高流速稀释对比剂在低管电压冠状动脉成像中的可行性研究

目的探讨高流速稀释对比剂在低管电压冠状动脉成像中的可行性及对图像质量的影响。方法收集120例疑似冠心病患者行冠状动脉CTA检查,按照随机数字表法等分为A、B、C三组各40例。A组以4.8ml/s直接注射碘普罗胺(300mg I/ml),之后按相同速率追加注射生理盐水36ml,B、C两组以6ml/s注射稀释对比剂,其浓度为使用双流技术按对比剂与生理盐水8:2实时配比为240mg/ml,两组按相同速率追加注射生理盐水45ml。A、B、C三组对比剂用量分别为0.8ml/kg、1ml/kg、0.8ml/kg,三组所得扫描数据均使用迭代算法(AIDR 3D)重建图像,扫描管电压设置分别为100k V、100k V、80k V。比较三组之间升主动脉、降主动脉、左冠状动脉主干、左前降支近段、左回旋支近段及右冠状动脉近段平均强化CT值(SI)、噪声(SD)、对比噪声比(CNR)、信噪比(SNR)有效辐射剂量(E)及冠状动脉图像质量评分。结果三组年龄、心率、管电流、体质指数(BMI)、体重、身高均无统计学差异(P0.017),A组与B、C两组注射压力有统计学差异(P0.017),B组与A、C两组对比剂注射用量有统计学差异(P0.017),C组与A、B两组间注射时间、总碘含量、辐射剂量(ED)有统计学差异(P0.017)。三组间总节段质量得分及各大段平均质量得分均无统计学差异(P0.05)。A、C两组升主动脉、右冠状动脉近段血管强化值及右冠状动脉、左冠状动脉主干、左前降支近段噪声有统计学差异(P0.017),B、C两组升主动脉血管强化值、右冠状动脉及左回旋支近段噪声有统计学差异(P0.017)。三组之间胸主动脉及各冠状动脉血管近段SNR、CNR无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论使用6ml/s的高流速240mg/ml稀释对比剂在低管电压冠状动脉CTA中可以满足诊断需求并且不降低图像质量。     

体质指数、窄R-R间期结合前瞻性心电门控和迭代重建技术在CTCA三低成像中的应用

【摘要】目的：探讨体质指数（BMI）、窄R-R间期结合前瞻性心电门控和迭代重建技术在CTCA三低（低管电压、低对比剂浓度、低对比剂用量）成像中的应用价值。方法：选取300例临床疑有冠状动脉疾病的患者行CTCA检查,分为常规组和实验组;常规组100例,对比剂浓度和管电压分别为〖JP2〗350mg I/mL和120kV（350mg I/mL-120kV）,BMI≤30kg/m2;实验组200例,其中100例BMI＜23kg/m2的患者按随机数字法分成320mg I/mL-80kV组(A组)和350mg I/mL-120kV组(B组),另100例BMI为23～30kg/m2的患者按同样方法分成320mg I/mL-100kV组(C组)和350mg I/mL-120kV组(D组),A、B、C、D每组各50例。常规组采用迭代重建技术及350mg I/mL的碘海醇,实验组中A、C两组采用迭代重建技术及320mg I/mL的碘克沙醇,B、D两组采用非迭代重建技术及350mg I/mL的碘海醇;对每位患者的CTCA图像进行主观评分,测量容积剂量指数(CTDIvol)、剂量长度乘积(DLP)、有效辐射剂量(ED)、图像噪声、冠状动脉CT值、信噪比(SNR)和对比噪声比(CNR),并进行统计学分析。结果：常规组与实验组的CTCA图像质量评分差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05),而碘对比剂用量及辐射剂量两组差异均有统计学意义(P值均＜0.05);实验组内A组与B组、C组与D组间图像质量主观评分差异均无统计学意义(P值均＞0.05),而CTDIvol、DLP、ED差异均有统计学意义(P值均＜0.05)。A组与B组、C组与D组的噪声及CT值差异均有统计学意义(P值均＜0.05), A组与B组、C组与D组的平均SNR及平均CNR差异均无统计学意义(P值均＞0.05)。结论：与常规双源CT冠状动脉成像方案相比,基于体质数、窄R-R间期结合前瞻性心电门控与迭代重建技术的CTCA,不仅可大幅降低辐射剂量,同时可以降低碘对比剂浓度和用量,所获得的冠状动脉图像质量均能满足临床诊断要求。     

