BACKGROUND:For thoracolumbar spine fractures with developmental stenosis of the vertebral arch,accurate nail placement is difficult using traditional fluoroscopy-assisted techniques.O-arm navigation assistance systems offer higher precision in general vertebral arch nail placement,but there is scarce literature on the application of O-arm navigation-assisted nail placement in thoracolumbar spine fractures with developmental stenosis of the vertebral arch both domestically and abroad. OBJECTIVE:To explore the accuracy of percutaneous vertebral arch nail placement assisted by O-arm navigation in patients with thoracolumbar spine fractures complicated by developmental stenosis of the vertebral arch. METHODS:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 53 patients who underwent percutaneous vertebral arch screw fixation surgery at Department of Orthopedics,General Hospital of Central Theater Command of PLA for thoracolumbar spine fractures complicated by developmental stenosis of the vertebral arch from January 2021 to March 2023.Totally 208 cases of vertebral arch developmental stenosis were found(cases with multiple vertebral arch developmental stenosis were counted separately).Based on the surgical approach,the patients were divided into two groups:O-arm navigation group(n=98)and C-arm fluoroscopy group(n=110).Postoperative imaging data were compared between the two groups,including anatomical perforation score,functional perforation score,actual vs.expected nail trajectory in the horizontal plane,and sagittal plane angle differences. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)There was no significant difference in the narrowest width of the pedicle isthmus(pow)between the two groups of patients(P>0.05).The proportions of different degrees of narrowing(mild:6 mm≤pow<7 mm,moderate:5 mm≤pow<6 mm,severe:pow<5 mm)were also not significantly different between the two groups(P>0.05).(2)The overall grade and scores of anatomical perforation and functional perforation were lower in the O-arm group compared to the C-arm group,and these differences were statistically significant(P<0.001).In terms of the angular deviation between the actual and planned screw trajectories,the O-arm group had smaller deviations,and these differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).(3)In the mild and moderate narrowing groups,the O-arm group showed significant advantages in anatomical perforation,functional perforation,and angular deviation between actual and planned screw trajectories,and these differences were statistically significant(P<0.001).(4)The O-arm group demonstrated better performance in anatomical perforation and functional perforation,especially in the T12-L2 segment,with more significant advantages.Additionally,the O-arm group had better angular deviations in actual and planned screw trajectories in all segments compared to the C-arm group.(5)Therefore,the use of O-arm navigation-assisted percutaneous screw placement for the treatment of thoracolumbar fractures with developmental pedicle isthmal narrowing provides higher accuracy and safer surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the anatomical parameters of the cervical uncinate process "inflection point" through cervical CT angiography (CTA) and MRI measurements, offering a reliable and safe anatomical landmark for anterior cervical decompression surgery. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on the cervical CTA and MRI imaging data of normal adults who met the selection criteria between January 2020 and January 2024. The CTA dataset included 326 cases, with 200 males and 126 females, aged 22-55 years (mean, 46.7 years). The MRI dataset included 300 cases, with 200 males and 100 females, aged 18-55 years (mean, 43.7 years). Based on the CTA data, three-dimensional models of C ₃-C ₇ were constructed, and the following measurements were obtained from the superior view: uncinate process "inflection point" to vertebral artery distance (UIVD), uncinate process tip to vertebral artery distance (UTVD), uncinate process "inflection point" to "inflection point" distance (UID), uncinate process long-axis to sagittal angle (ULSA), and uncinate process "inflection point" to transverse foramen-sagittal angle (UITSA). From the anterior view, the anterior uncinate process to sagittal angle (AUSA) was measured. From the posterior view, the posterior uncinate process to sagittal angle (PUSA) was measured. Based on the MRI data, uncinate process "inflection point" to dural sac distance (UIDD) and dural sac width (DSW) were measured. The trends in measurement parameters of C ₃-C ₇ were observed, and the differences in measurement parameters between genders and between the left and right sides of the same segment were compared, as well as the difference in UID and DSW within the same segment was compared. RESULTS: The measurement parameters from C ₃ to C ₇ in the CTA data showed a general increasing trend, with no significant difference between the left and right sides within the same segment ( P>0.05). The UIVD, UTVD, and UID were greater in males than in females, with significant differences observed in the UIVD and UTVD at C ₃ and C ₆ and UID at C ₃, C ₆, and C ₇ ( P<0.05). The MRI measured DSW showed a general increasing trend from C ₃ to C ₇, and the DSW at C ₆ was greater in females than in males, with a significant difference ( P<0.05). The UIDD showed a gradual decreasing trend, with the smallest value at C ₆. There was no significant difference between males and females or between the left and right sides within the same segment ( P>0.05). The UID was greater than the DSW at C ₃-C ₇, and the differences were significant ( P<0.05). CONCLUSION The uncinate process "inflection point" is a constant anatomical structure located at the anteromedial aspect of the uncinate process tip and laterally to the dural sac. It maintains a certain safe distance from the vertebral artery. As a decompression landmark in anterior cervical spine surgery, it not only ensures surgical safety but also guarantees complete decompression.
Humans ; Adult ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Cervical Vertebrae/surgery* ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Decompression, Surgical/methods* ; Young Adult ; Adolescent ; Computed Tomography Angiography ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Vertebral Artery/anatomy & histology* ; Anatomic Landmarks/diagnostic imaging*

