OBJECTIVETo evaluate the components and characteristics of coronary atherosclerotic plaques in type 2 diabetic patients using virtual histology intravascular ultrasound (VH-IVUS).

METHODSIn vivo atherosclerotic plaques (over 50% angiographic diameter stenosis) of the three main coronary arteries were analyzed by gray-scaled IVUS with planar and volumetric VH-IVUS in consecutive patients examined between September 2008 and March 2009. Patients were divided into two groups: diabetic mellitus (DM) group with 22 patients (39 lesions) and non-DM group with 46 patients (69 lesions).

RESULTSAt the minimal lumen area (MLA) site, the percentage of NC (necrotic core) area (19.4% +/- 1.2% vs. 15.1% +/- 1.1%, P = 0.015) and dense calcium (DC) area (15.2% +/- 1.6% vs. 10.7% +/- 1.1%, P = 0.016) were significantly larger while fibrotic tissue (FT) area (56.7% +/- 2.3% vs. 64.8% +/- 1.8%, P = 0.007) was smaller in DM group than in non-DM group. Likewise, volumetric VH-IVUS analysis showed that the percentage of NC volume (21.3% +/- 1.3% vs. 16.5% +/- 1.1%, P = 0.008) and DC volume (16.6% +/- 1.4% vs. 11.3% +/- 1.1%, P = 0.003) were significantly larger while FT volume (55.1% +/- 2.1% vs. 63.9% +/- 1.8%, P = 0.003) was significantly smaller in DM group than in non-DM group. Moreover, significantly higher incidence of VH-TCFA (thin-cap fibro atheromas) was evidenced in the DM group than in the non-DM group (69.2% vs. 42.0%, P = 0.009). However, the remodeling index and the positive remodeling frequency were similar between the 2 groups.

CONCLUSIONIncidence of necrotic core, dense calcium plaque and vulnerable plaques in stenotic lesions was higher in DM patients than in non-DM patients.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Case-Control Studies ; Coronary Artery Disease ; diagnostic imaging ; etiology ; Coronary Vessels ; diagnostic imaging ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; complications ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Plaque, Atherosclerotic ; diagnostic imaging ; etiology ; Ultrasonography, Interventional ; methods

OBJECTIVETo analyze the CT and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of craniopharygioma and explore the correlation between the pathological findings and clinical features of the disease.

METHODSThe CT and MRI findings of 123 pathologically confirmed craniopharygioma cases were reviewed retrospectively in conjunction with the pathological findings and surgical data.

RESULTSThis patient cohort consisted of 70 male and 53 female patients with their age ranging from 1 to 72 years (mean 23.82 years). Of the 123 craniopharyngioma patients, 59 were found to have adamantinous craniopharyngiomas, 41 had papillary squamous craniopharyngiomas, and 23 had mixed tumors. Solid tumor was found in 18 cases, cystic tumor in 38 cases, and calcification in 78 cases; in 23 cases, the posterior of the tumor did not exhibit clear boundary from the wall of the three cerebral ventricles, and in 11 cases CT and MRI displayed hypophysial stalk, which was found intraoperatively in 53 cases.

CONCLUSIONSMRI allows clear vision of the range of craniopharyngioma involvement and the anatomical structures surrounding the tumor. CT, on the other hand, shows better performance in displaying the calcification foci. Accurate identification of the site, dimension, calcification patterns and relation between the hypophysial stalk and hypothalamus by the imaging modalities significantly benefits the optimization of the surgical plan for the tumor.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Cohort Studies ; Craniopharyngioma ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo analyze the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features of supratentorial primitive neuroectodermal tumors (sPNET) and improve the diagnosis of this disease.

METHODSMRI manifestations of 14 cases of PNET were retrospectively analyzed and compared with their pathological features.

RESULTSThe supratentorial lesions involved the occipital lobe in 4, frontal lobe in 3, fronto-occipital lobe in 2, temporo-occipital lobe in 3, lateral ventricle in 1 case and the saddle region in 1. All the lesions were large in volume and most of them presented heterogeneous signals in MRI. Of the 14 cases, 12 showed cystic degeneration and necrosis, 2 had hemorrhage and 6 showed signs of emptied small blood vessels. Twelve cases had heterogeneous enhancement and 2 had moderate enhancement. Pathologically, 10 cases of neuroblastomas were identified, along with 3 ganglioneuroblastomas and 1 atypical rhabdoid tumor.

CONCLUSIONMRI findings of PNET are rather characteristic to assist in the diagnosis and treatment of the disease, but a final definite diagnosis still relies on pathological examination.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neuroectodermal Tumors, Primitive ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Radiography ; Retrospective Studies ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Supratentorial Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Young Adult

Aged ; Case-Control Studies ; China ; epidemiology ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; epidemiology ; genetics ; Exercise ; Female ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Receptors, Calcitriol ; genetics ; Risk ; Rural Population