Objective:To investigate the optimization of inferior vena cava imaging using dual-layer spectral detector CT (DLCT) virtual monoenergetic images (VMI) combined with multiphase scanning.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the imaging data of 184 patients who underwent inferior vena cava imaging using dual-layer detector spectral CT at Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, from January 2021 to October 2024. Each patient underwent multiphase scanning (60, 80, and 120 s after contrast injection were referred to as the first, second, and third phases, respectively). The images were reconstructed into conventional 120 kVp polyenergetic image (PI) and VMIs at 40, 50, 60, 70, and 80 keV. Image quality of 120 kVp PI and VMI for each phase was evaluated. The objective image quality indicators included CT value, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), and noise. Comparisons of the above indictors within the same phase were performed using repeated measures ANOVA or the Friedman test, while comparisons between different phases were conducted using one-way ANOVA or the Kruskal-Wallis test.Results:At the same phase, the CT value, SNR, and CNR of the 40 keV VMI were higher than those of other energy level VMIs and PI (all P<0.001). The SNR of the 40 keV VMI in the third phase was significantly higher than in the first phase ( P<0.05), while there was no significant difference between the first and second phases ( P>0.05). The standard deviation (SD) of the 40 keV VMI in the third phase was significantly lower than that in the first and second phases (all P<0.05). The subjective scores for the 40 keV VMI were higher than those for other energy level VMIs and PI at the same phase ( P<0.001). The subjective scores for the 40 keV VMI in the third phase were higher than those in the second and first phases ( P<0.001). The percentage of scores≥4 in the third phase (77.17%,142/184) was significantly higher than those in the first phase (28.26%,52/184) and second phase (61.96%,114/184) ( P<0.001). Conclusion:In inferior vena cava imaging, the 40 keV VMI, combined with the optimal phase (120 s delay), effectively optimizes image quality.

Over the past two decades,the field of thyroid oncology in China has undergone rapid development.Through improvements in standardization processes,continuous innovations in treatment methods,and in-depth basic research,the 5-year survival rate of thyroid cancer has significantly increased from 67.5%to 92.9%.In diagnostics,advancements in color Doppler ultrasound technology,the establishment of the TI-RADS classification system,and innovations in fine-needle aspiration biopsy methods,particularly the integration of molecular diagnostics,have greatly improved the accuracy of preoperative diagnosis.In terms of treatment,there has been a gradual shift from traditional surgery to individualized precision therapy.Combined with radioactive iodine therapy,endocrine regulation,targeted therapy,and immunotherapy,a multidisciplinary comprehensive diagnosis and treatment system has been formed,providing patients with more precise and effective treatment options.Significant progress has also been made in the treatment of advanced thyroid cancer,with the application of targeted drugs bringing new hope to patients.In research,Chinese scholars have greatly increased their publications in the field of thyroid cancer,with high-quality studies emerging continuously,reflecting China's rapid rise in this area.Meanwhile,the establishment of academic organizations and the promotion of professional guidelines have substantially enhanced the diagnostic and treatment capabilities of primary care physicians.Looking ahead,efforts will continue to focus on the development of next-generation targeted drugs,the application of artificial intelligence and intelligent decision-making systems in diagnosis and treatment,the construction of prognosis prediction models based on big data,and the popularization of 5G-enabled remote medical care.These advances will drive the development of thyroid oncology toward more precise,minimally invasive,and personalized directions,creating new brilliance once again.

