A machine learning-based strategy for predicting the mechanical strength of coral reef limestone using X-ray computed tomography

Different sedimentary zones in coral reefs lead to significant anisotropy in the pore structure of coral reef limestone(CRL),making it difficult to study mechanical behaviors.With X-ray computed tomography(CT),112 CRL samples were utilized for training the support vector machine(SVM)-,random forest(RF)-,and back propagation neural network(BPNN)-based models,respectively.Simultaneously,the machine learning model was embedded into genetic algorithm(GA)for parameter optimization to effectively predict uniaxial compressive strength(UCS)of CRL.Results indicate that the BPNN model with five hidden layers presents the best training effect in the data set of CRL.The SVM-based model shows a tendency to overfitting in the training set and poor generalization ability in the testing set.The RF-based model is suitable for training CRL samples with large data.Analysis of Pearson correlation coefficient matrix and the percentage increment method of performance metrics shows that the dry density,pore structure,and porosity of CRL are strongly correlated to UCS.However,the P-wave velocity is almost uncorrelated to the UCS,which is significantly distinct from the law for homogenous geomaterials.In addition,the pore tensor proposed in this paper can effectively reflect the pore structure of coral framework limestone(CFL)and coral boulder limestone(CBL),realizing the quantitative characterization of the heterogeneity and anisotropy of pore.The pore tensor provides a feasible idea to establish the relationship between pore structure and mechanical behavior of CRL.

Splanchnic vein thrombosis in necrotizing acute pancreatitis: Detection by computed tomographic venography

AIM: To assess the diagnostic accuracy of computed tomographic venography(CTV) for splanchnic vein thrombosis(SVT) detection in necrotizing acute pancreatitis(AP) patients.METHODS:Forty-three patients with necrotizing AP who underwent both CTV and digital subtraction angiography(DSA)within 3 d were analyzed in this retrospective comparative study.All CTV procedures were performed with a dual-source CT scanner.The presence and location of SVT were determined via blinded imaging data analyses.RESULTS:According to the DSA results,17(39.5%)of the total 43 patients had SVT.The sensitivity,specificity,positive and negative predictive values of CTV for SVT detection were 100%(95%CI:77.1%-100%),92.3%(95%CI:73.4%-98.7%),89.5%(95%CI:65.5%-98.2%)and 100%(95%CI:82.8%-100%),respectively.CONCLUSION:CTV is an effective examination for SVT detection in patients with necrotizing AP with high positive and negative predictive values.

Evaluation of contrast-enhanced computed tomographic colonography in detection of local recurrent colorectal cancer

AIM： TO evaluate the diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity, specificity of contrast-enhanced computed tomographic colonography in detecting local recurrence of colorectal cancer. METHODS： From January 2000 to December 2004, 434 patients after potentially curative resection for invasive colorectal cancer were followed up for a period ranging from 20 to 55 mo. Eighty of the four hundred and thirty-four patients showing strong clinical evidence for recurring colorectal cancer during the last followup were enrolled in this study. Each patient underwent contrast-enhanced computed tomographic colonography and colonoscopy on the same day. Any lesions, biopsies, identified during the colonoscopic examination, immediate complications and the duration of the procedure were recorded. The results of contrast-enhanced computed tomographic colonography were evaluated by comparing to those of colonoscopy, surgical finding, and clinical follow-up. RESULTS： Contrast-enhanced computed tomographic colonography had a sensitivity of 100%, a specificity of 83% and an overall accuracy of 94% in detecting local recurrent colorectal cancer. CONCLUSION： Conventional colonoscopy and contrastenhanced tomographic colonography can complement each other in detecting local recurrence of colorectal cancer.

