Objective To analyze the clinical diagnosis and treatment of pediatric tracheo-bronchial foreign body cases and therapeutic effects. Methods A retrospective review of the clinical manifestations, the feature of ima- geology and the methods of removing foreign body of 120 cases of pediatric tracheobronchial foreign body, which were confirmed with tracheobronchial foreign body by direct laryngoscope or rigid bronchoscope. Results History of aspiration was present in 90.8 % (109/120) of all cases, penetration syndrome was present in 100 % (120/120) of all cases. Among 39 cases with tracheal foreign body, there were 26 cases with audible flapping sound in trachea, the fre- quency was 66.7 %. With the X-ray chest fluoroscopy showing media-stinal swaying,59 cases were confirmed to be with foreign body by bronchoscope. The accurate rate of diagnosing traeheobronehial foreign body via CT was 86.2 % (25/29). All cases were confirmed and treated by direct laryngoscope and rigid bronchoscope. The foreign bodies of 119 cases were successfully removed. 1 patient was turned into the department of chest surgery. Conclusion History of aspiration, penetration syndrome, audible flapping sound in trachea, X-ray chest fluoroscopy showing mediastinal swaying are important evidence in diagnosing tracheobronchial foreign body. The accurate rate of diag- nosing tracheobronchial foreign body via chest CT is relatively high. Direct laryngoscope and bronchoscopy are con- firming methods in diagnosing tracheobronehial foreign body; it is effective methods to remove traehco-bronchial for- eign body by direct laryngoscope and rigid bronchoscope.

Objective To investigate the combination of multiple CT signs in diagnosis and differential diagnosis of nodular goiters (NGs).Methods The CT images of 242 pathologically confirmed lesions (＞ 10 mm in diameter) from 188 patients with nodular goiters were retrospectively reviewed.The CT signs,including regular shape,cystic degeneration,clearer enhancement margin,strong enhancement of nodular goiters were compared with those of 236 pathologically confirmed lesions (＞ 10 mm in diameter)from 225 patients with papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTCs).The sensitivity,specificity and accuracy of different CT signs or their combination in diagnosis and differential diagnosis of NGs were analyzed.Results Regular shape was present in 208 of 242 NGs (86.0％) and in 35 of 236 PTCs (14.8％) (x2 =241.804,P =0.000).Cystic degeneration was present in 143 of 242 NGs (59.1％) and 7 of 236 PTCs (3.0％)(x2 =174.783,P =0.000).Clearer enhancement margin was present in 192 of 242 NGs (79.3 ％) and in 51 of 236 PTCs (21.6％) (x2 =159.318,P =0.000).Strong enhancement was present in 41 of 242 NGs(16.9％) and in 3 of 236 PTCs (1.3％) (x2 =35.108,P =0.000).Regular shape showed the highest sensitivity and accuracy for diagnosis of NGs (86.0％ and 85.6％),while strong enhancement showed the highest specificity (98.7％).The combination of regular shape and clearer enhancement margin showed the highest sensitivity and accuracy of 67.4％ and 80.5％,respectively.The combination of strong enhancement with any of other signs showed the highest specificity of 100.0％.The combination of regular shape,cystic degeneration and clearer enhancement margin showed the highest sensitivity,specificity and accuracy of 45.5％,99.6％ and 72.2％ respectively.The combing of 4 signs showed a sensitivity,specificity,and accuracy of 2.9％,100.0％ and 50.8％.Conclusion CT scan is effective for diagnosis of NGs,and the combination of different CT signs can significantly improve the specificity and reduce the incidence of misdiagnosis to avoid unnecessary surgery.

Objective To investigate the value of CT signs in combination with clinical materials of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) to predict the central lymph node metastasis (CLNM).Methods This article reviewed the CT signs and clinical materials of 366 patients with surgically and pathologically verified PTC.The single factor and multi-factor logistic regression analyses were performed on the relation of tumor position,thyroid marginal contact,calcification,plain scan border,border after enhancement,diameter,age and sex with CLNM.Results Among the 366 patients with PTC,the number of patients with positive CLNM and negative CLNM was 155 and 211 respectively.The single factor and multi-factor logistic regression analysis indicated that the thyroid marginal contact,diameter,age and sex were related with CLNM,and the more common patients diagnosed with CLNM had the following features:thyroid marginal contact,a diameter ＞1.0 cm,age ＜45 years and males (P＜ 0.05).Among the single risk factors,the tumor position,calcification,plain scan border and border after enhancement were unrelated with CLNM (P＞0.05).Conclusion The thyroid margin contact,diameter＞l.0 cm,age＜45 years and males are independent risk factors in diagnosis of positive CLNM.

