Diagnosis of abdominal tuberculosis:Experience from 11 cases and review of the literature

AIM:To analyze the experience within our hospital and to review the literature so as to establish the best means of diagnosis of abdominal tuberculosis. METHODS:The records of 11 patients (4 males,7 females, mean age 39 years,range 18-65 years) diagnosed with abdominal tuberculosis in Harran University Hospital between January 1996 and October 2003 were analyzed retrospectively and the literature was reviewed. RESULTS:Ascites was present in all cases.Other common findings were weight loss (81%),weakness (81%),abdominal mass (72%),abdominal pain (72%),abdominal distension (63%),anorexia (45%) and night sweat (36%).The average hemoglobin was 8.2 g/dL and the average FAR was 50 mm/h (range 30-125).Elevated levels of cancer antigen CA-125 were determined in four patients.Abdominal ultrasound showed abnormalities in all cases:ascites in all,tuboovarian mass in five,omental thickening in 3,and enlarged lymph nodes (mesenteric,para-aortic) in 2.CT scans showed ascites in all,pelvic mass in 5,retroperitoneal lymphadenopathy in 4,mesenteric stranding in 4,omental stranding in 3, bowel wall thickening in 2 and mesenteric lymphadenopathy in 2.Only one patient had a chest radiograph suggestive of a new TB lesion.Two had a positive family history of pulmonary TB.None had acid-fast bacilli (AFB) in the sputum and the tuberculin test was positive in only two.Laparotomy was performed in 6 cases,laparoscopy in 4 and ultrasound- guided fine needle aspiration in 2.In those patients subjected to operation,the findings were multiple diffuse involvement of the visceral and parietal peritoneum,white ‘miliary nodules’or plaques,enlarged lymph nodes,ascites, ‘violin string’fibrinous strands,and omental thickening. Biopsy specimens showed granulomas,while ascitic fluid showed numerous lymphocytes.Both were negative for acid-fast bacilli by staining.PCR of ascitic fluid was positive for Mycobactenum tuberculosis ( M.tuberculosis) in all cases. CONCLUSION:Abdominal TB should be considered in all cases with ascites.Our experience suggests that PCR of ascitic fluid obtained by ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration is a reliable method for its diagnosis and should at least be attempted before surgical intervention.

Anatomo-Clinical Case: Coexistence of Tuberculosis with Axillary Lymph Node Metastasis in Breast Carcinoma

Introduction: The coexistence of tuberculosis with axillary lymph node metastasis in breast carcinoma is uncommon. Observation: We report a case of a patient aged 59 years presenting a painless nodule in the right breast for one year. The scan and mammography revealed a long-axis node of 3 × 2 × 1 cm in the upper outer quadrant of the right breast ranked stage IV by the American College of Radiology (ACR), associated with a set of axillary lymph nodes and the largest one measuring 15 × 15 × 20 millimeters (mm). The breast biopsy helped diagnose a Scarff Bloom Richardson (SBR) grade II non-specific invasive carcinoma, modified by Ellis and Elston. A right mastectomy associated with a lymph node dissection was performed. We noticed a not well defined and whitish 5 mm tumor mass associated with 16 lymph nodes removed. The histological examination confirmed the diagnosis of SBR grade II non-specific invasive carcinoma with invasion of 7 lymph nodes (N+ = 7/16). In 3 metastatic lymph nodes, there were epithelioid and gigantocellular granulomas with full central necrosis. The Ziehl Neelsen staining had highlighted acid-fast bacilli. The tumor was oestrogen and progesteron receptor, without an overexpression of the oncoprotein human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), which corresponds to a 0 score and the Ki 67 proliferation index assessed at 10%. The patient was given an anti-tuberculosis treatment combining Rifampicin (H), Isoniazid (I), Pyrazinamid (Z), Ethambutol (E) over 2 months and secondly a combination of Rifampicin and Isoniazid over 4 months (2RHZE/4 RH). The anti-tumor chemotherapy used a protocol combining 3 FAC60+ 3 Docetaxel (F = Fluorouracil®A = Adriblastin®, C = Cyclophosphamid). Conclusion: This coexistence is uncommon, of incidental discovery and necessitates a multidisciplinary care.