Assessment of sub-milli-sievert abdominal computed tomography with iterative reconstruction techniques of different vendors

AIM: To assess diagnostic image quality of reduced dose(RD) abdominal computed tomography(CT) with 9 iterative reconstruction techniques(IRTs) from 4 different vendors to the standard of care(SD) CT.METHODS: In an Institutional Review Board approved study, 66 patients(mean age 60 ± 13 years, 44 men, and 22 women) undergoing routine abdomen CT on multi-detector CT(MDCT) scanners from vendors A, B, and C(≥ 64 row CT scanners)(22 patients each) gave written informed consent for acquisition of an additional RD CT series. Sinogram data of RD CT was reconstructed with two vendor-specific and a vendor-neutral IRTs(A-1, A-2, A-3; B-1, B-2, B-3; and C-1, C-2, C-3) and SD CT series with filtered back projection. Subjective image evaluation was performed by two radiologists for each SD and RD CT series blinded and independently. All RD CT series(198) were assessed first followed by SD CT series(66). Objective image noise was measured for SD and RD CT series. Data were analyzed by Wilcoxon signed rank, kappa, and analysis of variance tests.RESULTS: There were 13/50, 18/57 and 9/40 missed lesions(size 2-7 mm) on RD CT for vendor A, B, and C, respectively. Missed lesions includes liver cysts, kidney cysts and stone, gall stone, fatty liver, and pancreatitis. There were also 5, 4, and 4 pseudo lesions(size 2-3 mm) on RD CT for vendor A, B, and C, respectively. Lesions conspicuity was sufficient for clinical diagnostic performance for 6/24(RD-A-1), 10/24(RD-A-2), and 7/24(RD-A-3) lesions for vendor A; 5/26(RD-B-1), 6/26(RD-B-2), and 7/26(RD-B-3) lesions for vendor B; and 4/20(RD-C-1) 6/20(RD-C-2), and 10/20(RD-C-3) lesions for vendor C(P = 0.9). Mean objective image noise in liver was significantly lower for RD A-1 compared to both RD A-2 and RD A-3 images(P < 0.001). Similarly, mean objective image noise lower for RD B-2(compared to RD B-1, RD B-3) and RD C-3(compared to RD C-1 and C-2)(P = 0.016).CONCLUSION: Regardless of IRTs and MDCT vendors, abdominal CT acquired at mean CT dose index volume 1.3 m Gy is not sufficient to retain clinical diagnostic performance.

Hybrid reconstruction algorithm for computed tomography based on diagonal total variation

Inspired by total variation(TV), this paper represents a new iterative algorithm based on diagonal total variation(DTV) to address the computed tomography image reconstruction problem. To improve the quality of a reconstructed image, we used DTV to sparsely represent images when iterative convergence of the reconstructed algorithm with TV-constraint had no effect during the reconstruction process. To investigate our proposed algorithm, the numerical and experimental studies were performed, and rootmean-square error(RMSE) and structure similarity(SSIM)were used to evaluate the reconstructed image quality. The results demonstrated that the proposed method could effectively reduce noise, suppress artifacts, and reconstruct highquality image from incomplete projection data.

Relation between Epicardial Adipose Tissue Thickness Assessed by Multidetector Computed Tomography and Significance of Coronary Artery Disease

Objective: To evaluate the relation between epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) thickness and also pericoronary fat assessed by Multidetector Computed Tomography (MDCT) with both calcium score and significance of coronary artery disease. Background: Epicardial adipose tissue (the visceral fat of the heart present under the visceral layer of the pericardium) has the same origin of abdominal visceral fat, which is known to be strongly related to the development of coronary artery atherosclerosis. Multidetector CT (MDCT) provides an accurate and reproducible quantification of EAT due to its high spatial and temporal resolution. Patients and Methods: The current study included 70 patients with low-intermediate probability of coronary artery disease. All patients were subjected to 256 Multidetectors CT to assess EAT thickness, the mean thickness of the pericoronary fat surrounding the three coronary arteries and coronary calcium score. Also coronary CT angiography was done and patients were then divided into 3 groups according to significance of coronary atherosclerosis: Group 1: No atherosclerosis (20 patients), Group 2: Non obstructive atherosclerosis (luminal narrowing less than 50% in diameter) (25 patients), Group3: Obstructive atherosclerosis (luminal narrowing ≥ 50%) (25 patients). Results: The mean EAT thickness and the mean pericoronary fat thickness were significantly higher in patients with obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) with stenosis > 50% (group 3) compared to other groups with normal coronaries or non obstructive (CAD). ROC curve was used to define the best cut off value of the thickness of both EAT and pericoronary fat in predicting the obstructive CAD group which was ≥7.2 and 12.6 mm for epicardial and pericoronary fat respectively. Also there is a positive correlation between both epicardial adipose tissue and pericoronary fat thickness and the coronary calcium score. Conclusion: EAT thickness and pericoronary fat thickness can be used in predicting the significance of coronary artery disease.