Objective To investigate the differential diagnosis of pleural effusions with CT density.Methods to meas- ure the CT density of 67 cases of tuberculo-pleural effsions and malignant pleural effusions.Results tuberculo-pleu- rai effsions and malignant pleural effusions are difference.Conclusion CT density of pleural effusions is helpful to dif- ferentiate tuberculo-pleural effsions between malignant pleural effsions.

Objective To evaluate the imaging feature of microcarcinoma of thyroid with CT.Methods CT findings of 50 lesions in 47 patients with microcarcinoma of thyroid ( dimeter,0.5 to 1.0 cm) were retrospectively analyzed.All of the patients had pathological diagnosis.Results Of the 50 lesions,38 lesions showed homogeneous low density on non-enhanced CT and various degree of enhancement on postcontrast CT. Thirty-three lesions showed discontinuous edge of the thyroids on non-enhanced CT. The boundary of 30 lesions became unclear on post-contrast CT relative to non-enhanced CT and the extension of low density of lesions decreased. Theshape of 31 lesions were irregular. Fifteen lesions showed calcifications,with granular calcifications in 13 lesions.Ten lesions were complicated with thyroiditis.Conclusions Irregular shape,discontinuous edge of the thyroids,the shrinkage of low density of lesions on post-contrast CT relative to non-enhanced CT,granular calcifications and multiple small lymph node around lesions indicate the diagnosis of microcarcinoma of the thyroid.It should be noted that thyroiditis can cover up microcarcinoma of thyroid.

Objective To investigate the diagnostic value of hyperenhancement sign on ultrasound,CT and their combination in diagnosis of thyroid benign and malignant nodules.Methods The contrast-enhanced ultrasound and enhanced CT datas of 172 thyroid nodules in 144 cases confirmed by operation and pathology were retrospectively analyzed,including 97 benign nodules and 75 malignant nodules.According to the degree of enhancement,these nodules were divided into iso-or low-enhancement and hyperenhancement.The distributions of ultrasound hyperenhancement,CT hyperenhancement and both of them in thyroid benign and malignant nodules,adenomatoid lesions and nodular goiters were analyzed,followed byx2 test for statistical analysis.Results In 172 thyroid nodules,the proportions of ultrasound hyperenhancement,CT hyperenhancement and both of them in thyroid benign and malignant nodules were 53.6％(52/97) and 20.0％(15/75)(x2＝20.090,P＜0.05),34.0％ (33/97) and 4.0％ (3/75) (x2＝23.033,P＜0.05),31.0％ (30/97) and 0％ (0/75) (x2＝28.096,P＜0.05),respectively.Their sensitivity and specificity of diagnosing benign nodules were 53.6％ (52/97) and 80.0％ (60/75),34.0％ (33/97) and 96％ (72/75),30.9％ (30/97) and 100％ (75/75),respectively.The proportions of ultrasound hyperenhancement,CT hyperenhancement and both of them in adenomatoid lesions and nodular goiters were 96.9％(31/32) and 32.3％(21/65)0x2＝35.946,P＜0.05),65.6％(21/32) and 18.5％(12/65)(x2＝21.250,P＜0.05),65.6％(21/32) and 13.8％ (9/65)(x2＝26.912,P＜0.05).Their sensitivity and specificity of diagnosing adenomatoid lesions were 96.9％(31/32) and 67.7％(44/65),65.6％(21/32) and 81.5％(53/65),65.6％(21/32) and 87.2％(56/65).Conclusions Ultrasound hyperenhancement,CT hyperenhancement for diagnosing thyroid benign nodules are of significant value.Especially for adenomatoid nodules,ultrasound hyperenhancement has a higher sensitivity,while CT hyperenhancement has a higher specificity.Their combination can further improve the diagnostic specificity,thus reducing the unnecessary surgical trauma.

