Objective:To assess the efficacy and safety of computed tomography (CT)-guided percutaneous cryoablation in treating malignant liver tumors located explicitly at high-risk sites.Methods:Data were collected retrospectively from patients with malignant liver tumors undergoing percutaneous cryoablation at Tianjin Medical University Cancer Hospital between January 2018 and December 2021. In all, 46 patients with malignant liver tumors at non-high-risk sites were matched 1∶1 according to the maximum tumor diameter. Technical success rate, complete ablation rate, and complications at 12 and 24 months post-surgery were evaluated. A statistical analysis of the ablation effect difference between the high-risk site and non-high-risk site groups was conducted. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify risk factors.Results:Both groups demonstrated a 100% intraoperative technical success rate, and no major complications related to cryoablation were observed. The complete ablation rate was 82.6% (38/46) and 71.7% (33/46) in the high-risk group and 84.8% (39/46) and 73.9% (34/46) in the non-high-risk group at 12 and 24 months, respectively. There was no significant difference in complete ablation rates between the two groups ( P>0.05). Multivariate analysis identified the distance between the tumor edge and high-risk site ≤5 mm and preoperative trans-arterial chemoembolization (TACE) treatment as independent risk factors for cryoablation effect. Conclusion:CT-guided percutaneous cryoablation is a safe and effective approach for patients with malignant liver tumor at high-risk sites. Our results emphasize the importance of proper preoperative planning and intraoperative manipulation.

Objective:To investigate the feasibility and safety of a novel surgery, to restore irreducible atlantoaxial dislocation (IAAD) by atlantoaxial joint release through wedge-end-mini-channel (via conventional Smith-Robinson anterolateral approach) combined with posterior fixation.Methods:Five patients with IAAD from May 2013 to December 2021 were retrospectively analyzed, including 3 males and 2 females, aged 44.6±9.0 years (range, 38-61). All the patients received atlantoaxial joint release through wedge-end-mini-channel (via conventional Smith-Robinson anterolateral approach) combined with posterior fixation. The Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score and improvement rate, American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) grade, atlantodental interval (ADI) and reduction rate, space available for the cord (SAC) and fusion of bone graft were measured and recorded.Results:The follow-up time was 80.0±23.1 months (range, 34-96 months). The surgery time of anterior joint release was 105±23 min (range, 75-135 min), and the total surgery time was 234±42 min (range, 212-276 min). The blood loss of anterior joint release was 80±16 ml (range, 60-100 ml), and the total blood loss was 123±34 ml (range, 85-150 ml). JOA scores were 6.6±0.9 before surgery, 11.2±0.4 at post-operative 1 month, and 14.8±0.80 at the last follow-up ( F=97.28, P<0.001), and the improvement rate of the last follow-up JOA score was 79.1%±7.64%. The ASIA grade were three cases of 'C’ level and two cases of 'D’ level before surgery, and two cases of 'D’ level and three cases of 'E’ level at the last follow-up. The ADI before surgery, at post-operative 6 months and the last follow-up were 9.56±1.07 mm, 1.46±0.39 mm and 1.48±0.29 mm, respectively ( F=206.54, P<0.001). The reduction rate of last follow-up ADI was 84.6%±1.4%. The SAC before surgery, at post-operative 6 months and last follow-up were 10.3±1.83 mm, 20.12±1.19 mm and 20.06±1.25 mm, respectively ( F=44.47, P<0.001). Grafted bone fuse was seen in 3 cases at post-operative 6 months, and 5 cases at post-operative 12 months. The only complication was unexpected titanium rod fracture in 1 case at post-operative 14 months. Conclusion:For IAAD, the novel surgery of atlantoaxial joint release through wedge-end-mini-channel (via conventional Smith-Robinson anterolateral approach) combined with posterior fixation could achieve well joint restoration and neural function improvement, which was a safe and effective procedure.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of CT-guided percutaneous argon-helium cryoablation in treating hepatic metastases from nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Methods The clinical data of 16 patients with hepatic metastases from nasopharyngeal carcinoma, who had received percutaneous argonhelium cryoablation therapy, were retrospectively analyzed. The quality of life before and after therapy, and the postoperative complications were recorded. After argon-helium cryoablation therapy, the progression-free survival (PFS), the overall survival (OS), and the one-month, 3-month, 6-month, 12-month postoperative tumor local control rates were calculated. Results In all 16 patients, no severe complications occurred and the quality of life was significantly improved after argon-helium cryoablation therapy. The one-month, 3-month, 6-month, 12-month postoperative tumor local control rates were 100％, 87.5％, 80.0％ and 58.3％respectively. The median PFS was 11 months (95％CI: 8.4-13.6 months), and the median survival time was19 months (95％CI: 9.2-28.8 months) . After argon-helium cryoablation therapy, the half-year, one-year and2-year survival rates were 93.8％, 75％ and 43.8％ respectively. Conclusion For the treatment of hepatic metastases from nasopharyngeal carcinoma, CT-guided percutaneous argon-helium cryoablation is minimally-invasive, safe and effective with reliable curative effect.

