Objective To analyze the prognosis of 225 patients according with clinical staging of esophageal carcinoma treated with non-surgical methods, and investigate the practicality and predictive value of the clinical staging. Methods From March 2001 to July 2007, 225 patients with esophageal carcinoma received 3DCRT treatment. The prescribed doses were ranged from 5000 -7000 cGy with the median dose of 6400 cGy, 25 patients received accelerative radiation of 300 cGy per fraction after conventional radiotherapy of 3000 -4000 cGy, 57 patients received concurrent chemotherapy with or without consolidation chemotherapy. All the patients were divided into subgroups of different T stages, different N stages and different TNM stages. Local control rates, survival rates were observed and Cox regression analysis were performed to search valuable prognostic factors. Results The following-up rate was 99. 6%. The 3-and 5-years following-up number were 116 and 33 patients, respectively. The 1 -,3-,and 5-year local control rates were 77. 2% ,48.2% and 34. 5%, respectively. The 1-,3-,and 5-year overall survival rates were 68.4% ,33.7% and 20. 8%, respectively. The median survival time was 20 months. There were significant difference between survival curves for T1-4 stages, N0-2 stages and Ⅰ - Ⅲ stages with x2 value of 13.07,20. 49 and 17.16, with P value of 0. 004,0. 000 and 0. 000, respectively. For the group of stage Ⅰ, Ⅱ and Ⅲ, the 1-,3-,and 5-year survival rates were 89.4% ,56. 1% ,and 37.8% ;69.6% ,32. 4% ,and 18.0%and 47. 2%, 19. 5%, and 13. 0%, respectively. According to the result of Cox regression analysis, the tumor length of CT scan, clinical N stage, short term restlt were most valuable predictive factors.Conclusions The clinical staging of esophageal carcinoma treated with non-surgical methods could predict the prognosis accurately, clinical N stage may have more closely association with prognosis, however, some details of the staging program need more consummate.

Objective To investigate the effect of adenovirus-medicated gene therpy with vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)delivered into the subdermal space to treat compromised skin flap in the rat.Methods Thir- ty sprague-dawley rats weighing 350～400g were used in this study.The rats was randomly divided into three groups of ten rats each.A dorsal flap(8cm?2cm)in full thickness with the pedicale located at the leve of the iliaccrest was designed,each,animal received recipient bed subfascial injections of adenovirus encoding VEGF(Ad-VEGF)or green fluorescent protein(Ad-GFP)as treatment control.Another set of animals(n = 10)received NG was designated as control.The flap were elevated as originally designated and sutured back to its bed.The survival rate of the flap was evaluated on day seven after operation.Results The survival rates of the flap in Ad-VEGF group increased signifi- cantly as compared with those of the Ad-GFP group(P

Objective To systematically review the efficiency of 18 F-FDG PET in glioma grading by using Meta-analysis. Methods Retrieval in PubMed and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI)was performed. Relevant papers concerning with glioma diagnoses with 18 F- FDG PET were selected. Paper quality was evaluated according to the standard of diagnostic test recommended by Cochrane Workshop. The data of glioma malignancy degree defined as semi-quantitatively and qualitatively were extracted from the papers. Meta-analysis was conducted with the Meta-Disc software to calculate pooled weighted sensitivity and specificity with 95% confidence interval (CI). Summary receiver operating characteristic (SROC) curve was performed and the areas under the curve (AUC) were calculated. Results Seven hundred and fifty-three patients from 17 papers ( 16 in English, 1 in Chinese) were included. Two hundred and seventy-two patients from 11 papers were using semi-quantitative (tumor to cortex ratio, T/C; tumor to white matter ratio,T/W) method and 481 patients from 9 papers were using qualitative method (visual observation, some of the papers had 2 or more methods). After heterogeneity test was done, different effect models were selected. The pooled weighted sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) with 95% CI for T/C group was 0. 952 (95% CI: 0. 903 -0. 980), 0. 409 (95% CI: 0. 318-0. 504) and 11. 746 (95% CI:5. 368-25. 702) respectively. The pooled weighted sensitivity, specificity and DOR with 95% CI for T/W group was 0. 857 (95% CI: 0. 768-0. 922), 0. 538 (95% CI: 0. 431 -0. 642) and 22. 066 (95% CI:7. 077-68. 800) respectively. The pooled weighted sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic odds ratio (DOR)with 95% CI for qualitative method was 0.810 (95%CI: 0.757-0.855), 0.870 (95%CI: 0. 819-0.911 ) and 15.282 (95% CI: 3. 716-62. 851 ) respectively. The AUC for T/C group, T/W group and qualitative method was 0.8604, 0. 8373 and 0. 8724 respectively. Conclusions Grading glioma by 18 F-FDG PET with semi-quantitative method may provide high diagnostic sensitivity. If qualitative method is used, the diagnostic specificity may be higher.

