Objective To explore the value of virtual touch tissue quantification(VTQ) of acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) in the differential diagnosis between benign and malignant thyroid nodules. Methods The ultrasound (US), elastography imaging(EI), and VTQ of ARFI were performed to determine the characteristics and features of 63 thyroid nodules. The pathological diagnosis was the gold standard. According to the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) of US, EI, and VTQ, the critical points and diagnostic values of US, EI, and VTQ in diag-nosis of malignant thyroid nodules were achieved. Results Of the 63 nodules, 45 were benign and 18 were malignant. The area under curves of US, EI, and shear wave velocity(SWV) were 0.837(95% CI:0.712-0.962), 0.863(95% CI:0.751-0.974), and 0.900 (95% CI:0.810-0.990) respectively, and all the 3 kinds of technique had diagnostic value(P=0.001), but there were no significant difference among the 3 kinds of technique on the area under curve(P > 0.05). According to the receiver operating characteristic(ROC) curve, the critical point of US in distinguishing benign nodules with malignant nodules was 3 conventional ultrasonography, which displayed a sensitivity of 83.3%, a specificity of 86.7%, and a accuracy of 85.7%. The critical point of EI grades in distinguishing benign nodules with malignant nodules was gradeⅣ, which displayed a sensitivity of 94.1%, a specificity of 82.6%, and a accuracy of 87.3%. The critical value of SWV in distinguishing benign nodules with malignant nodules was 3.39 m/s, which displayed a sensiti-vity of 88.9%, a specificity of 91.1%, and a accuracy of 90.5%. Conclusion US, EI, and VTQ techniques all have diagnostic values in the differential diagnosis between benign and malignant thyroid nodules, and we should make combination with all of the 3 kinds of technique when performing differential diagnosis.
ObjectiveTo investigate the value of contrastenhanced ultrasonography in differential diagnosis between benign and malignant breast mass. MethodsTotally 65 patients with 70 breast masses were evaluated by general ultrasonography and contrastenhanced ultrasonography with contrast agent SonoVue. The related indexes, such as the degree and mode of contrast enhancement, the lesion boundaries and dissipation mode, were used to describe the difference between benign and malignant mass, which was also compared with pathological results. ResultsHistopathological examination revealed that benign mass was in 37 cases and malignant in 28 cases. The sensitivity, accuracy, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of contrastenhanced ultrasonography with contrast agent SonoVue were significantly higher than that of general ultrasonography (Plt;0.05), while no significant difference in diagnostic specificity and misdiagnosis rate was observed between them (Pgt;0.05). All tumors showed contrast enhancement in various degrees. Of 28 patients with enhanced mass, hyperenhancement in 22 cases and nodular inhomogeneous enhancement in 21 cases were observed and the boundaries of malignant tumor were irregular with ill-defined and radial enhancement. Most of benign tumors were represented by weak, homogeneous enhancement, and the shape was regular with smooth and tidy boundary and intact capsule except seven cases with unclear boundary. These imaging characteristics of benign and malignant tumors were obviously different (P=0.000). In the resolution phase, both benign and malignant mass showed heterogeneous or homogeneous dissipation, which was not significantly different (P=0.791). ConclusionCompared with general ultrasonography, contrast enhanced ultrasonography may be more helpful for the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant breast tumors.
Objective To investigate differential points of clinical symptoms and pathology of solid-pseudopapillary tumor of the pancreas (SPTP) and islet cell tumor (ICT). Methods Fifteen cases of SPTP and twelve cases of ICT were studied in this retrospective research. Clinical symptom, pathologic feature and computed tomography (CT) image of patients with both tumors were analyzed, and the imaging features were compared with pathological results. Results The mean age of SPTP patients was 22.4 year-old. Twelve patients with SPTP presented a palpable abdominal mass as the initial symptom. It was observed that the tumor cells were located in a pseudopapillary pattern with a fibro-vascular core histologically. On the CT images, a mixture of solid and cystic structures could be seen in all the tumors. After taking enhanced CT scan, the solid portion was slightly enhanced in the arterial phase and the contrast intensity increased in the portal venous phase. On the other hand, the mean age of ICT patients was 39.3 year-old. The major symptom was due to the function of islet cell tumor, which was typical in 8 patients, presenting as Whipple triad. Histologically, cells demonstrated in trabecular, massive, acinar or solid patterns, and the blood supply of the tumor was abundant. On the CT images, most small tumors were difficulty to be detected. ICT could be markedly enhanced in the arterial phase and slightly enhanced in the portal venous phase on post-contrast CT scan. Conclusion Clinical symptom, pathologic feature and CT scanning are helpful to differentiate SPTP from ICT.
