Evaluation of the effect of partial splenic embolization on platelet values for liver cirrhosis patients with thrombocytopenia

AIM： TO investigate the effect of partial splenic embolization （PSE） on platelet values in liver cirrhosis patients with thrombocytopenia and to determine the effective embolization area for platelet values improvement.METHODS： Blood parameters and liver function indicators were measured on 10 liver cirrhosis patients （6 in Child-Pugh grade A and 4 in grade B） with thrombocytopenia （platelet values 〈 80 × 10^3/μL） before embolization. Computed tomography scan was also needed in advance to acquire the splenic baseline. After 2 to 3 d, angiography and splenic embolization were performed. A second computed tomography scan was made to confirm the embolization area after 2 to 3 wk of embolization. The blood parameters of patients were also examined biweekly during the 1 year follow-up period. RESULTS： According to the computed tomography images after partial splenic embolization, we divided all paUents into two groups： low （〈 30%）, and high （≥ 30%） embolization area groups. The platelet values were increased by 3 times compared to baseline levels after 2 wk of embolization in high embolization area group. In addition, there were significant differences in platelet values between low and high embolization area groups. GPT values decreased significantly in all patients after 2 wk of embolization. The improvement in platelet and GPT values still persisted until 1 year after PSE. In addition, 3 of 4 （75%） Child-Pugh grade B patients progressed to grade A after 2 mo of PSE. The complication rate in 〈 30% and ≥30% embolization area groups was 50% and 100%, respectively. CONCLUSION： Partial splenic embolization is an effective method to improve platelet values and GPT values in liver cirrhosis patients with thrombocytopenia and the ≥ 30% embolization area is meaningful for platelet values improvement. The relationship between the complication rate and embolization area needs further studies.

Balthazar computed tomography severity index is superior to Ranson criteria and APACHE Ⅱ scoring system in predicting acute pancreatitis outcome

AIM： Acute pancreatitis （AP） is a process with variable involvement of regional tissues or organ systems. Multifactorial scales included the Ranson, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation （APACHE Ⅱ） systems and Balthazar computed tomography severity index （CTSI）. The purpose of this review study was to assess the accuracy of CTSI, Ranson score, and APACHE II score in course and outcome prediction of AP. METHODS： We reviewed 121 patients who underwent helical CT within 48 h after onset of symptoms of a first episode of AP between 1999 and 2003. Fourteen inappropriate subjects were excluded; we reviewed the 107 contrastenhanced CT images to calculate the CTSI. We also reviewed their Ranson and APACHE Ⅱ score. In addition, complications, duration of hospitalization, mortality rate, and other pathology history also were our comparison parameters. RESULTS： We classified 85 patients （79%） as having mild AP （CTSI 〈5） and 22 patients （21%） as having severe AP （CTSI ≥5）. In mild group, the mean APACHE II score and Ranson score was 8.6±1.9 and 2.4±1.2, and those of severe group was 10.2±2.1 and 3.1±0.8, respectively. The most common complication was pseudocyst and abscess and it presented in 21 （20%） patients and their CTSI was 5.9±1.4. A CTSI ≥5 significantly correlated with death, complication present, and prolonged length of stay. Patients with a CTSI ≥5 were 15 times to die than those CTSI 〈5, and the prolonged length of stay and complications present were 17 times and 8 times than that in CTSI 〈5, respectively. CONCLUSION： CTSI is a useful tool in assessing the severity and outcome of AP and the CTSI ≥5 is an index in our study. Although Ranson score and APACHE II score also are choices to be the predictors for complications, mortality and the length of stay of AP, the sensitivity of them are lower than CTSI.

Image features of two rare mediastinal tumors: schwannoma of intrathoracic phrenic nerve and clear cell chondrosarcoma of the rib

The current report focuses on two patients of the same age who presented similar appearances on initial anteroposterior chest images. Follow-up images showed superoanterior and superoposterior mediastinal lesions. The first patient with noninvasive cystic thymoma was suspected before surgery, while the pathologic diagnosis was intrathoracic phrenic nerve schwannoma. The second patient was with an asymmetric, dumbbell-shaped paravertebral tumor over T3 and T4 on the left side. The preoperative diagnostic images were interpreted as showing a neurogenic tumor. However, the pathologic report was cell chondrosarcoma.