BACKGROUND:Thoracic SMARCA4-deficient undifferentiated tumor (SMARCA4-UT) is a newly defined type of epithelial tumor in the 2021 World Health Organization (WHO) fifth edition classification of thoracic tumors, with a low incidence. Currently, its treatment and prognosis remain unclear. Pathologically, it can be distinguished from SMARCA4-deficient non-small cell lung cancer (SMARCA4-dNSCLC) based on histological morphology and immunohistochemistry, yet whether there are differences in their clinical features, sensitivity to radiotherapy, and prognosis remains unknown. This study aimed to analyze the clinical characteristics of patients with SMARCA4-UT and SMARCA4-dNSCLC and to identify prognostic factors. METHODS:A retrospective analysis was performed on pathologically confirmed SMARCA4-UT and SMARCA4-dNSCLC patients with complete follow-up data who were admitted to Shandong First Medical University Affiliated Tumor Hospital from June 2022 to February 2025. The differences in clinicopathological characteristics and imaging findings between the two groups were statistically analyzed, and the impacts of surgery, radiotherapy, immunotherapy, and clinicopathological factors on the prognosis of patients in both groups were assessed. RESULTS:A total of 27 SMARCA4-UT patients and 40 SMARCA4-dNSCLC patients were enrolled. Both groups showed similar biological characteristics in terms of gender, age, smoking history, tumor size, symptoms, stage, presence of pleural metastasis, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and systemic immune-inflammation index (SII). However, there were differences in the predilection sites: SMARCA4-UT occurred more frequently in the mediastinal pleura (22.22%) and right lower lobe (25.93%), while SMARCA4-dNSCLC occurred more frequently in the right upper lobe (25.00%) and left upper lobe (22.50%) (P<0.05). Furthermore, SMARCA4-UT more often presented with local invasion into adjacent structures and more extensive lymph node metastasis (proportion with metastasis in ≥5 lymph node stations: 55.56% vs 27.50%). Both types showed high sensitivity to radiotherapy, with a 6-month local control rate (LCR) of 84.62% vs 83.33% after radiotherapy; the objective response rate (ORR) of immunotherapy was 91.67% vs 68.18% (P>0.05). Regarding survival, the two groups did not show significant differences in progression-free survival (PFS) or overall survival (OS). Cox multivariate regression analysis indicated that surgery could improve the prognosis of both types, while a high NLR (≥3.57) was a predictor of poor prognosis. CONCLUSIONS:SMARCA4-UT and SMARCA4-dNSCLC share similar clinical characteristics and survival outcomes, with minor differences in local invasion, mediastinal lymph node metastasis, and primary tumor location. Surgery improved survival in both groups. Although both tumor types exhibited high sensitivity to radiotherapy, this did not translate into a significant survival benefit for the patients. Pretreatment NLR is a potential prognostic indicator.

BackgroundVaried congenital heart disease (CHD) may induce gut microbiota dysbiosis due to intestinal hypoperfusion or/and hypoxemia. Microbiota dysbiosis has been found in preoperative infants and cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) exacerbated it further. However, the trajectory of gut microbiota from pre- to early post-CPB and one-year later remains unexplored. We examined this trajectory in the two most common CHDs, i.e., left-to-right shunt (ventricular septal defect, VSD) vs. right-to-left shunt (tetralogy of Fallot, TOF).MethodsWe enrolled 13 infants with VSD and 11 with TOF, and collected fecal samples at pre- and early post-CPB. 10 and 12 age- and gender-matched healthy control infants were enrolled respectively. We also enrolled 13 and 9 gender- and CHD diagnosis- and operation-matched one-year post-CPB patients, and 8 age- and gender-matched healthy control children. 16S rRNA sequencing of fecal samples were performed.ResultsCompared to the control groups, both VSD and TOF pre-CPB groups had significantly increased Enterobacteriaceae and Shigella, and decreased Bifidobacterium (Ps ≤ 0.049). No significant change in microbial community diversity was observed between pre- and early post-CPB periods (Ps≥0.227). Compared with early post-CPB, one-year post-CPB groups had significantly increased short-chain fatty acids-producing microbes (Ps ≤ 0.025), and their microbial communities were close to that of the control group (Ps≥0.102). There was no significant difference in microbial communities between VSD and TOF groups in any of 3 periods (Ps≥0.055).ConclusionIn children with VSD or TOF, gut microbiota dysbiosis existed preoperatively and were not significantly altered by CPB. One-year post-CPB, microbiota significantly improved towards normal. Similar microbial communities were found between children with VSD and TOF throughout the perioperative and long-term postoperative periods.

