Objective To study the CT and MRI features of malignant adrenal tumors(MAT)for improving the understanding of the disease and imaging diagnosis.Methods CT and MRI findings were retrospectively reviewed in 1 7 patients with MAT proved by surgical pathology.CT scan was performed in 1 7 cases,and CT enhancement scan was performed in 14 cases;MRI scan was comple-ted in 3 cases,and MRI enhancement scan was performed in 2 cases;CT and MRI scans were examinated in 3 cases.Results Among 1 7 patients with MAT,there were 3 adrenocortical carcinomas,2 neuroblastomas,1 malignant pheochromocytoma,1 lymphoma,1 leiomyosarcoma,and 9 adrenal metastatic tumors.The CT and MRI characteristics in size,shape,boundary,density or signal,and en-hancement features,can discriminate MAT.Conclusion CT and MRI findings of some MAT have a certain characteristic;The ima-ging findings combined with clinical data are helpful in correctly making preoperative diagnosis.

OBJECTIVETo explore a combined application of tissue expansion, perforator flaps and super-thin flaps in reconstruction of extensive face and neck scars.

METHODSIn the first stage, the position and course of the perforators were confirmed with the multi-detector computed tomography ( MDCT) and color Doppler ultrasound. The expanders were implanted between subdermal vascular plexus and superficial fascia. In the second stage, the expanded super-thin perforator flaps were transferred to resurface the extensive defects and deformities in the face and neck.

RESULTS26 cases with extensive facial and cervical scars were included in this study. Except for one case with necrosis at the distal end, the other 25 flaps survived completely. The maximum flap size was 35 cm x 10 cm with a pedicle of 8 cm x 4 cm. Long-term follow-up showed that this combined application provided thinner flap than the conventional pre-expanded flap, thus avoiding secondary flap debulking and revisions. All the patients got improvement in contours, facial features and emotional expression.

CONCLUSIONSThe combined application of tissue expansion, perforator flaps and super-thin flaps is a practical method which has advantages in feature recontouring and recovery of delicate emotions in reconstruction of extensive face and neck scars.

Cicatrix ; surgery ; Face ; surgery ; Humans ; Multidetector Computed Tomography ; Neck ; surgery ; Perforator Flap ; transplantation ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; Tissue Expansion ; methods

Objective ToimprovetherecognitionofovariancysticlesionsbyanalyzingCTand MRIappearances.Methods A retrospectivereviewofCTand MRIimagesof67caseswithpathologicallyprovenofovariancysticlesionswasperformed.Among which,58casescarriedoutplainCTscan,52casesunderwentenhancedCTscan,12casesunderwentplainMRIscan,and7casesunderwent enhancedMRIscan.Results 20caseswereovariancystadenomas,14caseswerecystadenocarcinomas,8caseswereteratomas(1case wasmalignant),5caseswerestrumaovarii,15caseswerecysts,3casesweremetastases,and2caseswereovariantuberculosis.The CTand MRIcharacteristicsofthecysticlesions,inculdingsize,shape,thicknessofcystwall,wallnodule,densityorsignalintensity andenhancementfeatureswerevaluableindifferentialdiagnosisofovariancysticlesions.Conclusion CTand MRIappearancesofovarian cysticlesionshavesomecharacteristics,includingcysticwallandseptaofcystadenocarcinomasirregularthickened,papillaryprotuberance andascites.Teratomasoftencontainfatandcalcification.Strumaovariipresentsmultilocularcystic-solidmass,withthesolidportions markedenhancement.Metastatictumorshaveahistoryofprimarygastrointestinalneoplasmsandperitonealeffusion.

