Objective To investigate the elasticity of the radial artery wall in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients with elastosonography. Methods A total of 37 patients with T2DM and 42 normal subjects were studied with elastosonography. The systolic diameter (Ds) and diastolic diameter (Dd) of the radial artery were measured, and the strain ratio of the blood in the radial artery to the wall of the radial artery was calculated. Results The strain ratio of the radial artery in T2DM group was significantly higher than that in normal group (P＜0.05). There was no significant difference in Ds and Dd of the radial artery between T2DM group and the control group (P＞0.05). Conclusion The early change of the radial artery wall elasticity in patients with T2DM can be assessed with elastosonography.

Objective To evaluate the relationship between femoral artery intima-media thickness (FA-IMT), stiffness, hemodynamics factors of femoral artery and peripheral vascular disease (PVD) in type 2 diabetes mellitus. Methods According to the presence of PVD, 151 patients with type 2 diabetes were divided into PVD group and non-PVD group. FA-IMT was tested with 2D ultrasound. Ds, Dd, PSV, EDV were observed with color flow rate and volume quantitative technology. FA-IMT, FA-stiffness β, peak systolic velocity (PSV) and end diastolic velocity (EDV) were compared between the two groups. Results Compared with non-PVD group, FA-IMT and FA-stiffness β increased in PVD group (P＜0.01), whereas PSV and EDV decreased in PVD group (P＜0.01). There was no relationship between FA-stiffness β and FA-IMT in PVD group (P=0.01). Multiple Logistic regression indicated the presence of PVD symptoms associated closely with FA-stiffness β, PSV, EDV and duration of diabetes. Conclusion Stiffness β plays an important role in the clinical evaluation of type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Ultrasound brain perfusion imaging can evaluate brain perfusion in normal and pathological conditions. After basilar stent implantation, contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) can show normal visualization of color flow within the stent and provide essential functional information by evaluation of blood flow velocities. Furthermore, CEUS can estimate the volume of brain hemorrhage and readily identify residual tumor. CEUS can be used in thrombolysis, and will be applied in cerebral trauma. The value of CEUS in brain perfusion imaging was reviewed in this article.

Objective To investigate the unusual CT features of pulmonary sclerosing hemangioma (SH). Methods Clinical and CT features of 25 patients of pulmonary SH proved with pathology were reviewed, among which 15 patients underwent plain and enhanced CT scan, 10 underwent only plain CT scan. Results Solitary nodules (20/25, 80.00%) and solitary mass (5/25, 20.00%) were found with CT. CT features included slight lobulation (6/25, 24.00%), calcification (6/25, 24.00%), ground glass opacity (2/25, 8.00%), emphysema (1/25, 4.00%), endobrochial variant (1/25, 4.00%), short speculation (1/25, 4.00%) and vascular bundle (2/25, 8.00%). Slight or remarkable enhancement was noticed in all 15 patients underwent contrast enhanced CT. Conclusion CT can reveal features and unusual manifestations of pulmonary SH, and is helpful to the diagnosis of pulmonary SH.

Objective To discuss the spiral CT features of lymph node metastasis in advanced gastric cancer, and to investigate the correlation between spiral CT features and pathologic results. Methods Spiral CT scan and triphasic enhancement spiral CT scan were performed in 59 patients with advanced gastric cancer before operation. Results ①The pathologic metastatic rate of lymph node in gastric cancer was high when the lymph nodes were nubby-mixed, prominently enhanced, unsymmetrical enhanced and ≥9 mm in diameter on spiral CT (P<0.05). ②The detection rate of lymph node metastasis with spiral CT was high when carcinoma tissues were poorly differentiated, Borrmann Ⅲ+Ⅳ, T3-4 staging and TNM Ⅲ+Ⅳ staging. Conclusion The spiral CT features of lymph node (distributing type, size, enhanced degree, enhanced mode and staging) can reflect the pathologic characteristics of lymph node metastasis in gastric carcinoma. Pathologic characteristic of gastric tumor determines the detection rate of lymph node metastasis on spiral CT. The accuracy of CT to diagnose lymph nodes metastasis will be improved by integrating the spiral CT features of both gastric tumor and lymph node.