Objective: To investigate the clinicopathological features, diagnosis and differential diagnosis of dedifferentiated liposarcoma (DDLPS) with inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT)-like features. Methods: Five cases of DDLPS with IMT-like features were collected from the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, the Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine and the First People′s Hospital of Qinzhou between 2013 and 2018. EnVision method and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) were used to detect the immunophenotype of the tumor cells and the profile of MDM2 gene amplification respectively. Results: All five cases were male and the median age was 61 (range 53 to 65) years. The clinical symptoms were mainly related to the space-occupying lesions. The tumors were located in duodenal mesentery (two cases), intestinal wall (one case), retroperitoneum (one case), and spermatic cord (one case). Grossly, the tumors were not well encapsulated, ranging from 3 to 13 cm (median 6.7 cm) in diameter, with tan to gray and firm cut surface. Histologically, the dedifferentiated component closely resembled inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT), with spindle/polygonal/stellate-shaped cells arranged in storiform, sheet-like, or random pattern, with varying degrees of chronic inflammation and fibrosis. All three major patterns seen in IMT (myxoid, cellular and hypocellular fibrous) were observed, the hypocellular fibrous pattern was the most common. Well-differentiated liposarcomatous component was found in the peripheral areas of all the tumors. One case had high grade dedifferentiated component. Four cases were strongly positive for MDM2 and p16. Two cases were positive for SMA, and one case was focally positive for desmin and one for CD34. None of the cases stained for ALK-1. FISH demonstrated MDM2 gene amplification in all five cases. Clinical follow-ups were available in all five cases and the interval ranged from 3 to 66 months (median 23 months). Two patients developed recurrences and one patient had metastasis. The remaining two patients were alive with no evidence of tumor recurrence at 3 and 14 months after surgery respectively. Conclusions DDLPS with IMT-like features is a more aggressive neoplasm than its histological mimic (IMT), and should not be misdiagnosed as other intermediate or low-grade malignant tumors, such as IMT, sclerosing liposarcoma, inflammatory liposarcoma, aggressive fibromatosis, solitary fibrous tumors, low-grade myofibroblastic sarcoma, and low-grade fibrosarcoma.

