Objective To summarize ultrasonographic manifestations of distal esophageal carcinoma compared with surgical and pathological findings,and investigate the diagnostic role of transabdominal ultrasound in evaluation of invasion depth of distal esophageal carcinoma. Methods Criteria on invasion depth of distal esophageal carcinoma by transabdominal ultrasound were as follows: intramural hypoechoic tumor with continuous smooth hyperechoic line of adventitia and free movement of esophagus with breath were considered as S1;incontinuous or interrupted hyperechoic line of adventitia and relatively poor movement of esophagus with breath were considered as S2;unclear boundaries of tumor with adjacent structures and poor or no relative movement with breath,S3. S1,S2,S3 referred to those without or with adventitia invasion or invasion to adjacent structures,respectively. Eighty-nine esophageal carcinoma and esophageal-cardiac junction carcinoma were enrolled in our study and retrospectively studied compared with surgical and pathological findings. Results For tumors of S1,S2,S3,the thickness of the esophageal wall were 0.4 - 4.3 cm, 0.5 - 2.1 cm, 0.9 - 3.2 cm,respectively. Thickness of the esophageal wall was significantly related with invasion depth ( P

BACKGROUNDTo evaluate the incidence and effective factors of cardiac dysfunction in patients with advanced lung cancer.

METHODSEchocardiography were carried out in 60 patients with advanced lung cancer before treatment. According to heart function, patients were divided into treatment group and control group.

RESULTSThe incidence of cardiac dysfunction in patients with advanced lung cancer was 60%. All patients with malignant pleural effusion and pericardial effusion had cardiac dysfunction. Cardiac dysfunction occurred much earlier when patients had previous history of coronary artery diseases, hypertension or diabetes. Treatment against cardiac dysfunction may improve symptoms and prolong survival time. The cardiac dysfunction in the patients with advanced lung cancer is not concerned in chemotherapy.

CONCLUSIONSThe incidence of cardiac dysfunction is closely related to patients' general condition, especially massive malignant pleural effusion and pericardial effusion. Treatment against cardiac dysfunction can significantly improve the clinical symptoms, life quality and survival time.

Objective To evaluate the value of endorectal elastography with strain ratio to estimate local advanced rectal cancer after neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy.Methods In a retrospective study, endorectal ultrasound,endorectal elastography and enhanced rectal MRI were performed in 67 patients with local advanced rectal cancer after neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy.The imaging results were compared with postoperative pathological T stage and NCCN TRG.Results There was no significant difference in the diagnosis accuracy between T stage of ERUS(55.2%)and MRI(56.7%).Endorectal elastography results showed lesions confined to the rectal wall(T0-2 stage)were softer than lesions invaded the peripheral fat (T3)and the difference was statistically significant(P <0.05).When the cut-off point was set at SR<2.78,the sensitivity,specificity and accuracy of diagnosis of T0-2 were 64.7%,87.5% and 70.1% respectively.The lesion tended to have a greater SR value when residual tumor components increased(a higher NCCN TRG).Conclusions Endorectal elastography is an useful and effective imaging method to evaluate local advanced rectal cancer after neoadj uvant radiochemotherapy.It can help ERUS and rectal MRI to evaluate the lesions.