Ventilation-perfusion imaging in evaluating regional lung function in nonpenetrating injury to the chest

The extent of chest wall and lung injury after nonpenetrating injury to the chest (NIC) determine how aggressive and invasive management modalities should be. We investigated the value of ventilation (133Xe) and perfusion (99mTc) studies as indicators of extent of lung injury in 28 patients with moderate to severe unilateral NIC. The ventilation-perfusion (V/Q) abnormalities were compared with parameters conventionally used to evaluate NIC. All studies were carried out within 24 h of NIC and repeated 24 h later. Ventilation (p less than 0.001) and perfusion (p less than 0.01) abnormalities were more extensive soon after NIC than suggested by chest roentgenograms. Chest x-ray film changes lagged behind V/Q changes on admission and also after 24 h. The extent of ventilation, perfusion, and chest x-ray film abnormalities on admission were all predictors of increased morbidity. V/Q studies may be useful to define the extent as well as the changes in regional lung function following NIC.     

振动反应成像系统在间质性肺疾病患者肺功能评价中的应用

目的 探讨振动反应成像系统(vibration response imaging,VRI)在间质性肺疾病(ILD)患者肺功能评价中的应用价值.方法 选取我院2010年6月至2011年9月临床诊断为ILD的患者80例,进行VRIxp肺功能检查,并与传统肺功能进行比较,观察患者肺功能检查前后病情变化,分析VRIxp和传统肺功能在ILD患者肺功能评价上的优劣.结果 VRIxp主要参数变化及意义:①观察气流分布图及最大振动能量图发现所有受试者均存在图像不同步、大小不一等不同程度的异常;②69例受检者存在能量分布异常,根据不同疾病类型分组及CT表现分组比较能量值,差异无统计学意义;③能量曲线出现平台及曲线分离等异常表现;④VRIxp可客观定性、定量检出异常呼吸音,且检出率较传统听诊高,分别为90.00％、82.50％;⑤结合气流分布图及区域能量分布可定位病灶,本组73例VRIxp与CT定位一致,病灶定位准确率达91.25％.与传统肺功能比较:①传统肺功能通气功能正常者VRI检测结果均存在异常,且病变部位与HRCT相符;②肺功能检查前后受检者病情变化评分,传统肺功能检测评分差值为6.59,VRI检测前后评分差值为0.32.VRI对患者病情影响较小.结论 VRIxp是一种在患者平静呼吸状态下即可进行肺功能测定的一种新方法,较传统肺功能有诸多优势:可动态、直接、快速且准确地观测到肺容积的变化、判断病变部位和更为敏感地发现肺部异常呼吸音,且对患者病情无影响,特别适用于以呼吸困难为突出表现的ILD患者.     

Advances in colonic imaging: new endoscopic imaging methods

There is a need for better endoscopic visualization in specific circumstances like detection of flat colorectal lesions and dysplasia-screening in ulcerative colitis. Chromoendoscopy is a technique with proven success, but many more, novel endoscopic techniques are currently under investigation. In this article different point measurement and still imaging methods are discussed: Raman spectroscopy, elastic (light) scattering spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, optical coherence tomography and confocal laser microscopy. Furthermore, real-time endoscopic imaging methods are discussed. These include narrow band imaging, fluorescence imaging and endocytoscopy. The results of fluoroscence imaging might be improved by application of photosensitizers or coupling of fluorescent dyes to tumour-related antigens (immunoscopy). Most of these techniques still have to be developed further and are not yet available for routine use. In our opinion, a combination of a red-flag technique and a microscopic technique carries an enormous potential.     

肺癌放化疗“实时”疗效评估方法的研究进展

肺癌是世界范围内最常见的恶性肿瘤,保守估计,2012年美国的新发肿瘤中,肺癌位居第二,死亡率居首位¨引。目前肺癌总体生存率却仅有16％左右。随着“个体化”这一治疗理念的提出,根据每一个肺癌患者的肿瘤生物学特征及药物基因组学改变进行针对性治疗,是目前肺癌规范化治疗的准则。但由于肺癌的异质性,其耐药、复发和转移成为目前面临的难题。“生存期”是临床评价疗效好坏的金标准,而在处理个体患者时并不适用。对个体患者而言,只有当生存期的延长与“缓解率”和生活质量的提高相关联时才具有价值。而以CT、MRI等影像学技术为基础评估“缓解率”的方法,     

Limitation of fractional flow reserve in evaluating coronary artery myocardial bridge

Symptomatic myocardial bridge is treated with medical therapy, but in refractory cases, percutaneous revascularization has been used. We describe two cases to highlight differences in coronary compression and flow pattern, which make the luminal narrowing associated with a myocardial bridge anatomically and physiologically different from the fixed stenosis of atherosclerotic epicardial disease. Due to these characteristics, evaluating the functional severity of a myocardial bridge using fractional flow reserve as a guide to revascularization may be of limited value. Furthermore, stenting, including drug-eluting stents, may not be the ideal revascularization strategy secondary to a higher risk of in-stent restenosis.     

