Oncotarget
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To retrospectively evaluate the diagnostic performance of shear wave elastography (SWE) and thyroid imaging reporting and data system (TI-RADS) in differentiating malignant and benign thyroid nodules. A total of 313 thyroid nodules in 227 patients were included. All thyroid nodules were underwent SWE and TI-RADS before fine needle aspiration biopsy and/or surgery. ⋯ The one is "tandem" method, which has a higher specificity (95.80%), positive likelihood ratio (18.16) and positive predictive value (96.73%). The other one is "parallel" method, which shows sensitivity (94.85%), negative likelihood ratio (0.07) and negative predictive value (90.00%). We believe that the methods could be used as a simple tool to stratify the risk of thyroid nodules accurately.
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Currently, patients with radioiodine refractory differentiated thyroid cancer (RAIR-DTC) have limited treatment options. In this study, we aimed to assess the short-term efficacy and safety of apatinib in RAIR-DTC. Ten adult patients were prospectively enrolled to receive oral apatinib (750 mg q.d). ⋯ No severe AE related to apatinib was observed during treatment. Hence, apatinib seems to be a promising therapeutic option for RAIR-DTC patients. Apart from RECIST 1.1 criteria, the biochemical marker (Tg) and glucose metabolism index (SUVmax) could be adopted in assessing the early response to TKI in RAIR-DTC.
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Review Meta Analysis
Diagnostic value of using 18F-FDG PET and PET/CT in immunocompetent patients with primary central nervous system lymphoma: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) and PET/CT have become two of the most powerful tools for malignant lymphoma exploration, but their diagnostic role in primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) is still disputed. The purpose of our study is to identify the usefulness of 18F-FDG PET and PET/CT for detecting PCNSL. ⋯ 18F-FDG PET and PET/CT showed considerable accuracy in identifying PCNSL in immunocompetent patients and could be a valuable radiological diagnostic tool for PCNSL.
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Mixed cryoglobulinemia syndrome (MC) is a systemic vasculitis involving kidneys, joints, skin, and peripheral nerves. While many autoimmune, lymphoproliferative, and neoplastic disorders have been associated with this disorder, hepatitis C virus (HCV) is known to be the etiologic agent in the majority of patients. Therefore, clinical research has focused on anti-viral drugs and, more recently, on the new, highly potent Direct-acting Antiviral Agents (DAAs). ⋯ Biologic agents have raised hopes for more manageable therapeutic approaches, and Rituximab (RTX), an anti CD20 monoclonal antibody, is the most widely used biologic drug. It has proved to be safer than conventional immunosuppressants, thus substantially changing the natural history of HCV-associated cryoglobulinemic vasculitis by providing long-term remission, especially with intensive regimens. The present review focuses on the new therapeutic opportunities offered by the combination of biological drugs, mainly Rituximab, with DAAs.
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To assess the feasibility of computed tomography (CT)-guided localization using a specific long dual-barbed hookwire in resection of pulmonary nodules with the size of 20mm or less by video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) and to discuss the necessity of early treatment of small pulmonary nodules by VATS. ⋯ The CT-guided Hook-wire localization for pulmonary nodules with the size of 20 mm or less is an effective and safe technique to assist VATS. Once small pulmonary nodules change in size or number, it is necessary to treat in an early and aggressive way with minimally invasive surgery.