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Objectives The objective of the study was to determine the clinical utility of 320-detector row volume-computed tomographic angiography (VCTA) in the management of intracranial aneurysms. Methods Between February 2011 and May 2015, 550 patients successfully underwent 320-detector row VCTA for suspected intracranial aneurysms. Three-dimensional (3D) digital subtraction angiography (DSA) was used as the ultimate reference standard, and the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of both nonsubtracted and subtracted VCTA in identifying aneurysms were analyzed. Results Nonsubtracted VCTA identified 417 aneurysms (2 false-positive readings, 12 false-negative readings). The diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of non-subtracted VCTA, on a per-aneurysm basis, were 97.2%, 99.0%, and 97.6%, respectively. Subtracted VCTA identified 426 aneurysms (2 false-positive readings, 3 false-negative readings). The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of subtracted VCTA, on a per-aneurysm basis, were 99.3%, 99.0%, and 99.2%, respectively. No differences in diagnostic accuracy were found between subtracted VCTA and 3D DSA. Nonsubtracted VCTA, however, was observed to be significantly less sensitive than 3D DSA and subtracted VCTA. Twenty-six aneurysm cases were referred for surgical treatment based on VCTA imaging. All aneurysms were deemed completely occluded during surgical clipping. On the basis of VCTA imaging, 299 aneurysms were found suitable for endovascular coiling, of which 293 aneurysms (98%) were treated successfully. Conclusions The 320-detector row subtracted VCTA technique is an effective, first-line diagnostic imaging modality for surgical and endovascular treatment of aneurysms. The nonsubtracted VCTA was less accurate than the subtracted VCTA, especially for intracranial aneurysms adjoining bone tissue.

Background The immunologic benefits of laparoscopic common bile duct exploration (LCBDE) for choledocholithiasis are poorly understood. The aim of the present study was to investigate immunologic changes during LCBDE using primary suture or T-tube drainage. Methods Patients with choledocholithiasis undergoing laparoscopic primary suture of the common bile duct after LCBDE (primary suture group) or laparoscopic LCBDE with choledochotomy plus T-tube drainage (T-tube group) at a single center between June 2008 and June 2011 were included in the present study. Blood samples were collected 24 h preoperatively, and 24 and 72 h postoperatively to assess interleukin 6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) as inflammation markers. Immunosuppression was evaluated using C-reactive protein and leukocyte subpopulations. Results Patients were 60 ± 17 y old in the primary suture group (56 men and 76 women) and 54 ± 20 y old in the T-tube group (50 men and 58 women). In the primary suture group, three patients (2.3%) required open surgery and six (4.5%) developed postoperative bile leakage. In the T-tube group, two patients (1.9%) required open surgery and four (3.7%) had bile leakage. Operation time and hospital stay were shorter in the primary suture group (P