A deep learning model based on contrast-enhanced computed tomography for differential diagnosis of gallbladder carcinoma

Background:Gallbladder carcinoma(GBC)is highly malignant,and its early diagnosis remains difficult.This study aimed to develop a deep learning model based on contrast-enhanced computed tomography(CT)images to assist radiologists in identifying GBC.Methods:We retrospectively enrolled 278 patients with gallbladder lesions(>10 mm)who underwent contrast-enhanced CT and cholecystectomy and divided them into the training(n=194)and validation(n=84)datasets.The deep learning model was developed based on ResNet50 network.Radiomics and clinical models were built based on support vector machine(SVM)method.We comprehensively compared the performance of deep learning,radiomics,clinical models,and three radiologists.Results:Three radiomics features including LoG_3.0 gray-level size zone matrix zone variance,HHL firstorder kurtosis,and LHL gray-level co-occurrence matrix dependence variance were significantly different between benign gallbladder lesions and GBC,and were selected for developing radiomics model.Multivariate regression analysis revealed that age≥65 years[odds ratios(OR)=4.4,95%confidence interval(CI):2.1-9.1,P<0.001],lesion size(OR=2.6,95%CI:1.6-4.1,P<0.001),and CA-19-9>37 U/mL(OR=4.0,95%CI:1.6-10.0,P=0.003)were significant clinical risk factors of GBC.The deep learning model achieved the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve(AUC)values of 0.864(95%CI:0.814-0.915)and 0.857(95%CI:0.773-0.942)in the training and validation datasets,which were comparable with radiomics,clinical models and three radiologists.The sensitivity of deep learning model was the highest both in the training[90%(95%CI:82%-96%)]and validation[85%(95%CI:68%-95%)]datasets.Conclusions:The deep learning model may be a useful tool for radiologists to distinguish between GBC and benign gallbladder lesions.

Intraluminal versus infiltrating gallbladder carcinoma:Clinical presentation,ultrasound and computed tomography

AIM： To compare clinical presentation and ultrasound （US） and computed tomography （CT） sensitivity between intraluminal and infiltrating gallbladder carcinoma （GBCA）. METHODS： This retrospective study evaluated 65 cases of GBCA that were categorized morphologically into the intraluminaI-GBCA （n = 37） and infiltrating-GBCA （n = 28） groups. The clinical and laboratory findings, presence of gallstones, gallbladder size, T-staging, nodal status, sensitivity of preoperative US and CT studies, and outcome were compared between the two groups. RESULTS： There were no significant differences between the two groups with respect to female predominance, presence of abdominal pain, serum aminotransferases level, T2-T4 staging, and regional metastatic nodes. Compared with the patients with intraluminaI-GBCA, those with infiltrating-GBCA were significantly older （65.49 ± 1.51 years vs 73.07 ± 1.90 years）, had a higher frequency of jaundice （3/37 patients vs 13/28 patients） and fever （3/37 patients vs 10/28 patients）, higher alkaline phosphatase （119.36 ± 87.80 IU/L vs 220.68 ± 164.84 IU/L） and total bilirubin （1.74 ± 2.87 mg/L vs 3.50 ± 3.51 mg/L） levels, higher frequency of gallstones （12/37 patients vs 22/28 patients）, smaller gallbladder size （length, 7.47± 1.70 cm vs 6.47 ± 1.83 cm; width, 4.21 ± 1.43 cm vs 2.67 ± 0.93 cm）, and greater proportion of patients with 〈 12 mo survival （16/37 patients vs 18/28 patients）. The sensitivity for diagnosing intraluminal- GBCA with and without gallstones was 63.6% and 91.3% by US, and 80% and 100% by CT, respectively. The sensitivity for diagnosing infiltrating-GBCA with and without gallstones was 12.5% and 25% by US, and 71.4% and 75% by c-r, respectively. CONCLUSION： In elderly women exhibiting small gallbladder and gallstones on US, especially those with jaundice, fever, high alkaline phosphatase and bilirubin levels, CT may reveal concurrent infiltrating-GBCA.