低浓度对比剂联合低电压和迭代重建算法在320排CT冠状动脉成像中的应用

目的 探讨低浓度对比剂联合低电压和迭代重建算法行320排CT冠状动脉成像的可行性.方法 选取心率≤70次/min、心律规则的60例患者,随机分为A、B2组,各30例,A组管电压120 kVp,370 mg I/mL对比剂,滤波反投影算法(FBP)重建;B组管电压100 kVp,270 mg I/mL对比剂,自适应迭代剂量减低算法(AIDR 3D)重建.采用双盲法评价2组间冠状动脉各节段图像质量的差异,比较2组兴趣区增强CT值、噪声(SD)、信噪比(SNR)、对比噪声比(CNR)、剂量长度乘积(DLP)和有效辐射剂量(ED)的差异.结果 60例检查成功率为100％.注射对比剂时患者有明显热感者B组(4/30)明显低于A组(25/30).主观评价2组间可诊断的节段差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).2组兴趣区增强CT值差异无统计学意义,但SD、SNR以及CNR均有显著差异(P＜0.05).2组间DLP和ED差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05),B组较A组降低约50％.结论 采用低浓度对比剂(270 mg I/mL)联合低电压(100 kVp)和迭代重建算法(AIDR 3D)在320排CT冠状动脉血管成像中能获得满意的诊断图像,且患者舒适度好,并能有效降低辐射剂量.     

利用双低扫描方案进行仿真模体血管成像的可行性研究

目的探讨利用低管电压结合自适应统计性迭代重建(adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction,ASIR)扫描方案来降低仿真模体模拟血管成像的辐射剂量以及碘对比剂浓度的可行性。方法对固定在CDP-2标准仿真女性模体中2支相同的模拟血管分别注入浓度为27mg/ml、35mg/ml碘对比剂,并采用NI6、NI7、NI8、NI9、NI10、NI11、NI12、NI13、NI14、NI15十个噪声指数分别进行80Kvp、120Kvp两组扫描,80Kvp组采用50%ASIR重建,120Kvp组采用滤过反投影法(filtered back projection,FBP)重建。比较两组的CT剂量指数(volume CT dose index,CTDIVOL)、对比噪声比(contrast noise ratio,CNR)、信噪比(signal noise ratio,SNR)、CT值及质量主观评分。结果 180Kvp组和120Kvp组CTDIVOL分别为(3.818±2.44)mGy、(5.143±3.23)mGy,两组间差异具有统计学意义(P值为0.001);227mg/ml模拟血管80Kvp组和27mg/ml模拟血管120Kvp组的CNR、SNR、CT值、图像质量主观评分差异均有统计学意义(P值分别为0.004、0.019、0.000和0.029);35mg/ml模拟血管80Kvp组和35mg/ml模拟血管120Kvp组的CNR、SNR、CT值、图像质量主观评分差异均有统计学意义(P值分别为0.001、0.005、0.000和0.021);3浓度27mg/ml 80Kvp组与浓度35mg/ml 120Kvp组CT值和图像质量主观评分差异具有统计学意义(P值为0.000、0.031),CNR、SNR差异没有统计学意义(P值为0.917、0.585)。结论应用低管电压结合ASIR重建、低浓度对比剂扫描方案可以在保证仿真模体模拟血管成像图像质量的同时,有效的降低辐射剂量。     

