Objective To observe the imaging features of primary hepatic endocrine carcinoma. Methods Three patients with primary hepatic endocrine carcinoma proven pathologically were retrospectively analyzed. Results Single liver lesion was detected in all 3 patients, 2 in right and 1 in left lobe of liver. The maximum diameter of the masses was 4.8 cm, 6.7 cm and 10.0 cm, respectively. The masses were all solid with different extent of low density. The solid part enhanced greatly in contrast enhanced CT scanning, while the non-solid part did not. The bigger lesions pushed the vascular to move aside in 2 patients. Enhanced and circuitous vascular was observed in 1 lesion. Slightly low signal was noticed on MR T1WI , while high signal was found on T2WI and DWI. Conclusion CT and MR can show specific features of primary hepatic endocrine carcinoma, i.e. usually single solid mass with various low densities inside and the solid part enhancing dramatically.

In light of the IT development in hospitals, the authors point out the necessity of setting up the post of CIO and clarify the role of the CIO in the construction and management of the hospital information system. They argue that the CIO should not only be in charge of the technology support of the information network platform, but also exercise the function of managing hospital information. While hospitals ought to attach importance to the development and application of information systems and the role of the CIO, the CIO, on his part, ought to try to enhance his competence and become a versatile talent expert at various disciplines like medicine, management and the computer.

Objective To investigate the clinical value of MRI in the preoperative evaluation of breast cancer compared with mammography and ultrasonography. Methods A total of 35 patients with breast cancer were examined preoperatively with dynamic contrast enhanced MRI, mammography and ultrasonography. The findings were evaluated and compared with surgical biopsy. Results The detection rates of breast cancer with MRI, mammography and ultrasonography was 100%, 74.29% and 82.86%, respectively. MRI, mammographic and ultrasonographic measurement of tumor size had correlation coefficient to pathologic findings (r=0.94, 0.87, 0.70, respectively). The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of detection of intraductal spread of MRI, mammography and ultrasonography was 100%, 80.00% and 88.57% (P＜0.05), 66.67%, 95.00% and 82.86% (P＞0.05), 33.33%, 95.00% and 68.57% (P＞0.05), respectively. Conclusion MRI can detect breast cancer, especially intraductal spread more sensitively than mammography and ultrasonography.

Objective To investigate the value of multislice spiral CT in evaluating the parametrial invasion of cervical carcinoma. Methods 75 cases of FIGO staging II cervical carcinoma who had received the surgery were studied. Their imaging and the FIGO staging were analyzed retrospectively. Results For FIGO staging, the accuracy for evaluating the parametrial invasion was 53.3%(40/75), the rate of underestimation was 26.7%(20/75), the rate of overestimation was 20.0%(15/75); For CT, the accuracy of evaluating the parametrial invasion was 69.3%(52/75), the rate of underestimation was 14.7%(11/75), the rate of overestimation was 17.3%(13/75). In 40 cases, both FIGO staging and evaluation by CT were consistent with the surgical results. In 35 cases, FIGO staging was different from the surgical results. In 29 cases, evaluation by CT was different from the surgical results. In 10 cases, CT could correct the error of FIGO staging. Conclusion CT scan can acquire the multi-plane image, and can directly reflect the parametrial space. It is more accurate than FIGO staging, and is an important complement to FIGO staging.

Objective To study the value of magnetic resonance diffusion tensor imaging(MR-DTI) in evaluating the severity of liver cirrhosis.Methods Seventeen patients with Child A liver fibrosis (age=35.0+11.8 years,14 males and 3 females),12 with Child B(age=44.7+14.0 years,5 males and 7 females) and 8 with Child C(age=48.7+7.6 years,3 males and 5 females) were recruited.All patients had clinical data and serum makers in full.Fifty normal controls (age=35.2+14.2,28 males and 22 females) were also recruited.Diffusion tensor imaging(DTI) was performed in all subjects using a GE Propeller HD 1.5T MR scanner by employing a spin echo single-shot EPI(echo planar imaging) sequence.Average diffusion coefficient(DCave) and fractional anisotropy(FA) maps were generated from each P articipants DTI scan using AW 4.2 functool software.All the statistic analysis was performed in SPSS 13.0 , and P value of less than 0.05 was deemed to be significant . Results DCave values were 1.54±0.25 ,1.33±0.18 ,1.02±0.12 ,0.66±0.27 in control group and Child A , B , C respectively , the FA values were 0.46±0.10, 0.42±0.08, 0.56±0.05,0.71±0.41 in control group and Child A, B, C respectively. Significantly low DCave and changed FA in liver fibrosis group were found(P< 0. 05). Among the four groups, significant differences were found in DCave values and FA values(P<0.05) except control group VS Child A group in FA values(P=0.54).Conclusion MR-DTI is relevant to the severity of liver cirrhosis, and may be a useful tool for evaluating the severity of liver cirrhosis.

