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 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.

Objective To explore the CT and MR imaging findings of acinic cell carcinoma (ACC)in salivary gland and enhance the diagnosis of this rare disease.Methods The CT and MR imaging characteristics of 20 patients (7 males and 13 females,median age 44 years old) with pathologically proved ACC were retrospectively reviewed.CT and MR images were evaluated in relation to the following: location,size,morphology,margin,CT density/MR signal intensity and enhancement pattern.Results Twelve lesions were located in parotid gland,two lesions in maxillary Sinus,and one lesion in submandibular,parapharyngeal,infratemporal fossa,buccal,nasal cavity,and hard palate respectively.The size of lesions were 0.7～5.8 cm.Sixteen lesions less than 3 cm in size demonstrated round or oval round masses with well defined margin.Four lesions more than 3 cm in size demonstrated irregular masses with unclear margin.Among them,bony destruction of the wall of the maxillary sinus was noted in 3 cases,and the preauricular skin was invaded in 1 case.The densities (signal intensity) were homogeneous in 6 cases and heterogeneous in 14 cases.Lesions were slightly low density in 11 case and isodensity in 3 cases on CT plain scan.Lesions were homogeneous isointense in 2 cases and heterogeneous isointense in 4 cases on T1WI,heterogeneous hyperintense in all cases on T2WI.On post contrast images,lesions demonstrated remarkable enhancement in 14 cases,moderate enhancement in 2 cases and mild enhancement in 3 cases.Conclusions The imaging characteristic of ACC were nonspecific.CT and MR could accurately detect the extent of tumor involvement and was helpful to provide more comprehensive information for the strategy of clinic therapy.

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 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.

BACKGROUND:Radiation-induced brain injury has recently become an increasing area of research, in particular in animal experimental studies. Domestic and international researches show that there have been no uniform scanning parameters used for examination of animal models of radiation-induced brain injury by magnetic resonance imaging. In this study, we performed magnetic resonance imaging in rabbits to determine related sequence parameters. OBJECTIVE:To establish the New Zealand rabbit models of radiation-induced brain injury, and obtain the brain magnetic resonance images of rabbits using LOOP7 coil, so as to provide experimental evidence for diagnosis of radiation-induced brain injury by magenetic resonance imaging. METHODS:Each of T2-weighted imaging, diffusion tensor imaging, magnetic resonance spectroscopy and magnetic susceptibility-weighted imaging were performed several times through the use of LOOP7 coil, to determine the optimal scanning parameters for each sequence. Rabbit models of radiation-induced brain injury were established and then their right hemispheres were irradiated using 6 MV X-rays at a single dose of 40, 80 and 120 Gy. The daily performance and dynamic magnetic resonance signs of rabbits were observed. The brain tissue was taken for pathological examination once abnormal magnetic resonance findings were observed or after 20 weeks of folow-up. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Only one rabbit model in the 40 Gy group had subdural hemorrhage. In the 80 Gy group, abnormal T2-weight imaging signals were observed in al rabbit models, which were pathologicaly confirmed as scattered degenerated neurons and infiltrated neutrophils. The abnormal signals that gradualy expanded over time were seen in rabbits from the 120 Gy group by magnetic resonance imaging and were pathologicaly confirmed as radiation-induced brain injury loci. The results confirm that establishing rat models of radiation-induced brain injury using radiation therapy system can better simulate the pathological process of radiation-induced brain injury; moreover, this model can be applied to receive routine magnetic resonance examination with LOOP7 coil.

Objective To improve the clinic,CT and pathologic knowledge of pleomorphic hyanilizing angiectatic tumor of soft parts(PHAT).Methods Clinical,CT and pathologic characters of PHAT in one case at the right nuchal region were detailedly analysed with literature review.Results The clinical symptoms of PHAT were slight and unspecified.The lesion appeared as a orbicular-ovate tumour with sublobe and clear edge,the density of tumor was uneven on plain scan and uneven enhanced after injected contrast agent,and a part of the tumour was enhanced close to the CT value of blood vessel.The characters of pathology were the presence of clusters of dilated thin-walled vessels,with prominent hyalinization of vessel wall,perivascular and intercellular hyalinization,and pantomorphia neoplastic cell distributed between these dilated vessels.Conclusion PHAT is a low potential malignant soft tissue tumor,it has some specific CT and pathologic characters.