[Application of three-dimensional endoanal and endorectal ultrasound in the diagnosis of anorectal fistula].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of three-dimensional anal and endorectal ultrasound in identifying the internal opening and tracing the tract of the anorectal fistula. METHODS: From November 2008 to January 2010, 127 patients suffering anorectal fistula were managed with three-dimensional endoanal and endorectal ultrasound. The internal opening, the tract of the fistula and fistula trace were identified by the ultrasonography with three-dimensional imaging. All results were confirmed and compared with findings from the operation. RESULTS: The internal opening of the fistula was specified in 116 patients, the accuracy rate was 91.3% (116/127). The internal opening of the fistula was located above the dentate line in 112 patients, and located in rectal ampulla in 4 patients. The main fistula tract was identified in all the patients, the accuracy rate was 100%. In this group, the fistula tunneled as follows: trans-sphincteric in 47 patients, intersphincteric in 75 cases, supra sphincteric in 2 cases, extra sphincteric in 3 patients. Secondary extension was found in 37 patients, the accuracy rate was 100% (37/37). CONCLUSIONS: Three-dimensional anal and endorectal ultrasound is an effective way for localizing the internal opening and the tract of anorectal fistula. It can provide valuable information for curative operation.

Aberration of X chromosome in liver neoplasm detected by fluorescence in situ hybridization.

BACKGROUND: A diverse range of cytogenetic alterations of autosomal chromosomes has been reported to date. However, few studies have addressed the abnormalities of X chromosome in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) except sporadic reports on the deletion of band F1 in X chromosome, and the clonal analysis of methylation pattern of the X chromosome-linked human androgen receptor gene. Identification of specific X chromosome alterations during the course of neoplastic development would be essential to defining the genetic basis of HCC. Therefore, we studied the regularity of aberration of X chromosome in liver cancer. METHODS: Hepatocarcinoma cellular lines and tumor tissues were detected respectively through DNA probes of X chromosome after fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). RESULTS: Increased copies of X chromosome were observed in all samples, and four signals of hybridization were of the major type. CONCLUSIONS: Increased copy number of X chromosome frequently occur in liver cancer. The relationship between copy number of X chromosome and liver cancer genesis needs further investigation. This study is the first of its kind determining the copy number of X chromosome in liver cancer by using FISH.