Differential diagnosis of isolated calf muscle vein thrombosis and gastrocnemius hematoma by high-frequency ultrasound

Background Differential diagnosis of isolated calf muscle vein thrombosis （ICMVT） and gastrocnemius hematoma is essential for early identification of deep vein thrombosis （DVT）.This study aimed to investigate the diagnostic value of high-frequency color Doppler ultrasound for differential diagnosis of ICMVT and gastrocnemius hematoma.Methods A retrospective case series of 35 ICMVT （M∶F,21∶14; mean age （64.5±10.6） years） and 23 gastrocnemius hematoma （M∶F,16∶7; mean age （75.4±11.8） years） patients with bilateral/unilateral lower limb pain was conducted between January 2006 and September 2012.Characteristics and the morphology of high-frequency color Doppler ultrasonography of the lower limb deep vein,great saphenous vein,calf muscles,skin,and soft tissue were examined.Results ICMVT hypoechoic signals were characterized by long,tube-like masses on longitudinal sections and oval masses on transverse sections,with apparent muscle thrombosis boundaries,distal and proximal venous connections,and,often,lower limb DVT.Gastrocnemius hematoma hypoechoic signals were characterized by large volumes,enhanced posterior hematoma echo,hyperechoic muscle boundaries,no hematoma blood flow,and no DVT,and clear differences in trauma/exercise-and oral anticoagulant-induced hematomas were readily apparent.According to the measurement,the ratio of long diameter/transverse diameter （D/T） in ICMVT patients was about less than 2.0,whereas in gastrocnemius hematoma patients the ratio was more than 2.0.Early stage isoechoic and hypoechoic signals were detected with gradually increasing ovular anechoic areas.Partial muscle fibers in the hematoma due to muscle fractures were apparent.Conclusion High-frequency color Doppler ultrasound was found to be a sensitive and reliable method for differential diagnosis of ICMVT and gastrocnemius hematoma due to trauma and exercise or prolonged oral anticoagulant use.     

Loss of bifurcation patency after cross-over stenting of ostial lesions in superficial femoral artery: possible causes, prevention and reintervention

Background Crossover stenting across the origin of the profunda femoral artery （PFA） and occasionally into the common femoral artery （CFA） is commonly used after suboptimal balloon angioplasty of ostial occlusive lesions of the superficial femoral artery （SFA） involving the bifurcation. Late stent occlusion at the bifurcation is not rare and results in severe lower extremity ischemia. Therefore, we tried to assess its possible causes, prevention and reintervention. Methods Using a prospectively maintained single-center database, 12-month femoral bifurcation patency was retrospectively compared and lesion and procedural predictors of stent occlusion were determined among 63 patients （64 lesions） who between July 2011 and February 2013 underwent crossover （36 non-jailed and 15 jailed SFA, and 12 distal and 1 complete CFA） stenting of de novo ostial SFA lesions. Results Twelve-month overall patency rate at the femoral bifurcation was 88%, with no significant difference between jailed-ostial SFA （80%） and distal CFA （67%） stenting （P=0.731）, and significant differences between either and non-jailed ostial stenting （100%,P=0.035 and 0.002）. When PFA ostium was jailed by the stent, patients with preexisting CFA or PFA lesions had a 12-month bifurcation patency rate of 20%, significantly lower than those with simple ostial SFA lesions （83%, P=0.015）. Stent induced intimal hyperplasia caused bifurcation occlusion in 6 surgical reintervention cases. Conclusions In crossover stenting of ostial lesions in SFA, bifurcation patency loss was significantly higher in distal CFA and jailed ostial SFA stenting than non-jailed ostial SFA stenting. Preexisting CFA or PFA lesion is a significant risk factor for bifurcation patency loss when PFA ostium is jailed by crossover stenting.     

