Objective:To explore the correlation between conventional ultrasound and contrast-enhanced ultrasound features and invasive histological features of T 1a clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). Methods:A retrospective case series study was conducted. Sixty-seven T 1a ccRCC patients who were admitted to Shanxi Province Cancer Hospital from May 2018 to August 2023 were selected. According to the World Health Organization (WHO)/International Society of Urology and Pathology (ISUP) renal tumor grading system, the patients were divided into the low-grade group (WHO/ISUP grades 1-2, 53 cases) and the high-grade group (WHO/ISUP grades 3-4, 14 cases). The conventional ultrasound and contrast-enhanced ultrasound characteristics of two groups of patients were compared. Multivariate logistic regression model was used to analyze the independent factors of conventional ultrasound and contrast-enhanced ultrasound related to T 1a ccRCC with WHO/ISUP high grade. Results:There were no statistically significant differences in clinical characteristics between the two groups of patients (all P > 0.05). In conventional ultrasound examination, the proportion of patients with tumor exophytic rate <50% in the high-grade group was higher than that in the low-grade group [64.3% (9/14) vs. 34.0% (18/53)], and the difference was statistically significant ( χ2 = 4.23, P = 0.040); there were no statistically significant differences in the distribution of patients with different tumor maximum diameter, laterality, polarity, depth, echo, boundary, and shape between the two groups (all P > 0.05). In contrast-enhanced ultrasound examination, the proportion of patients lack of pseudocapsule sign in the high-grade group was higher than that in the low-grade group [57.1% (8/14) vs. 24.5% (13/53)], and the difference was statistically significant ( χ2 = 4.06, P = 0.044); there were no statistically significant differences in the distribution of patients with different perfusion mode, enhancement degree, enhancement uniformity, and regression mode between the two groups (all P > 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the conventional ultrasound tumor exophytic rate < 50% (compared to exophytic rate ≥ 50%, OR = 3.732, 95% CI: 1.019-13.664, P = 0.047) and the absence of pseudocapsule sign (compared to the presence of pseudocapsule sign, OR = 4.357, 95% CI: 1.201-15.804, P = 0.025) on contrast-enhanced ultrasound were independent risk factors for high-grade T 1a ccRCC. Conclusions:T 1a ccRCC with the exophytic rate <50% and absence of pseudocapsule sign may have invasive histological features.

Objective:To investigate the effects of sampling methods on pathological assessment of resected non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) specimen with tumor maximum diameter >3 cm after neoadjuvant therapy.Methods:NSCLC patients with a large tumor (diameter >3 cm) that were resected after neoadjuvant therapy from June 2020 to July 2023 were retrospectively collected in the Department of Pathology, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Shanghai, China. Sampling methods of the tumor bed were performed in accordance with the international and Chinese experts recommendations for resection specimens following neoadjuvant therapy (recommended sampling method, RSM), and all remaining tumor bed lesions were completely sampled after recommended sampling (complete sampling method, CSM). The difference of pathological response assessment of residual viable tumor (RVT) between RSM and CSM was examined.Results:A total of 90 cases were identified and analyzed, including 39 cases of squamous cell carcinoma and 51 cases of adenocarcinoma, treated with neoadjuvant therapy including chemotherapy in 22 cases (24.4%), targeted therapy in 14 cases (15.6%), and chemoimmunotherapy in 54 cases (60.0%). There were 62 males and 28 females with an average age of (62.7±17.9) years. The average tumor maximum diameter was 4.3 cm (range, 3.1-8.0 cm). The average number of sampled blocks was 8 blocks (range, 5 to 16) and 15 blocks (range, 8 to 36) per case by RSM and CSM, respectively. According to the definition of major pathological response (MPR) in which RVT is ≤10%, the numbers of patients with MPR were 34 cases by RSM and 30 cases by CSM, respectively. Four cases showed inconsistent RVT between the two methods, including one case of squamous cell carcinoma and three cases of adenocarcinoma. The RVT of the four inconsistent cases was 7%, 7%, 5% and 9% (MPR by RSM), and 15%, 15%, 15% and 20% (non-MPR by CSM), respectively. The kappa values of MPR consistency evaluated by the two sampling methods were 0.893 for all cases, 0.906 for squamous cell carcinoma cases and 0.751 for adenocarcinoma cases. According to MPR cut-off of 65% for invasive primary adenocarcinoma, 24 cases and 20 cases achieved MPR by RSM and CSM, respectively. Of the four inconsistent cases, the RVT by RSM was 60% in three cases and 65% in one case (MPR), whereas the RVT by CSM was 70% in three cases and 75% in one case (non-MPR). The kappa value of the two sampling methods was 0.741.Conclusions:There is high consistency between RSM and CSM in the pathological assessment of post-treatment responses in resected NSCLC specimens with tumor maximum diameter larger than 3 cm. When the percentage of RVT cells is close to MPR, re-evaluation of the specimen is required and CSM may be necessary to accurately evaluate the degree of pathological remission, assist in clinical postoperative treatment, and predict patient prognosis.

