Diffusion tensor imaging and auditory tractography to evaluate cochlear implant candidacy: a pilot study.

Background: Conventional radiological evaluation does not evaluate the functional status of the auditory pathway in patients scheduled for cochlear implantation (CI).

Objectives: Determine the value of diffusion tensor imaging [DTI] in the preoperative evaluation of some patients scheduled for CI.

Material And Methods: Patients with profound SNHL and inner ear and/or cochlear nerve anomalies or long standing SNHL were selected.

The role of circulating tumor cells and K-ras mutations in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer: a prospective study.

Rectal cancer is a common malignancy with a relatively poor prognosis. We assessed the possible prognostic and predictive role(s) of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and K-ras mutations in locally advanced rectal carcinoma (LARC) patients. CTCs number and K-ras mutation status were assessed in the Peripheral blood and tumor tissue samples of 60 patients with LARC compared to control group (normal rectal mucosa).