Evaluation of Tracheobronchial Diseases: Comparison of Different Imaging Techniques

Objective

To compare the clinical utility of the different imaging techniques used for the evaluation of tracheobronchial diseases.

Materials and Methods

Forty-one patients with tracheobronchial diseases [tuberculosis (n = 18), bronchogenic carcinoma (n = 10), congenital abnormality (n = 3), post-operative stenosis (n = 2), and others (n = 8)] underwent chest radiography and spiral CT. Two sets of scan data were obtained: one from routine thick-section axial images and the other from thin-section axial images. Multiplanar reconstruction (MPR) and shaded surface display (SSD) images were obtained from thin-section data. Applying a 5-point scale, two observers compared chest radiography, routine CT, thin-section spiral CT, MPR and SSD imaging with regard to the detection, localization, extent, and characterization of a lesion, information on its relationship with adjacent structures, and overall information.

Results

SSD images were the most informative with regard to the detection (3.95±0.31), localization (3.95±0.22) and extent of a lesion (3.85±0.42), and overall information (3.83±0.44), while thin-section spiral CT scans provided most information regarding its relationship with adjacent structures (3.56±0.50) and characterization of the lesion (3.51±0.61).

Conclusion

SSD images and thin-section spiral CT scans can provide valuable information for the evaluation of tracheobronchial disease.     

Identification of HLA‐DR4‐restricted immunogenic peptide derived from xenogenic porcine major histocompatibility complex class I molecule

Park C‐S, Kim K‐H, Im S‐A, Song S, Lee C‐K. Identification of HLA‐DR4‐restricted immunogenic peptide derived from xenogenic porcine major histocompatibility complex class I molecule. Xenotransplantation 2012; 19: 317–322. © 2012 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Abstract: Indirect recognition of xenoantigens has been implicated as the major mechanism underlying xenospecific CD4⁺ T‐cell activation in chronic rejection. We identified swine leukocyte antigen (SLA)‐derived immunogenic peptides that are presented in the context of human HLA‐DR4 molecules. The SLA class I‐derived peptides that bind HLA‐DRB1*0401, a representative of the DR4 supertype, were predicted using a computer‐assisted algorithm. The candidate peptides were synthesized, and their binding capacities to HLA‐DRB1*0401 were compared in a competitive ELISA using biotinylated hemagglutinin reporter peptides [HA_307‐319]. Peptide‐11 (LRSWTAADTAAQISK) was determined to exhibit the most potent binding capacity to HLA‐DRB1*0401 in vitro and thus selected for in vivo immunization. Immunization of HLA‐DRB1*0401‐transgenic mice with peptide‐11 elicited potent CD4⁺ Th1 responses. Peptide‐11 shares homology to α2 domains of three SLA‐1 alleles, six SLA‐2 alleles, and 14 SLA‐3 alleles. Thus, this study has important implications not only for the identification of an immunogenic indirect epitope shared by diverse SLA class I alleles, but also for the development of epitope‐specific immunoregulation strategies.     