Objective:To investigate the effects of sampling methods on pathological assessment of resected non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) specimen with tumor maximum diameter >3 cm after neoadjuvant therapy.Methods:NSCLC patients with a large tumor (diameter >3 cm) that were resected after neoadjuvant therapy from June 2020 to July 2023 were retrospectively collected in the Department of Pathology, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Shanghai, China. Sampling methods of the tumor bed were performed in accordance with the international and Chinese experts recommendations for resection specimens following neoadjuvant therapy (recommended sampling method, RSM), and all remaining tumor bed lesions were completely sampled after recommended sampling (complete sampling method, CSM). The difference of pathological response assessment of residual viable tumor (RVT) between RSM and CSM was examined.Results:A total of 90 cases were identified and analyzed, including 39 cases of squamous cell carcinoma and 51 cases of adenocarcinoma, treated with neoadjuvant therapy including chemotherapy in 22 cases (24.4%), targeted therapy in 14 cases (15.6%), and chemoimmunotherapy in 54 cases (60.0%). There were 62 males and 28 females with an average age of (62.7±17.9) years. The average tumor maximum diameter was 4.3 cm (range, 3.1-8.0 cm). The average number of sampled blocks was 8 blocks (range, 5 to 16) and 15 blocks (range, 8 to 36) per case by RSM and CSM, respectively. According to the definition of major pathological response (MPR) in which RVT is ≤10%, the numbers of patients with MPR were 34 cases by RSM and 30 cases by CSM, respectively. Four cases showed inconsistent RVT between the two methods, including one case of squamous cell carcinoma and three cases of adenocarcinoma. The RVT of the four inconsistent cases was 7%, 7%, 5% and 9% (MPR by RSM), and 15%, 15%, 15% and 20% (non-MPR by CSM), respectively. The kappa values of MPR consistency evaluated by the two sampling methods were 0.893 for all cases, 0.906 for squamous cell carcinoma cases and 0.751 for adenocarcinoma cases. According to MPR cut-off of 65% for invasive primary adenocarcinoma, 24 cases and 20 cases achieved MPR by RSM and CSM, respectively. Of the four inconsistent cases, the RVT by RSM was 60% in three cases and 65% in one case (MPR), whereas the RVT by CSM was 70% in three cases and 75% in one case (non-MPR). The kappa value of the two sampling methods was 0.741.Conclusions:There is high consistency between RSM and CSM in the pathological assessment of post-treatment responses in resected NSCLC specimens with tumor maximum diameter larger than 3 cm. When the percentage of RVT cells is close to MPR, re-evaluation of the specimen is required and CSM may be necessary to accurately evaluate the degree of pathological remission, assist in clinical postoperative treatment, and predict patient prognosis.