双源CT低管电压结合低浓度对比剂扫描模式在冠脉CTA中的应用研究

目的探讨双源CT低管电压加低浓度对比剂扫描技术在冠状动脉成像中的临床应用。方法 120例患者根据体质量指数(body mass index,BMI)分为A、B两组,A组64例,BMI25.0kg/m~2,随机分为A1、A2两组,各32例,扫描条件:80k V;B组56例,BMI≥25.0kg/m~2,随机分为B1、B2两组,各28例,扫描条件:100k V。A1、B1组采用对比剂威视派克270mg I/ml;A2、B2组采用对比剂欧乃派克350mg I/ml。对四组图像主观评价、客观评价指标(血管CT值、图像噪声、信号噪声比(signal-to-noise ratio,SNR)、对比噪声比(contrast-to-noise ratio,CNR))及辐射剂量、碘总量进行对比分析。应用SPSS 19.0统计软件对数据进行分析。结果 A1、A2及B1、B2组患者一般资料无统计学意义(P0.05),碘总量差异有统计学意义(P0.05),A1比A2组、B1比B2组碘总量分别降低了5243mg、8015mg。A组与B组ED、CTDIvol、DLP差异有统计学意义(P0.05),A组较B组ED降低约45.9%。四组图像主观评价差异无统计意义(P0.0167)。A1、A2组及B1、B2组AA、RCA、LM血管CT值、SNR、CNR差异有统计学意义(P0.05),AA、RCA、LM血管噪声无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论在西门子Somatom Definition Flash CT机平台上,BMI正常及超重患者分别在80KV、100KV条件下联合低浓度对比剂注射方案可明显降低患者辐射剂量及碘用量,图像质量满意,可满足临床诊断。     

光子双源CT Flash模式联合低浓度对比剂在肺动脉成像中的应用

目的:探讨光子双源CT Flash模式联合低浓度对比剂在肺动脉成像中的临床应用.方法:200例临床怀疑肺动脉栓塞的患者随机分为A、B、C、D四组,各组50例,对比剂注射方案:A组,40mL对比剂+40mL生理盐水,流率4.0 mL/s;B组,40 mL对比剂+40 mL生理盐水,流率4.0 mL/s;C组,40 mL对比剂+40 mL生理盐水,流率4.5 mL/s;D组,40 mL对比剂+40 mL生理盐水,流率5.0 mL/s.A组对比剂采用欧乃派克(350 mg I/mL),B、C、D对比剂采用威视派克(270 mg I/mL).分析比较各组图像质量、客观评价指标及辐射剂量、碘总量.结果:患者的一般资料及CTDlvol、DLP、ED差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).A组与其他三组相比,摄入的碘总量每位患者减少了3200mg.四组间主观评分差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05),D组优良评分病例数最多(40例).4级肺动脉显示率B组98.4％,其他三组为100％,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05),A、D两组5、6级肺动脉显示率高于B、C两组,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).D、A组各支血管CT值、SNR、CNR高于B、C两组,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05);左、右肺上叶动脉、下叶动脉噪声有差异(P＜0.05).A、D两组各支血管CT值均大于250 HU,B组共有37支血管CT值＜250 HU,C组病例共有10支血管CT值＜250 HU(P＜0.05).结论:光子双源CT Flash模式联合低浓度对比剂(270 mg I/mL),注射流率5.0 mL/s的扫描方案在肺动脉血管成像中可获得满意的图像质量,同时降低患者的碘对比剂用量.     