Association of Metastasis and Axillary Lymph Node Tuberculosis in Breast Cancer: Clinical Case and Review of the Literature

The coexistence of tuberculosis with axillary lymph node metastases in breast carcinoma is rare. Axillary lymph node metastasis is the most important factor in the staging of breast carcinoma, and the number of axillary lymph nodes metastasizing changes the stage. Since tuberculosis also produces lymph node enlargement, this can mimic or complicate the staging of a malignant disease. Dual organ pathology can lead to interpretation difficulties and inappropriate treatment of tuberculosis as well as breast carcinoma. Additionally, fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) of such cases can be misleading if only one of the diseases is detected. We report two cases of infiltrating carcinoma of the nonspecific type of the breast in two women aged 35 and 55 where tuberculosis was found in the axillary lymph nodes in addition to metastases. As the present case led to the fortuitous discovery of tuberculosis with tumor metastasis, it reinforces the possibility of a coexisting lesion in the minds of pathologists, especially in areas endemic to tuberculosis.

Role of endoscopic ultrasound guided fine needle aspiration/biopsy in the evaluation of intra-abdominal lymphadenopathy due to tuberculosis

BACKGROUND Intra-abdominal lymphadenopathy due to tuberculosis(TB)poses a diagnostic challenge due to difficulty in tissue acquisition.Although endoscopic ultrasound guided fine needle aspiration/biopsy(EUS-FNA/B)has shown promise in the evaluation of mediastinal lymph nodes,its role in the evaluation of intra-abdominal lymphadenopathy is not clear.AIM To assess the role of EUS-FNA/B in the evaluation of intra-abdominal lymphadenopathy due to TB.METHODS This was a retrospective study where patients with intra-abdominal lymphadenopathy who underwent evaluation with EUS-FNA/B were included.TB was diagnosed if the patient had any one of the following:(1)Positive acid fast bacilli(AFB)stain/TB GeneXpert/TB-polymerase chain reaction/AFB culture of tissue sample;and(2)Positive Mantoux test and response to anti-tubercular therapy.EUS-FNA reports,clinical reports and imaging characteristics of patients were recorded for a detailed analysis of patients with TB.RESULTS A total of 149 patients underwent an EUS-FNA/B from lymph nodes(mean age 51±17 years,M:F=1.2).Benign inflammatory reactive changes were seen in 45 patients(30.2%),while 54 patients(36.2%)showed granulomatous inflammation with/without caseation.Among these,51 patients(94.4%)were confirmed to have TB as per pre-defined criteria.Patients with TB were more likely to have hypoechoic and matted nodes[40 patients(67.7%)].EUS-FNA/B was found to have a sensitivity and specificity of 86%and 93%respectively,with a diagnostic accuracy of 88%in the evaluation of intra-abdominal lymphadenopathy due to TB.CONCLUSION EUS-FNA/B has a high diagnostic yield with a good sensitivity and specificity in the evaluation of intra-abdominal lymphadenopathy due to TB.However,the validity of these findings in populations with low prevalence of TB needs further evaluation.