Objective To establish the overall diagnostic accuracy of the measurements of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) for malignant ascites. Methods After a systematic review of current studies, sensitivity, specificity, and other measures of the value of ascites concentrations of VEGF in the diagnosis of malignant ascites were pooled by using random effects models. Qualified studies on evaluation of VEGF in diagnosis of malignant ascites in English and Chinese published from January 1990 to December 2009 were retrieved from The Cochrane Library, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, MEDLINE, EMbase, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) databases, WanFang Data, and VIP Information. Two reviewers independently assessed the methodological quality of each study with the tool of QUADAS. Statistical analyses were performed by employing Meta-Disc 1.4 software. Meta-analyses of the reported sensitivity and specificity of each study and Summary Receiver Operating Characteristic (SROC) curve were performed. Results Seven studies met the inclusion criteria for the analysis. After testing the heterogeneity of the included studies, a random effect model was selected to calculate the pool weighted sensitivity and specificity with 95% confidence interval: the sensitivity was 0.81 (95%CI 0.75 to 0.85), the specificity was 0.90 (95%CI 0.86 to 0.94), the DOR was 50.45 (95%CI 28.37 to 89.73), and the AUC of SROC was 0.9507 (SE=0.013 0). The subgroups were analyzed to identify the sources of heterogeneity according to race and agent sources. There was homogeneity among the three studies with agents from Ramp;D company (χ2=0.05, P=0.9750; I2=0.0%), and the AUC of SROC were 0.9675 (SE=0.016 7). Conclusion VEGF has a highly accurate sensitivity and specificity with a b ROC curve, which makes it a new marker to differentiate malignant ascites from the benign.
ObjectiveTo assess the values of MRI, ultrasound (US), and X-ray in the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant breast lesions. MethodsThe image data of 50 breast lesions confirmed with histopathology were analyzed retrospectively and the values of MRI, US and X-ray mammography in the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant breast lesions based on the breast imaging reporting and data system (BI-RADS) were assessed. The diagnostic efficiency of MRI, US, and X-ray in 50 benign and malignant breast lesions were compared using receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curves. The areas of ROC curves of MRI, US, and X-ray were calculated with Z test using SPSS 16.0. ResultsThere were 44 patients with 50 breast lesions, 26 malignant lesions, 24 benign lesions. Based on the BI-RADS, according to X-ray imaging features, 26 malignant breast lesions were classified as 5 lesions of category 5, 7 lesions of category 4, 6 lesions of category 3, 3 lesions of category 2, 1 lesion of category 1, 4 lesions of category zero. Twenty-four benign breast lesions were classified as 1 lesion of category 4, 3 lesions of category 3, 4 lesions of category 2, 13 lesions of category 1, 3 lesions of category zero. According to the characteristics of US findings, 26 malignant breast lesions were classified as 17 lesions of category 5, 4 lesions of category 4, 1 lesion of category 3, 1 lesion of category 2, 3 lesions of category 1. Twenty-four benign breast lesions were classified as 1 lesion of category 5, 2 lesions of category 4, 4 lesions of category 3, 14 lesions of category 2, 2 lesions of category 1, 1 lesion of category 0. According to MRI imaging findings, 26 malignant breast lesions were classified as 6 lesions of category 5, 18 lesions of category 4, 1 lesion of category 3, 1 lesion of category 1. Twenty-four benign breast lesions were classified as 20 lesions of category 1, 3 lesions of category 2, 1 lesion of category 3. The area under the ROC curve of the MRI, US, and X-ray was 0.977, 0.835, and 0.764, respectively. The differences of MRI with US (Z=2.05, P < 0.05) and MRI with X-ray mammography (Z=2.81, P < 0.05) were statistically significant. While the difference of US with X-ray mammography (Z=0.73, P > 0.05) was't statistically significant. ConclusionsDynamic contrast-enhanced MRI is an accurate examination in the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant breast lesions. The differential diagnostic efficiency of MRI is significantly better than those with US and X-ray.