Removal versus preservation of the posterior longitudinal ligament in Bryan cervical disc arthroplasty

Background Bryan cervical disc arthroplasty can be used to restore and maintain the mobility and function of the involved cervical spinal segments. The efficiency of posterior longitudinal ligament （PLL） resection in anterior cervical decompression and fusion has been demonstrated. However, no clinical reports have compared PLL removal with preservation in Bryan cervical disc arthroplasty. This study aimed to assess the role of removal of PLL in Bryan cervical disc arthroplasty at an 18-month follow-up.     

Nine-month angiographic and two-year clinical follow-up of polymer-free sirolimus-eluting stent versus durable-polymer sirolimus-eluting stent for coronary artery disease: the Nano randomized trial

Background First generation drug-eluting stents （DES） were associated with a high incidence of late stent thrombosis （ST）,mainly due to delayed healing and re-endothelization by the durable polymer coating.This study sought to assess the safety and efficacy of the Nano polymer-free sirolimus-eluting stent （SES） in the treatment of patients with de novo coronary artery lesions.Methods The Nano trial is the first randomized trial designed to compare the safety and efficacy of the Nano polymer-free SES and Partner durable-polymer SES （Lepu Medical Technology,Beijing,China） in the treatment of patients with de novo native coronary lesions.The primary endpoint was in-stent late lumen loss （LLL） at 9-month follow-up.The secondary endpoint was major adverse cardiac events （MACE）,a composite of cardiac death,myocardial infarction or target lesion revascularization.Results A total of 291 patients （Nano group：n=143,Partner group：n=148） were enrolled in this trial from 19 Chinese centers.The Nano polymer-free SES was non-inferior to the Partner durable-polymer DES at the primary endpoint of 9 months （P 〈0.001）.The 9-month in-segment LLL of the polymer-free Nano SES was comparable to the Partner SES （0.34±0.42） mm vs.（0.30±0.48） mm,P=0.21）.The incidence of MACE in the Nano group were 7.6% compared to the Partner group of 5.9% （P=0.75） at 2 years follow-up.The frequency of cardiac death and stent thrombosis was low for both Nano and Partner SES （0.8% vs.0.7%,0.8% vs.1.5%,both P=1.00）.Conclusions In this multicenter randomized Nano trial,the Nano polymer-free SES showed similar safety and efficacy compared with the Partner SES in the treatment of patients with de novo coronary artery lesions.Trials in patients with complex lesions and longer term follow-up are necessary to confirm the clinical performance of this novel Nano polymer-free SES.     

Endovascular recanalization of superior vena cava, brachiocephalic, and subclavian venous occlusions caused by nonmalignant lesions

Background  Endovascular recanalization (EVR) is becoming the primary therapy for patients with central venous (brachiocephalic, subclavian, and superior vena cava) occlusion (CVO) caused by benign etiology. In this study, we retrospectively analyzed our experience in using EVR to treat benign CVO in 10 patients between April 2005 and September 2010.

Methods  The mean age of the patients was 65.3 years, 2/10 cases were female, and the origin of cause of CVO in 7/10 cases was the hemodialysis access in the upper extremity. The patients were treated with primary stent placement and evaluated with immediate technical success rate and post-interventional patency rate after the procedure.

Results  Eight patients were treated successfully with stent placement and experienced symptomatic relief immediately. No technical complications were observed during EVR treatment. Patients were followed up by ultrasonography and venography. Median follow-up was 13 months. Three patients required secondary procedures to maintain patency.

Conclusions  EVR is an effective and safe treatment in patients with benign CVO. It provides immediate symptom relief and maintains a continuous access for hemodialysis.

     

Clinical results and intramedullary signal changes of posterior decompression with transforaminal interbody fusion for thoracic myelopathy caused by combined ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament and ligamentum flavum

Background Surgical treatment of thoracic myelopathy caused by ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament （OPLL） and ossification of the ligamentum flavum （OLF） is technically demanding, and the results tend to be unfavorable. Various operative approaches and treatment strategies have been attempted, and posterior decompression with transforaminal thoracic interbody fusion （PTTIF） may be the optimal method with which the anterior-posterior compression was removed in one step. It is comparatively less traumatic with fewer serious complications.     