Aims: Multiple genes and environmental factors are known to be involved in congenital heart disease (CHD), but epigenetic variation has received little attention. Monozygotic (MZ) twins with CHD provide a unique model for exploring this phenomenon. In order to investigate the potential role of Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) methylation in CHD pathogenesis, the present study examined DNA methylation variation in MZ twins discordant for CHD, especially ventricular septal defect (VSD). Methods and Results: Using genome-wide DNA methylation pro fi les, we identi fi ed 4004 differentially methylated regions (DMRs) in 18 MZ twin pairs discordant for CHD, and 2826 genes were identi fi ed. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis revealed a list of CHD-associated pathways. To further investigate the role of DNA methylation in VSD, data from 7 pairs of MZ twins with VSD were analyzed. We identi fi ed 1614 DMRs corresponding to 1443 genes associated with arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy, cyclic guanosine monophosphate-protein kinase G (cGMP-PKG) signaling pathway by KEGG analysis, and cell-cell adhesion, calcium ion transmembrane transport by GO analysis. A proportion of DMR-associated genes were involved in calcium signaling pathways. The methylation changes of calcium signaling genes might be related to VSD pathogenesis. Conclusion: CHD is associated with differential DNA methylation in MZ twins. CHD may be etiologically linked to DNA methylation, and methylation of calcium signaling genes may be involved in the development of VSD.

Background Kawasaki disease is a pediatric acute systemic vasculitis that specifically involves the coronary arteries. Timely initiation of immunoglobulin plus aspirin is necessary for diminishing the incidence of coronary artery abnormalities (CAAs). The optimal dose of aspirin, however, remains controversial. The trial aims to evaluate if low -dose aspirin is noninferior to moderate -dose in reducing the risk of CAAs during the initial treatment of Kawasaki disease. Methods This is a multi -center, prospective, randomized, open -label, blinded endpoint, noninferiority trial to be conducted in China. The planned study duration is from 2023 to 2026. Data will be analyzed according to intention -to -treat principles. Participants are children and adolescents under the age of 18 with Kawasaki disease, recruited from the inpatient units. A sample size of 1,346 participants will provide 80% power with a one-sided significance level of 0.025. Qualifying children will be randomized (1:1) to receive either intravenous immunoglobulin (2 g/kg) plus oral moderate -dose aspirin (30-50 mg kg -1 d -1 ) until the patient is afebrile for at least 48 hours, or immunoglobulin plus low -dose aspirin (3-5 mg kg -1 d -1 ) as initial treatment. The primary outcome will be the occurrence of CAAs at 8 weeks after immunoglobulin infusion. Independent blinded pediatric cardiologists will assess the primary endpoint using echocardiography. Conclusions There is a shortage of consensus on the dose of aspirin therapy for Kawasaki disease due to the lack of evidence. The results of our randomized trial will provide more concrete evidence for the efficacy and adverse events of lowor moderate -dose aspirin in the acute phase of Kawasaki disease.

Esophageal carcinoma is a prevalent gastrointestinal malignancy worldwide. Effective treatment agents and procedures are crucial in the current global health problem. Kumatakenin (KM), a key ingredient in traditional Chinese medicinal cloves and Alpinia purpurata, has been widely explored for its therapeutic properties. However, Kumatakenin's oesophageal cancer inhibitory actions and pharmacological molecular mechanisms must be fully explored. The study found that knowledge management (KM) deactivated the E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase TRIM65 to decrease esophageal cancer cell proliferation and delay tumor development. The dosage-dependent suppression of esophageal cancer cell migration and invasion by KM was significant. Potassium monoxide (KM) reduced esophageal cancer growth in a well-established xenograft mouse model. High-throughput RNA sequencing and stable isotope labelling with amino acids in cell cultures (SILAC) were used to identify KM-induced gene dysregulation in esophageal cancer cells. TRIM65, a ubiquitinating enzyme, is essential to esophageal cancer growth. In addition, TRIM65 and FASN are linked in this syndrome. In addition, KM treatments reduced TRIM65 expression, FASN stability, and expression in esophageal cancer cells. Validating these findings in animal model tumor tissues confirmed them. The mechanistic investigation showed that TRIM65 directly connects with FASN in cancer cells, stabilizing FASN via K63-linked polyubiquitination. KM therapy disrupted interaction and stabilization mechanisms, according to this study. The enhanced stability of FASN in esophageal cancer cells enabled lipid synthesis and deposition. This enhanced cancer cell growth and tumor formation. Our findings show that upregulating TRIM65 increases cancer cell proliferation, migration, and invasion and reduces KM's suppressive effects on esophageal cancer. This study shows that TRIM65 inhibition is essential for KM's antineoplastic activities. The results of our study strongly suggest that knowledge management (KM) may treat esophageal cancer. This result comes from suppressing TRIM65-FASN signaling.

