CT and MRI Imaging Features and Grades of Liver Iron Deposition

CT and MRI imaging features and grades of liver iron deposition（LID）were discussed and evaluated in clinical application.The imaging and laboratory data of 20 patients with LID were analyzed retrospectively. CT value of liver were measured and MR signal intensity ratio of muscle/liver calculated.A new imaging grade of LID were made with CT and MR, and the grade correlation was analyzed between CT, MR and SF. All of 20 patients with LID, 19 cases were CT examination, their CT value ranging of liver were from 55HU to 116HU, of which more than 72HU were in 7 cases and 72HU or less in 12. 14 cases were MR examination with the low signal of liver, and the inverse phase signal of T1WI was higher than that of the positive phase. There were no significant difference among the grade of CT, T1WI, T2WI and SF (P>0.05), and there were the positive correlation of grade between CT, T1WI, T2WI and SF (rs=0.803,0.847,0.677 respectively), and of values between CT, T1WI SIR, T2WI SIR and SF(rs=0.454, 0.538, 0.811 respectively). CT can show the LID with high-density, but the mild LID can be with normal density, which is the false negative. MRI can show LID with low-signal, of which T2WI is the lower than T1WI, it is beneficial to diagnose the early LID. Grades of CT and MR have good consistent with that of SF, and can reflect the severity of LID, particularly that of MR-T1WI grading

Experimental Verification of Gene Expression Related to Lung Cancer in Nasal Epitthelia

Genes expression related to lung cancer are observed in nasal epitthelia, to identify their similarities and differences and provide the basis for possible application. There are three groups:non-lung cancer group (NLC), lung cancer group (LC) and postoperative lung cancer group (PLC).The genes expression in nasal epitthelia were observed by PCR, including the HCK, NCF1, TLR8, EMR3, CSF2RB, DYSF, SPEF2, ANKFN1, HYDIN, DNAH5, C12orf55 and CCDC113. Their expression levels were obtained and statistically compared. Results showed that all the related genes in LC and PLC groups were highly expressed. There are significant difference in HCK, NCF1, TLR8, EMR3, CSF2RB and C12orf55 gene expression between the LC or PLC and NLC, and in EMR3 and C12orf55 between LC and PLC. Conclusions are HCK, NCF1, TLR8, EMR3, CSF2RB, C12orf55 can be used for lung cancer screening, while EMR3 and C12orf55 for the review of post-operative lung cancer

CT and MRI Imaging Features and Grades of Liver Iron Deposition

CT and MRI imaging features and grades of liver iron deposition（LID）were discussed and evaluated in clinical application.The imaging and laboratory data of 20 patients with LID were analyzed retrospectively. CT value of liver were measured and MR signal intensity ratio of muscle/liver calculated.A new imaging grade of LID were made with CT and MR, and the grade correlation was analyzed between CT, MR and SF. All of 20 patients with LID, 19 cases were CT examination, their CT value ranging of liver were from 55HU to 116HU, of which more than 72HU were in 7 cases and 72HU or less in 12. 14 cases were MR examination with the low signal of liver, and the inverse phase signal of T1WI was higher than that of the positive phase. There were no significant difference among the grade of CT, T1WI, T2WI and SF (P>0.05), and there were the positive correlation of grade between CT, T1WI, T2WI and SF (rs=0.803,0.847,0.677 respectively), and of values between CT, T1WI SIR, T2WI SIR and SF(rs=0.454, 0.538, 0.811 respectively). CT can show the LID with high-density, but the mild LID can be with normal density, which is the false negative. MRI can show LID with low-signal, of which T2WI is the lower than T1WI, it is beneficial to diagnose the early LID. Grades of CT and MR have good consistent with that of SF, and can reflect the severity of LID, particularly that of MR-T1WI grading

Experimental Verification of Gene Expression Related to Lung Cancer in Nasal Epitthelia

Genes expression related to lung cancer are observed in nasal epitthelia, to identify their similarities and differences and provide the basis for possible application. There are three groups:non-lung cancer group (NLC), lung cancer group (LC) and postoperative lung cancer group (PLC).The genes expression in nasal epitthelia were observed by PCR, including the HCK, NCF1, TLR8, EMR3, CSF2RB, DYSF, SPEF2, ANKFN1, HYDIN, DNAH5, C12orf55 and CCDC113. Their expression levels were obtained and statistically compared. Results showed that all the related genes in LC and PLC groups were highly expressed. There are significant difference in HCK, NCF1, TLR8, EMR3, CSF2RB and C12orf55 gene expression between the LC or PLC and NLC, and in EMR3 and C12orf55 between LC and PLC. Conclusions are HCK, NCF1, TLR8, EMR3, CSF2RB, C12orf55 can be used for lung cancer screening, while EMR3 and C12orf55 for the review of post-operative lung cancer

Clinical Significance of Articulating Facet Displacement of Lateral Atlantoaxial Joint on 3D CT in Diagnosing Atlantoaxial Subluxation

