Diffusion-related IVIM-based parameters might be more helpful than perfusion-related parameters in predicting the early effects of IC and CRT for NPC.

The aim of the study was to investigate the value of intravoxel incoherent motion diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (IVIM-DWI) and dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) in predicting the early and short-term responses to chemoradiotherapy (CRT) in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).Forty-three NPC patients underwent IVIM-DWI and DCE-MRI at baseline (pretreatment) and after the first cycle of induction chemotherapy (posttreatment). Based on whether locoregional lesions were identified, patients were divided into the residual and nonresidual groups at the end of CRT and into the good-responder and poor-responder groups 6 months after the end of CRT. The pretreatment and posttreatment IVIM-DWI parameters (ADC, D, D∗, and f) and DCE-MRI parameters (Ktrans, Kep, and Ve) values and their percentage changes (Δ%) were compared between the residual and nonresidual groups and between the good-responder and poor-responder groups.None of perfusion-related parametric values derived from either DCE-MRI or IVIM-DWI showed significant differences either between the residual and nonresidual groups or between the good-responder and poor-responder groups. The nonresidual group exhibited lower pre-ADC, lower pre-D, and higher Δ%D values than did the residual group (all P <0.05). The good-responder group had lower pre-D and pre-ADC values than did the poor-responder group (both P <0.05). Based on receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, pre-D had the highest area under the curve in predicting both the early and short-term responses to CRT for NPC patients (0.817 and 0.854, respectively).IVIM-DWI is more valuable than DCE-MRI in predicting the early and short-term response to CRT for NPC, and furthermore diffusion-related IVIM-DWI parameters (pre-ADC, pre-D, and Δ%D) are more powerful than perfusion-related parameters derived from both IVIM-DWI and DCE-MRI.

Objectives To explore the efficacy of three-dimensional printing physical model-assisted laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (3D-LPN) in patients with renal tumors. Methods We retrospectively assessed all patients who underwent LPN with or without 3D-printed physical model assistance from January 2016 to February 2018 at our institution. The demographic characteristics, operative findings, and clinical outcomes from the procedure were collected and analyzed. Results Sixty-nine patients underwent 3D-LPN and 58 underwent traditional LPN. The groups showed no differences in demographics, RENAL score, surgical approach, operative time, estimated intra-/postoperative blood loss, increased creatinine level, or complications. In the 3D-LPN group, warm ischemia time was shorter, whereas surgery waiting time was longer, compared with those parameters in the LPN group. Subgroup analysis indicated that for patients with RENAL score ≥8, the 3D-LPN group had significantly shorter warm ischemic time and less intraoperative blood loss than the traditional LPN group. Intra- and postoperative hospital complication rates were similar for 3D-LPN and traditional LPN groups (8.7% vs. 13.7%). Conclusions 3D printing provides an additional tool to assist with LPN. Use of a 3D model can assist in planning and performance of LPN in patients with RENAL score ≥8.