Objective Balloon angioplasty (BA) has been the treatment of choice for pulmonary artery stenosis (PAS) in children. There remains, however, a significant proportion of resistant lesions. The ultra-high pressure (UHP) balloons might be effective in a subset of these lesions. In this study, we analyzed the safety and efficacy with short- to mid-term follow-up results of UHP BA for PAS in children with congenital heart defects (CHD) in our center. Methods This is a retrospective cohort study in a single tertiary heart center. Children diagnosed with PAS associated with CHD were referred for UHP BA. All data with these children were collected for analysis with updated follow-up. Results A total of 37 UHP BAs were performed consecutively in 28 children. The success rate was 78.4%. A significantly (P = 0.005) larger ratio of the balloon to the minimal luminal diameter at the stenotic waist (balloon/waist ratio) was present in the success group (median 3.00, 1.64–8.33) compared to that in the failure group (median 1.94, 1.41 ± 4.00). Stepwise logistic regression analysis further identified that the balloon/waist ratio and the presence of therapeutic tears were two independent predictors of procedural success. The receiver operating characteristic curve revealed a cut-off value of 2.57 for the balloon/waist ratio to best differentiate success from failure cases. Signs of therapeutic tears were present in eight cases, all of whom were in the success group. Perioperative acute adverse events were recorded in 16 patients, including 11 pulmonary artery injuries, three pulmonary hemorrhages, and two pulmonary artery aneurysms. During a median follow-up period of 10.4 (0.1–21.0) months, nine cases experienced restenosis at a median time of 40 (4–325) days after angioplasty. Conclusions The UHP BA is safe and effective for the primary treatment of PAS in infants and children with CHD. The success rate is high with a low incidence of severe complications. The predictors of success are a larger balloon/waist ratio and the presence of therapeutic tears. The occurrence of restenosis during follow-up, however, remains a problem. A larger number of cases and longer periods of follow-up are needed for further study.

Objective:To summarize the results of surgical treatment for complete atrioventricular septal defect(CAVSD) in early and middle stages.Methods:147 children with CAVSD in Guangzhou Women and Children’s Medical Center from January 2010 to December 2019 were selected, Males 85, females 62, median age of surgery 5 months(1 months-10 years old), median body mass 5.5 kg(2.4-20.9 kg). Complete atrioventricular septal defect was diagnosed by ultrasonic cardiogram before surgery. All the children underwent atrial ventricular valve formation and underwent simultaneous repair.Outpatient follow-up was planned.Ultrasonic cardiogram and electrocardiogram were performed. SPSS 22 statistical software was used for data analysis.Results:All 147 CAVSD patients underwent one-time surgical correction.Early postoperative death occurred in 7 cases(4.76%). The causes of death were: 3 cases of pulmonary hypertension crisis, 3 cases of severe mitral insufficiency(MI), 1 case of postoperative malignant arrhythmia, and the rest of the children were cured and discharged. Permanent pacemaker was installed in 3 patients due to atrioventricular block(AVB). The follow-up time was 1-10 years old, and 2 patients died in late stage: 1 patient did not seek medical treatment in time due to infection, and 1 patient had unknown cause. Five patients underwent secondary surgery: 4 due to severe mitral/tricuspid insufficiency(MI/TI) and 1 due to delayed AVB. The mid-term follow-up showed 9 cases of severe MI and 4 cases of severe TI. Compared with children with surgical age<3 months and ≥3 months, there were statistically significant differences in postoperative ventilator-assisted ventilation time, severe MI before postoperative discharge and total mortality between the two groups( P<0.05). Mid-term follow-up results showed no difference between the two groups. There were statistically significant differences in surgical age, postoperative CICU stay time and total hospital stay between the children with trisomy 21-syndrome and those without trisomy 21-syndrome( P<0.05), and there was no difference between the two groups in mid-term follow-up results. Residual shunt of 1-3 mm VSD was found in 29 cases, 26 cases were closed during follow-up, and 3 cases had smaller residual shunt. Conclusion:Modified single patch technique treatment of CAVSD has good effect, low mortality and low re-operation rate. But age <3 months group, infant mortality was significantly increased, the duration of postoperative mechanical assisted ventilation was prolonged, and the proportion of early postoperative severe MI was high.Severe MI and TI is easy to occur after CAVSD, which requires long-term follow-up and timely treatment. The children with trisomy 21-syndrome were similar to those with normal chromosome except for longer stay in ICU and total hospital stay.

