Objective:To summarize the clinical characteristics and management experience of complications in patients with cervical necrotizing fasciitis （CNF） with or without descending necrotizing mediastinitis （DNM）, in order to provide a basis for optimizing diagnosis and treatment strategies. Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 31 patients diagnosed with CNF and DNM at Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University between October 2019 and March 2024. A comprehensive evaluation was performed based on the patients' clinical characteristics, metagenomic next-generation sequencing （mNGS） pathogen detection results, imaging assessments, surgical interventions, management approaches for specific complications, and prognostic outcomes. Results:Among the 31 patients, 10 had severe diabetes mellitus. Etiological analysis was summarized as follows: 5 cases were odontogenic, 3 were of tonsillar origin, 3 were due to endogenous esophageal injury, 2 were due to exogenous cervical trauma, 2 originated from a congenital branchial cleft fistula, and 16 cases had an unknown etiology. Among them, 29 patients underwent surgery via an external cervical approach, 1 patient underwent surgery via an intraoral approach, and 1 patient received ultrasound-guided puncture and drainage therapy. Ultimately, 29 patients were cured and discharged （including 1 patient who experienced two instances of major neck vessel rupture and successfully underwent two interventional embolization procedures for hemostasis）; 2 patients died after failed rescue efforts due to concurrent sepsis and multiple organ dysfunction. The treatment success rate was 93%, and the mortality rate was 7%. In this cohort of CNF and DNM cases, only a minority had a clearly identified odontogenic cause; although the etiology was unknown in most cases, imaging consistently showed oropharyngeal lymph node necrosis, suggesting a possible pharyngeal origin of infection in adults. The mNGS pathogen profile was predominantly Gram-positive bacteria, accompanied by anaerobic bacilli and fungi. Conclusion:CNF and DNM are severe and rapidly progressive conditions that can lead to life-threatening complications within hours. Timely recognition can reduce unnecessary examinations and expedite treatment.
Humans ; Retrospective Studies ; Fasciitis, Necrotizing/therapy* ; Mediastinitis/complications* ; Neck/pathology* ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Aged ; Prognosis

Objective:To investigate the value of quantitative parameters of dual-layer detector spectral CT (DLCT) in preoperative prediction of lymphovascular invasion (LVI) in invasive lung adenocarcinoma.Methods:This study employed a cross-sectional design. The data of 91 patients with primary lung adenocarcinoma confirmed by postoperative pathology who underwent DLCT enhanced scanning in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from March 2022 to July 2024 were retrospectively collected. The patients were divided into LVI positive group and LVI negative group according to the postoperative pathology. Gender, age, smoking status, and lesion location were recorded,the clinical T-stage and N-stage were evaluated. Spectral base data images were generated based on the spectral reconstruction algorithm. Conventional CT features such as the size and density of the lesions were analyzed. The DLCT quantitative parameters such as 40 keV single-energy CT value (CT 40 keV), iodine density (ID), standardized iodine density (NID), and effective atomic number (Z eff) were measured. The differences of parameters between the two groups were compared using t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, or χ2 test. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent factors for predicting invasive lung adenocarcinoma LVI. The predictive performance of individual parameters and their combinations for LVI in invasive lung adenocarcinoma was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis and area under the curve (AUC) measurements. Results:There were significant differences in age, T stage, N stage, maximum diameter, focal density, and arteriovenous stage NID and Z eff between the LVI positive group and the LVI negative group ( P<0.05). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that age ( OR=0.890, 95% CI 0.821-0.966), N stage( OR=12.721, 95% CI 2.676-60.473) and venous stage Z eff( OR=0.012,95% CI 0-0.668) were independent factors for predicting invasive lung adenocarcinoma LVI ( P<0.05). The combination of age, N stage, and venous-phase Z eff values demonstrated the highest predictive efficacy for LVI in invasive lung adenocarcinoma, with an AUC of 0.916. Conclusions:The quantitative parameters of DLCT are helpful for preoperative prediction of LVI status of invasive lung adenocarcinoma. The Z eff in the venous stage is an independent predictor, the combination of multiple parameters can further improve the diagnostic efficiency.

