Objective To evaluate the development of the sphenooccipital synchondrosis on high resolution CT scans.Methods 269 cases,HRCT findings of the sphenoocipital synchondrosis ranged in age from 3 months to 74 years old were analysed.Four points were assessed on HRCT scans (a) The pattern of the synchondrosis, (b) The location and time of appearance of the ossification center in the synchondrosis, (c) The vestige of the synchondrosis after fusion of the sphenoid and occipital bones and (d) The development of sphenoid sinus.Results The pattern of the sphenooccipital synchondrosis could be classified into three types, including complete opening, partial and complete closure. The spheno-occipital synchondrosis was variable in shapes in opening group,a notch existed in 57 cases, the mean of the thickness of the spheno-occipital synchondrosis was 1.8 mm, there was negative correlation between the thickness of the synchondrosis and the age (r= -0.92,P

Objective To study the etiology and clinics as well as CT diagnostic value of periventricular leukomalacia(PVL)in children.Methods Clinical and CT findings in 130 cases of PVL were retrospectively analyzed.Results 85 cases were premature newborn babies(65.4%) and 45 cases were fullmature newborn(34.6%) with hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy.CT showed the lateralventricle enlarge in different degrees and the white matter of periventricle decreased.Conclusion CT scan is of important value indiagnosis of PVL.

BACKGROUND: Trigeminal ganglion percutaneous puncture is one of the methods for the therapy of primary trigeminal neuralgia. The difficulties in percutaneous puncture technique and operation can lead accidental injury and some serious complications. The application of DZY-C trigeminal nerve stereoguide in the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia has the features of high accuracy in puncture and low complications, which can reduce the chances of accidental injury to surrounding vessels and nerves.OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the therapeutic effects of DZY-C trigeminal nerve stereoguide in the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia.DESIGN: A before-and-after experimental study based on patients.SETTING: Department of cerebral surgery of a municipal hospital of tradi tional Chinese medicine and a municipal hospital.PARTICIPANTS: Ninety patients including 39 male and 51 female patients with primary trigeminal neuralgia aged between 21 and 90 years old were selected from outpatient or inpatient department of Foshan Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine between 2001 and 2003.INTERVENTIONS: Glycerine was injected into trigerminal ganglion of each patient through percutaneous puncture under the guidance of DZY-C trigeminal nerve stereoguide. Therapeutic effects were evaluated by visual analogue scale(VAS) before and 30 minutes after the treatment.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Results of therapeutic effects.RESULTS: Ninety patients with primary trigeminal neuralgia received trigeminal ganglion puncture with the application of DZY-C trigeminal nerve stereoguide. All punctures succeeded with one shot. After the injection of glycerine, the original trigeminal neuralgia disappeared in all 90 cases with the good and excellent rate of 100%.CONCLUSION: Trigeminal nerve stereoguide(DZY-C model) has the features of reasonable structural design, easy surgical operation, agile adjustment, less tissue injury, and safe manipulation, which can significantly eliminate trigeminal neuralgia.

Objective To study the method and diagnostic value of curved planar reformation(CPR)of body canals with multislice spiral CT.Methods 50 patients with various disease of chest and abdomen scanned by multislice spiral CT.CPR of canals of chest and abdomen were performed.Results The images of CPR were acquired satisfactory in all cases.3 cases were normal.There were vascular diseases of chest in 6 cases,lung cancer in 9 cases,disease of abdominal vessels in 10 cases,disease of biliary tract in 10 cases.Carcinoma of the head of pancrease in 4 cases,ureter cancer in 4 cases,ureter stone in 2 cases,tuberculosis of ureter in 1 case,malformation of ureter in 1 case.Conclusion CPR of body canal with multislice spiral CT is an effective method in the diagnosis of various diseases of chest and abdomen.It is an useful supplement of routine CT scan.

Objective To evaluate the CT and MRI features of masticator space lesions.Methods All patients(43 cases) were examined with CT (28 cases) or MRI(10 cases),and 4 cases underwent both CT and MR examination.Results 9 cases of masticator space infection were found,which had characteristic appearances and patterns of widely spread on CT and MRI,and CT was better in detecting mandibular osteomyelitis.Primary tumors of the space included 6 cases of rhabdomyosarcomas,5 cases of angioma,4 cases of osteosarcomas.Most of them had the particular CT or MRI features.In 19 cases of metastasis of the space,most came from surrounding structures,especially from squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck,and penetrating deeply into the muscles or ramus of masticator space.Conclusion The masticator space lesions(infection and most of tumors) are of characteristic features on CT and MRI.

0.05).The values and ages were positive correlation before age 25(r=0.71～0.91,?0.05).Four main patterns of marrow distribution were identified in the proximal femur.Our data implied that there was progressive marrow fat distribution with age.The diaphyseal red marrow began to convert to yellow marrow after 5 years old and the conversion completed at age of 10.Foci of longer T 1 signals were found in the diaphysis in some of the subjects and the percentage increased with age.The femoral head and the greater trochanter showed yellow marrow signals after ossification.Conclusion Measurement of MRI signal intensity values could be used in evaluating the conversion of red to yellow marrow of the femur.Red and yellow marrow of femur may be distinguished by MRI.We should notice the different MRI feafure in different ages.

