Ultrasound characteristics of hepatic epithelioid hemangioendothelioma: a multi-center case series study.

AIMS: Hepatic epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (HEHE) is a rare vascular tumor that primarily affects the liver. This study aimed to analyze the characteristics of conventional ultrasound (US) and contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) in HEHE. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This multi-center case series study enrolled patients diagnosed with HEHE from five hospitals in China between August 2004 and October 2022. Data on conventional US and CEUS characteristics were collected and analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 41 patients with HEHE were included, comprising 14 males and 27 females with a mean age of 50.62±11.43 years. The mean size of the lesion was 4.51±2.92 cm. Among these patients, 29 were confirmed through surgical resection and 12 through liver biopsy. Conventional US imaging identified three types of HEHE: multifocal type in 35 patients (85.4%), single nodular type in 1 patient (2.4%), and giant type in 5 patients (12.2%). US revealed proximity to the liver capsule in 29 patients (71%), hypoechoic appearance in 36 patients (88%), heterogeneity in 4 patients (10%), and hyperechoic appearance in 1 patient (2.4%). CEUS also demonstrated three distinct enhancement patterns: peripheral marginal enhancement with centripetal filling in the arterial phase and washout in the portal venous and venous phases (23 patients), eterogeneous enhancement in the arterial phase with washout in the subsequent phases (7 patients), and mild hyperenhancement in the arterial phase with resolution in later phases (9 patients). A hypo-enhancement pattern in the portal venous and venous phases was observed in 38 patients, suggesting a higher degree of malignancy. CONCLUSION: HEHE exhibits specific US findings, primarilypresenting as multiple hypoechoic lesions distributed under the liver capsule.

Preparation of PLGA microspheres loaded with 10-hydroxycamptothecin and arsenic trioxide and their treatment for rabbit hepatocellular carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to study the preparation method of arsenic trioxide (As2O3) polylactic-co-glyconlic acid (PLGA) microspheres and 10-hydroxycamptothecin (HCPT) PLGA microspheres and explore their therapeutic effects as embolic agents for VX2 hepatocellular carcinoma in rabbits. METHODS: As2O3 and HCPT PLGA microspheres were prepared by multiple emulsion solvent evaporation method. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and particle size distribution were used to analyze the morphology, the drug sustained release ability was observed by the release of microspheres in vitro. The rabbit model of VX2 hepatocellular carcinoma was established and the hepatocellular carcinoma was treated with combined microspheres. The therapeutic effects were detected by qPCR, western blotting, HE staining and immunohistochemical methods. RESULTS: The PLGA microspheres loaded with As2O3 and HCPT were successfully prepared by optimizing the ratio. The particle size was between 30 and 50 µm. In vitro release results showed that PLGA microspheres loaded with As2O3 released completely in 10 days and PLGA microspheres loaded with HCPT released completely in 12 days. Western blotting and qPCR results showed that the expression of ALDH1A1 and Nanog decreased significantly in treatment group. HE staining and immunohistochemical analysis showed that the expression of CD31, HIF and VEGF decreased significantly and the apoptosis of tissues was obvious. CONCLUSION: The combination of As2O3 and HCPT PLGA microspheres as embolization for VX2 hepatocellular carcinoma in rabbits has significant therapeutic effect.

[Transbronchial needle aspiration in diagnosing mediastinal and hilar tuberculous lymphadenopathy].

OBJECTIVE: To study the application of transbronchial needle aspiration(TBNA) in the diagnosis of mediastinal and hilar tuberculous lymphadenopathy. METHODS: Brochoscopic examination was carried out in 24 patients with computed tomography confirmed mediastinal and hilar lymphadenopathy, but without signs of lung or airway tuberculosis. TBNA was performed and at least two prominent lesions were biopsied. Cytological needle aspiration was done for all diseased sites, while some lesions were also sampled by histological needles. RESULTS: Pathologic diagnosis was made in 18 patients showing tissue necrosis and granuloma, cases being acid fast positive. There were no serious complications. CONCLUSION: TBNA is a useful and convenient technique in the diagnosis of mediastinal and hilar tuberculous lymphadenopathy.