能谱CT成像结合低浓度对比剂用于冠状动脉CT血管成像的初步研究

目的 探讨能谱CT成像结合低浓度对比剂在冠状动脉CT血管成像(CCTA)中应用的可行性.方法 60例疑诊冠心病的患者采用随机数字表法随机分为3组,行CCTA检查,每组20例.A组使用含碘350 mg/ml对比剂进行120kVp前瞻性心电门控扫描,B、C组分别使用含碘350和270 mg/ml对比剂进行宝石CT能谱成像扫描,并通过调节不同keV水平分别分为5个亚组(60、65、70、75、80 keV),分别记为B1～B5、C1～C5组.测量主动脉窦部(AS)、左主干(LMA)、左前降支近段(LAD-p)、左回旋支近段(LCX-p)、右冠状动脉近段(RCA-p)、心包脂肪的CT值及主动脉窦部噪声,计算信噪比(SNR)和对比噪声比(CNR).采用单因素方差分析比较A组与B组客观评价指标,两两比较采用LSD法,选择最佳keV.采用独立样本t检验比较A组与C组最佳keV各项指标的差异.结果 使用相同浓度对比剂(含碘350 mg/ml)时,B1～B5组CNR分别为21.2±3.4、21.5±4.0、21.5±4.0、21.8±4.2、20.7±3.5,较A组(16.6±3.8)升高且差异均有统计学意义(P＜0.01),其中B1～ B4组进行组间两两比较,差异均无统计学意义(P值均＞0.05);A组各目标血管CT值为(393.6±45.1)、(384.8±56.0)、(375.6±37.7)、(366.4±70.8)、(369.1±66.8)HU,噪声为(31.1±9.9)HU,B2组各目标血管CT值[(481.4±43.2)、(466.7±69.3)、(434.1±48.8)、(436.3±42.5)、(427.4±48.6) HU)]较A组增高(P值均＜0.01),且噪声[(28.2±7.3)HU]较A组减低(P＜0.01);即65 keV为最佳keV.C2组(270 mg/ml对比剂GSI扫描65 keV)目标血管CT值[(396.3±76.3)、(390.4±74.4)、(359.5±83.1)、(358.3±67.7)、(365.4±68.2) HU)]及图像噪声[(29.1±5.6)HU]、信噪比(14.6±4.2)、对比噪声比(18.4±4.8)与A组比较差异均无统计学意义(t值为-1.29～1.40,P值均＞0.05).结论 宝石CT能谱成像65 keV水平图像结合含碘270 mg/ml对比剂行冠状动脉CT血管成像检查时,在降低患者碘摄入量时,仍可获得与常规120 kVp前门控扫描相当的客观图像质量.     

低浓度对比剂、低管电压结合迭代重建在CT冠状动脉成像检查中的临床价值

目的评价低k V、低浓度对比剂结合使用迭代重建CT冠状动脉成像(CTCA)的影像质量和辐射剂量。方法符合纳入标准的CTCA受检者共90例,男52例,女38例;年龄30~85岁,平均年龄(56.72±14.51)岁。将其随机分为A、B、C共3组,每组各30例。分别给予不同碘浓度的对比剂:A组270 mg I/m L、B组350 mg I/m L、C组370 mg I/m L。A组管电压100 k V,B、C组管电压120 k V,3组管电流为200~250 m As。采用4分法主观评价影像质量;测量左、右冠状动脉开口、升主动脉根部的CT值,计算影像的信噪比(SNR)、对比噪声比(CNR)来客观评价影像质量。同时记录受检者的CT剂量指数、剂量长度乘积(DLP)、对比剂注射的容量和浓度,分别计算受检者辐射剂量和碘用量。3组受检者年龄、DLP、有效剂量(ED)、信号强度、噪声、SNR和CNR的差异采用方差分析进行比较,组间进一步两两比较采用LSD-t检验。性别、影像质量的主观评分采用χ~2检验。结果 3组受检者的性别、年龄、身高、体质量、BMI差异均无统计学意义(P0.05)。3组受检者冠状动脉段显示质量达诊断需求者有1 210段(98.94%)。3组之间在冠状动脉各段显示质量上差异无统计学意义(χ~2=4.56,P=0.325)。3组中左、右冠状动脉及升主动脉根部的CT值、SNR、CNR差异均无统计学意义(均P0.05)。A组DLP、ED和碘总量均低于B、C组(P0.05),相对于B组分别降低了约27.58%、27.58%、21.27%,相对于C组分别降低了约28.21%、28.21%、24.83%。结论低k V、低浓度对比剂结合迭代重建进行CTCA成像,能获得与常规CTCA一致的影像质量,同时明显地降低受检者的辐射剂量和注射的碘总量。     