Objective:To explore the correlation between conventional ultrasound and contrast-enhanced ultrasound features and invasive histological features of T 1a clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). Methods:A retrospective case series study was conducted. Sixty-seven T 1a ccRCC patients who were admitted to Shanxi Province Cancer Hospital from May 2018 to August 2023 were selected. According to the World Health Organization (WHO)/International Society of Urology and Pathology (ISUP) renal tumor grading system, the patients were divided into the low-grade group (WHO/ISUP grades 1-2, 53 cases) and the high-grade group (WHO/ISUP grades 3-4, 14 cases). The conventional ultrasound and contrast-enhanced ultrasound characteristics of two groups of patients were compared. Multivariate logistic regression model was used to analyze the independent factors of conventional ultrasound and contrast-enhanced ultrasound related to T 1a ccRCC with WHO/ISUP high grade. Results:There were no statistically significant differences in clinical characteristics between the two groups of patients (all P > 0.05). In conventional ultrasound examination, the proportion of patients with tumor exophytic rate <50% in the high-grade group was higher than that in the low-grade group [64.3% (9/14) vs. 34.0% (18/53)], and the difference was statistically significant ( χ2 = 4.23, P = 0.040); there were no statistically significant differences in the distribution of patients with different tumor maximum diameter, laterality, polarity, depth, echo, boundary, and shape between the two groups (all P > 0.05). In contrast-enhanced ultrasound examination, the proportion of patients lack of pseudocapsule sign in the high-grade group was higher than that in the low-grade group [57.1% (8/14) vs. 24.5% (13/53)], and the difference was statistically significant ( χ2 = 4.06, P = 0.044); there were no statistically significant differences in the distribution of patients with different perfusion mode, enhancement degree, enhancement uniformity, and regression mode between the two groups (all P > 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the conventional ultrasound tumor exophytic rate < 50% (compared to exophytic rate ≥ 50%, OR = 3.732, 95% CI: 1.019-13.664, P = 0.047) and the absence of pseudocapsule sign (compared to the presence of pseudocapsule sign, OR = 4.357, 95% CI: 1.201-15.804, P = 0.025) on contrast-enhanced ultrasound were independent risk factors for high-grade T 1a ccRCC. Conclusions:T 1a ccRCC with the exophytic rate <50% and absence of pseudocapsule sign may have invasive histological features.

Objective:To explore the diagnostic value of ultrasound combined with tumor markers carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and carbohydrate antigen 199 (CA199) for peritoneal metastasis of gastrointestinal adenocarcinoma.Methods:A retrospective case series study was conducted. A total of 140 patients with gastrointestinal adenocarcinoma who were admitted to Shanxi Province Cancer Hospital from August 2021 to January 2023 were collected. Preoperative diagnosis of peritoneal metastasis was performed using tumor markers CEA and CA199 (tumor marker method) and ultrasound combined with CEA and CA199 (combined method). Using postoperative pathological results as the gold standard, the detection rate and diagnostic efficacy of the two methods for peritoneal metastasis in patients were compared.Results:Among 140 patients, there were 78 males and 62 females; the age was (59±5) years old; there were 40 cases of gastric cancer and 100 cases of colorectal cancer; pathological staging: 4 cases in stage Ⅰ, 36 cases in stage Ⅱ, 52 cases in stage Ⅲ, and 48 cases in stage Ⅳ. All patients underwent radical resection surgery, and postoperative pathological results showed that 32 cases (22.86%) had peritoneal metastasis. The detection rate of combined method for peritoneal metastasis of gastrointestinal adenocarcinoma was higher than that of tumor marker method [96.88% (31/32) vs. 78.13% (25/32)], but the difference was not statistically significant ( χ2 = 5.14, P = 0.059). The sensitivity of tumor marker method for diagnosing peritoneal metastasis of gastrointestinal adenocarcinoma was 64.00%, the specificity was 86.09%, the positive predictive value was 50.00%, the negative predictive value was 91.67%, the Kappa value was 0.379, and the area under the curve (AUC) was 0.793. The sensitivity of combined method for diagnosing peritoneal metastasis of gastrointestinal adenocarcinoma was 77.42%, the specificity was 92.66%, the positive predictive value was 75.00%, the negative predictive value was 93.52%, the Kappa value was 0.905, and the AUC was 0.985. The sensitivity and positive predictive value of combined method for diagnosing peritoneal metastasis of gastrointestinal adenocarcinoma were higher than those of tumor marker method, and the differences were statistically significant ( χ2 values were 4.06 and 13.33, both P < 0.05). Conclusions:Ultrasound combined with serum tumor markers CEA and CA199 has high diagnostic value for peritoneal metastasis of gastrointestinal adenocarcinoma.

