Chinese medical journal
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Chinese medical journal · Jan 2014
Meta AnalysisValue of diffusion-weighted imaging in distinguishing pancreatic carcinoma from mass-forming chronic pancreatitis: a meta-analysis.
Several previous studies have shown that diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) can provide additional information for focal pancreatic lesions by demonstrating more restricted diffusion in solid malignant tumors than in chronic pancreatitis, which can be indicated by a decreased apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC). However, these studies have a modest sample size and convey inconclusive results. The aim of this study was to determine, in a meta-analysis, the diagnostic performance of quantitative diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging in distinguishing pancreatic carcinoma from mass-forming chronic pancreatitis. ⋯ DWI may be a potentially technically feasible tool for differentiating pancreatic carcinoma from mass-forming chronic pancreatitis. However, large-scale randomized control trials are necessary to assess its clinical value.
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Chinese medical journal · Jan 2014
Review Meta AnalysisPerformance of K-ras mutation analysis plus endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration for differentiating diagnosis of pancreatic solid mass: a meta-analysis.
Difficulties persist in differentiating pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas (PDAC) from pancreatic inflammatory masses (PIM). Auxiliary diagnostic techniques which enhance the endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) diagnostic yield have been attempted, for example, K-ras mutation analysis. We aimed to evaluate the accuracy of K-ras mutation analysis combined with EUS-FNA for the differential diagnosis of PDAC and PIM by pooling data of existing trials. ⋯ Combining K-ras mutation analysis with routine cytology moderately improves the ability of EUS-FNA to differentially diagnose between PDAC and PIM, especially for patients with suspected PDAC yet inconclusive EUS-FNA findings, and may prove to be a valuable supplemental method to EUS-FNA.
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Chinese medical journal · Jan 2014
Review Meta AnalysisComparison of the clinical and radiological outcomes following midvastus and medial parapatellar approaches for total knee arthroplasty: a meta-analysis.
Controversy still exists regarding whether medial parapatellar approach (MP) or midvastus approach (MV) is preferable in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) up to now. The aim of this meta-analysis was to compare the clinical and radiological outcomes following the MV or MP for TKA. ⋯ MV may be a better approach than MP, as it improves postoperative early joint function and decreases pain. Future multi-center randomized controlled studies with large sample sizes are required to verify the current findings.
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Chinese medical journal · Jan 2014
Meta AnalysisErtapenem versus ceftriaxone for the treatment of complicated infections: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Ertapenem has been demonstrated to be highly effective for the treatment of complicated infections. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of ertapenem with ceftriaxone. ⋯ Ertapenem can be used as effectively and safely as ceftriaxone for the treatment of complicated infections. It is an appealing option for the treatment of these complicated infections.
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Chinese medical journal · Jan 2014
Meta AnalysisRole of non-contrast balanced steady-state free precession megnetic resonance angiography compared to contrast-enhanced megnetic resonance angiography in diagnosing renal artery stenosis: a meta-analysis.
Balanced steady-state free precession MR angiography (b-SSFP MRA) has shown great promise in diagnosing renal artery stenosis (RAS) as a non-contrast MR angiography (NC-MRA) method. However, results from related studies are inconsistent. The purpose of this meta-analysis was to assess the accuracy of b-SSFP MRA compared to contrast-enhanced MR angiography (CE-MRA) in diagnosing RAS. ⋯ In contrast to CE-MRA, the b-SSFP MRA is more accurate in diagnosing RAS, and may be able to replace other diagnostic methods in patients with renal insufficiency.