ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical features and ultrasound imaging characteristics of retroperitoneal fibrosis (RPF),and to find out the value of ultrasound in monitoring the outcome of this disease.MethodsTwelve patients with retroperitoneal fibrosis proven by operation or biopsy were analyzed retrospectively.Their abdominal ultrasound images before and after treatments were studied,especially the severity of renal collecting system separation,the abnormal echo group around the retroperitoneal organs which including the abdominal aorta,the mesenteric artery and vein,the iliac vessels,the inferior vena cava,the bilateral ureters,renal arteries and veins.ResultsAll patients had abnormal separation in renal and ten patients were detected corresponding dilatation in unilateral or bilateral ureters.Seven patients were detected hypoechoic and heterogeneous clumps located in retroperitoneal area,which were around retroperitoneal blood vessels,kidneys or ureters.Three patients received resection to rule out cancer,two patients had ultrasound-guided biopsy and took hormone therapy after diagnosis,seven patients undertook ureteral release surgery and inserted double J stent combined with hormone therapy.Two months later,ultrasound showed the lesions significantly disappeared or reduced size compared with before treatments.It was also found that the majority of patients had hydronephrosis relieved and renal function recovered.Conclusions Ultrasound can help diagnosing retroperitoneal fibrosis,and monitor the outcome of this disease.

Objective To observe the value of virtual tough tissue imaging quantification (VTIQ) in differential diagnosis of thyroid imaging reporting and data system(TI-RADS) 4 thyroid nodules.Methods A total of 185 patients with 192 TI-RADS 4 nodules were included in this study.The nodules were divided into three groups according to the maximum size as follows:Group Ⅰ,the maximum size≤0.6 cm;Group Ⅱ,0.6 cm＜ the maximum size≤ 1.0 cm;Group Ⅲ,the maximum size ＞ 1.0 cm.Shear wave velocities (SWV) of nodules were measured by means of VTIQ technique.With pathological diagnosis as the gold standard,SWV value of benign and malignant nodules were analyzed and ROC curve was drawn to assess the diagnostic efficiency.Results By the ROC curve test,at SWV cut-off values of 2.44 m/s for group Ⅰ and group Ⅱ,2.49 m/s for group Ⅲ,the sensitivity were 79.0 ％,76.0 ％,88.6％,specificity were 88.6％,89.5 ％,93.7 ％,accuracy were 83.5 ％,81.8 ％,90.1％,Youden index were 0.68,0.66,0.82,respectively.Conclusions VTIQ can reflect the hardness of TI-RADS 4 nodules,the value of the differential diagnosis of such nodules is high,convenient,noninvasive and not limited by the size of nodules.

Objective:　To analyze the prognosis of 2 284 cases with acute traumatic brain injury and discuss possible methods to improve the outcome of head injuries. 　　Methods:　The relationship between trauma cause, trauma severity and management and patients outcome was retrospectively analyzed. 　　Results:　Good recovery was achieved in 60.20%, moderate disability was 13.22%, severe disability 15.24%, vegetative status 0.31% and mortality 11.03%. The mortality was 1.07% in cases with GCS 15-13, 2.47% in cases with GCS 12-9, 13.29% in cases with GCS 8-6, and 57.4% in cases with GCS 5-3. 　　Conclusions:　To prevent hypoxia, remove intracranial hematoma as soon as possible, use standard large traumatic craniotomy and apply mild hypothermia may be useful means for improving the outcome of severely head injured patients.