Objective To probe MRI diagnostic characteristics of moyamoya disease(MMD). Methods Both MRI and MRA findings in 17 cases, aged 10~49 years, with MMD were analyzed retrospectively. Axial T_1WI and T_2WI were performed for MRI, while 3D TOF was used for MRA.Gd-DTPA enhanced MRA and T_1WI were carried out in 2 and 4 patients respectively.FLAIR was performed in 5 cases.Results ( 1 ) Multiple focal infarction was noted in 5 cases , old hemorrhage in 4 cases, dilatation of unilateral ventricle with history of ventricle hemorrhage was displayed in 2 cases;(2)MRI showed signal void of the following vessels as well as other lesions:① internal carotid artery (ICA) bifurcation, anterior cerebral artery (ACA), middle cerebral artery (MCA) and posterior cerebral artery (PCA) (17/17);②collateral circulation from the skull base, PCA and ECA were demonstrated well in combination with MRA,T_1WI and T_2WI (17/17);③“Ivy sign” or leptomeningeal high signal intensity could be demonstrated on contrast-enhanced T_1WI or FLAIR images(2/17). Conclusion MRI findings can suggest the diagnosis of the MMD, and definite diagnosis can be usually made if combined with MRA.

Objective:To compare the therapeutic outcomes between use of antibiotic cement versus non-use of antibiotic cement in the treatment of tibial osteomyelitis after radical debridement.Methods:A retrospective analysis was made of the 68 patients with local tibial osteomyelitis of Cierny-Mader Type Ⅳ who had been treated at Department of Orthopaedic Trauma, The Second People’s Hospital of Shenzhen from January 2010 to June 2015. The dead space was filled with antibiotic-impregnated bone cement beans after radical debridement of the infected bone in 32 of them (cement group) but was not in 36 of them (no-cement group). The operations for both groups were performed by the same surgical team who filled the bone defects after excision of infected bone using Ilizarov bone transport. The 2 groups were compared in terms of Paley functional scores of bone and limb, external fixation index (EFI), infection recurrence rate, total hospital costs and other complications.Results:The 2 groups were comparable because there was no significant difference between them in the preoperative general data ( P>0.05). The cement group was followed up for (71.2±8.9) months and the no-cement group for (71.6±9.7) months, showing no significant difference ( P>0.05). By the Paley functional scores, the good to excellent rate for bone was 100% for both groups (32/32 versus 36/36) while the good to excellent rate for limb was 93.8% (30/32) for the cement group and 94.4% (34/36) for the no-cement group, showing no significant differences between them ( P>0.05). The EFI was (49.0±10.5) d/cm for the cement group and (49.5±11.4) d/cm for the no-cement group, showing no significant differences between them ( P>0.05). The infection recurrence rate at the final follow-up was 3.12% (1/32) for the cement group and 2.78% (1/36) for the no-cement group, showing no significant differences between them ( P>0.05). The total hospital cost was (70,944.1 ± 1,135.5) Yuan RMB for the cement group and (55,205.2 ± 897.3) Yuan RMB for the no-cement group, showing a significant difference ( P<0.05). No serious complications with sequelae were found in either of the 2 groups. Conclusion:In the treatment of local tibial osteomyelitis of Cierny-Mader Type Ⅳ, it is not necessary to fill the dead space with antibiotic cement when radical debridement is achieved.

OBJECTIVETo observe the long-term effects of combined transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) and radiotherapy for patients with large hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and to analyze the prognostic factors.

METHODSA total of 107 patients with large unresectable HCC (the largest diameter of tumor ranged from 5 to 18 cm) were treated with TACE followed by external-beam irradiation. Acute effects and survival rates were observed. The Cox proportional hazards model was used to analyze the prognostic factors.

RESULTSAn objective response was achieved in 48.6% of the cases. The cumulative survival rates at 1, 3, and 5 years were 59.4%, 28.4%, and 15.8%, respectively. The tumor number and irradiation dose were the independent prognostic factors. The cumulative survival rates of the patients with a solitary lesion (75.8%, 43.9%, and 26.8% at 1, 3, and 5 years, respectively) were significantly higher than those with multiple lesions (31.3%, and 5.0% at 1 and 3 years, respectively, P=0.0005). The survival rates of the patients received irradiation above 40 Gy (95.8%, 74.7%, and 37.4% at 1, 3, and 5 years, respectively) were significantly higher than those received 20~40 Gy (60.9%, 20.7%, and 10.3%, respectively) and those received radiation lower than 20 Gy (26.7%, 7.1%, and 7.1%, respectively, P=0.0001).

CONCLUSIONSCombined TACE with radiotherapy is a promising treatment for large unresectable HCC. The number of tumor is the most important clinical prognostic factor. Delivering the highest irradiation dose within the tolerance of the liver is the key to improve the long-term effect.

Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; diagnosis ; mortality ; radiotherapy ; therapy ; Embolization, Therapeutic ; Female ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; mortality ; radiotherapy ; therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Survival Rate