To analyze the cl inical effect of retained copper needles well as neoplasm l igation, retained copper needles associated with Pingyangmycin injection and inserted copper needles followed by DC in treating hemangiomaso as to treat hemangioma with copper needles. Methods From January 1999 to January 2006, 55 cases of hemangioma in superficial body were treated with copper needles, including 28 males and 27 females and aging 3-50 years(median 19 years). There were 42 cases of cavernous hemangiomas, 4 cases of racemose hemangiomas and 9 cases of multipl icate hemangiomas. The size ranged from 6 cm × 4 cm to 40 cm × 25 cm. Retaining copper needles were used in 29 cases, retaining copper needles with l igating neoplasm in 21 cases, retaining copper needles associated with Pingyangmycin injection in 3 cases and inserting copper needles followed by DC in 2 cases. Results Fifty cases were treated with copper needles only once and 5 cases twice. All cases were followed up for three to eighteen months. According to Wang Yongjie’s criterion, 15 (27.3%) cases were cured, 38 (69.1%) improved, and 2（3.6%）failed to respond; the response rate was 96.4% (53). Conclusion Copper needle is efffective for treating hemangioma in superficial body. Retaining copper needles with l igation neoplasm or with Pingyangmycin injection can achieve better effect.
Objective To explore the changes in the serum Cu2+and the indexes for the liver pathology and biochemistry before and after the copper needle retained in the central veins of the rabbit ears. Methods Fortynine New Zealandrabbits were randomly divided into 5 groups: Group A (copper needles retained for 1 d), Group B (3 d), Group C (5 d), Group D (7 d), and Group E (the control group, without any copper needles retained). In each experimental group, there were 10 rabbits, and in the control group there were 9 rabbits. The rabbits in each group were arranged to have their venous blood drawn for determination of theCu2+concentration, and for observation on the changes in the liver biochemicalindexes for 5 times before and after the copper needles were retained in the central veins of the rabbit ears. At the same time, a piece of the liver tissue ineach rabbit was taken for examination of the pathological changes. All the liver samples were given the basic pathological examination; if the liver sample hadsome extraordinary pathological features, the specific pathological examinationwould be given, even using the transmission electron microscope. Results After the copper needles were retained in the central veins of the rabbit ears, the Cu2+concentration increased with the passing time. The concentrations in the groups were 1.40±0.49 μg/ml in Group A, 1.45±0.53 μg/ml in Group B, 2.01±0.40 μg/ml in Group C, 2.38±0.83 μg/ml in Group D, and 1.34±0.45 μg/mlin Group E, respectively. There was a statistically significant difference between Group D and Group E(P＜0.05). There were no significant changes in the ALT and AST levels when compared with those before the copper needles were retained(P＞0.05); however, there was a considerably positive correlation on 1st day (r=0.686, P＜0.05), 5th day (r=0.712, P＜0.05), and 7th day (r=0.768, P＜0.01) when compared with those after the copper needles were retained. The histological examination showed that aseptic inflammation subsided with the time in part of the liver. The Masson staining and the Ag staining showed that there were no obvious changes in the hepatic lobules, with no fibrosis of the liver tissues found under light microscope. Conclusion There are no obvious toxic and side effects on the rabbit liver after the copper needles are retained in its central veins.
OBJECTIVE To investigate the mechanism of electrothrombosis by copper needle, in order to supply the referential data for clinical treatment of vessel deformity. METHODS The mechanism and condition of thrombus formation by copper needle were studied in vivo and in vitro using electrophysics, atom absorption spectrophtometry, histological, and histochemical methods. RESULTS Great deal of copper ion was dissociated, and agglutination of red blood cells(RBC) in blood could be observed in vitro after the current applied by copper needles. Formation of stable thrombus was related to voltage and time of application of electric current. CONCLUSION Dissociation of copper ion and agglutination of RBC are the basic principle of electrothrombosis with copper needle. A 4V direct current and 17.5 minutes are the safe and effective conditions for thrombus formation in the blood vessels.