Effectiveness and safety of endoscopic submucosal dissection for intraepithelial neoplasia of the esophagogastric junction

Background Endoscopic submucosal dissection of the esophagogastric junction is the most difficult gastric and esophageal dissection procedure.No reports of endoscopic submucosal dissection for Siewert type ii carcinoma of the esophagogastric junction have compared the outcomes of endoscopic submucosal dissection for all three Siewert types of adenocarcinoma.This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of endoscopic submucosal dissection for intraepithelial neoplasia of the esophagogastric junction.Methods From October 2008 to June 2013,73 patients underwent endoscopic submucosal dissection for intraepithelial neoplasia of the esophagogastric junction.The patients were prospectively evaluated regarding the executability of the technique,short-term results of the procedure,en bloc resection rate,curative resection rate,complications and additional treatment after endoscopic submucosal dissection,and follow-up outcomes.Results Sixty-eight of the 73 patients （93.2％） underwent en bloc resection; the mean maximum specimen diameter was 33.7 mm.Fifty-seven of 61 patients （93.4％） who underwent curative resection were successfully followed-up for 1.0 to 56.0 months （average,24.1 months）.Local recurrence developed in one patient with high-grade intraepithelial neoplasm.Twelve patients underwent noncurative resection,including lateral resection margin residues in three,vertical resection margin residues in one,signet ring cell carcinoma or undifferentiated adenocarcinoma in four,lymphatic or vessel invasion in one,vertical residual margin residues combined with signet ring cell carcinoma in one,and undifferentiated adenocarcinoma with lymphatic or vessel invasion in two.In the noncurative resection group,one patient was lost to follow-up,seven underwent additional surgery,and the remaining four were periodically followed up; none had local recurrence or distant metastases.The only complication was delayed bleeding in three patients,which was successfully controlled by conservative treatment or endoscopic therapy.Conclusions Endoscopic submucosal dissection is safe and effective for intraepithelial neoplasia of the esophagogastric junction.R0 en bloc resection is possible and can avoid the risk of local recurrence.     

43例胃神经内分泌癌的临床特征及根治性手术术后的预后因素分析

Background Gastric neuroendocrine carcinomas （g-NECs） are rare tumors that have aggressive biological behaviors and poor prognosis,but the prognostic factors of postoperative patients with g-NEC are still unclear.Our aim was to study and explore the clinical characteristics and prognostic factors of patients with g-NEC treated with radical surgery.Methods The clinical data of 43 g-NEC patients who underwent surgery from January 2002 to January 2011 at the Zhongshan Hospital of Fudan University were analyzed.Follow-up was conducted by telephone,mail,or returning visit survey.Results The sizes of the 43 neuroendocrine carcinomas （G3） were 1.5 cm × 1.5 cm × 0.5 cm to 7 cm × 8 cm × 1.5 cm.Eight NECs were localized,and 35 had lymph node involvement,of which 1 also had hepatic metastasis.At the end of the follow-up,the follow-up rate was 97.7％ （42/43）,and the median follow-up time was 22.2 months.The median overall survival of g-NEC patients was 36.5 months,and the 1-,3-,and 5-year overall survival rates were 86.0％,51.6％,and 36.7％,respectively.Sex （P ＜0.05） and lymph node involvement （P ＜0.05） were prognostic factors of postoperative g-NEC patients,among which sex was an independent prognostic factor （P ＜0.05）,as a survival advantage of female patients over male was observed.Conclusions Most of the g-NECs were diagnosed at an advanced stage.The prognosis of g-NECs was related with sex and lymph node involvement,of which sex was an independent prognostic factor,with female patients having a survival advantage.     