Preliminary assessing no-surgical treatment response in bronchogenic carcinoma with double-phase contrast material-enhanced computed tomography

Objective： To evaluate the efficacy of double-phase contrast material-enhanced computed tomography （CT） in assessing no-surgical treatment response in bronchogenic carcinoma preliminarily. Methods： 52 patients with bronchogenic carcinoma after no-surgical treatment underwent double-phase contrast material-enhanced computed tomography. Two spiral CT scans were obtained at 25 and 90 seconds respectively after nonionic contrast material was administrated via the antecubital vein at a rate of 4 mUs by using an autoinjector. Precontrast and postcontrast attenuation on every scan was recorded and peak height was calculated. Enhancement pattern was evaluated on the images obtained at 25 and 90 seconds after injection of contrast medium. Results： Precontrast attenuation, postcontrast attenuation at 25 and 90 seconds were 42.20 ± 7.43 Hu, 57.35 ± 10.09 Hu and 71.85 ±12.45 Hu, respectively. No statistically significant difference in precontrast attenuation was found between our results in the study and the results in our old study （mean precontrast attenuation 40.70 Hu） which was obtained in cases before therapy （t = 1.455, P = 0.152 〉 0.05）. Peak height of bronchogenic carcinoma after no-surgical treatment （29.46 ±10.85 Hu） were significantly lower than that of bronchogenic carcinoma before therapy obtained in our old study （mean peak height 35.79 Hu; t = 4.206, P = 0.001 〈 0.05）. 32 of 52 cases showed homogeneous enhancement at 90 seconds. Of the 32 cases, there were 21 with inhomogeneous enhancement, 7 with inhomogeneous enhancement, 2 with central enhancement and 2 with peripheral enhancement at 25 seconds. Conclusion： Bronchogenic carcinoma after no-surgical treatment shows a gradual increase to the peak height after administration of contrast material. Peak heights can reflect the blood supply of bronchogenic carcinoma and might be index for evaluation of no-surgical treatment response in bronchogenic carcinoma.

Can visceral fat parameters based on computed tomography be used to predict occult peritoneal metastasis in gastric cancer?

BACKGROUND The preoperative prediction of peritoneal metastasis(PM)in gastric cancer would prevent unnecessary surgery and promptly indicate an appropriate treatment plan.AIM To explore the predictive value of visceral fat(VF)parameters obtained from preoperative computed tomography(CT)images for occult PM and to develop an individualized model for predicting occult PM in patients with gastric carcinoma(GC).METHODS A total of 128 confirmed GC cases(84 male and 44 female patients)that underwent CT scans were analyzed and categorized into PM-positive(n=43)and PM-negative(n=85)groups.The clinical characteristics and VF parameters of two regions of interest(ROIs)were collected.Univariate and stratified analyses based on VF volume were performed to screen for predictive characteristics for occult PM.Prediction models with and without VF parameters were established by multivariable logistic regression analysis.RESULTS The mean attenuations of VF_(ROI 1)and VF_(ROI 2)varied significantly between the PM-positive and PMnegative groups(P=0.044 and 0.001,respectively).The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves(AUCs)of VF_(ROI 1)and VF_(ROI 2)were 0.599 and 0.657,respectively.The mean attenuation of VF_(ROI 2)was included in the final prediction combined model,but not an independent risk factor of PM(P=0.068).No significant difference was observed between the models with and without mean attenuation of VF(AUC:0.749 vs 0.730,P=0.339).CONCLUSION The mean attenuation of VF is a potential auxiliary parameter for predicting occult PM in patients with GC.