AIM: To explore the expressions and significance of angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2) and tyrosine kinase with immunoglobulin and epidermal growth factor homology domains-2 (Tie-2) receptors in a rat model of acute lung injury (ALI). METHODS: Wistar rats (n=42) were divided into control group (n=12) and cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) group (n=30). Control group underwent sham operation, and CLP group underwent cecal ligation and puncture to make the model of ALI. 12 h after sham operation or CLP, 6 rats in each group were killed, and arterial blood gas analysis and lung coefficient were tested. The expressions of Ang-2 and Tie-2 receptors in lung tissue were observed by immunohistochemical method. Blood samples of the rest rats were collected from vena caudalis, and Ang-2 levels were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The mortality rate in each group within 36 h was compared. The lung architecture was observed under microscope. RESULTS: The lung architecture in control group was clear and intact. Alveolar septum was thicker, blood capillary was congested, and neutrophils and macrophages were infiltrated in the lung tissue in CLP group. Tie-2 receptors were expressed in bronchial epithelial cells, smooth muscle cells and endothelial cells in control group. Besides the similar expression as control group, high expression of Tie-2 on neutrophils and macrophages in CLP group was observed. In the adhesion location of Tie-2 receptors positive inflammatory cells, there was stronger staining in endothelial cells. Ang-2 was expressed in smooth muscle cells, bronchial epithelial cells and endothelial cells in control group. The Ang-2 level in CLP group were higher than that in control group [(8.14±1.74) μg/L vs (4.63±0.49) μg/L, P<0.01], and the Ang-2 level of dead rats was higher than that of survival rats within 36 h in CLP group [(8.95±1.61)μg/L vs (6.80±0.96)μg/L, P<0.01]. Oxygen partial pressure in control group was lower (P<0.01) and lung coefficient was higher (P<0.01) than that in CLP group. CONCLUSION: Ang-2 and Tie-2 receptors may participate in the pathophysiology of ALI, and Ang-2 level is correlated with mortality.

Objective To assess the value of CT in identification and diagnosis of benign and malignant calcified thyroid nodules.Methods Retrospective analysis was performed on the CT data of 313 surgically and pathologically confirmed cases with 378 calcified nodules.Based on the size,morphology,and number,calcification was divided into microcalcification (d≤2 mm and axis displayed in only one cross-section),coarse calcification (d＞2 mm or displayed in two or more cross-sections),annular calcification (arc or annular),and multiple microcalcifications (solitary multiple microcalcification without a soft tissue lump);a distribution of microcalcification,coarse calcification,and annular calcification as well as a clearer enhanced periphery or internal calcification than nonenhanced data in benign and malignant thyroid nodules were observed.Results The 378 nodules consisted of 259 benign nodules (68.5％) (all were nodular goiters) and 119 malignant nodules (31.5％) (including 111 papillary thyroid carcinomas,4 follicular carcinomas,3 medullary thyroid carcinomas and 1 lymphoma).Microcalcification was more common in malignant nodules (MNs) than in benign nodules (BNs),with a rate of 43.6％ vs 12.4％,respectively (P≤0.05),and its sensitivity,specificity,positive predicted value,and negative predicted value were 42.9％,87.6％,61.4％ and 76.9％,respectively.Coarse calcification,annular calcification,and clearer enhanced periphery or internal calcification than nonenhanced data were more common in BNs than in MNs,with rates of 52.9％ vs 20.2％ (P≤0.05),66.0％ vs 42.0％ (P≤0.05) and 43.2％ vs 19.3％ (P≤0.05),respectively,whose sensitivity,specificity,positive predicted value and negative predicted value were 66.0％ vs 22.4％ vs 43.2％,58.0％ vs 86.6％ vs 80.7％,77.4％ vs 78.4％ vs 83％,and 43.9％ vs 33.9％ vs 39.8％,respectively.Two multiple microcalcifications without a soft tissue lump were MNs (papillary thyroid carcinoma).Conclusions Microcalcification and multiple calcifications are conducive to the diagnosis of MNs,whereas coarse calcification,annular calcification,and clearer enhanced periphery or internal calcification than nonenhanced data benefit the diagnosis of BNs,but the low specificity and high false positive rate suggest that the judgment of BNs or MNs should not depend on coarse calcification alone.

