Postoperative longitudinal changes of serum calcium level and its influencing factors in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism / 中华普通外科杂志

Objective:To compare the changes of serum calcium level before and after surgical resection in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism.Methods:Two hundred and seventy-one patients with primary hyperparathyroidism were enrolled from Dec 1992 to Dec 2020 in Beijing Jishuitan Hospital. Serum calcium concentrations were measured before operation, 20 min during surgery, then 2 weeks 1-6 months , 7-12 months and 1 year respectively after operation. The baseline data of postoperative serum calcium such as sex, age, other genetic endocrine diseases, osteopathia and urolithiasis were calculated. The generalized estimation equation was used to analyze the changes of serum calcium in different types of patients before and after operation.Results:The most common postoperative hypocalcemia occurred within 2 weeks, and it occurred frequently half a year after surgery. There was no significant difference in blood calcium between male patients ( t=0.875, P=1.000) and patients with bone lesions ( t=0.034, P=3.049) from 1 to 6 months after surgery and 2 weeks after surgery. Blood calcium level in patients aged 15-35 years old from 1 to 6 months ( t=0.239, P=1.000) , from 7 to 12 months ( t=1.380, P=0.935) and 2 weeks after surgery was not statistically different. The change of bone mineral density was correlated with the change of blood calcium after operation ( F=6.895, P=0.004). Conclusions:The incidence of hypocalcemia was the highest in patients with hyperparathyroidism 2 weeks after surgery, and the blood calcium level was stable within the normal range 1 year later. The blood calcium value of male patients was still at a lower level than that of female patients within six months after surgery. In patients with bone disease, the blood calcium value was lower and recovered slowly 2 weeks after surgery. The blood calcium value of patients aged 15-35 was at a low level within 1 year after surgery.

Value of ultrasonography, radionuclide imaging and CT in preoperative location diagnosis of primary hyperparathyroidism / 中华普通外科杂志

Objectiv:To evaluate ultrasound, radionuclide imaging and CT in preoperative localization diagnosis of primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT).Method:A total of 170 PHPT patients admitted to the hospital between Jan 1992 and Dec 2020 were analyzed retrospectively. The preoperative localization diagnostic efficacy of ultrasonography, radionuclide and CT alone and in combination was compared in groups.Results:The overall sensitivity of ultrasound, radionuclide and CT were 82.13%,80.43% and 75.74%. For normal positioned parathyroid adenoma: as for sensitivity of location diagnosis, ultrasound (86.67%) was higher than radionuclide (81.82%, P<0.05) and CT (80.59%, P<0.05), ultrasound/CT parallel test (94.70%, P<0.05) was higher than ultrasound alone. For specificity of location diagnosis, radionuclide (97.78%) was higher than ultrasound (91.62%) and CT (93.39%), both ultrasound/radionuclide series tests (99.00%, P<0.001)and ultrasound/CT series tests (96.94%, P<0.001) were higher than ultrasound alone. In case of ectopic parathyroid adenoma and parathyroid hyperplasia: the sensitivity and specificity of radionuclide seemed higher than ultrasound and CT. Conclusions:Ultrasound is the first choice for preoperative location diagnosis of PHPT. Ultrasound combined with radionuclide or CT can significantly improve the diagnostic efficiency of parathyroid lesions.

Development of a three-dimensional printed heart from computed tomography images of a plastinated specimen for learning anatomy / 대한해부학회지

Learning anatomy is commonly facilitated by use of cadavers, plastic models and more recently three-dimensional printed (3DP) anatomical models as they allow students to physically touch and hold the body segments. However, most existing models are limited to surface features of the specimen, with little opportunity to manipulate the structures. There is much interest in developing better 3DP models suitable for anatomy education. This study aims to determine the feasibility of developing a multi-material 3DP heart model, and to evaluate students’ perceptions of the model. Semi-automated segmentation was performed on computed tomgoraphy plastinated heart images to develop its 3D digital heart model. Material jetting was used as part of the 3D printing process so that various colors and textures could be assigned to the individual segments of the model. Morphometric analysis was conducted to quantify the differences between the printed model and the plastinated heart. Medical students’ opinions were sought using a 5-point Likert scale. The 3DP full heart was anatomically accurate, pliable and compressible to touch. The major vessels of the heart were color-coded for easy recognition. Morphometric analysis of the printed model was comparable with the plastinated heart. Students were positive about the quality of the model and the majority of them reported that the model was useful for their learning and that they would recommend their use for anatomical education. The successful feasibility study and students’ positive views suggest that the development of multi-material 3DP models is promising for medical education.

A guide to requesting outpatient and emergency radiographs

Radiology is an important adjunct to clinical practice, but for many clinicians, requesting X-rays was something that was learnt on the job. This article provides guidelines on when and how to request X-rays for acute conditions such as head and cervical spine trauma, suspected rib and extremity fractures, low back pain and acute abdominal pain. We also highlight what to write in the request form, in order to obtain maximum value from the examination and allow the radiologist to generate a useful, accurate report.

PILL series. The solitary pulmonary nodule

The solitary pulmonary nodule on chest X-ray (CXR) is a common problem in pulmonary medicine. Its presence raises the question of lung cancer. As five-year survival after resection of a solitary bronchogenic carcinoma can be as high as 80%, prompt evaluation is crucial. This should begin with a cancer risk assessment based on clinical and radiographic factors. The risk and benefits of surgery should next be assessed, and together with the patient's preferences, a management plan can be decided upon. Surgery is recommended for patients at high risk of malignancy with a low surgical risk, while careful observation is adopted for patients at low risk of malignancy coupled with a high surgical risk. Further diagnostic tests may be warranted to aid in this decision process. Although CXR is not useful for lung cancer screening, low-dose computed tomography imaging is increasingly recommended for individuals at high risk for lung cancer.