Incidence and risk factors analysis of heterotopic ossification after cervical disc replacement

Background Cervical disc replacement （CDR） as a substitute for traditional fusion surgery has been widely used in treating degenerative cervical disc diseases.The objectives of this study were to assess the clinical and radiological findings for patients with heterotopic ossification （HO） following CDR and to detect the risk factors of HO after CDR.Methods A total of 125 patients with symptomatic cervical single-or double-level disc diseases,who underwent CDR procedure with Discover prosthesis in Department of Spine Surgery,Changzheng Orthopedics Hospital from March 2009 to March 2011,were enrolled in this retrospective study.Occurrence of HO was defined by the McAfee classification on cervical lateral X-rays in this study.Prosthesis vertebral ratio （PVR） was used to determine the matching degree between the cervical disc prosthesis and cervical vertebra.Logistic regression analyses were performed to determine the risk factors of HO.Variables evaluated for their association with HO occurrence included age,gender,high-intensity signal in spinal cord,preoperative range of motion （ROM）,postoperative ROM,operation level number,and PVR.Results Mean follow-up time was （26.4±5.8） months.All the patients had significant symptoms and neurological function improvements during the follow-up period.The ROM of the operated segment from the preoperative period to the last follow-up was relatively well maintained.The rate of HO in this cohort of patients,who underwent Discover disc,was 27.92％ per surgical level and 24.8％ per patient by the last follow-up.There were 19 patients （19.79％） with HO in the single-level group while 12 patients （41.38％） in the double-level group.Conclusions We identified preoperative high-intensity signal in spinal cord,postoperative ROM of surgical level,number of operation level,and PVR as significant risk factors for postoperative HO occurrence.     

术中实时三维计算机导航辅助置入颈后路C2螺钉的临床应用研究

Background The peculiar and highly variable C2 anatomy can make screw fixation more challenging and prone to potential vertebral artery or neurologic injury. Conventional C-arm fluoroscopy has several drawbacks. The aim of this research was to evaluate the accuracy of posterior C2 screw fixation using intraoperative three-dimensional fluoroscopy- based navigation （ITFN） and assess the perioperative complication rate related to screw placement. Methods A retrospective review identified patients who underwent operative management with C2 instruments using ITFN at our hospital between January 2006 and December 2012. Clinical data were obtained from medical records and final screw positions were graded according to a modified classification of Gertzbein and Robbins. Grade A and B screws were considered well positioned. Results The study included 99 patients （53 males and 46 females） who underwent posterior C2 screw fixation using ITFN. The mean Japan Orthopedic Association score improved from （6.7±1.9） points before surgery to （12.5±2.7） points at 6-month follow-up （z= ＋8.628, P 〈0.01）. The mean visual analogue scale improved from （4.1±1.2） points before surgery to （0.7±0.9） points at 6-month follow-up, with an improvement of 83.7% （z= 8.638, P 〈 0.01）. Of the 196 screws analyzed using computed tomography and chart review, 126 transarticular, 64 pedicle, and 6 pars screws were placed with 82.5% （104/126）, 89.1% （57/64）, and 100% （6/6） accuracy （grade A）, respectively; 98.5% （193/196） of screws were grade A or B （grade C, 1.5% （3/196））, and no neurologic injuries occurred. In normal C2 cases, 93 transarticulars and 47 pedicles were placed with high accuracy rates of 90.3% （84/93） and 93.6% （44/47） （grade A）, respectively. However, in cases with C2 deformity, 33 transarticular, 17 pedicle, and 6 pars screws were placed with only 60.6% （20/33）, 76.5% （13/17）, and 100% （6/6） accuracy （grade A）, respectively. Conclusion ITFN     

Evaluation of efficacy and safety of sunitinib regimen in 22 patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma: at least 12-month follow-up

Background Sunitinib has been proved an effective new option for treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC). Analysis of clinical data of 22 patients, who were exposed to sunitinib for at least 1 year, was conducted to evaluate the long-term efficacy and safety of sunitinib for the treatment of mRCC.

Methods A total of 54 patients with mRCC were treated with sunitinib malate, 50 mg/d orally, on a 4-weeks-on and 2-weeks-off dosing schedule in Peking University First Hospital. Treatment continued until disease progression, unacceptable adverse events (AEs), or death. Among them, 22 patients continued treatment for at least 1 year. The clinical data of these 22 patients were prospectively collected for analysis. AEs were assessed according to the National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events, Version 3.0. Tumor response was evaluated in accordance with the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors.