Objective To investigate whether quantitative dynamic contrast enhanced MR can predict final pathologic response in primary breast cancer patients undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC).Methods Forty seven patients who were pathologically proved infiltrating ductal carcinoma with core needle puncture biopsy were examined before NAC and after 2 cycles of treatment and the quantitative parameters (Ktrans,Kep and Ve) were analyzed prospectively.Histological response is categorized as non-major histological response (NMHR) and major histological response (MHR).Quantitative parameter changes measured after 2 cycles of NAC were compared between MHR and NMHR using non parametric tests (Mann-Whitney U test) and pretreatment parameters were compared using independent samples t tests.Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was used to determine the best predictor and cutoff value.Results Fifteen patients were grouped into MHR and 32 patients were NMHR.Pretreatment parameters(Ktrans,Kep and Ve) were(1.51 ±0.33) /min,(2.97 ± 1.06) /min and (0.55 ±0.16) in MHR and (1.53 ±0.40) /min,(2.82 ± 0.99) /min and (0.57 ± 0.20) in NMHR.There was no significant difference between the two groups (t values were-0.123,0.450 and-0.380,respectively,P ＞ 0.05).Changes inkinetic parameters(K,Kep and Ve) were-88.2％ (-96.0％ to 1.5％),-62.5％ (-94.3％ to -8.7％) and-57.0％(-82.1％ to 55.5％) in MHRand-8.1％(-88.5％ to 32.4％),-18.2％ (-62.1％ to 145.9％) and-4.7％ (-83.1％ to 95.7％) in NMHR.There were significant difference between the two groups (Z values were 4.359,4.359 and 3.332,respectively,P ＜ 0.01).The areas under ROC curve of AKtrans,AKep and Ktrans after 2 cycles of NAC were all 0.898.Sensitivity of the three parameters for predicting NMHR were 87.5％,90.6％ and 78.1％,and specificity were 86.7％,80.0％ and 93.3％,respectively.Conclusion Quantitative dynamic contrast enhanced MRI can predict final pathologic response in primary breast cancers after 2 cycles of NAC.

ObjectiveTo explore an individualized abdominal scan protocol with a 64-slice CT scanner.MethodsFrom Sep.2010 to Nov.2010,one hundred consecutive patients,who underwent twice non-contrast-enhanced abdominal CT scans within 3 months,were enrolled in this study.For each patient,the tube current of 274 eff.mAs and 207 eff.mAs were applied respectively in the first and second abdominal scan.The imaging qualities of the two scans were evaluated retrospectively by 3 reviewers.All the individual variants,including height,weight,body mass index (BMI),the maximum transverse diameter,the anteroposterior diameter and the average maximum diameter of abdomen were recorded.A five-point scale was used for grading the image noise of eight organs,including abdominal aorta,portal vein,liver,spleen,gallbladder,pancreas,renal cortex and renal medulla. Diagnostic acceptability of CT images at three anatomic levels,including porta bepatis,pancreas and the upper pole of renal,was also evaluated by using a five-point scale.The noise value of abdominal aorta was defined as the standard deviation (SD) of CT values of aorta at the level of porta hepatis.Scatter diagram and Pearson correlation analysis were used for evaluating the linear relationship between the individual variants and the noise value of abdominal aorta,and multivariate linear regression analysis was used for evaluating the relevance between the individual variants and the noise value of aorta.ResultsIn this patients group,the average height was ( 164.6 ± 7.5 ) cm,the average weight was (64.3 ± 11.0) kg,the BMI was (23.7 ±3.3) kg/m2,the maximum transverse diameter of abdomen was(29.8 ± 2.3 )cm,the anteroposterior diameter of abdomen was (23.1 ± 2.9) cm,and the average maximum diameter of abdomen was ( 26.5 ± 2.5 ) cm.Pearson correlation analysis showed significant positive linear correlation between the noise value of abdominal aorta( 1 1.7 ± 3.0)and patients' weight ( r =0.744,P ＜ 0.01 ),BMI ( r =0.689,P ＜ 0.01 ),the maximum transverse diameter ( r =0.813,P ＜ 0.01 ),the anteroposterior diameter ( r =0.781,P ＜ 0.01 ),the average maximum diameter of the abdomen ( r =0.789,P ＜ 0.01 ) ; however,there was no positive linear correlation between the noise value of abdominal aorta and patients' height ( r =0.292,P ＜ 0.01 ). The maximum transverse diameter of abdomen is greatly related to the noise value of abdominal aorta (Beta =0.487,P ＜0.01 ).For the patient with the maximum transverse diameter of abdomen ranging from 27 to 32 cm,diagnostic acceptability of CT images at the anatomic level of porta hepatis showed statistical significance compared with the patient with the maximal transverse diameter of the abdomen greater than 32 cm or less than 27 cm (P ＜ 0.05 ).Conclusion The tube current of 207 eft.mAs is reasonable for abdominal CT scan for patients with the maximal transverse diameter of the abdomen ranging from 27 to 32 cm.