低浓度对比剂在双源 CT 冠状动脉成像中的应用

目的：探讨双源 CT Flash spiral 扫描模式下,低浓度对比剂结合正弦图确定迭代重建技术(sinogram-affirmed iterative reconstruction ,SAFIRE)在改善冠状动脉成像图像质量中的价值。方法对44例冠心病筛查患者在 Flash spiral 模式下行冠状动脉检查,按对比剂浓度随机化分成 A 组(370对比剂)和 B 组(320对比剂),所得数据经 SAFIRE 重建,2组对比剂剂量均为[体重(kg)×0.6 mL/kg]mL。对所得冠状动脉段图像质量进行评分,测量主动脉根部、左冠状动脉及右冠状动脉起始部血管腔内 CT值、噪声(SD),并计算信噪比(SNR)、对比噪声比(CNR)。结果2组间图像质量在4分水平和3分水平组间差异有统计学意义(P <0.05),且 B 组图像质量明显优于 A 组。2组血管腔强化 CT 值差异无统计学意义(P >0.05),而噪声、SNR、CNR 差异有统计学意义(P 均<0.05),其中,B 组血管腔内噪声低于 A 组,而 SNR、CNR 均高于 A 组。结论在 Flash spiral 扫描模式下,320对比剂结合 SAFIRE 技术,可得到较好的冠状动脉图像。     

自然呼吸下小剂量对比剂CTPA诊断肺动脉栓塞

目的:评估自然呼吸状态下小剂量对比剂CT肺动脉成像(CTPA)的可行性及诊断肺动脉栓塞的价值.方法:64例临床怀疑肺动脉栓塞的患者行CTPA检查,按随机表分为A、B两组:A组(n=32),自然呼吸状态下扫描,管电压100kV,螺距3.2,对比剂为碘海醇(350 mg I/mL)25 mL;B组(n=32),常规扫描模式,管电压120 kV,螺距2.2,对比剂为碘帕醇(370 mg I/mL).测量各级肺动脉CT值、标准差(SD)、上腔静脉CT值;计算肺动脉主干及双下肺动脉基底支信噪比(SNR)、对比噪声比(CNR);记录对比剂用量、容积CT剂量指数(CTDIvol)、剂量长度乘积(DLP)、有效辐射剂量(ED),并进行统计学分析.结果:两组肺动脉各级分支CT值及两下肺动脉基底支SD值、SNR差异均无统计学意义(P＞0.05).A组肺动脉主干、左右肺动脉SD值高于B组,差异均有统计学意义(P＜0.05);A、B两组肺动脉主干SNR、CNR及左右下肺动脉基底支CNR差异均有统计学意义(P＜0.05).A组上腔静脉CT值[(469.93±196.22) HU]、对比剂用量(25.00mL)明显低于B组[(870.72±426.87)HU、(49.47±7.56)mL],差异有统计学意义(P＜0.01);A组CTDIvol、DLP、ED较B组明显减低[(2.81±3.86) vs (5.65±1.14),P=0.000;(86.25±0.40) vs (163.63±39.00),P=0.000;(1.21±0.18)mSv vs (2.29±0.55)mSv,P=0.000],差异均有统计学意义(P＜0.05).两组共检出肺动脉栓塞24例(A组11例,B组13例),两组间阳性显示率差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05);两组上腔静脉线束硬化伪影显示率(A组9例,B组19例)差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).结论:自然呼吸状态下小对比剂用量CTPA检查图像质量可满足诊断要求,可减少上腔静脉线束硬化伪影,降低对比剂用量及辐射剂量.     

Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) - validation of a Swedish version

The Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) is a self-administered instrument measuring outcome after knee injury at impairment, disability, and handicap level in five subscales. Reliability, validity, and responsiveness of a Swedish version was assessed in 142 patients who underwent arthroscopy because of injury to the menisci, anterior cruciate ligament, or cartilage of the knee. The clinimetric properties were found to be good and comparable to the American version of the KOOS. Comparison to the Short Form-36 and the Lysholm knee scoring scale revealed expected correlations and construct validity. Item by item, symptoms and functional limitations were compared between diagnostic groups. High responsiveness was found three months after arthroscopic partial meniscectomy for all subscales but Activities of Daily Living.     

The acutely limping child

Acute limping may be the result of multiple pathologies in children. The differential diagnosis varies based on the age of the child. Irrespective of age, the initial imaging work-up includes AP and frog leg radiographs of the pelvis and ultrasound; MRI may sometimes be helpful. In children less than 3 years, infections and trauma are most frequent. MRI is the imaging modality of choice when osteomyelitis is clinically suspected. Between the ages of 3 and 10 years, transient synovitis of the hip and Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease are main considerations but infection, inflammation and focal bony lesions are also considered. In children over 10 years, slipped capital femoral epiphysis also is considered.     

Do Balance Board Training Programs Reduce the Risk of Ankle Sprains in Athletes?

Introduction Ankle sprains are the most common musculo-skeletal injury that occurs in athletes,particularly in sports that require jumping and landing on one foot such as soccer,and basketball(1-4).These injuries often result in significant time loss from participation,long-term disability,and have a major impact on health care costs and resources(5-8).     

High Intensity Interval Training:New Insights

KEY POINTS ·High-intensity interval training(HIT)is characterized by repeated sessions of relatively brief，intermittent exercise.often performed with an“a11 out”effort or at an intensity close to that which elicits peak oxygen uptake(i.e.，≥90%of VO2 peak).     

Endovascular management of carotid-cavernous fistulas

Objective To investigate endovascular treatment of traumatic direct carotid-cavernous fistulas （CCF） and their complications such as pseudoaneurysms. Methods： Over a five-year period, 22 patients with traumatic direct CCFs were treated endovascularly in our institution. Thirteen patients were treated once with the result of CCF occluded, 8 twice and 1 three times. Treatment modalities included balloon occlusion of the CCF, sacrifice of the ipsilateral internal carotid artery with detachable balloon, coll embolization of the cavernous sinus and secondary pseudoaneurysms, and covered-stem management of the pseudoaneurysms. Results All the direct CCFs were successfully managed endovascularly. Four patients developed a pseudoaneurysm after the occlusion of the CCF with an incidence of pseudoaneurysm formation of 18.2% （4/22）. A total number of 8 patients experienced permanent occlusion of the ICA with a rate of ICA occlusion reaching 36.4% （8/22）. Followed up through telephone consultation from 6 months to 5 years, all did well with no recurrence of CCF symptoms and signs. Conclusion Traumatic direct CCFs can be successfully managed with endovascular means. The pseudoaneurysms secondary to the occlusion of the CCFs can be occluded with stent-assisted coiling and implantation of covered stents.     

Developmental validation of the PowerPlex(®) ESI 16 and PowerPlex(®) ESI 17 Systems: STR multiplexes for the new European standard