A clinical dilemma:abdominal tuberculosis

AIM:To evaluate the clinical,radiological and microbiological properties of abdominal tuberculosis (TB) and to discuss methods needed to get the diagnosis. METHODS:Thirty-one patients diagnosed as abdominal TB between March 1998 and December 2001 at the Gastroenterology Department of Kartal State Hospital, Istanbul,Turkey were evaluated prospectively.Complete physical examination,medical and family history,blood count erythrocyte sedimentation rate,routine biochemical tests, Mantoux skin test,chest X-ray and abdominal ultrasonography (USG) were performed in all cases,whereas microbiological examination of ascites,upper gastrointestinal endoscopy,colonoscopy or barium enema,abdominal tomography,mediastinoscopy,laparoscopy or laparotomy were done when needed. RESULTS:The median age of patients (14 females,17 males) was 34.2 years (range 15-65 years).The most frequent symptoms were abdominal pain and weight loss. Eleven patients had active pulmonary TB.The most common abdominal USG findings were ascites and hepatomegaly.Ascitic fluid analysis performed in 13 patients was found to be exudative and acid resistant bacilli were present in smear and cultured only in one patient with BacTec (3.2%).Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy yielded nonspecific findings in 16 patients.Colonoscopy performed in 20 patients showed ulcers in 9 (45%),nodules in 2 (10%) and,stricture,polypoid lesions,granulomatous findings in terminal ileum and rectal fistula each in one patient (5%). Laparoscopy on 4 patients showed dilated bowel loops, thickening in the mesentery,multiple ulcers and tubercles on the peritoneum.Patients with abdominal TB were divided into three groups according to the type of involvement. Fifteen patients (48%) had intestinal TB,11 patients (35.2%) had tuberculous peritonitis and 5 (16.8%) tuberculous lymphadenitis.The diagnosis of abdominal TB was confirmed microbiologically in 5 (16%) and histo- pathologically in 19 patients (60.8%).The remaining nine patients (28.8%) had been diagnosed by a positive response to antituberculous treatment. CONCLUSION:Neither clinical signs,laboratory,radiological and endoscopic methods nor bacteriological and histopathological findings provide a gold standard by themselves in the diagnosis of abdominal TB.However,an algorithm of these diagnostic methods leads to considerably higher precision in the diagnosis of this insidious disease which primarily necessitate a clinical awareness of this serious health problem.

CT patterns of nodal disease in pediatric chest tuberculosis

AIM:To highlight various patterns of nodal involvement and post treatment changes in pediatric chest tuberculosis based on contrast enhanced computed tomography(CECT) scans of chest.METHODS:This was a retrospective study consisting of 91 patients aged less than 17 years,who attended Paediatrics OPD of All India Institute of Medical Sciences with clinically diagnosed tuberculosis or with chest radiographs suggestive of chest tuberculosis.These patients had an initial chest radiograph as well as CECT of the chest and follow up imaging after 6 mo,and in some cases 9 mo,of completion of anti-tubercular treatment(ATT).CECT of these patients was reviewed for the location and extent of nodal involvement along with determination of site,size,enhancement pattern and calcification.RESULTS:Enlargement of mediastinal or hilar lymph nodes was found in 88/91 patients(96.7%),with the most common locations being paratracheal(84.1%),and subcarinal(76.1%).The most common pattern of enhancement was found to be inhomogenous.The nodes were conglomerate in 56.8% and discrete in 43.2%.In addition,perinodal fat was obscured in 84.1% of patients.In the post-treatment scan,there was 87.4% reduction in the size of the nodes.All nodes post-treatment were discrete and homogenous with perinodal fat present.Calcification was found both pre-and post-treatment,but there was an increase in incidence after treatment(41.7%).There was hence a reduction in size,change in enhancement pattern,and appearance of perinodal fat with treatment.CONCLUSION:Tubercular nodes have varied appearance and enhancement pattern.Conglomeration and obscuration of perinodal fat suggest activity.In residual nodes decision to continue ATT requires clinical correlation.

Supraclavicular lymph node tuberculosis presenting with immune thrombocytopenic purpura

Tuberculosis （TB） differs from many other infectious maladies in having particular social and geographic distributions. The disease was under control in developed nations and being brought under control in developing countries, as in China. TB has now been recognized as a public health threat and the incidence of TB is steadily rising. Though a lot of various hematological disorders have been described in TB, like anemia, leukocytosis and, the most frequently cited, pancytopenia, immune thrombocytopenic purpura （ITP） is extremely rare. When thrombocytopenia occurs in TB, it happens most commonly via non-immune pathways, as typically described in the context of pancytopenia that develops secondary to tuberculous granulomatous infiltration of the bone marrow, but a causal relationship between TB and immune thrombocvtonenia is extraordinarilv rare.