Abstract： Sarcoidosis is a common systemic disease with noncaseating granulomatous epithelioid nodule and coexisting granulomatous inflammation. Although sarcoidosis can affect any organ of the body， more than 90% of the patients demonstrate thoracic involvement， which is often confusing with lung cancer and other diseases. Therefore, thoracic surgeons must have a clear understanding of sarcoidosis. Moreover， due to the special role of surgery in obtaining pathological specimens， thoracic surgeon plays an important role in the diagnosis and treatment of sarcoidosis. It is not difficult to make diagnosis for patients with typical clinical features of sarcoidosis. However， the majority of patients do not have specific manifestations of sarcoidosis. The cause of sarcoidosis remains unknown， and there is also no specific treatment strategy for it. But recent research has shown that annexin A11 gene may be involved in the pathogenesis of sarcoidosis， and tumor necrosis factor （TNF） inhibitor is effective in the treatwent of sarcoidosis.
【Abstract】ObjectiveBy using multidetector row spiral CT (MDCT) to investigate the CT imaging findings of gallbladder abnormalities caused by hepatic parenchymal diseases and those of inflammatory cholecystitis. MethodsCT and clinical data of 80 patients with gallbladder abnormalities were retrospectively reviewed. Fifty patients were in hepatic disease group, including 20 chronic hepatitis, 25 liver cirrhosis, and 5 cirrhosis with hepatocellular carcinoma. Thirty patients were in inflammatory group, including 19 chronic cholecystitis, 6 acute cholecystitis, 3 cholecystitis with acute pancreatitis, 1 gangrenous cholecystitis, and 1 xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis. All patients underwent MDCT plain scan and contrastenhanced dualphase scanning of upper abdomen. ResultsIn hepatic disease group, 48 cases had evenly thickened gallbladder wall (96%) with mean thickness of (3.67±0.49) mm; 38 cases had clear gallbladder outlines (76%); 38 cases had gallbladder wall enhancement of various degree (76%); 14 cases had gallbladder bed edema and localized nondependant pericholecystic fluid collection (28%). In inflammatory cholecystitis group, 28 cases had obscuring gallbladder outlines (93%) ; 26 cases had gallbladder wall evenly thickened (87%), 4 cases showed unevenly thicked wall (13%), the mean thickness being (4.54±1.14) mm; 30 cases had inhomogenous enhancement of the gallbladder wall (100%); 9 cases had highattenuation bile (30%); 4 cases had dependant pericholecystic fluid collection (13%); 5 cases had transient enhancement of adjacent hepatic bed in arterial phase (17%); microabscess and gas in the gallbladder wall was observed in 1 case respectively. ConclusionMDCT can offer imaging findings useful for differentiating abnormal gallbladder changes caused by hepatic parenchymal diseases from those due to inflammatory cholecystitis.
Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) is a neurological disorder characterized by an unexplained increase in intracranial pressure that primarily affects obese women of childbearing age, but individuals of any age, gender, or weight may also be affected. Its signature symptoms include disc edema, headache, visual disturbance, and throbbing tinnitus. Due to potentially serious complications, such as vision loss, accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment management are critical to improving patients' quality of life. Ophthalmologists play a key role in the treatment process, as about half of patients first visit the eye department. Diagnosis of IIH depends not only on clinical presentation, but also on the exclusion of other diseases that may cause similar symptoms, and imaging and other tests to ensure an accurate diagnosis. In order to improve diagnostic accuracy and treatment efficiency, multidisciplinary collaborative diagnosis and treatment mode is advocated, especially in the face of patients with complex trauma or systemic diseases, which can effectively shorten the treatment time and ensure patient safety. Future research directions include establishing China's IIH epidemiological database, exploring clinical diagnosis and treatment methods and basic scientific research, aiming at forming diagnosis and treatment standards suitable for China's national conditions, improving medical level and improving patient prognosis. At the same time, a deeper understanding of the different forms of IIH will better serve the affected populations.