Objective:To evaluate the posterior fixation with inclined-long pedicle screws for the injured vertebra combined with two-level interbody fusion for thoracolumbar burst fractures with severe disc injury.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 22 patients who had been treated for thoracolumbar burst fractures with severe disc injury at Department of Orthopaedic, General Hospital of Central Theater Command from June 2016 to June 2021. There were 15 males and 7 females, aged 43.50 (29.75, 52.25) years. By the AO classification, there were 12 cases of type B2, 10 cases of type C3. All the patients were treated by the posterior fixation with inclined-long pedicle screws for the injured vertebra combined with two-level interbody fusion. The visual analogue scale (VAS), Oswestry disability index (ODI), anterior vertebral height ratio (AVHR), kyphosis Cobb angle (KCA), vertebral wedge angle (VWA) and spinal canal encroachment rate (SCER) were compared between pre-surgery, 1 week post-surgery, 3 months post-surgery and the last follow-up. Their neurological function was graded according to the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) impairment scale and interbody fusion evaluated according to their 3D CT at the last follow-up.Results:All the 22 patients were followed up for (26.1±1.3) months. In all patients, the VAS and ODI were significantly lower at 1 week post-surgery than the pre-surgery ones ( P<0.05), and then decreased significantly at 3 months post-surgery and at the last follow-up compared with the values at 1 week post-surgery ( P<0.05). For all patients, there were significant improvements in AVHR, KCA, VWA and SCER at 1 week post-surgery, 3 months post-surgery and the last follow-up compared with the pre-surgery values ( P<0.05), and the SCER at the last follow-up was significantly decreased compared with that at 1 week post-surgery ( P<0.05). All patients experienced improved neurological function in different degrees at the last follow-up, and all intervertebral spaces achieved solid bony fusion. Conclusion:In the treatment of thoracolumbar burst fractures with severe disc injury, the posterior fixation with inclined-long pedicle screws for the injured vertebra combined with two-level interbody fusion can lead to satisfactory long-term therapeutic efficacy, because this strategy can effectively reduce spinal canal encroachment, restore the height of the injured vertebra, reconstruct the curvature of the fracture area and ensure reliable intervertebral fusion.

