Objective The incidence of breast cancer in China obviously keeps rising in recent years. The optical tomo?graphy image ultrasonography system ( OPTIMUS) is gradually applied in clinic as a new imaging diagnostic technique, but few system?atic studies are reported on its application to the diagnosis of breast tumors. The aim of this study was to assess the value of OPTIMUS in differentiating benign and malignant breast masses by measuring the maximum hemoglobin concentration ( MHC) in the lesions using OPTIMUS with the help of the results of controlled pathological study. Methods This prospective study included 380 cases of breast tumor ( 210 benign and 170 malignant ) treated from April 2009 to April 2014. We measured the MHC using OPTIMUS, detected the expressions of VEGF and PECAM?1/CD31 by immunohistochemistry, calculated the optimal threshold valve of MHC in predicting breast malignancy with the ROC curve, and analyzed the correlation of the MHC value with benign and malignant lesions, lymph node metasta?sis, and the expressions of VEGF and PECAM?1/CD31. Results The mean MHC was significantly higher in the malignant than in the benign lesions ([215.33±69.31] vs [116.50±55.31] μmol/L, P<0.01). The area under the ROC curve (AUC) was 0.836 (95%CI 0.684-0.989). The optimal threshold valve in the diagnosis of malignant breast lesions was 135.00 μmol/L, with a sensitivity of 84.7% and a specificity of 89%. When the tumor was≤2 cm, the MHC was significantly higher in the patients with lymph node metas?tasis than in those without ([207.73±66.43] vs [184.36±62.13] μmol/L, P<0.05). However, the MHC was markedly lower in the benign masses with VEGF and PECAM?1/CD31 negative than in the malignant lesions with VEGF and PECAM?1/CD31 positive ([116.50±55.31] vs [205.73±72.46] μmol/L, P<0.05) and strongly positive ([244.21±63.56] μmol/L, P<0.05). Strongly posi?tive expressions of VEGF and PECAM?1/CD31 were positively correlated with MHC ( P<0.05) . Conclusion Measurement of MHC by OPTIMUS contributes to the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant breast lesions and has a potential value for preoperative assessment of the prognosis of breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: Posterior transarticular screw fixation (Magerl’s) is recommended for atlantoaxial instability. However,some patients do not suit for Magerl’s fixation. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical outcomes of atlantoaxial pedicle screw system in the treatment of atlantoaxial instability from odontoid fracture. DESIGN,TIME AND SETTING: The retrospective case analysis was performed at the Department of Orthopedics,Sichuan People’s Hospital between July 2004 and June 2007. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-one cases of atlantoaxial instability from odontoid fracture were selected. According to Anderson and D’Alonzo classification,9 of them belonged to type II odontoid fracture with atlantoaxial instability and 12 to type Ⅲ with severe atlantoaxial dislocation. All cases suffered pain at occipitocervical part and limited activities of cervical spine. According to Frankel classification in function of spinal cord,16 cases of them belonged to Grade E and 5 cases to D. METHODS: All cases were fixed with C1 and C2 pedicle screws system following skull traction and reduction. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Biocompatibility between materials and host; bone graft fusion and functional improvement. RESULTS: No vertebral artery injury or spinal injury was found during operation,neither incision infection was. All cases were followed up for at least 8 months. Postoperative radiograph and CT detection revealed good positions of all screws with no loosening or breakage. All fractures healed within 5 months,and activities of cervical vertebra were not obviously limited except slightly limited rotation function. As for nerve function,5 cases of Grade D recovered up to Grade E. CONCLUSION: Posterior pedicle screw fixation system exhibits no specific biocompatibility responses. It greatly improves atlantoaxial stability and promotes functional recovery of spinal cord but has little influence on cervical function.