Objective:To explore the characteristics of gut microbiota in the preoperative, short-term postoperative and long-term postoperative period at (15.61±4.51) months in children with ventricular septal defect (VSD) of congenital heart disease (CHD) treated with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB).Methods:A prospective study was conducted.In Guangzhou Women and Children′s Medical Center, 13 patients with VSD who were scheduled for CPB and additional 10 age- and gender-matched healthy infants as pre-CPB control group from January 2021 to January 2022 were enrolled.Fecal samples were collected at pre- and early post-CPB.Meanwhile, 18 gender- and CHD diagnosis and operation-matched patients at (15.61±4.51) months after CPB and 8 healthy age- and gender-matched children as long-term control group after CPB were also enrolled, and fecal samples were collected.16S rRNA sequencing of fecal samples from all subjects were performed and comparing the differences in gut microbiota between two groups via comparing alpha and beta diversity, parameter test or nonparametric test, and LEfSe analysis.Results:Compared with those of pre-CPB control group, there was a significant difference in the composition of gut microbiota in the preoperative period of VSD children, with significantly increased abundances of Enterobacteriaceae and Shigella, and decreased abundance of Bifidobacterium (all P<0.05). The diversity of gut microbiota was comparable in VSD children before CPB and in the short period time after CPB (all P>0.05), except for the abundances of Clostridium and Streptococcus (all P<0.05), and there was no significant difference in the relative abundances of other highly abundant gut bacteria between the two periods (all P>0.05). Compared with that in VSD children in the short period time after CPB, the abundances of short-chain fatty acids-producing microbes were significantly higher at (15.61±4.51) months postoperatively (all P<0.05), and the gut bacteria profile was similar to that of the long-term control group after CPB (all P>0.05). Conclusions:Gut microbiota imbalance exists in VSD children before CPB.The gut microbiota profile is not influenced by CPB, which returns normal at (15.61±4.51) months postoperatively.

Background and Purpose:This study aimed to investigate inter-/intra-observer delineation variability in GTVs of primary esophageal carcinomas (ECs) based on planning CT with reference to different combinations of diagnostic multimodal images from endoscopy/EUS, esophagography and FDG-PET/CT.Materials and Methods:Fifty patients with pathologically proven thoracic EC who underwent diagnostic multimodal images before concurrent chemoradiotherapy were enrolled. Five radiation oncologist independently delineated the GTVs based on planning CT only (GTVC), CT combined with endoscopy/EUS (GTVCE), CT combined with endoscopy/EUS and esophagography (X-ray) (GTVCEX), and CT combined with endoscopy/EUS, esophagography, and FDG-PET/CT (GTVCEXP). The intra-/inter-observer variability in the volume, longitudinal length, generalized CI (CIgen), and position of the GTVs were assessed.Results:The intra-/inter-observer variability in the volume and longitudinal length of the GTVs showed no significant differences (p>0.05). The mean intra-observer CIgen values for all observers was 0.73 ± 0.15. The mean inter-observer CIgen values for the four multimodal image combinations was 0.67 ± 0.11. The inter-observer CIgen for the four combined images was the largest, showing significant differences with those for the other three combinations. The intra-observer CIgen among different observers and inter-observer CIgen among different combinations of multimodal images showed significant differences (p<0.001). The intra-observer CIgen for the senior radiotherapists was larger than that for the junior radiotherapists (p<0.001).Conclusion:For radiation oncologists with advanced medical imaging training and clinical experience, using diagnostic multimodal images from endoscopy/EUS, esophagography, and FDG-PET/CT could reduce the intra-/inter-observer variability and increase the accuracy of target delineation in primary esophageal carcinomas.

Objective:The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prognosis of patients with anomalous left coronary artery originating from pulmonary artery with varying cardiac function after surgical correction. Methods:This was a single-center retrospective cohort study including 51 patients with anomalous left coronary artery originating from pulmonary artery, all of whom underwent surgery at our center. Results:All 5 deaths occurred in the pre-operative low cardiac function group (n = 39). After corrected by body surface area, parameters such as left coronary artery, right coronary artery, left atrial diameter, left ventricular end-diastolic diameter, left ventricular end-systolic diameter, and main pulmonary artery diameter, were lower in patients in the normal cardiac function group than in the low cardiac function group. The rate of collateral circulation formation was higher in the normal cardiac function group. The proportion of changes of T wave was higher in the low cardiac function group (P = 0.005), and the duration of vasoactive drugs (dopamine, milrinone, epinephrine, nitroglycerin.) was longer in the low cardiac function group. Left ventricular end-diastolic diameter, left ventricular end-systolic diameter, main pulmonary artery diameter, and left atrial diameter were smaller than those pre-operatively (P < 0.05). Left ventricular ejection fraction was higher than that pre-operatively (P = 0.003). The degree of mitral regurgitation in the low cardiac function group was reduced post-operatively (P < 0.001). Conclusion:There was a significant difference between the pre-operative baseline data of the low cardiac function group and the normal cardiac function group. After surgical repair, cardiac function gradually returned to normal in the low cardiac function group. The low cardiac function group required vasoactive drugs for a longer period of time. The left ventricular end-diastolic diameter, left ventricular end-systolic diameter, left atrial diameter, and main pulmonary artery diameter decreased and gradually returned to normal after surgery. The degree of mitral regurgitation in the low cardiac function group was reduced after surgery.