Application of computed tomography-based radiomics in differential diagnosis of adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma at the esophagogastric junction

BACKGROUND The biological behavior of carcinoma of the esophagogastric junction(CEGJ)is different from that of gastric or esophageal cancer.Differentiating squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagogastric junction(SCCEG)from adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction(AEG)can indicate Siewert stage and whether the surgical route for patients with CEGJ is transthoracic or transabdominal,as well as aid in determining the extent of lymph node dissection.With the development of neoadjuvant therapy,preoperative determination of pathological type can help in the selection of neoadjuvant radiotherapy and chemotherapy regimens.AIM To establish and evaluate computed tomography(CT)-based multiscale and multiphase radiomics models to distinguish SCCEG and AEG preoperatively.METHODS We retrospectively analyzed the preoperative contrasted-enhanced CT imaging data of single-center patients with pathologically confirmed SCCEG(n=130)and AEG(n=130).The data were divided into either a training(n=182)or a test group(n=78)at a ratio of 7:3.A total of 1409 radiomics features were separately extracted from two dimensional(2D)or three dimensional(3D)regions of interest in arterial and venous phases.Intra-/inter-observer consistency analysis,correlation analysis,univariate analysis,least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression,and backward stepwise logical regression were applied for feature selection.Totally,six logistic regression models were established based on 2D and 3D multi-phase features.The receiver operating characteristic curve analysis,the continuous net reclassification improvement(NRI),and the integrated discrimination improvement(IDI)were used for assessing model discrimination performance.Calibration and decision curves were used to assess the calibration and clinical usefulness of the model,respectively.RESULTS The 2D-venous model(5 features,AUC:0.849)performed better than 2D-arterial(5 features,AUC:0.808).The 2D-arterial-venous combined model could further enhance the performance(AUC:0.869).The 3D-venous model(7 features,AUC:0.877)performed better than 3D-arterial(10 features,AUC:0.876).And the 3D-arterial-venous combined model(AUC:0.904)outperformed other single-phase-based models.The venous model showed a positive improvement compared with the arterial model(NRI>0,IDI>0),and the 3D-venous and combined models showed a significant positive improvement compared with the 2D-venous and combined models(P<0.05).Decision curve analysis showed that combined 3D-arterial-venous model and 3D-venous model had a higher net clinical benefit within the same threshold probability range in the test group.CONCLUSION The combined arterial-venous CT radiomics model based on 3D segmentation can improve the performance in differentiating EGJ squamous cell carcinoma from adenocarcinoma.

A correlation of computed tomography perfusion and histopathology in tumor edges of hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND： The peripheral morphologic characteristics of hepatocellular carcinoma （HCC） reflect tumor growth patterns. Computed tomography （CT） perfusion is a new method to analyze hemodynamic changes in tissues. We assessed the relationship between CT perfusion and histopathologic findings in the periphery of HCC lesions. METHODS： Non-contrast CT, enhanced dual-phase CT, and CT perfusion were performed on 77 subjects （47 patients and 30 controls）. Based on the imaging findings of enhanced dual- phase CT, the tumor edges were classified into three types： type Ⅰ （sharp）; type Ⅱ （blurry）; and type Ⅲ （mixed）. The CT perfusion parameters included hepatic blood flow, hepatic arterial fraction, hepatic arterial perfusion, and hepatic portal perfusion. The tissue sections from resected specimens were subjected to routine hematoxylin and eosin staining and immunohistochemical staining for CD34. The correlations between microvessel density （MVD） and the CT perfusion parameters were analyzed using Pearson＇s product-moment correlation coefficient. Changes in the perfusion parameters in tumor edges of different tumor types were evaluated. RESULTS： Type Ⅰ （sharp）： the pathologic findings showed fibrous connective tissue capsules in the tumor edges, and an MVD 〈30/ram2. Type Ⅱ （blurry）： the histology showed that the edges were clear with no capsules and an MVD 〉30/ram2. Type Ⅲ （mixed）： the pathology was similar to that of types I and II, and an MVD 〉30/mm~. Hepatic blood flow, hepatic arterial fraction, hepatic arterial perfusion, and hepatic portal perfusion were significantly increased in the tumor edges of HCC patients compared to those of the controls （P〈0.05）. The correlation between CT perfusion parameters and MVD was higher in blurry tumor edges of type II than in those of types Ⅰ or Ⅲ. CONCLUSION： CT perfusion imaging of tumor edges may be helpful in revealing histopathological features, and indirectly reflect angiogenic changes of HCCs.