Objective To retrospectively compare CT and MR features of hepatocellular adenoma with pathologic findings.Methods Twelve patients with histopathologically proved hepatocellular adenoma were classified on the basis of pathologic and genotype phenotype findings into four groups:steatotic type,cytological abnormality type,telangiectatic adenoma with inflammatory infiltrates type and atypical adenoma type.The CT and MR features of each type were reviewed retrospectively compared with the pathological results.Results In this retrospective study,12 patients were examined with CT (8 patients) and MR (8 patients).Among 12 patients,4 patients showed a steatotic type.One patient showed hypo-density on the non-enhanced CT and 3 patients demonstrated hypo-density on all phases of the post-contrast scans.Two lesions showed iso-intense signal on the in-phase T1 WI with signal dropout on the out-of-phase T1WI,and hypo-intense signal on the T2 WI with fat suppression sequences.One lesion demonstrated moderate hypointense signal on all phases of the post-contrast MRI scans.Two patients with the telangiectatic adenoma irflammatory infiltrates type were found.One patient showed hypo-density on the non-enhanced CT scans and hyper-density on all phases of the post-contrast CT scans.One patient demonstrated iso-intense signal and the other hypo-intense signal on the T1 WI,and both displayed moderate hyper-intense signal on the T2WI with fat suppression sequences and hyper-intense signal with gradual enhancement on all phases of post-contrast MR scans.There were 3 patients with a cytological abnormality type.One patient appeared hypodensity and 1 patient showed uniform iso-density on non-enhanced CT scans.All patients who had undergone contrast-enhanced CT scans were found to have hyper-density on the hepatic arterial-dominant phase and became slightly lower on the portal venous phase.On the delay phase the density reduced further.One mass showed iso-intense signal on the T1WI and hyper-intense signal on the T2WI with fat suppression sequences.There were 3 patients with an atypical adenoma type.One patient appeared uniform hypo-density on the nonenhanced CT and hyper-density on the hepatic arterial-dominant phase and became iso-dense on the portal venous phase.On the delay phase,it was slightly hyper-dense.Two out of the three lesions showed isointense and one hypo-intense signal on the in-phase T1 WI,and hypo-intense,hyper-intense,and iso-intense signal on the T2WI with fat suppression sequences,respectively.Two patients examined on all phases of post-contrast MRI scans.The result was similar to the CT findings.Conclusion The imaging features of hepatocellular adenoma are closely associated with pathological characteristics.

