Dynamic MRI follow-up of radiation encephalopathy in the temporal lobe following nasopharyngeal carcinoma radiotherapy.

The natural course of radiation encephalopathy following nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) radiotherapy remains poorly understood. The present study aimed to investigate the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) characteristics and evolution of radiation encephalopathy. A series of 162 follow-up MRI examinations from 68 NPC patients with radiation encephalopathy in the temporal lobes were analyzed retrospectively. Each component of radiation encephalopathy was defined as follows: i) contrast enhanced lesions were enhanced lesions on contrast enhanced T1-weighted images (T1WI); ii) white matter lesions were lesions of homogeneous hyperintensity on T2-weighted images (T2WI) and hypointensity on T1WI; iii) cysts were round or oval well-defined lesions of hyperintensity on T2WI; iv) hemosiderin deposition were nodular or annular hypointense lesions with lower hypointense than normal white matter on both T1WI and T2WI; v) gray matter lesions were defined as disruption or erosion of hyperintensity in the cortex on T2WI. Contrast enhanced lesions, white matter lesions, gray matter lesions, cysts and hemosiderin deposition were detected in 105 (100.0%), 98 (93.3%), 94 (89.5%), 2 (1.7%) and 2 (1.7%) cases of the 105 initial diagnosed temporal lobe lesions. Contrast enhanced lesions were the most commonly observed, followed by white matter lesions, gray matter lesions, temporal lobe atrophy, cysts and hemosiderin deposition. In addition, 12 new lesions were identified during the follow-up, 4 of which presented as solid enhanced nodular lesions. Importantly, in 11 of the 117 (9.4%) affected temporal lobes, solid enhanced nodular lesions were observed to be the only initial abnormalities to occur. For those enhanced nodular lesions measuring <0.8 cm, no necrosis could be detected. On the contrary, all the contrast enhanced lesions measuring >2.0 cm exhibited a necrotic core. To the best of our knowledge, the present study revealed for the first time solid enhanced nodular lesions as the earliest MRI abnormalities of radiation encephalopathy following NPC radiotherapy.

Epithelioid hemangioma of bone: a report of two special cases and a literature review.

Intraosseous epithelioid hemangioma (EH) is a rare intermediate vascular neoplasm, characterized by locally aggressive and rarely metastasizing behavior. Occasionally, EH of bone can behave strangely and may simulate malignant neoplasm. Here, we report two cases of EH of bone. Of interest was the fact that the computed tomography and magnetic resonance images from one case showed an osteolytic lesion in the right scapula, with multiple swollen lymph nodes in the right supraclavicular and axillary areas. Another patient exhibited a local recurrence in the cervical vertebrae. The initial radiological diagnosis of both cases was metastatic tumor. EH should be included in the differential diagnosis of a radiographic osteolytic lesion with an aggressive appearance. Also, we reviewed the literature that reported EH of bone and summarized their radiological appearances. The cases of EH of bone that exhibited involvement of regional or draining lymph nodes were also summarized.

Surface modification of polyethersulfone membranes by blending triblock copolymers of methoxyl poly(ethylene glycol)-polyurethane-methoxyl poly(ethylene glycol).

The surface of polyethersulfone (PES) membrane was modified by blending triblock copolymers of methoxyl poly(ethylene glycol)-polyurethane-methoxyl poly(ethylene glycol) (mPEG-PU-mPEG), which were synthesized through solution polymerization with mPEG Mns of 500 and 2000, respectively. The PES and PES/mPEG-PU-mPEG blended membranes were prepared through spin coating coupled with liquid-liquid phase separation. FTIR and (1)H NMR analysis confirmed that the triblock copolymers were successfully synthesized. The functional groups and morphologies of the membranes were studied by ATR-FTIR and SEM, respectively. It was found that the triblock copolymers were blended into PES membranes successfully, and the morphologies of the blended membranes were somewhat different from PES membrane. The water contact angles and platelet adhesion were decreased after blending mPEG-PU-mPEG into PES membranes. Meanwhile, the activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) for the blended membranes increased. The anti-protein-fouling property and permeation property of the blended membranes improved obviously. SEM observation and 3-(4, 5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay proved the surfaces of the blended membranes promoted human hepatocytes adhesion and proliferation better than PES membrane.