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The study aimed to compare the tumor response to and complications of doxorubicin-eluting CalliSphere bead-transarterial chemoembolization (DEB-TACE) using small- and medium-sized beads in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who underwent multiple rounds of oncology therapies. Sixty patients with intermediate stage HCC who had previously received multiple oncology therapies underwent DEB-TACE with CalliSpheres of 100–300 μm (small bead group, n = 34) or 300–500 μm (medium bead group, n = 26) in diameter between October 2016 and December 2018. Adverse events and the response rate of the index tumor based on the modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors at 3 months post-TACE were compared between the groups. The rates of complete response, partial response, stable disease, and progressive disease were 35.4%, 29.4%, 17.6%, and 17.6%, respectively, for the small bead group and 33.1%, 23.1%, 20.8%, and 23.0%, respectively, for the medium bead group, showing no significant between-group differences (P > 0.05). Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 4.0 grade 3/4 adverse events were reported in 8 patients in the small bead group and in no patients in the medium bead group, showing a significant group difference (P

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.

Rationale: Most patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) have lost the chance of radical treatment at the time of their visit, and the prognosis of metastatic HCC is even worse. Sorafenib is currently regarded as a first-line systemic therapy in patients with advanced and metastatic HCC. Apatinib is a new inhibitor of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 tyrosine kinase, which has been reported to be effective in some solid tumors. We herein report a case of apatinib in the treatment of the patient with metastatic HCC who was resistant to sorafenib. Patient concerns: A 41-year-old Chinese man with a history of chronic hepatitis B had undergone an emergency partial hepatectomy for tumor ruptured. Despite the treatment with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization and sorafenib, the progression of tumor failed to control. Diagnoses: Although the patient had been treated with sorafenib (400 mg, twice daily) for 10 months, computed tomography documented radiological progression. Interventions: Due to disease progression, failure of sorafenib and positive expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), the drug regimen was changed to apatinib 250 mg once daily. Due to some degree of resistance, the dose was increased up to 425 mg once daily. Outcomes: The patient had a disease-free progression of 7 months at 250 mg apatinib. The dosage was adjusted to 425 mg due to drug resistance and the side effects were tolerable. The patient has survived a total of 19 months under apatinib. Lessons: Apatinib may be a substitute for the HCC patients with sorafenib resistance in the future, especially for those with high expression of VEGF.

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

OBJECTIVEThe study aimed to assess the diagnostic accuracy of 320-detector row nonsubtracted and subtracted volume CT angiography (VCTA) in detecting small cerebral aneurysms (< 3 mm) compared with 3D digital subtraction angiography (3D DSA).METHODSSix hundred sixty-two patients underwent 320-detector row VCTA and 3D DSA for suspected cerebral aneurysms. Five neuroradiologists independently reviewed VCTA and 3D DSA images. The 3D DSA was considered the reference standard, and the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of nonsubtracted and subtracted VCTA in depicting small aneurysms were analyzed. A p value < 0.05 was considered a significant difference.RESULTSAccording to 3D DSA images, 98 small cerebral aneurysms were identified in 90 of 662 patients. Nonsubtracted VCTA depicted 90 small aneurysms. Ten small aneurysms were missed, and 2 small aneurysms were misdiagnosed. The missed small aneurysms were located almost in the internal carotid artery, near bone tissue. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of nonsubtracted VCTA in depicting small aneurysms were 89.8%, 99.2%, and 96.5%, respectively, on a per-aneurysm basis. Subtracted VCTA depicted 97 small aneurysms. Three small aneurysms were missed, and 2 small aneurysms were misdiagnosed. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of subtracted VCTA in depicting small aneurysms were 96.9%, 99.2%, and 98.6%, respectively, on a per-aneurysm basis. There was no difference in accuracy between subtracted VCTA and 3D DSA (p = 1.000). However, nonsubtracted VCTA had significantly less sensitivity than 3D DSA and subtracted VCTA (p = 0.039 and 0.016, respectively).CONCLUSIONSSubtracted 320-detector row VCTA is sensitive enough to replace 3D DSA in the diagnosis of small cerebral aneurysms (< 3 mm). The accuracy rate of nonsubtracted VCTA was lower than that of subtracted VCTA and 3D DSA, especially in the assessment of small internal carotid artery aneurysms adjacent to the skull base.

To assess the accuracy of 320-detector row nonsubtracted and subtracted volumetric computed tomographic (CT) angiography for detection of cerebral aneurysms.After institutional review board approval and informed written consent were obtained, 282 consecutive patients suspected of having cerebral aneurysms underwent CT angiography with a 320-detector row volumetric CT scanner and three-dimensional (3D) rotational digital subtraction angiography (DSA). The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of nonsubtracted and subtracted volumetric CT angiography for depiction of aneurysms were analyzed, with 3D DSA as the reference standard. P values less than .05 were considered to indicate a significant difference.Among the 282 patients, 198 (70.2%) had 239 cerebral aneurysms that were detected on the basis of 3D DSA. Nonsubtracted volumetric CT angiography showed 231 of the 239 (96.7%) aneurysms. The primary reason for missed aneurysms was close proximity to bone tissue. Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of nonsubtracted volumetric CT angiography for depicting aneurysms were 96.7%, 100%, and 97.5%, respectively, on a per-aneurysm basis. Subtracted volumetric CT angiography showed 237 of 239 (99.2%) aneurysms. Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of subtracted volumetric CT angiography for depicting aneurysms were 99.2%, 100%, and 99.4%, respectively, on a per-aneurysm basis. There was no statistically significant difference in accuracy between subtracted volumetric CT angiography and 3D DSA (P = .500). However, nonsubtracted volumetric CT angiography was significantly less sensitive than 3D DSA and subtracted volumetric CT angiography (P = .031 and .008, respectively).Subtracted 320-detector row volumetric CT angiography provides excellent sensitivity for detection of cerebral aneurysms and should be the first-line imaging technique for the noninvasive evaluation of aneurysms. The accuracy of nonsubtracted volumetric CT angiography was lower than that for subtracted volumetric CT angiography, especially for aneurysms adjacent to bone tissue.