Objective To investigate the role of electromyography(EMG) in diagnosis of nervous system diseases in children.(Met)-hods EMG tests were carried out in 354 patients with nervous system diseases,and the data and results of EMG tests were analyzed.Results One hundred and sixty-six patients′ results of EMG were abnormal.Among these abnormalities,36 cases were myogenic,47 cases were neurogenic,abnormalities of 69 cases were located in peripheral nerves,3 cases got positive in repetitive nerve stimulation(RNS),and 11 cases were on the borderline.In 36 myogenic patients,clinical diagnosis were as follow: progressive muscular dystrophy(PMD,18 cases),polymyositis(2 cases),mitochondrial encephalomyopathy(1 case), and the other 15 cases had no definite diagnosis.In 47 neurogenic patients,the diagnosis were spinal muscular atrophy(SMA,29 cases),sequela of poliomyelitis(2 cases),acute transverse myelitis(ATM,4 cases),and the other 12 patients had no definite diagnosis.In 69 cases of peripheral nerve abnormality,diagnosis were injury of brachial nerve(23 cases),hereditary motor sensory neuropathy(HMSN,2 cases),Guillain-Barre syndrome(GBS,9(ca)-ses),chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy(CIDP,1 case),injury of facial nerve(4 cases),injury of common(pe)-roneal nerve(6 cases),metachromatic leukodystrophy(MLD,1 case),and the other 23 patients had no definite diagnosis.Three patients who got RNS positive were all diagnosed myasthenia gravis(MG),and ocular type(1 case),general type(2 cases).Eleven patients whose EMG results were borderline were all diagnosed indefinitely.One hundred and eighty-eight patients had normal results of EMG test.The diagnosis of these patients were included ocular MG(21 cases),cerebral palsy(CP,5 cases),ATM(2 cases),polymyositis((1 case)),and some other nervous system diseases(21 cases),and the other 138 were diagnosed indefinitely.Conclusions 1.EMG plays an important role in definite diagnosis of PMD,SMA,poliomyelitis and nerve injury;2.EMG can provide clue or basis in the differential(dia)gnosis of nervous system diseases which involved lower motor unit;3.EMG test has very low positive results in children with MG;(4.EMG) has little help in diagnosis of diseases involved upper motor unit only.