Right atrial diverticulum is a rare congenital cardiac malformation with a very low incidence and few reports in the literature. It is a sac-like structure originating from the free wall of the right atrium or the right auricle，and the wall of the diverticulum is mostly composed of normal myocardial tissue. Patients with diverticulumare asymptomatic in the early stage of the disease，and it is mostly detected by imaging examinations. The patient was a 96-year-old male admitted to the Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University with intermittent chest tightness，shortness of breath，and dizziness for more than half a month. Echocardiography and contrast echocardiography were performed 1 d after the patient was admitted to the hospital，suggesting the diagnasis of right atrial diverticulum with thrombosis，and coronary CT angiography was performed 4 d after the patient was admitted to the hospital，which considered right atrial diverticulum，with an internal filling defect，and suspected thrombus formation. The patient was older and did not receive further diagnosis and treatment，and cardiac ultrasound was repeated 1 month later，with no significant change in the size and morphology of the mass within the right atrial diverticulum. By analyzing in detail a case with right atrial diverticulum initially misdiagnosed as pericardial effusion，this article aimed to raise cardiac sonographers' awareness of the diagnosis of right atrial diverticulum and to explore the key role of cardiac acoustic contrast technology in cardiac ultrasound diagnosis.

Objective:To investigate the changes in thyroid hormone levels and inflammatory markers in critically ill children，analyze their correlation with disease severity，and explore their potential impact on prognosis,providing references for clinical management and prognosis assessment in critical illness.Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted involving 394 pediatric patients admitted to the ICU of the Capital Pediatric Institute Affiliated Children's Hospital from 2019 to 2023.Based on the pediatric critical illness score,patients were divided into three groups:the extremely critical group (score ≤ 70, n=81),the critical group (score 71–80, n=150),and the non-critical group (score>80, n=163).Data collected included thyroid function indicators，inflammatory markers[C-reactive protein（CRP)，procalcitonin(PCT),tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α，interleukin (IL)，etc.]，clinical information，and outcomes.The correlation between thyroid function indicators and inflammatory markers were analyzed.The predictive value of thyroid function indicators and inflammatory markers for prognosis in critically ill pediatric patients was assessed. Results:Of the 394 children,non-thyroidal disease syndrome occurred in 321 cases,with an overall incidence of 81.5%,which increased with disease severity.Thyroid hormone [total triiodothyronine (TT3),free triiodothyronine (FT3),and total tetraiodothyronine (TT4)] levels were significantly lower in the extremely critical group than in the other groups ( P<0.05).Inflammatory markers such as CRP,PCT,TNF-α,IL-6,IL-8,and IL-10 were significantly higher in the extremely critical group than in the other groups ( P<0.05).Thyroid hormones were negatively correlated with inflammatory markers,and the receivor operating characteristic curves analysis indicated that TT3,FT3,IL-6 and IL-8 levels,could effectively differentiate disease prognosis.Univariate regression model showed significant associations between TT3,FT3,TT4,PCT,IL-8,and IL-10 and disease prognosis.The multivariate Logistic regression model showed IL-6 and IL-8 were independent predictors of disease prognosis. Conclusion:Significant reductions in thyroid hormone levels are closely related to disease severity and poor prognosis.Changes in inflammatory markers reflect the inflammatory state and severity of the disease and impact prognosis.Monitoring thyroid function and inflammatory status is important in clinical management，which provids new insights into prognosis assessment and treatment strategies for critically ill children.

Objective To explore the predictive value of quantitative parameters of dual-layer detector spectral CT(DLCT)for Ki-67 expression in solid lung adenocarcinoma.Methods The data of 103 patients were retrospectively collected,and the patients were divided into Ki-67 high expression and Ki-67 low expression groups according to Ki-67 proliferation index.The quantitative parame-ters of DLCT were measured and calculated,and the differences in these parameters between the two groups were compared.The parameters with statistically significant differences were assessed for correlation with Ki-67 expression.The efficacy of DLCT param-eters and combined parameters in predicting Ki-67 expression in solid lung adenocarcinoma were evaluated by receiver operating character-istic(ROC)curve and compared by DeLong test.Results Long diameter,short diameter and smoking history were positively corre-lated with the Ki-67 expression in solid lung adenocarcinoma(r>0,P<0.05).Gender and quantitative parameters of DLCT were nega-tively correlated with the Ki-67 expression in solid lung adenocarcinoma(r<0,P<0.05).The combined parameters of convention and spectral CT had the highest prediction efficiency.Conclusion The quantitative parameters of DLCT can be used to evaluate the Ki-67 expres-sion in solid lung adenocarcinoma.

