Objective To explore the feasibility of children age dependent chest tube voltage settings for optimizing radiation dose and image quality in digital radiography (DR). Methods Children aged 0 to 14 who visited the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University from January, 2008 to December, 2010, were divided into the following 5 age groups: 0~, 1~, 3~, 7~, and 11~14-year-old, and each group was then randomly assigned to the optimization and control groups to take DR by computer. DR in automatic exposure control with different tube voltage depending on children age; the control group: DR in automatic exposure control with conventional fixed tube voltage. The dose area product (DAP) was adopted for the measurement of radiation dose, while the visual grading analysis score (VGAS) was for image quality. Then SPSS 17.0 was applied for statistical analysis. Results A total of 2 450 children were initially included. Finally there were 2 415 children included in the anteroposterior chest image in this study, and the other 35 children were excluded for their anatomical characteristics could not be showed due to serious primary diseases. There were 1 202 patients in the optimization group and 1 213 patients in the controlled group. The mean DAP in the optimization group was lower than that in the control group with a significant difference (t= –4.967, P=0.008). The mean VGAS in the optimization group was higher than that in the control group with a significant difference (t= 23.738, P=0.000). Conclusion Children age dependent tube voltage settings can effectively reduce radiation dose and improve image quality at the same time.
ObjectiveTo improve the efficacy of colon doublecontrast barium enema examination by using digital gastrointestinal machine and modified enema techniques. MethodsSixtyfour patients were examined on digital remote controlled gyration table, with oral coloncleansing preparation and selfmade disposable plastic bag. Results In 64 patients, up to 93.8% were found with none or little fecal materials in the cecum and ascending colon. 80% of the results were scored excellent, and 95% were accurate for making diagnosis. All the patients underwent the examination successfully. ConclusionDigital gastrointestinal machine examination combined with modified hypotonic doublecontrast barium enema is a simple, convenient and efficient way to clearly demonstrate colonic mucosa, and help increase the detection and diagnosis rate.
Objective To compare the bronchial arteriography through multidetector-row CT (MDCT) with the digital subtraction angiography (DSA) via femoral artery, and evaluate the application value of bronchial arteriography through MDCT in the diagnosis and treatment of hemoptysis. Methods 133 cases complained of hemoptysis were examined by MDCT and DSA via femoral artery respectively to perform bronchial arteriography, and the differences of image results by two methods were compared. Results 129 cases with abnormal bronchial arteries were confirmed by DSA via femoral artery, 117 cases were checked by MDCT [ the positive rate was 90.7% (117/129 ) ] . 117 cases with abnormal bronchial arteries were confirmed by both MDCT and DSA via femoral artery and 4 cases did not detected any abnormal arteries by both methods. The coincidence rate of two methods was 91.0% (121 /133) . MDCT and DSA via femoral artery showed the similar origins of abnormal bronchial arteries. The coincidence rate of two methods was 100% . Conclusions There is a high coincidence rate betweenMDCT and DSA in detecting bronchial artery abnormalities. MDCT shows the origins of abnormal vessels clearly which could be a fist-choice of routine imagination for interventive operation.
Objective To compare the effectiveness of the traditional center of tibial plateau as the entry point and digital technology in the design of intramedullary tibial nail point positioning method in total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Methods Between October 2011 and October 2012, 60 cases undergoing unilateral TKA and meeting the selection criteria were randomly divided into 2 groups: in group A (30 cases), the tibial plateau center as the entry point of tibial intramedullary positioning was used; in group B (30 cases), Mimics 10.01 software to simulate the guide rod point of tibial intramedullary positioning was used. There was no significant difference in gender, age, etiology, disease duration, sides, and preoperative knee range of motion, Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) score, and Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) between 2 groups (P gt; 0.05). Postoperative X-ray films were taken to measure the tibiofemoral angle and tibial angle; knee range of motion, and HSS and WOMAC scores were used to assess the activity of knee. Results The entry point of group B was located in front of the center of tibial plateau, which was inconsistent with the traditional entry point. The incision healed by first intention in all patients of 2 groups. The patients were followed up 6 to 12 months (mean, 8.6 months). The X-ray measurement at 1 week after operation showed no significant difference in tibiofemoral angle between 2 groups (t= — 6.65, P=0.72), but the anteroposterior and lateral tibial angles of group A were significantly lower than those of group B (P lt; 0.05). The knee range of motion, HSS score, and WOMAC score of 2 groups were significantly higher at 3 and 6 months after operation when compared with preoperative values (P lt; 0.05), and the values at 6 months were significantly increased than those at 3 months after operation (P lt; 0.05). HSS score and WOMAC score had no significant difference between 2 groups at 3 months after operation (P gt; 0.05), but the scores of group B were significantly higher than those of group A at 6 months (P lt; 0.05). The knee range of motion of group B was significantly better than that of group A at 3 months after operation (t=2.13, P=0.04), but no significant difference was found between 2 groups at 6 months (t=0.58, P=0.56). Conclusion Compared with the traditional intramedullary guide rod insertion point positioning, digital individualized design of entry point positioning has the advantages of more accurate lower limb force line, better recovery of knee function, and earlier 90°activities, but the long-term effectiveness needs further observation.
