Objective To study the feasibility of reducing radiation dose in aorto-iliac and lower extremity arteries CT angiography (CTA) with low tube voltage (100 kV) and automatic tube current modulation(ATCM).Methods Totally 61 patients requiting aorto-iliac and lower extremity arteries CTA for clinical reasons were prospectively enrolled in study.The patients were randomly assigned to 3 groups:Group A(120 kV),Group B (100 kV) and Group C (100 kV with automatic tube current modulation).Both quantitative and qualitative analysis were included in this research.Group C was divided into obese group(BMI≥ 24.9 kg/m2) and normal group(BMI ＜ 24.9 kg/m2).The radiation doses were analyzed respectively among two groups.Results The subjective evaluations of image quality for axial,MIP and VR were good.There were no significant differences among group A,B and C in SNR and CNR (P ＞0.05).The effective dose of group A,B and C was 8.20 mSv,5.36 mSv,and was 7.48 mSv,respectively Group B was 34.6％ less than group A.Group C was 39.5％ more than group B,and there was no significant differences between group A and C (P ＞ 0.05).The effective dose of group C1 was 7.11mSv,group C2 was 9.69 mSv,the E with group C1 were significantly less than group C2 (t =-3.163,P ＜0.05),the effective dose of group C1 was 13.3％ less than group A (Z =-2.822,P ＜ 0.05),but the group C2 was more than group A (P ＞ 0.05) and group B (Z =-3.426,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions Lowkilovoltage (100 kV) CT scanning protocol is feasible in multi-detector CT angiography for aortoiliac and lower extremity arteries.Automatic low tube voltage (100 kV) with automatic tube current modulation (ATCM) scanning protocol can be used for someone with BMI less than 24.9 kg/m2.

Objective To evaluate the clinical application values of 64-row MSCT for apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy(AHCM).Methods Twenty-one patients with AHCM were included in this study,14 patients were diagnosed by echocardiography(UCG),and 7 patients were diagnosed by MRL AU patients underwent MSCT exam,and 5 patients also had ventriculography and coronary angiography.The left ventricular wall thickness in end-systole and end-diastole phases were measured at MSCT workstation,the left ventricular apex thickening rate(LVAT)and the ratio of maximum wall thickness of the left ventrieular apex(LVA)to the left ventricular posterior wall thickness(LVA/LVPW)in end-diastole phase were calcdated.The left ventricular end-diastolie volume(LVEDV)and left venueular ejection fraction (LVEF)were quantitively evaluated with cardiac functional analysis software.The results were compared with the measurement results from the normal control group(30 volunteers).The independent-samples t test was used for the statistics.At the same time.the coronary stenosis was measured.Results Diffuse or partial thickening of the LV apical myocardium were found in the four-chamber view and two-chamber view of MSCT images.which leaded to the deformation of the left ventricle chamber.The LVEDV were(82.6±11.4)and(108.5±10.6)ml in the AHCM group and the control group,respectively;the LVA were (20.6±3.4)and(9.9±1.5)mm;LVA/LVPW were 2.1±0.5 and 1.1±0.2;the LVAT were(25.6±4.7)%and(81.5±8.5)%.There were significant differences in LVEDV,LVA,LVA/LVPW and LVAT between the two groups(t=8.32 and 15.29,P＜0.05;t=9.91 and 27.30,P＜0.05;respectively),but there were no statistical differences in LVPW and LVEF between the two groups(t=0.26 and 1.13.P＞0.05).Five patients had myocardium bridging and 4 patients had coronary stenosis.Conclusion AHCM can be diagnosed accurately with MSCT,and the cardiac anatomy.function and coronary artery are also assessed simultaneously.

Objective To investigate the feasibility of the low tube voltage setting and personalized contrast agent application in 64-row multi-slice spiral CT pulmonary angiography.Methods Ninety patients with high risk of pulmonary artery embolism were sequentially enrolled in the study and divided into 3 groups employing completely randomized design: (1) Regular group included 30 patients using 120 kV and fixed dose of 70 ml contrast agent, (2)Another 30 patients were in 120 kV group, using 120 kV and the contrast amount was determined according to the patient weight (1.0 ml/kg), (3) The remaining 30 patients were included in 100 kV group, using 100 kV and the contrast amount was also determined according to the patient weight(1.0 ml/kg).Administration of contrast agent was completed within 20 seconds for all the patients, followed by 20 ml of saline.The objective and subjective indexes for assessing CT image quality, CT dose index volume (CTDIvol) and effective received dose (ERD) were compared between 120 kV group and 100 kV group; then the contrast media volume, injection rate, objective CT image indexes and subjective indexes for image quality was compared between the 100 kV group and regular group.The variance analysis and post hoc test were employed for the statistical analysis.Results Compared with 120 kV group(3.4± 0.7), the image quality of 100 kV group(5.2±1.8)had higher noise(52.9%), but subjective index for the image quality demonstrated no differences(q=0.272 ,P=0.063)in mediastinum window while CTDIvol and ERD decreased for 34.9%[(9.5±0.0) vs (14.6±0.0) mGy]and 36.8%[(3.8±0.6) vs (2.4± 0.4) mSv].The mean CT values on pulmonary artery of 100 kV group[(269.2±54.7) HU]were 13.4% (31.8/237.4) higher than the 120 kV group[(237.4±62.9) HU], but there was no statistical differences eornpared to normal group(q=0.172,P=0.260).Conclusion Using low kV setting (100 kV) to reduce radiation dose is proved to be effective and feasible in 64-MSCT pulmonary angiography.Personalized contrast agent injection has clinical application value for specific patient group.

