RESUMO
Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of combined microwave ablation (MWA) and vertebral augmentation (VA) in the treatment of spinal metastases with posterior wall defects. Patients and Methods: A retrospective review was conducted for 67 patients (42 men, 25 women) with painful spine metastases and posterior wall defects who underwent MWA combined with VA. Among these patients, 52 vertebrae had no epidural invasion and 33 had mild invasion but did not compress the spinal cord. Procedural effectiveness was determined by comparing visual analog scale (VAS) scores and Oswestry disability index (ODI) scores before the procedure and during the follow-up period. Results: The procedure was technically successful in all patients. The mean VAS score declined significantly from 6.85 ± 1.81 before the procedure to 3.27 ± 1.97 at 24 h, 1.96 ± 1.56 at 1 week, 1.84 ± 1.50 at 4 weeks, 1.73 ± 1.45 at 12 weeks, and 1.71 ± 1.52 at 24 weeks post-procedure (p < 0.01). The mean ODI score was lower post-procedure than before the procedure (p < 0.001). Transient nerve injury occurred in two patients (SIR classification D), and the incidence of asymptomatic bone cement (SIR classification A) was 43.5% (37/85). Conclusion: MWA combined with VA is an effective and safe treatment for painful spine metastases with posterior wall defects.
RESUMO
BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to assess the correlation between Doppler ultrasound blood flow parameters and angiogenesis and proliferation activity in breast cancer. MATERIAL AND METHODS We enrolled breast cancer patients (n=55) and benign tumor patients (n=40) from Tengzhou Central People's Hospital from Mar 2014 to Dec 2016. Doppler ultrasound examination was conducted to determine blood flow parameters, and immunohistochemistry (IHC) experiments were performed to determine the protein expression of angiogenesis genes, cell proliferation genes, and tumor-suppressor genes. RESULTS Compared with benign tumors, the maximum velocity (Vmax) and resistance index (RI) were significantly different in I-II stage and III-IV stage breast cancer (P<0.01 and P<0.001, respectively). IHC assay showed that VEDGF165, NRP-1, SphK1, CD31, YAP, CTGF, and Gli2 proteins expressions were significantly higher in breast cancer patients (P<0.01 and P<0.001, respectively). PTEN and MFN2 protein expressions of breast cancer patients were significantly lower (P<0.01 or P<0.001, respectively) compared with those of benign tumor patients. VEDGF165, NRP-1, SphK1, CD31, YAP, CTGF, and Gli2 proteins expressions were positively correlated with Vmax and negatively correlated with RI in breast cancer. PTEN and MFN2 protein expressions were negative correlated with Vmax and positively correlated with RI in breast cancer patients. CONCLUSIONS Decreased RI and increased Vmax are correlated with angiogenesis, proliferation, and tumor suppression in breast cancer.