ObjectiveTo preliminarily evaluate the feasibility of ultra-wide-angle fundus imaging (UWFI) to observe the Weiss ring (vitreous floats) and the effectiveness and safety of neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd: YAG) laser ablation in the treatment of symptomatic Weiss ring. MethodsA retrospective clinical study. From March 2016 to December 2019, 80 eyes of 68 patients with symptomatic Weiss ring who were diagnosed and treated at Guangzhou Aier Eye Hospital were included in the study. Among them, there were 39 eyes in 32 males and 41 eyes in 36 females; the average age was 53.7±10.8 years old. All the affected eyes were examined by slit lamp microscope combined with 90 D front lens and UWFI. The position and shape of the vitreous floating objects by drawing pictures were recorded. All the affected eyes underwent Nd: YAG laser ablation treatment. Three months after treatment, a questionnaire survey was conducted on the patients to assess the improvement of subjective symptoms. Those with a total score of 10, 7-9, 3-6, and ≤2 points were defined as cured, significant improvement, partial improvement, and no improvement, respectively. The measurement software Gauge 1.0 was used to manually measure the long diameter, circumference and area of the vitreous float on the UWFI image. The diameter of the optic disc to 1 Unit (U) was set as a standardized reference value. Those who did not show UWFI and no floating objects were found on the front mirror were recorded as 0. The changes of vitreous floats before and after treatment were compared by Wilcoxon rank sum test; the changes in their size before and after treatment and the patients' subjective symptom improvement scores after treatment were analyzed by Spearman rank correlation. ResultsAfter treatment, in 80 eyes, there were no vitreous floats in 59 eyes (73.8%, 59/80) on UWFI. Before treatment, the circumference of the vitreous float was 1.84 (1.07, 2.64) U, the long diameter was 1.17 (0.84, 1.66) U, and the area was 0.18 (0.08, 0.30) U2; after treatment, the circumference was 0.00 (0.00, 0.23) U, The long diameter is 0.00 (0.00, 0.23) U, and the area was 0.00 (0.00, 0.01) U2. There were statistically significant differences in the perimeter, diameter, and area of floating objects before and after treatment (Z=−7.722, −7.560, −7.655; P＜0.001). The results of the questionnaire survey showed that the patient's subjective symptoms were cured, significantly improved, and partially improved in 49 (61.3%, 49/80), 25 (31.2%, 25/80), and 6 (7.5%, 6/80) eyes, respectively. The results of correlation analysis showed that the degree of improvement of the patient's subjective symptoms was related to the circumference (r=0.812), long diameter (r=0.796), and area (r=0.791) of the vitreous float on UWFI before and after treatment (P＜0.01). During the follow-up period, no complications such as increased intraocular pressure or decreased vision occurred. ConclusionsUWFI can objectively image the Weiss ring, and its size can be quantified relatively to the measurement software. Nd: YAG laser ablation treatment of symptomatic Weiss ring is safe and effective.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the feasibility and security of endovascular repair of abdominal aorta using branched stent graft in a novel in vitro vascular model. MethodsThe branched stent graft for the abdominal aorta was designed. The novel in vitro vascular model was established to test this stent graft. Attempts were made to optimize the procedure of stent graft and to evaluate the feasibility of this device. The branched stent graft for abdominal aorta was tested by a novel in vitro vascular model. The number of stent graft released and expanded was recorded respectively. The pressure and situation of branch vessels were assessed before and after stent graft released. The endoleak during releasing process was observed by digital subtraction angiography (DSA). ResultsThe stent graft was successfully deployed in the novel in vitro vascular model. The releasing process was all properly achieved (100%, 30/30). The pressure changes of branch vessels were no statistical significances (P > 0.05) between before and after stent graft released. The stent grafts were well landed, and were fully expanded and properly positioned by DSA. No endoleak occurred. ConclusionThe branched stent graft for abdominal aorta in a novel in vitro vascular model is safe and feasible.
ObjectiveTo investigate the diagnostic value of intra-intestinal angiography CT in patients with anastomotic leakage (AL) after rectal cancer resection.MethodsPatients who admitted to The Department of General Surgery of The No. 900 Hospital of The Joint Logistic Team from January 2013 to October 2018, who were diagnosed with rectal cancer and underwent rectal cancer resection with sphincter preserving surgery, were retrospectively collected in the study. All patients underwent routine imaging examination on the 7th day after rectal cancer operation. The retrograde contrast enema (RCE) was performed to obtain the abdominal X-ray film, then the pelvic CT scan was performed to get the CT image of the intestinal lumen. The films were reviewed by 2 senior radiologists, and the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of RCE and intra-intestinal angiography CT in the diagnosis of AL after rectal cancer resection were evaluated. Evaluated the sensitivity of the CT image feature to predict AL after rectal cancer resection.ResultsThe sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV of RCE in the diagnosis of AL after the rectal cancer resection were 69.23% (18/26), 98.64% (218/221), 85.71% (18/21), and 96.46% (218/226) respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV of intra-intestinal angiography CT were 96.15% (25/26), 99.09% (219/221), 92.59% (25/27), and 99.54% (219/220) respectively. The sensitivity and NPV of intra-intestinal angiography CT in diagnosis of AL were significantly higher than those of RCE (P<0.05). The sensitivity of contrast agent leakage to diagnosis of AL was the highest, reaching 96.15% (25/26).ConclusionsThe sensitivity of intra-intestinal angiography CT in the diagnosis of AL is high and the overall diagnostic efficiency is better than RCE, and the leakage of contrast agent is the main imaging feature of AL. It is significant to guide the clinical practice.