Objective To investigate the result and side effect of late course accelerated three-di-mensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT) for esophageal carcinoma. Methods From July 2003 to March 2006, 55 patients with esophageal carcinoma receiving 3DCRT were randomly divided into late course accel-erated radiation group (group A, 27 patients) and conventional fractionation group (group B, 28 patients). The prescribed dose in group B was 64 -66 Gy, 2 Gy per fraction, 1 fraction per day, 5 fractions per week for about 6.5 weeks. Patients in group A received conventional fractionation irradiation for the first 4 weeks. Then the dose was increased to 3 Gy per fraction to a total dose of 67 -70 Gy. The treatment course in group A was about 6 weeks. The treatment response, acute site effects, 1-, 3-and 5-year local control rates and o-verall survival rates of the two groups were observed. Results In group A, 23 patients (85%) achievedcomplete response (CR) and 4(15%) achieved partial response (PR). While in group B, 16 patients (57%) achieved CR and 12(43%) achieved PR. The CR rate was significant higher in group A (χ~2 = 5.24,P=0.022). The 1-, 3-, 5-year local control rates were 85%, 54%, 54% in group A, and 70%, 56%, 33 % in group B (χ~2 = 0.68, P = 0.409), respectively. The 1 -,3-,5-year overall survival rates of the two groups were 81%, 37%, 29% and 61%, 39%, 23% (χ~2 = 0.06, P = O. 804), respectively. Both lo-cal control and overall survival were similar between the two groups. The incidences of acute radiation esoph-agitis in the two groups were similar (85% vs. 89% ;χ~2 =0. 00,P=0. 959), and the incidence of radiation pneumonitis was slightly higher in group A than in group B (67% vs 43% ;χ~2 =3.14,P =0.076). By the last follow up, 19 patients in group A and 21 in group B died. Among them, 10 in group A and 15 in group B died of local failure, while 7 in group A and 5 in group B died of metastasis. Conclusions When com-pared with conventional fractionation 3DCRT, late course accelerated 3DCRT for esophageal carcinoma can achieve better results in clinical response, though not in long-term local control or survival. The incidence of acute radiation esophagitis and pneumonitis is clinically acceptable.

Objective To compare the results of three dose verification solutions of esophageal carcinoma IMRT plans. Methods Seven esophageal carcinoma cases were planned with Pinnacle 8.0 h.The MATRIXX and Delta4 were chosen as the two-dimensional dosimetry and three-dimensional dosimetry.IMRT plans and Delta4 phantom plans were also recalculated by Monte Carlo. Gamma values were evaluated for MATRIXX and Delta4 with 3 mm/3% gamma criteria. For the comparison of Pinnacle, Delta4 and Monte gamma maps, the dose distribution in central plane, dose profiles and dose-volume histograms were used to evaluate the agreement. Results The gamma maps comparison show that with 3 mm/3% gamma criteria an over 98% pass ratio was obtained by MATRIXX measurement. A 94. 4% gamma pass ratio whicl.contains 4 fields gamma pass ratio lower than 90%, was obtained by Delta4 measurement. A 97.6% and 99. 8% gamma pass ratio was obtained between the Delta4 measurement and Monte Carlo simulation with 2 mm/2% and 3 mm/3% gamma criteria. The dose distribution in central plane and dose profiles from Pinnacle calculation were almost in agreement with both the Monte Carlo simulation and Delta4 measurement. The DVH plot have slightly differences between Pinnacle and Delta4 measurement as well as Pinnacle and Monte Carlo simulation, but have excellent agreement between Delta4 measurement and Monte Carlo simulation. Conclusions It was shown that all the three methods can be used very efficiently to verify esophageal carcinoma IMRT delivery, Delta4 and Monte Carlo simulation no data missed. The primary advantage of Delta4 is the fact it can measure true 3D dosimetry while Monte Carlo can simulate in patients CT images but not in phantom.

Objective To observe the incidence of RP in NSCLC and esophageal carcinoma treated with 3DCRT and investigate the relationship between acute RP and lung function and dosimetric parameters.Methods From October 2006 to August 2008, 3DCRT plus concurrent chemotherapy of NP or LFP were applied to 64 patients with locally advanced NSCLC or esophageal carcinoma. twenty-three patients suffered form NSCLC and 41 patients from esophageal carcinoma, the prescription doses were 60 Gy/30fx and 58 -64 Gy/29 -32fx, respectively. Results For patients with esophageal carcinoma, 34% developed RP(9 grade 1,3 grade 2 and 2 grade 3). For patients with NSCLC, 96% developed RP(9 grade 1, 8 grade 2 and 5 grade 3). There was significant difference between the two groups(t =5. 55,P=0. 000). The FEV1.0/FVC and DLCO of patients with NSCLC were significantly lower than those of esophageal carcinoma, the ratio were 75.6%:82.7%(t=2.75,P=0.008)and 71.7%:81.0%(t=2.50, P=0.015),respectively. For patients whose FEV1.0, FEV1.0/FVC%, DLCO ＜80% and ≥80% before irradiation,the incidence of ≥2grade ARP were 35% vs 25% ,31% vs 26% and 35% vs 19%, respectively(x2 = 1.81,0.15,2. 13,P =0.179,0.697,0.144). While for patients whose FEV1.0 ＜ 70% and ≥70%, the incidence of severe ARP were 67% and 22% ,respectively(x2 =5.64, P =0.018). Spearman correlated analysis indicated that all the dosimetric parameters had relation with ≥ 2 grade ARP . The V20 of lung and MLD were found independently associated with RP according to multivariate analysis(x2 = 4.61,6.97, P = 0.032,0.008).Conclusions Parameters of basic lung function can predict the incidence of ≥2 grade RP to some extent,especially when the value of FEV1.0, FEV1.0/FVC%, and DLCO was lower. However, the V20 of lung and MLD may be the most valuable predictors.