Objective To observe the clinical outcomes of the surgical management of periprosthetic femoral fractures following hip arthroplasty.Methods Twelve consecutive patients (6 male and 6 female) with the average age of 66.4± 15.0 years old (35 to 86 years old) undergoing surgical operation for periprosthetic femoral fractures between September 2009 and May 2016 were followed up at our center.Nine cases were fractured secondary to the primary hip arthroplasty while the others were patients with earlier revision surgery.The previous fixations of femoral components of 10 cases were cementless while the other two were cemented fixation.The enrolled patients were determined as Vancouver type B 1 (n=2),type B2 (n=7),type B3 (n=1) and type C (n=2) respectively.The occurrences of the fractures were observed at 3 weeks to 17 years post-operation (average 9.0±7.0 years).The patients were treated individually according to different Vancouver types.Type B 1 patients received simple cerclage fixation,as well as revisions with long-stem femoral implants and cerclage band were chosen for type B2 patients.In addition to the treatment for type B2 patients,allogenic cortical bone graft was also required for type B3 patients.Open reduction with locking plate internal fixations were options for patients with Vancouver type C fractures.The following-up included the X-ray images of the hips,Harris hip score and the visual analogue scale (VAS) for the pain of fracture site.The unions of the fractures were determined by both X-ray images and pain intensity of the fracture sites.Results The mean follow-up period was 41.6±26.0 months (range,12-92 months),without patient lost to follow up.VAS scores were 0,implying the clinical union of the fractures.One patients received multiple debridement post-operatively due to the periprosthetic infection.The VAS score of this patient was 6 at the follow up and the X-ray image indicated the nonunion of the fracture.The fracture union rate was 91.7％ (11/12).The Harris hip score was 23-92 (mean score,74.8±18.8),excellent for 2 cases,good for 6 cases,fair for 3 cases and poor for 1 case.The excellent and good rate was 66.7％ (8/12).Post-operative complications were observed in 4 patients (33.3％,4/12).One drainage tube was misplaced and sutured subcutaneously required a further exploration surgery.One periprosthetic infection occurring post-operatively induced the nonunion of the fracture.Aseptic loosing of femoral stem was observed in 2 cases and subsequent revision surgeries were conducted.Conclusion High incidence of complications is observed after the surgical treatment of periprosthetic femoral fractures following hip arthroplasty.Individually customized management regarding to the Vancouver type of periprosthetic femoral fractures leads to the clinical fracture union in 91.7％ of the patients in this case series.The excellent and good rate of the hip function in the early and mid-term stage after operation is 66.7％.

Objective: To evaluate the impacts of the prognostic factors of T2N0M0 upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) for Chinese patients.Methods: A retrospective study was conducted including 235 patients who were diagnosed with T2N0M0 UTUC in our hospital and received radical nephroureterectomy (RNU) or partial ureterectomy during January 2000 and December 2013.The 3 and 5-year can-cer-specific survival rates and bladder recurrence-free survival rates of all the patients were valued using Kaplan-Meier method, and the survival curves with statistical significance between the two were compared using the Log-rank test.Variables with significant differences in the univariate analysis were subjected to the multivariate analysis by Cox regression model.Results: A total of 235 patients were included in this study, including 95 (40.4%) male patients and 140 (59.6%) female patients.The mean age was 66.73±10.49 years.The median follow-up time was 53 (rang: 3-142) months, and during the follow-up, 74 (31.5%) patients died of UTUC after a median of 35 months,and 96 (40.9%) patients developed intravesical recurrence after a median of 19.5 months.The 3 and 5-year cancer-specific survival rates of all the patients were 89.1% and 85.9%, respectively;the bladder recurrence-free survival rates were 85.5% and 80.2%, respectively.The independent prognostic factors of cancer-specific mortality were tumor age elder than 55 years (HR=3.138, 95%CI: 1.348-7.306, P=0.008) and diameter larger than 5 cm (HR=3.320, 95%CI: 1.882-5.857, P<0.001).The independent prognostic factors of bladder recurrence-free survival were ureter tumor (HR=1.757, 95%CI: 1.159-2.664, P=0.008) and lower tumor grade (HR=1.760, 95% CI: 1.151-2.692, P=0.009).Conclusion: T2N0M0 UTUC has a better cancer-specific survival.The intravesical recurrence was equivalent to non-muscle invasive UTUC but earlier.The tumor diameter larger than 5 cm and the patient age elder than 55 years were independently associated with cancer-specific mortality;the primary tumor located in ureter and lower tumor grade were more likely to develop intravesical recurrence.

