Objective To evaluate the clinical value of electron beam computed tomography (EBCT)in the diagnosis of atherosclerotic aortic ulcer.Methods Sixty-eight consecutive patients(55 men and 13 women,aged 40—85 years,mean 65.12?9.55 years)with atherosclerotic aortic ulcer,who underwent EBCT scans from December 2001 to December 2004,were studied retrospectively.Contrast- enhanced continuous volume scanning(CVS)was performed by Imatron C-150XP EBCT scanner with 6 mm or 3 mm slice thickness and 100 milliseconds acquisition time.The scan was started 18—30 s after the injection of 80—100 ml contrast medium at the rate of 3.5—4.5 ml/s.Results In sixty-eight patients with atherosclerotie aortic ulcer,50 patients had acute aortic syndromes,36 had intramural hematomas,15 had atherosclerotic aortic aneurysms,3 had aortic dissections.46 patients with progresive ulcer usually had acute aortic syndrome while 22 patients with stable ulcer didn't(P

Objective To explore cardioprotective effect of matrine on myocardial ischemia in hypercholesterolemia rats. Methods Myocardial infarction was induced by subcutaneous injection of isopreterenol (ISO, 85 mg/kg) once daily for two consecutive days in rats feeding cholesterol-rich diet for 4 weeks. Content of serum lipid, myocardial injury marker enzymes, lipid peroxidatase and activities of antioxidative enzymes in serum and/or heart tissues were measured, and cardiac function was evaluated. Results Administration of matrine (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg, respectively) decreased serum level of TC and TG, improved left ventricle (LV) contractile function (increased LVSP and +dp/dtmax) and LV diastolic function (decreased LVEDP and increased -dp/dtmax), depressed the levels of myocardial injury marker enzymes of lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatine kinase (CK), promoted the activities of antioxidative enzymes of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalyst (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GHS-PX), as well as decreased the content of lipid peroxidation product of malondialdehyde (MDA) in plasma and/or myocardial tissues in hypercholesterolemia rats with myocardial infarction. Histopathology examination demonstrated that matrine could attenuate ISO-induced myocardial infarction morphologically in hypercholesterolemia rats. Conclusion Our results suggest that cardioprotective effect of matrine on myocardial infarction in hypercholesterolemia rats is attributed to its ability to decrease the TC and TG content of serum, enhance the activities of antioxidative enzymes, and maintain the stability of myocardial cellular membranes.

Objective To evaluate the application value of X-ray,echocardiogram,pulmonary perfusion scintigraphy,EBCT,Magnetic resonance Pulmonary angiography in diagnosis of PTE.Methods Twenty-five consecutive patients clinically diagnosed of having PTE were examined from july 2003 through March 2004. Patients underwent X-ray chest plain film, echoeardiogram, electronic beam computed tomographie (EBCT)angiography,ventilation-perfusion (V-P)seintigraphy,Magnetic resonance Pulmonary angiography (MRPA)and puhnonary angiography according to a strict diagnostic protocol.Two of the independent readers reviewed the pulmonary angiography and record all of the lobe and segmental involved in PTE and compared with other image method.Results Pulmonary angiography:all of the patients success underwent the technique,the pulmonary artery branch with PTE was in 556 of 775 branches (71.7%). Chest radiography had hints of diagnosis in 12 of 25 patients.Nine patients diagnosed with echocardiogram. Right heart enlargement was in 21,and pulmonary hypertension in 18.V-P scintigraphy revealed 247 segmental involved with PTE of 500 (52.0% ),and the sensitivity was 64.66% compare with the pulmonary angiography.There were 523 pulmonary branches involved PTE with EBCT pulmonary angiograpy of 775 branches,and the sensitivity was 94.06%.MRPA: 8 of 10 patients succeed in the technique, 155 branches of 248 were detected with PTE(62.5% ),the sensitivity was 81.29%.Conclusions EBCT is a high sensitivity method in diagnosis of PTE.Chest radiography and echocardiogram are the first-line modality of PTE.V-P scintigrapby is the valid compensation in diagnosis subsegmental pulmonary artery with PTE when EBCT miss diagnosis.Gd-CE-MRPA may be the second-line modality in diagnosis of PTE.