Background and Purpose This study aimed to systematically evaluate the influence of target-related and clinical factors on volume differences and the similarity of targets derived from four-dimensional computed tomography (4DCT) and cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images in lung stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT). Materials and Methods 4DCT and CBCT image data of 210 tumors from 195 patients were analyzed. The internal gross target volume (IGTV) derived from the maximum intensity projection (MIP) of 4DCT (IGTV-MIP) and the IGTV from CBCT (IGTV-CBCT) were compared with the reference IGTV from 10 phases of 4DCT (IGTV-10). The target size, tumor motion, and the similarity between IGTVs were measured. The influence of target-related and clinical factors on the adequacy of IGTVs derived from 4DCT MIP and CBCT images was evaluated. Results The mean tumor motion amplitude in the 3D direction was 6.5 ± 5 mm. The mean size ratio of IGTV-CBCT and IGTV-MIP compared to IGTV-10 in all patients was 0.71 ± 0.21 and 0.8 ± 0.14, respectively. Female sex, greater BSA, and larger target size were protective factors, while the Karnofsky Performance Status, body mass index, and motion were risk factors for the similarity between IGTV-MIP and IGTV-10. Older age and larger target size were protective factors, while adhesion to the heart, coexistence with cardiopathy, and tumor motion were risk factors for the similarity between IGTV-CBCT and IGTV-10. Conclusion Clinical factors should be considered when using MIP images for defining ITV, and when using CBCT images for verifying treatment targets.

Objective:To summarize the institutional experiences of treating severe bradycardia with epicardial permanent pacemaker implantation.Methods:From July 2010 to July 2020, clinical data were retrospectively reviewed for 52 hospitalized children with severe bradycardia. There were 25 boys and 27 girls with a median age of 338(143-1696) days and a median weight of 7.3(5.1-14.3) kg. All operations were performed by the same group of surgeons. Clinical data were processed by SPSS 20.0.Results:There were complete atrioventricular block complicated by cardiac surgery (n=40, 76.9%) , congenital complete atrioventricular block (n=11 , 21.2%) and sick sinus syndrome (n=1). The median follow-up period was 35.3 (11.5-71.4) months. Among these patients 5 (9.6 %) developed complications, 4 (7.7%) died. As compared with immediate postoperative data, pacing impedance declined ( P=0.019) and capture threshold spiked markedly at the last follow-up ( P=0.009). However, pacing function was decent. Conclusion:Epicardial permanent pacemaker implantation is both effective and safe for children with severe bradycardia. There is a low risk of complications and mortality and medium/long-term outcomes are satisfactory. However, clinicians should pay close attention to the problems of pacemaker leading to fracture and dysfunctions.

Background and PurposeThis study aimed to evaluate the geometrical differences in and metabolic parameters of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography–computed tomography (18F-FDG PET-CT) and diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI) performed before and during radiotherapy (RT) for patients with esophageal cancer based on the three-dimensional CT (3DCT) medium and explore whether the high signal area derived from DW-MRI can be used as a tool for an individualized definition of the volume in need of dose escalation for esophageal squamous cancer.Materials and MethodsThirty-two patients with esophageal squamous cancer sequentially underwent repeated 3DCT, 18F-FDG PET-CT, and enhanced MRI before the initiation of RT and after the 15th fraction. All images were fused with 3DCT images through deformable registration. The gross tumor volume (GTV) was delineated based on PET Edge on the first and second PET-CT images and defined as GTVPETpre and GTVPETdur, respectively. GTVDWIpre and GTVDWIdur were delineated on the first and second DWI and corresponding T2-weighted MRI (T2W-MRI)-fused images. The maximum, mean, and peak standardized uptake values (SUVs; SUVmax, SUVmean, and SUVpeak, respectively); metabolic tumor volume (MTV); and total lesion glycolysis(TLG) and its relative changes were calculated automatically on PET. Similarly, the minimum and mean apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC; ADCmin and ADCmean) and its relative changes were measured manually using ADC maps.ResultsThe volume of GTVCT exhibited a significant positive correlation with that of GTVPET and GTVDWI (both p < 0.001). Significant differences were observed in both ADCs and 18F-FDG PET metabolic parameters before and during RT (both p < 0.001). No significant correlation was observed between SUVs and ADCs before and during RT (p = 0.072–0.944) and between ∆ADCs and ∆SUVs (p = 0.238–0.854). The conformity index and degree of inclusion of GTVPETpre to GTVDWIpre were significantly higher than those of GTVPETdur to GTVDWIdur (both p < 0.001). The maximum diameter shrinkage rate (∆LDDWI) (24%) and the tumor volume shrinkage rate (VRRDWI) (60%) based on DW-MRI during RT were significantly greater than the corresponding PET-based ∆LDPET (14%) and VRRPET (41%) rates (p = 0.017 and 0.000, respectively).ConclusionBased on the medium of CT images, there are significant differences in spatial position, biometabolic characteristics, and the tumor shrinkage rate for GTVs derived from 18F-FDG PET-CT and DW-MRI before and during RT for esophageal squamous cancer. Further studies are needed to determine if DW-MRI will be used as tool for an individualized definition of the volume in need of dose escalation.