Assessing no-surgical treatment response in bronchogenic carcinoma with contrast material-enhanced computed tomography

Objective:The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of contrast material-enhanced computed tomography(CT) in assessing no-surgical treatment response in bronchogenic carcinoma.Methods:The 67 patients with bronchogenic carcinoma after no-surgical treatment underwent two-phase contrast material-enhanced computed tomography.Two spiral CT scans were obtained at 25 and 90 s respectively after nonionic contrast material was administrated via the antecubital vein at a rate of 4 mL/s by using an autoinjector.Precontrast and postcontrast attenuation values on every scan were recorded and peak height was calculated.Enhancement pattern was evaluated on the image obtained at 25 and 90 s after injection of contrast medium.Results:Precontrast attenuation value,postcontrast attenuation values at 25 and 90 s were(41.26 ± 7.77) Hu,(56.45 ± 10.48) Hu,(70.82 ± 11.99) Hu,respectively.No statistically significant difference in precontrast attenuation was found between our results in this study and the results in our old study(mean precontrast attenuation 40.70 Hu) which was obtained in cases without any therapy(t = 0.593,P = 0.555﹥0.05).Peak height of bronchogenic carcinoma after no-surgical treatment [(29.40 ± 10.73) Hu] were significantly lower than that of bronchogenic carcinoma without any therapy obtained in our old study(mean peak height 35.79 Hu)(t =-4.874,P = 0.001 < 0.05).The 39 among 67 cases appeared homogeneous enhancement at 90 s.At 25 s,there were 26 cases with inhomogeneous enhancement,9 cases with homogeneous enhancement,2 cases with central enhancement,and 2 cases with peripheral enhancement among the 39 cases.Conclusion:Peak heights can reflect the blood supply of bronchogenic carcinoma and might be an index for evaluation of no-surgical treatment response in bronchogenic carcinoma.

Cholecystocolic fistula caused by gallbladder carcinoma:Preoperatively misdiagnosed as hepatic colon carcinoma

Cholecystocolic fistula secondary to gallbladder carcinoma is extremely rare and has been reported in very few studies. Most cholecystocolic fistulae are late complications of gallstone disease, but can also develop following carcinoma of the gallbladder when the necrotic tumor penetrates into the adjacent colon. Although no currently available imaging technique has shown great accuracy in recognizing cholecystocolic fistula, abdominopelvic computed tomography may show fistulous communication and anatomical details.Herein we report an unusual case of cholecystocolic fistula caused by gallbladder carcinoma, which was preoperatively misdiagnosed as hepatic flexure colon carcinoma.

Expression of nm23, KAI1 and spiral computed tomography findings in primary gallbladder carcinoma

Primary gallbladder carcinoma is the most common malignant tumor of the biliary system. There is a reduced likelihood for radical cure of primary gallbladder carcinomas because of the insidious onset.1 Spiral computed tomography （SCT） scanning is an important means for diagnosing lesions involving the gallbladder. We determined the expression of anti-metastasis protein nm23 and KAI1 using immunohistochemical method and analyzed the relationship between their expression and the pre-operatively SCT imaging findings, the histopathologic grade, clinical stage, 5-year survival rate in 35 cases of primary gallbladder cancer.