0.05 indicating no statistical difference.However,the noise measurements for the L and C groups were 30.05 and 27.80,respectively,with P

0.05).(3)The average CTDIvol values were 60?5 mGy,88?10 mGy for 2C_2 and NC_2(C_2)groups,respectively.The corresponding ED values were(12.3?1.0)and(18.0?2.0)mSv,respectively.The CTDIvol and ED values for 2C_2 group were about 32% lower than those of NC_2 group and were statistically significant with P

OBJECTIVETo investigate the diagnostic accuracy and clinical value of electron-beam CT (EBCT) single flow mode study (EBCTSF) in combination with EBCT coronary angiography (EBCTCA) and three dimensional reconstruction using medial axis reformation (MAR) for diagnosis of coronary in-stent stenosis.

METHODSElectrocardiogram-gated EBCT single coronary scanning (without and with contrast medium) was performed in 25 consecutive coronary heart disease (CHD) patients during a short breathhold. EBCTSF was then performed at the level nearly distal to stent. Three-dimensional coronary images were reformed using MAR. EBCT findings were compared with that of conventional coronary angiography (CAG).

RESULTSThirty-five intracoronary stents were implanted in thirty-one diseased vessel segments. EBCTSF procedure was unsuccessful in 2 patients (successful rate was 92.0%, 23/25). There was a significant decrease in flow peak value (Dp), increased value (Deltad) and area under curve (A), and a significant increase in prolonged peak time (Td) in stenosed stents compared to normal stents (P < 0.05). EBCTCA was successful for all patients. Seven stenosed stents (5 in left anterior descending branch and 2 in right coronary) were correctly evaluated with EBCT. Compared with CAG, EBCTSF in combination with EBCTCA images and MAR reconstruction images had a diagnostic sensitivity of 85.0% (6/7) and a specificity of 92.9% (26/28) for detecting significant in-stent stenosis (> 50% lumen diameter). Positive and negative predictive value were 75.0% (6/8) and 96.5% (26/27) respectively. Compared with EBCT cross-section images alone, or cross-section images and three-dimensional images, the diagnostic accuracy increased from 80.0% and 88.6% to 91.4% (32/35).

CONCLUSIONSNoninvasive EBCTSF can be used to quantitatively analyze coronary flow characteristics. This technique, used in combination with EBCTCA and three dimensional reconstruction using MAR, seems to be an effective imaging modality in identifying coronary in-stent stenosis. For stent-implanted patients with atypical and nonischemic chest pain after coronary intervention, the above-mentioned technique is of important value for evaluating therapeutic effect and follow-up results.

Coronary Angiography ; methods ; Coronary Artery Disease ; diagnostic imaging ; Coronary Restenosis ; diagnostic imaging ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Stents ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; methods

Objective To observe the effects of genistein and 17?-estradiol on microstructure of cancellous bone in ovariectomized (OVX) rats.Methods Ninty 7-month-old SD rats were randomly divided into baseline group,ovariectomized (OVX),sham-operated (SHAM),17?-estradiol treated (10?g?kg~(-1).day~(-1),EST) and genistein treated (5 mg?kg~(-1)?day~(-1),GEN) groups,and were killed at the beginning of the experiment,the 3rd and 15th week after operation.MicroCT scanning was performed on the left tibia in vitro.The regions involving 0.5 mm slice thickness and 1.6 mm distal to the tibial growth plate were selected as the regions of interest.Results At the 3rd week after operation,the tissue bone mineral density (tBMD) and trabecular thickness (sTh.Th) in group GEN were significantly higher than those in OVX and EST groups (all P

OBJECTIVETo identify reasons for poor image quality and nonassessability of coronary artery segments, and compare results between early and late diastolic triggering on coronary electron beam angiography (EBA).

METHODSOne hundred patients referred for EBA were studied. Contrast-enhanced transaxial coronary images were acquired using electrocardiographic triggering and reconstructed three-dimensionally using volume rendering techniques. The image quality of coronary segments and image artifacts were analyzed statistically.

RESULTSVolume rendering was failed in 7 patients (7%) due to cardiac and breathing motions. Image quality was the best with the left main (LM), and worst with the left circumflex (LCX) coronary artery (P < 0.001). The image quality decreased systematically from proximal to distal within each coronary artery (P < 0.001). Forty percent R-R interval triggering on electrocardiography was better than 80% for image quality. The nonassessable segments occurred in 3% of LM, 2%, 8%, and 5% of proximal, 24%, 22%, and 12% of mid, 64%, 45%, and 20% of distal segments of the left anterior descending (LAD), LCX, and right coronary artery (RCA), respectively (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe major limitations of coronary EBA are in suboptimal spatial resolution and image artifacts. The image quality could be improved by using optimal electrocardiographic triggering.

