In recent years, the diagnosis and treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has entered a brand-new era due to the advancement of diagnosis methods and the emergence of targeted drugs and immunotherapy drugs. The author described and summarized in detail the screening program, diagnostic thought and procedure, clinical staging, mechanism of targeted and immune therapy and application range of HCC.
ObjectiveTo summarize the treatment strategies and clinical experiences of 5 cases of giant plexiform neurofibromas (PNF) involving the head, face, and neck. MethodsBetween April 2021 and May 2023, 5 patients with giant PNFs involving the head, face, and neck were treated, including 1 male and 4 females, aged 6-54 years (mean, 22.4 years). All tumors showed progressive enlargement, involving multiple regions such as the maxillofacial area, ear, and neck, significantly impacting facial appearance. Among them, 3 cases involved tumor infiltration into deep tissues, affecting development, while 4 cases were accompanied by hearing loss. Imaging studies revealed that all 5 tumors predominantly exhibited an invasive growth pattern, in which 2 and 1 also presenting superficial and displacing pattern, respectively. The surgical procedure followed a step-by-step precision treatment strategy based on aesthetic units, rather than simply aiming for maximal tumor resection in a single operation. Routine preoperative embolization of the tumor-feeding vessels was performed to reduce bleeding risk, followed by tumor resection combined with reconstructive surgery. Results All 5 patients underwent 1-3 preoperative embolization procedures, with no intraoperative hemorrhagic complications reported. Four patients required intraoperative blood transfusion. A total of 10 surgical procedures were performed across the 5 patients. One patient experienced early postoperative flap margin necrosis due to ligation for hemostasis; however, the incisions in the remaining patients healed without complications. All patients were followed up for a period ranging from 6 to 36 months, with a mean follow-up duration of 21.6 months. No significant tumor recurrence was observed during the follow-up period. Conclusion For patients with giant PNF involving the head, face, and neck, precision treatment strategy can effectively control surgical risks and improve the standard of aesthetic reconstruction. This approach enhances overall treatment outcomes by minimizing complications and optimizing functional and cosmetic results.
The majority of incidentally found and screen-detected lung cancer is manifested as ground-glass nodule (GGN), which is more likely to be detected in the young people, women and non-smokers. An appropriate management strategy for GGN can not only reduce the mortality of lung cancer but also minimize overtreatment. Although most of persistent GGNs are finally diagnosed as adenocarcinoma or precursor glandular lesions, the GGN-featured lung cancer is characterized as indolent growth or even non-growth. Therefore, scheduled follow-up might be safe for the special radiologic type under a certain condition. We should design the individualized diagnosis and treatment strategy for each patient. The treatment decision-making depends on various factors, including invasion, dynamic change, efficacy and safety of the treatment, as well as physical and psychic condition of the patients. Different from other types of lung cancer, the indolent feature of GGN-featured lung cancer allows a long time to intervene. Therefore, the determination of proper timing for intervention should be made cautiously. Surgical resection is still the principal treatment for GGN-featured lung cancer. However, there is still no consensus on the optimal surgical approach for GGN-featured lung adenocarcinoma. Currently, sublobar resection without lymphadenectomy has been recommended to the patients with precursor glandular lesions. In light of the GGN-featured lung cancer which generally represents a local lesion, local ablation therapies have been used in those patients, especially in the ones who are inoperable or refuse to undergo surgery. The percutaneous local ablation includes different techniques: radiofrequency ablation, microwave ablation and argon-helium cryoablation. The local ablation is safe, minimally invasive and repeatable. In addition, it offers the advantage to biopsy and treatment synchronously. Percutaneous ablation has the potential to be an alternative of surgery to cure GGN-featured lung cancer based on emerging evidences. The efficacy of transbronchial ablation guided by ultrasound or electromagnetic navigational system in the treatment of GGN-featured lung cancer has been primarily validated. As a developing technology, it might be a promising approach but needs further exploration. With the advance in ablation technology, we do believe that the interventional therapy will play an equal role as surgery in curative treatment of GGN-featured lung cancer in the future. Personalized treatment considering the condition of patients and the features of the lesion will maximize the benefit of every patient. This article will explore the diagnosis and treatment strategies of GGN on the basis of further understanding of GGN, and introduce the application of ablation therapy in GGN from the perspective of respiratory intervention.
