Objective To analyze the status of applying diagnostic test in imaging scientific study internationally and domestically, and to compare the application of the image diagnostic studies of our country with that of abroad. Method We hand-searched the diagnosis tests published in the "Chinese Journal of Radiology", the most influential in China, and in "Radiology’’, the most influential abroad, from 1998 to 1999 respectively. Then we evaluated each of the diagnosis tests according to the international standards. Results We searched 408 original articles in "Chinese Journal of Radiology" in which the diagnostic test articles were 12%, and 796 original articles in "Radiology" with the diagnostic test articles 23% from 1998 to 1999 respectively. In these diagnosis tests, by comparing the "Chinese journal of radiology" with the "Radiology", it was found that 19% applied blind comparison with Gold Standard, 28% calculated sensitivity, specificity and accuracy, 9% both calculated negative predictive value and positive predictive value and none calculated likelihood ratios in the former versus 64%, 57%, 33% and 26% and 3% respectivdy in the latter. Conclusions Compared with the international level, both the quality and the quantity of the diagnosis tests applied in the specialty of imaging scientific study in China are much lower and far from meeting the clinical requirement. Improving the methods of scientific study and carrying on more diagnosis tests with high qualities are of important significance in improving the diagnostic level of imaging.
ObjectiveTo investigate the CT and MR imaging features and distribution characteristics of lymphatic nodal involvement in patients with gallbladder carcinoma. MethodsThirtyseven histopathologically proven cases of gallbladder carcinoma with regional lymphatic nodal enlargement in upper abdomen were included into the study. The lymph nodal short diameter of equal to or larger than 10 mm was used as the criteria for positive lymphadenopathy. Thirtyone cases underwent contrastenhanced spiral CT scanning, 6 cases had MR imaging studies. CT and MR images were jointly evaluated by three radiologists with especial attention to the size and location of enlarged lymph nodes in upper abdomen.ResultsThe enlarged lymph nodes were observed in four anatomic locations in the upper abdominal region. ①The retroportal and retropancreatic group in which lymph nodes were located along the cystic duct and common bile duct, in the portocaval space and behind the pancreatic head. ②The celiac group in which enlarged nodes distributed along the common hepatic artery and surrounded the celiac trunk. ③The mesenteric group in which lymph nodes assembled at the mesenteric root and around the superior mesenteric vessels. ④The abdominal aorta group in which lymph nodes scattered at the left side of abdominal aorta and in the aortocaval space at the level of the left renal vein. The spiral CT visualization rates for the above 4 groups of lymphadenopathy were 89.1%(33/37), 78.3%(29/37), 29.8%(11/37) and 51.3%(19/37) respectively.ConclusionCT and MR can clearly depict the four location sites of lymphadenopathy in patients with gallbladder carcinoma, which closely reflects the three major lymphatic spreading pathways of gallbladder carcinoma, namely, the cholecystoretropancreatic, cholecystoceliac and cholecystomesenteric routes.
Objective To study the feasibil ity and rel iabil ity of the multi-plannar reformation (MPR) of multispiral CT (MSCT) in measuring the kyphosis angle (KA) after thoracolumbar fracture. Methods From December 2007 to December 2009, 45 thoracolumbar fracture patients who underwent computed radiology (CR) and MSCT were recruited. There were 32 males and 13 females with a mean age of 48 years (range, 24-63 years), including 36 simple compression fractures and 9 burst fractures. The fracture locations were T11 in 6 cases , T12 in 11 cases, L1 in 20 cases, and L2 in 8 cases. Fracture was caused by trafffic accident in 25 cases, by fall ing from height in 12 cases, and by others in 8 cases. The imaging examination was performed after 2 hours to 7 days of injury in 22 cases and after more than 7 days in 23 cases. The KA was measured on the lateral X-ray films of CR and MPR by two observers, then the measurements were done again after three weeks. The data were statistically analyzed. Results The average KA values on CR by two observers were (20.75 ± 8.31)° and (22.49 ± 9.07)°, respectively; showing significant difference (P lt; 0.05), and the correlation was good (r=0.882, P lt; 0.05). The average KA values on MPR by two observers were (16.65 ± 8.62)° and (17.08 ± 7.88)°, respectively, showing no significant difference (P gt; 0.05), the correlation was excellent (r=0.976, P lt; 0.05). The average KA values on CR and MPR were (21.61 ± 8.43)° and (16.87 ± 8.20)°, respectively; showing significant difference (P lt; 0.05), the correlation was good (r=0.852, P lt; 0.05). Conclusion It is more feasible and rel iable in measuring the KA on MRP of MSCT than CR, but the value is larger on CR.