We conducted a prospective study to assess the non-inferiority of adjuvant chemotherapy alone versus adjuvant concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) as an alternative strategy for patients with early-stage (FIGO 2009 stage IB-IIA) cervical cancer having risk factors after surgery. The condition was assessed in terms of prognosis, adverse effects, and quality of life. This randomized trial involved nine centers across China. Eligible patients were randomized to receive adjuvant chemotherapy or CCRT after surgery. The primary end-point was progression-free survival (PFS). From December 2012 to December 2014, 337 patients were subjected to randomization. Final analysis included 329 patients, including 165 in the adjuvant chemotherapy group and 164 in the adjuvant CCRT group. The median follow-up was 72.1 months. The three-year PFS rates were both 91.9%, and the five-year OS was 90.6% versus 90.0% in adjuvant chemotherapy and CCRT groups, respectively. No significant differences were observed in the PFS or OS between groups. The adjusted HR for PFS was 0.854 (95% confidence interval 0.415-1.757; P = 0.667) favoring adjuvant chemotherapy, excluding the predefined non-inferiority boundary of 1.9. The chemotherapy group showed a tendency toward good quality of life. In comparison with post-operative adjuvant CCRT, adjuvant chemotherapy treatment showed non-inferior efficacy in patients with early-stage cervical cancer having pathological risk factors. Adjuvant chemotherapy alone is a favorable alternative post-operative treatment.
Female ; Humans ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms/drug therapy* ; Prospective Studies ; Quality of Life ; Neoplasm Staging ; Chemoradiotherapy ; Chemotherapy, Adjuvant/adverse effects* ; Adjuvants, Immunologic ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/therapeutic use* ; Retrospective Studies

Objective:To study the expression level of programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) in combined hepatocellular-cholangiocarcinoma (cHCC-CCA) and its correlation with the clinical characteristics and prognosis.Methods:The clinical data of 75 patients with cHCC-CCA undergoing surgery in Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital from January 2011 to December 2019, including 61 males and 14 females, with a median age of 55 years (36 to 77). Immunohistochemistry was conducted to determine the PD-L1 expression in tumor. The status of PD-L1 expression, clinicopathological data and prognosis of patients were analyzed.Results:In low-differentiated cHCC-CCA tissues, the proportion of PD-L1 expression (21.1%, 8/38) was higher than that in moderately to well-differentiated cHCC-CCA tissues (2.70%, 1/37, χ2=4.366, P=0.037). The median disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS)of PD-L1 positive patients were 12.3 and 15.1 months, respectively, lower than those of PD-L1 negative patients (14.4 and 23.3 months). The difference of DFS was statistically significant ( χ2=4.052, P=0.044). In multivariate analysis, major vascular invasion (DFS: HR=1.965, 95% CI: 1.119-3.450, P=0.019; OS: HR=1.781, 95% CI: 1.022-3.105, P=0.042) and lymph node metastasis (DFS: HR=2.451, 95% CI: 1.1033-5.814, P=0.042; OS: HR=2.652, 95% CI: 1.120-6.279, P=0.027) were identified as independent prognostic factors affecting DFS and OS. Conclusions:The proportion of PD-L1 positive is higher inthe low-differentiated cHCC-CCA tissue compared to that in moderately to well-differentiated cHCC-CCA. The major vascular invasion and lymph node metastasis are independent factors affecting the prognosis of patients with cHCC-CCA.

Objective:To investigate the significance of MLH1 protein expression and MLH1 gene methylation rate between metastatic solid pseudopapillary tumor of pancreas (SPT) and non-metastatic SPT, and to explore the correlation between MLH1 gene methylation and SPT metastasis.Methods:Twelve metastatic SPT patients admitted to Peking University People's Hospital, Rizhao Central Hospital and Chaoyang Central Hospital of Liaoning Province from January 2009 to May 2022 were studied retrospectively, including 3 males and 9 females, with a median age of 47 years old, ranging from 21 to 73 years old. Thirty non-metastatic SPT patients with clear diagnosis, clear medical history and complete follow-up data from pathological database of Peking University People's Hospital from January 2009 to May 2017 were selected as the control group, including 12 males and 18 females, with a median age of 42 years old, ranging from 34 to 69 years old. Clinical data such as gender, age and pathological data were collected. Immunohistochemical expression of MLH1 protein and methylation of MLH1 gene were detected by pathological paraffins.Results:There was no significant difference in general data between the two groups (all P>0.05). Among the 12 metastatic SPT patients, 4 cases metastasized to liver, 2 to spleen, 2 to lung, 2 to lymph nodes, 1 to mediastinum, and 1 to sacrum. Compared with the non-metastatic tissue, the MLH1 protein deletion in metastatic pancreatic lesions (metastatic SPT-P) and metastatic lesions (metastatic SPT-M) were increased [both 33.3%(4/12)], and the difference was statistically significant (both Chi square=5.00, both P=0.041). Compared with 0 (0/30) MLH1 gene methylation rate in non-metastatic SPT tissues, the methylation rate of MLH1 gene in metastatic SPT-M and metastatic SPT-P tissues [both 30% (3/10)] were higher, with statistical significance (both Chi square=0.96, both P=0.032). Conclusion:Compared with non-metastatic SPT, the loss rate of MLH1 protein expression and MLH1 gene methylation are increased in metastatic SPT. MLH1 methylation may occur before metastasis, which can be used as a predictor of SPT metastasis.