Objectives:To investigate the clinical efficacy of the distal tension-offloading cosmetic suture technique in reducing hypertrophic scar formation following open thyroidectomy.Methods:Clinical data and postoperative incision appearance of 138 patients undergoing open thyroidectomy at the Department of Thyroid and Neck Oncology of Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, as well as the Department of Head and Neck Oncology of Tianjin Cancer Hospital Airport Hospital, from Aug 2023 to Jan 2024 was enrolled. Patients were devided into two groups based on the incision closure method: the distal tension-offloading cosmetic suture group (tension reduction group, 37 cases) and ordinary intradermal suture group (control group A, 55 cases evaluated 3 months post-surgery; control group B, 46 cases evaluated 6 months post-surgery). The Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS) was employed to assess the appearance of the wounds at 3 and 6 months post-surgery .Results:On 3 and 6 months post-surgery, the total VSS scores for patients in the tension reduction group were 2.8 ± 2.3 and 2.5 ± 2.5, respectively,while that in control group A on 3 months was 5.2 ± 3.0, and in group B on 6 months was 5.3 ± 3.4. The differences were statistically significant (all P<0.001). On 3 and 6 months post-surgery, the proportions of hypertrophic scars in the tension reduction group were 14% (5/37) and 11% (4/37), respectively , while in control group A it was 35% (19/55) , and in control group B was 35% (16/46) at 6 months, with differences being statistically significant ( P=0.024, 0.011 ). On 6 months post-surgery, 51 % (19/37) of patients in the tension reduction group achieved 'socially invisible aesthetic incisions', while only 15% (7/46) of patients in control group B achieved the same outcome ( P<0.01). Conclusion:Distal tension-offloading cosmetic suture significantly reduces the incidence of incision hypertrophic scars in open thyroid surgery.

There is a notable trend of "conceptual alienation" in the current "minimally invasive" treatment of thyroid cancer, where "minimally invasive" is simplistically equated with small incisions or overemphasis on cosmetic outcomes, while neglecting its core essence: minimizing overall trauma while ensuring radical treatment. Endoscopic/robotic surgeries, though capable of hiding scars, may involve greater trauma from creating operational spaces and are suitable for strictly selected patients rather than being universally applicable. Thermal ablation techniques, while less traumatic for treating microcarcinomas, carry the risk of expanded indications beyond recommended guidelines. We emphasize that all treatments must adhere to the principle of "radical cure first, function intact second, and cosmetic result third " avoiding technological misuse, and advocating a return to radical cure-focused, individualized rational treatment based on long-term follow-up data.

Over the past two decades,the field of thyroid oncology in China has undergone rapid development.Through improvements in standardization processes,continuous innovations in treatment methods,and in-depth basic research,the 5-year survival rate of thyroid cancer has significantly increased from 67.5%to 92.9%.In diagnostics,advancements in color Doppler ultrasound technology,the establishment of the TI-RADS classification system,and innovations in fine-needle aspiration biopsy methods,particularly the integration of molecular diagnostics,have greatly improved the accuracy of preoperative diagnosis.In terms of treatment,there has been a gradual shift from traditional surgery to individualized precision therapy.Combined with radioactive iodine therapy,endocrine regulation,targeted therapy,and immunotherapy,a multidisciplinary comprehensive diagnosis and treatment system has been formed,providing patients with more precise and effective treatment options.Significant progress has also been made in the treatment of advanced thyroid cancer,with the application of targeted drugs bringing new hope to patients.In research,Chinese scholars have greatly increased their publications in the field of thyroid cancer,with high-quality studies emerging continuously,reflecting China's rapid rise in this area.Meanwhile,the establishment of academic organizations and the promotion of professional guidelines have substantially enhanced the diagnostic and treatment capabilities of primary care physicians.Looking ahead,efforts will continue to focus on the development of next-generation targeted drugs,the application of artificial intelligence and intelligent decision-making systems in diagnosis and treatment,the construction of prognosis prediction models based on big data,and the popularization of 5G-enabled remote medical care.These advances will drive the development of thyroid oncology toward more precise,minimally invasive,and personalized directions,creating new brilliance once again.

