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ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical effect and safety of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) combined with microwave ablation (MWA) in the treatment of advanced primary liver cancer. MethodsA total of 186 patients with advanced primary liver cancer who were treated in The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital from April 2015 to June 2019 were enrolled and divided into study group and control group using a random number table, with 93 patients in each group. Both groups of patients underwent TACE, and the patients in the study group were treated with ultrasound-guided percutaneous MWA. The two groups were compared in terms of clinical outcome and complications. Quantitative real-time PCR was used to measure the serum level of microRNA-202 (miR-202), ELISA was used to measure the serum levels of fragile histidine triad (FHIT) and P16 protein, and the changes in the above three indices at 3 months after treatment were compared. The two-independent-samples t test was used for comparison of continuous data between two groups, and the paired t-test was used for comparison within one group before and after treatment; The chi-square testwas used for comparison of categorical data between groups. ResultsThe study group had a significantly higher objective response rate than the control group (47.32% vs 27.96%, χ2=7.422, P=0.006), and there was no significant difference in disease control rate between the two groups(P＞0.05). Both groups had significant increases in the serum levels of miR-202, FHIT, and P16 protein at 3 months after treatment (all P＜0.05), and compared with the control group, the study group had significantly higher serum levels of miR-202 (0.84±0.14 vs 0.58±017, t=11.385, P＜0.001), FHIT (1126.35±73.05 pg/ml vs 762.87±56.71 pg/ml, t=37.904, P＜0.001), and P16 protein (52.86±651 pg/ml vs 39.06±5.37 pg/ml, t=15.770, P＜0.001). ConclusionUltrasound-guided MWA in addition to TACE can improve the short-term response of patients with advanced primary liver cancer and increase the serum levels of miR-202, FHIT, and P16 protein, with relatively high safety.
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AIM To research the antiasthmatic effects of Zuogui Pills,Yougui Pills and Yupingfeng Powder and their mechanism of action.METHODS Male Brown Norway rats were randomly divided into five groups.OVA was used to induce the model of chronic asthma.Five groups of asthmatic rats were given Zuogui Pills,Yougui Pills,Yupingfeng Powder by gavage once daily for 14 d,respectively.The normal and the model group were given normal saline.Penh value,serum Thl,Th2 inflammatory cytokines,and CROT and ACTH protein levels were determined.Pathological changes of airway remodeling were measured.RT-PCR method was used to measure the expression of CRH mRNA in hypothalamus,and TGF-β1 and Smad3 mRNA in lung tissues.RESULTS Penh values of Yupingfeng Powder group and Yougui Pills group were significantly lower than that of Zuogui Pills group.The Thl inflammatory cytokine of Yupingfeng Powder group was significantly higher than that of Zuogui Pills group,while the Th2 cytokine was significantly lower than that of Zuogui Pills group.In Yougui Pills group,only IL-5 was significantly lower than that of Zuogui Pills group.Serum CROT,ACTH protein and CRH mRNA of Yupingfeng Powder group were significantly higher than those in Zuogui Pills group.No significant difference was found between Yupingfeng Powder group and Zuogui Pills group with regard to TGF-β1 and Smad3 mRNA.Smad3 mRNA of Yougui Pills group was significantly higher than that of the model group.Airway remodeling was significantly reduced by Yupingfeng Powder and Zuogui Pills.The number of goblet cells in Yougui Pills group was significantly lower than that in Zuogui Pills group.CONCLUSION All the three formulaes possess significant antiasthma effects.Regulation effects of Yupingfeng Powder on Thl/Th2 balance,HPA and TGF-β1/Smad3 pathway are strong.Compared with Zuogui Pills,Yougui Pills possesses weaker TGF-β1/Smad3 regulative effects and stronger HPA regulative effects.