Acute poisoning in children is a significant global public health challenge，posing serious threats to the health and safety of infants and preschool-aged children. This review systematically summarizes recent advances in the field，including trends in epidemiology，causes，diagnostic and therapeutic techniques，and prevention strategies. Studies indicate that pediatric acute poisoning is significantly influenced by factors such as age，sex，geographic region，and type of toxic agent. Accidental ingestion of medications and household chemicals is more common in infants and young children，whereas intentional poisoning predominates among adolescents. With the emergence of novel toxic substances，pediatric poisoning has garnered increasing attention. Rapid diagnostic techniques，biomarker identification，and intelligent medical interventions have markedly improved diagnostic efficiency. Advances in antidote development，blood purification therapies，and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation have further contributed to improved clinical outcomes. This review underscores the importance of establishing a comprehensive management system encompassing prevention，early recognition，and effective treatment，aiming to enhance the efficiency and safety of pediatric poisoning care through systematic and integrated approaches.

Objective:To explore the clinical features and prognostic factors of lymphoma-associated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (LAHS).Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted. The clinical data of 44 LAHS patients who diagnosed at the Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University from September 2016 to September 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. All patients were divided into B cell LAHS (B-LAHS) group (19 cases) and NK/T cell LAHS (NK/T-LAHS) group (19 cases) according to the lymphoma types, except for 4 cases of classic Hodgkin lymphomas and 2 cases of splenic lymphoma lymphomas. The clinical features and the factors influencing the prognosis of both groups were compared. According to whether lymphoma treatment were included in the initial treatment regimen, the patients were divided into the group with lymphoma treatment and the group without lymphoma treatment, and the objective response rate (ORR) of both groups was compared. Kaplan-Meier method was used to analyze the overall survival (OS), the log-rank method was used for univariate analysis, and the Cox proportional hazards model was used for multivariate analysis.Results:Among 44 LAHS patients, 26 cases were male and 18 cases were female, with the age of (69±7) years. Most of them were secondary to diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), and 17 out of 44 patients were secondary to DLBCL. All patients had fever, lymphadenopathy, and ferritinemia. The differences in red blood cells (RBC), hemoglobin (Hb), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), peripheral blood Epstein-Barr virus DNA (EBV DNA) load, positive rate of Epstein-Barr virus-encoded small RNA (EBER) in tissues, triglycerides (TG), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and fibrinogen between NK/T-LAHS patients and B-LAHS patients were statistically significant (all P<0.05). The ORR of 44 patients with LAHS was 52.3% (23/44); the median OS time of LAHS patients was 157 d, and that of NK/T-LAHS patients was 110 d; the median OS time of B-LAHS was 135 d; and the difference was statistically significant ( χ2 = 7.47, P = 0.024). The median OS was not reached in patients receiving initial treatment regimen containing lymphoma, while the median OS time was 65 d in patients receiving treatment without containing lymphoma, and the difference was statistically significant ( χ2 = 3.97, P = 0.046). The results of multivariate Cox proportional hazards model showed that age ≥ 70 years ( HR = 2.502, 95% CI: 1.047-5.978, P = 0.039), serum ferritin (SF) ≥ 1 500 μg/L( HR=0.521,95% CI:0.282~0.960, P=0.037), soluble CD25 ≥ 7 800 U/ml ( HR = 0.536, 95% CI: 0.348-0.828, P = 0.005), interleukin (IL)-10≥100 ng/L ( HR = 0.532, 95% CI: 0.33-0.85, P = 0.009), interferon (IFN)-γ≥5.0 ng/ L ( HR = 0.554, 95% CI: 0.32-0.95, P = 0.033), Th (CD3 + CD4 + T cells)/ Ts (CD3 + CD8 + T cells) < 2 ( HR = 1.731, 95% CI: 1.005-2.982, P = 0.048), and hepatomegaly ( HR = 2.581, 95% CI: 1.059-6.289, P = 0.037) were independent factors influencing the poor outcome of LAHS patients. Conclusions:LAHS is mostly secondary to DLBCL. The early clinical manifestations lack specificity and the prognosis is generally poor, and the worst prognosis occurs in patient with NK/T-LAHS. The initial treatment with lymphoma can prolong OS time in patients with LAHS.