Role of Early Arterial Phase Multislice Helical CT Angiography in Evaluation of Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Objective: To investigate the clinical application of early arterial phase multislice CT angiog raphy (MSCTA) of hepatic vessels in evaluation of middle or advanced stage hepatocellular carcinoma. Methods: Trigger Bolus program was used to carry out MSCTA in early and late arterial phases and portal vein phase with single breath holding. Hepatic vessels were reconstructed from the original images of early arterial phase by post processing. The blood supply of tumor and normal liver tissue and the appearances of venous thrombosis and arteriovenous shunts were analyzed. Results: The MSCTA with early arterial phase could perfectly display the origin, shape and amount of feeding vessels to normal liver tissue and tumor in middle or advanced stage hepatocellular carcinoma. It had the ability of displaying the arteriovenous shunts better than that in conventional dual phased liver scanning. Conclusion: MSCTA of hepatic vessels with early arterial phase acquisition using multislice helical CT in middle or advance stage hepatocellular carcinoma has favorable and promising application. It can be used as an imaging method for comprehensive assessment of the hepatocellular carcinoma before treatment.

Comparing Gross Tumor Volume of Delineation between CT and MRI for Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

Objective: To study the accuracy between CT and MRI in delineating gross tumor volume (GTV) of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) in making radiotherapy plan. Methods: The clinical data of 39 cases pathologically proven as nasopharyngeal carcinoma selected from April 2003 to September 2004 were retrospectively analyzed. All were subjected to CT and MR examination one week before treatment. CT scanning was performed with GE Light speed 16, and axial scan was parallel to the OM line routinely from soft palate to the suprasellar cistern. MR scanning was performed by GE Signa super-conducting magnetic resonance imaging system (1.5 Tesla). The standard quadrature head coil was used. Routine axial, sagittal and coronal image with SE sequence were obtained, and FLAIR was used in 10 of 21 cases. Scanned field ranged from the soft palate to the suprasellar cistern. Part of all cases underwent enhanced scanned with Ultravist in CT group or/and GD-DTPA in MR group. All data were analyzed by using the paired-samples t test. Results: The media primary tumor volume (cm3) in CT group and MR group was 32.49±19.91, 29.06±18.75, respectively, and the difference between the two groups were significant (t=5.268, P=0.000). There was significant difference between the two groups in early stage (T1+T2) and advanced stage (T3+T4) by Fuzhou Staging System (t=5.677, P=0.000; t=3.310, P=0.005, respectively). There was significant difference in stage T1, T2, T3 (P=0.005, P=0.001, P=0.004, respectively), and not in stage T4 (P=0.146) between the two groups. Conclusion: MR was more accurate than CT in delineating GTV of NPC, so, is more valuable in making radiotherapy plan.

基于CT影像组学特征预测低分化胆囊癌的价值

目的:探讨多相CT影像组学特征在预测低分化胆囊癌中的价值。方法:回顾性分析本院行根治性胆囊切除术后经病理证实的胆囊癌,根据病理结果分为低分化组(占比44.5%)和非低分化组(占比55.5%)。应用3D Slicer软件手动勾画感兴趣区(ROI),分别提取动脉期及静脉期影像组学特征。使用互信息法筛选影像组学特征,将训练集三步降维法筛选的双期影像组学特征拟合至K-邻近算法构建胆囊癌低分化预测模型,测试集用于模型预测效能评价。绘制受试者工作特征(ROC)曲线,通过比较曲线下面积(AUC),确定影像组学特征对低分化胆囊癌的预测效能。结果:筛选出双期特征各1502个,应用三步降维法提取6个特征,即大面积强调、大区域高灰度强调、熵、均值、均方根、第10百分位。预测模型结果显示,训练集AUC为0.83(灵敏度0.76,特异度0.71),测试集AUC为0.68(灵敏度0.67,特异度0.60)。结论:双相CT影像组学特征对低分化胆囊癌的分级具有较好的预测价值,并具有可重复性。