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Objective To summarize the imaging features of hepatic tumors contained lipid by contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS), and compare with MRI ifndings. Methods From July 2010 to December 2012, 17 patients of hepatocellular carcinoma containing lipid component in the 302nd Hospital of the People′s Liberation Army underwent dual-echo sequence MRI imaging. Fifteen patients were conifrmed by enhanced MRI and contrast-enhanced CT, while the other 2 patients were confirmed by pathology. The features of ultrasonography, CEUS and MRI were analyzed. Kappa analysis test was analyzed for the consistency of CEUS and MRI ifndings. Results In the two-dimensional ultrasound of 17 lesions, 9 were hypoechoic heterogeneous lesions, 5 were hypoechoic lesions;13 lesions with clear boundaries, 4 lesions with unclear boundaries;peripheral blood lfow signal in 5 lesions and rich blood lfow in 1 lesion were observed by color Doppler ultrasound, 11 lesions had no signiifcant blood lfow signal;15 lesions showed fast high enhancement in CEUS arterial phase, 1 lesion with synchronization enhancement, 1 lesion with mild enhancement;10 lesions showed portal clearance, 1 lesion showed an enhanced synchronization, 1 lesion with mild enhancement;16 lesions showed clearance in delay phase, 1 enhanced lesion showed isoenhancement;6 lesions presented intra-lesion or surrounding patchy, irregular non-enhancement areas. CEUS diagnostic accuracy was 82%(14/17), the diagnostic accuracy of MRI was 88%(15/17). The Kappa consistency test was 0.628, while CEUS and MRI results were in good agreement. Conclusions Performance of hepatocellular lipid-containing ultrasound contrast arterial phase shows non-enhancement areas. Contrast enhanced ultrasound features of lipid-containing hepatocellular carcinoma are valuable for the clinical diagnois.
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Objective To study the detection rate of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) with different perfusion methods on rabbit VX2 small hepatocellular carcinoma less than 10.0 mm. Methods VX2 tumor cells were inoculated into the subcutaneous tissue of New Zealand rabbit′s thigh. Then the plant tumor were cut into small blocks under sterile conditions and transplanted into hepatic parenchyma in 30 New Zealand rabbits. The contrast media was injected through peripheral vein by single and double perfusion methods. The detection rate of two methods were compared. Results There were 41 hepatocellular carcinoma lesions in the 30 rabbits. There were 15 lesions with size between 3.0 mm and 5.0 mm, and 26 lesions between 5.0 mm and 10.0 mm in diameter. On CEUS, the VX2 tumor presented fast-in and fast-out pattern. In arterial phase, the lesion was enhanced rapidly. In portal venous phase, contrast began to wash out from the carcinoma. In delay phase, the enhancement of lesion was signiifcantly lower than the surrounding normal liver parenchyma. A total of 32 lesions were detected by single perfusion method, including 7 lesions ranging 3.0-5.0 mm and 25 lesions ranging 5.0-10.0 mm. A total of 39 lesions were detected by double perfusion method, including 13 lesions ranging 3.0-5.0 mm and 26 lesions ranging 5.0-10.0 mm. The detection rate of micro-hepatocellular carcinoma by single and double perfusion method was 78% and 95% respectively. The difference was statistically signiifcant (χ2=5.150, P=0.023). The detection rate of 3.0-5.0 mm lesions by single and double perfusion method was 47%and 87%, respectively. The difference was statistically signiifcant ( χ2=5.400, P=0.025). The detection rate of 5.0-10.0 mm lesions by single and double perfusion method was 96% and 100%, respectively. There was no statistically signiifcant difference (χ2=1.020, P=0.500). Conclusion The double perfusion method greatly promotes the detection of micro hepatocellular carcinoma, especially for the lesions less than 5.0 mm in diameter.
