Botulinum Toxin Injection for the Treatment of Upper Esophageal Sphincter Dysfunction

Dysphagia associated with upper esophageal sphincter (UES) dysfunction remarkably affects the quality of life of patients. UES injection of botulinum toxin is an effective treatment for dysphagia. In comparison with skeletal muscles of the limb and trunk, the UES is a special therapeutic target of botulinum toxin injection, owing to its several anatomical, physiological, and pathophysiological features. This review focuses on (1) the anatomy and function of the UES and the pathophysiology of UES dysfunction in dysphagia and why the entire UES rather than the cricopharyngeal muscle before/during botulinum toxin injection should be examined and targeted; (2) the therapeutic mechanisms of botulinum toxin for UES dysfunction, including the choice of injection sites, dose, and volume; (3) the strengths and weaknesses of guiding techniques, including electromyography, ultrasound, computed tomography, and balloon catheter dilation for botulinum toxin injection of the UES.     

The Impact of Dense Breasts on the Stage of Breast Cancer at Diagnosis: A Review and Options for Supplemental Screening

The purpose of breast cancer screening is to find cancers early to reduce mortality and to allow successful treatment with less aggressive therapy. Mammography is the gold standard for breast cancer screening. Its efficacy in reducing mortality from breast cancer was proven in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) conducted from the early 1960s to the mid 1990s. Panels that recommend breast cancer screening guidelines have traditionally relied on the old RCTs, which did not include considerations of breast density, race/ethnicity, current hormone therapy, and other risk factors. Women do not all benefit equally from mammography. Mortality reduction is significantly lower in women with dense breasts because normal dense tissue can mask cancers on mammograms. Moreover, women with dense breasts are known to be at increased risk. To provide equity, breast cancer screening guidelines should be created with the goal of maximizing mortality reduction and allowing less aggressive therapy, which may include decreasing the interval between screening mammograms and recommending consideration of supplemental screening for women with dense breasts. This review will address the issue of dense breasts and the impact on the stage of breast cancer at the time of diagnosis, and discuss options for supplemental screening.     

Isolated partial tear of extensor digitorum longus tendon with overlying muscle herniation in acute ankle sports injury: role of high resolution musculoskeletal ultrasound

Lateral Ankle sprain is a common sports-related trauma with the mechanism of injury ranging from inversion to plantar flexion. These injuries commonly affect the ligaments but can also affect the associated soft tissue structures like the eversion muscles and tendons. Prompt and accurate diagnosis of such injuries is warranted so as to ensure early return to play and prevent long-term complications. Lateral ankle sprain injuries in sports may not always be associated with ligament injuries. We report a never before reported case of lateral ankle sprain injury in a soccer player with the unusual finding of isolated partial tear of Extensor digitorum longus muscle and its fascia leading to myo-fascial herniation. The lateral ankle ligaments were intact. The diagnosis was clinched on a high-frequency ultrasound scan supported by dynamic maneuvers which in fact proved to be superior to MRI as the latter failed to demonstrate the myo-fascial herniation in our case. We therefore propose that real-time ultrasound scanning with dynamic maneuvers should be the first line of investigation to assess sports injuries in anatomically complex joints like the ankle.     

间歇微脉冲超声乳化术对角膜内皮细胞损伤的临床研究

目的 :研究间歇微脉冲模式超声乳化对角膜内皮细胞的影响及不同硬度核病人角膜内皮细胞损伤的差别。方法 :老年性白内障 14 8例 180眼 ,按核硬度随机分为A、B、C三组 ,其中A组小于等于Ⅱ级核 60眼 ,B组Ⅲ级核 60眼 ,C组大于等于Ⅳ级核 60眼。A、B、C每组又随机分为两组 ,即A1、A2 ,B1、B2 ,C1、C2 组 ,其中A1、B1、C1为实验组行间歇微脉冲模式超声乳化 ,A2 、B2 、C2 为对照组行线性模式超声乳化 ,每组术前、术后 0、 2、 6、 12、 2 4、 48小时、 1周、 1月、 3月检查视力 ,裂隙灯检查角膜及前房反应情况 ,行中央区角膜内皮细胞反射显微照相 ,观察角膜内皮细胞形态及数量的变化情况。结果 :术后 2 4小时 ,裸眼视力大于或等于 0 5 :A1组 2 9例 ( 96 7% ) ,A2 组 2 8例 ( 93 3 % ) ,B1组 2 9例 ( 96 7% ) ,B2 组 7例( 2 3 3 % ) ,C1组 2 0例 ( 66 7% ) ,C2 组 5例 ( 1 67% )。术后 2小时各组角膜均透明 ,无后弹力层皱褶。 6小时角膜开始出现水肿 ,C1组 2 0 %病人、B2 组全部病人角膜细线状后弹力层皱褶 ,C2 组大部分可见明显条状后弹力层皱褶 ,部分可见斑块状混浊。 1周基本消退 ,B2 、C2 组一个月消退。术后除C2 组前房有反应外 ,其余无明显炎症反应。角膜内皮细胞形态学轻度改变。角膜内皮细胞损失     

Isolated Intracardiac Echogenic Focus on Routine Ultrasound: Implications for Practice

Ultrasound is widely used as a screening tool for fetal anomalies. An intracardiac echogenic focus (ICEF) is associated with fetal aneuploidy, particularly trisomy 21, when found with other minor abnormalities known as soft markers. However, when found in isolation, intracardiac echogenic foci are morphologic variations with little or no pathologic significance for the fetus. Ambiguity about the significance of ICEF and other soft markers and the lack of preparation prior to ultrasound can result in unnecessary worry for women and their partners. A variety of tools exist that providers can use to help pregnant women and their partners make informed decisions about ultrasound and fetal screening.     