An overview of platelet indices and methods for evaluating platelet function in thrombocytopenic patients

Thrombocytopenia is associated with bleeding risk. However, in thrombocytopenic patients, platelet count does not correlate with bleeding risk and other factors are thus likely to contribute to this risk. This review presents currently available platelet‐related markers available on automated haematology analysers and commonly used methods for testing platelet function. The test principles, advantages and disadvantages of each test are described. We also evaluate the current literature regarding the clinical utility of the test for prediction of bleeding in thrombocytopenia in haematological and oncological diseases. We find that several platelet‐related markers are available, but information about the clinical utility in thrombocytopenia is limited. Studies support that mean platelet volume (MPV) can aid diagnosing the cause of thrombocytopenia and low MPV may be associated with bleeding in thrombocytopenia. Flow cytometry, platelet aggregometry and platelet secretion tests are used to diagnose specific platelet function defects. The flow cytometric activation marker P‐selectin and surface coverage by the Cone‐and‐Plate[let] analyser predict bleeding in selected thrombocytopenic populations. To fully uncover the clinical utility of platelet‐related tests, information about the prevalence of platelet function defects in thrombocytopenic conditions is required. Finally, knowledge of the performance in thrombocytopenic samples from patients is essential.     

Limitation of the augmentation index for evaluating arterial stiffness.

Although the augmentation index (AIx) is widely used to evaluate arterial stiffness in clinics and research, some conflicting data exist in regard to its validity. We therefore performed a series of studies to test the validity of AIx. The first study in 196 peritoneal dialysis patients showed that AIx in diabetics was lower than that in non-diabetic patients (p<0.05), which was in contradiction with the previous studies. Further analysis showed that AIx was just weakly correlated with pulse pressure (PP)-a known index of arterial stiffness. We also found that the increase of augmentation pressure (AP) was usually accompanied with increased central PP (C-PP). As AP and C-PP are used as the numerator and denominator in the AIx formula, an increase in the numerator (AP) would not necessarily result in an increase of the quotient (AIx) unless the denominator (C-PP) was stable. We then conducted a second study trying to test the validity of AIx through mathematical ratiocination. The increases in the central second peak (P2) and AP were assumed to represent increased arterial stiffness. Different values of AIx were obtained by varying the central initial systolic peak (P1) and diastolic pressure (DP). Mathematical ratiocination showed that AIx was dependent on multiple factors, F=(DeltaSP-DeltaDP)x(P1-P2)+(DeltaP2-DeltaP1)x(SP-DP), which suggested that a change of AIx would not always be attributable to changes in P2 and AP. This speculation was further proved by clinical data in our third study. In conclusion, through a series of studies and ratiocination, we showed that the augmentation index (AIx or AIx@75bpm) might not be a sensitive surrogate for a change in central pressure waveforms, which is a manifestation of change in large artery function. The limitation of AIx as an index of arterial stiffness is rooted in its formula, which has a clear mathematical flaw.     

Strain and strain rate imaging in evaluating left atrial appendage function by transesophageal echocardiography

BACKGROUND: This study was planned to assess whether strain rate (Sr) and strain (S) echocardiography is a useful method for functional assessment of the left atrial appendage (LAA). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fifty-seven consecutive patients underwent a clinically indicated study. LAA late empty velocity (LAAEV) was calculated as a gold standard for left atrial appendage function. Real-time 2-dimensional color Doppler myocardial imaging data were recorded from the LAA at a high frame rate. Analysis was performed for LAA longitudinal strain rate and strain from midsegment of lateral wall of LAA. LAA strain determines regional lengthening expressed as a positive value or shortening expressed as a negative value. Peak systolic values were calculated from the extracted curve. RESULTS: Spearman correlation test results showed a statistically significant positive correlation was between the S, Sr variables and LAAEV (LAAEV vs S; r = 0.886, P < 0.001; LAAEV vs Sr: r = 0.897, P < 0.001, respectively). Strain and strain rate values were also significantly lower in patients with spontaneous echocardiographic contrast when compared with those without (strain; 2.42 +/- 0.98 vs 13.1 +/- 5.9, P < 0.001 and strain rate: 0.97 +/- 0.54 vs 3.34 +/- 1.15, P < 0.001, respectively). In addition, LAA strain and strain rate values were significantly lower in the patients with LAA thrombus (strain; 2.15 +/- 0.96 vs 8.35 +/- 6.9, P < 0.001, strain rate; 0.79 +/- 0.46 vs 2.30 +/- 1.48, P < 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSION: S and Sr imaging can be considered a robust technique for the assessment of the LAA systolic deformation.     