Objective:To investigate the effectiveness of abdominal compression in tumor motion and the target volume, and analyze the suitable margins of planning target volume (PTV) for patients treated with lung-SBRT based on 4DCT.Methods:Patients diagnosed with peripheral pulmonary tumor were enrolled. The patients were divided into the whole group, upper-middle-lobe group (group A) and the lower-lobe group (group B). Each patient underwent 3DCT, 4DCT with abdominal compression (4DCT com) and 4DCT with free breath (4DCT free) scans. The GTVs were delineated and IGTVs on these images. PTV MIP 5 mm, PTV MIP 4 mm, PTV MIP 3 mm were constructed with a 5, 4, 3 mm margin in left-right (LR), anterior-posterior (AP) directions and cranial-caudal (CC) directions. Results:The median motion vector with compression reduced by 30.92% in whole group, increased by 3.42% in group A and reduced by 18.80% in group B, respectively. And there were no significant differences of TMA LR, TMA AP, TMA CC and motion vector by the Wilcoxon test ( P>0.05). The median sizes of IGTV MIP com , IGTV MIP free and IGTV10 com, IGTV10 free were 4.01, 5.36 cm 3and 6.59, 7.65 cm 3, with statistically significant difference ( Z=-3.45, -3.14, P<0.01). The median ratio of DI of IGTV CBCT com in PTV MIP 5 mm, PTV MIP 4 mm and PTV MIP 3 mm≥95% was 100%, 100% and 83.33%, respectively. Conclusions:The patients′ respiratory pattern changed with abdominal compression and abdominal compression is useful in reducing the size of IGTV MIP and IGTV10, which could reduce the target volume and protect the normal tissue. Adding a 4 mm margin to IGTV MIP com based on 4DCT account for respiration in SBRT is a tendency for precise radiotherapy.

AbstractBackground and purposeWe aimed to analyze the influence of target‐related and clinical factors on lung tumor motion based on four‐dimensional CT (4DCT), and clarify the motion based on subgroups in lung stereotactic body radiation therapy.Materials and methods4DCT image data of 267 tumors from 246 patients were analyzed. The coordinates in the left–right (LR), anterior–posterior (AP), and cranial–caudal (CC) directions of the center of mass (COM) of the gross tumor volumes in 10 phases of 4DCT were measured. The peak‐to‐peak COM displacement in the LR, AP, CC, and 3D directions was calculated. The influence of target‐related and clinical factors on tumor motion was evaluated using multivariate analysis.ResultsThe tumor segment location correlated with the tumor motion in each direction. Tumor size was predictive of tumor motion in the 3D (p = 0.023) and AP directions (p = 0.049). The tumor motion for metastatic tumors was smaller than that for primary tumors in the LR (p = 0.019) and AP directions (p = 0.008). The CC motion for pulmonary surgery recipients (3.8 ± 4.5 mm) was less than that for patients who had not undergone surgery (5.6 ± 5.4 mm), and no significant clinical factor was observed. BSA and BMI were positively correlated with the motion in the CC (p = 0.02) and LR directions (p = 0.002).ConclusionThe tumor segment location was a good predictor of tumor motion. A larger tumor tends to have a smaller motion. Patients with metastatic tumors or those who have undergone pulmonary surgery exhibited smaller and more unpredictable tumor motions, which required individual assessments. Thus, clinical factors can potentially predict tumor motion.