To improve the recognition of articulating facet displacement of lateral atlantoaxial joint (AFDLAJ), and to evaluate the significance of AFDLAJ in diagnosing atlantoaxial subluxation. Methods: The three-dimensional computed tomography (3D CT) imaging findings of 54 patients with atlantoaxial subluxation were retrospectively analyzed, and the imaging features of AFDLAJ were discussed. All the patients were examined in neutral position, and 25 in an additional rotary position. 3D images of the atlantoaxial joints were obtained by surface shade display and volume rendering. The diagnostic results of 3D CT, routine CT and X-ray were compared. Results: All the 54 patients with atlantoaxial subluxation were correctly diagnosed by 3D CT with no suspicious or missed diagnoses, including 38 cases of rotatory subluxation, 11 of anterior subluxation and five of posterior subluxation. AFDLAJ was found in all the 54 patients in neutral position, with the extent of subluxation between 2.0 mm and 9.0 mm. Among the 25 cases in rotary position, rotational fixation was found in 10 cases and rotational asymmetry in 15. The diagnostic accuracy of 3D CT was higher than that of X-ray or routine CT. Conclusion: Once AFDLAJ appears in neutral position and rotational fixation or asymmetry in rotary position, atlantoaxial subluxation can be ascertained, as well as the type and extent of subluxation, and fake subluxation due to the head's rotation or normal lateralized odontoid can be excluded. AFDLAJ is a vital direct sign in diagnosing atlantoaxial subluxation

Echocardiography and 64-Multislice Computed Tomography Angiography in Diagnosing Coronary Artery Fistula

There are various types of coronary artery fistula (CAF) with complex shapes; therefore, it is important to obtain a correct diagnosis and to understand its relations to the adjacent structures before surgery. This study evaluated echocardiography and 64-multislice computed tomography (64-MSCT) angiography in diagnosing CAF. Methods: Sixteen patients with CAF, confirmed by surgical operation or digital subtraction angiography, were examined by echocardiography. Five of them were further examined by 64-MSCT angiography for detailed anatomical information before surgery. The imaging data for echocardiography and 64-MSCT angiography were analyzed retrospectively. Results: Among the 16 patients, 12 were correctly diagnosed by echocardiography, of whom five were confirmed by 64-MSCT angiography. Four cases missed diagnosis by echocardiography, and one of these was correctly diagnosed by 64-MSCT. Seventeen fistulae were found, of which, two appeared in one patient. Ten fistulae originated from the left coronary artery and seven from the right. The draining site was the right heart in eight, pulmonary artery in five, left heart in three and aorta in one. Conclusion: Echocardiography can act as the routine examination of CAF, and 64-MSCT angiography can provide more detailed anatomical and pathological information for surgery than echocardiography

Three-dimensional CT study on the anatomy of vertebral artery at atlantoaxial and intracranial segment

Xiamen City's Scientific & Technical Program [3502Z 20064008]; Xiamen board of health's Medical Research Program, Xiamen, China [WSK 0622]The atlantoaxial and intracranial segments of vertebral artery (V(3-4)) are winding around their peripheral structures. Their panorama is not easy to be observed in surgery. CT angiography (CTA) shows some advantages in this aspect. So, the aim of this study is to reveal the three-dimensional (3D) anatomy related to V(3-4) and prepare ground for clinical diagnosis and treatment. Ninety-eight cases without the pathologies of V(3-4) were selected from the head-neck CTA examination. All the 3D images were formed with multiplanar reconstruction, volume rendering and volume rendering together with separating, fusing, opacifying and false-coloring. On the 3D images, the courses and branch of V(3-4) were observed and measured, as well as their peripheral venous vascular plexus (VVP). V(3-4) with typical five curves was found in 85 cases and with variations in 13. The left V(3-4) is larger than right (P 0.05). The anatomy and variations of V(3-4) can be clearly and directly shown by 3DCTA. The understanding of vertebral artery and bony structures around there can provide anatomic basis for surgery and radiological diagnosis

Clinical significance of articulating facet displacement of lateral atlantoaxial joint 3D CT in diagnosing atlantoaxial subluxaion

Background/Purpose: To improve the recognition of articulating facet displacement of lateral atlantoaxial joint (AFDLAJ), and to evaluate the significance of AFDLAJ in diagnosing atlantoaxial subluxation. Methods: The three-dimensional computed tomography (3D CT) imaging findings of 54 patients with atlantoaxial subluxation were retrospectively analyzed, and the imaging features of AFDLAJ were discussed. All the patients were examined in neutral position, and 25 in an additional rotary position. 3D images of the atlantoaxial joints were obtained by surface shade display and volume rendering. The diagnostic results of 3D CT, routine CT and X-ray were compared. Results: All the 54 patients with atlantoaxial subluxation were correctly diagnosed by 3D CT with no suspicious or missed diagnoses, including 38 cases of rotatory subluxation, 11 of anterior subluxation and five of posterior subluxation. AFDLAJ was found in all the 54 patients in neutral position, with the extent of subluxation between 2.0 mm and 9.0 mm. Among the 25 cases in rotary position, rotational fixation was found in 10 cases and rotational asymmetry in 15. The diagnostic accuracy of 3D CT was higher than that of X-ray or routine CT. Conclusion: Once AFDLAJ appears in neutral position and rotational fixation or asymmetry in rotary position, atlantoaxial subluxation can be ascertained, as well as the type and extent of subluxation, and fake subluxation due to the head's rotation or normal lateralized odontoid can be excluded. AFDLAJ is a vital direct sign in diagnosing atlantoaxial subluxation