End-stage renal disease is a late complication of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and one of the leading causes of high mortality worldwide. Over the years, the impacts of gut microbiota and their associated uremic toxins on kidney diseases through the intricate “gut-kidney axis” have been extensively studied. However, translation of microbiome-related omics results into specific mechanisms is still a significant challenge. In this paper, we review the interaction between gut microbiome and blood purification, as well as the current microbiota-based therapies in CKD. Additionally, the current sequencing technologies and progresses in the gut microbiome research are also discussed.
ObjectiveTo report the short-term outcomes of a standardized, simplified and reproducible strategy of mitral valvuloplasty (MVP), which was focused on leaflet foldoplasty and anatomic anomalies of congenital mitral regurgitation (MR).MethodsConsecutive 74 patients who underwent MVP by our standardized strategy in our institution from 2016 to 2018 were included retrospectively. There were 30 males and 44 females with a median age of 18.5 (6-146) months and weight of 15.4 (7-51) kg.ResultsAnatomic anomalies of MR included: (1) subvalvular apparatus: 72 (97.3%) patients with mal-connected chordae tendineae, 31 (41.9%) with absent chordae tendineae and 14 (18.9%) with fused or dysplastic papillary muscle; (2) leaflet: 10 (13.5%) patients with cleft of anterior leaflet, 61 (82.4%) with leaflet prolapse including 56 (91.8%) with anterior leaflet prolapse; (3) annulus: 71 (95.9%) patients with annular dilatation. Leaflet foldoplasty was performed in 61 (82.4%) patients with leaflet prolapse. All patients were successfully discharged and 4 (5.4%) patients were with moderate MR. The follow-up time was 22.0 (9.1-41.8) months. During the follow-up period, 3 patients had moderate MR and 1 patient had reoperation for severe MR. All patients were in normal cardiac function with a mean left ventricular ejection fraction of 66.0%±6.1%. In addition, the mean left ventricular end-diastolic dimension was 31.8±6.0 mm, which was significant smaller than that before the operation (t=6.090, P<0.000 1).ConclusionThe standardized leaflet foldoplasty with resection of mal-connected chordae tendineae and posterior annuloplasty technique is safe and feasible with favorable short-term outcomes in MR patients.
Objective To evaluate the application of surgical strategies for the treatment of cervical ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) involving the C2 segment. Methods The literature about the surgery for cervical OPLL involving C2 segment was reviewed, and the indications, advantages, and disadvantages of surgery were summarized. Results For cervical OPLL involving the C2 segments, laminectomy is suitable for patients with OPLL involving multiple segments, often combined with screw fixation, and has the advantages of adequate decompression and restoration of cervical curvature, with the disadvantages of loss of cervical fixed segmental mobility. Canal-expansive laminoplasty is suitable for patients with positive K-line and has the advantages of simple operation and preservation of cervical segmental mobility, and the disadvantages include progression of ossification, axial symptoms, and fracture of the portal axis. Dome-like laminoplasty is suitable for patients without kyphosis/cervical instability and with negative R-line, and can reduce the occurrence of axial symptoms, with the disadvantage of limited decompression. The Shelter technique is suitable for patients with single/double segments and canal encroachment >50% and allows for direct decompression, but is technically demanding and involves risk of dural tear and nerve injury. Double-dome laminoplasty is suitable for patients without kyphosis/cervical instability. Its advantages are the reduction of damage to the cervical semispinal muscles and attachment points and maintenance of cervical curvature, but there is progress in postoperative ossification. Conclusion OPLL involving the C2 segment is a complex subtype of cervical OPLL, which is mainly treated through posterior surgery. However, the degree of spinal cord floatation is limited, and with the progress of ossification, the long-term effectiveness is poor. More research is needed to address the etiology of OPLL and to establish a systematic treatment strategy for cervical OPLL involving the C2 segment.
Objective To explore the clinical value, latest research progress, and clinical controversy of total neoadjuvant therapy (TNT) in locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC). Method We searched and reviewed on the latest literatures about studies of the clinical research of TNT in LARC. Results TNT could make the tumor downstage rapidly and improve the patients’ treatment compliance. In terms of organ preservation rate, 3-year disease-free survival and pathological complete remission rate, TNT had advantages and was a especial potential treatment strategy compared with traditional methods. Conclusions TNT decreases local recurrence rate and improves the long-term survival. For LARC patients with strong desire for organ preservation, TNT is a good treatment choice and has the value of clinical promotion.
