Gadolinium Enhances Dual-energy Computed Tomography Scan of Pulmonary Artery.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility of using gadopentetate dimeglumine (Gd-DTPA) for dual-energy computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA). METHODS: Sixty-six patients were randomly divided into three groups and underwent CTPA. Group A had a turbo flash scan using an iohexol injection, Group B had a turbo flash scan using Gd-DTPA, and Group C had a dual-energy scan using Gd-DTPA. The original images of Group C were linearly blended with a blending factor of 0.5 or reconstructed at 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, and 110 keV, respectively. The groups were compared in terms of pulmonary artery CT value, image quality, and radiation dose. RESULTS: The pulmonary artery CT values were significantly higher in Group C40keV than in Groups B and C, but lower than in Group A. There was no significant difference in the image noise of Groups C40keV, B, and C. Moreover, Group A had the largest beam hardening artifacts of the superior vena cava (SVC), followed by Groups B and C. Group C40keV showed better vascular branching than the other three groups, among which Group B was superior to Group A. The subjective score of the image quality of Groups A, B, and C showed no significant difference, but the score was significantly higher in Group C40keV than in Groups A and B. The radiation dose was significantly lower in Group B than in Groups A and C. CONCLUSION: Gd-CTPA is recommended to patients who are unsuitable for receiving an iodine-based CTPA. Furthermore, a turbo flash scan could surpass a dual-energy scan without consideration for virtual monoenergetic imaging.

[The clinical efficacy of treatment on the cases of severe hallux valgus by the first metatarsal basal osteotomy combined with Chevron-Gerbert operation].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical efficacy of treatment on the cases of severe hallux valgus by the first metatarsal basal osteotomy combined with Chevron-Gerbert operation. METHODS: From June 2004 to August 2008, 37 cases of severe hallux valgus (66 feet) underwent first metatarsal basal osteotomy combined with Chevron-Gerbert operation. There were 5 males (10 feet) and 21 females (38 feet), aged 21 - 76 years (mean 58 years). For all patients with follow-up, radiographic measurements of frontal and lateral position of foot were taken to measure the hallux valgus angle (HVA), the IMA (intermetatarsal angle) and the proximal articular set angle (PASA) preoperatively, postoperatively and in follow-up respectively. The measuring results were compared among the preoperative, the 6-week postoperative and the final follow-up. At the same time the patients were evaluated with the AOFAS Maryland score. RESULTS: Of the original 37 patients, 26 patients (48 feet) were followed up. The mean durations of follow-up was 2.3 years (range from 1 to 4 years). At final follow-up, HVA corrected 25.6° ± 3.8°, IMA corrected 8.6° ± 2.4°, and PASA corrected 4.7° ± 4.2°. According to AOFAS rating system, 91.7% patients were rated as excellent or good with excellent in 15 patients (28 feet), good in 8 patients (16 feet), and fair in 3 patients (4 feet). CONCLUSIONS: First metatarsal basal osteotomy combined with Chevron-Gerbert operation has good efficacy to the patients with severe hallux valgus. However there are disadvantages such as complexity relatively for multi-stage osteotomy and internal fixation.

[The vola stress change of patients after operation of wrop-around flap for thumb reconstruction].

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the vola stress change after operation of wrop-around flap for thumb reconstruction,to know the influence of vola pressure change after operation of wrop-around flap. METHODS: From 1996 to 2004, 23 patients after the operation of wrop-around flap for thumb reconstruction were measured the entire footprint, the vola stress of single foot and double feet on static state and walking status. There were 16 males and 7 females,with a mean age of 23.7 years (17 to 42 years). The time from operation to measuring was 1.6 to 6 years (meana 3.8 years). The results of measuring were analyzed. RESULTS: Whether static footprint analysis or dynamic mechanical analysis, the plantar pressure distribution of donated foot were obviously different with those of the opposite site. The weight bearing of heel and the fourth and fifth metatarsal heads were nearly consistent with normal foot. But the former feet were obviously different. The weight bearing of the first metatarsal head was obviously lower than normal foot. And the weight bearing of the second and third metatarsal heads were obviously higher than normal foot. CONCLUSION: The operation of wrop-around flap for thumb reconstruction has advantage of the cosmesis and function of the reconstructed thumbs nearly consistent with normal thumbs. But the operation influences the postoperative foot pressure.