Objective:To investigate the optimization of inferior vena cava imaging using dual-layer spectral detector CT (DLCT) virtual monoenergetic images (VMI) combined with multiphase scanning.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the imaging data of 184 patients who underwent inferior vena cava imaging using dual-layer detector spectral CT at Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, from January 2021 to October 2024. Each patient underwent multiphase scanning (60, 80, and 120 s after contrast injection were referred to as the first, second, and third phases, respectively). The images were reconstructed into conventional 120 kVp polyenergetic image (PI) and VMIs at 40, 50, 60, 70, and 80 keV. Image quality of 120 kVp PI and VMI for each phase was evaluated. The objective image quality indicators included CT value, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), and noise. Comparisons of the above indictors within the same phase were performed using repeated measures ANOVA or the Friedman test, while comparisons between different phases were conducted using one-way ANOVA or the Kruskal-Wallis test.Results:At the same phase, the CT value, SNR, and CNR of the 40 keV VMI were higher than those of other energy level VMIs and PI (all P<0.001). The SNR of the 40 keV VMI in the third phase was significantly higher than in the first phase ( P<0.05), while there was no significant difference between the first and second phases ( P>0.05). The standard deviation (SD) of the 40 keV VMI in the third phase was significantly lower than that in the first and second phases (all P<0.05). The subjective scores for the 40 keV VMI were higher than those for other energy level VMIs and PI at the same phase ( P<0.001). The subjective scores for the 40 keV VMI in the third phase were higher than those in the second and first phases ( P<0.001). The percentage of scores≥4 in the third phase (77.17%,142/184) was significantly higher than those in the first phase (28.26%,52/184) and second phase (61.96%,114/184) ( P<0.001). Conclusion:In inferior vena cava imaging, the 40 keV VMI, combined with the optimal phase (120 s delay), effectively optimizes image quality.

Objectives:To investigate the clinical efficacy of the distal tension-offloading cosmetic suture technique in reducing hypertrophic scar formation following open thyroidectomy.Methods:Clinical data and postoperative incision appearance of 138 patients undergoing open thyroidectomy at the Department of Thyroid and Neck Oncology of Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, as well as the Department of Head and Neck Oncology of Tianjin Cancer Hospital Airport Hospital, from Aug 2023 to Jan 2024 was enrolled. Patients were devided into two groups based on the incision closure method: the distal tension-offloading cosmetic suture group (tension reduction group, 37 cases) and ordinary intradermal suture group (control group A, 55 cases evaluated 3 months post-surgery; control group B, 46 cases evaluated 6 months post-surgery). The Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS) was employed to assess the appearance of the wounds at 3 and 6 months post-surgery .Results:On 3 and 6 months post-surgery, the total VSS scores for patients in the tension reduction group were 2.8 ± 2.3 and 2.5 ± 2.5, respectively,while that in control group A on 3 months was 5.2 ± 3.0, and in group B on 6 months was 5.3 ± 3.4. The differences were statistically significant (all P<0.001). On 3 and 6 months post-surgery, the proportions of hypertrophic scars in the tension reduction group were 14% (5/37) and 11% (4/37), respectively , while in control group A it was 35% (19/55) , and in control group B was 35% (16/46) at 6 months, with differences being statistically significant ( P=0.024, 0.011 ). On 6 months post-surgery, 51 % (19/37) of patients in the tension reduction group achieved 'socially invisible aesthetic incisions', while only 15% (7/46) of patients in control group B achieved the same outcome ( P<0.01). Conclusion:Distal tension-offloading cosmetic suture significantly reduces the incidence of incision hypertrophic scars in open thyroid surgery.

There is a notable trend of "conceptual alienation" in the current "minimally invasive" treatment of thyroid cancer, where "minimally invasive" is simplistically equated with small incisions or overemphasis on cosmetic outcomes, while neglecting its core essence: minimizing overall trauma while ensuring radical treatment. Endoscopic/robotic surgeries, though capable of hiding scars, may involve greater trauma from creating operational spaces and are suitable for strictly selected patients rather than being universally applicable. Thermal ablation techniques, while less traumatic for treating microcarcinomas, carry the risk of expanded indications beyond recommended guidelines. We emphasize that all treatments must adhere to the principle of "radical cure first, function intact second, and cosmetic result third " avoiding technological misuse, and advocating a return to radical cure-focused, individualized rational treatment based on long-term follow-up data.

