INTRODUCTION: Ultrasonography (US) is the current standard of care for imaging surveillance in patients at risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been explored as an alternative, given the higher sensitivity of MRI, although this comes at a higher cost. We performed a cost-effective analysis comparing US and dual-sequence non-contrast-enhanced MRI (NCEMRI) for HCC surveillance in the local setting. METHODS: Cost-effectiveness analysis of no surveillance, US surveillance and NCEMRI surveillance was performed using Markov modelling and microsimulation. At-risk patient cohort was simulated and followed up for 40 years to estimate the patients' disease status, direct medical costs and effectiveness. Quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) and incremental cost-effectiveness ratio were calculated. RESULTS: Exactly 482,000 patients with an average age of 40 years were simulated and followed up for 40 years. The average total costs and QALYs for the three scenarios - no surveillance, US surveillance and NCEMRI surveillance - were SGD 1,193/7.460 QALYs, SGD 8,099/11.195 QALYs and SGD 9,720/11.366 QALYs, respectively. CONCLUSION Despite NCEMRI having a superior diagnostic accuracy, it is a less cost-effective strategy than US for HCC surveillance in the general at-risk population. Future local cost-effectiveness analyses should include stratifying surveillance methods with a variety of imaging techniques (US, NCEMRI, contrast-enhanced MRI) based on patients' risk profiles.
Humans ; Adult ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/diagnostic imaging* ; Liver Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging* ; Cost-Effectiveness Analysis ; Cost-Benefit Analysis ; Quality-Adjusted Life Years ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging/methods*

Humans ; Lupus Vasculitis, Central Nervous System/pathology* ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging/methods* ; Diffusion Tensor Imaging/methods* ; Patients ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/pathology* ; Brain/pathology*

Objective: To investigate the clinical characteristics of induced labor in twin pregnancy and the related factors of induced labor failure. Methods: The clinical data of twin pregnant women who underwent induced labor in Peking University Third Hospital from January 2016 to December 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. According to whether they had labor or not after induction, pregnant women were divided into the success group (pregnant women who had labor after induction, 72 cases) and the failure group (pregnant women who did not have labor after induction, 30 cases). Logistic regression was used to analyze the related factors of induction failure in twin pregnant women. Results: The parity and cervical Bishop score in the failure group were significantly lower than those in the success group, while the proportion of dichorionic diamniotic twins, assisted reproductive technology pregnancy and cervical Bishop score <6, postpartum hospital stay and total hospital stay in the failure group were significantly higher than those in the success group (all P<0.05). The proportion of induced labor by artificial rupture of membranes ± oxytocin intravenous infusion in the success group was 72.2% (52/72), which was significantly higher than that in the failure group (46.7%, 14/30; P=0.030). There were no significant differences between the two groups in the gestational age at delivery, the incidence of severe postpartum hemorrhage and blood transfusion, the amount of postpartum hemorrhage, the neonatal weight of two fetuses, the incidence of neonatal asphyxia, and the proportion of neonates admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (all P>0.05). There were no severe perineal laceration and hysterectomy in all pregnant women. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that primipara (OR=3.064, 95%CI: 1.112-8.443; P=0.030) and cervical Bishop score <6 (OR=5.208, 95%CI: 2.008-13.508; P=0.001) were the independent risk factors for induction failure in twin pregnancy. Conclusions: Elective induction of labor in twin pregnancy is safe and feasible. It is helpful to improve the success rate of induction of labor by strictly grasping the timing and indications of termination of pregnancy, choosing the appropriate method of induction according to the condition of the cervix, and actively promoting cervical ripening .