Results Median progression-free survival was 19.5 months until last follow-up. The best efficacy results achieved were complete response, partial response, and stable disease for 2, 9, and 11 patients, respectively. Objective response rate was 50%. The most common AEs were hand-foot syndrome (95%) and hypertension (91%). Other common AEs were thyroid-stimulating hormone elevation (82%), platelet decrease (77%), and loss of appetite (77%). Only one patient withdrew from treatment for cardiac infarction. Another nine patients experienced dose modifications or short-term suspensions.

Conclusion Long-term exposure to sunitinib malate showed encouraging efficacy in the treatment of mRCC. At the same time, the tolerability was good.

     

Fourth-generation ceramic-on-ceramic total hip arthroplasty in patients of 55 years or younger: short-term results and complications analysis

Background The incidence of total hip replacement in the younger and more active patients is ever increasing.The ceramic-on-ceramic （COC） bearing was developed to reduce wear debris-induced osteolysis and loosening and to improve the longevity of hip arthroplasties.Few studies have reported the clinical results and complications of the new zirconia-toughened ceramic total hip arthroplasty （THA）.Methods A consecutive series of 132 young patients （177 hips） that underwent primary cementless THAs between January 2010 and December 2012 were included in this study.These arthroplasties all had fourth-generation COC bearings performed through a posterolateral approach.The average age was （41.8±8.3） years （ranging from 22 to 55 years）,and the mean follow-up period was （24.5±9.4） months （ranging from 12 to 47 months）.The results were evaluated both clinically and radiographically.Harris hip score （HHS） was determined before surgery and at the time of each follow-up.Presence of postoperative groin or thigh pain and squeaking were recorded.Other complications such as dislocations,periprosthetic fractures,and ceramic components fractures were diagnosed and treated in emergency.Results The average HHSs improved from preoperative 60.3±10.7 （ranging from 29 to 76） to 91.0±5.1 （ranging from 74 to 100） at the final follow-up （t=-45.064,P ＜0.05）,and 97.7％ of cases were scored as excellent and good results.At the last follow-up,incidental inguinal pain was found in three hips （1.7％） and thigh pain in 11 hips （6.2％）.Radiographs showed a high rate of new bone formation around the acetabular and stem components.No obvious osteolysis or prosthesis loosening was detected.Complications occurred in six hips （3.4％）：posterior dislocation in two hips （1.1％）,periprosthetic femoral fracture in one hip （0.6％）,asymptomatic squeaking in two hips （1.1％）,and ceramic liner fracture in one hip （0.6％）.Conclusions The fourth-generation COC THA showed excelle     

Effect of catheter radiofrequency ablation on C-reactive protein, brain natriuretic peptide and echocardiograph in patients with persistent and permanent atrial fibrillation

Background Radiofrequency catheter ablation （RFCA） for atrial fibrillation （AF） has developed rapidly,and is a commonly performed ablation in many major hospitals throughout the world,due to its satisfactory results.The aim of this study was to detect the effect of RFCA on C-reactive protein （CRP）,brain natriuretic peptide （BNP）,and echocardiograph in patients with persistent and permanent AF.Methods A total of 120 patients （71 males,mean age （50.8＆#177;12.0） years） with persistent and permanent AF undergoing RFCA under guidance of the Carto merge technique were studied.Left atrial diameter （LAD）,right atrial diameter （RAD）,left ventricular ejection fraction （LVEF）,CRP,and BNP were observed 3,6 and 12 months after RFCA and compared with results before RFCA.The recurrence of atrial arrhythmias was observed 3 and 12 months after the procedure.Results Compared with that before RFCA,LAD and RAD decreased and LVEF increased significantly after RFCA.Meanwhile,the levels of CRP and BNP were reduced significantly at 3,6,and 12 months after RFCA （P〈0.05）.In the non-recurrent patients,LVEF was increased significantly compared with the recurrent patients at 3,6,and 12 months after RFCA （P〈0.05）.CRP and BNP levels were decreased significantly in the non-recurrent patients compared with the recurrent patients at 3,6,and 12 months after RFCA （P〈0.05）.After one or two applications of RFCA,during a follow-up of 12 months,12 patients （10.0%） had AF,10 patients （8.3%） had atrial flutter,and 5 patients had atrial tachycardia （4.2%）.Conclusions Conversion of AF to sinus rhythm by RFCA,has been shown to reduce LA size and improve LVEF.It can also significantly decrease the levels of CRP and BNP in patients with persistent and permanent AF and reduce the risk of inflammation and developing heart failure.     