Objective To investigate the clinicopathological features, diagnosis and differential diagnosis of dedifferentiated liposarcoma (DDLPS) with inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT)?like features. Methods Five cases of DDLPS with IMT?like features were collected from the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, the Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine and the First People′s Hospital of Qinzhou between 2013 and 2018. EnVision method and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) were used to detect the immunophenotype of the tumor cells and the profile of MDM2 gene amplification respectively. Results All five cases were male and the median age was 61 (range 53 to 65) years. The clinical symptoms were mainly related to the space?occupying lesions. The tumors were located in duodenal mesentery (two cases), intestinal wall (one case), retroperitoneum (one case), and spermatic cord (one case). Grossly, the tumors were not well encapsulated, ranging from 3 to 13 cm (median 6.7 cm) in diameter, with tan to gray and firm cut surface. Histologically, the dedifferentiated component closely resembled inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT), with spindle / polygonal /stellate?shaped cells arranged in storiform, sheet?like, or random pattern, with varying degrees of chronic inflammation and fibrosis. All three major patterns seen in IMT (myxoid, cellular and hypocellular fibrous) were observed, the hypocellular fibrous pattern was the most common. Well?differentiated liposarcomatous component was found in the peripheral areas of all the tumors. One case had high grade dedifferentiated component. Four cases were strongly positive for MDM2 and p16. Two cases were positive for SMA, and one case was focally positive for desmin and one for CD34. None of the cases stained for ALK?1. FISH demonstrated MDM2 gene amplification in all five cases. Clinical follow?ups were available in all five cases and the interval ranged from 3 to 66 months (median 23 months). Two patients developed recurrences and one patient had metastasis. The remaining two patients were alive with no evidence of tumor recurrence at 3 and 14 months after surgery respectively. Conclusions DDLPS with IMT?like features is a more aggressive neoplasm than its histological mimic (IMT), and should not be misdiagnosed as other intermediate or low?grade malignant tumors, such as IMT, sclerosing liposarcoma, inflammatory liposarcoma, aggressive fibromatosis, solitary fibrous tumors, low?grade myofibroblastic sarcoma, and low?grade fibrosarcoma.

Objective To assess the influence of different interventional injection routes of raltitrexed on the liver function, histology and pharmacokinetics in experimental rabbits, and to discuss the feasibility, safety and advantages of local application of raltitrexed. Methods A total of 25 New Zealand white rabbits were randomly and equally divided into 5 groups with 5 rabbits in each group: group A (using peripheral intravenous injection), group B (employing hepatic arterial infusion), group C (adopting hepatic artery embolization with Lipiodol), group D (hepatic artery embolization with gelfoam particles), and group E (direct puncture of liver and injection). Clinical equivalent dose (0. 17 mg/kg) raltitrexed injection was given to each experimental rabbit. At 5, 15, 30, 60, 120 and 180 min after the treatment, venous blood sample was collected for pharmacokinetic analysis. At 6 h and one week after administration of drug, liver functions were tested, and histological specimens of liver tissues were made at the same time. Results The peripheral blood drug concentrations at 5 and 60 min in group A were 0. 91 μg/mL and 0 μg/mL respectively, at 5 and 180 min in group B were 1. 73 μg/mL and 0. 37 μg/mL respectively, at 5 and 180 min in group C were 0. 82 μg/mL and 0. 08 μg/mL respectively, at 5 and 180 min in group D were 0. 94 μg/mL and 0. 08 μg/mL, and at 5 and 60 min in group E were 0. 39 μg/mL and 0. 13 μg/mL respectively. Six hours after administration of drug, the serum levels of AST, ALT in group C, group D and group E were significantly increased (P＜0. 0l), which returned to normal levels in one week after the treatment. The severity of liver tissue degeneration and necrosis detected in each group varied, in a severity - decreasing order, from group E, group C, group D, group B and group A. In group E, the surrounding normal liver tissue had no obvious necrosis. Conclusion The rabbit' s liver has no significant first pass elimination effect to raltitrexed. The equivalent dose of raltitrexed administered through the hepatic artery can cause obvious hepatocellular injury. Direct puncture and injection produce limited liver injury. Clinically, the dose of raltitrexed can be adjusted based on the degree of super selective catheterization condition and tumor size. (J Intervent Radiol, 2018, 27:247-251)