Infant, Newborn ; Pregnancy ; Female ; Humans ; Pregnancy Trimester, Third ; Pregnancy, Twin ; Postpartum Hemorrhage/etiology* ; Retrospective Studies ; Labor, Induced/methods* ; Cervical Ripening

Background: One of the early problems that children born with cleft lip and palate encounter is difficulty in feeding. This affects the child’s nutritional needs and the timing of the surgical intervention. Information on the appropriate feeding methods for children with cleft lip and palate will enable mothers to feed their babies properly and facilitate the implementation of appropriate interventions. Objectives: The study described the feeding problems experienced by children with cleft lip and palate (CLP), and cleft palate (CP) ages 0-24 months, the feeding methods most preferred by Filipino mothers, the methods they found most useful, and the mothers’ reactions to the feeding issues their children face. Methods. The research is a pilot study which used a quantitative, cross-sectional, descriptive mixed method design. Thirty-two (32) mothers of children with cleft lip and palate, and cleft palate answered an 11-item online survey and participated in focused interviews from January to June 2022. Inferential statistics was used specifically frequency distribution to describe the data, and Fishers’ Exact Test and Pearson’s Chi-Square Test were used to analyze the data quantitatively to determine the significant association between the variables identified. Results: Results showed that the feeding problems encountered by the children included nasal regurgitation, sucking, aspiration of liquids, latching on nipples, and swallowing. Mothers preferred to use regular feeding bottles (24.3%), specialized feeding bottles for children with cleft (21.6%), breast feeding and dropper (17.6%), syringe (9.5%), cup (6.8%), and spoon feeding (2.7%) methods. They also mentioned that they found the following feeding methods to be the most useful, regular feeding bottles (32.7%), specialized feeding bottles for cleft (23.1%), breast feeding (11.5%), spoon and dropper feeding (7.7%), and syringe feeding (1.9%). Conclusion The feeding problems experienced by Filipino children with CLP and CP mirror those that have been reported in other studies. The study revealed that mothers still prefer to use the traditional regular feeding bottles in feeding their babies and found this to be the most useful. Maternal reactions of the participants to the cleft condition and its feeding issues are similar to reported studies in other countries. The internet has been the primary source of information on cleft and feeding of the participants in the study.
Feeding Methods ; Cleft Lip ; Palate

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effectiveness of the combined anteversion angle technique in total hip arthroplasty (THA) for treating ankylosing spondylitis (AS) affecting the hip joint. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 73 patients with AS affecting the hip joint who underwent THA between August 2018 and August 2021. According to whether the combined anteversion angle technique was used in THA, the patients were divided into study group (37 cases, combined anteversion angle technique was used in THA) and control group (36 cases, traditional THA). There was no significant difference in baseline data such as gender, age, body mass index, disease duration, preoperative Harris score, range of motion (ROM), acetabular anteversion angle, acetabular abduction angle, femoral anteversion angle, and combined anteversion angle between the two groups ( P>0.05). The operation time, hospital stay, and complications of the two groups were recorded and compared. The Harris score and hip ROM were compared between the two groups before operation, at 1, 3, 6, 12 months after operation, and at last follow-up. The acetabular component anteversion angle, femoral component anteversion angle, acetabular component abduction angle, and component combined anteversion angle were measured postoperatively. RESULTS: The operation time in the study group was significantly shorter than that in the control group ( P<0.05), and there was no significant difference in hospital stay between the two groups ( P>0.05). There was no intraoperative complication such as acetabular and proximal femoral fractures, neurovascular injuries in both groups, and the incisions healed by first intention. All patients were followed up 2-3 years, with an average of 2.4 years; there was no significant difference in the follow-up time between the two groups ( P>0.05). During the follow-up period, there was no complication such as hip dislocation, wound infection, delayed wound healing, deep venous thrombosis, and hip dislocation in both groups. The hip Harris score and ROM of the two groups gradually increased with time after operation, and the differences were significant when compared with those before operation ( P<0.05); the above two indicators of the study group were significantly better than those of the control group at each time point after operation ( P<0.05). Extensive bone ingrowth on the surface of the components could be observed in the anteroposterior X-ray films of the hip joint of the two groups at 12 months after operation, and the acetabular components was stable without femoral stem subsidence, osteolysis around the components, and heterotopic ossification. At last follow-up, the acetabular component anteversion angle, femoral component anteversion angle, and component combined anteversion angle in the study group were significantly superior to those in the control group ( P<0.05), except that there was no significant difference in the acetabular component abduction angle between the two groups ( P>0.05). CONCLUSION For patients with AS affecting the hip joint, the use of the combined anteversion angle technique during THA effectively promotes the recovery of hip joint function and enhances the postoperative quality of life of patients when compared to traditional THA.
