boys than in girls (1.82∶1), the death mainly occurred in age group 0 to 2 years (87.71%). Adjusted mortality rate of HFMD in children under 5 years old in China declined from 0.87 per 100 000 in 2010 to 0.11 per 100 000 in 2018 (APC=-23.20%). In the 2 523 laboratory-confirmed deaths, 2 323 (92.07%) were EV-A71 infections, but the constituents of CV-A16 and other enterovirus infections increased. The interval from onset to diagnosis M=2( P25-P75:2 -4)d. The interval from onset to death M=3( P25-P75:2 -4)d. Age between 0 and 1 years, EV-A71 infection, longer interval between onset and diagnosis, and living in rural area were the risk factors causing fatal HFMD cases. Conclusions:The number of the fatal cases, the rate of mortality and case fatality HFMD in China had shown downward trends since 2010. EV-A71 is still the main pathogen causing fatal cases, but we should pay more attention to gene pattern of the other enteroviruses except EV-A71 and CV-A16. To reduce the risk of the fatal cases we should strengthen the health education about the immunization of EV-A71 inactivated vaccines and reduce the interval from onset to diagnosis in young children in western provinces and rural areas.