Implantation of metallic stents is an important method in treatment of airway strictures,and it is applied in increasingly for treating benign tracheobronchial strictures. In this article, we comprehensively introduced the selection of characteristic stents, the current status and progress of stent application in benign tracheobronchial strictures.

ObjectiveTo seek the optimal method in treating hemifacial spasm (HFS).MethodThirty HFS patients were selected and randomized into atreatment group and a control group. The treatment group was intervened by selecting cervical Jiaji (EX-B2) points plus conventional acupuncture, while the control group was by conventional acupuncture alone; 15 sessions were regarded as a treatment course, and the therapeutic efficacies were observed and compared after 2 successive treatment courses. ResultThe total effective rate was 86.7% in the treatment group, significantly higher than 66.7% in the control group (P<0.05). ConclusionElectroacupuncture at cervical Jiaji plus conventional acupuncture is significantly effective in treating HFS, and its total effective rate is higher than that of the conventional acupuncture alone.

Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) has already been a mature and an effective treatment for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).Clinically,it is very important to quickly and accurately evaluate the postoperative curative effect with minimally invasive technique so as to determine the next treatment options.At present,postoperative conventional CT and MRI are the main means to assess the curative effect of TACE,but it is a pity that after the treatment the functional changes of the tumor occur earlier than the morphological changes.In recent years,functional MRI techniques,such as diffusionweighted imaging (DWI),multi-b value DWI,dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) imaging,etc.have been more and more used for quantitative evaluation of the diffusion of water molecules and the blood microcirculation perfusion within the tumor tissue,and some progresses have been achieved in the evaluation of curative efficacy for tumor.This paper aims to make a comprehensive review about the research progress of the above mentioned functional imaging methods as well as their current application status in evaluation of the curative effect of TACE.

Objective To investigate the safety and efficacy of placement of self expandable metallic stent within right atrium and inferior vena cava (ICV) in patients with malignant ICV obstruction involving right atrium. Methods There were 5 male patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma, aged from 42 to 65 years (mean 56 3 years). The malignancies invaded right atrium and ICV simultaneously, and caused obstruction of ICV. These patients presented symptoms and signs of obstruction of ICV such as hepatomegaly, ascites, edema of lower extremities. “Z” type stainless steel stents (7 5～10.0 cm in length and 2 5 cm in diameter) were selected for these patients. Part (1.0～3.0 cm in length ) of stent was placed in right atrium and the rest was in ICV. Results All of stents were placed successfully and obstructed ICV reopened. The symptoms of obstruction of ICV relieved or disappeared. There were no recurrence of symptoms of obstruction of ICV and any cardiac complication related to placement of stents in follow up period (67～188 days). Conclusion Placement of self expandable metallic stent within right atrium and ICV in treatment of patients with malignant ICV obstruction involving right atrium is one of the safe and effective methods.

Objective To investigate whether oral administration of probiotics can reduce complications induced by interventional therapy in patients with primary hepatic carcinoma and liver cirrosis.Methods Two hundred and sixty four patients with primary hepatic carcinoma and liver cirrhosis who underwent transarterial chemoembolization(TACE) were randomly divided into two groups.and patients in experimental group were given probiotics but not in control group.Shoa-term clinical manifestations.liver functions,blood routine and pain scores were compared between two groups.Results On the day 3 after therapy,the incidence of abdominal distension and constipation in experimental group were less than that in control group(x2=18.22 and 55.22,P=0.000);On the day 7 after therapy,the incidence of abdominal distension,constipation and infection in experimental group were less than that in control group(x2=5.35,13.5 and 19.14,P=0.021,0.000 and 0.000).There were no significant difference in other clinical manifestations,liver function,blood routine and pain scores between the two groups. Conclusion Oral administration of probiotics can reduce the incidence of some short-term complication induced by interventional therapy in patients with hepatic carcinoma and liver cirrhosis.