Objective To investigate the clinical results of the primary total hip replacement (THR) and the secondary THR after failed internal fixation in the elderly patients with displaced femoral neck fracture so as to find the optimal treatment for displaced femoral neck fractures in the elderly patients. Methods From April 2001 to April 2007,16 patients (Study Group) treated with a secondary THR after failed internal fixation and 20 patients (Control Group) treated with a primary THR were enrolled in the study and followed up. There were seven males and nine females, at average age of 66. 5 years (50-85 years) and with mean follow-up period of 58. 25 months (24-96 months) in the Study Group. There were six males and 14 females, at average age of 68.1 years (51-83 years) and with mean follow-up period of 49.50 months (24-70 months) in the Control Group. All patients were active and lucid before they suffered fractures. Blood loss and operation duration in THR were compared. Hip function (Harris score) and health-related quality of life (HRQoL, KPS index score) were assessed during the follow-up after THR. Results Operative duration was (115.63 ±34.35) minutes in Study Group and (91.25 ±15.80) minutes in Control Group (P<0.05). Blood loss was (546.86 ±377.04) ml in Study Group and (320.00 ±155.94) ml in Control Group (P<0.05). At follow up, Harris score and KPS index score were (87. 25 ±7. 53) points and (95. 00 ±5. 16) points respectively in Study Group, and (90.20±5.46) points and (96.00 ±0.73) points respectively in Control Group (P>0.05). There were no infections or re-operations in two groups, but with one death in each group during the follow-up. Conclusions THR is the optimal treatment for displaced femoral neck fractures in the elderly patients.The secondary THR after failed internal fixation has higher risks in operation compared with the primary THR for a displaced femoral neck fracture in the elderly patient.

Objective To study the effect of fufangxuanju capsule combined with tamoxifen citrate tablet on seminal plasma biochemistry in patients with asthenospermia.Methods One hundred and fifty patients with asthenospermia were divided into group A(treated with tamoxifen citrate tablet,45 cases),group B(treated with fufangxuanju capsule,45 cases)and group C(treated with tamoxifen citrate tablet and fufangxuanju capsule, 60 cases) according to random digits table method.All patients were treated for 2 months.The semen parameters and semen biochemical parameters were detected, and the pregnancy rate was followed up for 6 months.Results The semen volume,sperm density,sperm survival rate, grade a sperm percentage and grade a+b sperm percentage after treatment in group C were significantly higher than those in group A and group B: (4.41 ± 1.21) ml vs.(4.01 ± 0.87) and(3.97 ± 1.10)ml,(24.63 ± 4.44)×109/L vs.(20.45 ± 4.69)and(18.04 ± 3.05)×109/L,(64.05 ± 7.98)% vs.(45.15 ± 8.87)% and(51.47 ± 10.01)%,(26.05 ± 5.62)% vs.(15.01 ± 3.67)% and(18.31 ± 2.21)%, (55.30 ± 9.65)% vs.(38.07 ± 8.26)% and (44.35 ± 9.03)%, and there were statistical differences (P<0.05).There were no statistical differences between group A and group B (P>0.05).The fructose, a-glucosidase and acid phosphatase levels after treatment in group C were significantly higher than those in group A and group B:(30.36 ± 5.30)mmol/L vs.(24.01 ± 6.32)and(26.03 ± 5.53)mmol/L,(60.61 ± 8.86) U/L vs.(45.46 ± 8.87)and(50.56 ± 5.56)U/L,(140.12 ± 10.25)U/L vs.(98.36 ± 8.36)and(100.36 ± 8.36) U/L,and there were statistical differences(P<0.05);there were no statistical differences between group A and group B(P>0.05).The zinc after treatment in group C was significantly higher than that in group A and group B:(2 406.96 ± 187.60)μmol/L vs.(1 508.30 ± 135.87)and(2 001.30 ± 130.26)μmol/L,the zinc after treatment in group B was significantly higher than that in group A, and there were statistical differences(P<0.05).The pregnancy rate within 6 months in group C was significantly higher than that in group A and group B: 51.6% (31/60) vs.37.8% (17/45) and 33.3% (15/45), and there was statistical difference (P<0.05).There was no statistical difference between group A and group B (P>0.05).Conclusions Fufangxuanju capsule combined with tamoxifen citrate tablet can increase the concentration of fructose, a-glycosidase, zinc and acid phosphatase in seminal plasma, and improve the semen quality of patients with asthenospermia so as to increase the woman pregnancy rate.