Objective: To effectively reduce the concentration of poisons in cleanroom, protect the health of workers, realize the optimization and automatic control of the new return air device. And the influence of initial concentration, air volume, temperature and relative humidity of formaldehyde on the purification effect of the new return air device was explored. Methods: The purification effect of the new return air device installed with the activated carbon and the photocatalyst purification net or ordinary activated carbon purification network was tested in a 60 m³ simulated cleanroom. The concentration of formaldehyde was determined by solution absorption-phenol reagent spectrophotometry. Based on the single factor experiment to determine the combination of two purification nets. The effects of air volume, initial formaldehyde concentration, temperature and relative humidity on the purification effect of the new return air device were investigated by orthogonal test. Then, the performance parameters of the return air device to purify formaldehyde were determined. Results: The formaldehyde purification efficiency of the two types of purification nets in the new return air device was higher than that of the ordinary activated carbon purification network (P<0.05) . The combination of activated carbon and photocatalyst purification net has no effect on the formaldehyde purification efficiency of the return air device (P>0.05) . According to the direct analysis and variance analysis, air volume was the most sensitive factor (F value is 18.894, P<0.05) , followed by initial concentration (F value is 16.128, P<0.05) , while temperature and relative humidity have little effect (F value is 0.041 and 0.599, respectively, P>0.05) . LSD analysis showed that there was no significant difference in the purification efficiency of formaldehyde between 475 m³/h and 626 m³/h (P>0.05) . From the perspective of formaldehyde purification efficiency and energy saving, when the air volume is set to 475 m³/h, the new return air device has higher purification efficiency for high concentration of formaldehyde. Conclusion The new return air device consisting of activated carbon and photocatalyst purification net can play a good purification role in cleanroom with different temperatures and different humidity. Its formaldehyde purification efficiency is affected by air volume and initial concentration.

OBJECTIVETo study the risk factor of perioperative complication in gastric cancer patients with radical therapy and its influence on prognosis.

METHODSClinical, pathological and follow-up data of 1 148 gastric cancer patients undergoing radical gastrectomy at Tianjin Medical University Affiliated Tumor Hospital between January 2009 and August 2011 were retrospectively collected. Pearson 2 test and Logistic regression analysis were used to analyze the risk factor of perioperative complication. Cox regression analysis was used to evaluate the influence of perioperative complications on the prognosis in patients after radical gastrectomy. Kaplan-Meier survival curve was applied to calculate the survival.