CT diagnosis of 52 patients with lymphoma in abdominal lymph nodes

AIM： To assess CT manifestations and its diagnostic value for lymphoma in the abdominal lymph nodes （LALN）.METHODS： CT findings in 52 cases of LALN proved by surgery or biopsy, including Hodgkin＇s disease （HD） in 16 cases and non-Hodgkin＇s lymphoma （NHL） in 36 cases, were retrospectively analyzed.RESULTS： （1） CT manifestations based on distribution of the lesions of LALN： Solitary mass type was found in 10 cases, including solitary, round, uniform-density, enlarged lymph nodes in 3 cases; and multiple, enlarged lymph nodes fusing into singular Iobular mass in 7 cases. Thirty-feur cases of multiple-nodular type showed multiple, round, enlarged lymph nodes with uniform density and clear margins. Vessels-embedded signs, including mesenteric vessels, renal vessels, abdominal aorta or inferior vena cava, were seen in 6 cases, and duodenum-embedded signs were seen in 2 cases. Eight cases of diffuse type showed characteristic ＂cobblestone signs＂. （2） CT manifestations correlated with pathological type： CT manifestations of 12 cases of HD were different from those of 40 cases of NHL in distribution, size, quantity and fused lesion of enlarged lymph nodes. （3） Twenty-eight cases of 52 patients were accompanied with extra-nodal lymphoma in the abdomen, especially gastrointestinal lymphoma, which had characteristic CT findings. （4） In follow-up examinations, CT images showed uniform, heterogeneous or rim enhancement in 15 cases, and occasional calcifications accompanied with reduction of the lesion size and quantity in 12 cases, whereas the lesions disappeared in 3 cases after treatment.CONCLUSION： CT images show many characteristic manifestations valuable for qualitative diagnosis of LALN, and it is also helpful for pathological classification of LALN and therapeutic evaluation in follow-up of patients.

Value of thyroglobulin combined with ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration cytology for diagnosis of lymph node metastasis of thyroid carcinoma

BACKGROUND Surgery for thyroid carcinoma offers a good prognosis;however,cervical lymph node metastasis may occur in the early stage.An effective diagnostic method can accurately guide clinical surgical planning and the scope of lymph node dissection,ultimately improving patient prognosis.AIM To explore the diagnostic value of fine-needle aspiration of thyroglobulin(FNATg)combined with ultrasound(US)-guided fine-needle aspiration cytology for cervical lymph node metastasis in thyroid carcinoma.METHODS We enrolled 209 pathologically confirmed thyroid carcinoma patients who visited our hospital between Jan 2017 and Dec 2020.Patients were tentatively diagnosed with cervical lymph node enlargement using preoperative US.They underwent US-guided fine-needle aspiration cytology and FNA-Tg.The value of single and combined application of the two methods for the diagnosis of cervical lymph node metastasis was calculated.The factors affecting FNA-Tg for diagnosis were analyzed using univariate and multivariate methods.RESULTS FNA-Tg values were significantly higher among patients with positive cervical lymph node metastasis.The sensitivity and specificity of US-guided fine-needle aspiration cytology,FNA-Tg,and US-guided fine-needle aspiration cytology+FNA-Tg were 85.48%and 90.59%,83.06%and 87.06%,and 96.77%and 91.76%,respectively.The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for USguided fine-needle aspiration cytology,FNA-Tg,and the two combined,was 0.880,0.851,and 0.943,respectively.A long diameter/short diameter ratio<2,an insufficient number of acquired cells,a low serum thyroglobulin level,and an absence of typical metastatic US features increased the risk of cervical lymph node metastasis in thyroid carcinoma patients misdiagnosed using FNA-Tg.CONCLUSION The diagnostic value of FNA-Tg for detecting cervical lymph node metastasis is not high;however,combined with US-guided fine-needle aspiration cytology,it is significantly improved.