Surgical closure of apical multiple muscular septal defects via right ventriculotomy using a single patch with intermediate fixings

Background Multiple apical muscular ventricular septal defects (VSDs) remain a challenge for surgeons because of their anatomical features.We used single patch with intermediate fixations to repair mul...     

Retrospective study of mycophenolate mofetil treatment in IgA nephropathy with proliferative pathological phenotype

Background Mycophenolate mofetil （MMF） and cyclophosphamide （CTX） are widely used in treating various kidney diseases.However,whether they are effective and which one is better for treating IgA nephropathy patients with proliferative pathological phenotype in renal diseases,such as endocapillary proliferation,cellular crescents,and/or capillary loops fibrinoid necrosis is still unknown.We,therefore,initiated a study to compare the effects of MMF and CTX in treating IgA nephropathy with the above pathological lesions.Methods One hundred and nineteen patients with IgA nephropathy who had at least one of the three aforementioned lesions were enrolled.All patients were treated with prednisone; 48 patients received prednisone only （Pred group）,40 received MMF and prednisone （MMF ＋ Pred group）,and 31 were treated with CTX and prednisone （CTX ＋ Pred group）.The median time of follow-up was 30 months （maximum：96 months）.The primary endpoint was defined as renal survival.The incidence of remission of proteinuria was the secondary endpoint.Results Serum creatinine in all groups declined significantly at different follow-up times （P=0.002）,and the differences among the three groups were significant （P＜0.001）.At 24 months of follow-up,the decline rates were 12.35％,32.95％,and 24.14％ in the Pred,MMF ＋ Pred,and CTX ＋ Pred groups respectively.For urine protein excretion,the decline rates were 49.12％ （Pred）,73.67％ （MMF ＋ Pred）,and 63.53％ （CTX ＋ Pred） respectively at 24 months of follow-up.The differences among the three groups were not significant （P=0.714）.Renal survival （the primary endpoint） was significantly different （P=0.027）; however,the sencondary endpoint was similar for all the three groups （P=0.100）.Conclusions For IgA nephropathy patients with endocapillary proliferation,cellular crescents,and/or fibrinoid necrosis of capillary loops,prednisone combined with MMF was more effective in lowering the serum creatinine than with CTX.Combined MMF and orednisone treatment led to a better renal survival compared to that of prednisone with CTX.     

Side effects and tolerability of post-exposure prophylaxis with zidovudine, lamivudine, and lopinavir/ritonavir: a comparative study with HIV/AIDS patients

Background In the era of highly active antiretroviral therapy （HAART）, the use of antiretrovirals as post-exposure prophylaxis （PEP） was the most important strategy for preventing occupational exposure to blood or fluids containing human immunodeficiency virus （HIV）. The objective of this study was to retrospectively evaluate the tolerability, safety, and side effects of a HAART regimen containing three antiretroviral drugs, consisting of zidovudine, lamivudine, and Iopinavir/ ritonavir, in healthcare personnel （HCP） who experienced occupational exposure to HIV. Methods The tolerability, safety, and side effects in 26 HCPs who experienced PEP and in 27 HIV/AIDS patients with HAART regimen, AZT＋3TC＋Lpv/r, were evaluated between January 2010 and December 2012. Results The most frequent clinical side effect was fatigue （in 23 cases, 88.5%）, and gastroenterological symptoms were the second most common side effects in HCP with PEP. Liver dysfunction was found in 10 cases （38.5%）, while drug rash was found in 18 cases （69.2%） after PEP. The prevalence of side effects in HCPs who experienced PEP was higher than that in HIV/AIDS patients P 〈0.05. One nurse （3.8%） experienced severe gastrointestinal symptoms, which led to withdrawal of PEP. No HIV infection was found during 6-month follow-up period. Conclusion HCPs who received occupational PEP with triple-drug regimen, AZT＋3TC＋Lpv/r, experienced different side effects, and the tolerability and safety of PEP regimen were good in this cohort. Chin Med J 2014;127 （14）： 2632-2636     