Acute coronary syndrome on non-electrocardiogram-gated contrastenhanced computed tomography

It is not rare for acute coronary syndrome(ACS)patients to present with symptoms that are atypical,rather than chest pain.It is sometimes difficult to achieve a definitive diagnosis of ACS for such patients who present with atypical symptoms,normal initial biomarkers of myocardial necrosis,and normal or nondiagnostic electrocardiograms(ECGs).Although cardiac CT allows for assessments of coronary artery stenosis as well as myocardial perfusion defect in patients with suspected ACS,it requires ECG gating and is usually performed with high-performance multislice CT for highly probable ACS patients.However,several recent reports have stated that ACS is detectable by myocardial perfusion defects even on routine non-ECG-gated contrast-enhanced CT.A growing number of contrast-enhanced CT scans are now being performed in emergency departments in search of pathologies responsible for a patient’s presenting symptoms.In order to avoid inappropriate management for this life-threatening event,clinicians should be aware that myocardial perfusion defect is more commonly detectable even on routine non-ECG-gated contrast-enhanced CT performed in search of other pathologies.

Comparison of computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging for the detection of mandibular condylar osteochondroma

Objective The purpose of this study was to compare computed tomography(CT) and magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) for the detection of mandibular condylar osteochondroma.Methods Preoperative CT and MRI of 33 patients with unilateral condylar osteochondroma were reviewed. The morphology, location, continuity with the parent bone, cartilage cap, perichondrium of tumors, and changes in soft and hard tissues adjacent to the lesions were investigated by two reviewers. Data were analyzed using Mc Nemar test. A P value < 0.05 was considered significant.Results Among the 33 condylar osteochondromas, 11 were of the diffuse type, 10 were of the sessile type, and 12 were of the pedunculated type. Continuity with the cortex and marrow of the host condyle was observed on both CT and MRI. Both modalities had identical detection rates of surface reconstruction of the temporal bone joint, condylar dislocation, and pseudarthrosis formation. However, MRI showed significantly higher detection rates of the cartilage cap and perichondrium than CT(P < 0.05). Furthermore, MRI showed ipsilateral and contralateral temporo-mandibular joint(TMJ) disc displacement in 4 cases and 6 cases, respectively, and ipsilateral and contralateral TMJ effusion in 20 cases and 14 cases, respectively.Conclusion CT can intuitively display the morphology and spatial location of condylar osteochondromas through three-dimensional reconstruction. MRI may be superior to CT in the detection of cartilage cap, perichondrium of the condylar osteochondroma, and changes in the TMJ and adjacent soft tissues.

Feasibility of Subtraction Coronary Computed Tomographic Angiography and Influencing Factor Analysis: a Retrospective Study

Objective To investigate the feasibility of subtraction coronary computed tomographic(CT)angiography(SubCCTA)to decline calcium artifacts and improve diagnostic accuracy in the presence of coronary calcification and analyze the factors that influence SubCCTA.Methods A total of 294 patients suspected of having coronary artery diseases underwent coronary computed tomographic angiography(CCTA)and SubCCTA.Coronary stenoses were blindly evaluated by two experienced radiologists,which were compared with invasive coronary angiography(ICA).Multiple statistical indexes were adopted to analyze the value of SubCCTA for the diagnosis of calcium stenoses.Results The diagnosable rate of SubCCTA was 67.2%(n=197),and the non-diagnosable rate was 32.8%(n=97).Using SubCCTA,the false positive rate decreased from 56.5%to 17.4%,and the corresponding diagnostic accuracy was increased from 83.6%to 92.9%.Univariate logistic regression analysis showed that height(OR=1.029,95%CI=1.001–1.058),weight(OR=1.025,95%CI=1.004–1.046),left ventricular size(OR=1.018,95%CI=1.007–1.030),cardiothoracic ratio(OR=39.917,95%CI=1.244–1281.098),the average heart rate(OR=0.866,95%CI=0.836–0.896)and heart rate range(OR=0.882,95%CI=0.853–0.912)might be the factors influencing SubCCTA.Conclusion This study suggested that SubCCTA could help improve diagnostic accuracy in the presence of calcium plaques.Moreover,several factors were discovered for the first time to possibly influence SubCCTA,which will be helpful in improving the subtracted image quality.

