Diagnosis of obstetric brachial plexus injury in a 2-year-old girl using high­frequency ultrasonography.

We describe an unusual case of infant obstetric brachial plexus injury located in the cervical (C)5-C6 brachial plexus nerve, which was preoperatively diagnosed using high-frequency ultrasonography (US) at 2 years of age. The girl was diagnosed with a right clavicular fracture because of shoulder dystocia. She had been showing movement limitations of her entire right upper limb after fracture healing and was then referred to our hospital at 2 years of age. High-frequency US showed that the roots of the right brachial plexus ran continuously, but the diameter of C6 was thinner on the affected side than on the contralateral side (right 0.12 cm vs. left 0.20 cm). A traumatic neuroma had formed at the upper trunk, which was thicker (diameter: right 0.35 cm vs. left 0.23 cm; cross-sectional area: right 0.65 cm2 vs. left 0.31 cm2) at the level of the supraclavicular fossa. Intraoperative findings were consistent with ultrasound findings. Postoperative pathology confirmed brachial plexus traumatic neuroma.

Diagnosis of thoracic outlet syndrome with the lower trunk compression of brachial plexus by high-frequency ultrasonography.

BACKGROUND: Thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) with the lower trunk compression of brachial plexus (BP) is difficult to diagnosis. This study aimed to summarize the features of thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) with the lower trunk compression of brachial plexus observed on high-frequency ultrasonography (HFUS). METHODS: The ultrasound data of 27 patients who had TOS with the lower trunk compression of brachial plexus were collected and eventually confirmed by surgery. The imaging data were compared, and the pathogenesis of TOS was analyzed on the basis of surgical data. RESULTS: TOS occurred predominantly in females (70.4%). Most cases had unilateral involvement (92.6%), mainly on the right side (66.7%). The HFUS features of TOS can be summarized as follows: (1) Lower trunk compression. HFUS revealed focal thinning that reflected compression at the level of the lower trunk; furthermore, the distal part of the nerve was thickened for edema (Affected side: 0.49 ± 0.12 cm vs. Healthy side: 0.38 ± 0.06, P = 0.009), and the cross-sectional area of brachial plexus cords was markedly greater on the injured side than on the healthy side (0.95 ± 0.08 cm² vs. 0.65 ± 0.11 cm², P = 0.004). (2) Hyperechoic fibromuscular bands behind the compressed nerve (mostly the scalenus minimus muscle). (3) Abnormal bony structures: cervical ribs or elongated transverse processes of the 7th cervical vertebra (C7). Surgical results showed that the etiological factors contributing to TOS were (1) muscle hypertrophy and/or fibrosis (100%) and (2) cervical ribs/elongated C7 transverse processes (20.7%). CONCLUSION: TOS with the lower trunk compression of brachial plexus can be diagnosed accurately and reliably by high-frequency ultrasound.

A study of 399 cardiac tumors: Characteristics of echocardiography and pathological features.

AIMS: This study aimed to summarize the transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) characteristics of cardiac tumors with different pathologies. METHODS: The data of 399 patients with cardiac tumors confirmed by pathology, who had undergone surgical resection were consecutively collected in our hospital between January 1, 2011 and December 31, 2019. The TTE characteristics were summarized and compared with the pathology. RESULTS: Mean patient age was 49.8±15.7 years (22 children and 377 adults), and 62.2% were female. Of the tumors, 90.5% (361) were primary and 9.5% (38) were secondary. Further, 88.7% (354) were benign and 11.3% (45) were malignant. Of the primary tumors (96.1% benign and 3.9% malignant), 84.2% were myxomas, followed by 3.5% lipomas and 1.5% fibromas in adults, while in children, 31.8% were rhabdomyomas and 22.7% were fibromas. The most common type of secondary cardiac tumor was malignant liver carcinoma metastasis (39.5%) and benign intravenous leiomyomatosis with cardiac extension from the uterus (18.4%). TTE features of myxoma showed four variation types among 8.9% of myxomas: liquefaction (anechoic region mostly), calcification (hyperechoic range with a shadow), multiple nodules, and high proliferative activity (a large irregular mass with a wide base and a high Ki67 index). The TTE characteristics of some common benign non-myxoma tumors had specific findings. The TTE features of malignant tumors mostly showed hypoechogenicity, an unclear boundary, a wide basement, and multi-chambers or tissue invasion. CONCLUSIONS: Most cardiac tumors have typical ultrasonic manifestations. Preoperative echocardiography could roughly judge cardiac tumor type and may be helpful for guiding clinical treatment decisions.