Humans ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip/methods* ; Hip Dislocation/surgery* ; Spondylitis, Ankylosing/surgery* ; Retrospective Studies ; Quality of Life ; Treatment Outcome ; Hip Joint/surgery* ; Hip Prosthesis

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effectiveness of O-arm navigation and C-arm navigation for guiding percutaneous long sacroiliac screws in treatment of Denis type Ⅱ sacral fractures. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted on clinical data of the 46 patients with Denis type Ⅱ sacral fractures between April 2021 and October 2022. Among them, 19 patients underwent O-arm navigation assisted percutaneous long sacroiliac screw fixation (O-arm navigation group), and 27 patients underwent C-arm navigation assisted percutaneous long sacroiliac screw fixation (C-arm navigation group). There was no significant difference in gender, age, causes of injuries, Tile classification of pelvic fractures, combined injury, the interval from injury to operation between the two groups ( P>0.05). The intraoperative preparation time, the placement time of each screw, the fluoroscopy time of each screw during placement, screw position accuracy, the quality of fracture reduction, and fracture healing time were recorded and compared, postoperative complications were observed. Pelvic function was evaluated by Majeed score at last follow-up. RESULTS: All operations were completed successfully, and all incisions healed by first intention. Compared to the C-arm navigation group, the O-arm navigation group had shorter intraoperative preparation time, placement time of each screw, and fluoroscopy time, with significant differences ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference in screw position accuracy and the quality of fracture reduction ( P>0.05). There was no nerve or vascular injury during screw placed in the two groups. All patients in both groups were followed up, with the follow-up time of 6-21 months (mean, 12.0 months). Imaging re-examination showed that both groups achieved bony healing, and there was no significant difference in fracture healing time between the two groups ( P>0.05). During follow-up, there was no postoperative complications, such as screw loosening and breaking or loss of fracture reduction. At last follow-up, there was no significant difference in pelvic function between the two groups ( P>0.05). CONCLUSION Compared with the C-arm navigation, the O-arm navigation assisted percutaneous long sacroiliac screws for the treatment of Denis typeⅡsacral fractures can significantly shorten the intraoperative preparation time, screw placement time, and fluoroscopy time, improve the accuracy of screw placement, and obtain clearer navigation images.
Humans ; Fracture Fixation, Internal/methods* ; Retrospective Studies ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Bone Screws ; Surgery, Computer-Assisted ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Spinal Fractures/surgery* ; Fractures, Bone/surgery* ; Pelvic Bones/injuries* ; Postoperative Complications ; Neck Injuries

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effectiveness of the single Kocher-Langenbeck approach combined with anterograde channel screw technique for the treatment of acetabular transverse and posterior wall fractures. METHODS: Between March 2020 and October 2022, 17 cases of acetabular transverse and posterior wall fractures were treated with the single Kocher-Langenbeck approach combined with anterograde channel screw technique. There were 11 males and 6 females, with an average age of 53.6 years (range, 42-64 years). Causes of injury included traffic accident in 12 cases, and falling from height in 5 cases. The time from injury to operation ranged from 4 to 16 days with an average of 8.8 days. The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, and fluoroscopy frequency were recorded; X-ray films were reviewed regularly after operation to observe the fracture healing, and postoperative complications were recorded. At last follow-up, Matta score was used to evaluate the reduction of fracture, Harris score and modified Merle D'Aubigné-Postel scores system were used to evaluate