Can the unnecessary operations for suspected thyroid nodules be avoided by the combined use of the strain ratio and elastography score?

IntroductionOnly 5%–15% of thyroid surgical specimens are reported as malignant. Most of the operations are performed due to suspicion of malignancy as a result of fine needle aspiration biopsy but invasiveness, non-diagnostic results and potential repeat biopsies are disadvantages of fine needle aspiration biopsy.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of simultaneously using both the strain ratio and elasticity score in the differential diagnosis of thyroid nodules, as well as to assess the compatibility of these two methods.MethodsA total of 144 nodules were included in the study. The final histopathologic diagnosis was used as the reference standard. The area under the curve sensitivity, specificity, and cut-off values of the strain ratio and elasticity score were determined using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. The compatibility and comparison of strain ratio and elasticity score were also performed.ResultsTwenty eight nodules (19.4%) were malignant. The strain ratio and elasticity score results were found to be significantly successful in predicting thyroid malignancy (p < 0.001 for both). Moreover, the area under the curve for the strain ratio and elasticity score were found to be 0.944 and 0.960, respectively. The diagnostic accuracy of the elasticity score was found to be superior to that of the strain ratio, but this difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.456). When the compatibility of the strain ratio and elasticity score was examined, the two evaluations were revealed to be statistically consistent with each other (Kappa = 0.767; p < 0.001). When the strain ratio and the elasticity score were used together, the specificity of capturing the correct diagnosis increased from 84.5% to 93.1%.ConclusionWhen the strain ratio an elasticity score were used together for the differential diagnosis of thyroid nodules, more accurate results were obtained. Thus, combining both methods may be a promising alternative to fine needle aspiration biopsy in order to prevent unnecessary surgical interventions for suspected thyroid nodules.     

脑状态指数联合中枢神经系统感染评分表在重型脑外伤并发颅内感染患者中的应用

目的探讨脑状态指数(CSI)联合中枢神经系统(CNS)感染评分表在重型脑外伤并发颅内感染患者病情监测中的应用。方法选取2018年6月至2019年6月开封市中心医院神经外科收治的重型脑外伤患者78例,采用CSI评分及CNS评分对患者病情进行评估。结果CSI评分10~30分组、31~50分组、51~80分组、CNS评分0~13分组、14~26分组、27~39分组在性别、年龄、脑挫裂伤、颅内血肿等方面比较差异均无统计学意义(均P>0.05),而CSI评分10~30分组、31~50分组、51~80分组在颅内感染发生率、死亡率、格拉斯哥预后评分(GOS)、Barthel指数差异均有统计学意义(均P<0.05)。CNS评分0~13分组、14~26分组、27~39分组颅内感染发生率及死亡率差异均有统计学意义(均P<0.05)。经Pearson单因素分析可知,CSI评分与CNS评分呈负相关(P<0.05)。结论CSI评分联合CNS评分对重型脑外伤并发颅内感染患者病情判断及预后有重要的价值,可为患者实施预见性护理提供指导,从而降低重型脑外伤患者颅内感染率及死亡率,提高患者临床治疗效果。     

Use of hyperthermia versus normothermia during intraperitoneal chemoperfusion with oxaliplatin for colorectal peritoneal carcinomatosis: A propensity score matched analysis

BackgroundHyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) with oxaliplatin (OX) is increasingly used in the treatment of colorectal peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC). However, the additional benefit of hyperthermia remains clinically unproven, while it may aggravate postoperative morbidity. Here, we report the correlation of perfusion temperature with postoperative morbidity during clinical HIPEC with OX.Patients and methodsPatients who underwent hyperthermic (41 °C, HT) or normothermic (37 °C, NT) chemoperfusion with OX for colorectal PC were identified from a prospectively kept database of HIPEC cases and matched for baseline characteristics using propensity score (PS) analysis. The groups were compared to assess the impact of perfusion temperature on morbidity. Morbidity was graded using the Clavien-Dindo (CD) classification and the Comprehensive Complication Index (CCI).ResultsOut of 612 patients, 146 patients met the inclusion criteria and from these patients, 45 HT patients were matched with 45 NT patients. Baseline variables were comparable between the PS matched groups. Overall mortality was 0.7% and major morbidity (CD ≥ 3) occurred in 35,6% of patients. There were no significant differences between the HT and NT cohorts in mortality, major morbidity (RR 1.33, 95% CI 0.71 to 2.49, p = 0.36), anastomotic leakage (13.8% versus 11.1%, p = 1.0), hemorrhagic complications, or systemic toxicity. A trend of increased wound infections was observed in the hyperthermia group (13.3% versus 4.4%, P = 0.27).ConclusionsCompared to NT, the use of HT during HIPEC with OX does not aggravate postoperative mortality or morbidity in a high-volume center.