Comparison of imaging characteristics for mortality risk analysis between young and older acute aortic dissection patients.

BACKGROUND: There are differences between young and older patients diagnosed with acute aortic dissection. We aimed to explore the differences in echocardiographic and computed tomography angiography (CTA) characteristics between the young and the older patients diagnosed with acute aortic dissection. METHODS: The data from 1220 patients with aortic dissection were collected. They were divided into the young and the older groups with the age threshold set at 45 years old. The basic information and imaging data were collected and compared between the two groups. Univariate regression was used to find the risk factors for mortality in each group. RESULTS: Echocardiographic results showed the proportion of left ventricular enlargement (young vs older, 39.9% vs 26.9%, p-value <.001) and left ventricular dysfunction (22.3% vs 14.1%, p-value ​​smaller than .001) in the young group was significantly higher. Although there is no statistically significant difference in mortality within 60 days after admission (12.0% vs 15.1%, p-value equals to .164), the involvements of aortic branches were the risk factor for the mortality in the young group. For the older patients, the left ventricular remodeling detected by echocardiography (left atrial enlargement, ascending aortic dilation, aortic regurgitation) and decreased heart function were the risk factors for mortality. CONCLUSIONS: The mortality of the young and the older groups with acute aortic dissection are comparable. The involvements of aortic branches were the mortality risk factors in the young patients while the structural and functional change of the left ventricle detected by echocardiography was the mortality risk factor for the older patients.

Cerebral infarction and risk factors in acute type A aortic dissection with arch branch extension.

OBJECTIVE: Stanford type A aortic dissection (AAD) may affect the supra-aortic arteries, which are associated with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) or transient ischemic attack (TIA). This study aimed to investigate cerebral perfusion, the infarction incidence and risk factors in AAD patients. METHODS: A total of 156 consecutive AAD patients were enrolled and divided into two groups according to whether the aortic arch branches were involved: the affected group (n = 90) and the unaffected group (n = 66). Clinical, echocardiographic/carotid Doppler data and cerebral infarction morbidity were compared between the groups. Independent predictors of 30-day AAD mortality were identified through multivariable Cox regression, and perioperative risk factors were analyzed. RESULTS: In total, 57.7% of AAD patients had aortic arch branch involvement. Abnormal Doppler waveforms were more common in the affected group (p < 0.05). Regarding intracranial perfusion, the blood flow volumes (BFVs) of the bilateral internal carotid arteries (ICAs) and right vertebral artery (RVA) in the affected group were significantly reduced (p < 0.05). The incidence of cerebral infarction in the affected group was significantly higher than that in the unaffected group (35.6% vs. 19.7%, p = 0.031). Multivariable analysis revealed that age >45 years old, right internal carotid artery (RICA) involvement and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) were significant predictors of perioperative death. CONCLUSIONS: Aortic arch branch involvement is common in patients with AAD and is associated with reduced cerebral blood flow (especially on the right side) and a higher incidence of cerebral infarction. Age, extension of the RICA dissection and LVEF impairment are independent risk factors for AAD-related death.

Echocardiographic Characteristics and Contrast-Enhanced Imaging of Intravenous Leiomyomatosis With Intracardiac Extension.

OBJECTIVES: Intravenous leiomyomatosis (IVL) is a histologically benign but biologically aggressive tumor. This study aimed to summarize the echocardiography and contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEU) characteristics of IVL to provide a basis for clinical diagnosis and therapy. METHODS: Fourteen IVL patients with uterus leiomyoma history (female, 46.4 ± 5.6 years) were enrolled in this study from March 2008 to December 2020 in our hospital. Preoperative imaging examination data were collected, including echocardiography computed tomography data; six patients also underwent CEU. All patients underwent successful resection, confirmed by histopathology. RESULTS: Echocardiographic characteristics: The mean sizes of intracardiac parts of IVL tumors were 54.0 ± 17.9 mm (length) and 24.6 ± 9.8 mm (width). IVL tumors exhibited two echocardiography types: isoechoic solid mass (71.4%, 10/14) and anechoic cystic conduits (28.6%, 4/14), with enlargements of the right atrium (57.1%,8/14), right ventricle (1 patient, 7.1%), and inferior vena cava (57.1%, 8/14). About 21.4% of the patients (3/14) had right ventricular dysfunction. Right heart obstruction was observed in 42.8% (6/14) of the patients. CEU characteristics: the solid mass type exhibited an earlier perfusion and lower perfusion intensity than the conduits type. CEU was helpful in determining origins and pathways: from the internal iliac vein (pathway I, 71.4%), from the ovarian vein (pathway II, 14.3%), or both (14.3%). The echocardiographic appearances of the 14 cases were consistent with the features of the resection specimens. CONCLUSION: Combined echocardiography and CEU can provide a more valuable information for the diagnosis of IVL and essential basis for treatment.

