【Abstract】Objective To investigate the imaging features of malignant invasion of major intrahepatic ductal structures (the portal and hepatic venous vasculature, the bilie duct) by primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) using multidetector-row spiral CT (MDCT). Methods We retrospectively analyzed 68 documented HCC patients with tumorous invasion of the major intrahepatic ductal structures who had undergone contrast-enhanced dual-phase MDCT scanning of the upper abdomen.The morphological changes of the portal and hepatic venous vasculature, the bile duct, and the liver parenchyma at both the hepatic arterial phase and portal venous phase images were carefully observed and recorded. Results Among the 68 patients, 47 patients had malignant invasion of the intrahepatic portal venous vessels with secondary tumor thrombus formation; 12 patients had tumor involvement of the hepatic veins and intraheptic segment of the inferior vena cava; Tumor invasion of the bile duct was seen in 9 patents. The direct CT signs of tumor invasion of intrahepatic venous vessels included: ①dilatation or enlargement of the involved vein with intraluminal softtissue “filling defect”； ②enhancement of the tumor thrombus at hepatic arterial phase, the so-called “venous arterialization” phenomenon. The indirect CT signs included: ①arterial-venous shunt, ②early and heterogeneous enhancement of the hepatic parenchyma adjacent to HCC focus, ③cavernous transformation of the portal vein. The CT signs suggesting tumor invasion of the bile duct included: ①dilation of the bile ducts near or proximal to HCC lesion, ②soft-tissue nodule or mass inside the bile ducts. Conclusion Invasion of major intrahepatic ductal structures by HCC will present corresponding CT imaging features. Contrast-enhanced MDCT dualphase scanning combined with appropriate image postprocessing techniques can better evaluate the malignant invasion of major intrahepatic ductal structures.
Objective To investigate the value of multislice spiral CT （MSCT） findings in the diagnosis of hepatic tuberculosis. Methods MSCT imaging data, including both plain and contrast-enhanced CT scan, of 14 patients with hepatic tuberculosis confirmed by surgery (5 patients), aspiration biopsy (4 patients), or clinic follow-up (5 patients) were collected for the study. MSCT findings were analyzed with correlation of pathological changes. Results Hepatic tuberculosis was classified into 2 types. ①The parenchymal type (12 patients), which was further divided into 4 subtypes: Miliary subtype (2 patients) showed multiple tiny hypodense dots with faint border and had no enhancement; Nodular subtype (5 patients) showed blurring border on plain CT scan, 2 patients had no enhancement, 2 had peripheral rim-like enhancement, and peripheral rim enhancement mixed with no enhancement in 1 patient; Abscess subtype (4 patients) showed central hypodense area with peripheral zone-like enhancement in 2 patients, or patchy like slight enhancement in 2 patients; Fabric and calcific subtype (1 patient) depicted enplaque calcification. ②The serohepatic type (2 patients) showed thickened hepatic capsule, sub-capsule nodules with slight enhancement, and local subcapsular fluid collection. Other signs included hepatomegaly, tuberculous lymphadenopathy, splenic tuberculosis, and tuberculosis of pancreas, adrenal glands, intestine and thorax. Conclusion MSCT plays an important role in diagnosis of hepatic tuberculosis, by reflecting underlying pathological changes.
Objective To investigate multi-slice spiral CT (MSCT) and MRI features of stasis cirrhosis and the diagnostic value of MSCT and MRI. Methods MSCT and MRI findings of 35 patients with stasis cirrhosis were studied. The size of liver and spleen, the diameter of hepatic vein (HV), enhancement pattern of liver parenchyma, contrast medium reflux in inferior vena cava (IVC) and (or) HV, ascites, number of varices and correlated abnormalities were reviewed. Results The volume index of liver and spleen of 35 patients was 4434.95 cm3 and 621.92 cm3 respectively. The mean diameter of HV of 27 patients (77.1%) was 3.61 cm and HV of other 8 patients (22.9%) were too small to show. Number of patients showed waves of borderline, inhomogeneous pattern of parenchymal contrast enhancement, contrast medium reflux in IVC and (or) HV, varices and ascites was 5 (14.3%), 29 (82.9%), 20 (57.1%), 16 (45.7%), and 6 (17.1%), respectively. Correlated abnormalities included cardiac enlargement 〔4 cases (11.4%)〕, pericardium thickening 〔11 cases (31.4%)〕, and pericardial effusion 〔2 cases (5.7%)〕. Conclusions Stasis cirrhosis mainly demonstrate liver enlargement, inhomogeneous pattern of parenchymal contrast enhancement, contrast medium reflux in IVC and (or) HV, and slight portal hypertension. MSCT and MRI play invaluable roles in diagnosis, differential diagnosis and etiological diagnosis of stasis cirrhosis.