Incremental value of preprocedural coronary computed tomographic angiography to classical coronary angiography for prediction of PCI complexity in left main stenosis

Introduction: The aim of our study was to assess the incremental value of Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography (CCTA) added to classical coronary angiography, for complex characterization of coronary lesions and prediction of procedural complexity in patients with significant left main (LM) stenoses. Material and Methods: Thirty-six patients with LM disease were enrolled in the study, and each subject underwent CCTA followed by coronary angiography and percutaneous revascularization. Results: Logistic regression analysis indicated a good correlation between the angiographic-calculated and the CCTA-derived Syntax scores for the whole group (r = 0.87, p < 0.0001) and for the high risk subgroup (r = 0.86, p < 0.0001), but not for the low and intermediate risk (r = 0.38, p = 0.21 and r = 0.62, p = 0.07 respectively). In cases which required complex PCI procedures, both angiographic and CCTA Syntax score were significantly higher than those who did not require complex revascularization procedures (24.5 +/-11.5 vs 32.2 +/-14.6, p = 0.09 for Angio Syntax, 35.3 +/-11.5 vs 25.2 +/-11.3, p = 0.01 for CCTA). In the same time, Ca scoring was significantly higher and plaque volumes were significantly larger in cases requiring complex revascularization procedures (299.5 +/-359.6 vs 917.3 +/-495.4, p = 0.04 for calcium score, 79.7 +/-28.5 vs 108.7 +/-25.3 mm3, p = 0.002 for plaque volumes). Multivariate analysis identified the following CCTA parameters as significant predictors of increased risk for complex intervention in LM lesions: plaque volume (OR 8.00, p = 0.008), Ca scoring (OR 6.37, p = 0.02) and CCTA Syntax score (OR 6.87, p = 0.01). Conclusions: CCTA derived parameters provide incremental information to classical coronary angiography for preoperative assessment of lesion severity in complex left main stenosis. CCTA derived Syntax score significantly correlates with the classical Coronary Angiography Syntax score and identifies the subgroup of patients who will be more exposed to procedural complications during the revascularization interventions.

Assessment of Organ Dose by Direct and Indirect Measurements for a Wide Bore X-Ray Computed Tomography Unit That Used in Radiotherapy

The aim of this study was to investigate the organ doses of patients undergoing computed tomography (CT) examination using the wide bore General Electric (GE) “Light Speed RT” unit. The head, chest and pelvic regions of the Rando-phantom were scanned with 120 kV, 200 mA, and 2.5 mm slice thickness for helical and axial modes. Thermoluminescent Dosimeter (TLD) pairs were used for the dosimetry of 10 organs. TL-counts were converted to dose by using CTDIcenter dose on CT-phantom. For the calculation of the organ doses, the ImPACT software was utilized by entering CTDIair (100 mAs) in small and large field of view (26.43 and 21.17 mGy respectively). The in-field dose ranges in helical and axial modes were 64.3 - 38 mGy and 47.6 - 19.7 mGy in head, 48.3 - 14.1 mGy and 34.1 - 10 mGy in chest, 28.4 - 10.2 mGy and 21 - 8.5 mGy in pelvic, respectively. The organ doses from software and TLD were compared and tailored as the in-field and the out-field radiation. First results showed that the organ dose was relatively higher in the helical mode on both direct and indirect measurement. The in-field organ dose differences between TLD and software were seen. In helical and axial modes, the dose differences ranged from +1 to +13.3 and -8.3 to +9.6 mGy for head exam, +1.1 to +15.3 and +0.3 to +9.1 mGy for chest, and -21.7 to +1.9 and -15.5 to +1.8 mGy for pelvic. The availability of this program for organ dose calculations by measuring CTDIair value for CT device used in the radiotherapy would be considered valuable.