Rare malignant melanotic nerve sheath tumors of the upper limb nerves: utility of high-frequency ultrasonography in preoperative imaging.

Melanotic nerve sheath tumor (MNST) is a rare variant of schwannoma. Here, we report an unusual case of multiple MNST lesions located in the upper limb nerves. The patient presented with a mass on the left wrist in 2016 and another mass on the left thumb in 2017. In both instances, magnetic resonance imaging scans confirmed multiple giant-cell tumors of the tendon sheath. Persistent pain in the left upper limb and numbness in the ring finger and little finger recurred in 2021. High-frequency ultrasound (HFUS) showed that the left brachial plexus nerves (C5-8) were widened compared with those on the contralateral side; the neuroma formed at the lateral cord, and the median nerve was markedly thickened. The surgical findings were consistent with the ultrasound results. Pathology confirmed that the tumors were malignant MNSTs. HFUS is important for preoperative diagnosis and lesion localization, even identifying some lesions that are unrecognized on magnetic resonance imaging; thus, HFUS is crucial for improving surgical strategy and decision-making.

Unilateral absence of pulmonary artery analysis based on echocardiographic feature.

The unilateral absence of pulmonary artery (UAPA) is a rare congenital cardiovascular malformation, which is asymptomatic and easy to be ignored in early stage. A large number of complications may occur in the later stage. Therefore, early diagnosis and treatment is of great significance. The imaging data of 49 patients with UAPA discovered and confirmed clinically by the echocardiography in our hospital are analyzed. The results show that left pulmonary artery absence is more common (55%) and most of them are associated with other cardiovascular malformations (92%). Atrial septal defect and patent foramen ovale were most common in 56%. In which the absence of isolated pulmonary artery was 8% (4/49), and the absence of right pulmonary artery was 75% (3/4). Especially in the patients with tetralogy of Fallot, 77% (5/9) of them miss the diagnosis of UAPA. This suggests that doctors and sonographers should pay attention to the development of pulmonary artery bifurcation and left and right branches in multi-section, and strengthen the scanning of short axis section of high large artery.

Diagnosis of cervical plexus tumours by high-frequency ultrasonography.

BACKGROUND: Cervical plexus (CP) tumours are difficult to diagnose because of atypical symptoms. This study aimed to summarize the features of a normal CP and CP tumours observed on high-frequency ultrasonography. METHODS: The ultrasound data of 11 CP tumour patients and 22 normal volunteers were collected. All 11 patients underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and 4 patients also underwent computed tomography (CT). The imaging data were compared with surgery and pathology data. RESULTS: The C7 vertebra and bifurcation of the carotid common artery (CCA) were useful anatomic markers for identifying the CP. In contrast to the C1 nerve (22.7%), the C2-4 nerves were well displayed and thinner than the brachial plexus (P < 0.05). CP tumours were more common in females (72.7%) and generally located at C4 (72.7%) on the right side (81.8%). Additionally, the nerve trunk in tumour patients was obviously wider than that in normal controls (7.49 ± 1.03 mm vs 2.67 ± 0.36 mm, P < 0.01). Compared with pathology, the diagnostic rates of CP tumours by MRI, CT and high-frequency ultrasound were 72.7% (8/11), 25% (1/4) and 90.9% (10/11), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The diagnosis of CP neuropathy is accurate and reliable by high-frequency ultrasound, and the C7 vertebra and bifurcation of the CCA are useful anatomic markers in CP ultrasonography.

Differentiation of patients with two-dimensional echocardiography false positive non-compaction of ventricular myocardium by contrast echocardiography.