Lateral pelvic lymph nodes for rectal cancer:A review of diagnosis and management

The current status and future prospects for diagnosis and treatment of lateral pelvic lymph node(LPLN)metastasis of rectal cancer are described in this review.Magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)is recommended for the diagnosis of LPLN metastasis.A LPLN-positive status on MRI is a strong risk factor for metastasis,and evaluation by MRI is important for deciding treatment strategy.LPLN dissection(LPLD)has an advantage of reducing recurrence in the lateral pelvis but also has a disadvantage of complications;therefore,LPLD may not be appropriate for cases that are less likely to have LPLN metastasis.Radiation therapy(RT)and chemoradiation therapy(CRT)have limited effects in cases with suspected LPLN metastasis,but a combination of preoperative CRT and LPLD may improve the treatment outcome.Thus,RT and CRT plus selective LPLD may be a rational strategy to omit unnecessary LPLD and produce a favorable treatment outcome.

Video-assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery for the Treatment of Mediastinal Lymph Node Tuberculous Abscesses

The mediastinal lymph node tuberculous abscesses（MLNTAs） are secondary to mediastinal tuberculous lymphadenitis. Surgical excision is often required when cold abscesses form. This study was aimed to examine video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery（VATS） for the treatment of MLNTA. Clinical data of 16 MLNTA patients who were treated in our hospital between December 1, 2013 and December 1, 2015 were retrospectively analyzed. All of the patients underwent the radical debridement and drainage of abscesses, and intrathoracic lesions were removed by VATS. They were also administered the intensified anti-tuberculosis treatment（ATT）, and engaged in normal physical activity and follow-up for 3 to 6 months. The results showed that VATS was successfully attempted in all of the 16 MLNTA patients and they all had good recovery. Two patients developed complications after surgery, with one patient developing recurrent laryngeal nerve injury, and the other reporting poor wound healing. It was concluded that VATS is easy to perform, and safe, and has high rates of success and relatively few side-effects when used to treat MLNTA.

Mesenteric lymph node cavitation syndrome

The mesenteric lymph node cavitation syndrome consists of central necrosis of mesenteric lymph nodes and may occur with either celiac disease or a sprue-like intestinal disease that fails to respond to a gluten-free diet. Splenic hypofunction may also be present. The cause is not known but its development during the clinical course of celiac disease is usually indicative of a poor prognosis for the intestinal disorder, a potential for signif icant compli-cations including sepsis and malignancy, particularly T-cell lymphoma, and signif icant mortality. Modern abdominal imaging modalities may permit earlier detection in celiac disease so that earlier diagnosis and improved under-standing of its pathogenesis may result.

Segmental gastrectomy with radical lymph node dissection for early gastric cancer

AIM: To describe a new surgical technique and evaluate the early results of segmental gastrectomy (SG) with modified D2 lymph node (LN) dissection for early gastric cancer (EGC). METHODS: Fourteen patients with EGC underwent SG with modified D2 dissection from 2006 to 2008. Their operative results and postoperative courses were compared with those of 17 patients who had distal gastrectomy (DG) for EGC during the same period. RESULTS: Operating time, blood loss, and hospital stay were similar between the 2 groups. Postoperative complications developed significantly more frequently in the DG group than in the SG group. Mean number of dissected LNs per each station in the SG group was comparable with that in the DG group. Postoperative recovery of body weight was significantly better in the SG group than in the DG group. The incidence of reflux esophagitis and gastritis after surgery was less frequent in the SG group than in the DG group.CONCLUSION: SG with modified D2 LN dissection may be a new function-preserving gastrectomy that is feasible for treatment of EGC with possible LN involvement.