锥形术CT测量分析下颌第一磨牙拟种植区剩余牙槽嵴的骨量

背景:随着口腔领域的发展与进步,口腔种植技术逐渐成为替代传统义齿的主流选择。近年来,多种骨增量技术的成熟以及口腔数字化领域的不断发展,使种植适应证不断扩大,种植手术的成功率也越来越高。但是种植手术前使用锥形术CT对剩余牙槽嵴骨量进行准确测量并且个性化制定合适的种植方案,成为一部分临床医师的难题。目的:采用锥形束CT对下颌第一磨牙拟种植区剩余牙槽嵴骨量进行测量分析,为优化下颌第一磨牙区种植方案的设计提供参考。方法:采用回顾性研究设计,纳入205例下颌第一磨牙缺失患者的锥形术CT影像,测量下颌第一磨牙拟种植区剩余牙槽嵴高度及宽度,并将剩余牙槽嵴形态分为Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ、Ⅳ4类(Ⅱ、Ⅲ、Ⅳ类剩余牙槽嵴为骨量不足),统计分析下颌第一磨牙剩余牙槽嵴高度、宽度、形态频数分布,不同性别患者下颌第一磨牙剩余牙槽嵴高度和牙槽嵴顶宽度的差异,剩余牙槽嵴高度与剩余牙槽嵴顶宽度、剩余牙槽嵴底宽度的相关性,年龄与剩余牙槽嵴顶宽度、高度的相关性。结果与结论:①下颌第一磨牙拟种植区剩余牙槽嵴高度平均为(12.14±2.96)mm,其中<12 mm者占43.41%(89/205),下颌第一磨牙拟种植区牙槽嵴顶宽度平均为(6.80±1.65)mm,其中<6 mm者占26.34%(54/205);②男性下颌第一磨牙剩余牙槽嵴高度高于女性,但差异无显著性意义(P>0.05),男性下颌第一磨牙剩余牙槽嵴顶宽度宽于女性,差异有显著性意义(P<0.01);③剩余牙槽嵴高度与剩余牙槽嵴顶宽度和剩余牙槽嵴底宽度呈负相关(P<0.05);年龄与剩余牙槽嵴顶宽度呈正相关(P<0.05),与剩余牙槽嵴高度无明显相关性(P>0.05);④剩余牙槽嵴形态Ⅰ类占58.05%(119/205),Ⅱ类占9.27%(19/205),Ⅲ类占20.49%(42/205),Ⅳ类占12.19%(25/205),其中多数为Ⅲ类剩余牙槽嵴骨量不足,临床医生需要根据剩余牙槽嵴类型个性化设计最佳的种植方案。

Qualitative visual trichotomous assessment improves the value of fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography in predicting the prognosis of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma

Introduction:Fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose(18F-FDG)positron emission tomography/computed tomography(PET/CT)is a powerful tool for monitoring the response of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma(DLBCL)to therapy,but the criteria to interpret PET/CT results remain under debate.We investigated the value of post-treatment PET/CT in predicting the prognosis of DLBCL patients when interpreted according to qualitative visual trichotomous assessment(QVTA)criteria compared with the Deauvil e criteria.Methods:In this retrospective study,final PET/CT scans of DLBCL patients treated with rituximab-based regimens between October 2005 and November 2010 were interpreted using the Deauvil e and QVTA criteria.Survival curves were estimated using Kaplan-Meier analysis and compared using the log-rank test.Results:A total of 253 patients were enrol ed.The interpretation according to the Deauvil e criteria revealed that 181patients had negative PET/CT scan results and 72 had positive results.The 3 year overal survival(OS)rate was significantly higher in patients with negative scan results than in those with positive results(91.6%vs.57.5%,P<0.001).The72 patients with positive scan results according to the Deauville criteria were divided into two groups by the interpretation according to the QVTA criteria:29 had indeterminate results,and 43 had positive results.The 3 year OS rate was significantly higher in patients with indeterminate scan results than in those with positive results(91.2%vs.33.5%,P<0.001)but was similar between patients with negative and indeterminate scan results(91.6%vs.91.2%,P=0.921).Conclusions:Compared with the Deauvil e criteria,using the QVTA criteria for interpreting post-treatment PET/CT scans of DLBCL patients is likely to reduce the number of false positive results.The QVTA criteria are feasible for therapeutic outcome evaluation and can be used to guide risk-adapted therapy.

