Objective To investigate the effectiveness and safety of thermal ablation of patients with 3－5 cm hepatocellular carcinoma ( HCC ) under the assistance of ultrasound fusion imaging . Methods From December 2010 to December 2017 ,76 HCC patients with 78 medium‐size ( 3 －5 cm ) lesions who underwent radiofrequency ablation ( RFA ) or microwave ablation ( M WA ) were included in the study . Ultrasound fusion imaging was used to assist the ablation procedures and assess the technical success immediately ,then guided supplementary ablation . Contrast‐enhanced CT/M R was performed one month after ablation to assess the technique efficacy rate . T he complication ,local tumor progression ( L T P ) rate were followed up . Results According to the ultrasound fusion imaging evaluation ,24 lesions ( 30 .8% , 24/78) received supplementary ablation immediately during the ablation procedure . Seventy‐one of 78 liver tumors were evaluated to achieve 5 mm ablative margin while the other 7 liver tumors were not achieved . T here were no ablation‐related deaths ,and the major complication rate was 6 .6% ( 5/76 ) .T he technique efficacy rate was 100% ( 78/78) according to the contrast‐enhanced CT/M R one‐month later . Patients were followed up from 6 to 79 months with a median time of 22 months . L T P occurred in 4 lesions and the LT P rate was 5 .1% ( 4/78) . Conclusions With the assistance of ultrasound fusion imaging ,thermal ablation of medium‐sized HCC is effective and safe w hich could achieve a higher technique efficacy rate and a lower L T P rate .

Objective To assess the safety and effectiveness of artificial ascites assisted thermal ablation for hepatic tumors adjacent to the gastrointestinal tract in patients with a history of abdominal surgery . Methods Thirty‐two patients (33 lesions located adjacent to the gastrointestinal tract) with a history of abdominal surgery were included in the study . Method ① :normal saline was injected into abdominal cavity to form water insulation band between liver and gastrointestinal tract . Method② :normal saline was injected with appropriate pressure to form local water insulation band between the liver and gastrointestinal tract . Method③ :normal saline was injected continuously at the interval between liver and gastrointestinal tract to flush away heat energy caused by ablation . All the patients were checked for gastrointestinal tract injury after ablation . During one month after ablation ,CT /MR was performed to evaluate whether the lesions were completely ablated . Results Respectively ,the numbers of lesion received method ① ,② and ③ were 27(81 .8% ) ,4(12 .1% ) and 2(6 .1% ) ,while the usage of normal saline were 400~2 000 ml ,600~800 ml and 1 000~1 500 ml . No gastrointestinal tract injury occurred . CT/MR scan during one month after ablation showed that all the 33 lesions had been completely ablated . Conclusions In patients with a history of abdominal surgery ,artificial ascites is a safe and effective method in assistance of thermal ablation for hepatic tumors adjacent to the gastrointestinal tract .

Objective To evaluate the value of intracavitary contrast-enhanced ultrasound in the diagnosis of biliary-bronchial fistula after hepatocellular carcinoma ablation. Methods Clinical data of 1 case with biliary-bronchial ifstula after hepatocellular carcinoma ablation in the Third Afifliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University were retrospectively analyzed. The informed consent was obtained and the local ethical committee approval had been received. The male patient, aged 56 years, underwent ultrasound-guided hepatocellular carcinoma radiofrequency ablation in September 2010. Examination revealed the tumor was completely ablated and no recurrence was detected 1 month after ablation. Ten months after operation, the patient suffered from recurrent fever and developed coughing up of bile-stained sputum at 17 months after ablation. MRI examination indicated the formation of a bile lake at the ablation site and percutaneous catheter drainage was performed. The diagnosis was conifrmed by lfuoroscopic and intracavitary contrast-enhanced ultrasound examination. Results The biliary fistula tract was found connected to the right chest by intracavitary contrast-enhanced ultrasound examination. After drainage the patients' symptoms were relieved. The biliary ifstula tract disappeared when checked by intracavitary contrast-enhanced ultrasound but the bile lake still existed. Right hemihepatectomy was performed subsequently. The patient was cured and discharged. Conclusions Biliary-bronchial fistula is a rare complication after hepatocellular carcinoma ablation. Intracavitary contrast-enhanced ultrasound could serve as a useful complementary method for the diagnosis and treatment of biliary-bronchial ifstula.