Lymph node metastasis in early gastric cancer with submucosal invasion:Feasibility of minimally invasive surgery

AIM:To explore the feasibility of pertorming minimally invasive surgery(MIS)on subsets of submucosal gastric cancers that are unlikely to have regional lymph node metastasis. METHODS:A total of 105 patients underwent radical gastrectomy with lymph node dissection for submucosal gastric cancer at our hospital from January 1995 to December 1995.Besides investigating many clinicopathological features such as tumor size,gross appearance,and differentiation, we measured the depth of invasion into submucosa minutely and analyzed the clinicopathologic features of these patients regarding lymph node metastasis. RESULTS:The rate of lymph node metastasis in cases where the depth of invasion was<500 μm,500-2 000 μm,or >2 000 μm was 9%(2/23),19%(7136),and 33%(15/46), respectively(P<0.05).In univariate analysis,no significant correlation was found between lymph node metastasis and clinicopathological characteristics such as age,sex,tumor location,gross appearance,tumor differentiation,Lauren's classification,and lymphatic invasion.In multivariate analysis, tumor size(>4 cm vs≤2 cm,odds ratio=4.80, P=0.04)and depth of invasion(>2 000 μm vs ≤500 μm, odds ratio=6.81,P=0.02)were significantly correlated with lymph node metastasis.Combining the depth and size in cases where the depth of invasion was less than 500 μm, we found that lymph node metastasis occurred where the tumor size was greater than 4 cm.In cases where the tumor size was less than 2 cm,lymph node metastasis was found only where the depth of tumor invasion was more than 2 000 μm. CONCLUSION:MIS can be applied to submucosal gastric cancer that is less than 2 cm in size and 500 μm in depth.

Diagnostic ability of multi-detector spiral computed tomography for pathological lymph node metastasis of advanced gastric cancer

BACKGROUND The reliability of preoperative nodal diagnosis of advanced gastric cancer by multi-detector spiral computed tomography(MDCT)is still unclear.AIM To examine the diagnostic ability of MDCT more precisely by using data on intranodal pathological metastatic patterns.METHODS A total of 108 patients with advanced gastric cancer who underwent MDCT and curative gastrectomy at Kanazawa Medical University Hospital were enrolled in this study.The nodal sizes measured on computed tomography(CT)images were compared with the pathology results.A receiver-operating characteristic curve was constructed,from which the critical value(CV)was calculated by using the data of the first 69 patients retrospectively.By using the CV,sensitivity and specificity were calculated with prospectively collected data from 39 consecutive patients.This enabled a more precise one-to-one correspondence of lymph nodes between CT and pathological examination by using the size data of lymph node mapping.The intranodal pathological metastatic patterns were classified into the following four types:Small nodular,peripheral,large nodular,and diffuse.RESULTS Although all the cases were clinically suspected as having metastasis,81 had lymph node metastasis and 27 had no metastasis.The number of dissected,detected on CT,and metastatic nodes were,4241,897,and 801,respectively.The CV obtained from the receiver-operating characteristic was 7.6 mm for the long axis.The sensitivity was 91.4%and the specificity was 47.3%in the prospective phase.The large nodular and diffuse metastases were easy to diagnose becausemetastatic nodes with a large axis often exhibit these forms.CONCLUSION The ability of MDCT to contribute to a nodal diagnosis of advanced gastric cancer was examined prospectively with precise size data from node mapping,using a CV of 7.6 mm for the long axis that was calculated from the retrospectively collected data.The sensitivity was as high as 91%,and would be improved when referring to the enhanced patterns.However,its specificity was as low as 47%,because most of metastatic nodes in gastric cancer being small in size.The small nodular or peripheral type metastatic nodes were often small and considered difficult to diagnose.

