Dual-Energy Computed Tomography as an Adjunct in the Evaluation of Peripheral Chronic Total Occlusions: A Feasibility Study

This study investigated the role of dual-energy computed tomography (CT) for lesion characterization in patients with peripheral arterial disease manifesting with chronic total occlusions (CTOs). Forty-one symptomatic patients with CTOs underwent dual-energy CT angiography before endovascular treatment. The lesions were subsequently analyzed in a dedicated workstation, and 2 indexes—dual-energy index (DEI) and effective Z (Z_eff)—were calculated, ranging from 0.0027 to 0.321 and from 6.89 to 13.02, respectively. Statistical analysis showed a significant correlation between the DEI and Z_eff values (P < .001). The interobserver intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.91 for the mean Z_eff values and 0.86 for the mean DEI values. This technique could potentially provide useful information regarding the composition of a CTO.     

The effect of trans arterial chemoembolization in the management of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. A systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundA comprehensive re-evaluation on the role of trans-arterial chemoembolization (TACE) in patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.MethodsA thorough database searching was performed in PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library. Eligible studies were restricted to comparative studies between TACE and non-TACE cohorts. RevMan5.3 software and Stata 13.0 software were used for statistical analyses. The primary endpoint of our study was long-term survival.ResultsA total of 11 studies with 2036 patients were finally identified. Pooled results revealed that patients receiving TACE had a significantly better overall survival (OS) versus those without TACE (P < 0.05). Subgroup analyses were performed according to different types of TACE. Prophylactic post-surgical TACE (PPTACE) was associated with a significantly better OS versus those without PPTACE (P < 0.05). Palliative TACE (PTACE) also achieved a significantly better OS compared with those with supportive treatment (ST) only (P < 0.00001). However, TACE had no impact on disease-free survival (P = 0.87) and was less effective than surgical resection (P = 0.003).ConclusionPPTACE has a remarkable impact on OS versus those with surgical resections only and should be regularly performed. Regarding patients with unresectable disease, apart from conventional ST, adjuvant PTACE is also recommended. Upcoming prospective randomized controlled trials are warranted for further validation.     

Pulmonary alveolar capillary dysplasia in infants: A rare and deadly missed diagnosis

The pulmonary alveolocapillary dysplasia (ACD) with pulmonary vein misalignment (PVM) is a rare condition characterized by a congenital anomaly of the development of the pulmonary parenchyma. We present a case of an 8-month-old infant who died quickly from acute respiratory failure complicating an unknown ACD. We also describe its epidemiological characteristics in infants and we discuss the diagnosis's difficulties. In this case, a pulmonary arterial hypertension was decompensated by an infection. A medico-legal autopsy was performed. As for the Histological examination, it showed the features of ACD/PVM.     

视网膜大动脉瘤的多模态眼底影像和疾病 特征

目的：分析视网膜大动脉瘤（RAM）的多模态眼底影像学特点及疾病特征。方法：回顾性研究。连续 纳入2003年5月至2020年1月在北京协和医院眼科确诊的RAM患者57例（58眼）。分析患者彩色眼底 照相、荧光素血管造影（FFA）、吲哚菁绿血管造影（ICGA）及光学相干断层扫描（OCT）的影像学特点， 并总结疾病特征。结果：纳入患者年龄为（69.0±9.3）岁，其中女性占75%，单眼发病患者占98%， 共发现瘤体65个。彩色眼底照示95%的瘤体位于颞侧动脉，32%位于动脉主干，29%位于视网膜动 脉分支处或动静脉交叉处。85%伴不同程度出血，86%伴硬性渗出。FFA的瘤体检出率为92%，动脉 期可呈圆点状或梭状强荧光，周围出血或硬性渗出遮蔽荧光，晚期荧光增强并出现渗漏。ICGA的瘤 体检出率为95%，可透过出血的遮蔽荧光见视网膜动脉壁上瘤体高荧光，造影晚期瘤体荧光仍较背 景荧光强。OCT的瘤体检出率为63%，可见RAM局部高隆起，病灶处可见圆形强反射瘤体腔壁。结论： RAM常见于老年女性。多模态影像学检查可从多角度显示RAM的瘤体形态、活动性以及伴随的出 血、渗出表现。其中，ICGA对于瘤体的检出率更高，显示RAM更为清晰。