Objective To investigate the appropriate low tube current of abdominal CT on a 64-slice spiral CT. Methods (1) Phantom study:The phantom Catphan500R was scanned with a fixed 120 kVp,and 450,400,380,360,340,320,300,280 mA, respectively. 15, 9, 8, 7, 6 mm diameter low-contrast objects with 1% contrast were scanned for evaluating image quality. CT images were graded in terms of lowcontrast conspicuity by using a five-point scale. Statistical analyses were performed to determine the appropriate tube current and the interval leading to the qualitative change. (2) Clinical study: 3 groups of 45 patients who had 2 examinations of non-enhanced abdominal CT within 3 months were enrolled. All patients were scanned with 450 mA at first scanning. For the second scanning, group-1 was scanned with optimal tube current, group-2 was scanned with optimal tube current plus interval, group-3 was scanned with optimal tube current sinus interval. CT images were graded in terms of the diagnostic acceptability at three anatomic levels including porta hepatis, pancreas and the upper pole kidney, and the image noises of eight organs including abdominal aorta, portal vein, liver, spleen, gallbladder, pancreas, renal cortex, renal medulla were graded by using a five-point scale. The image quality was compared with non-parametric rank sum test,and the individual factors of the patients were compared with the A VONA. Results (1) The optimal tube current and interval leading to the qualitative change were 340 mA and 40 mA respectively. (2) There were no significant differences in image quality between 340 mA and 450 mA in group-1, between 380 mA and 450 mA in group-2 (P ＞ 0. 05). There was significant difference in image quality between 300 mA and 450 mA in group-3 (the mean scores for 300 mA were 2. 92 ± 0. 62,2.92 ± 0. 62,2.64 ± 0. 84,2. 72 ±0.82,2.63 ±0.71,2.51 ±0.84,3.04 ±0.72,3.04 ±0.72,2.63 ±0.71,2.52 ±0.73,2.93 ±0.81respectively; for 450 mA were 3.93 ± 0. 72,3.94 ± 0. 72,3.41 ± 0. 64,3.43 ± 0. 61,3.62 ± 0. 93,3.63 ±0.71,3.93 ±0.81,3.93 ±0.81,3.43 ±0.61,3.52 ±0.92,3.84 ±0.82 respectively) (Z = -2.449 to - 2. 236, P ＜ 0. 05). Conclusion Radiation dose can be effectively reduced by using an appropriate and lower current of 340 mA.

Objective To investigate the diagnostic value of breast MRI in patients presenting with microcalcifications on mammography.Methods Eight four patients were retrospectively analyzed,who had mammographically detected BI-RADS (breast imaging reporting and data system) 3 to 5 microcalcifications and underwent breast MRI before surgical biopsy.All mammography and MR images were reviewed with BI-RADS.With histopathological diagnosis as golden standard,the sensitivity,specificity and accuracy of the two methods were calculated and compared with x2 test or Fisher exact test.The diagnostic efficacy of the two methods was compared with ROC curve.Results Pathologic examination revealed 91 lesions in 84 patients including 49 benign lesions and 42 malignant lesions.For 21 lesions of category 3 microcalcifications,the specificity of mammography and MR was 100.0％ (21/21) and 95.2％ (20/21),which had no significant difference (P=1.000).For 51 lesious of category 4,sensitivity,specificity and accuracy of mammography were 100.0％(23/23),0 and 45.1％(23/51).The corresponding values for MR were 91.3％(21/23),82.1％ (23/28) and 86.3％ (44/51).The difference for specificity and accuracy between the two methods was statistical significant(x2 value was 30.030 and 19.182,respectively,with P＜0.01),but not for sensitivity(x2=0.523,P=0.470).Nineteen lesions of category 5 were all correctly diagnosed on mammography and MRI.For all the 91 lesions,the sensitivity,specificity and accuracy of mammography were 100.0％(42/42),42.9％(21/49) and 69.2％(63/91),respectively.The corresponding values for MRI were 95.2 ％(40/42),87.8％(43/49) and 91.2％(83/91).There was significant difference for specificity and accuracy between the two methods (x2 value was 21.798 and 13.851,respectively,with P＜0.05),but not for sensitivity (x2=0.512,P=0.474).The areas under ROC curve for mammography and MR were 0.844,0.945(P＜0.01),for the estimation of the benign and the malignent.Conclusions Compared with mammography,breast MRI significantly improved the diagnosis of category 4 microcalcifications with increased specificity and accuracy.But for microcalcifications of category 3 and 5,MR didn't improve the diagnostic effect.