Objective To observe and measure the facial nerve canal(FNC) in curved planar reformation by multislice spiral CT.Methods High resolution computed tomography (HRCT)of temporal bone was performed in 40 cases (80 ears) by multislice spiral CT. Curved planar reformation of FNC was performed separately in axial, coronal and sagittal plane of multiplanar reconstruction. The morphology and measurement of FNC were studied.Results The mean length of FNC was (29.73?1.07)mm. The mean length of the labyrinthine, tympanic and mastoid segment was (5.6?0.74)mm, (10.66?0.79)mm and (13.47?1.01)mm respectively. The mean diameter of the l-abyrinthine, geniculate fossa, tympanic and mastoid segment was (0.76?0.16)mm, (2.37?0.63)mm, (1.03?0.16)mm and (1.57?0.31)mm respectively. The mean angle of first and second genu was 67.04??9.41? and 114.25??8.44? respectively. The distance between the tympanic segment and ampulla of the lateral semicircular canal was (0.57?0.19)mm. The distance between the tympanic segment and arch of the lateral semicircular canal was (1.59?0.61)mm. The mean angle between the tympanic segment of the facial nerve canal and the lateral semicircular canal was 10.63??3.60?. The tympanic course of the facial nerve canal formed an angle of 34.65??5.39? with the sagittal plane. Dehiscences was found in 89% FNC, 73.7% of them only located in the tympanic portion and 26.3% both in the mastoid and tympanic portions. Conclusion Curved planar reformation of FNC by multislice spiral CT is the good method to study the anatomy of FNC,and in combination with HRCT axial scan and multiplanar reconstrution can obtain more valuable information.

OBJECTIVE:To observe the clinical efficacy and safety of Pudilan xiaoyan oral liquid combined with bronchial dil-atation drugs in the treatment of moderate to severe stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD). METHODS:According to admission time,102 patients with stable moderate to severe COPD were randomly divided into treatment group(n=53)and con-trol group(n=49). Control group received Budesonide and formoterol fumarate powder for inhalation and Tiotropium bromide pow-der for inhalation;based on control group,treatment group was additionally treated with Pudilan xiaoyan oral liquid,10 ml/time, 3 times a day, for 12 weeks. The lung function index, number of acute COPD attack, modified medical research council (mMRC),CAT and CCQ were performed and comparison in the two groups. RESULTS:After 12 weeks of treatment,the IC of treatment group was improved significantly,compared to before treatment and control group;there was statistical significance(P<0.05). There was no statistical significance in FEV1 and FEV1/FVC%of treatment group after treatment,compared to before treat-ment and control group(P>0.05);there was no statistical significance in the number of acute COPD attack between 2 groups(P>0.05). mMRC,CAT score and CCQ total score of treatment group were improved significantly,compared to before treatment and control group;there was statistical significance (P<0.05). No obvious ADR was found in 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS:Pudilan xiaoyan oral liquid combined with bronchial dilatation drugs for inhalation is better than powder for inhalation in the treatment of moderate to serve stable COPD,can improve pulmonary function significantly,exercise tolerance and quality of life.

Objective To examine the effect of metformin on serum thyrotropin (TSH) level in diabetic patients with subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH).Methods The long-term effects of metformin on thyroid axis hormones were assessed in 55 diabetic patients with primary SCH who were untreated with L-T4(study group),as well as in 31 diabetic patients with normal thyroid function (control group).According to using metformin or not,patients of study group were divided into the metformin group (group 1,n =28),and the non-metformin group(group 2,n =27).Serum TSH levels were compared between baseline and follow-up in patients receiving metformin treatment.Results After 30 weeks of metformin administration,a significant TSH decrease(t =2.91,P ＜ 0.05) was observed in group 1 [from(6.98 ± 1.92) to(2.44 ± 0.61) mIU/L].After stopping metformin therapy,the level of TSH at 52 weeks fol low-up was back to the baseline level [(6.99 ± 1.76) mIU/L,P ＞ 0.05].There was no significant difference in TSH level between baseline and after 30 weeks follow-up in group 2[(6.01 ± 1.63) mIU/L vs(6.21 ± 1.71) mIU/L,P ＞0.05].At the end of 30 weeks follow-up,no significant differences were found in body mass index and thyroid func tion in both metformin group and non-metformin group.In control group,metformin administration for 30 weeks had no effect on TSH level(P ＞ 0.05).Conclusion Metformin administration influences TSH without change of FT4 level in type 2 diabetic patients with primary SCH.

Objective To probe into the characteristics of strain and strain rate in different time points of coronary artery disease (CAD) patients before and after the improvement of myocardial ischemia, to evaluate the value of two-dimensional strain (2DS) imaging in assessing curative effect of CAD patients. Methods The changes of strain and strain rate in local lesion segments before revascularization,and one week,one month and three months after revascularization of 24 CAD patients accepting revascularization therapy were detected by 2DS. Results Before revascularization treatment,the outlines of strain-time curves and strain-rate-time curves of lesion segments of CAD patients in whole cardiac circle were cluttered. The peak strain (S),the peak systolic strain rate (SRS) and the peak early diastolic strain rate (SRE) were low and calm. The peaks of strain-time curves in some segments of CAD patients were inverted. One week after treatment,the S, SRS,SRE and the peak late diastolic strain rate (SRA) of lesion segments of CAD cases elevated to certain extent. However, there were no statistical significant differences between them (P0.05). One month after treatment,the S and SRE of lesion segments of CAD patients elevated significantly compared to that of before the treatment (P<0.01). Three months after treatment,the outlines of strain-time curves and strain-rate-time curves of lesion segments of CAD patients trended to be regular,and the S, SRS, SRE and SRA elevated markedly compared to that of before treatment (P<0.01). There were statistical significant differences in terms of the S, SRS and SRA compared to that of one week and one month after treatment (P<0.01). Conclusions 2DS can evaluate the strain and strain rate non-invasively and quantitatively at different time points after revascularization of CAD patients. And it can evaluate regional myocardial systolic and diastolic function for CAD patients.