Objective To investigate enhanced CT scanning in differentiation of solitary pulmonary nodule and relationship between the degree and pattern of enhancement and vascularity. Methods 11 patients with surgically confirmed pulmonary carcinoma and 13 patients with inflammatory nodules and 6 patients with tuberculoma were studied with plain chest CT sean and enhanced scanning after injection of 100 ml iodinated contrast medium to observe the enhancement degree and pattern of the lesion before the surgery. Vaseularity of specimens of 11 carcinoma and 13 inflammatory nodules and 6 tuberculoma were examined pathologically and correlated with degree of enhancement. Results The pulmonary carcinoma and inflammatory nodules showed a significantly higher degree of enhancement than tuberculoma. But the carcinoma and the inflammation showed no differences in degree and pattern of enhancement. The degree of enhancement was positively correlated with the number of blood vessles. The vascularity of carcinoma and inflammation was far richer than that of tuberculoma. Conclusion The results suggested that the enhanced CT scanning are distinctively different between carcinoma and tuberculoma,whereas little different between carcinoma and inflammation. Vascularity of the lesion plays an important role in the manifestation of enhancement.

Objective To investigate the dynamic enhanced CT scanning in differentiation of small lung cancer.Methods 20 patients with pathologically confirmed small lung cancer,and 6 patients with inflammatory nodules,5 patients with tuberculoma were studied with plain chest CT scan and dynamic enhanced (the delay time of scans was 30 s,1,3,5,7 min after injection)before surgery.Then the enhancement degree of the lesions was recorded in different time lag.The time-attenuation curves of different diseases were drawn.Results Tuberculoma showed a significantly lower degree of enhancement than the pulmonary carcinoma and inflammatory nodules,it showed a lower and flat line.The carcinoma and the inflammation showed no differences in degree of enhancement.But the peaks of the tow curves appeared to be different in various time of delay,tumor reached its peak in 1～3 minute after injection of contrast medium which dropped behind the inflammatory.Conclusion The results suggested that from the time-attenuation curve we could make the different diagnosis between small lung lesions.

Objective To investigate the value of dual-energy digital subtraction chest radiography in detection of small pulmonarynodules.Methods CT scanning,dual-energy digital subtraction chest radiographs and routine digital chest radiographs were obtainedrespectively from 27 consecutive oncology patients with pulmonary metastasis.The image quality of these two kinds of DR by quality control phantom of Kodak was compared. The images of dual-energy digital subtract radiographs and the routine digital radiography were analysedby two radiologists in biblind method and the detecting rate of pulmonary metastasis by both DR was compared based on the results CTscanning. Results The quality of dual-energy digital subtraction chest radiographs is equal to the routine one except the definition. The detectable rate of pulmonary nodules by dual-energy digital subtraction chest radiographs was 91.2%, by the routine DR was 85.0%. There was significant difference (P

Objective To investigate the clinical value of tumor's longest diameter and volume in assessing pathologic response in locally advanced breast cancer treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy(NAC).Methods A prospective study was undertaken in women undergoing NAC for locally advanced breast cancer in order to determine the ability of quantitative MRI to assess the final pathologic response. 36 cases with pathologically confirmed locally advanced breast cancer who had been undergone four courses of NAC underwent preoperative breast MRI three times during the NAC. Pathologic response was assessed according Miller & Payne grading system, of which grade 4 and 5 defined as major histological response (MHR), and grade 1 to 3 as non-major histological response (NMHR). The tumor's longest diameters and volumes in MHR were compared with those in NMHR by Mann-Whitney U test before, after the second and fourth cycle of NAC. Concordance correlation coefficient (CCC) were assessed to evaluate the agreement between the two method. Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis was carried out to assess the clinical value of tumor size and the change rate.Results Before,after the second and the fourth cycle of NAC, the difference of tumor's longest diameters and their first change rate between MHR [(2.75±1.16) cm,(2.19±1.07) cm ,(1.58±0.75) cm and (21.70±15.09)%]respectively,and NMHR [(2.71±1.10) cm,(2.33±0.90) cm,(2.01±0.94) cm and (11.68±10.27)%] respectively were not significant(P>0.05). The second change rate of tumor's longest diameter in MHR [(39.00±15.38)% ] was significantly higher than that in NMHR[ (25.83±21.77)% ](P=0.04). Before, after the second and the fourth cycly of NAC, the differences of tumor volumes and their first change rate between MHR [ median 14.00 cm~3 ( range 2.96～83.41 cm~3 ) , median 7.31 cm~3 (range 0.05～55.35 cm~3), median 2.69 cm~3 (range 0～33.40 cm~3 ) , median 48.65% (range 33.64%～98.48%) ] and NMHR [median 4.25 cm~3 (range 4.78～106.55 cm~3), median 10.53 cm~3 (range 1.72～42.85 cm~3), median 7.56 cm~3 (range 0.68～156.58 cm~3), median 52.04% (range-35.79%～78.31%) ] were not significant. The second changing rate of tumor's volume in MHR [median 85.37% (ranged 27.52%～100%)] was significantly higher than that in NMHR [median 68.80% (ranged -289.60%～94.24%)](P=0.01). CCC was computed before and (0.82), after the second cycle (0.67) and after the fourth cycle (0.55), in all examinations pooled together (0.78).The second change rates of tumor's longest diameter and volume were equal to predict the final pathologic response, and the area under curve were 0.75 and 0.80, respectively (P=0.61). Conclusion The agreement between the tumor's longest diameters and tumor's volumes is good in all in breast carcinoma. The assessment efficacy of the change rate of tumor's longest diameter and that of volume were low.