Purpose This study aimed to investigate the expression,function,and molecular mechanisms of ZNF384 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(ESCC),as well as its role in tumor progression and chemoresistance.Methods The expression of ZNF384 in ESCC cell lines and tissues was assessed using RT-qPCR.Correlations with TNM stage,invasion depth,lymph node metastasis,and prognosis were evaluated.In vitro assays were performed to examine the effects of ZNF384 on ESCC cell proliferation,migration,invasion,and chemosensitivity.Dual-luciferase reporter assays were conducted to determine the interaction between ZNF384 and FZD3,and to assess the activation of the Wnt signaling pathway.Results ZNF384 expression was significantly upregulated in ESCC cell lines and tissues(P＜0.01).Elevated ZNF384 expression was associated with advanced TNM stage,greater invasion depth,lymph node metastasis,and poor prognosis(P＜0.05).Functional assays demonstrated that ZNF384 overexpression promo-ted ESCC cell proliferation,migration,and invasion(all P＜0.01),whereas ZNF384 knockdown inhibited these processes and enhanced chemosensitivity to cisplatin(all P＜0.01).Mechanistic studies showed that ZNF384 directly bound to the FZD3 promoter,upregulated FZD3 expression,and activated the Wnt signaling pathway(P＜0.05).Overexpression of FZD3 partially reversed the inhibitory effects of ZNF384 knockdown on cell malignancy and chemore-sistance(P＜0.05).Conclusion ZNF384 promotes ESCC progression and reduces chemosensitivity through activa-tion of the FZD3/Wnt signaling pathway,suggesting its potential as a therapeutic target in ESCC.

Objective To explore the predictive value of quantitative parameters of dual-layer detector spectral CT(DLCT)for Ki-67 expression in solid lung adenocarcinoma.Methods The data of 103 patients were retrospectively collected,and the patients were divided into Ki-67 high expression and Ki-67 low expression groups according to Ki-67 proliferation index.The quantitative parame-ters of DLCT were measured and calculated,and the differences in these parameters between the two groups were compared.The parameters with statistically significant differences were assessed for correlation with Ki-67 expression.The efficacy of DLCT param-eters and combined parameters in predicting Ki-67 expression in solid lung adenocarcinoma were evaluated by receiver operating character-istic(ROC)curve and compared by DeLong test.Results Long diameter,short diameter and smoking history were positively corre-lated with the Ki-67 expression in solid lung adenocarcinoma(r>0,P<0.05).Gender and quantitative parameters of DLCT were nega-tively correlated with the Ki-67 expression in solid lung adenocarcinoma(r<0,P<0.05).The combined parameters of convention and spectral CT had the highest prediction efficiency.Conclusion The quantitative parameters of DLCT can be used to evaluate the Ki-67 expres-sion in solid lung adenocarcinoma.

Objective:To investigate the changes in thyroid hormone levels and inflammatory markers in critically ill children，analyze their correlation with disease severity，and explore their potential impact on prognosis,providing references for clinical management and prognosis assessment in critical illness.Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted involving 394 pediatric patients admitted to the ICU of the Capital Pediatric Institute Affiliated Children's Hospital from 2019 to 2023.Based on the pediatric critical illness score,patients were divided into three groups:the extremely critical group (score ≤ 70, n=81),the critical group (score 71–80, n=150),and the non-critical group (score>80, n=163).Data collected included thyroid function indicators，inflammatory markers[C-reactive protein（CRP)，procalcitonin(PCT),tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α，interleukin (IL)，etc.]，clinical information，and outcomes.The correlation between thyroid function indicators and inflammatory markers were analyzed.The predictive value of thyroid function indicators and inflammatory markers for prognosis in critically ill pediatric patients was assessed. Results:Of the 394 children,non-thyroidal disease syndrome occurred in 321 cases,with an overall incidence of 81.5%,which increased with disease severity.Thyroid hormone [total triiodothyronine (TT3),free triiodothyronine (FT3),and total tetraiodothyronine (TT4)] levels were significantly lower in the extremely critical group than in the other groups ( P<0.05).Inflammatory markers such as CRP,PCT,TNF-α,IL-6,IL-8,and IL-10 were significantly higher in the extremely critical group than in the other groups ( P<0.05).Thyroid hormones were negatively correlated with inflammatory markers,and the receivor operating characteristic curves analysis indicated that TT3,FT3,IL-6 and IL-8 levels,could effectively differentiate disease prognosis.Univariate regression model showed significant associations between TT3,FT3,TT4,PCT,IL-8,and IL-10 and disease prognosis.The multivariate Logistic regression model showed IL-6 and IL-8 were independent predictors of disease prognosis. Conclusion:Significant reductions in thyroid hormone levels are closely related to disease severity and poor prognosis.Changes in inflammatory markers reflect the inflammatory state and severity of the disease and impact prognosis.Monitoring thyroid function and inflammatory status is important in clinical management，which provids new insights into prognosis assessment and treatment strategies for critically ill children.