Objective:To preliminarily explore the clinical value of three-dimensional ultrasound fusion imaging(3DUS FI) visualization technology in guiding precise needle placement during thermal ablation of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).Methods:A total of 56 HCC patients (59 lesions)who underwent 3DUS FI guided thermal ablation were retrospectively analyzed in the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University from November 2019 to December 2021. All patients were collected with three-dimensional ultrasound volume image before ablation which were fused with real-time two-dimensional ultrasound image for registration, and then the tumor and the safety margin of 5 mm were segmented and marked. Finally, the thermal ablation was performed under three-dimensional visualization. Contrast-enhanced CT/MRI was performed 1 month after thermal ablation to evaluate whether the lesion was completely ablated and measure the ablative margin, and the relationship between ablative margin and the incidence of local tumor progression (LTP) was also analyzed.Results:During the ablation, all lesions could be successfully registered and displayed in three-dimension. Postoperative contrast-enhanced ultrasound showed that all lesions were completely ablated. A total of 37 lesions could be evaluated for ablative efficacy and ablative margin based on contrast-enhanced CT/MRI 1 month after themal ablation, of which 32 (86.5%) lesions achieved complete ablation and obtained at least 5 mm ablative margin. During the follow-up period, LTP was occurred in 4 lesions, 3 of the lesions occurred at the ablative margin< 5 mm. Both 1-year and 2-year cumulative LTP rates were all 7.1%. None of patients had serious complications or deaths associated with thermal ablation.Conclusions:3DUS FI real-time guidance technology is feasible and safe in visually guiding precise needle placement during thermal ablation of HCC.

Objective:To explore the value of ultrasound fusion navigation technology in the biopsy of parapharyngeal-infratemporal fossa-skull base (PIS) lesions.Methods:This study was conducted at the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University from March 2021 to March 2022 and included 8 patients [3 females and 5 males; age, (50±20) years; range, 16-76 years] with PIS lesions who needed to clarify the pathological diagnosis. The ultrasound fusion navigation with CT or MRI was used to guide lesion biopsy, and the technical feasibility, pathological diagnostic results and complications were evaluated.Results:The biopsy procedures were successful in all 8 patients, and the lesion size ranged from 2.2 to 6.5 cm. The exact pathological diagnosis was obtained in 7 patients, and the diagnostic rate was 87.5% (7/8). No major complication was observed after the biopsy. Mild complications occurred in 1 case, with a incidence of 12.5% (1/8).Conclusions:Ultrasound fusion navigation-guided biopsy is feasible, effective, and safe in the biopsy of deep head and neck lesions.

Objective:To investigate the short-term efficacy of thoracoscopic radical surgery in the treatment of esophageal cancer and its influence on the expression of trigger receptor-1 (TRE-1) and tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated protein 1 (TRAP1).Methods:A total of 68 patients with esophageal cancer who were admitted to First People′s Hospital of Ningyang from June 2016 to June 2019 were selected and divided into thoracoscope radical surgery group and raditional surgery group by stratified sampling method, with 34 cases in each group. The thoracoscopic radical surgery group was treated with thoracoscopic radical surgery, and the traditional surgery group was treated with traditional open radical esophageal cancer surgery with neck, chest, and abdominal incisions. The levels of inflammatory factors, immune function, lung function indexes, TREM-1, TRAP1 expression and complications of the two groups were observed and compared.Results:Before operation, the levels of inflammatory factors tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10 in two groups had no significant differences ( P>0.05). At 2 d after operation, the levels of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-10 in two groups were increased and the levels of above index in the thoracoscopic radical surgery group were lower than those in the traditional surgery group: (23.21 ± 0.32) mg/L vs. (29.69 ± 0.48) mg/L, (232.15 ± 23.64) ng/L vs. (246.73 ± 25.89) ng/L, (0.64 ± 0.19) ng/L vs. (0.89 ± 0.21) ng/L, and there were statistical differences ( P<0.05). Before operation, the levels of CD 3+, CD 4+, CD 8+, and CD 4+/CD 8+ in two groups had no significant differences ( P>0.05). At 2 d after operation, the levels of CD 3+, CD 4+, CD 8+ decreased and the level of CD 4+/CD 8+ increased, and the levels of CD 3+, CD 4+, CD 8+, CD 4+/CD 8+ in the thoracoscopic radical surgery group were higher than those in the traditional surgery group: (46.78 ± 1a2.43)% vs. (41.32 ± 9.36)%, (46.12 ± 9.68)% vs. (41.59 ± 7.98)%, (27.42 ± 4.27)% vs. (21.38 ± 3.16)%, 1.47 ± 0.46 vs. 1.25 ± 0.27, and there were statistical differences ( P<0.05). Before operation, the levels of forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV 1), forced vital capacity (FVC), FEV 1/FVC in two groups had no significant differences ( P>0.05). At 2 day after operation, the levels of FEV 1, FVC, FEV 1/FVC in two groups decreased, and the levels of FEV 1, FVC, FEV 1/FVC in the thoracoscopic radical surgery group were higher than those in the traditional surgery group: (2.37 ± 0.72) L vs. (1.82 ± 0.53) L, (3.34 ± 1.06) L vs. (2.43 ± 0.82) L, (62.47 ± 15.26)% vs. (53.67 ± 12.28)%, and there were statistical differences ( P<0.05).Before operation, the expression of TREM-1 and TRAP1 in two groups had no significant differences ( P>0.05). At 2 d after operation, the expression of TREM-1in the thoracoscopic radical surgery group was higher than that of traditional surgery group: (141.56 ± 34.69 vs. 121.54 ± 22.75); the expression of TRAP1 was lower than that of the traditional surgery group: (1.63 ± 0.51 vs. 2.11 ± 0.64), and there were statistical differences ( P<0.05). The postoperative complication rate of the thoracoscopic radical surgery group was lower than that of the traditional surgery group:5.88%(2/34) vs. 23.53%(8/34), and there was statistical difference ( χ2=4.221, P=0.040). Conclusions:The short-term efficacy of thoracoscopic radical surgery in the treatment of esophageal cancer is better than that of the traditional surgery group, which can increase the expression of TREM-1, reduce the expression of TRAP1, and reduce the inflammatory response and the impact on the immune function.