Objective To Compare different methods of quantitative breast density measurement.Methods The study included sixty patients who underwent both mammography and breast MRI. The breast density was computed automatically on digital mammograms with R2 workstation. Two experienced radiologists read the mammograms and assessed the breast density with Wolfe and ACR classification respectively. Fuzzy C-means clustering algorithm (FCM) was used to assess breast density on MRI. Each assessment method was repeated after 2 weeks. Spearman and Pearson correlations of inter- and intrareader and intermodality were computed for density estimates. Results Inter- and intrareader correlation of Wolfe classification were 0. 74 and 0. 65, and they were 0. 74 and 0. 82 for ACR classification respectively.Correlation between Wolfe and ACR classification was 0. 77. High interreader correlation of 0. 98 and intrareader correlation of 0. 96 was observed with MR FCM measurement. And the correlation between digital mammograms and MRI was high in the assessment of breast density (r = 0. 81, P ＜ 0. 01). Conclusion High correlation of breast density estimates on digital mammograms and MRI FCM suggested the former could be used as a simple and accurate method.

Objective To investigate the clinical value of the type and the steepest slope of tumor's time-intensity curve (TIC) in assessing the pathologic response of locally advanced breast cancer treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC). Methods Thirty-six patients with pathologically confirmed locally advanced breast cancer who finished four courses of neoadjuvant chemotherapy underwent preoperative breast MRI three times during the NAC. Pathologic response was assessed according Miller-Payne grading system, grade 4 and 5 were defined as major histological response ( MHR, n = 16) group, and grade 1 to 3 as nonmajor histological response( NMHR,n = 20)group. The type and the steepest slope of tumor's TIC were compared between two groups before NAC, after the second cycle and after the fourth cycle of NAC. ROC analysis was carried out to assess the clinical value of the TIC parameters. Results After the second cycle of NAC, the steepest slope of TIC and its first change rate were different between the MHR group [ ( 1.93 ±0.88) %/s, median 35.6%] and NMHR group [(2.73 ± 1.22) %/s, median - 11.4%] (P =0.045 and 0. 01,t=1. 09,Z= -3.64). After the fourth cycle, the proportion of type Ⅰ in MHR group (62.5% ,10/16) was significantly higher than that in NMHR group (10.0%, 2/20, P = 0.01, Z=-2. 02), and the proportion of type Ⅲ in MHR group (6. 2% ,1/16)was significantly lower than that in NMHR group (60. 0% ,12/20,P =0. 01 ,Z = -1.48). The steepest slope and its second change rate were different between the MHR group [ ( 1.33 ± 0. 52) %/s, median 56. 8% ] and NMHR group [ (2. 33 ±0. 94) %/s, median 15. 8% ] ( P ＜ 0. 01, t = 1.82, Z = - 3. 58 ). After the second cycle, the area under curve of the steepest slope of TIC and its first change rate were 0. 70 ( P = 0. 04 ), 0. 80 ( P = 0. 01 ),respectively. After the fourth cycle, the area under curve of the type Ⅰ, the type Ⅰ + Ⅱ, the steepest slope and its second change were 0. 78 ( P = 0. 03 ), 0. 69 ( P = 0. 06), 0. 82 ( P = 0. 01 ), 0. 92 ( P = 0. 01 ),respectively. Conclusion The steepest slope of TIC and its first change rate could assess the NAC response after the second cycle, and the type Ⅰ, the steepest slope and its second change could assess the NAC response after the fourth cycle.

