Objective To investigate the CT findings of three types of pulmonary fungal disease in non-immunosuppressed patients. Methods We retrospectively collected 109 cases diagnosed with pulmonary fungal disease with pathological evidence which between January 2011 and October 2015 in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, among which pulmonary aspergillosis were 48 cases, pulmonary cryptococcosis 45 cases and pulmonary mucormycosis 16 cases. Each patient underwent a chest MSCT scan. The data were analyzed that including underlying diseases, lesion types, lesion size, number, accompanying signs of CT scan, etc. χ2 test or Fisher exact test were used when compared underlying disease, lesion types, various of CT signs etc between different types of pulmonary fungal disease. Kruskal-Wallis H test were used when compared the incidence rate of lesions numbers and diameter. The ROC curve was used to analyze probability of predicting the fungal types by combined signs. Results The incidence of pulmonary mucormycosis with diabetes was higher than pulmonary aspergillosis and pulmonary cryptococcosis(χ2=2.704, 17.509, P<0.017) .The incidence of pulmonary mucormycosis with no underlying disease was lower than pulmonary aspergillosis and pulmonary cryptococcosis(Fisher test, P<0.017). Nodular or mass were main CT findings in the three pulmonary fungal disease. Consolidation, ground glass opacity and other manifestations were rare. Nodular or mass lesions in pulmonary aspergillosis accompany with CT signs like tree-in-bud, bronchogram sign, cavities, the air crescent sign, halo sign, the reversed-halo sign were rspectively 18, 10, 19, 10, 23, 0 cases;To pulmonary cryptococcosis were 4, 14, 6, 0, 11, 0 cases. To pulmonary mucormycosis were 2, 0, 4, 0, 4, 6 cases. Lesion number's distribution had a statistically difference between pulmonary aspergillosis and pulmonary cryptococcosis in nodular or mass lesions(P<0.05). Lesions size's distribution had statistically differences respectively between pulmonary mucormycosis and pulmonary aspergillosis, pulmonary cryptococcosis(P<0.05). Nodular lesions of pulmonary aspergillosis had higher incidence of tree-in-bud, cavity and air-crescent compared to pulmonary cryptococcosis(χ2=9.972,21.841,8.047,P<0.017). Reversed halo sign was mostly seen in pulmonary mucormycosis than in pulmonary aspergillosis and pulmonary cryptococcosis(Continuous correctionχ2=23.936,21.374, P<0.017). The area under the ROC curve for the combined signs predictive fungal disease type was 0.819. Conclusions Nodules or masses are the most common image findings in pulmonary aspergillosis, pulmonary cryptococcosis and pulmonary mucormycosis. The distribution of size and numbers and CT accompanied signs have a higher diagnostic efficacy in diagnosing and distinguishing pulmonary fungal disease.

Objective To evaluate the CT spectral imaging in assessing the therapeutic efficacy of axitinib in rabbit VX2 liver tumors. Methods Thirty-two VX2 liver tumor-bearing rabbits (diameter 1.0 to 2.5 cm) were prospectively and randomly assigned into the study group (axitinib treated group, n=16) or the control group (pseudo-therapy group, n=16). They were treated with axitinib or saline by using the gastric tube respectively. All the rabbits underwent unenhanced, arterial-phase (AP) and portal-phase (PP) contrast enhanced CT examinations by using spectral CT at different time points (baseline, 2, 4, 7, 10 and 14 days after treatment). Tumor size (TS) at each time point was recorded to calculate the percentage change (ΔTS)after treatment relative to baseline. Iodine concentration (IC) of the entire tumor, the peripheral hypervascular region and the center of the tumor were measured and normalized to aorta (NIC) to generate the difference for the NIC (NICD) between a given time and baseline. The tumorΔTS and NICD between the control and treated groups were compared by using Mann-Whitney U test. Serial changes in NICD at different time points were evaluated by using Wilcoxon signed rank test. Correlations between the NICD andΔTS, between NIC and microvessel density (MVD) were analyzed. Results The tumorΔTS after treatment in the control group and study group increased continuously. The tumorΔTS was significantly smaller in the treated group than that in the control group at day 7, 10 and 14. At day 2 , 4 and 10 after treatment, each tumor NICD in the study group was smaller compared with the control group(P<0.05)except the NICD in the entire tumor and the center of the