Aim To investigate the effect of transduct-ed-hemeoxygenase-1 ( HO-1 ) protein on brain ischemi-a-reperfusion ( I/R ) rat hippocampal neurons injury. Methods 11 R ( arginine residues )-fused HO-1 pro-tein was established and 50 male Mongolian gerbils were randomly divided into 5 groups ( n=10 ):I/R ( control group ) , I/R + 5 mg · kg-1 saline group ( group S ) , I/R + 5 mg · kg-1 11 R group ( group R), I/R + 5mg·kg-1 11R-HO-1 group (group H1) and I/R + 25 mg · kg-1 11 R-HO-1 group ( group H2). For I/R experiments, ischemia was induced for 5 min by occluding the common carotid arteries bilater-ally with aneurysm clips under Ketamine anesthesia. The experiment was conducted after the neurons were intraperitoneally injected with 5mg·kg-1 saline,11R , 11R-HO-1,or 25mg · kg-1 11R-HO-1 for 3 h. The rats were killed after 24h of reperfusion. Hippocampus was removed immediately for determination of cAMP level, neuronal apoptotic rate, and expression of HO-1 and Caspase-3 protein, mitochondria was observed un-der electron microscope. Results Among group C, group S and group R,there were no differences in the expressions of HO-1, Caspase-3 protein, cAMP level , neuronal apoptotic rate and mitochondria damage ( P>0. 05). Compared with group C, group S and group R, the expression of HO-1 protein was up-regulated, the expression of Caspase-3 protein was down-regula-ted, cAMP level increased, the apoptotic rate was sig-nificantly decreased and mitochondria damage de-creased in group H1 ( P < 0. 01 ) . Compared with group H1 , the expression of HO-1 protein was up-regu-lated, the expression of Caspase-3 protein was down-regulated, cAMP level increased, the apoptotic rate was significantly decreased and mitochondria damage decreased in group H2 ( P <0. 01 ) . Conclusion Transducted-HO-1 protein can attenuate brain ischemi-a-reperfusion rat hippocampal neurons injury.

Objective To evaluate the nasointestinal decompression intubation in acute small intestinal obstruction. Methods Ten patients with acute small bowel obstruction received nasointestinal decompression intubation under x-ray guidance. The nasointestinal decompression tube passing over a guidewire was inserted into small intestine near Tres ligament or further down distally with assistance of patients adopting in multi-physical positions. Results The intubation of nasointestinal decompression tubes into small intestine was technically successful in all patients with average procedural time of 16 min.(10 ～ 35 min). After placement of the tube, all patients obtained various degrees of symptoms relief including abdominal pain, distention, vomiting, etc. Four patients with simple adhesive obstruction recovered completely and the tube was removed 2 weeks later. Three patients were refered to surgical operation, and 3 others gave up for further treatment. There were no complications such as bleeding or perforation related to intubation. Conclusion Nasointestinal decompression intubation under guidance of X-ray is rather simple, less time consuming, especially with high efficiency for preoperative gastrointestinal decompression and treating simple adhesive bowel obstruction; ought to be recommended. [

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of percutaneous CT guided interstitial 125Ⅰ seeds implantation treatment for refractory pelvic malignant tumors and discuss the procedure of technique.Methods Twenty-three patients with refractory pelvic malignant tumors(25 lesions,diameter 3.5-7.0 cm,mean 4.5 cm) showing failure response to full chemotherapy and/or radical radiotherapy after tumors resection were undergone percutaneous CT guided intratumoral 125Ⅰseed implantation.Treatment plan system(TPS)was used to design the distribution and number of 125Ⅰ seeds according to matched peripheral dose(MPD)1-3 days before the procedure.Of which 6 cases received combined internal iliac arterial infusion chemotherapy before or after the 125Ⅰ seed implantation procedure.Results 9 ～ 75(mean 27)125Ⅰ seeds were implanted into a single tumor at first time including 6 patients with intraarterial chemotherapy for 14 cycles(mean 2.3 cycles),showed relief of clinical pain symptoms in 16 of 23 cases,72 h ～ 4 w after the seeds implantation;with the an effective rate of 69.6%.Follow up for 2-34 months(median,21 months),CT or MRI performed 2 months after the seeds implantation showed no CR,but PR in 18 cases,SD in 4 cases,and PD in 1 case,with overall response rate of 78%(18/23),and no serious complication.In addition,20 cases survived,with the longest one of 34 months and the other 3 died.Conclusions Intratumoral 125Ⅰ seeds implantation under CT guidance for pelvic refractory malignant tumors is safe,minimally invasive,and effective.