Objective To investigate the effects of X-ray dose on the expressions of microRNA-221 （miR-221） and phosphatase and a tensin homolog deleted from chromosome10 （PTEN） in human colorectal carcinoma （CRC） cells. Methods Human CRC-derived cell line， Caco2， was cultured conventionally. The cells were divided into five groups and exposed to different doses of X-ray （0， 2， 4， 6， and 8 Gy） respectively. The total RNA and protein of the Caco2 cells were extracted after irradiation， and the miR-221 and PTEN mRNA expressions were detected by real-time RT-PCR.Moreover， the protein alteration of PTEN in Caco2 cells was detected by Western-blot analysis. Results The radiation dose of X-ray significantly affected the expressions of miR-221 and PTEN protein in human Caco2 cells in a dose-depen-dent manner. Moreover， the miR-221 expression level was up-regulated gradually with the increase of irradiation dose， on the contrary， the PTEN protein expression level was down-regulated gradually （P＜0.01）. Conclusion The radiation dose can affect the miR-221 and PTEN protein expression pattern in CRC cells.
ObjectiveTo investigate the correlation of X-ray repair cross-complementing gene 1 (XRCC1-Arg399Gln, Arg280His, and Arg194Trp) polymorphisms and susceptibility to gastric cancer. MethodsOne hundred and twenty patients with gastric cancer were included in study group, 120 healthy volunteers were included in control group. The DNA was extracted from peripheral blood. Arg399Gln, Arg280His, and Arg194Trp gene polymorphisms were detected and analyzed using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism technique, and the susceptibility between different genotypes and gastric cancer was compared in two groups. ResultsThe age, gender, smoking, drinking, diet, and other common characteristics of exposure factors had no significant differences in two groups (P > 0.05). The mutation locus genotype frequencies of Arg399Gln and Arg280His had no significant differences between two groups (P > 0.05). However, the mutation locus genotype frequencies of Arg/Trp, Trp/Trp, and Arg/Trp+Trp/Trp were higher and the mutation locus genotype frequency of Arg/Arg was lower in the study group as compared with the control group (P < 0.05). ConclusionThe preliminary results from this study shows that XRCC1 Arg399Gln and Arg280His polymorphisms are not correlated with susceptibility to gastric cancer; However, Arg194Trp polymorphism is correlated with susceptibility to gastric cancer.
The aim of this study was to clarify characteristics of cardiovascular malformation in patients associated with tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) by using dual-source computed tomography (DSCT) angiography. We retrospectively analyzed DSCT angiography of 99 consecutive patients with TOF. In addition to typical CT features of TOF in all patients, the DSCT angiography showed 27 cases (27.27%) of atrial septal defect, 14 cases (14.14%) of patents ductus arteriosus, 11 cases (11.11%) of bicuspid pulmonary valve, 18 cases (18.18%) of congenital coronary artery malformation, 22 cases (22.22%) of right aortic arch, 12 cases (12.12%) of persistent left superior vena cava, 8 cases (8.08%) of retro-aortic innominate vein and 9 cases (9.09%) of pulmonary venous anomalous. DSCT is capable of displaying anatomical characteristics of cardiovascular malformation in patients with TOF.
ObjectiveTo investigate the correlation between tumor-vessel signs on 64-slice spiral CT (MSCT) and malignant change of tubulovillous adenoma in the colon and rectum. MethodsA retrospective study of the image and the clinical data of 16 patients with tubulovillous adenoma or malignant change proved by pathologies from February 2010 to October 2012 was conducted. The tumor-vessel signs were analyzed by multiplanar reformation (MPR) and maximum intensity projection (MIP) on picture archiving and communication systems workstation. ResultsAmong the 16 cases of tubulovillous adenoma or malignant change, 2 cases of tumor diameter≤2 cm had no tumor-vessel sign; and in the 14 cases of tumor diameter >2 cm, 13 were observed to bear tumor-vessel signs. The size of the tumor and tumor-vessel signs showed a certain correlation (r=0.618, P=0.002). And the manifestation of tumor-vessel signs had obvious differences between benign and malignant tumor. For the adenoma group, it showed venous blood vessel involvement, and downy and natural contour; for the adenocarcinoma group, it showed arterial blood vessel involvement, blood vessels with uneven thickness, visible expansion and irregular defect manifestations. No obvious difference was detected among tumor-vessel signs of adenocarcinoma with different malignant degree. ConclusionMSCT combined with image reconstruction techniques (such as MPR and MIP) can clearly demonstrate tumor blood supply, and tumor-vessel in the arterial phase may suggest a high risk of malignant change of tubulovillous adenoma in the colon and rectum.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the predictive value of pancreatic duct diameter and pancreatic gland thickness measured using preoperative CT imaging on pancreatic fistula(PF)following pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). MethodsOne hundred and fifty-one patients who underwent PD consecutively from January 2013 to April 2014 were reviewed retrospectively. Associations between the gender, age and the pancreatic duct diameter and pancreatic gland thickness from preoperative CT imaging and PF were analyzed. The diagnostic values of the pancreatic duct diameter and pancreatic gland thickness in patients with PF were evaluate by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. The reliability analysis was done for the pancreatic duct diameter and pancreatic gland thickness by using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). The Spearman rank correlation analysis was done between the pancreatic duct diameter and pancreatic gland thickness. Results①PF occurred in 46 cases (30.1%).②The gender and age were not associated with PF (Gender: χ2=1.698, P=0.193; Age: χ2=0.016, P=0.900). The pancreatic duct diameter and pancreatic gland thickness were associated with PF (Pancreatic duct diameter: OR=0.275, 95% CI 0.164-0.461, P=0.000; Pancreatic gland thickness: OR=1.319, 95% CI 1.163-1.496, P=0.000).③There was no correlation between the pancreatic duct diameter and the pancreatic gland thickness (rs=-0.120, P=0.145).④The area under curve of ROC was 0.814 (95% CI 0.745-0.883, P < 0.001) for the pancreatic duct diameter in predicting the PF, the sensitivity and specificity was 68.6% and 78.3% respectively when the best critical value was 3.5 mm. The area under curve of ROC was 0.762 (95% CI 0.674-0.849, P < 0.001) for the pancreatic gland thickness in predicting PF, the sensitivity and specificity was 63.0% and 85.7% respectively when the best critical value was 31 mm.⑤The ICC of the pancreatic duct diameter and pancreatic gland thickness was 0.984 and 0.992 respectively by two medical diagnostic measurement. ConclusionPancreatic duct diameter and pancreatic gland thickness measured using preoperative CT imaging might be useful in predicting PF following PD.