Sentinel lymph node biopsy in clinically detected ductal carcinoma in situ

AIM:To study the indications for sentinel lymph node biopsy(SLNB) in clinically-detected ductal carcinoma in situ(CD-DCIS).METHODS:A retrospective analysis of 20 patients with an initial diagnosis of pure DCIS by an image-guided core needle biopsy(CNB) between June 2006 and June 2012 was conducted at King Faisal Specialist Hospital.The accuracy of performing SLNB in CD-DCIS,the rate of sentinel and non-sentinel nodal metastasis,and the histologic underestimation rate of invasive cancer at initial diagnosis were analyzed.The inclusion criteria were a preoperative diagnosis of pure DCIS with no evidence of invasion.We excluded any patient with evidence of microinvasion or invasion.There were two cases of mammographically detected DCIS and 18 cases of CDDCIS.All our patients were diagnosed by an imageguided CNB except two patients who were diagnosed by fine needle aspiration(FNA).All patients underwent breast surgery,SLNB,and axillary lymph node dissection(ALND) if the SLN was positive.RESULTS:Twenty patients with an initial diagnosis of pure DCIS underwent SLNB,2 of whom had an ALND.The mean age of the patients was 49.7 years(range,35-70).Twelve patients(60%) were premenopausal and 8(40%) were postmenopausal.CNB was the diagnostic procedure for 18 patients,and 2 who were diagnosed by FNA were excluded from the calculation of the underestimation rate.Two out of 20 had a positive SLNB and underwent an ALND and neither had additional non sentinel lymph node metastasis.Both the sentinel visualization rate and the intraoperative sentinel identification rate were 100%.The false negative rate was 0%.Only 2 patients had a positive SLNB(10%) and neither had additional metastasis following an ALND.After definitive surgery,3 patients were upstaged to invasive ductal carcinoma(3/18 = 16.6%) and 3 other patients were upstaged to DCIS with microinvasion(3/18 = 16.6%).Therefore the histologic underestimation rate of invasive disease was 33%.CONCLUSION:SLNB in CD-DCIS is technically feasible and highly accurate.We recommend limiting SLNB to patients undergoing a mastectomy.

Radiomics for differentiating tumor deposits from lymph node metastasis in rectal cancer

BACKGROUND Tumor deposits(TDs)are not equivalent to lymph node(LN)metastasis(LNM)but have become independent adverse prognostic factors in patients with rectal cancer(RC).Although preoperatively differentiating TDs and LNMs is helpful in designing individualized treatment strategies and achieving improved prognoses,it is a challenging task.AIM To establish a computed tomography(CT)-based radiomics model for preoperatively differentiating TDs from LNM in patients with RC.METHODS This study retrospectively enrolled 219 patients with RC[TDs+LNM-(n=89);LNM+TDs-(n=115);TDs+LNM+(n=15)]from a single center between September 2016 and September 2021.Single-positive patients(i.e.,TDs+LNM-and LNM+TDs-)were classified into the training(n=163)and validation(n=41)sets.We extracted numerous features from the enhanced CT(region 1:The main tumor;region 2:The largest peritumoral nodule).After deleting redundant features,three feature selection methods and three machine learning methods were used to select the best-performing classifier as the radiomics model(Rad-score).After validating Rad-score,its performance was further evaluated in the field of diagnosing double-positive patients(i.e.,TDs+LNM+)by outlining all peritumoral nodules with diameter(short-axis)>3 mm.RESULTS Rad-score 1(radiomics signature of the main tumor)had an area under the curve(AUC)of 0.768 on the training dataset and 0.700 on the validation dataset.Rad-score 2(radiomics signature of the largest peritumoral nodule)had a higher AUC(training set:0.940;validation set:0.918)than Radscore 1.Clinical factors,including age,gender,location of RC,tumor markers,and radiological features of the largest peritumoral nodule,were excluded by logistic regression.Thus,the combined model was comprised of Rad-scores of 1 and 2.Considering that the combined model had similar AUCs with Rad-score 2(P=0.134 in the training set and 0.594 in the validation set),Rad-score 2 was used as the final model.For the diagnosis of double-positive patients in the mixed group[TDs+LNM+(n=15);single-positive(n=15)],Rad-score 2 demonstrated moderate performance(sensitivity,73.3%;specificity,66.6%;and accuracy,70.0%).CONCLUSION Radiomics analysis based on the largest peritumoral nodule can be helpful in preoperatively differentiating between TDs and LNM.