ObjectiveStudy the ADC value and the maximal diameter and their changes of breast cancer before and after neoadjuvant chemotherapy,to determine the relationship with different expression level of Ki-67.Methods Forty eight patients with breast cancer confirmed by biopsy underwent MR DWI and enhanced scan before and after 4 cyclesneoadjuvant chemotherapy.ReviewtheMRimages retrospectively.The ADC value and the maximum diameter( D)of the cancer foci were measured before and after chemotherapy,and the rate of their changes △ADC％ and △D％ were calculated.Using different Ki-67 index level,all the foci were divided into three groups:group A with Ki-67 ＜ 20％,group B with Ki-67 between 20％ and 60％,and group C with Ki-67 ＞ 60％.Using nonparameter test to compare the ADC values,△ADC％,D and △D％ of the three groups before and after chemotherapy,determine whether there were differences.ResultsBefore chemotherapy,the ADC value of group A ( n = 15 ) was 1.1 ×10-3 mm2/s[ (0.9 × 10-3—1.2 × 10-3) mm2/s],which was higher than that of group B[n = 8,0.9 ×10-3 mm2/s(0.9 × 10-3-1.0 × 10-3) mm2/s] and C [n =25,0.9 × 10-3 mm2/s(0.7 × 10-3—1.2 ×10-3) mm2/s],and the difference was statistically significant (P ＜0.05 ) ; while the ADC value of group C after chemotherapy was 1.3 × 10 -3 mm2/s[ (0.2 × 10 -3—1.4 × 10 -3 ) mm2/s],which was higher than that of group A [1.1 × 10-3 mm2/s,(1.0 × 10-3—1.2 × 10-3) mm2/s] and B[1.1 × 10-3 mm2/s,( 1.0 × 10-3-1.1 × 10 -3 ) mm2/s],and the differences were statistically significance ( P ＜ 0.01 ) ; the ADC change rate( △ADC％ ) of group C was 45.5％ ( - 12.0％ —78.6％ ),which was greater than group A [45.5％ ( - 12.0％—78.6％ ) ] and B [ 45.5％ ( - 12.0％—78.6％ ) ],the difference was significant (P ＜ 0.01 ).The maximum diameters of group A were 2.2 cm (2.0—2.4 cm)and 1.0 cm(0.0—1.4 cm)before and after chemotherapy,lower than those of group B [ 3.7 cm ( 3.6—3.9 cm ) before NAC,2.9 cm (0.0-3.1 em) after NAC] and group C[3.4 cm(2.7—4.2 cm) before NAC,1.9 cm(0.0—2.2 cm) after NAC ],and the differences were statistically significant ( P ＜ 0.05 ) ; the change rate of the maximum diameter in group B was 21.6％ ( - 15.2％—27.5％ ),which was less than group A [52.7％ ( -23.6％—72.1％)] (P＜0.01) and C [51.2％ ( -10.3％—92.6％)] (P ＜0.05),and the difference was statistically significant.Conclusion The ADC values and the maximal diameter of breast cancer differed with different expression levels of Ki-67 index before and after neoadjuvant chemotherapy,and the response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy of which varied as well.