Multi-scale characterizations of colon polyps via computed tomographic colonography

Texture features have played an essential role in the field of medical imaging for computer-aided diagnosis.The gray-level co-occurrence matrix(GLCM)-based texture descriptor has emerged to become one of the most successful feature sets for these applications.This study aims to increase the potential of these features by introducing multi-scale analysis into the construction of GLCM texture descriptor.In this study,we first introduce a new parameter-stride,to explore the definition of GLCM.Then we propose three multi-scaling GLCM models according to its three parameters,(1)learning model by multiple displacements,(2)learning model by multiple strides(LMS),and(3)learning model by multiple angles.These models increase the texture information by introducing more texture patterns and mitigate direction sparsity and dense sampling problems presented in the traditional Haralick model.To further analyze the three parameters,we test the three models by performing classification on a dataset of 63 large polyp masses obtained from computed tomography colonoscopy consisting of 32 adenocarcinomas and 31 benign adenomas.Finally,the proposed methods are compared to several typical GLCM-texture descriptors and one deep learning model.LMS obtains the highest performance and enhances the prediction power to 0.9450 with standard deviation 0.0285 by area under the curve of receiver operating characteristics score which is a significant improvement.

Impact of random and scattered coincidences from outside of field of view on positron emission tomography/computed tomography imaging with different reconstruction protocols

Image quality in positron emission tomography(PET)is affected by random and scattered coincidences and reconstruction protocols.In this study,we investigated the effects of scattered and random coincidences from outside the field of view(FOV)on PET image quality for different reconstruction protocols.Imaging was performed on the Discovery 690 PET/CT scanner,using experimental configurations including the NEMA phantom(a body phantom,with six spheres of different sizes)with a signal background ratio of 4:1.The NEMA phantom(phantom I)was scanned separately in a one-bed position.To simulate the effect of random and scatter coincidences from outside the FOV,six cylindrical phantoms with various diameters were added to the NEMA phantom(phantom II).The 18 emission datasets with mean intervals of 15 min were acquired(3 min/scan).The emission data were reconstructed using different techniques.The image quality parameters were evaluated by both phantoms.Variations in the signal-to-noise ratio(SNR)in a 28-mm(10-mm)sphere of phantom II were 37.9%(86.5%)for ordered-subset expectation maximization(OSEM-only),36.8%(81.5%)for point spread function(PSF),32.7%(80.7%)for time of flight(TOF),and 31.5%(77.8%)for OSEM+PSF+TOF,respectively,indicating that OSEM+PSF+TOF reconstruction had the lowest noise levels and lowest coefficient of variation(COV)values.Random and scatter coincidences from outside the FOV induced lower SNR,lower contrast,and higher COV values,indicating image deterioration and significantly impacting smaller sphere sizes.Amongst reconstruction protocols,OSEM+PSF+TOF and OSEM+PSF showed higher contrast values for sphere sizes of 22,28,and 37 mm and higher contrast recovery coefficient values for smaller sphere sizes of 10 and 13 mm.

