CT Densitometry and Morphology of Radiofrequency-Ablated Stage IA Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer: Results from the American College of Surgeons Oncology Group Z4033 (Alliance) Trial

PurposeTo evaluate tumor and ablation zone morphology and densitometry related to tumor recurrence in participants with Stage IA non–small cell lung cancer undergoing radiofrequency ablation in a prospective, multicenter trial.Materials and MethodsForty-five participants (median 76 years old; 25 women; 20 men) from 16 sites were followed for 2 years (December 2006 to November 2010) with computed tomography (CT) densitometry. Imaging findings before and after ablation were recorded, including maximum CT attenuation (in Hounsfield units) at precontrast and 45-, 90-, 180-, and 300-s postcontrast.ResultsEvery 1-cm increase in the largest axial diameter of the ablation zone at 3-months’ follow-up compared to the index tumor reduced the odds of 2-year recurrence by 52% (P = .02). A 1-cm difference performed the best (sensitivity, 0.56; specificity, 0.93; positive likelihood ratio of 8). CT densitometry precontrast and at 45 seconds showed significantly different enhancement patterns in a comparison among pretreated lung cancer (delta = +61.2 HU), tumor recurrence (delta = +57 HU), and treated tumor/ablation zone (delta [change in attenuation] = +16.9 HU), (P < .0001). Densitometry from 45 to 300 s was also different among pretreated tumor (delta = −6.8 HU), recurrence (delta = −11.2 HU), and treated tumor (delta = +12.1 HU; P = .01). Untreated and residual tumor demonstrated washout, whereas treated tumor demonstrated increased attenuation.ConclusionsAn ablation zone ≥1 cm larger than the initial tumor, based on 3-month follow-up imaging, is recommended to decrease odds of recurrence. CT densitometry can delineate tumor versus treatment zones.     

某设备所致脉冲X射线辐射场测量与防护评价

目的 了解某设备实验条件下不同位置脉冲X射线电离辐射水平，提出适当的防护建议。方法 采用热释光测量方法，分别在设备舱周围不同方向不同距离布放热释光剂量计，累积一定数量脉冲辐射后进行测量；采用电离室型X、γ剂量率仪（FJ-347A）实时测量工作状态下不同距离处电离辐射剂量率水平。依据《电离辐射防护与辐射源安全基本标准》（GB18871—2002）规定的职业照射人员和公众个人剂量限值提出不同工作位辐射防护建议。结果 热释光剂量计累计接收3 000个脉冲辐射，设备舱外壁0.01～8.98 mGy，顶部0.01～15.67 mGy，距外壁1～12 m之间0.01～2.18 mGy，工作位0 mGy。工作状态下，X射线剂量率仪测得距设备舱外侧壁1～20 m之间空气比释动能率范围0.26～16 mGy/h。结论 热释光剂量计、电离室型剂量率仪测量结果基本一致，说明两种方法均可用于脉冲X射线测量；工作状态下设备舱外近距离处辐射剂量率较高，可通过采取防护措施或者限制人员工作量以满足辐射防护要求。     

Terapia de luz pulsada intensa regulada: un tratamiento complementario prometedor para la enfermedad de ojo seco

ObjectiveTo propose the Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) therapy as a helpful supplementary treatment in patients with dry eye disease.Material and methodsRetrospective cross sectional design. Medical records of patients in whom dry eye disease symptoms were not satisfactorily controlled with medical therapy alone and who underwent additional IPL with at least three sessions completed. Data were analyzed before therapy and 3 weeks after its completion to asses improvement. Determination of symptoms, through a visual analog scale; tear film stability, through tear Break Up Time (tBUT); measurement of tear secretion, through Schirmer Test; and ocular surface staining with Van Bijsterveld score were evaluated. SPSS software and nonparametric analysis of repeated measures were used. The study was approved by the ethics committee.Results50 eyes from 25 subjects were reviewed. There were 9 males (36%) and 16 females (64%), with a median age of 59 years (IQR 52-64). The median of the symptoms scale was 8 (IQR 8-9) and 3 (IQR 2-4) before and after the therapy respectively (P < .05). The median of BUT was 4 (IQR 3-5) and 10 (IQR 8-11), Schirmer test was 13 (IQR 12-15) and 15 (IQR 13-20), and Van Bijsterveld score was 3 (RIC 3-4) and 2 (IQR 2-3) before and after the therapy respectively (P < .05, for all measurements).ConclusionIPL treatment has excellent results regarding both: dry eye disease symptoms improvement and in office objective tests such as tBUT, Schirmer test and Van Bijsterveld score; IPL could be considered as an effective adjunct for dry eye disease.     