Compatibility of olfactory ensheathing cells with functionalized self-assembling peptide scaffold in vitro

Background Olfactory ensheathing cell （OEC） transplantation is a promising or potential therapy for spinal cord injury （SCI）. However, the effects of injecting OECs directly into SCI site have been limited and unsatisfied due to the complexity of SCI. To improve the outcome, proper biomaterials are thought to be helpful since these materials would allow the cells to grow three-dimensionally and guide cell miqration.     

Computer-assisted minimally invasive spine surgery for resection of ossification of the ligamentum flavum in the thoracic spine

Background Ossification of the ligamentum flavum （OLF） has been widely recognized as one of the main causes of thoracic spinal canal stenosis and thoracic myelopathy.Decompression is the only effective strategy for treating thoracic myelopathy caused by OLF.The purpose of this study was to describe the clinical outcomes of computer-assisted minimally invasive spine surgery （CAMISS） for posterior decompression in patients with thoracic myelopathy caused by OLF.Methods In all cases,the surgical procedure was performed with the assistance of an intraoperative three-dimensional navigation system.Decompression of the spinal cord was performed with a high-speed drill; the supraspinal ligaments and spinous process were partially preserved.The outcomes were evaluated by a modified Japanese Orthopedic Association （JOA） scoring system and recovery rates.Results The mean duration of follow-up for the 14 cases was 3.9 years.All patients experienced neurological recovery,the mean JOA score improving from 6.1 points preoperatively to 8.6 points at final follow-up and the mean rate of recovery being 52.7% （excellent in two cases,good in eight,fair in three,and unchanged in one）.Conclusion CAMISS is a safe and effective procedure for resection of the OLF in the thoracic spine.     

Efficacy of immediate instillation combined with regular instillations of pirarubicin for Ta and T1 transitional cell bladder cancer after transurethral resection: a prospective, randomized, multicenter study

Background Immediate intravesical instillation of chemotherapeutic agents after transurethral resection (TUR) of nonmuscle invasive transitional cell bladder cancer has recently been suggested and has ...     

Detection of atherosclerotic plaque progression in the abdominal aorta of rabbits with 3T magnetic resonance imaging

Background  With features of high tissue contrast, MRI can be used for the qualitative and quantitative evaluation of atherosclerosis plaques. In this study we investigated the development of atherosclerosis plaque with high resolution 3T MRI in a rabbit model and compared the findings with the histopathological results.

Method  Twenty male New Zealand white rabbits were randomly allocated into an experimental group (n=16) and a control group (n=4). Atherosclerotic lesions were induced in the abdominal aorta by balloon injury and cholesterol feeding. Multiple sequences MRI examination (ToF, T1WI, T2WI, and CE T1WI) were performed at the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th months after aortic denudation. Vessel wall thickness, total vessel area, lumen area, and vessel wall area were recorded. Plaque components were analyzed using histological results as a standard reference.

Results  Seventeen rabbits (14 in the experimental group and 3 in the control group) received all three MR examinations. Gradually, from 2 months to 4 months, vessel wall thickness and area in the experimental group increased significantly compared with the control group (P <0.01). In the lumen area progressive stenosis was not found, even a slight dilation had developed in the experimental group. Lipid, fibrotic and calcified plaques can be differentiated by MR image. According to histological results, MRI had good performance in detection of lipid plaque.

Conclusion  MRI can be used to monitor progression of atherosclerosis and differentiate plaque components.