Objective To study the value of the semiquantitative-parameter analysis of wash out index of time-intensity curve (Swash-out) in evaluating the therapeutic effect of neoadjuvant chemotherapy for locally advanced breast cancer (LABC).Methods Fifty-nine women with LABC underwent dynamic contrast enhancedt MRI examination before chemotherapy,after the 2nd cycle and the 4th cycle of chemotherapy.All patients were divided into major histological response group (MHR) and non-major histological response group (NMHR) according to the final pathologic response.Swash-out and the variancetrends of Swash-out before NAC,after the 2nd cycle of NAC and after the 4th cycle of NAC were compared in each group and between the two groups.According to the gold standard of Miller & Payne criterion,Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis was performed to evaluate the predicting effect of Swash-out for NAC response,and to compare it with Semi-quantitative TIC curve indicators Smax (steepest slope) and PPE (peak percent enhancement).Results Fifty-nine patients of LABC patients were divided into a MHR group of 34 patients and a NMHR group of 25 patients.Swash before NAC of MHR group was-16.99 (-56.72-41.20),Swash-out after the 2nd cycle of NAC was 5.66(-69.45-53.08),Swash-out after 4th cycle of NAC was 15.95 (-7.80-54.23).Swash-out before NAC of NMHR group was-23.08 (-64.24-34.39),Swash-out after the 2nd cycle of NAC of NMHR group was-23.01 (-52.72-28.70),Swash-out after 4th cycle of NAC of NMHR group was-11.45 (-50.49-50.93).Swash-out variance rate of MHR group after the 2nd and the 4th cycle of NAC were-1.18 (-31.32-60.86) and 1.50 (-86.27-3.61),respectively.Swash-out variance rate of NMHR group after the 2nd and the 4th cycle of NAC were-0.28(-3.24-9.46) and 0.27 (-5.34-3.11),respectively.Swash-out was not significantly different between the two groups before NAC (Z =-0.97,P ＞0.05).Swash-out and Swash-out variance rate of MHR group after the 2nd cycle of NAC were significant higher than that of NMHR group (Z =-3.97 and-3.02,P ＜0.01).Swash-out and Swash-out variance rate of MHR group after the 4th cycle of NAC were significant higher than that of NMHR group (Z =-3.96 and-3.16,P ＜ 0.01).Area under curve (Az) after the 2nd and the 4th cycle of NAC were 0.805 and 0.804,respectively,and no significant difference was found between them (Z =0.019,P ＞0.05).Diagnostic cut-off points were-8.670 for the 2nd cycle of NAC and 4.105 for the 4th cycle of NAC.Diagnostic sensitivity was 79.42％,specificity was 76.00％ and Youden index was 0.554,for after the 2nd and the 4th cycle of NAC.Conclusion Swash-out of TIC curve before NAC cannot predict the response of NAC,Swash-out of TIC curve after the 2nd cycle of NAC and after the 4th cycle of NAC are efficient in predicting the response of NAC.

Objective To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of dual-energy subtraction chest digital radiography(DR) for detecting coronary artery calcification as compared with multi-detector row CT(MDCT).Methods 35 patients underwent dual-energy subtraction chest DR and ECG-gated MDCT for detection of coronary artery calcifications.The radiation dose of both DR and CT were noted respectively.Two senior and two junior radiologists reviewed the radiogram and assessed the calcifications in LAD,LCX and RCA totaling 105 vessels.ROC curve plotting were used for evaluation with CAC calculated from MDCT as the gold standard.Paired t test was calculated to compare the different radiation dose between DR and CT.Results 27.6% vessels(29/105) showed calcification on DR.The positive incidence in LAD was 48.5%(17/35),LCX 22.8%(8/35),and RCA 11.4%(4/35).The ROC area was 0.866,0.854,0.725,0.642 respectively,with a CAC score of more than 300.The average radiation dose was 0.469?0.22 mGy for DR,and 12.29?1.40 mGy for MDCT,showing significant differences.Conclusion Chest DR with dual energy subtraction can be used for screening of coronary artery calcification with relatively higher sensitivity for LAD.

Objective To assess the value of initial MRI measurements of breast tumor diameter and pathological responses for predicting response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC). Methods Fortynine patients who underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy were included in this study. The longest diameter of each tumor was measured on MRI before and after two cycles of NAC and just before operation. Pathological responses were evaluated by Miller and Payne grading system criteria by comparing post-operation breast tissue with large core biopsy tissue. Changes of diameter after two cycles of NAC and before operation were compared and pathological responses were evaluated. ROC and spearman correlation analysis was used.Results The sensitivity and specificity of initial diameter for predicting response to NAC were 96. 7% (29/30) and 84.2% (16/19). There was a moderate correlation between pathological responses and diameter measured pre-operation ( r = 0. 613, P = 0. 000 ). Conclusion The initial diameter changes of breast tumor could predict response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy, pathological response have moderate correlation with changes of tumor diameter.