[Clinical significance and cost-benefit analysis of serum calcitonin assay in diagnosis and treatment of medullary thyroid carcinoma].

Objective: To study the clinical significance of serum calcitonin in the diagnosis and treatment of medullary thyroid carcinoma and to analyze its cost-benefit. Methods: One hundred and forty one patients with medullary thyroid carcinoma who undertook calcitonin test and frozen pathological examination were enrolled in this study from Oct 2012 to Mar 2018. Using the method of χ(2) test, the positive rate of calcitonin test and frozen pathological examination in diagnosis of medullary thyroid carcinoma(MTC) were compared. Firstly, we compared the correct checkout cost of calcitonin test and that of frozen pathological examination (total number of patients×cost of examination/the correctly detected number of patients) . Secondly, we calculated whether calcitonin test help patients save money(average cost of treatment in hospital for MTC×number of patients who were evaluated to be candidate for surgery-cost of calcitonin test×total number of patients)/total number of patients. Results: 139 patients were positive in calcitonin test among 141 patients, and the positive rate was 98.58%. 91 patients were positive in frozen pathological examination, and the positive rate was 64.54% (χ(2)=97.821, P<0.000 1) . Cost-benefit analysis showed that the correct checkout cost of calcitonin test and frozen pathological examination were 71.01 yuan and 426.10 yuan, also,1 371 938.64 yuan could be saved totally and 9 730.06 yuan could be saved per patient because of calcitonin test. Conclusion: Serum calcitonin test had a significant effect on the diagnosis and treatment of medullary thyroid carcinoma and was economical and practical.

An Individualised Strategy and Long-Term Outcomes of Endovascular Treatment of Budd-Chiari Syndrome Complicated by Inferior Vena Cava Thrombosis.

OBJECTIVES: The aim was to evaluate individualised treatment and long-term outcomes of endovascular treatment of Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS) complicated by inferior vena cava (IVC) thrombosis. METHODS: Between April 2005 and December 2015, 108 consecutive patients with BCS complicated by IVC thrombosis underwent endovascular treatment. According to the type, size, extent, and degree of organisation of the thrombus, agitation thrombolysis (n = 7), agitation thrombolysis combined with retrieval stent filter (n = 5), pre-dilation (n = 32), retrieval stent filter (n = 56), or direct large balloon dilation (n = 8) was performed. Peri- and post-operative follow-up data were recorded. RESULTS: The endovascular treatment was technically successful in 107 of the 108 patients (99.1%). The incidence of thrombosis related complications was 7.4% (8/108). Major and minor complications occurred in four patients. The mean follow-up duration was 61.7 ± 39.3 months (range 3-140 months). The cumulative 1, 2, 5, and 10 year primary patency rates were 91%, 88%, 79%, and 79%, respectively, and the cumulative 1, 2, 5, and 10 year secondary patency rates were 100%, 100%, 97%, and 97%, respectively. The cumulative 1, 5, and 10 year survival rates were 95%, 86%, and 81%, respectively. Serum albumin and total bilirubin values were independent predictors of survival. CONCLUSIONS: For patients with BCS complicated by IVC thrombosis, an individualised endovascular treatment strategy based on the type, size, extent, and degree of organisation of the thrombus is associated with long-term patency of the IVC and favourable survival and complication rates.

An integrated, self-expanding, Y-shaped, metallic stent for patients with complex obstruction after gastrojejunostomy (Billroth II): initial experience.

PURPOSE: This paper reports our initial experience with an integrated, self-expandable, Y-shaped, metallic stent (SEMS) for patients with complex anastomotic obstructions after gastrojejunostomy (Billroth II). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eight consecutive patients with complex anastomotic obstructions involving the afferent and efferent loops after gastrojejunostomy (Billroth II) were treated with an integrated Y-shaped SEMS. The stents were placed in the anastomosis under fluoroscopy. Technical and clinical success; complications, including recurrent obstruction and stent migration; reintervention; and survival were assessed during follow-up. RESULTS: Y-shaped SEMS placement in the anastomotic areas was technically successful and well tolerated in all patients, with no procedure-related complications. Clinical success was observed in all patients 1-7 days after the procedure. The improvement between pre- and postoperative gastric outlet obstruction scoring system (GOOSS) was statistically significant (p=0.01). During follow-up for 3.13 ± 1.81 months, all stenoses were resolved without stent-related complications, and general physical examination of the eight patents showed improvement. Five patients continued with follow-up health care after the procedures; the remaining three died of causes unrelated to stent insertion. The mean and median survival periods were 3.92 ± 0.81 months [95% confidence interval (CI) 2.34-5.50] and 3.0 ± 0.64 months (95% CI 1.74-4.26), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Deployment of an integrated Y-shaped SEMS proved to be an expedient, simple, safe and minimally invasive procedure for treating complex anastomotic stenoses after gastrojejunostomy (Billroth II).