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of occlusal trauma on the ultra-structure of synovial membrane and articular cartilage in rabbit's temporomandibular joints (TMJ). METHODS: TMJs from six rabbits with occlusal trauma and three control rabbits were studied by transmission electron microscopy. RESULTS: Degenerative changes in synovial membrane and articular cartilage of TMJ were induced following occlusal trauma. The structure of the articular surface was damaged, and chondrocytes in cartilage showed signs of degeneration. The synovial lining cells contained dense accumulations of vimentin intermediate filaments (IFs), which were especially prevalent in the cellular processes as well as paranuclearly. Microvilli on the synovial cell membrane were commonly seen. The "vermiform bodies" in the deeper interstitium of the synovial tissue were also found. Our findings of the punctate adherens between synovial lining cells were described in detail. CONCLUSIONS: The occlusal trauma is really a factor inducing degenerative changes of the TMJ.

Objective To analyze and evaluate the CT and MRI features of synovial sarcoma (SS).Methods Clinical and imaging data of 25 cases with SS confirmed by pathology were retrospectively analyzed.1 5 cases with CT scan,including 1 1 contrastGenhanced CT scan,and 1 2 cases with MRI scan,including 8 contrastGenhanced MRI scan.Results Among 25 cases,1 8 were located in the lower extremities,2 in the upper extremities and in the chest wall respectively,1 case in the lung parenchyma,mediastinum and spine respectively.1 8 cases were deep seated,while 1 9 cases were lobulated.On CT image,most of the lesions were isodense or hypodense to muscle,while 3 cases presented peripheral calcification,and 9 cases showed progressive enhancement.On MRI,10 cases were isointense or slight hypointense on T1 WI,while 9 cases presented hyperintense or slight hyperintense on T2 WI.9 cases showed cystic change (7 of them located in the periphery),and 8 cases showed short T1 signal.3 cases demonstrated "fluidGfluid levels",and 9 cases exhibited hypointense septa.7 cases revealed "triple sign"on T2 WI and 7 cases showed obviously heterogenous enhancement.Conclusion Synovial sarcomas are mostly located in the lower extremities,with clear margins,peripheral cystic changes,intramural hemorrhage,"triple sign"on T2 WI and progressive enhancement.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the gene mutation frequencies and patterns of β-thalassemia (β-thal) in the minority populations of Guizhou province.

METHODSThree thousand and five hundred couples in the reproductive age were screened by using automatic hemocyte analyzer and hemoglobin autoanalyzer-variant. The diagnostic criteria for β-thal were: the mean corpuscular volume (MCV) was ≤ 82 fl, and the HbA(2) level was ≥ 3.5%. A total of 194 positive samples were detected and further identified by PCR-reverse dot blot (PCR-RDB) assay for 18 common β -thal mutations in Chinese population. Those subjects with positive phenotypes but without the 18 common β-thal mutations were subjected to DNA sequence analysis of the β-globin gene.

RESULTSOne hundred and eighty-nine samples with gene mutations were observed from the 3500 samples, with the incidence of β-thal being 5.4%. A total of 10 different β-thal mutations were identified from the 189 diagnosed samples. The five most common mutations were as the following: CD17 (43.9%), CD41-42 (38.6%), IVS-II-654(10.1%), -28 (2.6%) and CD71-72 (1.6%). In addition, a novel β-globin gene mutation (-CD53) allele was detected. One rare mutation of IntM was observed.

CONCLUSIONThe minority population in Guizhou province is of high risk of β-thal. It is recommended that more attention should be paid to detect the carriers of β-thal in the population in reproductive age by hematologic screening and common gene diagnosis in the area with high risk of β-thal.