Surgery is the only effective treatment for congenital choledochal cysts, as it allows for the resection of the cysts, the complete relief of cholangitis, and the prevention of canceration of cysts. The key elements of surgery for central choledochal cysts involve the cysts resection, bile-intestinal anastomosis, and biliopancreatic diversion. The difficulty in operating on central choledochal cysts lies in the rational decision making and effective management of cysts in the hilar and pancreatic regions. Depending on the type of central choledochal cysts with different anatomical patterns, a reasonable and feasible individualized surgical management strategy can be established to effectively avoid adverse therapeutic consequences such as postoperative biliary leakage, cholangio-intestinal anastomotic stricture, residual choledochal cysts and its carcinogenesis.
ObjectiveTo systematically elucidate the resistance mechanism of targeted drug therapy for breast cancer and to discuss future direction of optimized treatment strategies. MethodA literature review on targeted therapy for breast cancer had been conducted based on recent domestic and international research. ResultsContemporary breast cancer targeted therapies mainly comprised human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-directed agents, CDK4/6 inhibitors, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B/mechanistic target of rapamycin pathway blockers, poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors, and immune checkpoint modulators, etc. While these agents had conferred subtype-specific survival benefits, resistance developed through target mutations, compensatory signaling, epigenetic alterations, drug efflux pumps, among other mechanisms. Emerging strategies for reversing drug resistance included dual-targeted approaches (such as trastuzumab in combination with pertuzumab), dynamic monitoring of drug-resistant gene mutations by liquid biopsy, epigenetic modulators, etc. ConclusionsDrug resistance remains a key bottleneck limiting long-term efficacy of breast cancer targeted therapy. Future research should integrate multi-omics approaches to decipher tumor heterogeneity, implement combinatorial multi-target inhibition with real-time monitoring of multidimensional interventions, and leverage artificial intelligence to predict resistance evolution. This integrated strategy is expected to enable personalized combination therapies, ultimately overcoming drug resistance and improving patient survival outcomes.
ObjectiveTo investigate and analyze the strategies for choosing venous access devices for critically ill patients. MethodsThe medical staffs in ICU were required to fulfill a questionnaire on the knowledge and application of venous access devices in critically ill patients in May 2015.A descriptive statistical analysis was carried out on the answers generated from the questionnaire using SPSS 19.0 software. ResultsA total of 50 questionnaires were distributed randomly and 46 valid questionnaires were recovered.The effective response rate was 92.0%.The proportion of junior, intermediate and senior medical staffs was 80.4%, 13.0% and 6.6%, respectively.The proportion of doctors and nurses was 39.1% and 60.9%, respectively.The average seniority was (5.7±4.9)years.The proportion of ICU medical staffs who were acquainted with PIV, ACVC, PICC, TCVC, PORT and Midline was 100.0%, 100.0%, 100.0%, 69.6%, 43.5% and 13.0%, respectively.The proportion of ICU medicial staffs who would take the styles of drug, the time of treatment, the patients' condition and the costs into consideration when choosing venous access devices was 100.0%, 100.0%, 64.0% and 18.0%, respectively.91.3% and 39.1% of ICU medical staffs would choose PIV and ACVC respectively if the time of treatment was less than 1 week.56.5%, 69.6% and 26.1% of ICU medical staffs would choose PIV, ACVC and PICC respectively if the time of treatment was between 1 and 4 weeks.30.4%, 39.1%, 82.6% and 32.6% of ICU medical staffs would choose PIV, ACVC, PICC and PORT respectively if the time of treatment was more than 4 weeks.52.2% of ICU medical staffs were acquaint with the styles and the indication of antibiotic coating central venous catheter.The main reasons for infusion failure were poor vascular condition (91.3%), old age (52.2%), skin lesions (39.1%) and pipeline plugging (26.1%).The main reasons for choosing the peripheral vein were lower risk of infection (87.0%), short-term treatment (82.6%), common transfusion (78.3%) and antibiotic treatment (47.8%).The main reasons for choosing central venous infusion were irritant drugs (82.6%), peripheral vascular puncture difficulty (69.6%), long-term infusion (65.2%) and hemodynamic monitor (56.5%). ConclusionsIt is difficult to establish a vascular access for critically ill patients.The ICU medical staffs are experienced to PIV, ACVC and PICC but not to Midline, TCVC and PORT.A comprehensive evaluation is essential to choose a suitable and reliable venous access device for critically ill patients.