柠檬酸对分化型甲状腺癌患者首次131I治疗后唾液腺功能的保护作用

目的：探讨柠檬酸对术后首次行¹³¹I治疗（简称清甲治疗）的分化型甲状腺癌（DTC）患者唾液腺功能的影响,阐明柠檬酸对¹³¹I治疗的甲状腺癌患者唾液腺功能的保护作用。方法：经患者知情同意,随机选择准备首次行¹³¹I治疗的68例甲状腺乳头状癌患者,随机分为对照组和柠檬酸组,每组34例。对照组患者无特殊准备,柠檬酸组患者于¹³¹I治疗前1周及治疗后3周内每天含柠檬酸1 min（0.2 g/次）后吐出。2组患者分别于¹³¹I治疗前24 h及¹³¹I治疗后3个月行2次^99mTcO^4-唾液腺显像检查,计算第15分钟摄取指数（15 min UI）和排泌分数（SR）,评估唾液腺功能。结果：与¹³¹I治疗前比较,对照组患者¹³¹I治疗后右侧腮腺和双侧颌下腺15 min UI差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）,左侧腮腺15 min UI降低（P<0.05）;与¹³¹I治疗前比较,柠檬酸组患者¹³¹I治疗后双侧腮腺及双侧颌下腺15 min UI差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）;与对照组比较,柠檬酸组患者¹³¹I治疗前后双侧腮腺和双侧颌下腺15 min UI差异均无统计学意义（P>0.05）。与¹³¹I治疗前比较,对照组患者双侧腮腺治疗后SR降低（P<0.05）,双侧颌下腺SR差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）,柠檬酸组患者双侧腮腺和双侧颌下腺治疗后SR差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）;与对照组¹³¹I治疗后比较,柠檬酸组患者双侧腮腺SR升高（P<0.05）,双侧颌下腺SR差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）。结论：DTC患者术后首次¹³¹I治疗后唾液腺排泌功能可能受损,短期口含柠檬酸对唾液腺具有保护作用,可以减轻唾液腺的放射性损伤。     

游离黏膜组织重建尿道治疗复杂性尿道狭窄的临床研究

目的 探讨利用游离黏膜一期尿道成形治疗复杂性尿道狭窄或闭锁的疗效。方法 2000年8月至2004年7月采用2种游离黏膜一期尿道成形术治疗73例复杂性尿道狭窄。术前42例已行耻骨上膀胱造瘘，余31例最大尿流率1．2～6．5ml／s。用游离结肠黏膜(n=22)重建尿道长10～18cm，平均13cm；用口腔黏膜(n=51)重建尿道长3～11cm，平均5cm。术后随访分别行逆行尿道造影及尿流率，部分患者行尿道镜检查。结果随访2～48个月，平均19个月。术后排尿通畅67例(91．8％)。发生再次狭窄4例，其中结肠黏膜重建者1例，口腔黏膜重建者3例；排尿欠畅2例，定期行尿道扩张；尿道皮肤瘘2例；结肠腹壁瘘1例。1例结肠黏膜重建尿道者术后47个月移植物活检示结肠黏膜的组织形态学基本无变化。结论口腔与结肠黏膜均可作为较理想的尿道替代物，口腔黏膜较适合狭窄段不长的尿道修复，结肠黏膜较适合复杂性超长段尿道狭窄或缺损的治疗。     

A Novel Surgical Technique for Neglected Volar Dislocation of the Lunate: Cases Report and Literature Review

Background

Treatments for chronic perilunate or lunate dislocations are very difficult and associated with poor prognoses. There is no established treatment method and are still many controversies.

Case Presentation

We reported three cases of chronic neglected lunate volar dislocation treated with a novel surgical technique. All three cases were males with wrist pain and tingling sensation. Radiographs confirmed chronic volar dislocation of the lunate. Open reduction was performed by combined volar and dorsal approaches. After anatomical reduction, scapholunate and lunotriquetral interosseous ligament reconstructions were performed with the palmaris longus tendon and synthetic tape. The patients had an uneventful postoperative period with satisfactory functional outcomes at the last follow-up.

Conclusions

We believe that open reduction and interosseous ligament reconstruction using the autogenous tendon and synthetic tape may be a valuable option for treating chronic volar dislocation of the lunate.     

IL-10 promoter gene polymorphism associated with the occurrence of chronic GVHD and its clinical course during systemic immunosuppressive treatment for chronic GVHD after allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation

BACKGROUND: The current study attempted to evaluate the association between IL-10 promoter gene polymorphism and transplant outcomes including the occurrence of chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) and its clinical course during systemic immunosuppressive treatment (IST) among 60 recipients of cytokine-mobilized peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) from HLA-matched sibling donors. METHODS: We analyzed 3 single-nucleotide polymorphisms in proximal region of IL-10 promoter gene (-1082/-819/-592). RESULTS: In the current study, only two haplotypes (1082*A/819*T/592*A [ATA] and 1082*A/819*C/592*C [ACC]) were found. An increased occurrence of chronic GVHD was noted dependent on the IL-10 haplotypes (43% vs. 68% vs. 96% in ACC/ACC vs. ATA/ACC vs. ATA/ATA haplotype, P=0.003). In a logistic regression based on multinomial model, ATA/ATA homozygote had 7-fold increasing risk of the development of chronic GVHD compared with ACC/ACC homozygote. The incidence of chronic GVHD at 1 year was 46%+/-20%, 64%+/-10%, and 82%+/-5% in ACC/ACC, ATA/ACC and ATA/ATA group, respectively (P=0.0266). Plus, the duration of systemic IST was significantly shorter in recipients without ATA-haplotype comparing with those with ATA haplotype (339 days vs. 1,146 days, P=0.0091). CONCLUSION: IL-10 promoter gene polymorphism was found to be apparently associated with chronic GVHD after allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation from HLA-matched sibling donors.     

Digital chest radiography with a selenium-based flat-panel detector versus a storage phosphor system: comparison of soft-copy images

OBJECTIVE. We compared the soft-copy images produced by a digital chest radiography system that uses a flat-panel X-ray detector based on amorphous selenium with images produced by a storage phosphor radiography system for the visualization of anatomic regions of the chest. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Two chest radiologists and two residents analyzed 46 pairs of posteroanterior chest radiographs on high-resolution video monitors (2560 x 2048 x 8 bits). In each pair, one radiograph was obtained with a storage phosphor radiography system, and the other radiograph was obtained with a selenium-based flat-panel detector radiography system. Each pair of radiographs was obtained at the same exposure settings. The interpreter rated the visibility and radiographic quality of 11 different anatomic regions. Each pair of images was ranked on a five-point scale (1 = prefer image A, 3 = no preference, 5 = prefer image B) for preference of technique. Statistical significance of preference was determined using the Wilcoxon's signed rank test. RESULTS. The interpreters had a statistically significant preference for the selenium-based radiography system in six (unobscured lung, hilum, rib, minor fissure, heart border, and overall appearance) of 11 anatomic regions (p<0.001) and for the storage phosphor system in two regions (proximal airway and thoracic spine) (p<0.05). Chest radiologists strongly preferred selenium-based images in eight regions, and they did not prefer storage phosphor images in any region. CONCLUSION. The soft-copy images produced by the selenium-based radiography system were perceived as equal or superior to those produced by the storage phosphor system in most but not all anatomic regions.     

Exercise-induced asthma screening of elite athletes: field versus laboratory exercise challenge

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare a laboratory based exercise challenge (LBC) to a field based exercise challenge (FBC) for pulmonary function test (PFT) exercise-induced asthma (EIA) screening of elite athletes. METHODS: Twenty-three elite cold weather athletes (14 men, 9 women) PFT positive for EIA (FBC screened) served as subjects. Twenty-three gender and sport matched controls (nonasthmatics) were randomly selected to establish PFT reference values for normal elite athletes. Before FBC, athletes completed a medical history questionnaire for EIA symptoms. FBC evaluations consisted of baseline spirometry, actual or simulated competition, and 5, 10, and 15 min postexercise spirometry. PFT positive athletes were evaluated in the laboratory using an exercise challenge simulating race intensity (ambient conditions: 21 degrees C, 60% relative humidity). PFT procedures were identical to FBC. RESULTS: 91% of PFT positive and 48% of PFT normal athletes reported at least one symptom of EIA, with postrace cough most frequent. Baseline spirometry was the same for PFT positives and normal controls. Lower limit reference range (MN - 2 SD) of FEV1 for controls suggests that postexercise decrements of greater than approximately -7% indicate abnormal airway response in this population. Exercise time duration did not effect bronchial reactivity; 78% of FBC PFT positives were PFT normal post-LBC. CONCLUSION: Self-reported symptoms by elite athletes are not reliable in identifying EIA. Reference range criterion for FEV1 decrement in the elite athlete postexercise contrasts current recommended guidelines. Moreover, a large number of false negatives may occur in this population if EIA screening is performed with inadequate exercise and environmental stress.