RESULTSOf 1 148 patients, 851 were male, 297 were female, age ranged from 19 to 89 (average 59.9) years. Perioperative complication occurred in 312 cases (27.2%), including 140 cases of pulmonary infection and 53 cases of abdominal infection. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that ≥65 years old (OR:0.736, 95%CI: 0.558 to 0.971, P=0.030), serum albumin less than 35 g/L(OR:2.626, 95%CI: 1.479 to 4.665, P=0.001), Borrmann type IIII((OR: 0.748, 95%CI: 0.610 to 0.917, P=0.005), tumor site at upper 1/3 of stomach (OR:1.326, 95%CI:1.167 to 1.506, P=0.000), combined organ resection(OR:0.624, 95%CI:0.428 to 0.909, P=0.014) were independent risk factors of perioperative complication. Tumor site at upper 1/3 of stomach (OR:1.649, 95%CI: 1.368 to 1.988, P=0.000), ≥65 years old (OR:0.548, 95%CI:0.379 to 0.792, P=0.001), without intraoperative chemotherapy (OR:1.671, 95%CI:1.146 to 2.437, P=0.008) were independent risk factors of perioperative pulmonary infection; Borrmann type IIII((OR:0.576, 95%CI:0.369 to 0.900, P=0.015), with intraoperative chemotherapy (OR:0.431, 95%CI:0.230 to 0.810, P=0.009), intraoperative blood loss ≥400 ml(OR:0.411, 95%CI:0.176 to 0.959, P=0.040) and combined organ resection (OR:0.412, 95%CI:0.215 to 0.789, P=0.008) were independent risk factors of perioperative intraperitoneal infection. Cox regression analysis revealed that without intraoperative chemotherapy, proximal subtotal or total gastrectomy, TNM stage III(, N3 stage lymph node metastasis, positive soft tissue outside lymph node, combined organ resection and organ failure were independent risk factors affecting the prognosis of gastric cancer patients after radical resection (all P<0.05), however the perioperative complication was not independent risk factor affecting the prognosis (P=0.259). The median survival time was 35 months, and 5-year survival rate was around 38.7%. The median survival time of gastric cancer patients with operative complications and without complications were 28.0 and 36.5 months, and the 5-year survival rates were 37.2% and 39.3%, whose difference was not statistically significant (P=0.259).

CONCLUSIONThere is a higher risk of perioperative complication in those gastric cancer patients with old age, preoperative low serum albumin level, tumor site at upper 1/3 of stomach, Borrmann type IIII(, intraoperative combined organ resection, while the perioperative complication has no significant effects on the long-term survival.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the risk factors for No.11p lymph node metastasis in advanced gastric cancer.

METHODSA retrospective analysis was executed of the clinical data of 204 patients who were subject to advanced gastric cancer and accepted radical gastrectomy in Tianjin Cancer Hospital from January 2007 to December of 2011. All of the patients were diagnosed as gastric adenocarcinoma and received No.11p lymph node dissection. The general information of the patients and the number of dissected and positive lymph nodes were recorded in detail. Univariate and multivariate analysis of clinicopathological factors influencing No.11p lymph metastasis were performed by chi-square test and binary Logistiic Discussion, respectively.

RESULTSThe No.11p lymph node metastasis rate is 14.3%(29/204) in the 204 patients. The univariate analysis showed that No.11p lymph metastasis was correlated with diameter of tumor, depth of invasion (T stage), lymph node metastasis (N stage) and TNM stage (χ(2)=5.106, χ(2)=5.368, χ(2)=25.911, P<0.05). The association between the metastasis of the regional lymph nodes No.1, No. 3, No. 4sb, No. 5, No. 7, No. 9 and No.11p was significant (χ(2)=4.228, χ(2)=10.655, χ(2)=17.954, χ(2)=11.087, χ(2)=15.142, χ(2)=16.727, all P<0.05). Multivariate analysis confirmed that lymph node N3 stage(OR=4.791, 95% CI:2.056-11.167), No.4sb(OR=3.498, 95% CI:1.157-10.578) and No.9(OR=4.006, 95% CI:1.359-11.805) were three independent risk factors of No.11p lymph node metastasis(all P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe No.11p lymph node dissection in radical gastrectomy conventionally is reasonable and necessary. Lymph node N3 stage and the metastasis of regional lymph No.4sb and No.9 are independent risk factors of the metastasis of No.11p lymph node.

Adenocarcinoma ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Chi-Square Distribution ; Gastrectomy ; Humans ; Lymph Node Excision ; Lymph Nodes ; pathology ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Multivariate Analysis ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Stomach Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; pathology

The mechanism of gastric cancer (GC) remains unclear. The diagnosis and treatment of GC undergo rapid development, but the prognosis of the patients remains dismal. The key procedure to improve overall survival is early detection and treatment. However, classic tumor markers have several limitations in clinical practice because of their low sensitivity and specificity. Given the expansion of high throughput technologies, investigators have attained considerable progress in obtaining the benefits of molecular biomarkers through genomics and proteomics analysis. These findings provide new directions for the diagnosis and treatment of early-stage GC. Markers from body fluids, which can be easily obtained , are increasingly gaining attention. This article summarizes the progress of the investigation of molecular biomarkers in early GC using body fluids.