Although echocardiography can be used to detect patients with non-compaction of the ventricular myocardium, it is often difficult to diagnose. In this study, the endocardium may be clearly visualized by contrast echocardiography to improve the diagnostic accuracy of patients with noncompaction of the ventricular myocardium. Twenty-four patients (n = 24) suspected with non-compaction of the ventricular myocardium Underwent transthoracic echocardiography including an intracardiac contrast echocardiography. The clinical data, Left ventricular opacification, and contrast echocardiography results were analyzed retrospectively. Twenty-four patients (n = 24) suspected with non-compaction of the ventricular myocardium were classified with transthoracic echocardiography and contrast echocardiography results into two groups: false positive and true positive. There were no significant differences in age, predisposing segments, Left Ventricular End-Diastolic Diameter, Left Ventricular End-Diastolic Volume, Left Ventricular End-Systolic Diameter, Left Ventricular End-Systolic Volume and ejection fraction between the two groups (P>0.05). The thickness ratio of noncompacted to compacted myocardium (N/C) in the true positive group was significantly higher than that in the false positive group (3.47 ± 1.31 vs. 4.96 ± 1.28; P<0.05). The range of noncompact myocardium in non-compaction of the ventricular myocardium patients can be observed clearly by Left ventricular opacification. Contrast medium in trabecular space and crypt is plentiful and ultrasonic contrast is more objective in measuring the thickness of dense myocardium. Two-dimensional echocardiography plays a characteristic role in the diagnosis of non-compaction of the ventricular myocardium; however, some suspected patients were observed to be false positive. Left ventricular opacification can greatly improve the clarity and accuracy of the endocardial margin by enhancing left ventricular imaging, displaying the true dense and non-dense layers, and improve the accuracy of ultrasonic diagnosis of non-compaction of the ventricular myocardium. The purpose of this paper was to explore the applied value of contrast echocardiography for heart diagnosis.

Transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells overexpressing IL10 attenuates cardiac impairments in rats with myocardial infarction.

Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) has been well known to exert therapeutic potential for patients with myocardial infarction (MI). In addition, interleukin-10 (IL10) could attenuate MI through suppressing inflammation. Thus, the combination of MSC implantation with IL10 delivery may extend health benefits to ameliorate cardiac injury after MI. Here we established overexpression of IL10 in bone marrow-derived MSC through adenoviral transduction. Cell viability, apoptosis, and IL10 secretion under ischemic challenge in vitro were examined. In addition, MSC was transplanted into the injured hearts in a rat model of MI. Four weeks after the MI induction, MI, cardiac functions, apoptotic cells, and inflammation cytokines were assessed. In response to in vitro oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD), IL10 overexpression in MSC (Ad.IL10-MSC) enhanced cell viability, decreased apoptosis, and increased IL10 secretion. Consistently, the implantation of Ad.IL10-MSCs into MI animals resulted in more reductions in myocardial infarct size, cardiac impairment, and cell apoptosis, compared to the individual treatments of either MSC or IL10 administration. Moreover, the attenuation of both systemic and local inflammations was most prominent for Ad.IL10-MSC treatment. IL10 overexpression and MSC may exert a synergistic anti-inflammatory effect to alleviate cardiac injury after MI.

Effects of radiofrequency ablation versus other ablating techniques on hepatocellular carcinomas: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous ablation has quickly arisen as one of the important alternative treatments for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We aimed to compare the therapeutic effects of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and other ablative techniques on HCCs. METHODS: Databases were searched to identify literature on complete tumor ablation (CTA), overall survival (OS), local tumor recurrence (LTR), and complications of RFA in the treatment of HCC, compared with those of microwave ablation (MWA), percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI), PEI plus RFA, cryoablation (CRA), laser ablation (LSA), and high-intensity focused ultrasound. Randomized controlled trials and high-quality cohort studies were included in the assessment. RESULTS: The effects of MWA and CRA appeared to be similar to those of RFA, but lower rates of LTR and higher rates of CTA in large tumors compared with RFA were reported (P < 0.05). CTA rates were lower in patients treated with PEI (odds ratio [OR] 0.16, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.06-0.42), and higher in those treated with PEI plus RFA (OR 2.28, 95% CI 1.19-3.60), with an increased incidence of fever (P < 0.05). LSA resulted in lower CTA rates (OR 0.32, 95% CI 0.13-0.81) and OS (hazard ratio 1.47, 95% CI 1.01-2.15), with a lower incidence of complications. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with RFA, identical effects were found in MWA and CRA groups. Fewer complications were observed in PEI and LSA group. PEI plus RFA appeared more effective, with a higher rate of complications. Well-designed randomized controlled trials are further needed to confirm above results.