Objective To discuss the clinical significance of peripheral neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) changes in patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) after receiving argon-helium cryoablation.Methods A total of 33 CRPC patients,who were treated with argon-helium cryoablation at Tianjin Medical University Cancer Hospital,were included in this study.The clinical and pathological data were collected and analyzed.The following factors that might affect the postoperative overall survival (OS) of patients were analyzed with univariate and multivariate analysis:age,baseline PSA level,hemoglobin,white blood cell count,platelet count,albumin,alkaline phosphatase,NLR,platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR),hormone sensitive time,chemotherapy,bone metastasis,Gleason score,ECOG score,PSA effective rate.Results A total of 33 patients were enrolled in this study,the average age was 69 years (50-82 years) and the median survival time was 28 months (6-55 months).Univariate analysis showed that the baseline PSA level,alkaline phosphatase,NLR,hormone sensitive time,chemotherapy,bone metastases,Gleason score and PSA effective rate were significantly correlated with OS of CRPC patients after receiving cryoablation (P＜0.05).Multivariate analysis showed that the baseline PSA level (P=0.003),NLR (P=0.009),Gleason score (P＜0.001) were independent predictive factors for OS of CRPC patients after cryoablation therapy.Conclusion NLR can be used as a prognostic predictor for CRPC patients undergoing argon-helium cryoablation,and the increased NLR indicates a poor prognosis.(J Intervent Radiol,2017,26:237-242)

Objective To investigate clinical and histopathological manifestations of cutaneous plasmacytosis.Methods The clinical and histopathological data were collected from 7 cases of cutaneous plasmacytosis and analyzed retrospectively.Results Of the 7 patients,2 were female,and 5 were male.The average age was 42.4 years,and the duration of disease ranged from 2 to 10 years.All the 7 patients presented with multiple slow progressive brown patches and plaques.No abnormality was observed in routine examinations of blood,urine and faeces,electrocardiogram and abdominal ultrasonography in the 7 patients.Three patients underwent serum IgG detection,and their serum levels of IgG were all higher than reference values.Two patients were subjected to cytological examination of bone marrow,which showed the percentage of plasma cells (mainly mature plasma cells) was up to 5％.Histopathological examination of 7 cases showed pigmentation in the basal layer of the epidermis,and infiltration mainly consisting of lymphocytes and mature plasma cells around the blood vessels in the dermis.Immunohistochemical study revealed that the ratio of κ to λ light chain was approximately 1∶ 1,and the plasma cells were strongly positive for IgG.IgG4 was positive in very few plasma cells in 1 case,and negative in the other 6 cases.Conclusion The etiology of cutaneous plasmacytosis is still unclear,but it has characteristic clinical and histopathological manifestations.

Objective To investigate the effect of incomplete cryoablation on the biological behavior of prostatic cancer RM-1 cells and its mechanism.Methods RM-1 cells of prostatic cancer were placed in -20℃ icebox to be frozen for 5 min.After the recovery of the cell state,the RM-1 cells were frozen again for 10 min and 15 min successively.After culture for one day,the cellular morphology was microscopically examined.A total of 20 C57/BL mice were used to establish the tumor-bearing models,which were randomly and equally divided into the control group and the incomplete cryoablation group with 10 mice in each group.At scheduled time points the tumor lesion size was measured for all mice.The mice were sacrificed at 14 days,the lung tissues were collected and were stained with lE;the numbers of metastatic lesions in the lung were calculated.Transwell assay was used to test the cell migration and invasion,immuno-blotting method was adopted to determine the epithelial-mesenchymal transition-related (EMT-related) protein expression level,and the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was employed to check the secretion volume of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β).Results After incomplete cryoablation,RM-1 cells became disorderly arranged,their morphology was changed,and antenna structure might be formed.At 3 and 7 days after cryoablation,the tumor size in the incomplete cryoablation group was slightly smaller than that in the control group,but only the difference at 7 days after cryoablation was statistically significant between the two groups (P=0.019).At 10 and 14 days after cryoablation,the tumor volume of the two groups was almost equal.The pulmonary metastatic lesions in the incomplete cryoablation group were obviously much more than those in the control group (P＜0.001).Transwell assay indicated that the cell migration and invasion ability in the incomplete cryoablation group was stronger than that in the control group (P＜0.05).Immuno-blotting test revealed that,when compared with the control group,in the incomplete cryoablation group the expressions of N-cadherin,MMP-9 and Vimentin were up-regulated,while the expression of E-cadherin was downregulated.ELISA test showed that increased secretion of TGF-β was observed in the incomplete cryoablation group.Conclusion Incomplete cryoablation can enhance the migration and invasion ability of RM-1 cells,increase the number of pulmonary metastatic lesions in tumor-bearing mice,and affect the EMT-related protein expression level.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinical and radiological efficacy of paraspinal muscle approach with winglike working channel in the treatment of thoracic and lumbar spine fracture.