the hip joint function. RESULTS: The operation time was 150-230 minutes (mean, 185.9 minutes), the intraoperative blood loss was 385-520 mL (mean, 446.2 mL), and the fluoroscopy frequency was 18-34 times (mean, 27.5 times). Postoperative fat liquefaction occurred in 1 case and the other incisions healed by first intention; 3 cases had limb numbness after operation, and the symptoms disappeared after active symptomatic treatment; no urogenital system and intestinal injury occurred. All patients were followed up 12-28 months (mean, 19.9 months). Bone union was achieved in all cases with an average healing time of 10.8 weeks (range, 8-14 weeks). There was no complication such as loosening and breakage of internal fixators. At last follow-up, according to Matta score, 12 cases achieved anatomic reduction, 3 satisfactory reduction, and 2 fair reduction, the satisfactory rate was 88.2%; according to Harris hip function score, 12 cases were excellent, 3 good, and 2 fair, the excellent and good rate was 88.2%; according to the modified Merle D'Aubign Aubigné-Postel scoring system, the results were excellent in 11 cases, good in 3 cases, and fair in 3 cases, with an excellent and good rate of 82.4%. CONCLUSION The single Kocher-Langenbeck approach combined with anterograde channel screw technique is a minimally invasive method for the treatment of acetabular transverse and posterior wall fractures with less complications, simple operation, and satisfactory effectiveness.
Male ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Blood Loss, Surgical ; Fracture Fixation, Internal/methods* ; Treatment Outcome ; Fractures, Bone/surgery* ; Acetabulum/injuries* ; Bone Screws ; Hip Fractures/surgery* ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effectiveness of Nice knot technique for wound closure in Gustilo type ⅢA and ⅢB open tibial fractures. METHODS: A retrospective study was performed on 22 patients with Gustilo type ⅢA and ⅢB open tibial fractures, who underwent wound closure using the Nice knot technique and were admitted between June 2021 and June 2022. There were 15 males and 7 females. The age ranged from 18 to 67 years, with an average of 41.9 years. The causes of injury included traffic accident in 11 cases, falling from height in 7 cases, and heavy object injuries in 4 cases. Fractures were located on the left side in 9 cases and on the right side in 13 cases. And 9 cases were type ⅢA fractures and 13 were type ⅢB fractures according to Gustilo classification. All patients had extensive soft tissue injuries, and no vascular or neurological damage was observed. The time from injury to debridement was 3-8 hours (mean, 6.5 hours). The sizes of wounds before operation and at 2 weeks after operation were measured and wound healing rate at 2 weeks after operation were calculated. The wound healing time and wound healing grading were recorded. The Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS) score was used to assess the wound scar after wound healed and the excellent and good rate was calculated. RESULTS: The wound area was 21.0-180.0 cm ² (mean, 57.82 cm ²) before operation, and it was 1.2-27.0 cm ² (mean, 6.57 cm ²) at 2 weeks after operation. The wound healing rate at 2 weeks after operation was 76%-98% (mean, 88.6%). After operation, 2 cases needed to adjust Nice knot due to skin cutting and 1 case occurred soft tissue infection on the wound. The other patient's wounds healed. The average wound healing time was 27.8 days (range, 18-44 days). And the wound healing were grade A in 13 cases and grade B in 9 cases. VSS score was 2-9, with an average of 4.1; 10 cases were rated as excellent, 10 as good, and 2 as poor, with an excellent and good rate of 90.9%. All patients were followed up 9-24 months (mean, 14.6 months). During follow-up, no deep infection or osteomyelitis occurred. Two cases experienced fracture non-union, and were treated with compression fixation and bone grafting. The fractures of the other patients all healed, with a healing time of 85-190 days (mean, 148.2 days). CONCLUSION Nice knot technique can be used in wound closure of Gustilo type ⅢA and ⅢB open tibial fractures effectively, which is easy to operate.