ObjectiveTo explore the differential diagnosis value of airspace consolidation in thoracic CT between organizing pneumonia (OP) and acquired community pneumonia (CAP).MethodsA retrospective study was taken by retrieving the patients CT database from October 2010 to August 2016. Fifty-six consecutive patients with OP and 99 consecutive patients with CAP whose CT showed airspace consolidation were enrolled and their clinical characteristics and radiological characteristics were analyzed.ResultsThe percentage of patients whose CT image showed various amount of air bronchogram (ABG) with different shapes is higher in OP group than that in CAP group (87.5% and 72.7% respectively, χ2=4.558, P=0.033). The median and interquartile range amount of ABG in the OP patients were significantly higher than those in CAP group [4 (ranged from 2 to 8) and 2 (ranged from 0 to 4) respectively, z=3.640, P=0.000]. Morphologically, 58.9% of the OP patients showed entire air bronchogram (EABG) on the thoracic CT, significantly higher than that in CAP group (21.2%) (χ2=22.413, P=0.000). Interrupted ABG was found in 26.3% of CAP patients, while 16.1% of OP patients shared same features and the difference was not statistically significant (χ2=2.125, P=0.148). Traction bronchiectasis and ground glass opacity (GGO) were more likely to be found in the OP patients rather than CAP patients with 26.8% and 39.3% respectively, while they were found in 1.0% and 11.1% in the CAP patients (P<0.05). Reversed halo sign was found only 1.0% of the CAP patients, significantly lower than that in OP group, 26.8% (χ2=25.671, P=0.000). Pleural effusion and bronchial wall thickening were more commonly found in the CAP group with 56.6% and 35.4% respectively. By multivariate logistic analysis, EABG (OR=5.526, P=0.000), traction bronchiectasis (OR=21.564, P=0.010), GGO (OR=4.657, P=0.007) and reversed halo sign (OR=13.304, P=0.023) were significantly associated with OP, while pleural effusion (OR=0.380, P=0.049) and bronchial wall thickening (OR=0.073, P=0.008) were significantly associated with CAP. Other features in thoracic CT coexisting with ABG all reach significance statistically between the OP and CAP group (all P<0.05).ConclusionsAirspace consolidation in thoracic CT may be valuable for the differential diagnosis between OP and CAP. EABG is more commonly found in OP patients than in CAP patients. When EABG exists or ABG coexists with traction bronchiectasis, GGO and reversed halo sign, a diagnose of OP should be considered.
ObjectiveTo investigate the clinicopathological features, diagnosis and differential diagnosis of villoglandular carcinoma of the uterine cervix. MethodsThe clinical data of a 34-year-old patient diagnosed with villoglandular carcinoma of cervix on April 6, 2010 was retrospectively analyzed. Surgical excision samples were analyzed by means of hematoxylin-eosin and immunohistochemical staining. ResultsThe gross appearance of the tumor mass showed cauliflower-like pattern of growth. Histologically, it was similar to colorectal villoglandular adenoma, and was composed of branching papillae shaped like villous glandular tube structure, and the surface was coated with pseudostratified or stratified columnar cells which showed mild atypia and uncommon mitotic figures. Immunohistochemically, tumor cells were positive for carcinoma embryonic antigen, CK7 and CA125, and negative for estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, P16, p53 and vimentin. This patient was subjected to a follow-up of 48 months, and was alive without recurrence or metastasis. ConclusionsVilloglandular carcinoma of the uterine cervix is rare and has a favorable prognosis. The diagnosis of villoglandular carcinoma depends on pathological morphology, and meanwhile, it is necessary to distinguish villoglandular carcinoma from other benign and malignant tumors which exhibited papillary growth pattern.