Objective To compare the value of acoustic structure quantification(ASQ) and shear wave elastography(SWE) in the evaluation of diagnostic accuracy of liver fibrosis.Methods One hundred and thirty-five patients with chronic hepatic diseases enrolled in our study were underwent ASQ,SWE and liver biopsy.Correlation between Total Mode,BR ratio,the elastic modulus and pathological stages of liver fibrosis were analyzed by Spearman's rank test.ROC curves were set up by evaluating the degree of hepatic fibrosis through Total Mode,BR ratio,the elastic modulus.Results The significant positive correlation were observed between Total Mode,BR ratio,the elastic modulus and pathological stages of liver fibrosis(r =0.46,P =0.000; r =0.49,P =0.000; r =0.68,P =0.000,respectively).Total Mode,BR ratio,and the elastic modulus,of each pathological stages,had statistically significant differences (F =6.05,P =0.000 ; F =5.17,P =0.000; F =48.82,P =0.000,respectively).The areas under the ROC curve (AUC) set up by evaluating the pathological stages of fibrosis (S≥ 1,S≥2,S≥3 and S =4) through the elastic modulus were larger than that of Total Mode and BR ratio(all P ＜0.05).But the AUC for the diagnosis of fibrosis of Total Mode and BR ratio showed no statistically significant differences(all P ＞0.05).Conclusions SWE was more accurate than ASQ parameters (Total Mode,BR ratio) in grading hepatic fibrosis.ASQ parameters (Total Mode,BR ratio) were observed well-correlated with the pathological staging of hepatic fibrosis.

Objective To evaluate the clinical value of CT/MR-contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) image fusion in immediate assessment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)ablation.Methods Patients diagnosed with HCC to receive ablation therapy were randomly divided into two groups.The ablation for each patient was performed according to their pre-ablation plan.Immediate assessments for the ablation were performed using CT/MR-CEUS image fusion (IF group)and CEUS (CEUS group)separately and whether the need for additional ablations was decided and performed during the therapy.The therapy efficacy was evaluated with enhanced CT or MR 1 month after each complete ablation treatment.Results There were 101 patients with 131 nodules in IF group,and 15.1% of the nodules needed additional ablation according the immediate assessment during the therapy.The complete ablation rate of IF group was 99.2%(125/126).On the other hand,there were 93 patients with 122 nodules in CEUS group,and 4.2% of the nodules needed additional ablation according the immediate assessment during the therapy.The complete ablation rate of CEUS group was 94.2% (113/120).IF group has significantly higher additional ablation rate and complete ablation rate than CEUS group (P <0.05).Conclusions CT/MR-CEUS image fusion can further improve ablation efficacy with accurate intraoperative evaluation and guidance of additional ablation compared with CEUS.

OBJECTIVETo compare the abilities of transient elastography (TE) versus real-time tissue elastography (RTE) for assessing liver fibrosis in patients with chronic liver disease.

METHODSNinetytwo patients with chronic liver disease were enrolled in the study, and included 77 cases of chronic hepatitis B, 4 cases of chronic hepatitis C, 4 cases of autoimmune liver disease, 2 cases of primary biliary cirrhosis, I case of abnormal bile duct development, and 4 cases of unknown etiology.All patients were assessed by both TE and RTE in a single day.The correlation coefficient of liver fibrosis level and the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of S more than 2 and =4 of TE and RTE were determined.The values were compared using findings fiom pathological analysis as reference.

RESULTSThe correlation coefficient of liver fibrosis level was significantly higher for TE (r =0.755, 95% CI:0.651-0.831, P =0.000) than for RTE (r=0.481, 95% CI:0.306-0.624, P =0.000) (Z=3.07, P =0.002).The areas under the ROC curves for S more than 2 and =4 were 0.903 and 0.740 for TE and 0.915 and 0.786 for RTE, respectively, indicating that the performance of TE was superior to that of RTE.

CONCLUSIONTE was superior to RTE for assessment of liver fibrosis.