基于增强CT的胆囊癌神经浸润危险因素分析及预测模型构建

目的基于术前增强CT影像特征构建胆囊癌(gallbladder carcinoma,GBC)神经浸润(perineural invasion,PNI)的预测模型并评价其预测效能。方法回顾性分析180例行根治术的GBC患者的临床、影像及病理资料。根据是否存在PNI分为阳性组与阴性组。由2位影像科医师评估术前增强CT影像特征(包括有无胆囊结石、影像肝侵犯、血管侵犯、T分期及肝门部或腹膜后淋巴结转移)。采用独立样本t检验、Mann-Whitney U检验及χ^(2)检验比较CT征象与PNI的相关性,采用Logistics回归分析筛选独立危险因素并建立预测模型公式,采用受试者工作特征(ROC)曲线评估预测模型的预测效能并计算相应的曲线下面积(AUC),采用Hosmer-Lemeshow拟合优度检验对预测模型进行验证。结果单因素分析结果显示CA199、CA125和影像肝侵犯、血管侵犯(肝动脉或门静脉)、T分期及肝门部或腹膜后淋巴结转移与PNI相关(P<0.05)。Logistics多因素分析结果显示CA199、影像血管侵犯(肝动脉或门静脉)、影像T分期是PNI的独立危险因素。依据上述独立危险因素建立预测模型公式并绘制ROC曲线,AUC为0.807(95%CI:0.734~0.879),灵敏度为0.792,特异度为0.697。Hosmer-Lemeshow拟合优度检验卡方值为0.594,P=0.997,提示模型的预测值与实际值接近。结论联合CA199、影像血管侵犯、T分期等术前临床-增强CT特征建立预测模型,能够有效预测GBC术后PNI。

Brain metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma:A case report and review of the literature

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most frequent malignancies in the world. It is more common in far eastern countries and relatively rare in the United States and western European countries where at autopsy it accounts for only 1-2% of malignant rumors, The disease is usually manifested in the the 6^th and 7^th decade of life. HCC is one of the highly malignant neoplasms, Extrahepatic metastases are seen in 64% of patients with HCC. The lungs, regional lymph nodes, kidney, bone marrow and adrenals are common sites of HCC metastasis^[1-3], But, metastasis to brain and skull is extremely rare. Table I shows some of the reported cases of HCC with brain metastasis. These case reports reaffirms the complex and multidisciplinary care of these patients^[4-5].

Eight-year follow-up of locally advanced lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma at upper urinary tract: A case report

BACKGROUND Urinary tract lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma is rarely seen.Although it is termed after lymphoepithelioma at the nasopharynx,it behaves more like high grade urothelial carcinoma by immunohistochemical features.Most published literatures focused on its rarity but few discussed results of long-term follow-ups.As no available guidelines are applicable,we postulated that principles should be similar to that of urothelial carcinoma at urinary tract.As of now,this work features the longest follow-up of this cancer at the upper urinary tract.CASE SUMMARY A 63-year-old female had a chief complaint of intermittent left flank pain for 2 mo,along with accompanying symptoms including vomiting and body weight loss,about 7 kg over 2 mo.Laboratory data showed normocytic anemia,mildly poor renal function,and hyperparathyroidism.Urine analysis showed mild hematuria.Computed tomography showed a 4.2-cm-width irregular mass over left renal pelvic and enlarged lymph node at the left renal hilum.Whole-body bone scan was negative of active bone lesions.Biopsy from ureteroscopy showed urothelial carcinoma.Specimen from laparoscopic nephroureterectomy with bladder cuff resection showed lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma with muscular invasion(pT3).She took adjuvant chemotherapies of 2 cycles and full courses of radiation therapy.No recurrence was observed with designed investigative programs.CONCLUSION Locally advanced urinary tract lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma could benefit from nephroureterectomy and bladder cuff excision in terms of recurrence-free survival.

Recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma with rapid growth after spontaneous regression

We report an 80-year-old man who presented with sponta- neous regression of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).He complained of sudden right flank pain and low-grade fever. The level of protein induced by vitamin K antagonist(PIVKA)- II was 1 137 mAU/mL.A computed tomography scan in November 2000 demonstrated a low-density mass located in liver S4 with marginal enhancement and a cystic mass of 68 mm×55 mm in liver S6,with slightly high density content and without marginal enhancement.Angiography revealed that the tumor in S4 with a size of 25 mm×20 mm was a typical hypervascular HCC,and transarterial chemoembolization was performed.However,the tumor in S6 was hypovascular and atypical of HCC,and thus no therapy was given.In December 2000,the cystic mass regressed spontaneously to 57 min×44 mm,and aspiration cytology revealed bloody fluid,and the mass was diagnosed cytologically as class I. The tumor in S4 was treated successfully with a 5 mm margin of safety around it.The PIVKA-II level normalized in February 2001.In July 2001,the tumor regressed further but presented with an enhanced area at the posterior margin.In November 2001,the enhanced area extended,and a biopsy revealed well-differentiated HCC,although the previous tumor in S4 disappeared.Angiography demonstrated two tumor stains,one was in S6,which was previously hypovascular, and the other was in S8.Subsequently,the PIVKA-II level started to rise with the doubling time of 2-3 wk,and the tumor grew rapidly despite repeated transarterial embolization with gel foam.In February 2003,the patient died of bleeding into the peritoneal cavity from the tumor that occupied almost the entire right lobe.Considering the acute onset of the symptoms,we speculate that local ischemia possibly due to rapid tumor growth,resulted in intratumoral bleeding and/or hemorrhagic necrosis,and finally spontaneous regression of the initial tumor in S6.

Evaluation of spiral CT imaging in the diagnosis of the primary ureteral carcinoma

Objective: To explore the characteristics of the primary ureteral carcinoma (PUC) and discuss the value of spiral CT (SCT) in the diagnosis of PUC. Methods: The SCT findings of the primary ureteral carcinoma in 16 cases were analyzed and compared with the histopathological diagnosis and staging. Results: The transverse diameters of the lesions were 1.0–2.1 cm, and the longitudinal lengths were 1.5–15.2 cm. There were no statistically significant differences (P>0.1) in diam- eters and lengths among the low staging group (pT0–T2) and the high staging group (pT3–T4). The average CT value of the lesions was 43 HU on plain scanning, and 73 HU on CE scanning. The increment was 30 HU. The lesions were clearer on CE scanning. Curved planar reconstruction (CPR) could show the entire course of the urinary tract. Among 6 cases of pT3 stage, CT gave a correct diagnosis in 1 case. For 2 cases of pT4 stage, CT gave correct diagnoses in both cases. Conclusion: The carcinomatous lesions spread along the ureter. The longitudinal length of each lesion is longer than its transverse diameter. Tumor cannot be staged merely according to its diameter and length. CT is difficult to differentiate stage T0–T3, while for stage T4, CT diagnosis is accurate. Contrast enhancement CT scanning has the confirming and differentiating roles. CPR offers direct and easy observing images for clinical doctors.

Comparative study of helical CT with contrast-enhanced ultrasound of renal carcinoma

Objective: To investigate the efficiency of helical CT comparing with contrast-enhanced ultrasound, and to im- prove the diagnosis efficiency of renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Methods: Thirty RCCs confirmed pathologically were studied retrospectively. The un-enhanced CT scan and the triphasic enhanced helical CT scan were performed in all cases, the gray-scale US and angiosonography with SonoVue were performed in all cases meantime. Results: 22 cases (73.3%) were diagnosed correctly by helical CT alone before operation. 7 cases (23.3%) were suspected as RCC with helical CT. One case (3.3%) was misdiagnosed with helical CT. 25 cases (83.3%) were diagnosed correctly with contrast-enhanced ultrasound alone pre-operation. One case (3.3%) was suspected as RCC with angiosonography. Four cases (13.3%) were misdiagnosed with angiosonography alone. 29 cases (96.7%) were diagnosed correctly by helical CT combining with angiosonography before operation, one case (3.3%) was diagnosed as renal mass with both helical CT and angiosonography. Conclusion: Contrast-enhanced ultrasound is sensitive in detecting blood flow, it can detect the enhancement of the tumor which cannot be detected by helical CT. CT and angiosonography have strong complement each other in the diagnosis of RCC.