Echocardiography-guided percutaneous per-ventricular laser ablation of ventricular septum: in vivo study in a canine model.

Surgical myectomy and ethanol ablation are established intervention strategies for left ventricular outflow obstruction in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Safety and efficacy limitations of these interventions call for a minimally invasive, potentially safer, and more efficacious strategy. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the feasibility of echocardiography-guided percutaneous per-ventricular laser ablation of a ventricular septum in a canine model. Six domestic dogs were chosen for the study. A 21G needle was inserted into the right ventricle with its tip reaching the targeted basal to mid-septum, after which laser ablation was performed as follows: 1-W laser for 3 min (180 J) at the basal segment and 5 min (300 J) at middle segment of the septum, respectively. Echocardiography, blood chemistry tests, and pathology examination were performed to assess the results of laser ablation. No death or major complications, i.e., tamponade, pericardial effusion, or ventricular fibrillation, occurred. The laser-ablated areas were well demarcated in the results of the pathological examination. The diameters of the ablated regions were 4.42 ± 0.57 and 5.28 ± 0.83 mm for 3 and 5 min ablation, respectively. Pre-ablation and post-ablation, cardiac enzymes were found to increase significantly while no significant differences were found among M-mode, 2D (LVEF), pulsed-wave (PW) Doppler, and tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) measurements. Contrast echocardiography confirmed the perfusion defects in the ablated regions. Microscopically, the ablated myocardium showed coagulative changes and a sparse distribution of disappearing nuclei and an increase in eosinophil number were observed. Our study suggests that percutaneous and per-ventricular laser ablation of the septum is feasible, potentially safe and efficacious, and warrants further investigation and validation.

High-intensity focused ultrasound ablation of myocardium in vivo and instantaneous biological response.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the instantaneous biological response of canine myocardium in vivo to high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) ablation, and thereby determine the feasibility of this method. METHODS: Left ventricle myocardium HIFU ablation was performed on six dogs at four levels of HIFU energy (acoustic intensity was 3000 W/cm2 ; ablation durations were 1.2, 2.4, 3.6, and 4.8 sec, respectively). Gross lesion volumes were confirmed and assessed by tetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining, hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, and electron microscopy. Global cardiac function and focal wall motion were evaluated by echocardiography. Blood enzymes and cardiac troponin T (CTnT) were tested after ablation. HIFU ablation was repeated on another set of six fresh canine hearts in vitro at the same four energy levels. Focal maximum temperatures were detected both in vivo and in vitro. RESULTS: Different sizes of ablation via HIFU can be created in beating hearts using controlled energy emission. Focal maximum temperatures varied from 62 ± 4.8 °C to 81 ± 12.9 °C. The lesion sizes were significantly smaller in vivo than in vitro, as verified by TTC and HE staining. Focal wall motion immediately decreased after ablation (P < 0.05), although the ejection fraction (EF) and E/A ratio were unchanged (P > 0.05). Enzymes and CTnT immediately increased. CONCLUSION: HIFU can be used for the controllable ablation of myocardial tissue, with instantly increased serum markers, decreased regional wall motion, and unaffected left ventricular global function.

Diagnosis of closed injury and neoplasm of the brachial plexus by ultrasonography.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the feasibility and accuracy of high-frequency sonography (US) in diagnosing traumatic brachial plexus (BP) lesions and neoplasms in the adult. METHODS: Eleven patients with suspected BP closed trauma, 6 patients with BP neoplasm, and 12 healthy volunteers were scanned. The US findings were compared with surgical findings. RESULTS: The interscalene space and intervertebral foramina were useful anatomic markers in identifying the BP. In the 24 sites examined in the normal group (12 subjects examined on both sides), the fifth to seventh cervical nerve roots (C5-7, including upper and middle trunk) were seen, whereas the eighth cervical and first thoracic nerve roots (C8, T1, including the lower trunk) were seen in 91.7% (22/24) of the subjects. The BP appeared as three or four discrete rounded hypoechoic nodules between the anterior scalene and middle scalene muscle in transverse views at the C5-7 level, representing the trunks in the sagittal oblique section. In the BP trauma group (n = 11), the normal nerve trunk was interrupted, and lesions were shown as thickening and swelling with indistinct inner structures. In the neoplasm group (n = 6), masses were shown as hypoechoic masses. CONCLUSIONS: High-frequency US is valuable in diagnosing BP closed injuries and neoplasms.