Autoimmune Diseases ; Elasticity Imaging Techniques ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; diagnostic imaging ; Hepatitis C, Chronic ; diagnostic imaging ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis, Biliary ; diagnostic imaging ; ROC Curve

Objective To investigate the application value of transperineal ultrasound in female urethras and pathological change of circum-urethras.Methods 403 female patients were examined by transperineal ultrasound in condition of resting and maximum Valsalva,female urethras and pathological changes of circum-urethras were observed and ultrasonic manifestation were concluded.Results By transperineal ultrasound the images of normal urethras and pathological change of circum-urethras were clearly discernible.403 female patients were examined,380 normal.18 urethral calcification,there was hyperecho stripe in urethras.2 urethral cyst,there was round anechoic area in circum-urethras and no fistula between round anechoic area with urethras.2 urethral diverticulum,there was round anechoic area in circumurethras and a fistula between round anechoic area with urethras.1 urethrovaginal fistula,there was irregular hypoechoic area between urethras with vagina,the irregular hypoechoic area both communicate with urethras and vagina.Conclusions Transperinealr ultrasound can be used for examination urethras and pathological change of circum-urethras in female patients and may provide more reliable information for clinical diagnosis.

Objective To investigate the application value of transperineal ultrasound in female patients with cystocele.Methods Transperineal ultrasound were performed in 36 female patients with cystocele and the bladder neck movement degrees (BND),retrovesical angle and the degree of urethral rotation were observed at maximum Valsalva.The ultrasonic manifestation of 36 female patients with cystocele were summarized.Results On maximal Valsalva bladder neck mobility all increased in 36 patients,32 patients with open retrovesical angle (≥140°) and 30 female patients with urethral rotation ≥ 45°.There were 6 cases with type Ⅰ,bladder neck was lower than inferoposterior margin of the symphysis pubis,cystocele with open retrovesical angle (≥140°) and urethral rotation ＜45°.There were 26 cases with type Ⅱ,bladder neck was lower than inferoposterior margin of the symphysis pubis,cystocele with open retrovesical angle (≥140°) and urethral rotation ≥45°.There were 4 cases with type Ⅲ,bladder was lower than inferoposterior margin of the symphysis pubis,cystocele with intact retrovesical angle (＜ 140°) and urethral rotation ≥45°.Conclusions The transperineal ultrasound can be used for classification of cystocele in female patients and which may provide more reliable information for clinical diagnosis.

Objective To compare the value of two‐dimensional shear wave elastography (2D‐SWE) and real‐time tissue elastography (RTE) in the assessment of liver fibrosis in patients with chronic liver disease. Methods One hundred and ten patients with chronic liver disease scheduled for liver biopsy were studied. Both 2D‐SWE and RTE were performed on these patients in a same day. The correlation coefficient of liver fibrosis level, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of S≥2, and S=4 of 2D‐SWE and RTE were compared according to pathologic results. Results The correlation coefficient of liver fibrosis level for 2D‐SWE ( r =0 7.76, 95% CI 0 6.83 -0 8.45, P =0.000) was higher than that of RTE ( r =0 5.61, 95% CI 0 4.07-0 6.84, P =0.000)( Z =2 9.3, P =0.003). The area under ROC curve for S≥2 and S=4 of 2D‐SWE were 0 8.66 and 0 9.57 respectively, RTE were 0 7.50 and 0 8.43 respectively, which indicated that 2D‐SWE was better than RTE. Conclusions The diagnostic performance of 2D‐SWE was better than RTE for the assessment of liver fibrosis and cirrhosis.

Objective To evaluate the feasibility and accuracy of the transvaginal real-time three-dimensional hysterosalpingo-contrast sonography(RT 3D-HyCoSy) with SonoVue in the assessment of tubal patency.Methods Tubal patency was investigated by RT 3D-HyCoSy in 96 unselected infertile patients (a total of 191 tubes).The image quality of RT 3D-HyCoSy was evaluated.Laparoscopy was performed in 35 cases (a total of 70 tubes) of them.The efficacy of the procedure was compared with laparoscopy.Results The mean score of image quality of RT 3D-HyCoSy in ninety-six cases was 2.94 ± 0.26.The accordance between RT 3D-HyCoSy and laparoscopy was good,with the Kappa value was 0.802.Sensitivity,specificity,positive predictive value,negative predictive value and accuracy in diagnosing tubal patency by using RT 3D-HyCoSywas 87.5％ (14/16),94.4％ (51/54),82.3％ (14/17),96.2％ (51/53),92.9％ (65/70),respectively.Conclusions Transvaginal RT 3D-HyCoSy is a good imaging technique which can display the morphological character of fallopian tube and assess the patency.