Clinical Research Directory

Value of Super-resolution Ultrasonography in Differentiating Benign and Malignant Lymph Nodes

Lymph nodes are one of the most important components of the human immune system, and superficial lymph node enlargement lacks specificity. Ultrasound examination has been widely used in the diagnosis of lymph node lesions and is of great significance in distinguishing between benign and malignant. However, the two-dimensional and Doppler ultrasound features of different types of lymph node lesions overlap and intersect, and the blood flow perfusion information of lymph nodes can provide more information for differentiation. At present, the widely used contrast-enhanced ultrasound is easier to evaluate blood flow perfusion and can display small blood vessels smaller than 100 microns. The diagnostic accuracy of cervical lymph nodes using contrast-enhanced ultrasound is 80-90%. However, current contrast-enhanced ultrasound is limited by physical diffraction, with a resolution ranging from sub-millimeter to millimeter. This limitation hinders the visualization of small blood vessels or microcirculation by ultrasound, and parameters such as vascular size, spatial vascular pattern, and velocity of microcirculation are crucial for disease diagnosis and prognosis evaluation. Super resolution ultrasound (SRUS) is a new blood flow imaging technique. By tracking the movement trajectory of micro-bubbles instead of imaging the micro-bubbles themselves, the ultrasound diffraction limit can be exceeded to improve the sensitivity and image resolution of blood flow. Thus the study aim to evaluate the feasibility of SRUS technology in distinguishing between benign and malignant lymph nodes, and compare the differences in blood flow distribution and perfusion index between benign and malignant lymph nodes under SRUS imaging.

Multi-antigen CMV-MVA Triplex Vaccine in Reducing CMV Complications in Patients Previously Infected With CMV and Undergoing Donor Hematopoietic Cell Transplant

This randomized phase II trial studies the safety and how well multi-peptide cytomegalovirus (CMV)-modified vaccinia Ankara (MVA) vaccine works in reducing CMV complications in patients previously infected with CMV and are undergoing a donor hematopoietic cell transplant. CMV is a virus that may reproduce and cause disease and even death in patients with lowered immune systems, such as those undergoing a hematopoietic cell transplant. By placing 3 small pieces of CMV deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) (the chemical form of genes) into a very safe, weakened virus called MVA, the multi-peptide CMV-MVA vaccine may be able to induce immunity (the ability to recognize and respond to an infection) to CMV. This may help to reduce both CMV complications and reduce the need for antiviral drugs in patients undergoing a donor hematopoietic cell transplant.

Retroperitoneal Lymph Node Dissection in Treating Patients With Testicular Seminoma

This phase II trial studies how well retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND) works in treating patients with stage I-IIa testicular seminoma. The retroperitoneum is the space in the body behind the intestines that is typically the first place that seminoma spreads. RPLND is a surgery that removes lymph nodes in this area to treat testicular seminoma and may experience fewer long-term toxicities, such as a second cancer, cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome (pre-diabetes), or lung disease.

EBUS-TTFB vs EBUS-TBNA for Diagnosing Inadequate Lymph Node Specimens Based on MOSE

The study aims to compare the efficacy and safety of endobronchial ultrasound-guided transtunnel forceps biopsy to transbronchial needle aspiration in diagnosing inadequate lymph node specimens based on macroscopic on-site evaluation.