Echocardiography-guided percutaneous intramyocardial alginate hydrogel implants for heart failure: canine models with 6-month outcomes.

Background: Echocardiography-guided percutaneous intramyocardial alginate-hydrogel implantation (PIMAHI) is a novel treatment approach for heart failure (HF). We validated PIMAHI safety and efficacy in canine HF models. Methods: Fourteen canines with HF [produced by coronary artery ligation, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) < 35%] were randomised to PIMAHI treatment (n = 8) or controls (n = 6). Echocardiography, two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography, and pathological examinations after a 6-month follow-up were performed. Repeated-measures analysis of variance was used for within-group comparisons. Results: At 6-month follow-up, PIMAHI treatment reversed LV dilation and remodelling, increasing LV free wall thickness (LVFW, p = 0.002) and interventricular septum thickness (IVS, p < 0.001) and reducing LV end-diastolic volume (EDV, p = 0.008) and end-systolic volume (ESV, p = 0.004). PIMAHI significantly improved LV systolic function, increasing LVEF (EF, p = 0.004); enhanced LV myocardial contractility, including increased LV global longitudinal strain (GLS, p < 0.001), global circumferential strain (GCS, p = 0.006), and mitral annulus displacement (MAD, p = 0.001). Compared with controls at 6-month, PIMAHI group significantly increased LVFW thickness (8.5 ± 0.3 vs. 6.8 ± 0.2 mm, p = 0.002) and IVS (7.9 ± 0.1 vs. 6.1 ± 0.2 mm, p < 0.001); decreased LVEDV (30.1 ± 1.6 vs. 38.9 ± 4.5 ml, p = 0.049) and ESV (17.3 ± 1.2 vs. 28.7 ± 3.6 ml, p = 0.004); increased LV systolic function (42.7 ± 1.5 vs. 26.7 ± 1.1% in EF, p = 0.001); and enhanced LV myocardial contractility including GLS (13.5 ± 0.8 vs. 8.4 ± 0.6%, p = 0.002), GCS (16.5 ± 1.4 vs. 9.2 ± 0.6%, p = 0.001), and MAD (11.4 ± 3.5vs 4.6 ± 2.5 mm, p = 0.003). During PIMAHI treatment, no sustained arrhythmia, pericardial, or pleural effusion occurred. Conclusions: PIMAHI in canine HF models was safe and effective. It reversed LV dilation and improved LV function.

Clinical characteristics of 274 non-small cell lung cancer patients in China.

BACKGROUND: The mortality from non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in China is increasing, and studies about clinical characteristics of recent NSCLC are rare. The primary objective of this study was to explore clinical features in a large general hospital in Northwest China, and to determine risk factors for stage, pathology and survival, with a view to prevention and treatment of NSCLC as well as establishment and improvement of national medical insurance policies. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the characteristics of NSCLC patients (n = 274), as well as risk factors for advanced stage and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Survival features in different groups were analyzed, as well as risk factors of survival. Follow-up was at least 3 years. RESULTS: 179 were male (65.3%); 136 had adenocarcinoma (49.6%) and 109 had SCC (39.8%); 186 (67.9%) had advanced-stage disease (IIIB-IV); 130 (47.4%) had smoking habits; 195 came from an urban area (71.2%); 69 had local urban resident basic medical insurance; 58% were younger than 60 years. Female, adenocarcinoma, rural patients were significantly younger than male, SCC, and urban patients. Pathology was the only independent risk factor for advanced stage. Age, sex, and smoking status were independent prognostic factors for SCC. The proportion of male SCC was higher than female SCC even without the influence of smoking. Without local urban resident basic medical insurance, higher stage and not having surgery, but not smoking status, were independent risk factors for lower median progression-free survival (PFS). Patients with adenocarcinoma and SCC in advanced stage accepting EGFR-TKI during treatment had a higher 1-year survival rate and longer overall survival (OS) compared with those never accepting EGFR-TKI. EGFR-TKI treatment and chemotherapy regimen numbers were independent risk factor for median OS in advanced adenocarcinoma and SCC patients. CONCLUSION: More prevention and screening should be carried out for the female and rural population. EGFR-TKI could benefit advanced NSCLCs. China's medical insurance policy has some adverse effect on NSCLC survival calling for further improvement.