tumor in AP at day 4 , in the entire tumor in PP and the peripheral hypervascular region of the tumor in AP at day 10; no significant differences were found between the two groups at day 7 and day 14 except the NICD in the entire tumor in PP. The tumor ΔTS at day 14 after treatment was (41.44 ± 5.48) %. The tumor NICD in the entire tumor at day 2 in the two phases and the peripheral hypervascular region of the tumor in AP were positively correlated with ΔTS at day 14 (r=0.692, 0.521 and 0.639, P=0.002, 0.032 and 0.005, respectively). The tumor NICD in the peripheral hypervascular region of the tumor in AP were positively correlated with ΔTS at day 14(r=0.673,P=0.003). The tumor NIC values in the entire tumor, peripheral hypervascular region and the center of the tumor in the two phases at day 7 and day 14 had positive correlations with MVD (r=-0.69 to 0.72, all P values<0.05) except the NICD in the center of the tumor in PP (P>0.05).Conclusion CT spectral imaging allows the evaluation and early prediction of tumor response to axitinib in rabbit VX2 liver tumors.

Objective To investigate the relationship between activation of gliacytes , mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38MAPK) and neuronal apoptosis after microinjecting aggregated Aβ25-35 into hippocampus.Methods The model was established by using stereotaxic technique to inject 10μg aggregated Aβ25-35 into dorsal hippocampus in rats .The rats were grouped as the control , vehicle and model groups .Immunohistochemistry and Western blotting were used for detection of activation of microglia(MG), atrocytes (AS) and expression of p-p38MAPK in the hippocampus.ELISA was used to evaluate the level of TNF-αand IL-1β.The survival neurons were observed by Nissl staining and the apoptotic neurons were identified by tunnel staining .Results Expression of ox-42, GFAP, p-p38MAPK were up-regulated in hippocampus, as well as TNF-α、IL-1β, which reached a highest value on the 7th day after injection of Aβ25-35.However, the number of neuron with Nissl positive decreased gradually , and the tunnel positive neurons increased highly and reached a peak value on the 7th day.There were significant differences between the control and vehicle group ( P <0.01). Conclusion Apoptosis of the neuron caused by Aβ25-35 injection may result from activation of gliacytes , p38 MAPK and increase of TNF-αand IL-1βlevel.

Objective To evaluate perfusion computed tomography in the assessment of portal vein pressure changes in an experimental dog model of liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension.Methods The canine model of cirrhosis and portal hypertension was induced by portal vein stenosis with combination of systemic thioacetamide(TAA) feeding in drinking water.All of the Beagles in control group and cirrhotic group underwent hepatic perfusion on a spiral CT scanner.The parameters of hepatic perfusion were calculated by the method of deconvolution.The portal vein pressure was measured by a laparotomy surgery.Results ① In control group, the portal vein pressure was ( 14.5 ± 2.2) cm H2O, while it was (23.1 ± 2.8) cm H2O in PHT group, there was significant difference in the portal vein pressure between the two groups (P＜0.05).② The blood flow(BF) was (112 ±14) ml·100 g-1·min-1 in controls, while ( 96 ± 11) ml·100 g-1·min-1 in PHT group; the blood volume ( BV ) in control group and PHT group was (10 ±3) ml·100 g-1 and (11 ± 5) ml· 100 g-1, respectively; the mean transit time( MTT) was (7.1 ± 2.0) s and (10.4 ± 3.5) s, respectively; the hepatic arterial fraction (HAF) was ( 24 ± 5) % and ( 37 ± 6)% , respectively; the hepatic arterial perfusion (HAP) was(27 ±6) ml·100 g-1·min-1 and (35 ±5) ml·100 g-1·min-1, respectively; the portal venous perfusion (PVP) was (85 ± 13) ml·100 g-1·min-1 and (61 ±11) ml·100 g-1·min-1, respectively.There was significant difference in all parameters between the two groups except the parameter BV(P ＜ 0.05).③ In PHT group, the PVP and BF were negatively correlated with the portal vein pressure, while positively correlated with MTT and HAF.Portal vein pressure was negatively correlated with PVP, the equation, Y = 36.624 -0.219X, was deduced with linear regression analysis, by which the portal vein pressure in PHT Beagles was ( 23.2 ± 2.4) cm H2O, which was correlated with the observed by laparotomy value (23.1 ± 2.8) cm H2O (r = 0.843, P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion CT perfusion is a new non-invasive and effective method for assessment of portal vein pressure.

