PurposeWe evaluated the usefulness of color Doppler flow imaging to compensate for the inadequate resolution of the ultrasound (US) monitoring during high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).Materials and methodsUS-guided HIFU ablation assisted using color Doppler flow imaging was performed in 11 patients with small HCC (<3 lesions, <3 cm in diameter). The HIFU system (Chongqing Haifu Tech) was used under US guidance. Color Doppler sonographic studies were performed using an HIFU 6150S US imaging unit system and a 2.7-MHz electronic convex probe.ResultsThe color Doppler images were used because of the influence of multi-reflections and the emergence of hyperecho. In 1 of the 11 patients, multi-reflections were responsible for the poor visualization of the tumor. In 10 cases, the tumor was poorly visualized because of the emergence of a hyperecho. In these cases, the ability to identify the original tumor location on the monitor by referencing the color Doppler images of the portal vein and the hepatic vein was very useful. HIFU treatments were successfully performed in all 11 patients with the assistance of color Doppler imaging.ConclusionColor Doppler imaging is useful for the treatment of HCC using HIFU, compensating for the occasionally poor visualization provided by B-mode conventional US imaging.

No abstract

No abstract

The review of the literature on Cheyne-Stokes respiratory periods reveals enormous variation of the opinions expressed. The original description concerned periodicity characterized by rhythmic changes of respiratory phases and respiratory pauses in a relation of 60 : 15 seconds. In the respiratory phase there were 30 respirations of increasing depths and frequency at the beginning of the phase and decreasing depths and frequency at the end of the phase. Literature data about Cheyne-Stokes respiration comprise a multiplicity of all rhythymic forms. The duration of respiratory cycles varies between 12 and 130 seconds. The relation of the respiratory phase and respiratory pause between 6 : 4 or 75 : 70 seconds, and the number of breaths between 3 and 30 during one respiratory phase. Cheyne-Stokes periods were observed in health subjects as well as in patients with neurological, neurosurgical, cardiac, pulmonary and paediatric diseases. Cheyne-Stokes periods were explained as sequel of prolongation of circulation time between pulmonary alveoli and respiratory centre, through increased sensitivity of the respiratory centre to CO2, diminished sensitivity of the respiratory centre to CO2 and O2-deficit, local blood flow disturbances, section of pathways in the brain stem with disinhibition of basic rhythms, brain immaturity, alterations of consciousness, and respiratory obstructions. Rhythmic changes of the heart beat, of excitability of the heart muscle, of blood pressure, of EEG and of neurological and mental signs were observed. In spite of numerous observations detailed analysis of the respiratory cycle was performed in only a few cases. Major studies are lacking.

No abstract