Objective:To analyze the gray-scale ultrasound and contrast-enhanced ultrasound features in secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) to construct a clinical and ultrasound-based model, and to investigate the relationship between this model and serum intact parathyroid hormone(iPTH) level in order to find proper indicators for evaluation of the severity of SHPT.Methods:From February 2016 to March 2021, a total of 59 SHPT patients with 181 parathyroid glands (PTGs) admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University were enrolled. Gray-scale ultrasound and contrast-enhanced ultrasound were performed in every participant. Patients were divided into low-iPTH group ( iPTH<800 ng/L) and high-iPTH group (iPTH≥800 ng/L) according to the serum iPTH level. The characteristics of gray-scale ultrasonic imaging and contrast-enhanced ultrasonic imaging were analyzed by 2 sonographers.Biochemical parameters were collected and combined with ultrasonic characteristics to construct the clinical and ultrasound-based model. The relationship between the model and serum iPTH level was analyzed by multivariate linear regression (stepwise). Independent influencing factors on serum iPTH level was investigated in SHPT patients without iPTH-reducing drugs using history.Results:There were 19 patients in low-iPTH group and 40 patients in high-iPTH group.Serum calcium, serum phosphorus, serum creatinine, PTG number, total PTG volume, blood scores, calcification and cysts scores, CEUS scores (washing-in phase and washing-out phase) were significantly different between two groups(all P<0.05). The multivariate linear regression (stepwise) showed that serum phosphorus, total PTG volume and blood scores were independently related with serum iPTH level (standardized β coefficient were 0.387, 0.254 and 0.242 respectively; all P<0.05). Conclusions:Serum phosphorus, total PTG volume and blood scores are independent influencing factors on serum iPTH level. Ultrasonography combined with clinical parameters can help evaluate the severity of SHPT more accurately.

Objective:To explore the value of shear wave elastography imaging(SWE) in the diagnosis of renal allograft fibrosis and analyze its advantages and limitations.Methods:The renal allograft of 61 patients who underwent renal allograft biopsy from June 2019 to April 2020 in the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University were included in this study. According to the Banff classification, there were 51 patients with mild-degree fibration(interstitial fibrosis/tubular atrophy, IFTA 0-Ⅰ), and 29 patients with moderate or severe-degree fibration(IFTA Ⅱ-Ⅲ). Two-dimensional ultrasound, color Doppler flow imaging, SWE and kidney function test performed. All the results were compared between the two groups. Diagnostic performance was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve using pathology as gold standard. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value were calculated for the diagnosis of moderate or severe-degree fibration.Results:Compared to mild-degree fibration group, creatinine( P<0.001), glomerular filtration rate( P<0.001), RI of arcuate arteries( P=0.022) and SWE value( P<0.001) significantly increased in the moderate or severe-degree fibration group. There were significant correlations between IFTA and creatinine ( r s=0.488, P<0.001), glomerular filtration rate ( r s=-0.452, P<0.001), RI of arcuate arteries( r s=0.228, P=0.042), SWE value( r s=0.584, P<0.001). Taking the cutoff value of SWE value deduced by ROC curve as 21.7 kPa, the area under ROC curve was 0.827. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value were 86.2%, 74.5%, 61.0% and 89.7%, respectively. Conclusions:There is a good correlation between the SWE value and the degree of fibrosis in the transplanted kidney. SWE can be used to distinguish mild from moderate or severe fibrosis of renal allograft, providing a potential noninvasive method for the assessment of kidney allograft fibration.