Objective:To compare the influence of three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy and radiotherapy combined chemothera-py on the prognosis of patients with advanced esophageal cancer. Methods:A retrospective analysis from June 2007 to June 2010 in our hospital was conducted on 245 patients. Depending on the treatment, patients were classified into simple radiotherapy group and chemoradiothearapy group ,both of which received three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy. A total of 173 patients were in the radi-ation and chemotherapy combined treatment group, while 72 cases were in the simple radiothearapy group. One month after inter-vention, efficacy, adverse reactions, and survival rates of the two groups of patients were compared. Results:The proportion of wom-en in the combination therapy group, aged <62 years, the proportion of lymph node metastasis occurrence and dose ≥63Gy ratio were significantly higher than those in the radiotherapy group, respectively. The difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Howev-er, the tumor location and Karnofasky scores of two groups of patients indicated a difference that was not statistically significant (P>0.05). The combined treatment group results were significantly higher than the efficiency of the radiotherapy group. The difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). In the combined treatment group, significant differences were observed in the incidence of esoph-ageal inflammation, regional recurrence, white blood cell, and platelet decrease. The difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). However, the difference in the incidence of bone marrow transplantation, pneumonia, radiation pulmonary fibrosis, nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite was not statistically significant (P>0.05). The five-year survival rate of combination group were significantly higher than that of the radiotherapy group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusion:For advanced esophageal car-cinoma patients, radiotherapy and chemotherapy combined with radiotherapy improved efficiency of treatment and effectively im-proved survival rate. Although the proposed treatment could lead to adverse reactions, these effects are within the range of tolerance, which makes the said treatment worthy of clinical promotion.

ObjectiveTo measure the setup errors with infrared marker-based positioning system (IM-BPS) and electronic portal imaging device (EPID) for patients with esophageal carcinoma and lung cancer and investigate the accuracy and practicality of IM-BPS. MethodsFrom January 2007 to January 2008, 40 patients with esophageal carcinoma and 27 patients with lung cancer received three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy or intensity-modulated radiotherapy, setup errors during the treatment were measured with IM-BPS and EPID, and the data of setup errors were compared with paired t-test and agreement with x2-test. ResultsIt takes 10 - 12 mins to complete the validating for each patient by EPID) system, while IMBPS system only needs 2 -5 mins. The mean setup errors along x, y and z-axis for patients with esophageal carcinoma measured by IM-BPS and EPID were 3.49 mm, 3. 19 mm, 3.31 mm and 4. 03 mm, 3.41 mm, 3.43 mm, respectively. For the patients with lung cancer, the setup errors were 4. 23 mm, 3.51 mm, 3. 39mm and 4. 85 mm, 3. 53 mm, 3.74 mm, respectively. The difference of setup errors meanured by the two systems was within 1 mm for 65％ esophageal carcinoma patients ( x2 =51.09, P =0. 000), and 55％ lung cancer patients ( x2 =53. 35, P =0. 000).Conclusions The measurement results of setup errors for patients with esophageal carcinoma and lung cancer show that IM-BPS is mostly better than EPID. Though validating for patients can be measured accurately and be well quality controlled, IM-BPS is used easily because of macroscopic, homely,spare time and real-time monitoring.