Objective To assess the value of echocardiography in guiding surgical operation approach of ventricular septal defect (VSD). Methods A total of 200 patients with VSD underwent surgical repair. The type of VSD was determined with echocardiography before operation and the results were analyzed in comparison with operation approach. Results There was significant accordance in the type of VSD detected with echocardiography and the surgical findings, and the coincidence rate of 80.00%. The transatrial approach was chosen in patients with perimembranous VSD, subseptal cusp VSD and simple membranous;the anspulmonary approach was chosen in subarterial VSD, while transventricular approach was chosen in muscular VSD or VSD with large size. Combined approach was suitable in VSD complicated with intracardiac malformations. Conclusion The type of VSD determined with echocardiography plays a key role in the selection of operation approach, and is benefit to reducing complications.

Objective To observe the corelation between quantitative index and the grade of the liver function with contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) in hepatic cirrhosis. Methods Seventy-five patients of cirrhosis after HBV were divided into 3 groups (each n=25) on the basis of the liver function by Child-pugh method, while 20 healthy subjects were enrolled in the control group. The inner diameter and Doppler spectrum of right hepatic vein (RHVD, RHVF) were measured. After intravenous bolus injection 1.2 ml SonoVue, RHA and RHV were observed continually on real time, hepatic artery transit time (HATT) and hepatic vein transit time (HVTT) were recorded, then HTTs were calculated. Results In hepatic cirrhosis groups, RHVD decreased remarkably, RHVF was abnormal, HVTT and HTT were obviously shorter, and HTTs were shortened significantly.Conclusion CEUS may play an important role in qualitative evaluation of liver function, and HTT is more valuable than HVTT.

Objective To explore the role in the localization of vascular puncture points with dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography (DCE-MRA) before transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS). Methods MRA images of 46 patients with portal hypertension were measured. The patients were then punctured according to the measurement Results The supero-inferior distant from the puncture point of hepatic vein to plane of right branch of portal vein (AA') was (22.63±10.21)mm, the anteroposterior distant from the puncture point of hepatic vein to plane of right branch of portal (A'A'') was (13.93±1.07)mm, the angle of sag was (31.64±9.23)°. The distant from puncture point of hepatic vein (AS) and right branch (BS) were (23.51±2.12)mm and (38.51±5.36)mm. The angle of cor was (33.57±8.93)°. Forty-five patients were successful punctured, and the time of puncture decreased. Conclusion The location of portal vein puncture point during TIPS are changeable, therefore individualized location of positioning is needed. DCE-MRA is a valuable non-invasive method of localization, playing an important role in localization of vascular puncture points of TIPS.

Objective To explore the feasibility of detecting atherosclerosis with 7.0T MR and Micro-PET. Methods Ten 46-week-old ApoE-/- mice with high lipid diet for 6 months were selected to establish atherosclerosis models. Among them, 5 mice underwent MRI before and 12 h, 24 h, 36 h after injection of SPIO, respectively, and the other 5 mice were injected with ~(18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose (~(18)F-FDG) through tail vein and observed with Micro-PET after 1 h, 2 h and 3 h. The specimens of abdominal aorta were taken for pathologic examination. Results Atherosclerotic plaques were observed in all animals with 7.0T MRI after 6 months high lipid diet. Thirty-six hours after the injection of SPIO, the high signal rings were thinner and the lumen of blood vessels were wider than those before injection on T2WI. Radioactive concentration was observed in abdominal aorta and both sides of iliac artery 3 h after the injection of ~(18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose (~(18)F-FDG). Pathological examination showed the formation of atherosclerotic plaques and the aggregation of the macrophages. Conclusion 7.0T MRI and Micro-PET can be used to observe the macrophage-rich plaque and to judge the vulnerability of plaque, thus provide theoretical basis for early detection, diagnosis and treatment of atherosclerosis.

Objective To explore the changes of left atrial systolic function in patients with coronary heart disease after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Methods Strain rate imaging (SRI) was performed on 23 patients with coronary heart disease before CABG, 1 week, 1 and 3 months after CABG to evaluate left atrial systolic function quantitatively. Results No significant change of left atrial systolic function was detected 1 week after CABG (P＞0.05 ). E/A and LVEF increased, LAFS, AEF and SRa decreased 1 month after CABG compared with those before CABG (P＜0.05). Three months after CABG, changes turned more significantly (P＜0.01). Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) increased 1 and 3 months after CABG, and its changing rate negatively correlated with those of Sra (r=-0.751,-0.783; all P＜0.01). Conclusion Left atrial systolic function is affected by CABG, presenting as decrease of pump function. SRI can be used to evaluate the atrial systolic function quantitatively and monitor the changing of left atrial systolic function dynamically after CABG.