Conception the Fluid Flow Behavior within Oil Reservoir Rock by Using Computed Tomography(CT)Scan

The behavior of fluid flow has been studied during the different flow media over the past decades.In addition,the behavior of the flow of fluid through porous media has garnered much research interest.This paper sheds light on fissured rocks of oil reservoir media(as one of the porous media domain),and the effect of these fissured on fluid flow.In this article,the Finite Volume Method(FVM)has been used to visualize the behavior of single-phase fluid flow in an actual core according to the dual-porosity dual permeability model.The study was conducted in two parts,the first was the image processing for one of the real oil reservoir fractured rock images,where the image was processed and simulated by ANSYS-CFX software,and the results showed a complete visualizing of the fluid behavior during this domain.As for the other side,a simulation of a real reservoir rock belonging to the Al-Nour field in Iraq/Misan was made.The X-ray Computed Tomography(CT)scan has been used to convert the real fractured core to a dynamic domain.ANSYS-CFX program has been used and the results illustrated the pressure counter,the velocity counter,the velocity streamline,and the velocity vectors for the studied model in three dimensions.A comparison was made between the productivity index for fractured and non-fractured rock and the results explained that the presence of fracture can improve the productivity index to about 5.74%.

Effect of exercise on left and right ventricular ejection fraction and wallmotion in patients with coronary artery disease: an ultrafast computed tomography study

To measure the response of left and right ventricular ejection fraction and wall motion to exercise in eighteen patients with angiogl’aphically documented coronary artery disease (CAD) and in twenty-two patients with angiographicallynormal coronary arteries using ultrafast computed tomography(UFCT). Methods: Angiography and UFCT exercise cine studieswere performed for the evaluation of chest pain in all 40 cases, including 18 CAD patients and 22 patients with normal coronary arteries. Results: Of the 18 patients with CAD, 14(78% ) had a≥5% decrease in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) duringexercise by UFCT (P< 0 .001), and 14 (78%) had an abnormal response in left ventricular wall motion during exercise, (aworsened or newly-developed reginal RV wall motion abnormality (RVWMA)) during exercise. In the 22 normal patients, onlyone had a decrease in LVEF > 5%; none had an abnormal response in LV wall motion during peak exercise or a RVWMA at restor during stress. Using a decrease of ≥5 % in LVEF or a LVWMA or RVWMA during stress as a criterion for identifying patientswith CAD, the accuracy was 88% (35/40) with LVEF, 90% (36/40) with LVWMA, and 92% (37/40) with a combination ofLVEF, LVWMA and RVWMA. The sensitivity of RVWMA alone in detecting right coronary artery disease (RCAD) was 60%(6/10) and the specificity was 78% (7/9). Conclusion: Our study suggests that exercise-UFCT appears to be a useful tool for thedetection of CAD in patients with chest pain. The abnormal response of LVEF and exercise-induced LVWMA and RVWMA as determined by UFCT were important predictors CAD. Both LVWMA and RVWMA of important value in identifying patientswith CAN from those with normal coronary arteries, as is RVWMA in defining the existence of RCAD in patients with CAD.

优化双下肢动脉能谱CT血管造影成像方案

目的优化双下肢动脉能谱CT血管造影(CTA)成像方案。方法回顾性分析30例疑诊双下肢动脉硬化性闭塞症(ASO)患者双下肢动脉能谱CTA资料,经重建获得40~80 keV(间隔5 keV)单能量(共9种)及100 kVp混合能量图像,对比双下肢动脉在不同图像中的CT值、噪声(SD)值、信噪比(SNR)及对比度噪声比(CNR);针对50、60 keV单能量和100 kVp混合能量图像质量及血管节段的可诊断性进行主观评估,观察40、45、50、60 keV单能量和100 kVp混合能量图像的自动去骨能力。结果40~80 keV范围内,随keV升高,各动脉在图像中的CT值、SD值、SNR及CNR均逐渐降低。相比100 kVp,腘动脉(PA)及其近端动脉的CT值、CNR及SNR均在40~55 keV图像中升高(P均<0.05);50~55 keV图像中SD值升高(P均<0.05),而60 keV图像中差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。50及60 keV图像质量主观评分及可诊断动脉节段数与100 kVp差异均无统计学意义(P均>0.05)。PA以远节段的SNR及CNR在各单能量图像及100 kVp图像中差异均无统计学意义,其CT值在40~45 keV图像中、SD在40 keV图像中均高于100 kVp(P均<0.05),但SD在45 keV与100 kVp图像中差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);50 keV图像中,PA以远节段图像质量主观评分及可诊断节段数均高于60 keV及100 kVp(P均<0.05)。40 keV图像对9例(9/30,30.00%)、45 keV图像对6例(6/30,20.00%)不能自动去骨,50及60 keV、100 kVp对30例(30/30,100%)均可自动去骨。结论行双下肢动脉能谱CTA时,对PA及其近端节段以60 keV单能量成像较佳,对其以远或双下肢全程则以50 keV单能量成像较佳。