Intrapartum translabial ultrasound with pushing used to predict the difficulty in vacuum-assisted delivery of fetuses in non-occiput posterior position

Objective: Our aim is to evaluate the capacity of intrapartum translabial ultrasound (ITU) with pushing in the prediction of difficulty of fetal extraction in vacuum assisted deliveries. Prospective, observational study performed (2/2015–8/2015) on 75 nulliparous women, ≥37 weeks with singleton pregnancies at full dilatation who had ITU-with-pushing performed, previous to vacuum-placement for fetal extraction. Working on the translabial sagittal-plane, we assessed: Angle-Progression (AoP), Progression-Distance (PD) and Head-Direction (HD); in the axial plane we evaluated: Midline-Angle (MLA) and Head-Perineum-Distance (HPD). Vacuum extractions were classified as easy-difficulty (ED) (≤3 vacuum-pulls), difficult-unsuccessful (DD) (>3 vacuum-pulls). We did not assess occipito-posterior-presentations.

Results: Seventy nulliparous were studied (44-ED,26-DD). We observed no differences in obstetric, neonatal or intrapartum characteristics between the two study groups, with the following exceptions: newborn weight (3272?±?438?g versus 3540?±?372?g; p?=?0.011) and number of vacuum-pulls (1.4-ED-vs-4.4-DD; p?<?0.0005). AoP-pushing was 143.9°?±?14.6° in ED and 115.1°±?12.9° in DD (p?<?0.0005); Head-Up was 79.5% versus 38.4% (p?<?0.0005); PD-Pushing was 42.7?±?11.3?mm versus 30.4?±?9.8?mm (p?<?0.0005); MLA-Pushing was 27.6°±?26.6° versus 57.5°±26.5°(p=0.025); HPD-Pushing was 40.8?±?10.0?mm versus 47.4?±?10.9?mm (p?=?0.039).

Conclusion: We identified that the presence of an AoP-Pushing?>?128° predicts an Easy-Vacuum-Delivery (≤3 Vacuum-Pulls) in >85% of cases (Sen 80%–FPR 9.3%).     

三种指标产前筛查出胎儿生长迟缓23例

方法利用姐妹染色单体互换频率、B型超声、宫高及腹围三种指标综合判断产前诊断胎儿生长迟缓.目的以提高产前诊断率及建立新的早期诊断方法.结果姐妹染色单体互换频率产前诊断率为61.76%,B型超声为52.94%,宫高腹围为26.09%,姐妹染色单体互换频率阳性检出率为75%,孕20周前阳性检出率为76.19%,三种指标综合判断可使产前诊断率提高到82.19%.结论多种指标判断可以提高产前诊断率,姐妹染色单体互换频率可以作为一项产前诊断胎儿宫内生长迟缓的新指标.     

生物分配胶束色谱法预测中药制剂消炎利胆片膜通透性的研究

目的:基于生物分配胶束色谱法进行复杂中药制剂消炎利胆片的分离和膜通透性预测。方法:考察了生物分配胶束色谱的保留因子与药物膜通透性的相关性,以非离子型表面活性剂Brij 35作为流动相,模拟生物体内环境,得到各受试药物的保留因子Log k,与膜通透性参数(口服吸收率、Log Papp、Log BB)数据进行相关分析得出定量保留-膜通透性(QRPR)模型。结果:预测了消炎利胆片10个主要保留成分的透膜吸收情况。结论:生物分配胶束色谱可以用于中药复杂成分的分离,以及预测药物主成分的透膜吸收活性。     

B超在孕早期的临床诊断价值分析

目的探讨分析B超在孕早期的临床诊断价值。方法回顾性分析近年来649例临床诊断为早孕的妇女行腹部B超检查,必要者给予经阴道超声检查,对B超在孕早期的诊断价值进行分析。结果正常妊娠593例(91.4%),异常妊娠61例(9.4%),其中流血47例(7.2%),异位妊娠4例(0.6%),胚胎停育10例(1.5%)。未孕2例(0.3%),B超诊断的符合率为99.1%(643/649)。结论早孕期B超检查对于早期观察胚胎的结构有着不可替代的诊断价值,B超监控对早期发现胚胎问题,异常妊娠、有着极高的诊断价值,对提高出生人口素质及减少产妇不必要的经济、精神负担都有着重要意义。     

超声微血管成像技术的研究进展

超声微血管成像技术是在多普勒血流成像基础上发展起来的新型多普勒成像模式,对微细血管结构及深部血管的显示存在极大的优势。研究显示,超声微血管成像技术在乳腺、甲状腺、肝脏、颈动脉斑块、肌骨、肾脏以及淋巴结疾病中有较好的应用,在疾病活动分级及监测治疗反应中也显示出特殊的应用价值。本文将从以下三个方面对超声微血管成像技术展开综述：超声微血管成像技术的原理、超声微血管成像技术的临床应用以及超声微血管成像技术的现状和展望。