ObjectiveTo explore the characteristic CT features of benign and malignant submandibular gland lesions.Methods CT scans of 75 cases of submandibular gland lesions verified pathologically after surgery were analyzed retrospectively,including 38 cases of pleomorphic adenoma,22 cases of malignant tumors,11 cases of chronic submaxillaritis,2 cases of myoepithelioma,1 case of neurilemoma and 1 case of hemangioma.Results ( 1 ) All 38 cases of submandibular gland pleomorphic adenoma only occupied a part of submandibnlar gland.Thirty five lesions were on the edge of submandibular gland.The edge of 33 lesions were smooth and the density of 30 lesions were even.Thirty three lesions were slightly or moderately enhanced and 10 lesions showed “target sign” on enhanced CT.( 2 ) There were 22 cases of submandibular gland malignant tumors.Three lesions of lymphoma located at the edge of submandibular gland with smooth edge and even density,and showed mild to moderate enhancement.The remaining 19 lesions showed rough edge and uneven density.Eighteen of the 19 lesions showed ill-defined boundary,2 of the 18 lesions invaded most of submandibular gland and 16 of the 18 lesions invaded the whole submandibular gland.Seventeen lesions were unevenly enhanced,thickened,cirvilinear vessels were seen in 12 of the 17 lesions.Nine cases were accompanied with swollen lymph nodes ( minor diameter greater than 1.0 cm) in neck.(3)There were 11 cases of chronic submaxillaritis,which showed enlargement of the whole submandibular gland with relative smooth edge and relative clear boundary.Most of lesions were moderately and evenly enhanced.Six cases were companied with submandibular duct lithiasis and dilatation.All of 11 cases were accompanied with lymph node enlargement in neck.(4) Two cases of myoepithelioma demonstrated irregular ring enhancement on CT;one case of neurilemoma showed obvious cystic changes and slight enhancement on the edge;1 case of hemangioma showed multiple phleboliths and prolonged contrast enhancement.ConclusionsMost of submandibular gland benign and malignant lesions show some degree of characteristic CT findings.It is relatively difficult to discriminate between lymphoma and submandibular gland pleomorphic adenoma.

Objective To realize the optimization of image quality and radiation dose by correcting mammography automatic exposure,according to automatic exposure controlled mode of mammography film-screen system . Methods The film-screen system(28 kV) was applied to perform automatic exposure of plexiglass(40 mm) and get the standard dose of exposure, the exposure mode of CR base on LgM =2.0 was rectified, which was divided into 10 steps. Mammary glands pattern(Fluke NA18-220) were examined with CR( 26,28, and 30 kV ) by the automatic exposure mode corrected. The exposure values(mAs) were recorded. CR image was diagnosed and evaluated in double blind way by 4 radiologists according to American Collage of Radiology(ACR) standard. Results Based on the standard of CR automatic exposure with the dose higher than the traditional exposure of film-screen system, the calibration of mammography automatic exposure was accomplished. The test results of the calibrated mode was better than the scoring system of ACR. Conclusions Comparative study showed improvement in acquiring high-quality image and reduction of radiation dose. The corrected mammography automatic exposure mode might be a better method for clinical use.