Objective To study digitize design of custom-made radial head prosthesis and to verify its matching precision by the surgery of preoperative three-dimensional (3-D) virtual replacement. Methods Six healthy adult volunteers (3 males and 3 females, aged 25-55 years with an average of 33 years) received slice scan of bilateral elbow by Speed Light 16-slice spiral CT. The CT Dicom data were imported into Mimics 10.0 software individually for 3-D reconstruction image, and the left proximal radial 3-D image was extracted, the mirror of the image was generated and it was split into 2 pieces: the head and the neck. The internal diameter and the length of the radial neck were obtained by Mimics 10.0 software measurement tools. In Geomagic Studio 12 software, the radial head was simulated to cover the cartilage surface (1 mm thickness) and generated to an entity. In UG NX 8.0 software, the stem of prosthesis was designed according to the parameters above and assembled head entity. Each custom-made prosthesis was performed and verified its matching precision by the surgery of preoperative 3-D virtual replacement. Results Comparing the morphology of 6 digitize custom-made prostheses with ipsilateral radial heads by the 3-D virtual surgery, the error was less than 1 mm. The radial head prosthesis design on basis of the contralateral anatomy was verified excellent matching. Conclusion The 3-D virtual surgery test and the digitized custom-made radial head prosthesis will be available for clinical accurate replacement.
Objective To investigate the therapeutic effect of V-Y advancement flap pedicled with dorsal cutaneous branch of digital artery for skin defect at the same dorsal finger. Methods Between January 2008 and February 2010, 15 cases of skin defect at the same dorsal finger were treated. There were 9 males and 6 females, aged 15-72 years (mean, 43 years). Defect was caused by saw machine in 6 cases, machines crush in 7 cases, and cutting nodule in 2 cases. The locationswere distal dorsal finger in 2 cases, middle dorsal finger in 6 cases, and proximal dorsal finger in 7 cases. All cases compl icated by exposure of tendon and bone. The size of defect ranged from 0.8 cm × 0.5 cm to 1.4 cm × 1.0 cm. The interval between injury and operation was 3-8 hours. All fingers were treated by V-Y advancement flap from the dorsal cutaneous branch of digital artery, which size was 1.2 cm × 0.8 cm-2.5 cm × 1.0 cm, and the donor site was directly sutured. Fracture reductionand Kirschner wire for internal fixation were performed in the patients with fracture; extensor tendon was repaired with 4-0 thread in the patients with tendon injury. Results All flaps survived completely. The incisions of donor and recipient sites healed by first intention. Ten cases were followed up 6 months to 2 years after operation. The flaps had good texture, color, and appearance; 2-point discrimination of the V-Y flap was 10-12 mm. X-ray examination showed that all finger fractures healedsuccessfully in 5 cases, with an average bone union time of 6 weeks (range, 5-8 weeks). According to the criteria for function assessment by total active motion, the results were excellent in 8 cases, good in 1, and fair in 1 with an excellent and good rate of 90%. Conclusion It is an ideal method to treat skin defect at the same dorsal finger with V-Y advancement flap pedicled with dorsal cutaneous branch of digital artery.
