Feasibility of coronary artery calcium scoring on virtual unenhanced images derived from single-source fast kVp-switching dual-energy coronary CT angiography

BackgroundDual-energy CT technology enables acquisition of virtual unenhanced (VUE) images from contrast-enhanced scans.ObjectiveTo assess the feasibility of coronary artery calcium (CAC) scoring on VUE images derived from fast kVp-switching dual-energy coronary CT angiography.MethodsTwenty-seven patients underwent true noncontrast CAC-scoring CT followed by routine single-energy (120-kVp) and fast kVp-switching dual-energy coronary CT angiography, in a random acquisition order on the same day. We calculated the CAC scores on true noncontrast and VUE images. The image noises and the signal-to-noise and contrast-to-noise ratios of the aorta and coronary arteries were measured on both the single-energy coronary CT angiography images and dual-energy coronary CT angiography images (70 keV virtual monochromatic spectral images). The Pearson correlation coefficient test and paired t test were used for statistical analysis.ResultsExcellent correlation was observed between the CAC scores on the true noncontrast and those on the VUE images (r = 0.88; P < .001). Compared with single-energy coronary CT angiography, dual-energy coronary CT angiography showed significantly reduced image noise and increased signal-to-noise and contrast-to-noise ratios in all regions (all P < .001). The effective dose of dual-energy coronary CT angiography (4.3 ± 0.3 mSv) was significantly lower than that of true noncontrast CAC-scoring CT plus single-energy coronary CT angiography (5.4 ± 0.7 mSv; P < .0001).ConclusionsExcellent correlation was observed between the CAC scores on the VUE images and true noncontrast images. Thus, fast kVp-switching dual-energy coronary CT angiography could allow prediction of the true CAC scores, potentially reducing the total radiation exposure and image acquisition time by obviating the need for true noncontrast CAC-scoring CT.     

Utility of teledermatopathology for intraoperative margin assessment of melanoma in situ,lentigo maligna type: A 6 year community practice experience

BackgroundAchieving negative margins for melanoma in situ, lentigo maligna type can be challenging, particularly on cosmetically sensitive areas.ObjectiveTo assess the utility of intraoperative frozen section margin assessment using a teledermatopathology system in the treatment of head and neck lentigo maligna.Methods and materialsOver a 6 year period, 96 patients with lentigo maligna had surgical excisions. The margins were assessed intraoperatively with frozen sections prepared in the manner used in Mohs surgery. The surgeon guided the frozen section slides around the margin while a dermatopathologist assessed the margin remotely.ResultsIn 2/96 (2.1%) cases, the safety margin was positive (frozen sections were false negative). In 1 further case (1%) there was a recurrence of the melanoma 13 months following the excision.ConclusionThe described method is effective in treating melanoma in situ, lentigo maligna type with clearance rates similar to previous studies for Mohs surgery.     

基于记忆-遗忘规律的健康教育在改善冠心病患者自我管理中的应用研究

目的 探讨基于记忆-遗忘规律的健康教育在改善冠心病患者健康促进生活方式和自我健康管理行为中的影响。方法 选择住院治疗的冠心病患者160例,采用随机数字表法分为观察组(80例)和对照组(80例)。对照组接受常规住院健康教育,观察组接受基于记忆-遗忘曲线规律制定的针对性的健康教育干预。在干预前、干预后使用健康促进生活方式评定量表和冠心病自我管理行为量表,测量两组患者的健康促进生活方式和自我管理行为水平。结果 干预前,两组患者健康促进生活方式和自我健康管理行为水平比较,差异无统计学意义(t=-1.72, 1.88,P值均>0.05)。干预后,观察组健康促进生活方式总分为(83.58±9.54),高于干预前的(63.08±7.11),(t=11.11, P<0.001)。干预前,2组自我管理行为得分比较,差异无统计学意义(t=1.88, P>0.05);干预后,观察组自我管理行为总得分为(118.44±8.42),高于对照组的(99.86±6.49),(t=-15.63, P<0.001)。结论 基于记忆-遗忘规律的健康教育,对冠心病患者健康促进生活方式和自我管理行为有明显改善和提高。     

Association Between RET Fusions and Efficacy of Pemetrexed-based Chemotherapy for Patients With Advanced NSCLC in China: A Multicenter Retrospective Study

BackgroundRearranged during transfection (RET) proto-oncogene gene fusions are rare in non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We compared the efficacy of pemetrexed-based chemotherapy with other chemotherapy regimens in patients with NSCLC with different RET fusion subtypes.Patients and MethodsA retrospective, multicenter study of patients with pathologically confirmed stage IIIB/IV lung adenocarcinomas was conducted. RET rearrangements were detected using next generation sequencing. We analyzed the clinical characteristics of patients with RET-rearranged NSCLC and the efficacy of chemotherapy regimens. We also evaluated the efficacy between groups of patients with and without KIF5B-RET–rearranged lung cancer.ResultsWe evaluated 62 patients with NSCLC and RET rearrangements, including 41 with KIF5B-RET, 15 with CCDC6-RET, and 6 with other rare fusion subtypes. Of these 62 patients, 50 had stage IIIB/IV. We also evaluated 40 patients with first-line chemotherapy information available. The median progression-free survival was significantly different between those receiving pemetrexed-based chemotherapy and those receiving other chemotherapy regimens (9.2 vs. 5.2 months; P = .007). The median progression-free survival for patients with KIF5B-RET fusion and non–KIF5B-RET fusion was not significantly different statistically (7.8 vs. 11.2 months; P = .847). For second-line chemotherapy, a statistically significant difference was found between the chemotherapy regimens (4.9 vs. 2.8 months; P = .049). Survival follow-up data were available for 38 patients with advanced NSCLC. The median overall survival was 26.4 months. The overall survival of the patients with RET-rearranged NSCLC who had received pemetrexed-based chemotherapy versus no pemetrexed-based chemotherapy was 35.2 versus 22.6 months (P = .052). No difference in survival was observed between the patients with KIF5B-RET and non–KIF5B-RET rearrangements.ConclusionsPemetrexed-based treatment should be considered first when selecting the chemotherapy regimen for patients with NSCLC and RET rearrangements.     

快速康复外科在食管癌治疗中的应用

过去的10年间，快速康复外科治疗在很多外科领域都得到了应用。快速康复外科的应用可以使患者更快地恢复从而缩短住院时间，在增加患者满意度的同时减少了治疗费用。本文通过相关文献复习并结合我们的临床实践，探讨食管癌快速康复外科的具体措施及其临床应用价值。