Objective:To evaluate and screen the regimens of tigecycline intraventricular injection in extensively drug resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (XDRAB) intracranial infection based on Monte Carlo simulation and pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) model.Methods:Nine patients with XDRAB intracranial infection confirmed as having susceptibility to tigecycline or polymyxin antimicrobials from January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2023 were screened from electronic medical record system in Second Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University. WHONET software was used to extract pathogen susceptibility data isolated from cerebrospinal fluid samples. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of tigecycline against XDRAB was analyzed by drug susceptibility test; different regimens for intraventricular tigecycline injection were designed based on MIC: 2 mg/12 h, 3 mg/12 h, 4 mg/12 h, 5 mg/12 h, 6 mg/12 h, and 10 mg/12 h, with drug concentration of 0.5 mg/mL or 1.0 mg/mL once a day. Target value of PK/PD index was set as ?C max/MIC≥8; Monte Carlo was used to simulate the compliance of PK/PD index of tigecycline with different MIC against XDRAB for different dosed regimens (probability of target attainment [PTA] and cumulative fraction of response [CFR]); the best regiment was selected (screening basis: PTA≥90% or CFR≥90%). Results:(1) A total of 27 strains of pathogenic bacteria from 9 patients were extracted from drug susceptibility test, in which MIC of tigecycline against XDRAB was 55.56% for 2 mg/L, 25.93% for 4 mg/L, and 18.52% for 8 mg/L. (2) When the drug concentration was 0.5 mg/mL or 1.0 mg/mL, respectively, all 6 regimens had PTA>90% at 2 mg/L MIC; 5 regimens, except for 2 mg/12 h, had PTA>90% at 4 mg/L MIC; regimens of 5 mg/12 h, 6 mg/12 h, and 10 mg/12 h could achieve PTA>90% at 8 mg/L MIC. (3) When the drug concentration was 0.5 mg/mL, regimens of 4 mg/12 h, 5 mg/12 h, 6 mg/12 h, and 10 mg/12 h could achieve CFR>90%; when the drug concentration was 1 mg/mL, regimens of 4 mg/12 h, 5 mg/12 h, 6 mg/12 h, and 10 mg/12 h could achieve CFR>92%.Conclusion:In intraventricular tigecycline injection for XDRAB intracranial infection, 2 mg/12 h regimen is available in 2 mg/L MIC, 3 mg/12 h regimen is available in 4 mg/L MIC, and 5 mg/12 h regimen is available in 8 mg/L MIC, with either 0.5 mg/mL or 1 mg/mL concentration.

Objective:To study the survival and prognostic factors for the recurrent extracranial malignant germ cell tumors (MGCTs) in children, and to explore feasible salvage treatment.Methods:A retrospective study.Pediatric patients with recurrent extracranial MGCTs diagnosed in Shanghai Children′s Medical Center between January 2010 and January 2020 were retrospectively recruited.Comprehensive treatment regimens included surgery, chemotherapy and radiation.Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and Cox regression model were employed to analyze the survival and prognostic factors for children with recurrent extracranial MGCTs.Results:A total of 172 children with extracranial MGCTs were treated, including 21 (12.2%) recurrent cases.The median time of MGCT recurrence after the end of the first treatment was 11 months.Finally, 19 patients were recruited after excluding 2 non-eligible cases, including 10 boys and 9 girls with the age at recurrence of 26 (8-170) months.The follow-up time was 57 (13-122) months.Salvage chemotherapy, complete resection and radiotherapy were performed in 16, 14 and 4 patients, respectively.The 4-year overall survival (4yr-OS) rate was (82.5±9.2)%(19 cases). The 4yr-OS rate was significantly higher in patients managed with surgery but without adjuvant chemotherapy at the initial treatment (13 cases) than those managed with chemotherapy at the initial treatment (6 cases)[(92.3±7.4)% vs.(60.0%±21.9)%, P=0.002]. Univariant and Cox multivariant regression analyses showed that failure to achieve the normal range of alpha fetoprotein after 3 cycles of chemotherapy significantly influenced the survival of recurrent extracranial MGCTs. Conclusions:For patients with recurrent extracranial MGCTs, comprehensive treatment approaches like complete surgical resection, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy offer a favorable survival rate.Specifically, recurrent and re-treated patients who initially received surgery alone without adjuvant chemotherapy have a higher survival rate compared to those who received chemotherapy during the initial treatment.