Objective:To explore the diagnostic value of ultrasound combined with tumor markers carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and carbohydrate antigen 199 (CA199) for peritoneal metastasis of gastrointestinal adenocarcinoma.Methods:A retrospective case series study was conducted. A total of 140 patients with gastrointestinal adenocarcinoma who were admitted to Shanxi Province Cancer Hospital from August 2021 to January 2023 were collected. Preoperative diagnosis of peritoneal metastasis was performed using tumor markers CEA and CA199 (tumor marker method) and ultrasound combined with CEA and CA199 (combined method). Using postoperative pathological results as the gold standard, the detection rate and diagnostic efficacy of the two methods for peritoneal metastasis in patients were compared.Results:Among 140 patients, there were 78 males and 62 females; the age was (59±5) years old; there were 40 cases of gastric cancer and 100 cases of colorectal cancer; pathological staging: 4 cases in stage Ⅰ, 36 cases in stage Ⅱ, 52 cases in stage Ⅲ, and 48 cases in stage Ⅳ. All patients underwent radical resection surgery, and postoperative pathological results showed that 32 cases (22.86%) had peritoneal metastasis. The detection rate of combined method for peritoneal metastasis of gastrointestinal adenocarcinoma was higher than that of tumor marker method [96.88% (31/32) vs. 78.13% (25/32)], but the difference was not statistically significant ( χ2 = 5.14, P = 0.059). The sensitivity of tumor marker method for diagnosing peritoneal metastasis of gastrointestinal adenocarcinoma was 64.00%, the specificity was 86.09%, the positive predictive value was 50.00%, the negative predictive value was 91.67%, the Kappa value was 0.379, and the area under the curve (AUC) was 0.793. The sensitivity of combined method for diagnosing peritoneal metastasis of gastrointestinal adenocarcinoma was 77.42%, the specificity was 92.66%, the positive predictive value was 75.00%, the negative predictive value was 93.52%, the Kappa value was 0.905, and the AUC was 0.985. The sensitivity and positive predictive value of combined method for diagnosing peritoneal metastasis of gastrointestinal adenocarcinoma were higher than those of tumor marker method, and the differences were statistically significant ( χ2 values were 4.06 and 13.33, both P < 0.05). Conclusions:Ultrasound combined with serum tumor markers CEA and CA199 has high diagnostic value for peritoneal metastasis of gastrointestinal adenocarcinoma.

Objective:To investigate the influencing factors of ultrasonic missed diagnosis of kidney neoplasm.Methods:The clinical data of 2 033 patients pathologically diagnosed with kidney neoplasm after operation and with complete medical record in Shanxi Province Cancer Hospital from January 2013 to October 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. Preoperative ultrasound diagnosis, clinical data, CT/magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were analyzed, and ultrasound missed diagnosis rate was calculated. Chi-square test and multivariate logistic regression were used to analyze the influencing factors of ultrasonic missed diagnosis of kidney neoplasm mainly based on the anatomic characteristics of neoplasm.Results:The ultrasonic missed diagnosis rate of kidney neoplasm was 1.87% (38/2 033), among which the ultrasonic missed diagnosis rate of renal parenchymal neoplasm was 1.33% (25/1 874) and the ultrasonic missed diagnosis rate of renal pelvis neoplasm was 8.18% (13/159). The results of multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the patients' body mass index (BMI) ≥ 24 kg/m 2 ( OR = 2.805, 95% CI 1.030-7.641), the small lesion ( OR = 0.425, 95% CI 0.293-0.617), the lesion located on the left kidney ( OR = 0.307, 95% CI 0.113-0.834), the lesion located on the body ( OR = 0.344, 95% CI 0.124-0.956 compared to lesions in the upper pole of the kidney; OR = 0.239, 95% CI 0.069-0.834 compared to lesions in the lower pole of the kidney) and the lesion located on the dorsal side ( OR = 0.409, 95% CI 0.172-0.970) were independent influencing factors for ultrasound missed diagnosis of renal parenchymal neoplasms (all P < 0.05). Patients with BMI ≥ 24 kg/m 2 ( OR = 10.464, 95% CI 1.042-105.087), concurrent ureteral or (and) bladder urothelial carcinoma ( OR = 32.937, 95% CI 4.017-270.063), and small lesion size ( OR = 0.216, 95% CI 0.081-0.577) were independent influencing factors for ultrasound missed diagnosis of renal pelvis neoplasms (all P < 0.05). Conclusions:Obesity, small focus, focus on the left kidney, focus on the body, and focus on the back may be the main reasons for ultrasonic missed diagnosis of renal parenchymal neoplasms. Obesity, concurrent ureteral or/and bladder urothelial carcinoma and small lesions may be the main reasons for ultrasonic missed diagnosis of renal pelvis neoplasms.