Contrast-enhanced echocardiographic diagnosis of benign and malignant cardiac tumors and its correlation with pathology.

Background: This study aimed to explore the diagnostic value of contrast-enhanced echocardiography (CEE) in benign and malignant cardiac tumors and detect the correlation of CEE parameters and immunohistochemistry (IHC) markers. Methods: The data of 44 patients with cardiac tumors confirmed by pathology were reviewed. Lesions were examined before surgery using transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and CEE with time-intensity curve analysis. The expression of CD31, VEGF and Ki67 was measured by IHC staining. Microvessel density (MVD) was quantified via IHC for CD31. The clinical variables, TTE, CEE and IHC parameters were compared between benign and malignant cardiac tumors. Receiver operating characteristic curve were used to analyze the value of factors in predicting malignant cardiac tumors. The correlation between CEE and IHC parameters was analyzed. Results: Among 44 cardiac tumors, 34 were benign and 10 were malignant. There were significant differences in the TTE parameters (pericardial effusion, tumor boundary, diameter, basal width), CEE parameters (tumor peak intensity (TPI), peak intensity ratio of tumor to myocardium (TPI/MPI), area under time-intensity curve (AUTIC)) and IHC parameters (Ki67, MVD, CD31, VEGF) between the benign and malignant tumor groups (all P < 0.05). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that the CEE and IHC parameters had diagnostic value in malignant cardiac tumors. There was a correlation between TPI/MPI and Ki67 (r = 0.62), AUTIC and Ki67 (r = 0.50), and AUTIC and CD31 (r = 0.56). Conclusion: TTE and CEE parameters were different between benign and malignant cardiac tumors. CEE is helpful to differentiate the properties of cardiac tumors. There is a correlation between CEE parameters and IHC markers. AUTIC and TPI/MPI can reflect the proliferation and invasion of tumors.

Thermal/ultrasound-triggered release of liposomes loaded with Ganoderma applanatum polysaccharide from microbubbles for enhanced tumour ablation.

The effectiveness of thermal ablation for the treatment of liver tumours is limited by the risk of incomplete ablation, which can result in residual tumours. Herein, an enhancement strategy is proposed based on the controlled release of Ganoderma applanatum polysaccharide (GAP) liposome-microbubble complexes (GLMCs) via ultrasound (US)-targeted microbubble destruction (UTMD) and sublethal hyperthermic (SH) field. GLMCs were prepared by conjugating GAP liposomes onto the surface of microbubbles via biotin-avidin linkage. In vitro, UTMD promotes the cellular uptake of liposomes and leads to apoptosis of M2-like macrophages. Secretion of arginase-1 (Arg-1) and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-ß) by M2-like macrophages decreased. In vivo, restriction of tumour volume was observed in rabbit VX2 liver tumours after treatment with GLMCs via UTMD in GLMCs + SH + US group. The expression levels of CD68 and CD163, as markers of tumour-associated macrophages (TAMs) in the GLMCs + SH + US group were reduced in liver tumour tissue. Decreased Arg-1, TGF-ß, Ki67, and CD31 factors related to tumour cell proliferation and angiogenesis was evident on histological analysis. In conclusion, thermal/US-triggered drug release from GLMCs suppressed rabbit VX2 liver tumour growth in the SH field by inhibiting TAMs, which represents a potential approach to improve the effectiveness of thermal ablation.

A Heart Segmentation Algorithm Based on Dynamic Ultrasound.

The heart is one of the most important organs of the human body. The role of the heart is to promote blood flow and provide sufficient blood flow to organs and tissues. The research on the heart has important theoretical and clinical significance. Because of the noninvasive and intuitive display of ultrasound image, it can dynamically obtain the heart state and has become the main means to detect the heart dynamics. We analyze the characteristics of cardiac ultrasound image from the medical point of view and signal processing. The heart movement is periodic and rhythmic. The image signal can be decomposed. Firstly, the image is decomposed into high- and low-frequency signals to highlight different dimensional information. Then, the attention model was introduced, focusing on the heart region. Finally, the multidimensional network carrying model was established to achieve cardiac segmentation. The experimental results show that the AOM of the algorithm proposed in this paper reaches 92%, which has a certain degree of advancement and can assist doctors to make accurate diagnosis.