Morphological imaging and CT histogram analysis to differentiate pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor grade 3 from neuroendocrine carcinoma

PurposeTo compare morphological imaging features and CT texture histogram parameters between grade 3 pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (G3-NET) and neuroendocrine carcinomas (NEC).Materials and methodsPatients with pathologically proven G3-NET and NEC, according to the 2017 World Health Organization classification who had CT and MRI examinations between 2006-2017 were retrospectively included. CT and MRI examinations were reviewed by two radiologists in consensus and analyzed with respect to tumor size, enhancement patterns, hemorrhagic content, liver metastases and lymphadenopathies. Texture histogram analysis of tumors was performed on arterial and portal phase CT images. images. Morphological imaging features and CT texture histogram parameters of G3-NETs and NECs were compared.ResultsThirty-seven patients (21 men, 16 women; mean age, 56 ± 13 [SD] years [range: 28-82 years]) with 37 tumors (mean diameter, 60 ± 46 [SD] mm) were included (CT available for all, MRI for 16/37, 43%). Twenty-three patients (23/37; 62%) had NEC and 14 patients (14/37; 38%) had G3-NET. NECs were larger than G3-NETs (mean, 70 ± 51 [SD] mm [range: 18 - 196 mm] vs. 42 ± 24 [SD] mm [range: 8 - 94 mm], respectively; P = 0.039), with more tumor necrosis (75% vs. 33%, respectively; P = 0.030) and lower attenuation on precontrast (30 ± 4 [SD] HU [range: 25-39 HU] vs. 37 ± 6 [SD] [range: 25-45 HU], respectively; P = 0.002) and on portal venous phase CT images (75 ± 18 [SD] HU [range: 43 - 108 HU] vs. 92 ± 19 [SD] HU [range: 46 - 117 HU], respectively; P = 0.014). Hemorrhagic content on MRI was only observed in NEC (P = 0.007). The mean ADC value was lower in NEC ([1.1 ± 0.1 (SD)] × 10⁻³ mm²/s [range: (0.91 - 1.3) × 10⁻³ mm²/s] vs. [1.4 ± 0.2 (SD)] × 10⁻³ mm²/s [range: (1.1 - 1.6) × 10⁻³ mm²/s]; P = 0.005). CT histogram analysis showed that NEC were more heterogeneous on portal venous phase images (Entropy-0: 4.7 ± 0.2 [SD] [range: 4.2-5.1] vs. 4.5 ± 0.4 [SD] [range: 3.7-4.9]; P = 0.023).ConclusionPancreatic NECs are larger, more frequently hypoattenuating and more heterogeneous with hemorrhagic content than G3-NET on CT and MRI.     

Mixed Reality Combined with Three‐Dimensional Printing Technology in Total Hip Arthroplasty: An Updated Review with a Preliminary Case Presentation

Three‐dimensional (3D) printing technology, virtual reality, and augmented reality technology have been used to help surgeons to complete complex total hip arthroplasty, while their respective shortcomings limit their further application. With the development of technology, mixed reality (MR) technology has been applied to improve the success rate of complicated hip arthroplasty because of its unique advantages. We presented a case of a 59‐year‐old man with an intertrochanteric fracture in the left femur, who had received a prior left hip fusion. After admission to our hospital, a left total hip arthroplasty was performed on the patient using a combination of MR technology and 3D printing technology. Before surgery, 3D reconstruction of a certain bony landmark exposed in the surgical area was first performed. Then a veneer part was designed according to the bony landmark and connected to a reference registration landmark outside the body through a connecting rod. After that, the series of parts were made into a holistic reference registration instrument using 3D printing technology, and the patient's data for bone and surrounding tissue, along with digital 3D information of the reference registration instrument, were imported into the head‐mounted display (HMD). During the operation, the disinfected reference registration instrument was installed on the selected bony landmark, and then the automatic real‐time registration was realized by HMD through recognizing the registration landmark on the reference registration instrument, whereby the patient's virtual bone and other anatomical structures were quickly and accurately superimposed on the real body of the patient. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report to use MR combined with 3D printing technology in total hip arthroplasty.     

中医药外治疗法治疗混合痔术后并发症临床研究概况

混合痔在其多样化的治疗方案中通过手术治疗是最主要的方法,但因肛管解剖结构和生理功能的特殊性、复杂性,且开放的术口会因排便刺激而损伤局部组织,造成肛门部水肿、疼痛、创面延期愈合等并发症出现,降低患者的生活质量并带来极大的身心痛苦。西医治疗主要是抗感染、止痛、止血等对症处理为主; 而中医治疗是以辨证论治为基础,达到消肿止痛、活血化瘀、抗炎促愈的目的,疗效稳定,尤其是中医外治疗法通过中药熏洗坐浴、灌肠塞肛及针灸敷药等方式直接作用于切口患处,减少胃肠道刺激,发挥多靶点、多环节、多层次的综合调控作用而增加疗效,其成本低、易操作、简便易行,能促进水肿消退、缓解疼痛、减少出血及创面早日愈合。现就混合痔术后并发症的中医药外治疗法进行综述如下。     

Contextualizing the lived experience of quality of life for persons with spinal cord injury: A mixed-methods application of the response shift model

Objective: The objective of this study was to gain greater insight into individuals’ quality of life (QOL) definitions, appraisals, and adaptations following spinal cord injury (SCI).