Objective To analyze CT characteristics of patients with primary parathyroid hyperplasia ( PPH) , parathyroid adenoma ( PA) , atypical parathyroid adenoma ( APA) , and parathyroid carcinoma ( PC) and to evaluate the value of CT in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of primary hyperparathyroidism ( PHPT ) . Methods CT scan of 134 pathologically proved PHPT patients with complete clinical and laboratory data were retrorespectively analyzed .The similarities and differences of CT features in patients with PPH , PA, APA and PC were studied.Results Among 140 lesions in the 134 patients, 130 cases had solitary parathyroid mass and 4 cases had 10 parathyroid masses , including 22 lesions in 17 patients with PPH, with the diameter ranging from 0.6 cm to 2.8 cm(1.2 ±0.6)cm, 106 lesions in 105 patients with PA, with the diameter ranging from 0.3 cm to 3.2 cm (1.1 ±0.6)cm, 10 lesions in 10 patients with APA, with the diameter ranging from 0.9 cm to 3.3 cm(2.6 ± 0.6)cm, and 2 lesions in 2 patients with PC, with the diameter ranging from 2.1 cm to 3.0 cm(2.6 ±0.6)cm. 124 lesions were located in tracheo-esophageal groove or at the side of trachea on CT .The boundaries between the parathyroid and thyroid gland were low density .3 lesions did not appear .9 lesions were located at the area over the manubrium sterni among 13 lesions which were ectopic.CT images showed round (29.9%,41/137), oval (38.0%,52/137), triangular(19.7%, 27/137), and cylindrical(12.4%,17/137) tumors in 137 lesions.The density of lesions were 30-66 Hu(45.0 ±12.3)Hu on non-enhanced CT scan, and 59-209 Hu(121.8 ±32.7)Hu on enhanced scan .Different pathological lesions had no statistical difference on location ( left upper , left lower , right upper, right lower, ectopic)(χ2 =15.839), linear low density sign(χ2 =1.896), shape(χ2 =10.945), non-enhanced CT(χ2 =0.915) or enhancement CT(χ2 =6.165)(P>0.05).Different pathological lesions had statistical significance on sizes(χ2 =18.395, P<0.05).The diameter of APA-PC was bigger than that in PH-PA.99 lesions exhibited homogeneous enhancement , and 38 lesions exhibited heterogeneous enhancement .The necrosis rate of APA-PC was more than that of PH-PA(χ2 =7.929, P<0.05).Conclusions The lesions origi-nate from parathyroid if they are located in tracheo-esophageal groove or at the side of trachea with hyperparathy-roidism.Multiple lesions help in PH diagnosis .Large size and necrosis in lesions imply APA or PC .The location (left upper, left lower, right upper, right lower, ectopic), shape, density and the degree of enhancement of the lesions have not specificity for diagnosis of PHPT .

Objective To discuss the predictive value of multiple ultrasonic features combination in diagnosis of thyroid papillary carcinoma (PTC) more than 1.0 cm in diameter. Methods The ultrasonic features of 258 PTC nodules from 251 patients and 207 nodular goiter (NG) nodules from 190 patients in the First People′s Hospital of Hangzhou were retrospectively analyzed. All the nodules were confirmed by pathological examination after surgery. The ultrasonic features included the shape of nodules, internal echo,anteroposterior/transverse diameter ratio (A/T), and microcalcification. The χ2 test was used to analyze the differences of ultrasonic features between PTC and NG. Multi-variate analyses (Logistic regression) was used to analyze the predictive risk ultrasonic features of PTC. The sensitivity and specificity of ultrasonic features were analyzed based on the gold standard of pathological results. Results There were significantly differences between 258 PTC nodules and 207 NG nodules in irregular shape, hypoechogenicity,A/T > 1 and microcalcification (χ2 values were 121.511, 105.411, 41.483, 121.072, all P < 0.01). The results of Logistic regression showed that irregular shape, hypoechogenicity, A/T>1 and microcalcification were risk ultrasonic features of PTC. And their OR values were 5.013 (95%CI 2.919-8.610), 5.811 (95%CI 3.411-9.901), 15.399 (95%CI 7.576-31.301), 4.141 (95%CI 1.687-10.164) respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of single ultrasonic feature were 26.0%-79.5% and 71.5%-96.1%; the sensitivity and specificity of two ultrasonographic features combination were 11.2%-57.0% and 92.3%-99.0%; and the sensitivity and specificity of three or four ultrasonographic features combination were 8.1%-31.8% and 99.0%-99.5%.Conclusions Irregular shape, hypoechogenicity, A/T> 1 and microcalcification of thyroid neoplasm are important ultrasonic features of PTC. Although the sensitivity of single ultrasonic feature in diagnosing PTC is higher than that of multiple features combination, it has a lower specificity. Therefore, combination of multiple ultrasonographic features can improve the specificity in diagnosing PTC and reduce the misdiagnosis of PTC.