Objective To compare three-dimensional contrast-enhanced ultrasound ( 3DCEUS) fusion imaging and computed tomography ( CT ) fusion imaging in evaluating ablation margin ( AM ) after radiofrequency ablation ( RFA) for hepatocellular carcinoma ( HCC) . Methods The 3DCEUS images of 60 patients before and after RFA were collected . The AM was evaluated by the self-developed 3DCEUS fusion imaging technique . The consistency of AM evaluation was compared between 3DCEUS and CT fusion imaging . The risk factors of local tumor progression ( LTP) including AM were analyzed . Results The registration success rate of 3DCEUS fusion imaging was 96 .7％ ( 58/60) . Thirty-one cases were in the AM<5 mm group ,and 27 cases were in the AM ≥5 mm group . The consistency of AM evaluation between 3DCEUS and CT fusion imaging was good ( Kappa coefficient = 0 .895 , P < 0 .001) . During a follow-up period ranging 4 .2 to 18 months ,LTP was identified in 5 tumors (8 .6％ ,5/58) .The incidence of LTP with the AM<5 mm was higher than that with the AM ≥5 mm ( P =0 .033) . Conclusions 3DCEUS fusion imaging is feasible for AM evaluation immediately after RFA with high consistency with CT fusion imaging . AM<5 mm evaluated on 3DCEUS fusion immediately after RFA is a risk factor for LTP .

Objective To analyze the influence factors of local efficacy by parametric contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) of the hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patient treated with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE),and to investigate the application value of parametric CEUS in TACE.Methods From August 2011 to March 2014,a total of 61 HCC patients [60 men,1 women;age range:18-76 years,mean age:(53 ± 13)years old] who underwent one procedure of TACE were enrolled in this prospective study.All cases were scanned by CEUS 1-7 days before and after TACE (3 days,15 days and 30 days post-TACE).Analysis of tumor perfusion during the procedure of CEUS was performed with dedicated software (SonoLiver,TomTec,Germany and Bracco,Italy).Time-intensity curves were plotted and parameters were extracted.According to modified response evaluation criteria in solid tumors (mRECIST),we evaluated the response of TACE using contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) and CEUS 30 days after TACE,which was as reference standard.Results There was a middle negative correlation between the reference standard and the PSV of the hepatic artery pre-TACE,and the correlation coefficient was 0.436 (P =0.011).There was a low negative correlation between the reference standard and the TTP of the reference region on 3 days post-TACE and the analysis region pre-TACE,and the correlation coefficient was -0.264 and-0.268 (P =0.047,P =0.037).Conclusions Our preliminary study suggests,some parameters of CEUS can predict the local response of TACE.

Objective To investigate the ultrasonography discrepancy of hepatic neuroendocrine neoplasm ( hNEN ) derived from different primary locations and pathological grades . Methods From August 2010 to April 2016 ,50 consecutive patients with 54 hNENs confirmed by pathology and imaging diagnosis underwent baseline ultrasound ( BUS ) and contrast-enhanced ultrasound ( CEUS ) in the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University were enrolled in the retrospective study . On the basis of primary sites ,all hNENs were divided into three groups :pancreas ,gastrointestinal tract and other location groups . According to the pathological grading ,the hNENs were divided into hNET ( hepatic neuroendocrine tumor) group and hNEC ( hepatic neuroendocrine carcinoma) group . The imaging features of BUS and CEUS were retrospectively investigated and the ultrasonography discrepancy of hNEN derived from different primary focus and pathological grades were compared . Results ① Comparison of hNEN derived from different primary sites :hNEN derived from pancreas and gastrointestinal tract were smaller than hNEN derived from other sites[ ( 3 .8 ± 2 .6) cm vs ( 8 .7 ± 7 .0) cm , P = 0 .037 ;( 2 .9 ± 2 .1) cm vs ( 8 .7 ± 7 .0) cm , P = 0 .005] ,but the difference between the pancreas and gastrointestinal tract was not statistically significant ( P = 1 .0 ) . As for the pattern of CEUS enhancement ,hNEN derived from pancreas and gastrointestinal tract usually showed homogenous enhancement ( 13/19 ,15/23) while hNEN derived from other primary sites usually showed heterogeneous enhancement ( 10/13) ,and the difference was statistically significant ( P = 0 .025) . ② Comparison of hNET and hNEC :the distinction of enhancement level in the portal phase of contrast-enhanced ultrasound was statistically significant ( P = 0 .033) . All hNEC appeared hypo-enhancement ,while a small part of hNET ( 7/31 ) appeared iso-enhancement .More hNEC lesions showed heterogenous enhancemnt than hNET in the arterial phase ( 14/21 vs 9/31 , P = 0 .007) ,and there were less hNEC lesions presented tumor bleeding vessels than hNET ( 8/21 vs 22/31 , P = 0 .019 ) . Conclusions hNEN derived from pancreas and gastrointestinal tract are in a manner similar to hNEN derived from other primary sites on ultrasonography , so it' s difficult to identify in ultrasound . The ultrasonographic features of hNEC are more resemble to malignancy and it can be distinguished from hNET .