Objective To investigate the mult-slice spiral CT(MSCT)imaging manifestations of bowel wall thickening due to nontumorous causes,and to address the value of MSCT scanning in assessing nontumorous bowel wall thickening.MethodsThe MSCT findings of 284 patients with bowel wall thickening due to nontumorous causes confirmed by surgery,biopsy,or clinical follow-up were retrospectively analyzed.The location, range,symmetric or asymmetric,degree,attenuation,presence or absence of enhancement and associated perienteric abnormalities of thickened bowel wall were involved.ResultsAll nontumorous disease caused bowel wall thickening include liver cirrhosis(109 cases),acute pancreatitis(54 cases),bowel obstruction(36 cases),inflammatory bowel disease(14 cases),ischemic bowel disease(12 cases),radiation enterocolitis(13 cases),tuberculosis(12 cases),immune reaction(10 cases),infective enteritis(3 cases),acute appendicitis(3 cases),hypoproteinemia(5 cases),non-common disease(8 cases)and normal variants(5 cases).The attenuation pattern of the thickened bowel wall include high attenuation(1 case),iso-attenuation(144 cases),low attenuation(127 cases),fat deposition(5 cases)and pneumatosis(7 cases).The enhancement pattern of the thickened bowel wall included gentle enhancement(249 cases),notable enhancement(32 cases)and unenhancement(3 cases).Degree of bowel wall thickening included mild thinckening(279 cases)and marked thickening(5 cases).The range of bowel wall thickening was focal(8 cases),segmental(64 cases)and diffuse(212 cases).The associated perienteric abnormalities of thickened bowel wall included swelling of fat(218 cases),ascites(189 cases),lymphadenopathy(5 cases),peirenteirc abscess(2 cases),mesenteric vascular lesion(25 cases)and involvement of solid abdominal organs(169 cases). ConclusionMSCT has an invaluable role in the diagnostic evaluation of nontumorous bowel wall thickening.A wide variety of nontumorous diseases may manifest with bowel wall thickening at MSCT.Paying attention to the characteristics of thickening of bowel wall will benefit the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of various intestinal diseases.
ObjectiveTo explore the clinical value of dual-source CT perfusion imaging (CTPI) in the assessment of cerebral hemodynamic changes in patients with internal carotid atherosclerosis. MethodsThirty patients diagnosed to have internal carotid atherosclerosis by CT angiography examination with various degrees of stenosis or occlusion were treated between January 2012 and May 2013. Whole brain perfusion imaging was performed on all the patients. We rebuilt the CTPI figure parameters respectively, including cerebral blood volume (CBV), blood flow (CBF), mean transit time (MTT) and time to peak (TTP) to assess brain tissue perfusion. ResultsIn the 30 patients with internal carotid atherosclerosis, 8 had mild stenosis lumen, 12 moderate stenosis, 7 severe stenosis and 3 had occlusion. In mild stenosis cases, TTP of stenosis-side vessels was higher than those of coutralateral side (P<0.05), and there were no significant differences in other perfusion parameters between bilateral vessels among mild stenosis cases (P>0.05). MTT and TTP of stenosis-side vessels were higher than those of contralateral side in moderate stenosis cases (P<0.05). In severe stenosis or obstruction cases, MTT and TTP of stenosis-side vessels were higher than those of contralateral side, while CBF and CBV of stenosis-side vessels were lower than contralateral side (P<0.05). Twenty-two in the 30 cases had perfusion abnormalities, and there was a significant difference between the stenosis side cerebral perfusion and the healthy side mirror area (P<0.05). ConclusionCTPI can reflect brain tissue perfusion early and comprehensively, and fully reflect internal carotid atherosclerosis caused by severe stenosis or occlusion of cerebral hemodynamic changes, which provides important information for clinical treatment and helps clinicians to formulate individualized treatment plan.