METHODSFrom October 2010 to August 2012, a total of 51 patients with thoracic and lumbar spine fractures without neurological symptoms were enrolled in the study, including 32 males and 19 females. All patients were divided into two groups: 26 patients were treated through posterior paraspinal muscle approach with winglike working channel, and 25 patients were treated through traditional posterior approach. In all patients, the interval between injury and operation was less than two weeks; the vertebral canal blocked area was less than 1/3 in sagittal diameter; the compression of the fractured vertebra height was less than 2/3. And the patients with pathological fracture and severe osteoporosis were excluded. The perioperative index including operative blood loss, draining loss, operative time, postoperative bed time were recorded. The clinical results were evaluated by visual analogue scale (VAS) for back pain preoperatively, at 3 days, 3 months, the last follow-up postoperatively and modified Macnab criteria at the last follow-up. The radiological results were evaluated by sagittal Cobb angle and the anterior height of the fractured vertebra. The data of two groups were compared statistically with paired and independent t test, χ² test, Mann-Whitney U test and Wilcoxon test.

RESULTSAll patients were followed up with average of 16.6 months. In the two groups, the operative blood loss was respectively (91.5 ± 36.6) ml and (209.2 ± 38.3) ml (t=-11.216, P=0.000), draining loss was (13.7±4.4) ml and (162.3 ± 56.6) ml (t=-13.352, P=0.000), postoperative bed time was (87.3 ± 11.5) hours and (118.4 ± 20.4) hours (t=-6.727, P=0.000), VAS for back pain at 3 days postoperatively was 5.5 ± 1.0 and 6.4 ± 0.8 (t=-3.304, P=0.002), also VAS at the last follow-up was 1.0 (1.0) and 2.0 (1.0) (U=191.0, P=0.008). Data above showed significant differences between the two groups.No significant differences were found in operative time, (109.0 ± 29.7) min vs. (119.2 ± 26.8) min (t=-1.283, P=0.206), and modified Macnab criteria (χ²=0.513, P=0.774) between the two groups. The anterior height of the fractured vertebra preoperatively, at 1 week and the last follow-up postoperatively of the two groups were respectively (57.2 ± 11.8)% and (55.2 ± 10.9)% (t=0.685, P=0.496), (95.2 ± 8.3)% and (95.3 ± 5.8%) (t=-0.068, P=0.946), (92.9 ± 6.7)% and (92.1 ± 5.6)% (t=0.505, P=0.615). The sagittal Cobb angles preoperatively, at 1 week and the last follow-up postoperatively of the two groups were respectively 21.0° (12.5°) and 23.0° (12.0°) (U=316.0, P=0.544), 3.0° (5.5°) and 4.0° (4.5°) (U=342.5, P=0.893), 4.0° (5.5°) and 6.0° (6.0°) (U=328.5, P=0.701). There were no significant differences of these radiological results between the two groups in the same time point.

CONCLUSIONThe paraspinal muscle approach with winglike working channel in the treatment of thoracic and lumbar spine fracture is an efficient surgical option which can acquire satisfactory clinical and radiological results.

Blood Loss, Surgical ; Drainage ; Female ; Humans ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; injuries ; Male ; Operative Time ; Orthopedic Procedures ; methods ; Pain Measurement ; Paraspinal Muscles ; surgery ; Postoperative Period ; Pressure ; Spinal Fractures ; surgery ; Thoracic Vertebrae ; injuries ; Visual Analog Scale