伴代谢综合征高血压病患者胰岛素抵抗的简易评估

目的利用“金标准”钳夹技术评价伴代谢综合征(MS)的高血压病人中评价HOMA胰岛素抵抗指数(HOMAIR)、Cederholm胰岛素敏感指数(ISIced)、Defronzo胰岛素敏感指数(ISIcom)等的相关性和适用性。方法根据口服75g葡萄糖耐量试验(OGTT)结果在MS高血压病人群中分成正常糖耐量组(224例)、空腹血糖受损组(11例)和糖耐量异常组(228例)。均用胰岛素敏感指数(ΔI30/ΔG30)及新的细胞功能指数(MBCI)分析其在MS高血压病人群的适用性。结果(1)在MS高血压病人中ISIced,ISIcom与钳夹技术相关,相关系数分别为063和078(P=00001),而HOMAIR与钳夹技术不相关(P>005)。(2)单纯高血压病组除了血压外,其余各项指标均与正常人组差异无统计学意义(P>005);而MS高血压病组胰岛素敏感性及β细胞功能明显差于正常人组及单纯高血压病组患者。(3)MS高血压病组中,钳夹技术判定胰岛素抵抗为6910%,以ISIced为标准有7637%存在胰岛素抵抗,以ISIcom为标准有5213%。结论利用OGTT资料得到的ISIced和ISIcom适用于MS高血压病人群中评价胰岛素抵抗,并且ISIced更优越于ISIcom,而HOMAIR不适用于这部分人群。MS高血压病正常糖耐量人群相对于单纯高血压病人群β细胞功能呈代偿性高胰岛素分泌状态。MS高血压病人群糖负荷后胰岛素分泌高峰延迟,MBCI更适合评     

无创影像学评估急性心肌梗死患者存活心肌方法的研究进展

［摘要］　急性心肌梗死（AMI）的发病率和病死率逐年上升。血运重建的应用有效缓解了AMI患者的症状,但部分患者经皮冠状动脉介入术后心功能并未得到改善。评估存活心肌对AMI患者的治疗策略选择、疗效评价和预后判断尤为重要,无创影像学方法是评估存活心肌的可靠方法。该文对评估存活心肌的无创影像学方法特点和各方法间相关性作一综述。     

Viscous fluid retention: A new method for evaluating anorectal function

The ability to retain viscous fluid in the standing position was tested in 22 patients with fecal incontinence, 11 patients with constipation, and 26 control subjects. Viscous fluid was introduced into the rectum in increments of 50 ml. The examination was stopped when the patient complained of discomfort or the viscous fluid leaked. Eighteen of 22 patients with fecal incontinence leaked fluid, while none of the control subjects and only four of the constipated patients did so. Patients with fecal incontinence retained significantly less viscous fluid than did control subjects, whereas no difference was found between patients with constipation and control subjects. Rectal sensation from distention with air was tested in the patients as well as in the control group. The following volumes and pressures at each sensation were measured: 1) earliest defecation urge (EDU), 2) constant defecation urge (CDU), and 3) maximum tolerable volume (MTV). Patients with fecal incontinence had lower volumes than control subjects at all sensations, while patients with constipation had higher volumes at earliest defecation urge and at constant defecation urge. Rectal compliance was higher in patients with fecal incontinence than in control subjects, whereas patients with constipation did not differ from control subjects. Regression analysis showed a linear relationship between viscous fluid retention and the maximum tolerable volume and also between viscous fluid retention and rectal compliance. No difference in the ability to retain viscous fluid between male and female control subjects was found; regression analysis of viscous fluid retention in relation to age revealed decreasing volumes with increasing age. Day-to-day variation of the ability to retain viscous fluid was tested in eight persons, and reproducibility was found to be good.     