Design: A mixed-methods design, applying the Schwartz and Sprangers response shift (RS) model. RS is a cognitive process wherein, in response to a change in health status, individuals change internal standards, values, or conceptualization of QOL

Setting: Community-dwelling participants who receive medical treatment at a major Midwestern medical system and nearby Veterans’ Affairs hospital.

Participants: A purposive sample of participants with SCI (N?=?40) completed semi-structured interviews and accompanying quantitative measures.

Interventions: Not applicable.

Outcome Measures: Qualitative data were analyzed using content analysis to identify themes. Analysis of variance were performed to detect differences based on themes and QOL, well-being, and demographic and injury characteristics.

Results: Four RS themes were identified, capturing the range of participant perceptions of QOL. The themes ranged from complete RS, indicating active engagement in maintaining QOL, to awareness and comparisons redefining QOL, to a relative lack of RS. Average QOL ratings differed as a function of response shift themes. PROMIS Global Health, Anxiety, and Depression also differed as a function of RS themes.

Conclusion: The RS model contextualizes differences in QOL definitions, appraisals, and adaptations in a way standardized QOL measures alone do not.     

外剥、内扎硬化注射术治疗混和痔800例

目的观察和评价外剥、内扎硬化注射术治疗混合痔的近期疗效.方法作者采用外剥、内扎硬化注射术治疗混和痔800例.结果近期治愈788例,治愈率98.5%,好转12例,好转率1.5%.治愈天数10～21天.结论外剥、内扎硬化注射术治疗混合痔简单实用,手术时间短,术后痛苦小,伤面愈合快,并发症少,无后遗症,复发率低,是治疗混合痔的较好方法.     

Application of an augmented reality tool for maxillary positioning in orthognathic surgery – A feasibility study

BACKGROUND: An augmented reality tool for computer assisted surgery named X-Scope allows visual tracking of real anatomical structures in superposition with volume rendered CT or MRI scans and thus can be used for navigated translocation of bony segments. METHODS: In a feasibility study X-Scope was used in orthognathic surgery to control the translocation of the maxilla after Le Fort I osteotomy within a bimaxillary procedure. The situation achieved was compared with the pre-operative situation by means of cephalometric analysis on lateral and frontal cephalograms. RESULTS: The technique was successfully utilized in 5 patients. Maxillary positioning using X-Scope was accomplished accurately within a range of 1mm. The tool was used in all cases in addition to the usual intra-operative splints. A stand-alone application without conventional control does not yet seem reasonable. CONCLUSION: Augmented reality tools like X-Scope may be helpful for controlling maxillary translocation in orthognathic surgery. The application to other interventions in cranio-maxillofacial surgery such as Le Fort III osteotomy, fronto-orbital advancement, and cranial vault reshaping or repair may also be considered.     

自动痔疮套扎术(RPH)治疗轻中度痔疮

目的研究自动痔疮套扎术(RPH)治疗轻中度痔疮的临床疗效.方法应用自动痔疮套扎器对156例轻中度痔疮患者施行自动痔疮套扎术,观察手术疗效、并发症和病人满意度.结果共施行套扎治疗287例次,平均每人1.8次.术后全部患者的痔疮症状均有不同程度的好转,其中症状完全消除者143例(91.7%),以便血为主要症状者术后便血全部停止.术后主要不适有急便感或坠胀感51例(32.7%);术后痔块回缩不全8例(5.1%);无出血、感染、肛门狭窄等并发症.问卷调查病人的满意度,表示满意者149例(95.5%),基本满意6例(3.9%),不满意1例(0.6%).结论RPH对轻中度痔疮不仅具有极好的疗效,而且无需麻醉和住院,操作简便,术后痛苦轻微,几无并发症,病人满意度高.     

Investigation and treatment of urinary incontinence

Female urinary incontinence is a common but underreported condition. Initial investigation and treatment can in most cases be undertaken without urodynamic or other detailed tests. History by the use of validated symptom and quality of life questionnaires is key to the initial investigation. Initial treatment includes pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) regardless of the type of incontinence; lifestyle interventions and bladder retraining, anticholinergics and serotonin/noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (e.g. duloxetine) are also included depending on the type of symptoms. In mixed incontinence the predominant symptom should be treated first. When this initial treatment is ineffective, further investigation should be offered prior to specialised treatment. Urodynamics should be considered for all patients prior to surgery. Imaging and cystoscopy to exclude pathology, for example in elderly patients with an overactive bladder, are also necessary. Newer surgical interventions should be offered after careful consideration of the risk:benefit ratio for each individual woman and the amount of evidence that is currently available to support their use.