Radiological Imaging in Patients with Esophageal Carcinoma

Diagnostic imaging is carried out in patients with esophageal carcinoma in order to decide on the therapeutical procedure, to control therapy, to document complications and to assess concomitant diseases. Chest X-rays and esophagograms give a 2-dimensional view of the X-ray absorption in 3-dimensional examination volumes, the diagnostic accuracy thus being limited by overshadowing. Because of the robust examination technique, the broad availability and the low costs chest X-rays are usually used for short-term controls under therapy and follow-up. Esophagography is carried out in order to asses the exact location and length of a known esophageal carcinoma prior to therapy and in order to assess peristaltic disturbances and ?stulas. CT and MRI provide tomographic images with a spatial resolution of up to 1 mm3 allowing the reconstruction of high-resolution images not only in the transversal but also in any other plain. The diagnostic accuracy of esophagography is comparatively high in T1–T3 stages (80%–90%). T1 and T2 tumors cannot be diagnosed by CT and MRI, because both methods do not visualize the mucosa (unlike esophagography and endoscopy) and the esophageal wall layers (unlike EUS). In?ltration depth tends to be overestimated in T1 and T2 carcinomas and to be underestimated in T3 and T4 cancers. CT and MRI cannot detect metastases in normally sized lymph nodes and cannot accurately di?erentiate between benign and malignant lymphadenopathy in enlarged nodes with a reported sensitivities and speci?ties of 60% and 74%, respectively. However, further prospective studies using up to date CT and MR technology are needed to assess the present diagnostic situation. CT and MRI do not only visualize the mediastinum, but also the lungs, the pleura and the skeleton as well as the neck and the abdomen thus providing a comprehensive overview of the TNM stage in 3 body regions.

Peripheral bronchogenic carcinoma: Enhancement pattern evaluation on PACS and CT workstations

Objective: The aim of the study was to determine the efficiency and effectiveness of picture archiving and communication system(PACS) workstation in detecting enhancement pattern of peripheral bronchogenic carcinoma. Methods: The 62 patients with peripheral bronchogenic carcinoma underwent two-phase contrast material-enhanced multislices computed tomography(MSCT) of the chest in a single-breath-hold technique. Two spiral CT scans were obtained at 25 s and 90 s respectively after nonionic contrast material was administrated via the antecubital vein at a rate of 4 m L/s by using an autoinjector. Precontrast and postcontrast attenuation on every scan were measured on PACS and CT workstations respectively and peak height was calculated. Enhancement pattern was evaluated on the image obtained at 90 s after injection of contrast medium on PACS and CT workstations respectively. Results: No statistically significant difference in precontrast attenuation, postcontrast attenuation at 25 s and 90 s was found between these measured on a PACS workstation [(40.21 ± 7.03) HU;(55.53 ± 11.09) HU;(75.95 ± 13.45) HU] and those [(39.01 ± 8.95) HU;(56.01 ± 10.91) HU;(76.03 ± 11.95) HU] on a CT workstation(t = 1.140, P = 0.256 > 0.05; t = 1.580, P = 0.149 > 0.05; t = 1.505, P = 0.150﹥0.05). The peak height that calculated on a PACS workstation was 35.74 HU(20 HU). There was not statistically significant difference in peak height between that calculated on a PACS workstation and that on a CT workstation [(37.02 ± 12.05) HU; t = 2.001, P = 0.099 > 0.05]. The tumors showed same enhancement pattern on PACS workstation and CT workstation. Of the 62 cases, 38 showed homogeneous enhancement, 17 showed heterogeneous enhancement, five showed peripheral enhancement, two showed central enhancement, at 90 s. The enhancement pattern revealed on PACS workstation was consistent with feature of peripheral bronchogenic carcinoma. Conclusion: The efficiency and effectiveness of PACS workstation is as same as those of CT workstation in detecting enhancement pattern of peripheral bronchogenic carcinoma.