Preoperative transarterial chemoembolization and resection for hepatocellular carcinoma: a nationwide Taiwan database analysis of long-term outcome predictors.

Background: To explore long-term predictors of outcome after TACE and resection in a population of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods: A total of 648 had received TACE before liver resection (TACE group) while 10,431 patients had received liver resection without TACE (LR group). Propensity scores were calculated by entering the patient data into a logistic regression model for predicting HCC outcomes.

Breast cancer detection of large size to DCIS by hypoxia and angiogenesis using NIRS.

This investigation aimed to test all tumor-bearing patients who undergo biopsy to see if angiogenesis and hypoxia can detect cancer. We used continuous-wave near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) to measure blood hemoglobin concentration to obtain blood volume or total hemoglobin [Hbtot] and oxygen saturation for the angiogenesis and hypoxic biomarkers. The contralateral breast was used as a reference to derive the difference from breast tumor as a difference in total hemoglobin Δ[HBtot] and a difference in deoxygenation Δ([Hb]-[HbO2]).

Central clot score at computed tomography as a predictor of 30-day mortality after acute pulmonary embolism.

Introduction: The severity of acute pulmonary embolism can be assessed with computed tomography (CT) using clot burden estimation. We compared the existing CT obstruction scores with an in-house developed central clot score for the prediction of 30-day pulmonary embolism (PE)-related mortality.

Materials And Methods: In 125 consecutive patients [47 men, 78 women; mean age +/- standard deviation (SD, 60.

Prospective randomized comparative evaluation of proximal valve polyurethane and distal valve silicone peripherally inserted central catheters.

Purpose: The objective of this study was to evaluate and compare the relative durability and complications between the proximal valve polyurethane and distal valve silicone peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs).

Methods: Institutional review board approval was obtained. A total of 326 patients (mean age, 50.

Preliminary study on biomechanics of vertebroplasty: a computational fluid dynamics and solid mechanics combined approach.

Study Design: Algorithm development for the automatic finite element modeling of patient vertebra.

Objective: To present a technique for automatic generation of patient specific computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models for intraosseous PMMA cement flow simulation. The secondary objective is to demonstrate the possibility of using resultant PMMA cement distribution for post-PVP stress-strain analyses.

Cranioplasty after trephination using a novel biodegradable burr hole cover: technical case report.

Objective And Importance: We have developed novel biodegradable polymer implants by using the rapid prototyping technology fused deposition modeling. Early results of a clinical pilot study for cranioplasty are presented.

Clinical Presentation: Five patients with the diagnosis of chronic subdural hematoma were included in the study.

Lower limb wrapping prevents hypotension, but not hypothermia or shivering, after the introduction of epidural anesthesia for cesarean delivery.

The decrease of arterial blood pressure and body temperature after epidural or spinal anesthesia is thought to be the result of sympathetic block, which could cause pooling and redistribution of blood into the lower extremities. Studies have demonstrated that leg wrapping with elastic bandages may reduce the incidence of hypotension after spinal anesthesia. We tried to extend these previous observations to epidural anesthesia by testing the hypothesis that leg wrapping with elastic bandages should decrease the incidence of hypotension in patients receiving epidural anesthesia.

Reactivation in post-traumatic chronic osteomyelitis: ultrasonographic findings.

Objective: To describe the ultrasound (US) features of reactivation in post-traumatic chronic osteomyelitis in adults.

Methods: Twelve patients with clinical suspicion of reactivation of chronic osteomyelitis, secondary to trauma, surgery, and who were investigated with US were selected for the study. The following US features were assessed: periosseous fluid collection, bone changes (periosteal reactions, cortical irregularity, callus, sequestrum and cloaca) and soft-tissue changes (cellulitis and sinus tracts).