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Objective To explore the clinical application value and feasibility of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) in rapid diagnosis for bleeding of hepatocellular carcinoma. Methods From January 2009 to December 2012, 58 patients from the 302nd Hospital of the People′s Liberation Army underwent CEUS and conventional ultrasound, who were suspicioused primary bleeding of liver cancer or secondary bleeding of liver cancer after percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA). The change of effusion volume in front of liver and in abdominal cavity, the perfusion time, range and characteristics of contrast agent, tumor vessel and the characteristic manifestation of active bleeding within the tumor and subcapsular were evaluated. Theχ2 test was used to compare the show rates of lesion boundary and the bleeding point by conventional ultrasound and CEUS. The t test was used to compare the change of effusion in front of liver and in abdominal cavity from 0 min to 30 min after bleeding were diagnosis by CEUS. Results For 58 cases of suspicious rupture and bleeding of liver cancer, 34 cases were conifrmed by clinical and imaging ifndings. The bleeding points were detected by conventional ultrasound in 5 cases. The bleeding points in 30 cases (including 4 cases of rapid bleeding, 7 cases of medium bleeding and 19 cases of slow bleeding) were detected by CEUS. The detection rate of lesion boundary, tumor vessel and bleeding point of CEUS were higher than those of conventional ultrasound, and the differences were statistically significant (χ2=10.350, P=0.001; χ2=4.300, P=0.034;χ2=36.790, P=0.0007). CEUS showed that contrast agent continuously concentrated at the bleeding point of lesions, and different degrees of bleeding were shown as′jet-like′,′linear′or′intermittent′spillover. The volume of effusion in front of the liver and in abdominal cavity at 30 min was more than those at 0 min after bleeding were diagnosis by CEUS, and the differences were statistically significant (the volume of effusion in abdominal cavity:t=-3.467, P=0.026;t=-12.895, P=0.000;t=-3.055, P=0.007;the volume of effusion in front of the liver:t=-8.110, P=0.001;t=-5.642, P=0.002;t=-5.981, P=0.000). Conclusions CEUS can show direct signs of rupture and bleeding of liver cancer, and the degree of bleeding can be evaluated according to the extravasation characteristics of contrast medium and the changes of lfuid volume. Therefore, CEUS can provid an objective basis for rapid diagnosis of ruptured hepatocellular carcinoma in the emergency scene and bedside.
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Objective To analyze the normal hepatic contrast perfusion blocked by ultrasound excited microbubble cavitation using the visual scoring method. Methods Twenty-four healthy New Zealand rabbits were divided into the microbubbles group (MB + US), the simple ultrasound group (US) and the sham group. The MB + US group was insonated by US and intravenous injection of lipid microbubbles. Microbubble was replaced by saline in the US group and sham US exposure was used in the sham group. US contrast liver perfusion imaging was performed before and 0 min,15 min,30 min,45 min,60 min,24 h after treatment in each group. Results The visual perfusion scores of each group before treatment were no statistical difference ( P >0. 05). The visual score of pre-treatment significantly higher than that of post 0 min, 15 min in the MB+ US group ( P<0. 05), but no difference with post 30 min,45 min,60 min and 24 h ( P >0. 05). There were no statistical significance between all the time points of the US and the sham groups. Conclusions Ultrasound excited microbubble cavitation can temporarily and significantly interrupt liver blood perfusion in the visual score analysis.
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Objective To investigate the effect of microbubble (MB) contrast agents impacted by different parameters such as acoustic pressure, frequency, duration of exposure, and MB concentration under flowing condition. Methods A capillary flow mimic model was set up for observation and analysis of MB displacement and aggregation under stereomicroscope. Results The displacement and aggregation of ultrasonic occurred significantly at the frequency of 2.0 MHz than 1.0 MHz and 0.5 MHz. Under low acoustic pressure, MBs were not visually disrupted but the flow slowed down. The aggregation and deflection applying to MB was stronger in the tube happened at the MB concentration of 7×10~7/ml than 7×10~5/ml, but did not when the concentration rose to 7×10~9/ml because of the high viscosity. The ultrasound exposure time could not affect significantly in displacement and MB aggregation. Conclusion MB contrast agents can be manipulated under some ultrasound parameters. It is expected to be physically modulated in blood vessels, in order to increase targeted adhesions for many therapeutic purposes.