objective To retrospectively evaluate the accuracy of endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS)and CT in preoperative tumor,and nodal metastasis(TN)staging of esophageal carcinoma.Methods TN stages of 87 cases diagnosed with preoperative EUS and CT were compared with postoperative pathological results.No patient underwent radiotherapy or chemotheraphy.The radial echoendoscope was used,and balloon dilation was required in 5 cases with stricture.Results The total accuracy of T staging with EUS was 85.1%.CT could not differentiate Tl from T2.The sensitivity of EUS for N staging was 85.0%,higher than that of CT(60.8%).However,some lymph nodes which were not detected by EUS could be revealed by CT.Accuracy of EUS plus CT in T staging is 85.1%.and that in N staging is 90.8%.Conclusion EUS is the most accurate measure in assessing the depth of tumor invasion,whereas the combination of EUS and CT is capable of an overall evaluation for TNM staging.

PURPOSE: Allergic rhinitis (AR) has become a global issue for a large part of the general population. Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) has been used extensively to treat persistent allergic rhinitis (PAR). Although systematic reviews have confirmed the effectiveness of SLIT for the treatment of AR, a considerable number of studies using extracts of house dust mites (HDMs) for immunotherapy found no consensus on basic treatment parameters and questioned the efficacy of SLIT. METHODS: In this study, we evaluated SLIT for PAR by a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Medline, Embase, and Cochrane Library database searches were performed for RCTs on the treatment of PAR by SLIT that assessed clinical outcomes related to efficacy through May 2016. Descriptive and quantitative information was abstracted. An analysis was performed with standardized mean differences (SMDs) under a fixed or random effects model. Subgroup analyses were performed. Heterogeneity was assessed using the I2 metric. RESULTS: In total, 25 studies were eligible for inclusion in the meta-analysis for symptom scores and 15 studies for medication scores. SLIT was significantly different from the controls for symptom scores (SMD=1.23; 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.74 to 0.73; P<0.001). For medication scores, significant differences for SLIT were also observed versus the controls (SMD=-1.39; 95% CI=-1.90 to -0.88; P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our meta-analysis indicates that SLIT provided significant symptom relief and reduced the need for medications in PAR. In this study, significant evidence was obtained despite heterogeneity with regard to the use of mite extract. Specifically, the mite extract used was provided by the patients with PAR. Furthermore, to confirm both the objective outcomes and the effective doses of HDM allergen extracts, experimental data should be obtained from large high-quality population-based studies.
Consensus ; Dust* ; Humans ; Immunotherapy ; Mites ; Population Characteristics ; Pyroglyphidae ; Rhinitis, Allergic* ; Sublingual Immunotherapy*

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the efficacy of otoendoscopic stapes surgery.METHODS From December 2020 to May 2023,a retrospective analysis was performed on 29 patients who underwent otoendoscopic stapes fenestration and artificial stapes implantation were diagnosed with otosclerosis during the operation.The medical history data of the patients were collected and analyzed.RESULTS In the period examined,44 stapes surgical procedures were performed and out of these 29 met the inclusion criteria.All patients were performed under otoendoscopy.There was no significant change in bone conduction threshold(P>0.05),but the average air conduction threshold improved from the preoperative(59.91±10.25)dB HL to(38.92±11.37)dB HL with air-bone gap reduced from the preoperative(37.37±7.65)dB HL to(18.71±8.38)dB HL(P<0.05).There were no serious complications such as sensorineural hearing loss and facial paralysis,but 22 patients were accompanied by varying degrees of vertigo,which were relieved after symptomatic treatment.CONCLUSION Endoscopic stapes surgery is a safe procedure with a low risk of peri-or postoperative complications,and can improve the air conduction hearing of otosclerosis patients.