Objective To evaluate 1-week and 1-year outcomes of carotid artery stenting (CAS)using cerebral perfusion CT(PCT). Methods The clinical database of 20 patients with unilateral carotid artery stenosis( ≥60% ) who underwent CAS were retrospectively reviewed. Relative cerebral blood volume (rCBV), relative cerebral blood flow(rCBF) and relative mean transit time( rMTT) were measured by using cerebral PCT within one week before CAS and at one week and at one year after CAS. Cerebral MRI was performed within one week before CAS. The noncontrast CT was performed within one week before CAS and immediately after CAS. The arteriography was performed at one year after CAS. The variance analysis was performed to determine whether there were significant differences of rCBV, rCBF, rMTT in anterior cerebral artery area( ACA area), middle cerebral artery area( MCA area), posterior cerebral artery area( PCA area),basal ganglia area, front and back cortical watershed area( CWS area) and internal watershed area( IWS area) among the different time points. Results In the three measures, there was no significant difference of rCBV in all areas among the three time points( P ＞ 0. 05 ) , and there was no significant difference of rCBF and rMTT in PCA area( P ＞ 0. 05 ), but there were significant differences of rCBF and rMTT in all other areas among the three time ponits(P ＜0. 01). In one week before CAS, at one week and at one year after CAS, rCBF of 20 patients is 0. 86 ±0. 06, 0. 95 ±0. 04, 0. 98 ±0. 07 in ACA area, 0. 81 ±0. 04, 1.06 ±0. 04, 1.03 ±0.07 in MCA area, 0. 84 ±0. 06, 0. 97 ±0. 04, 0. 96 ±0. 04 in basal ganglia, 0. 78 ±0. 03,0. 97 ±0. 03, 0. 96 ±0. 02 in front CWS area, 0. 77 ±0. 03, 1.00 ±0. 02, 0. 98 ±0. 03 in back CWS area,and 0. 80 ± 0. 04, 0. 94 ± 0. 03, 0. 93 ± 0. 04 in IWS area ( F = 18. 95, 146. 41,63.03,540. 85,415.97,164.19, P＜0. 01). rMTT is 1.17 ±0.05, 1.04±0.04, 1.01 ±0.06 in ACA area, 1.41±0.06, 1.08±0.04, 1.07±0.04 in MCA area, 1.20±0.06, 1.06±0.04, 1.05±0.04 in basal ganglia, 1.41 ±0.05,1.10 ±0. 05, 1.09 ±0. 04 in front CWS area, 1.43 ±0. 10, 1.07 ±0. 06, 1.08 ±0. 06 in back CWS area,1.29±0.10, 1.09 ±0.05, 1.11 ±0.07 in IWS area (F=51.74, 248. 89, 70.08, 381.68, 288.94,41.53, P ＜0. 01 ). There were significant differences of rCBF and rMTT between those measured one week before CAS and one week or one year after CAS ( P ＜ 0. 01 ), but there were no significant differences of rCBF or rMTT in any area measured between those at 1 week after CAS and those measured at 1 year after CAS(P＞0.05). Conclusions Hemodynamic outcome at one year after CAS is good in the absence of contralateral carotid artery steno-occlusive disease. In addition, the coherence of results between 1-week and 1-year indicates that the outcome of one week after CAS could predict long-term hemodynamic outcome.