COPD HRCT影像学表型与肺功能的相关性分析

目的 探讨慢性阻塞性肺病HRCT影像学表型与肺功能的相关性.方法 分析了入住我院的120例COPD患者的临床资料,根据GOLD方案分级,其中Ⅰ级46例（A组）、Ⅱ级34例（B组）、Ⅲ级23例（C组）以及Ⅳ级17例（D组）.对本组全部入选患者的肺功能、血气分析以及HRCT等方面进行检查,对比上述四组之间的变化与相关性.结果 与A组相比,B、C、D三组患者HRCT异常定量评分呈现出显著性升高的发展趋势,且比较差异具有统计学意义（P＜0.05,P＜0.01）;而且,上述四组之间HRCT定量评价与肺功能分级具有较好的相关性（P＜0.05）.结论 HRCT能够作为定量评价不同级别COPD患者的有效方法.     

Hyperpolarized 3-helium magnetic resonance imaging to probe lung function

Understanding pulmonary pathophysiology has increasing implications for imaging modalities. Although it was sufficient to perform high-resolution computed tomography in the past, the impetus now is on providing quantitative and functional lung data. Magnetic resonance imaging, which was traditionally difficult to perform in the lungs, has developed into a promising technology. One of the main areas of interest is the use of hyperpolarized noble gases, such as 3-He and 129-Xe, which enable high-definition lung imaging that includes information on lung microstructure. It is possible to obtain three-dimensional information on essential pulmonary processes, such as ventilation, oxygen uptake, and spirometry, which offers new insight into lung pathophysiology. This article focuses on the novel aspects of hyperpolarized 3-He magnetic resonance imaging.     

Sodium bicarbonate infusion test: a new method for evaluating parathyroid function

We have developed a new test for estimating the secretory capacity of parathyroid hormone (PTH) from the parathyroid gland. Sodium bicarbonate solution [8.4% (w/v); 35 ml/m(2) body surface area] was infused for 2 min, and blood samples for the determination of plasma ionized calcium, plasma PTH (intact, midregion, carboxy-terminus) and related parameters were serially obtained. In 8 healthy volunteers, the mean (+/-SE) plasma ionized calcium fell promptly and significantly (from 1.21 +/- 0.01 to 1.11 +/- 0.01 mmol/L) after the sodium bicarbonate infusion. The mean (+/-SE) plasma intact PTH increased promptly and significantly, by more than four fold (42.3 +/- 4.2 to 182.4 +/- 34.7 pg/ml), and then gradually returned to basal levels. In patients with partial hypoparathyroidism who have detectable basal plasma levels of PTH, the absolute increment in PTH levels was much less, and in the plasma obtained from patients with complete hypoparathyroidism, absolutely no response was observed. Plasma obtained from patients diagnosed with primary hyperparathyroidism (parathyroid adenoma or hyperplasia) has high basal PTH levels. The response to the sodium bicarbonate infusion in these patients was markedly blunted (less than a two-fold increase in all cases examined). No significant adverse effects were observed during the procedure. Therefore, the sodium bicarbonate infusion test is a simple and sensitive method to stimulate PTH release, and is clinically useful for evaluating parathyroid gland function.     

~(99)Tc~m-DISIDA hepatobiliary imaging in evaluating gallbladder function in patients with spinal cord injury

BACKGROUND: Spinal cord injury (SCI) is associated with increased prevalence of gallstones and acute acalculous cholecystitis. A possible explanation for the increased prevalence of gallstones in SCI patients is decreased gallbladder motility causing gallbladder stasis. In this study, we investigated gallbladder function in patients with SCI. METHODS: Eighteen normal controls, 16 trauma controls and 46 SCI patients were included in this study. Gallbladder function was measured by technium 99m-labeled imino-diacetic acid analogue (99Tcm-DISIDA) hepatobiliary imaging and represented by filling fraction (FF) and ejection fraction (EF). The data from SCI patients were analyzed according to old versus young, female versus male, heavy versus light body weight, ASIA A & B versus ASIA C & D classification, high-versus low-level injury, and long versus short injury duration. RESULTS: Fifty-two percent of SCI patients had abnormal FF and 59% had abnormal EF. Significantly decreased FF and EF values were found in SCI patients, especially in female patients with severe and high-level injuries. CONCLUSION: Quantitative 99Tcm-DISIDA cholescinti-graphy showed that SCI can significantly impair gallbladder function.