Male ; Female ; Humans ; Adolescent ; Young Adult ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Cicatrix ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome ; Tibial Fractures/surgery* ; Wound Healing ; Fracture Fixation, Internal/methods* ; Fractures, Open/surgery*

BACKGROUND: The thoracic small biopsy sampling procedure including transbronchial forceps lung biopsy (TBLB) and endobronchial ultrasound transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) can be accompanied by rapid on-site evaluation (ROSE) of sample material to provide immediate feedback for the proceduralist. The present study aims to investigate the supplemental effect of ROSE smear samples for lung cancer molecular test. METHODS: In a retrospective study, 308 patients admitted to our hospital from August 2020 to December 2022 undergoing diagnostic TBLB and EBUS-TBNA with ROSE and subsequently diagnosed as non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) were analyzed. The matched formalin-fixed paraffin-embedding (FFPE) tissue section and ROSE smears for tumor cellularity were compared. DNA yields of smears were determined. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and next-generation sequencing (NGS) were performed on adequate smear samples. RESULTS: ROSE smear samples were enriched in tumor cells. Among 308 biopsy samples, 78 cases (25.3%) exhibited inadequate FFPE tissue sections, whereas 44 cases (14.3%) yielded adequate smear samples. Somatic mutations detected in the FFPE tissue section samples were also detected in the matching adequate smear sample. CONCLUSIONS ROSE smear samples of the thoracic small biopsies are beneficial supplemental materials for ancillary testing of lung cancer. Combined use of cytology smear samples with traditional FFPE section samples can enhance the detection rate of informative mutations in patients with advanced NSCLC. We recommend that the laboratory could further evaluate the ROSE cell smears of the patient when FFPE tissue sections are inadequate, and that adequate cell smears can be used as a supplemental source for the molecular testing of NSCLC.
Humans ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/pathology* ; Lung Neoplasms/pathology* ; Rapid On-site Evaluation ; Retrospective Studies ; Molecular Diagnostic Techniques ; Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Fine Needle Aspiration/methods*

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of manual acupuncture on endometrial blood flow parameters by three-dimensional (3D) power Doppler ultrasound in women undergoing in vitro fertilization embryo transfer (IVF-ET). METHODS: Seventy patients undergoing IVF-ET were equally randomized into traditional or sham acupuncture treatment group for totally 4 days (from the day of oocyte aspiration to the day of embryo transfer) of treatment by random envelope method at the Reproductive Medicine Center and Outpatient Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medicine College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology from January 2013 to December 2015. Patients in the traditional acupuncture group accepted traditional acupuncture methods with manual acupuncture, and Zhongji (CV3), Qihai (CV 6), Sanyinjiao (SP6), Taichong (LR 3), Tianshu (ST 25), Guilai (ST 29) and Zusanli (ST 36) were chosen. Patients at the sham acupuncture group accepted shallow acupuncture methods at 4 non-meridian points at each shoulder and upper arm. Outcome measures included endometrial ultrasonic indices such as vascularization index (VI), flow index (FI) and vascularization flow index (VFI), endometrial thickness and volume, subendometrial VI (sVI), subendometrial FI (sFI), subendometrial VFI (sVFI), implantation rate, clinical pregnancy rate, abortion rate, live birth rate and number of live births. RESULTS: Finally, 34 patients in the traditional acupuncture group and 35 in the sham acupuncture group completed this trial. VI, FI and VFI of the traditional acupuncture group were significantly higher than those in the sham acupuncture group (P<0.05). No significant differences were found in endometrial thickness, endometrial volume, sVI, sFI, sVFI, implantation rate, clinical pregnancy rate, abortion rate, live birth rate and number of live births (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS Manual acupuncture performed after oocyte aspiration and before transplantation improved the endometrial blood flow parameters VI, RI and VFI in women who underwent IVF-ET, instead of sVI, sFI and sVFI. Therefore, acupuncture might be beneficial in women undergoing IVF-ET by increasing endometrial blood flow and endometrial receptivity. (Registration No. ChiCTR2100053354).
Pregnancy ; Humans ; Female ; Fertilization in Vitro/methods* ; Single-Blind Method ; Embryo Transfer ; Pregnancy Rate ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Endometrium/blood supply*