Objective To discuss the safety and curative effect of CT -guided percutaneous argon -helium cryoablation in treating leiomyosarcoma. Methods A total of 25 patients with leiomyosarcoma, who were treated at authors' hospital during the period from January 2012 to January 2016, were included in this study. CT-guided percutaneous argon-helium cryoablation was performed in all patients. The local changes of target lesions, the progression - free survival (PFS) and the survival rate were dynamically checked, and the complications were recorded. Results CT examination performed immediately after argon- helium cryoablation indicated that radical frozen ablation was achieved in 13 patients (52％), significant tumor -reductive frozen ablation in 11 patients (44％), effective tumor-reductive frozen ablation in one patient (4％), and invalid tumor-reductive frozen ablation in 0 patient. Follow - up CT examination performed at 3 months after argon - helium cryoablation showed that, based on solid tumor evaluation criteria, complete remission (CR) was obtained in 14 patients, partial remission (PR) in 8 patients and stable disease (SD) in one patient, the total remission rate (CR+PR) was 88％. The local PFS time was (9. 4±6. 2) months. The one-, 2-and 3-year survival rates were 64％, 48％ and 32％ respectively. In this group of cases, neither serious complications such as haemorrhage or tumor lysis syndrome nor procedure-related death occurred. Postoperative mild and moderate complications included fever, skin frostbite, immediate postoperative local pain exacerbation, nerve damage, etc., all of which disappeared or became relived after symptomatic treatment. Conclusion For the treatment of leiomyosarcoma, CT-guided percutaneous targeted argon-helium cryoablation has certain and definite short-term curative effect. CT-guided argon-helium cryoablation is a safe, reliable and minimally-invasive treatment, this technique is worth popularizing in clinical practice. (J Intervent Radiol, 2018, 27:228-232)

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility and short-term effect of CT guided cryoablation for malignant chest wall or pleural involvement. Methods: To follow up 22 patients with chest wall or pleural involvement of various malignancies who underwent cryoablation from January 2012 to January 2015 by conducting postoperative 1-, 3- and 6-month enhanced CT, MRI or PET-CT examinations, respectively, evaluate local curative effect, and observe their progression-free survival (PFS), postoperative pain remission and complications after the cryoablation. Results: A total of 22 patients with 27 lesions received 26 times of argon-helium cryoablation. According to the coverage situation of immediate postoperative ice balls on the lesions, they were divided into a complete coverage group (Group A with 18 patients) and a partial coverage group (Group B with 4 patients). 1 month later, 15 patients′ tumors were completely ablated, and 3 had residue and thus received the second cryoablation in Group A, while all patients′ tumors had residue in Group B. 3 months later, 17 patients′ tumors were completely ablated, and 1 had residue and thus received another cryoablation in Group A, while all patients′ residual tumors enlarged in different extent in group B. 6 months later, all lesions were ablated in group A while all patients′ residual tumors enlarged in group B. For the 22 patients, their preoperative, and postoperative 1-week, 1-month, 3-month, and 6-month VAS scores were 4.95±0.57, 1.45±0.35, 1.45±0.35, 1.64±1.71, and 2.00±2.35, respectively. The differences in the preoperative, postoperative 1-week, and postoperative 1-month scores are significant statistically (P<0.05), and the difference in the postoperative 1-month and 6-month scores is also with statistical significance (P=0.03). For all patients, their post-operative 1-week, 1-month, 3-monte and 6-month pain remission rates are 90.9%(20/22), 90.9%(20/22), 86.4% (19/22)and 81.8%(18/22), respectively. With a median follow-up of 13.5 months, the median PFS is 7 months. The adverse effect after argon-helium cryoablation involved transitory worsened pain (16 cases), pleural effusion (5 cases, including 3 underwent closed drainage), fever (5 cases), and hemoptysis (3 cases). Conclusion CT guided argon-helium cryoablation is a safe and effective method to treat malignant chest wall or pleural involvement.