In response to the ENFSI and EDNAP groups’ call for new STR multiplexes for Europe, Promega^® developed a suite of four new DNA profiling kits. This paper describes the developmental validation study performed on the PowerPlex^® ESI 16 (European Standard Investigator 16) and the PowerPlex^® ESI 17 Systems. The PowerPlex^® ESI 16 System combines the 11 loci compatible with the UK National DNA Database^®, contained within the AmpFlSTR^® SGM Plus^® PCR Amplification Kit, with five additional loci: D2S441, D10S1248, D22S1045, D1S1656 and D12S391. The multiplex was designed to reduce the amplicon size of the loci found in the AmpFlSTR^® SGM Plus^® kit. This design facilitates increased robustness and amplification success for the loci used in the national DNA databases created in many countries, when analyzing degraded DNA samples. The PowerPlex^® ESI 17 System amplifies the same loci as the PowerPlex^® ESI 16 System, but with the addition of a primer pair for the SE33 locus. Tests were designed to address the developmental validation guidelines issued by the Scientific Working Group on DNA Analysis Methods (SWGDAM), and those of the DNA Advisory Board (DAB). Samples processed include DNA mixtures, PCR reactions spiked with inhibitors, a sensitivity series, and 306 United Kingdom donor samples to determine concordance with data generated with the AmpFlSTR^® SGM Plus^® kit. Allele frequencies from 242 white Caucasian samples collected in the United Kingdom are also presented. The PowerPlex^® ESI 16 and ESI 17 Systems are robust and sensitive tools, suitable for the analysis of forensic DNA samples. Full profiles were routinely observed with 62.5 pg of a fully heterozygous single source DNA template. This high level of sensitivity was found to impact on mixture analyses, where 54–86% of unique minor contributor alleles were routinely observed in a 1:19 mixture ratio. Improved sensitivity combined with the robustness afforded by smaller amplicons has substantially improved the quantity of data obtained from degraded samples, and the improved chemistry confers exceptional tolerance to high levels of laboratory prepared inhibitors.     

Bronchial stump fistula :treatment with covered retrievable hinged metallic stents-preliminary clinical experience

Objective To evaluate the preliminaily clinical efficacy and retrievability of a retrievable hinged covered metallic stent in the treatment of the bronchial stump fistula （BSF）. Methods Between April 2003 and March 2005, 8 patients with bronchial stump fistula after pneumonectomy or lobectomy were treated with two types （A and B） of retrievable hinged covered metallic stents. Type A stent was placed in 6 patients and type B in 2 under fluoroscopic guidance. The stent was removed with a retrieval set when BSF was healed or complications occurred. Results Stent placement in the bronchial tree was technically successful in all patients, without procedure-related complications. Immediate closure of the BSF was achieved in all patients after the procedure. Stents were removed from all patients but one. Removal of the stents was difficult in two patients due to tissue hyperplasia. Patients were followed up for 6 - 21 months. Placement of the stents remained stable in all patients except one due to severe cough. Permanent closure of BSF was achieved in 7 （87.5%） of 8 patients. Conclusion Use of a retrievable hinged covered expandable metallic stent is a simple, safe, and effective procedure for closure of the BSF. Retrieval of the stent seems to be feasible. （J Intervent Radiol, 2007, 16： 253-257）     

Prevalence and severity of hip and groin pain in sub‐elite male football: a cross‐sectional cohort study of 695 players

The purpose of this study was twofold: (a) to investigate the prevalence of hip and groin pain in sub‐elite male adult football in Denmark and (b) to explore the association between prevalence and duration of hip and groin pain in the previous season with the Copenhagen Hip and Groin Outcome Score (HAGOS) in the beginning of the new season. In total 695 respondents from 40 teams (Division 1–4) were included. Players completed in the beginning of the new season (July–Sept 2011) a self‐reported paper questionnaire on hip and/or groin pain during the previous season and HAGOS. In total 49% (95% CI: 45–52%) reported hip and/or groin pain during the previous season. Of these, 31% (95% CI: 26–36%) reported pain for >6 weeks. Players with the longest duration of pain during the previous season had the lowest HAGOS scores, when assessed at the beginning of the new season, P < 0.001. This study documents that half of sub‐elite male adult football players report pain in the hip and/or groin during a football season. The football players with the longest duration of pain in previous season displayed the lowest HAGOS scores in the beginning of the new season.