Aged ; Coronary Angiography ; methods ; Coronary Disease ; diagnostic imaging ; Female ; Humans ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Quality Control ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; methods

Objective To evaluate the capability and accuracy of multi-shce spiral computed tomography(MSCT)in detecting atherosclerotic plaques in nonstenotic coronary arteries with reference to the findings of intravascular ultrasound(IVUS)in a segment analysis.Methods Both IVUS exams and 16-row MSCT scans were performed on 35 consecutive patients among whom 30 patients had successful MSCT scans.A total of 94 coronary segments without significant coronary stenoses were paired-analyzed both on IVUS and MSCT segment by segment.The plaques were classified as calcified,fibrotic and soft types according to the echogeneity on IVUS.Plaque attenuation on MSCT was measured and expressed by Hounsfield units(HU).Results When referred to IVUS,MSCT had a sensitivity of 82.1%(46/56)and specificity of 89.5% (34/38),respectively in detectiong any plaques.For the detection of calcified plaques,the sensitivity and specificity were 92.1%(35/38)and 96.4%(54/56),respectively.For the detection of mixed and noncalcified plaques,MSCT had sensitivity of 73.2%(30/41)and specificity of 88.7%(47/53).But for the detection of the noncalcified plaque,the sensitivity was 66.7%(12/18). According to the findings On IVUS,the plaques were classified as calcified(n=19),fibrotic(n=19)and soft(n=16).The CT attenuation of calcified plaques was(489?169)HU(196 to 817 HU),fibrotic plaques(69?21)HU(25 to 117 HU)and soft plaques(23?18)HU(-12 to 47 HU).Nonparametric Kruskal-Wallis test revealed a significant difference of plaque attenuation among the three groups(P

OBJECTIVETo analyze the misdiagnosis of facial nerve tumor and better understand facial nerve tumor.

METHODSTwenty-eight patients with facial nerve tumor were undergone surgical treatment during January 1993 to September 2006. Eleven patients had been misdiagnosed. All patients were undergone pure tone audiometry, CT scan or MRI. Facial nerve function was evaluated with House-Brackmann grading system.

RESULTSEleven cases were misdiagnosed. Two cases were misdiagnosed as parotid tumor preoperatively. They were identified as facial never tumor because the masses originated from facial nerve during the surgery and confirmed by pathological examination. Four cases with unilateral facial nerve paralysis lasting from one year to eight years had been misdiagnosed as Bell palsy. Two cases with recurrent facial nerve palsy were misdiagnosed as Bell palsy. Finally MRI and CT demonstrated a mass at the genicular segment of facial nerve. One case with hearing loss and mass in external acoustic meatus was misdiagnoses as external acoustic meatus neoplasm. It was verified as facial schwannomas by biopsy and CT scan. One case with ear discharge, tympanic membrane perforation, soft tissue mass at epitympanum was misdiagnosed as chronic suppurative otitis media, lump was found close to the horizontal segment of facial nerve intraoperatively, and then it was confirmed as facial schwannomas by pathology. One case with soft tissue mass at mastoid and facial paralysis lasting about one and a half years was misdiagnosed as congenital cholesteatoma preoperatively. After admission, MRI study revealed the mass was involved in the facial nerve and parotid gland, and facial nerve tumor was suspected. All the 11 cases were undergone surgery, and the diagnosis was confirmed pathologically.

CONCLUSIONSFacial nerve tumor was rare and unfamiliar with most of Otologists. The present study showed that the three symptoms or signs should be alert: patient presents with facial paralysis does not partially recovered within six months or patient presents with recurrent facial paralysis, CT scan and MRI should be ordered for these patients to rule out space-occupation along facial nerve. Soft tissue mass associates with the horizontal or vertical segment of facial nerve should be distinguished with Cholesteatoma and otitis media while patient complains of facial paralysis. Parotid neoplasm close to facial nerve should be considered it originates from facial nerve.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Cranial Nerve Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; Diagnostic Errors ; Facial Nerve Diseases ; diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neurilemmoma ; diagnosis ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Young Adult