Objective:To investigate the relationship between prolonged PR interval and carotid atherosclerosis(CAS)in middle-aged and elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM).Methods:A total of 537 middle-aged and elderly inpatients with T2DM in the Southern Branch of the Sixth People′s Hospital of Shanghai Jiaotong University from January 2019 to January 2021 were selected as the research objects. Color Doppler ultrasound was used to detect bilateral carotid artery intima-media thickness(CIMT). The subjects were divided into carotid atherosclerosis group(CAS group, n=352)and non-carotid atherosclerosis group(NCAS group, n=185). The difference in the PR interval of ECG between the two groups was compared. Pearson or Spearman rank correlation analysis was used for evaluating the correlation of PR interval and CAS lesions with various clinical index. The relationship between PR interval and CAS lesions was adopted by multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results:The average PR interval of middle-aged and elderly patients with T2DM was(164.57±23.02)ms. The average PR interval in CAS group was significantly higher than that in NCAS group [(169.76±24.28) vs (154.70±16.42)ms, P<0.01]. The results of multifactorial logistic regression analysis showed that age, low density lipoprotein-cholesterol, serum osteocalcin, and PR interval were independent factors influencing the development of CAS lesions in middle-aged and elderly patients with T2DM( OR=1.079, 1.936, 0.879, 1.039, respectively, P<0.05 or P<0.01)where each 1 ms increase in PR interval was associated with a 3.9% increase in the risk of CAS in middle-aged and elderly patients with T2DM( OR=1.039, 95% CI 1.006-1.073, P=0.020). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that middle-aged and elderly type 2 diabetic patients with PR interval≥158 ms were 4.072 times more likely to have CAS lesions than those with PR interval<158 ms( OR=4.072, 95% CI 1.417-11.702, P<0.01). Conclusion:The PR interval of electrocardiogram is correlated with CAS lesions in middle-aged and elderly patients with T2DM. Middle-aged and elderly type 2 diabetic patients with significantly prolonged PR interval should be reminded to screen for CAS lesions early.

Primary hypomagnesemia with secondary hypocalcemia(HSH) is a rare cause of hypoparathyroidism. This article presents a case of a 26-year-old male with recurrent generalized weakness and tetany, and a literature review of diagnosis and treatment of primary HSH. The biochemical tests revealed the patient had severe hypomagnesemia, mild hypocalcemia, hypokalemia, and hypoparathyroidism. Transient receptor potential melastatin-6(TRPM6) gene mutation were detected by gene test, which confirmed the diagnosis of primary HSH. The patient had been treated with long term oral magnesium supplementation, who remained asymptomatic during the follow-up. Primary HSH is a rare autosomal-recessive disorder caused by mutations in the TRPM6 gene which encoding a magnesium permeable channel expressed in the intestine and the kidney. The primary defect is impaired intestinal absorption of magnesium with secondary renal excretion, leading to a series of clinical symptoms. The treatment is mainly through lifelong magnesium supplementation.

Aldosterone-producing adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare endocrine malignancy. Only a few cases are reported in China. This systematic review investigated the diagnosis and treatment strategy of aldosterone-producing ACC through a recent case of the disease. A case of a 49-year-old female who diagnosed with aldosterone-producing ACC by hormonal assays, medical imaging and pathology. Her condition has been alleviated after surgery. Aldosterone-producing ACC is a rare malignancy with limited treatment options and surgery is the primary treatment strategy.