Objective To discuss the effectiveness of distal palm perforator mini-flap in the treatment of scar contracture of digital web-spaces. Methods Between August 2008 and March 2010, 6 cases of scar contracture of digital web-spaces were treated, including 4 males and 2 females and aging 16-68 years (mean, 45 years). The causes were burn injury, twisting injury, and crush injury in 2 cases, respectively. The disease duration was from 3 months to 3 years. The affected digital web-spaces were from index finger to middle finger in 2 cases, from middle finger to ring finger in 3 cases, and from ring finger to small finger in 1 case. The maximum abduction degree of digital web-spaces was 5-10°. The sizes and the depths of reshape of digital web-spaces disappeared. The defect size ranged from 20 mm × 8 mm to 30 mm × 13 mm after opening digital web-spaces. The size of the distal palm perforator mini-flap ranged from 25 mm × 10 mm to 35 mm × 15 mm. The donor sites were sutured directly. Results All 6 flaps survived and got primary heal ing. Incisions at donor sites healed by first intention. All patients were followed up 6-12 months. The reconstructed digital web-spaces had good appearance and soft texture. The range of motion of metacarpophalangeal joint was normal. The sizes and the depths of reshape of digital web-spaces were similar to normal ones. The maximum abduction degree of digital web-spaces was 40-60°. There was no scar contracture of incision of palm. The shapeof flaps and function of the fingers were satisfactory after 6-12 months of follow-up. Conclusion It is an ideal method to treat scar contracture of digital web-spaces with distal palm perforator mini-flap.
Objective To observe the complication after embolizing the bilateral internal il iac arteries and the median sacral artery of dogs by different combinations and embolization levels with gelfoam particle, and to provide a reference for safety appl ication of gelfoam in cl inic. Methods Sixteen common grade adult healthy dogs (weighing 10-13 kg, 14 males and 2females) were randomly divided into 5 groups. Under the monitoring of digital subtraction angiography (DSA), the embolization was performed with gelfoam particle (diameter, 50-150 μm) in bilateral internal il iac arteries and the main branch of the median sacral artery (group A, n=3), in bilateral internal il iac arteries and the first branch of the median sacral artery (group B, n=3), in the main branch of bilateral internal il iac arteries (group C, n=3), in the unilateral internal il iac artery and the main branch of the median sacral artery (group D, n=4), and in the main branch of unilateral internal il iac artery (group E, n=3). Under the DSA, the anatomic relationships of the abdominal aorta, bilateral external il iac arteries, bilateral internal il iac arteries, and median sacral artery were observed before embol ization. The survival dogs were observed and the specimens of bladder, rectum, sciatic nerve, and gluteal muscles were harvested for the general and histological observations at 3 days after embolization. Results In dogs, there was no common il iac artery; bilateral external il iac arteries originated from the abdominal aorta and the starting of the median sacral artery had variation. Seven dogs (3 in group A, 3 in group C, and 1 in group D) died within 2 days after embolization, and the others survived to the end of the experiment. In the dead dogs of groups A, C, and D, the darkening and necrosis of the rectum were observed; the bladder presented lamellar obfuscation and focal hemorrhage and edema; and the median urinary volume in bladder was 270.6 mL. In survival dogs, no obvious change was observed in the rectum; the bladder only manifested l ight edema; and the median urinary volume in bladder was 137.0, 220.5, and 28.0 mL, respectively in groups B, D, and E.The rectum and bladder of dead dogs in groups A, C, and D manifested the disrupted cells, generous inflammatory cells infiltration, and desquamation of epithel ial cells; the rectum and bladder of survival dogs in groups B, D, and E manifested l ight inflammatory cells infiltration and edema; the embol ized artery mainly focused on the arterioles whose diameter was 100-200 μm. The sciatic nerve and gluteal muscles of each group had no obvious change except for l ight edema. Conclusion When the internal il iac artery and median sacral artery are embol ized with gelfoam particle with a diameter of 50-150 μm, to ensure the safeness of pelvic organs, the embol ized artery can not exceed the first branch when the 3 arteries are embol ized at the same time, or reserve at least unilateral internal il iac artery when embol ized to the trunk , or it will result in pelvic organ necrosis and perforation.
