Hypervascular hepatic focal lesions on dynamic contrast-enhanced CT: preliminary data from arterial phase scans texture analysis for classification.

AIM: To investigate the ability of computed tomography texture analysis (CTTA) to distinguish different hypervascular hepatic focal lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: CTTA software was used to analyse retrospectively 18 cases of focal nodular hyperplasia, 10 cases of hepatic adenoma, 20 cases of haemangioma, 20 cases of hepatocellular carcinoma, and 20 cases of hepatic metastases using arterial phase scans. A list of texture features was generated for lesion classification. Fisher's discriminant analysis (FDA) was used to construct a predictive model from these parameters and to estimate the discriminant accuracy. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to assess the diagnostic performance of texture analysis of benign and malignant tumours. RESULTS: Fifteen texture features were significant differences between the five different histopathological types of all lesions. The total discriminant accuracy was 69.3%, with 55.7% cross-validation accuracy. Seven texture features showed significant differences between the benign and malignant tumours. The total discriminant accuracy in the sample was 83%, with 77.3% cross-validation accuracy. The area under the ROC curve (AUROC) of united texture features was 0.927 (95% confidence interval [CI]=0.875-0.979). CONCLUSIONS: CTTA can be used as an aid in the differential diagnosis of hypervascular solid focal hepatic lesions, especially the differential diagnosis between benign and malignant lesions.

Correlation between magnetic resonance perfusion weighted imaging of radiation brain injury and pathology.

We used magnetic resonance perfusion weighted imaging and pathological evaluation to examine different stages of radiation-induced brain injury and to investigate the correlation between the relative cerebral blood volume (rCBV) ratio and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Thirty adult rats were randomly divided into 2 groups: control and radiation group. The control group was not subjected to irradiation. The irradiation group rats were examined by magnetic resonance imaging and magnetic resonance perfusion weighted imaging at 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after radiation treatment. We measured the rCBV, mean transit time, and time to peak. Hematoxylin and eosin staining, immunohistochemical staining, and electron microscopy were performed. VEGF absorbance was evaluated by immunohistochemical staining. Compared with the control group, the differences in rCBV, mean transit time, time to peak, and VEGF absorbance after 3 months were statistically significant (P < 0.05). rCBV was positively correlated with VEGF (r = 0.94, P < 0.05). Magnetic resonance perfusion weighted imaging can reflect pathophysiological changes in brain tissue after irradiation. Decreased expression of VEGF plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of radiation-induced brain injury.

Impact of haematologic deficiencies on recurrent aphthous ulceration: a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Recurrent aphthous ulceration (RAU) is one of the most common oral mucosal diseases, some of which may be secondary to haematologic deficiencies. This meta-analysis aims to evaluate the association between haematologic deficiencies and RAU. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Case control studies were identified using a predefined search strategy that compared the difference in haematologic deficiencies between a RAU group and a control group. A meta-analysis was performed to estimate the combined odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) in a fixed-effects model and a random-effects model, as appropriate. RESULTS: In this meta-analysis, nine case control studies, including total 710 cases in RAU groups and 602 cases in control groups, were considered eligible for inclusion. Overall, the combined results based on all studies showed that the rate of haematinic deficiencies was significantly high in the RAU group (vitamin B12: OR=3.75, 95% CI: 2.38-5.94; folic acid: OR=7.55, 95% CI: 3.91-14.60; ferritin: OR=2.62, 95% CI: 1.69-4.06; and haemoglobin: OR=1.77, 95% CI: 1.12-2.80). CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis suggests that haematologic deficiencies could be a significant risk factor for RAU. Thus, screening and treating any haematologic deficiencies may play an important role in preventing the occurrence of RAU.