OBJECTIVE: To investigate the value of contrast-enhanced ultra sonography for non-surgical treatment response in hepatocellular carcinomas. METHODS: Non-surgical therapies were performed on 56 patients (64 liver neoplasms) who were diagnosed by ultrasonography-guided biopsy before the therapy. Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography(CEUS) and contrast-enhanced helical CT were performed to assess the treatment response. RESULTS: Forty-six of the 64 lesions were not enhanced with CEUS.Partial enhancement was demonstrated in the other 18 lesions. Forty-eight of the 64 lesions were not enhanced with contrast-enhanced helical CT. Partial enhancement were demonstrated in the other 16 lesions.The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were 94.4%, 97.8%, and 96.9% for CEUS and 83.3%, 97.8%, and 93.8% for contrast-enhanced helical CT (P>0.05). CONCLUSION CEUS is a good method in assessing the non-surgical treatment response in hepatocellular carcinomas and is more sensitive and useful than contrast-enhanced helical CT in assessing the treatment response of transcatheter hepatic arterial chemoembolization.
Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; diagnostic imaging ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Tomography, Spiral Computed ; Ultrasonography

OBJECTIVETo investigate the prevention of esophageal varices recurrence by laser inducing esophageal mucosal fibrosis.

METHODSOur study included 42 patients after esophageal varices eradicated by endoscopic varices ligation, and they were divided into 2 groups randomly, each group included 21 patients. One group was assigned to received laser treatment, and indocyanine green solution (1 mg/ml) was injected submucosally, a diode laser (power 10 watts) was applied to the surface from the esophagogastric junction to 5 cm above it. Another group was controlling without any treatments. All patient were followed up by endoscopy every 3 months until 12 months.

RESULTSLaser irradiation was performed safely without any major complications. And lower esophageal mucosa produced fibrosis widely after laser irradiated 1 month. After 12 months follow up, the cumulative recurrence rate was significantly lower than the control group, 14% (3/21) vs 43% (9/21) (chi(2) = 4.20, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSOur study indicates that laser inducing mucous fibrosis is safely and can prevent recurrence of esophageal varices.

Adult ; Esophageal and Gastric Varices ; pathology ; surgery ; Esophagoscopy ; Esophagus ; pathology ; Female ; Fibrosis ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Laser Coagulation ; methods ; Ligation ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mucous Membrane ; pathology ; Secondary Prevention

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the therapeutic effect of Roux-en-Y anastomosis following subtotal gastrectomy on type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in non-obese patients.

METHODSWe performed a retrospective analysis of 16 non-obese patients with T2DM undergoing Roux-en-Y anastomosis following subtotal gastrectomy for stomach cancer and upper gastrointestinal tract ulcer.

RESULTSAll the patients were followed up for 6 months after the surgery. Roux-en-Y gastrojejunostomy significantly lowered the levels of fasting plasma glucose (FPG), 2 h postprandial plasma glucose (2hPG), and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c)(P<0.05). Of these patients, 8 (50%) achieved adequate glycemic control without antidiabetic medication and 5 (31.25%) showed obvious improvement. The total effectiveness rate of the surgery was 81.25%.

CONCLUSIONRoux-en-Y gastrectomy can effectively ameliorate the diabetic symptoms and might serve as a new treatment option for T2DM in non-obese patients.

Adult ; Anastomosis, Roux-en-Y ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; surgery ; Female ; Gastrectomy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Obesity ; Postoperative Period ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo identify the risk factors associated with anastomotic leakage following an anterior resection for rectal cancer.

METHODSBetween June, 1999 and June, 2009, 628 patients underwent anterior resection for rectal cancer. A retrospective study of the cases was performed to identify the risk factors for anastomotic leakage following the resection.

RESULTSThe overall incidence rate of anatomic leak was 8.6% (54/628) in these patients. A low albumin level (less than 35 g/L), diabetes, absence of a protective stoma, a distance less than 7 cm from the tumor to the anal edge, and a tumor diameter over 5 cm were identified as the risk factors for anastomotic leakage after anterior resection.

CONCLUSIONFor patients at a high risk for anastomotic leakage, a protective stoma can significantly decrease the rate of clinical leaks and subsequent reoperation after low anterior resection for rectal cancer.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Anastomosis, Surgical ; adverse effects ; Anastomotic Leak ; etiology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Complications ; etiology ; Rectal Neoplasms ; surgery ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Young Adult