Objective?To compare the double dorsal phalangeal flap (DDPF) with the combination of digital neurovascular island flap (NVIF) and first dorsal metacarpal artery flap (FDMA) in terms of repairing digit degloving injury.?Methods?From October 2005 to March 2008, DDPF was used to repair 9 patients (9 fingers) with degloving injury of the thumb and index finger and completely amputated thumb and index finger (group A). From August 1996 to June 2007, NVIF and FDMA were used to repair 13 patients (13 fingers) with the thumb degloving injury and completely amputated or necrotic thumb (group B). In group A, there were 7 males and 2 females aged 19-48 years old, there were 4 cases of thumb and index finger degloving injury repair and 5 cases of completely amputated thumb and index finger reconstruction, the skin defect ranged from 6.0 cm × 3.5 cm to 7.0 cm × 4.5 cm, and the interval between injury and operation was 3-10 hours. The size of DDPF harvested during operation was 4.0 cm × 3.5 cm-5.0 cm × 4.0 cm. In group B, there were 10 males and 3 females aged 18-50 years old, there were 5 cases of thumb degloving injury repair and 8 cases of completely amputated or necrotic thumb reconstruction, the skin defect ranged from 6.0 cm × 3.0 cm to 7.0 cm × 4.5 cm, and the interval between injury and operation was 3 hours-5 days, and the size of NVIF and FDMA harvested during operation was 3.5 cm × 3.0 cm-5.0 cm × 4.0 cm. The donor site was repaired with the full-thickness skin graft.?Results?All the flaps survived uneventfully except for 1 case in group A suffering from venous crisis 1 day after operation and 2 cases in group B suffering from FDMA artery crisis 4-12 hours after operation. Those flaps survived after symptomatic treatment. All the wounds healed by first intention. All patients in two groups were followed up for 1-12 years (average 3.2 years). All the donor sites were normal except for 3 cases in group B suffering from flexion contracture deformity of the proximal interphalangeal joint due to the scar contracture in the margin of NVIF donor site. According to Allen test, the skin temperature and color of the donor fingers in two groups were normal under room temperature; 1 case of group A and 6 NVIF donor fingers of group B were pale and cold under ice water. According to sensory recovery evaluation system, 16 fingers in group A were graded as S4, 1 as S3+, and 1 as S2; while in group B, 3 NVIF fingers were graded as S3, 6 NVIF fingers as S2, 4 NVIF fingers as S1, and 13 FDMA fingers as S4. The appearance of the recipient flap was satisfactory and the color was similar to the surrounding skin. The skin temperature and color of the flaps in two groups were normal under room temperature; 2 cases of group A and 4 recipient fingers of group B were pale and cold under ice water. In group A, all the palmar flap of the recipient finger achieved the reorientation of the recipient flap sensation; while in group B, 8 cases achieved the reorientation of the recipient flap sensation, and 5 cases had double sensation. For the two-point discrimination of the flap, group B was superior to that of group A in terms of the palmar aspect (P lt; 0.05), no significant difference was evident between two groups in terms of the dorsal aspect (P gt; 0.05), and the palmar aspect of each group was superior to the dorsal flap (P lt; 0.05).?Conclusion?DDPF is less invasive to donor finger, easy to be operated, able to partially restore the sensory of the injured finger, and suitable for the repair of the degloving injury of the thumb and the index finger. Combination of NVIF and FDMA can restore the fine sensory of recipient palmar flap better and is applicable for those patients suffering from digital nerve defects from the proximal phalanx and with high demand for the recovery of thumb sensory.
To assess the rel iabil ity of diabetic cutaneous ulcer surface area (DCUSA) measurement usingdigital planimetry method (A) and transparency tracing method (B). Methods Images of diabetic cutaneous ulcers from35 inpatients with diabetic skin ulcers from September 2005 to April 2007 were taken by a digital camera once a week or twice a week over a period of 12 weeks, resulting in 305 photographs; the ulcers were traced on a grid with acetate wound tracings, simultaneously. A total of 305 pairs of DCUSA which were calculated respectively throughout digital camera combined with Image J medical imaging software and transparency tracing with grid sheet by two independent observers sequentially were obtained. The intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs, one-way random effect model) was used as an indicator of chancecorrected agreement to estimate the relative rel iabil ity for the interobserver data. Multiple l inear regression analysis was also used to measure the relationship of these two methods. Results DCUSA obtained from method A and obtained from method B was (4.84 ± 7.73) cm2 and (5.03 ± 7.89) cm2, respectively; no significant difference was found (P gt; 0.05). ICCs was high (ICCs=0.949 for method B and 0.965 for method A), indicating that the relative rel iabil ity for the interobserver was excellent. The method A were highly correlated with measurements obtained from method B (r = 0.957, P lt; 0.05). Conclusion The digital planimetry method described in this study represents a simple, practical, without any wound damage and contamination, and inexpensive technique to accurately evaluate the areas of diabetic cutaneous ulcers. The photographic technique combined with Image J medical imaging software should be considered for wound measurement.