Can multiphase dynamic CT angiography provide a better assessment of aortic dissection compared with the standard triphasic protocol?

Background Acute aortic dissection (AD) is a life-threatening medical emergency. It has been debated whether the multiphase dynamic computed tomography angiography (CTA) protocol is superior to the standard triphasic protocol for revealing the characteristics of AD. Purpose To examine two multiphase dynamic protocols, Dynamic four-dimensional (4D) CTA using the shuttle mode and Flash 4D CTA using the high-pitch mode for the assessment of AD and to compare them with the standard triphasic protocol.

[Image quality adapted thoracic diameters in CT coronary artery imaging].

Objective: To evaluate the correlation between image quality and thoracic diameters, anteroposterior diameter (AP) and right-left diameter (RL) for the optimization of reducing radiation dose in coronary artery imaging with Dual-source CT.

Methods: 118 patients underwent CT coronary artery imaging (CTCA) were divided into two groups (A and B) according to body mass index (BMI). There were 58 patients in group A with BMI values > or = 25 kg/m2 and < 30 kg/m2; and 60 patients in group B with BMI values < 25 kg/m2.

Earthquake-related injuries: evaluation with multidetector computed tomography and digital radiography of 1491 patients.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the common features of earthquake-related injuries using radiography and computed tomography.

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the radiography and multidetector computed tomography features of 1491 patients injured in 2008 Sichuan earthquake. We categorized patients by age group (<35, 35-64, and ≥ 65 years) and time to imaging.

Effects of formoterol-budesonide on airway remodeling in patients with moderate asthma.

Aim: To evaluate the effect of inhaled formoterol-budesonide on airway remodeling in adult patients with moderate asthma.

Methods: Thirty asthmatic patients and thirty control subjects were enrolled. Asthmatic subjects used inhaled Symbicort 4.

[Determination of seven metal elements in Yunnan wild Schizophyllum commune Fr by atomic absorption spectrometry].

The seven metal elements in Yunnan wild schizophyllum commune Fr, including Zn, Co, Ni, Cu, Fe, Cr and Mg, were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry for providing a scientific basis of the development. The results show that Zn, Co, Ni, Fe, Cr and Mg are relatively rich in schizophyllum commune Fr and the content of Cu is lower. The ratio of the content of Zn to that of Cu is 7.

Correlation between sternal depression and cardiac rotation in pectus excavatum: Evaluation with helical CT.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of the degree of sternal depression on the cardiac rotation of pectus excavatum as depicted with helical CT.

Materials And Methods: Sixty-three patients (53 boys, 10 girls; mean age, 9.7 +/- 7 years) with pectus excavatum who underwent helical chest CT and surgical correction were included in this study.

Crush thoracic trauma in the massive Sichuan earthquake: evaluation with multidetector CT of 215 cases.

Purpose: To determine the multidetector computed tomographic (CT) features of crush thoracic traumas resulting from the massive Sichuan earthquake.

Materials And Methods: This study was approved by the ethics committee of the medical school, and informed consent was waived. A retrospective review was undertaken of 215 multidetector chest CT scans of 112 male and 103 female patients who sustained crush thoracic injuries in the Sichuan earthquake at 2:28 pm Beijing time, May 12, 2008, and were rescued in the authors' hospital.

[Preliminary study of tumor perfusion assessment with multidetector CT in carcinoma of esophagus and cardia].

Objective: To investigate the clinical application of first-pass perfusion MDCT in the assessment of tumor angiogenesis in carcinoma of esophagus and cardia.

Methods: CT perfusion was performed with multi-detector row CT (MDCT) in 44 patients with carcinoma of esophagus and esophagogastric junction, who was diagnosed with pathological results and did not received any anti-tumor therapy. Twenty-one patients with peripheral lung cancer but normal esophagus were served as controls.

[The clinical application of coronary artery calcification score with 64-slice MDCT in the diagnosis of coronary artery disease].

Objective: To study the clinical value of coronary artery calcification score with 64-slice MDCT in the diagnosis of coronary artery disease (CAD).

Methods: 96 subjects including 49 with confirmed CAD (CAD group) and 47 asymptomatic people as control group were recruited between May 2006 and December 2006 by the department of radiology in our hospital. The selective coronary angiography was also performed in 30 subjects including 25 with CAD and 5 asymptomatic people and subsequently divided into three groups (< 50%, 50%-75% and > 75% of maximum degree of vessel occlusion).

Budesonide/formoterol decreases expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and VEGF receptor 1 within airway remodelling in asthma.

Introduction: Angiogenesis and microvascular remodelling may play a vital role in the chronic inflammatory process within asthma. One of the most important factors involved in angiogenesis is vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). In this study we hypothesised that an increased expression of VEGF may be involved in airway remodelling in asthma patients.