ObjectiveTo investigate the significance of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC value) for pretrea-tment prediction of short-term treatment effect in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who underwent transca-theter arterial chemoembolization (TACE). MethodsA total of twelve HCC patients with twenty-three HCC lesions who underwent TACE in our hospital from May. 2014 to May. 2015 were enrolled prospectively, to explore the difference between pre-and post-TACE in diameter of tumor, ADC value of HCC lesions, ADC value of liver parenchyma, and analyze the predictive significance of ADC value of HCC lesions for TACE in treatment of HCC. ResultsThere were no statistical difference between pre-and post-TACE in diameter of HCC lesions and ADC value of liver parenchyma (P=0.635, P=0.473), but the ADC value of HCC lesions was higher after TACE than pre-TACE (P=0.003). After TACE, the area of necrosis in HCC lesions was≥50% in 17 lesions (73.9%, good effect group), and <50% in 6 lesions (26.1%, poor effect group). Compared with poor effect group, ADC values of HCC lesions in good effect group were both higher before and after TACE (P<0.050). Area under ROC curve (AUC value) of ADC value in HCC lesions before TACE for predicting the effect of TACE was 0.690 (95% CI:0.510-0.879), with the sensitivity and specificity of 82.3% (95% CI:65.5%-93.2%) and 53.8% (95% CI:25.1%-80.8%) respectively, and the demarcation point for good effect and poor effect was 1.24×103 mm2/s. ConclusionThis preliminary study demonstrates that the ADC value of HCC lesions before TACE may be a useful indicator to predict early response of TACE in treatment of HCC.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the comparative cost-effectiveness of thrombolysis treatment of ischemic stroke based on outcomes of CT perfusion (CTP). MethodsWe applied the methods of systematic review to evaluate the studies abroad about the cost effectiveness of CTP diagnosis outcomes used for selecting stroke patients for thrombolysis treatment. We also evaluated the domestic studies about the cost-effectiveness of CTP in China by establishing a decision tree model. ResultsA total of 2 economics studies were included. The results showed that, the cost-effectiveness ratios of CT, CTP and MRI for selecting stroke patients for thrombolysis treatment were 2 983.7 ￡/QALY, 2 951.4 ￡/QALY and 2 982.9 ￡/ QALY, respectively, in the UK; 100 483.5＄/QALY and 99 406.1＄/QALY just for CT and CTP, respectively, in the US; and the evaluation outcomes by establishing the decision tree model showed that, 113 492.4 ￥/QALY, 113 615￥/QALY and 120 831.9 ￥/QALY, respectively, in China. ConclusionAll international and domestic studies' results show that CTP is more cost-effective than CT/MRI in selecting stroke patients for thrombolysis treatment.
ObjectiveTo explore the imaging manifestations of posttransplantation lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD) for making a further understanding of this disease and its imaging diagnosis. MethodsBy the method of litera-ture review, the imaging manifestations of PTLD in the abdomen, thorax, head and neck, and central nervous system were summarized, respectively, and also the epidemiologic features, pathogenesis and pathologic classification were reviewed. ResultsPTLD is a spectrum of lymphoproliferative diseases following transplantation mainly caused by Epstein-Barr virus and immunosuppressive therapy with different pathologic types.Lesions at imaging examinations may be the first clue to diagnose, and the appearance of PTLD at imaging can vary depending on the region. ConclusionImproving the cognition of PTLD and the imaging features plays a pivotal role in identifying the presence of disease, guiding tissue sampling, and evaluating response to treatment.