基于增强CT影像组学预测食管鳞癌淋巴血管侵犯状态的价值

目的:探讨基于增强CT影像组学预测食管鳞癌(ESCC)淋巴血管侵犯(LVI)的价值。方法:回顾性搜集行根治性切除术并经术后病理证实的224例食管鳞癌患者,其中包括66例LVI阳性和158例LVI阴性患者。所有患者均在术前2周内进行胸部增强CT扫描。将入组的患者按照7:3的比例随机分为训练集和测试集。使用3D Slicer软件逐层勾画全肿瘤感兴趣区(ROI),采用Python软件的Pyradiomics包提取肿瘤组织的影像组学特征,建立影像组学模型用于预测食管鳞癌的LVI状态并进行验证。采用受试者工作特征(ROC)曲线的曲线下面积(AUC)、敏感度、特异度、准确度、阳性预测值和阴性预测值来评价影像组学模型的诊断效能,使用校准曲线评价影像组学模型在训练集和测试集中的拟合程度。使用决策曲线分析(DCA)评价影像组学模型的临床应用价值。结果:从全肿瘤ROI中提取了1130个组学特征,经过筛选最终保留了7个影像组学特征,并使用多因素logistic回归建立影像组学预测模型。在训练集中,影像组学模型预测LVI的AUC值为0.930,敏感度为0.851,特异度为0.919,准确度为0.899,阳性预测值为0.816,阴性预测值为0.936;在测试集中,AUC值为0.897,敏感度为0.789,特异度为0.787,准确度为0.788,阳性预测值为0.600,阴性预测值为0.902。校准曲线显示影像组学模型在训练集及测试集中的预测概率与实际概率的一致性良好。DCA曲线显示影像组学模型具有良好的临床应用价值。结论:基于增强CT构建的影像组学模型,能够在术前有效预测食管鳞癌的LVI状态。

人工智能诊断系统及CT无创血流储备分数在评估高海拔地区 冠脉临界病变中的应用

目的探讨基于冠状动脉CT血管成像(CCTA)的人工智能(AI)诊断系统及CT无创血流储备分数(CT-FFR)在评估高海拔地区冠状动脉临界病变结构及功能学中的应用价值。方法前瞻性收集2022年1月~2023年10月青海大学附属医院冠心病临界病变患者164例,按居住地海拔进行分组,其中2000~3000m为A组(n=83),3000m以上为B组(n=81),再将两组患者按冠脉狭窄程度细分为50%~60%亚组(n=84)和61%~70%亚组(n=80)。将患者冠状动脉CT血管成像数据导入AI辅助诊断及CT-FFR测量系统,以冠脉造影及冠脉传统血流储备分数(FFR)为金标准,分别评价AI及CT-FFR在高海拔地区冠脉临界病变诊断中的应用。结果以FFR为金标准,CT-FFR与FFR的一致性为83.75%。B组钙化斑块、易损斑块高于A组(P=0.037、0.020);B组冠状动脉多支病变、61%~70%狭窄程度发生率均高于A组(P<0.05);A组、B组在61%~70%亚组钙化斑块、易损斑块发生率均高于50%~60%亚组(P<0.05)。B组CT-FFR值低于A组(0.76±0.04 vs 0.88±0.05,P<0.01);A、B两组在61%~70%亚组CT-FFR值≤0.80、<0.70的发生率高于50%~60%亚组(P<0.05)。结论AI诊断系统及CT-FFR对评估高海拔地区冠状动脉临界病变的结构特征及血流动力学改变的结果与冠脉造影、FFR一致性高,具有较高的诊断敏感度和特异度。