目的 探讨同步加量调强放疗(SIB-IMRT)联合多西他赛顺铂(DP)治疗颈段和胸中上段食管癌疗效,并评估其可行性.方法 选择2009-05-01-2012-07-31山东省肿瘤医院行放化疗治疗的食管癌患者23例,其中肿瘤位于颈段3例,胸上段13例,胸中段7例;肿瘤长度2.5～10 cm,中位长度5.5 cm.放疗采用SIB-IMRT(PTV-G 60.2 Gy/28次;PTV-C 50.4 Gy/28次),放疗同时联合DP方案化疗,共完成2个周期.生存分期采用Kaplan-meier曲线描述,并行Log-rank检验.影响生存单因素分析采用Cox回归.结果 23例患者均坚持至同步放化疗结束.Ⅲ/Ⅳ度骨髓抑制发生率34.8％(8/23),Ⅲ/Ⅳ度急性放射性食管炎发生率30.4％(7/23).1年内3例出现食管瘘.近期疗效评估:完全缓解(CR)7例(30.4％),部分缓解(PR)9例(39.1％),疾病稳定(SD)5例(21.7％),疾病进展(PD)2例(8.7％),近期疾病控制率91.3％(21/23).中位生存时间30个月,1、2、3和5年总生存率(OS)分别为78％、57％、35％和25％.根据近期疗效的不同进一步对比OS,CR患者具有更好的生存情况(χ2=11.641,P=0.009).多因素分析显示,病变位置(HR=0.367,95％CI为0.157～0.859,P=0.021)及近期疗效(HR=3.401,95％CI为1.797～6.436,P<0.001)与生存相关,胸段食管癌预后好于颈段食管癌,近期疗效好的患者OS更高.结论 SIB-IMRT联合DP方案化疗治疗颈段和胸中上段食管鳞癌,近期疗效CR患者具有更好的生存情况.急性毒副作用主要表现为血液学毒性和放射性食管炎,但食管瘘发生率较高,因此具体的分割模式和病例的选择需进一步探讨.

Objective:To evaluate the spatial position and functional parameters of 18F-FDG PET-CT and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) before and during radiotherapy (RT) based on the medium of 3DCT in patients with esophageal cancer and to explore whether the high-signal area derived from DWI can be used for individualized definition of the volume in need of dose-escalation for esophageal cancer. Methods:Thirty-two patients with esophageal cancer treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy or neoadjuvant chemoradiation sequentially underwent repeated 3DCT, 18F-FDG PET-CT and enhanced MRI scans before RT and at the 15 th time of RT. All images were fused with the 3DCT images by deformable registration. The gross tumor volume (GTV) was delineated based on PET Edge on the first and second 3DCT, PET-CT and DWI and corresponding T 2-weighted MRI (T 2W-MRI) fused images, and defined as GTV CTpre and GTV CTdur, GTV PETpre, GTV PETdur, GTV DWIpre and GTV DWIdur, respectively. SUV (SUV max, SUV mean, SUV peak), MTV, TLG, ADC (ADC min and ADC mean) values and △SUV (△SUV max, △SUV mean, △SUV peak), △MTV, △TLG, △ADC (△ADC mean and △ADC min) of lesions were measured before and during RT. Results:The differences in SUV (SUV max, SUV mean, SUV peak), MTV, TLG, ADC mean and ADC min of the GTV before and during RT were statistically significant (all P<0.001). The tumor ADC and SUV values before and during RT showed no significant correlation, and there was no correlation between △ADC and △SUV (both P>0.05). The conformity index (CI) of GTV PETpre to GTV DWIpre was significantly higher than that of GTV PETdur to GTV DWIdur ( P<0.001). The shrinkage rate of maximum diameter (△LD DWI)(24%) and the shrinkage rate of tumor volume (VRR DWI)(60%) based on DWI during RT were significantly greater than the corresponding PET-based △LD PET (14%) and VRR PET (41%)( P=0.017 and P<0.001). Conclusions:The location of high residual FDG uptake based on PET-CT yields poor spatial matching compared with the area with residual high signal based on DWI during RT. Tumor ADC and SUV values may play complementary roles as imaging markers for prediction of patterns of failure and for definition of the volume in need of dose-escalation. In addition, the shrinkage rates of tumor maximum diameter/volume based on DWI during RT are significantly faster than those based on PET-CT. Therefore, the feasibility of selecting boosting of the high signal area derived from DWI for individualized definition of the volume for esophageal cancer is not clear.

Abstract Background This study aimed to investigate the effect of abdominal compression on tumour motion and target volume and to determine suitable planning target volume (PTV) margins for patients treated with lung stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) based on four-dimensional computed tomography (4DCT). Methods Twenty-three patients diagnosed to have a peripheral pulmonary tumour were selected and divided into an all lesions group (group A), an upper middle lobe lesions group (group B), and a lower lobe lesions group (group C). Two 4DCT scans were performed in each patient, one with and one without abdominal compression. Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) was performed before starting treatment. The gross target volumes (GTVs) were delineated and internal gross target volumes (IGTVs) were defined. IGTVs were generated using two methods: (1) the maximum intensity projections (MIPs) based on the 4DCT were reconstructed to form a single volume and defined as the IGTVMIP and (2) GTVs from all 10 phases were combined to form a single volume and defined as the IGTV10. A 5-mm, 4-mm, and 3-mm margin was added in all directions on the IGTVMIP and the volume was constructed as PTVMIP5mm, PTVMIP4mm, and PTVMIP3mm. Results There was no significant difference in the amplitude of tumour motion in the left–right, anterior–posterior, or superior-inferior direction according to whether or not abdominal compression was applied (group A, p = 0.43, 0.27, and 0.29, respectively; group B, p = 0.46, 0.15, and 0.45; group C, p = 0.79, 0.86, and 0.37; Wilcoxon test). However, the median IGTVMIP without abdominal compression was 33.67% higher than that with compression (p = 0.00), and the median IGTV10 without compression was 16.08% higher than that with compression (p = 0.00). The median proportion of the degree of inclusion of the IGTVCBCT in PTVMIP5mm, PTVMIP4mm, and PTVMIP3mm ≥ 95% was 100%, 100%, and 83.33%, respectively. Conclusions Abdominal compression was useful for reducing the size of the IGTVMIP and IGTV10 and for decreasing the PTV margins based on 4DCT. In IGTVMIP with abdominal compression, adding a 4-mm margin to account for respiration is feasible in SBRT based on 4DCT.