Adult ; Base Sequence ; China ; ethnology ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; Ethnic Groups ; genetics ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mutation ; Young Adult ; beta-Globins ; genetics ; beta-Thalassemia ; genetics

In natural conditions, fully ripe Cynomorium songaricum seeds parasitize in Nitraria tangutorum or N. sphaerocarpa or N. sibirica or Zygophyllum xanthoxylom and Peganum harmala, were used in this study to research the morphological characteristics, embryo rate, seed viability, 1 000-grain weight, purity, water content and the seeds of different host parasitic relationship with each other. The results showed that the morphology, color and surface characteristics of the C. songaricum seeds are very similar in different hosts. According to the seed morphology can not be judged on its host. For the host to N. tangutorum or Peganum harmala or N. sibirica, we should choose the round hole screen less than 0.923 1 mm and larger than 1.066 2 mm to cleaning seeds. For the C. songaricum seeds parasitic in N. sphaerocarpa, the choice of slightly less than 0.926 1 mm and larger than 0.985 3 mm round hole screen to cleaning. For the parasitic seeds in Z. xanthoxylom, less than 0.751 3 mm and slightly larger than 1.035 3 mm round hole screen could be used. Highy significant correlation was found among the morphological indexes in C. songaricum seeds (P < 0.01). Morphological indexes and 1 000-grain weight were significantly correlated (0.01 < P < 0.05), but with the seed viability and the embryo rate were not found significant correlation. Grain weight is not related with the seed viability and the Fully mature C. songaricum seed viability is high and water content is low. The difference of the habitats and the host plants should be considered in the seed quality assessment and classification. The C. songaricum seeds on host plants are not selective, and the C. songaricum seeds from the host plants could be parasitized in other host plants.
China ; Cynomorium ; chemistry ; growth & development ; physiology ; Ecosystem ; Host Specificity ; Magnoliopsida ; physiology ; Seeds ; chemistry ; growth & development ; physiology

Objective: To explore the clinical effects and key techniques of expanded super-thin perforator flaps in the shoulder, neck, and chest in reconstruction of extensive burn scars in the face. Methods: From January 2008 to November 2018, 22 patients with extensive burn scars in the face were admitted to the Department of Plastic Surgery of Dongguan Kanghua Hospital and the Department of Plastic Surgery of Dermatology Hospital of Southern Medical University, with 3 males and 19 females, aged from 4 to 48 years. There were 16 cases of type Ⅱ and 6 cases of type Ⅲ in facial scars. Before the first stage of expansion surgery, Doppler blood flow survey meter or multi-slice CT was used to locate the perforator vessels. One to four expanders with rated capacity ranged from 100 to 600 mL were placed in the patients. We gave 20% to 30% of the rated capacity of expander intro-operation and common injection with 10% to 15% of the rated capacity of expander per week post-operation until the volume reached 1.5 to 2.5 times of the rated capacity of expander during the past 3 to 4 months. At the second stage of surgery, the perforators were located again before surgery with the same method. The size of defects after the excision of facial scars ranged from 6 cm×4 cm to 18 cm×16 cm. With perforators used as nutrient vessels, narrow pedicle flaps or random flaps ranging from 6 cm×6 cm to 22 cm×18 cm were elevated as rotating or advancing to reconstruct the defects. The donor sites were sutured directly. Some of the flaps needed stage Ⅲ operation for cutting the pedicle. The survival of flaps, post-operation complications, and follow-up were assessed. Results: All flaps of 22 patients survived. All the donor sites were closed simultaneously. One patient underwent an additional surgery for 5 cm×4 cm necrosis on distal part of flap caused by subcutaneous hematoma. Two patients with epidermis blister on the flaps were healed by themselves after dressing change. Due to rapid expansion, blood capillary proliferation appeared on the central part of the flap in 3 cases, after slowing down the expansion speed properly, which had no impact on flap transfer. No ischemia or venous congestion phenomenon were observed in the other flaps. During follow-up of 5 to 48 months, the flaps of patients showed no significant bloated appearance, with good complexion and texture, and even could reproduce facial fine-grained expressions naturally. Conclusions For the reconstruction of extensive burn scars in the face, expanded super-thin perforator flaps can not only acquire large and thin flaps with high matching degree surface skin defect, but also reproduce facial fine-grained expressions. It is a simple and safe method which conforms to the facial aesthetic standard.