Recent advances in photodynamic diagnosis of gastriccancer using 5-aminolevulinic acid

Photodynamic diagnosis based on 5-aminolevulinic acidinduced protoporphyrin IX has been clinically applied in many fields based upon its evidenced efficacy and adequate safety. In order to establish a personalized medicine approach for treating gastric cancer patients, rapid intraoperative detection of malignant lesions has become important. Feasibility of photodynamic diagnosis using 5-aminolevulinic acid for gastric cancer patients has been investigated, especially for the detection of peritoneal dissemination and lymph node metastasis. This method enables intraoperative realtime fluorescence detection of peritoneal dissemination, exhibiting higher sensitivity than white light observation without histopathological examination. The method also enables detection of metastatic foci within excised lymph nodes, exhibiting a diagnostic accuracy comparable to that of a current molecular diagnostics technique. Although several complicating issues still need to be resolved, such as the effect of tissue autofluorescence and the insufficient depth penetration of excitation light, this simple and rapid method has the potential to become a useful diagnostic tool for gastric cancer, as well as urinary bladder cancer and glioma.

血清降钙素在甲状腺髓样癌的诊断、术前评估及术后随访中的临床价值

目的探讨血清降钙素(calcitonin,Ctn)对甲状腺髓样癌(medullary thyroid carcinoma,MTC)的诊断效能,术前Ctn与临床病理特征相关性及随访中影响MTC疾病进展的危险因素。方法系统性回顾2011年11月~2022年11月南京中医药大学附属中西医结合医院收治的50例甲状腺结节患者临床资料,ROC曲线计算Ctn、癌胚抗原(carcinoembryonic antigen,CEA)水平对MTC的诊断效能,单因素、多因素分析MTC中央区淋巴结转移的危险因素,绘制无疾病进展生存曲线预测危险因素。结果ROC曲线结果显示诊断MTC的术前Ctn截断值为23.81 pg/ml,CEA截断值为3.035 ng/ml。MTC患者的患病年龄、肿瘤直径、术前血清Ctn和CEA水平均高于非MTC患者。Ctn≥289.62 pg/ml是MTC患者中央区淋巴结转移的独立危险因素。生存曲线结果显示侵犯包膜、中央区淋巴结转移、T2级以上是预测疾病进展的危险因素(P<0.05),疾病发生进展的MTC患者术前Ctn较高。结论血清Ctn在MTC鉴别诊断、术前评估以及术后随访均有重要临床价值。

原发性颈淋巴结结核诊治分析

目的探讨原发性颈淋巴结结核的临床特征、确诊方式及诊疗方案。方法回顾性分析宁波市医疗中心李惠利医院确诊的39例原发性颈淋巴结结核患者临床资料,总结其临床特点、治疗方法及随访情况。结果所有患者均以颈部无痛性质韧肿块为首发症状,肿块多位于颈部Ⅲ、Ⅳ、Ⅴ区,部分位于Ⅰ、Ⅱ区,均完善CT、MRI或B超等检查。根据影像学检查和临床经验,21例患者行结核菌素试验(PPD)或结核感染T细胞斑点试验(T-SPOT),其中2例PPD阳性,13例T-SPOT阳性,15例均经穿刺病理结果确诊,6例经手术病理确诊;1例经细针穿刺细菌培养发现结核杆菌确诊;17例影像学考虑肿瘤性病变,经颈淋巴结清扫或肿块部分切除术后病理确诊结核。39例患者均予标准抗结核治疗半年,随访1年未见复发。结论原发性颈淋巴结结核缺乏特异性症状,初步诊断可借助T-SPOT检查,确诊仍需结核杆菌培养阳性、穿刺细胞学或组织病理结果,治疗应采用世界卫生组织(WHO)推荐的6个月治疗方案,当伴有脓肿、窦道或溃疡型结核时,应结合手术治疗,可有效缩短术后抗结核治疗时间、减少药物用量及不良反应。