Role of pulsed electromagnetic fields after joint replacements

Although the rate of patients reporting satisfaction is generally high after joint replacement surgery, up to 23% after total hip replacement and 34% after total knee arthroplasty of treated subjects report discomfort or pain 1 year after surgery. Moreover, chronic or subacute inflammation is reported in some cases even a long time after surgery. Another open and debated issue in prosthetic surgery is implant survivorship, especially when related to good prosthesis bone ingrowth. Pulsed Electro Magnetic Fields(PEMFs) treatment, although initially recommended after total joint replacement to promote bone ingrowth and to reduce inflammation and pain, is not currently part of usual clinical practice. The purpose of this review was to analyze existing literature on PEMFs effects in joint replacement surgery and to report results of clinical studies and current indications. We selected all currently available prospective studies or RCT on the use of PEMFs in total joint replacement with the purpose of investigating effects of PEMFs on recovery, pain relief and patients' satisfaction following hip, knee or shoulder arthroplasty. All the studies analyzed reported no adverse effects, and good patient compliance to the treatment. The available literature shows that early control of joint inflammation process in the first days after surgery through the use of PEMFs should be considered an effective completion of the surgical procedure to improve the patient's functional recovery.     

Choice of open or percutaneous procedures in the surgical treatment of trigeminal neuralgia

The aim of this study was to define criteria for the selection of patients for percutaneous or open operations for the cure of drug-resistant trigeminal neuralgia (TN). Trigeminal percutaneous radiofrequency thermorhizotomy (TPRT) has an established place because of its safety in elderly patients, while microvascular decompression (MVD) has appeal in younger patients beause of its non-destructive nature and because it attacks what is believed to be the primary etiology of tic douloureux. Nevertheless, MVD is a successful operation only when true neurovascular conflict (NVC) is ascertained, rather than a simple arterial loop and neurovascular contract. Probably, many immediate failures and early relapses are the consequence of the inadequate patient selection for MVD on the presumption that this operation is in any case the ideal cure. The inadequate selection can be explained by the difficult preoperative diagnosis of NVC in the past. Indeed, angiography and computed tomography showed the neurovascular contact but not the size of compression. Fortunately, today magnetic resonance imaging is a reliable instrument to ascertain NVC. So, the diatribe between the supporters of percutaneous techniques and MVD can be concluded with the following: (1) percutaenous techniques are indicated for patients without demonstrated NVC (including patients with TN in multiple sclerosis) and in those with NVC if MVD is contraindicated by ill-health or refused by the informed patient; and (2) MVD is incated for patients with ascertained NVC who are in good health and who, informed of the surgical risk, favor this operation desiring no sensory deficit. Received: 23 June 2001 / Accepted in revised form: 24 August 2001     

应用射频技术阻断神经纤维的研究

目的　探讨应用射频技术行选择性脊神经后根切断术和验证其阻断神经纤维的可行性。方法　将 4 5只大鼠随机分成 3组 ,以实验确定的射频技术、苯酚注射、切断 3种方法阻断其坐骨神经 ,对阻断前和阻断后不同时间内坐骨神经功能进行评价 ,评价方法采用坐骨神经功能指数和神经组织形态学的轴突通过率。结果　射频组、切断组 2组大鼠的坐骨神经功能指数、轴突通过率差异均无显著性 (P >0 .0 5 ) ,而苯酚注射组的上述指标与前述 2组差异均有显著性 (P <0 .0 5 )。结论　直视下应用射频阻断神经 ,可以取得与切断神经相同的效果     

模拟定位机引导下经皮穿刺集束巨能刀射频治疗肺癌的临床应用

为了探讨局部麻醉和模拟定位机引导在集束巨能刀治疗肺癌的射频治疗的适应证、治疗效果以及并发症的预防和处理，采用0．5％普鲁卡因局部浸润麻醉，模拟定位机引导下经皮穿刺集束巨能刀治疗肺癌46例。CT显示条索状瘢痕残余ll例，空洞形成或直径缩小32例，无变化1例，增大2例。治疗中患者均有不同程度的胸腔内热感及短时间内可以忍受的疼痛感。并发症包括气胸7例、皮下气肿5例、发热24例、咯血13例和慢性支气管炎急性发作4例。初步研究结果提示，集束巨能刀射频治疗周围型肺癌疗效满意，尤其适用于直径〈3cm的肿瘤。局部麻醉配合全身止痛药物应用可以很好地解决治疗中的疼痛问题，与全麻相比还具有省时省力、费用低的优势；对于周围型肺癌，模拟定位机引导经皮穿刺定位与CT引导相比，同样准确、安全，但操作更为方便。     

射频消融治疗阵发性室上性心动过速复发原因分析

目的：分析阵发性室上性心动过速患者行射频消融术（RFCA）后复发的原因，探讨降低RFCA复发的方法。方法：128例阵发性室上性心动过速患者，行RFCA治疗，术后每3－6个月随访1次，随访4－70个月。结果：128例患者中，复发10例，总复发率7．81％，其中房室结折返性心运过速复发率为7．89％，左侧房室旁路介导心运过速复发率5．56％，右侧旁路介导心动过速复发率16．67％。行射频消融术前70例患者中复发率11．43％，后58例复发率3．45％。结论：精确的靶点标测、熟练的操作技巧以及消融方式的正确运用是降低RFCA复发率的关键。