Objective To analyze the features of hepatic neuroendocrine neoplasm ( HNEN ) with conventional ultrasound and contrast-enhanced ultrasound sonography (CEUS) ,and to evaluate the value in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of HNEN by ultrasound . Methods Fifty patients of HNEN confirmed pathologically or clinically were enrolled . All patients underwent conventional ultrasound and CEUS . Among the patients ,5 cases were primary hepatic neuroendocrine neoplasm ( PHNEN) ,and 45 cases were metastatic hepatic neuroendocrine neoplasm ( MHNEN) . Conventional ultrasound and CEUS features of HNEN were analyzed and the distinctions between PHNEN and MHNEN were compared . Results Baseline ultrasound showed that 37 (74％ ) HNEN were multiple lesions located in liver ,23 ( 46％ ) lesions with hyperechoic appearance ,35 ( 70％ ) lesions with homogeneous echoic ,28 ( 56％ ) lesions were clearly marginated ,8 (16％ ) lesions were surrounded by acoustic halo ,and 12 ( 24％ ) lesions with posterior echo attenuation . CEUS showed that the majority of HNEN exhibited the enhanced pattern of rapid wash-in and wash-out" . Forty-six ( 92％ ) lesions showed hyper-enhancement in the arterial phase ,44 ( 88％ ) lesions showed iso-enhancement in the portal phase ,and 47 ( 94％ ) lesions showed hypo-enhancement in the late phase .Feeding vessels were observed in 31 ( 62％ ) lesions ,intralesional non-enhancement zone was observed in 17(34％ ) lesions ,and capsule enhancement in the delay phase was found in 10( 20％ ) lesions . MHNEN had smaller diameter [ ( 3 .92 ± 2 .77) cm vs (12 .82 ± 8 .85) cm , P = 0 .004] and less likely to present cystic structure intralesional than PHNEN ( 1/45 vs 2/5 , P < 0 .001 ) . The differences of other baseline ultrasonographic characteristics ,enhanced characteristics and enhanced time on CEUS between PHNEN and MHNEN were not statistically significant ( all P > 0 .05) . Conclusions HNEN has a certain characteristic that can be identified on ultrasonography . Ultrasound can provide some valuable information to diagnose HNEN . While it′s difficult to differentiate PHNEN and MHNEN owing to their similar ultrasonographic characteristics .

Objective To evaluate the effect of artificial ascites under ultrasonic guidance in the thermal ablation of liver or kidney tumors ,so as to provide basis for successfully creating artificial ascites , increasing the complete ablation rate of the tumors and reducing the damage of important organs . Methods Seven hundred and thirty-six patients with artificial ascites were performed under ultrasonic guidance during the thermal ablation of liver or kidney tumors and six hundred and seventy-nine patients were successfully performed . The success rate of creating artificial ascites at different sites ,time requirement ,the effect of ascites , puncture times were analyzed , while curative effect and complications were evaluated and summarized . Results The success rate of creating artificial ascites was 92 .3％ ;the average time of creating artificial ascites was( 9 .1 ± 1 .3) minutes ;the average puncture times was( 1 .1 ± 0 .2) times ;complete ablation was 98 .7％ ;the complication of ascites creation was 0 .44％ ,minor complications after ablation was 6 .20％ , severe complications was 0 .59％ . The required fluid volume and success rates for the creation of artificial ascites in different sites were different . The volume of fluid needed was relatively high in the liver-gastric space ,and the success rate was relatively low ;the success rate of liver septum and liver -kidney crypts was the highest . Heat injury complications of the important organs such as gastrointestinal tract ,esophagus , diaphragm near the liver or kidney tumors were 0 . Conclusions The establishment of artificial ascites improves the local curative effect and reduces the complication of tumors ablation in difficult locations . The methods and effect of artificial ascites in different parts of liver or kidney are different .