Preoperative localization of sentinel lymph nodes using percutaneous contrast-enhanced ultrasonography in patients with breast cancer.

Background: This study aimed to investigate the feasibility of preoperative identification of sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) by contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) for patients with breast cancer. Methods: The patients with T1-T2N0M0 breast cancer who were scheduled for primary surgical treatment were recruited. All the patients had received a periareolar intradermal injection of an ultrasonic contrast agent (SonoVue, Bracco, Milan, Italy) followed by an ultrasound to identify contrast-enhanced SLNs. A guidewire was deployed to localize the SLN. Methylene blue stain was used to help trace SLNs during the operation. The identification rate and accuracy rate were recorded. The number of SLNs labeled by two methods was counted and compared using Wilcoxon testing. Results: A total of 366 SLNs were detected in 72 patients by methylene blue intraoperatively, with a median of 5 lymph nodes [interquartile range (IQR), 4-6] per patient. A total of 95 SLNs were detected in 63 patients (87.5%) by CEUS, with a median of 1 lymph node (IQR, 1-2) per patient. The number of SLNs detected by CEUS was significantly less than that labeled by the methylene blue staining method (Z=-7.362, P=0000). Pathology confirmed 12 single metastases in all the lymph nodes examined, 10 of which were the only lymph node identified by CEUS. Conclusions: Periareolar intradermal injection of an ultrasonic contrast agent was an effective and convenient supplementary to localize SLNs. The technique was expected to improve the accuracy of axillary staging with minor surgical trauma and postoperative complications.

Epidemiology of Birth Defects in Eastern China and the Associated Risk Factors.

BACKGROUND This study aimed to survey the overall situation of birth defects (BDs) among citizens of Hangzhou, China, and the risk factors of different BD types. MATERIAL AND METHODS We collected the data of 4349 perinatal infants with BDs in Hangzhou. The potentially associated risk factors of BDs were recorded and logistic regression analysis was used to predict the high incidence of BDs. RESULTS Among all perinatal infants with BDs, there were 4105 (94.3%) single births, 225 (5.2%) twin births, and 10 (0.2%) multiple births. In clinical outcomes, there were 2477 (57.0%) live births, 1806 (41.5%) dead fetuses, and 11 (0.3%) stillbirths. Down syndrome ranked first, accounting for 30.7% of the total births, followed by cleft lip and polydactyly. Low family income, nulliparity, high parity, high education level, and taking contraceptives in early pregnancy were found to be risk factors of Down syndrome. Low parity, low education level, and pesticide exposure were found to be risk factors of cleft lip. For polydactyly, young age of the mother and a parity above 0 were identified as risk factors. CONCLUSIONS Different risks factors can influence BD development and potentially help to predict specific BD types, such as demographic features and harmful exposure in early pregnancy.

Elastography for breast cancer diagnosis: a useful tool for small and BI-RADS 4 lesions.

The present study aimed at evaluating and comparing the diagnostic performance of B-mode ultrasound (US), elastography score (ES), and strain ratio (SR) for the differentiation of breast lesions. This retrospective study enrolled 431 lesions from 417 in-hospital patients. All patients were examined with both conventional ultrasound and elastography. Two experienced radiologists reviewed ultrasound and elasticity images. The histopathologic result obtained from ultrasound-guided core biopsy or operation excisions were used as the reference standard. Pathologic examination revealed 276 malignant lesions (64%) and 155 benign lesions (36%). A cut-off point of 4.15 (area under the curve, 0.891) allowed significant differentiation of malignant and benign lesions. ROC (receiver-operating characteristic) curves showed a higher value for combination of B-mode ultrasound and elastography for the diagnosis of breast lesions. Conventional ultrasound combined elastography showed high sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for group II lesions (10mm

Breast magnetic resonance imaging in patients with occult breast carcinoma: evaluation on feasibility and correlation with histopathological findings.

BACKGROUND: As an uncommon presentation, occult primary breast cancer remains a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge in clinical practice. This study aimed to retrospectively assess the feasibility of breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients with malignant axillary lymphadenopathy and unknown primary malignancy, and correlation with histopathological characteristics. METHODS: A total of 35 women with occult breast carcinoma were evaluated with dynamic contrast-enhanced breast MRI. Whole seriate section was used in all cases. MRI performance was assessed and correlated with histopathological findings. RESULTS: Twenty-one of 35 patients were found to have primary breast carcinoma histologically. Twenty of the 21 patients had abnormal MR findings and 1 patient had a normal MRI study. Of the remaining 14 patients, 10 were negative on both MRI and surgery. Four had suspicious enhancement on MRI and no corresponding tumor was found. Lesions with mass enhancement were found in 55% (11/20) and ductual and segmental enhancement in 45%. The average diameter of the primary tumors was 15 mm. Invasive ductal carcinomas were found in 81% (17/21). One of 17 invasive ductual carcinomas was too small to be graded. Fourteen of the remaining 16 were classified as grade II and 2 as grade I. Thirty-two of the 35 patients had received estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 examinations and the 12 of 32 were triple-negative breast carcinoma. CONCLUSIONS: Mass lesions with small size and lesions with ductal or segment enhancement are common MRI features in patients with occult breast cancer. The dominant types of primary tumors are invasive ductal carcinoma with moderate histopathological grade. The rate of triple-negative breast carcinoma may be higher in occult breast cancer.

[Effects of high volume hemofiltration on postoperative multiple organ dysfunction syndrome in severe abdominal infection patients].

AIM: To evaluate the clinical efficacy of high-volume hemofiltration (HVHF) on treating postoperative multiple organ dysfunction syndrome in severe abdominal infection patients. METHODS: Data of 17 severe abdominal infection patients treated with HVHF were collected and the differences on oxygenation indices, APACHE-II scores before and after HVHF therapy were observed. RESULTS: After the first HVHF treatment, the oxygenation index improved, and the APACHE-II scores, TNF-alpha, IL-6, and IL-8 decreased significantly (P<0.05). After several HVHF treatments, the oxygenation index improved, and the APACHE-II scores decreased significantly (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: HVHF can improve both the respiratory function and vital signs of severe sepsis patients and relieve the severity of the illness.