BackgroundClinically, many esophageal cancer patients who planned for radiation therapy have already undergone diagnostic Positron-emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) imaging, but it remains unclear whether these imaging results can be used to delineate the gross target volume (GTV) of the primary tumor for thoracic esophageal cancer (EC).MethodsSeventy-two patients diagnosed with thoracic EC had undergone prior PET/CT for diagnosis and three-dimensional CT (3DCT) for simulation. The GTV3D was contoured on the 3DCT image without referencing the PET/CT image. The GTVPET-ref was contoured on the 3DCT image referencing the PET/CT image. The GTVPET-reg was contoured on the deformed registration image derived from 3DCT and PET/CT. Differences in the position, volume, length, conformity index (CI), and degree of inclusion (DI) among the target volumes were determined.ResultsThe centroid distance in the three directions between two different GTVs showed no significant difference (P > 0.05). No significant difference was found among the groups in the tumor volume (P > 0.05). The median DI values of the GTVPET-reg and GTVPET-ref in the GTV3D were 0.82 and 0.86, respectively (P = 0.006). The median CI values of the GTV3D in the GTVPET-reg and GTVPET-ref were 0.68 and 0.72, respectively (P = 0.006).ConclusionsPET/CT can be used to optimize the definition of the target volume in EC. However, no significant difference was found between the GTVs delineated based on visual referencing or deformable registration whether using the volume or position. So, in the absence of planning PET–CT images, it is also feasible to delineate the GTV of primary thoracic EC with reference to the diagnostic PET–CT image.

Background The application of delayed-enhancement magnetic resonance (DE-MR) simulation imaging in lumpectomy cavity (LC) delineation for prone radiotherapy in patients with an invisible seroma or a low seroma clarity score (SCS) after breast-conserving surgery (BCS) based on deformable image registration (DIR) was assessed. Methods Twenty-six patients who were suitable for radiotherapy in prone positions after BCS were enrolled, and both computed tomography (CT) and DE-MR simulation scans were acquired. The LC delineated based on titanium surgical clips on CT images was denoted as LC CT . The LC delineated based on the signal of cavity boundaries on fat-suppressed T2-weighted imaging (T2WI) and multiphase delayed-enhancement T1-weighted imaging (DE-T1WI), which was performed at 2 min, 5 min and 10 min postinjection, were denoted as LC T2 , LC 2T1 , LC 5T1 and LC 10T1 , respectively. Afterwards, DIR was performed to compare the volumes and locations of the LCs with MIM software. The generalized conformity index (CIgen) of inter (intra) observer (Inter-CIgen and Intra-CIgen) was also used to explore the inter(intra) observer variation for LC delineation on each image modality. Results LC CT –LC 10T1 provided the best conformal index (CI) and degree of inclusion (DI), increasing by 2.08% and 4.48% compared to LC CT –LC T2 , 11.36% and 2.94% for LC CT –LC 2T1 , and 8.89% and 7.69% for LC 5T1 –LC CT , respectively. The center of mass (COM) of LC CT –LC 10T1 decreased by 17.86%, 6.12% and 13.21% compared with that of LC CT –LC T2 , LC CT –LC 2T1 and LC CT –LC 5T1 , respectively. The agreement of LC delineation was strongest for 10th min DE-TIWI (coefficient of variation, COV = 2.30%, Inter-CIgen = 87.06%, Intra-CIgen = 92.64%). Conclusion For patients with a low SCS (SCS ≤ 2) after BCS, it is feasible to contour the LC based on prone DE-MR simulation images. Furthermore, the LC derived from prone DE-T1WI at 10 min was found to be most similar to that derived from prone CT simulation scans using titanium surgical clips regardless of the volume and location of the LC. Inter (intra) variability was minimal for the delineation of the LC based on 10th min DE-TIWI.