Hounsfield units in assessing bone mineral density in ankylosing spondylitis patients with cervical fracture-dislocation

BACKGROUND Cervical spine fracture-dislocations in patients with ankylosing spondylitis(AS)are mostly unstable and require surgery.However,osteoporosis,one of the comorbidities for AS,could lead to detrimental prognoses.There are few accurate assessments of bone mineral density in AS patients.AIM To analyze Hounsfield units(HUs)for assessing bone mineral density in AS patients with cervical fracture-dislocation.METHODS The HUs from C2 to C7 of 51 patients obtained from computed tomography(CT)scans and three-dimensional reconstruction of the cervical spine were independently assessed by two trained spinal surgeons and statistically analyzed.Inter-reader reliability and agreement were assessed by interclass correlation coefficient.RESULTS The HUs decreased gradually from C2 to C7.The mean values of the left and right levels were significantly higher than those in the middle.Among the 51 patients,25 patients(49.02%)may be diagnosed with osteoporosis,and 16 patients(31.37%)may be diagnosed with osteopenia.CONCLUSION The HUs obtained by cervical spine CT are feasible for assessing bone mineral density with excellent agreement in AS patients with cervical fracture-dislocation.

Method for Converting Cone-Beam CT Values into Hounsfield Units for Radiation Treatment Planning

Cone-beam CT (CBCT) images acquired during radiation treatment can be used to recalculate the dose distribution as well as to confirm the treatment location. However, it is difficult to obtain the electron densities (EDs) necessary for dose calculation from CBCT images because of the effects of scatter contamination during CBCT image acquisition. This paper presents a mathematical method for converting the pixel values of CBCT images (CBCT values) into Hounsfield units (HUs) of radiation treatment simulation CT (simCT) images for use in radiation treatment planning. CBCT values are converted into HUs by matching the histograms of the CBCT values with the histograms of the HUs for each slice via linear scaling of the CBCT values. For prostate cancer and head-and-neck cancer patients, the EDs obtained from converted CBCT values (mCBCT values) show good agreement with the EDs obtained from HUs, within approximately 3.0%, and the dose calculated on the basis of CBCT images shows good agreement with the dose calculated on the basis of the simCT images, within approximately 2.0%. Because the CBCT values are converted for each slice, this conversion method can account for variation in the CBCT values associated with differences in body size, body shape, and inner tissue structures, as well as in longitudinally displaced positions from the isocenter, unlike conventional methods that use electron density phantoms. This method improves on conventional CBCT-ED conversion and shows considerable potential for improving the accuracy of radiation treatment planning using CBCT images.

Can Computerized Hounsfield Unit Estimation Be Used as Predictor for Ureteric Stone Localization by Fluoroscopy during Extra Corporal Shock Wave Lithotripsy and Ureteroscopy?

Current minimally invasive interventions for ureteric stones involve either ESWL or Ureteroscopy and stone localization is mandatory for successful treatment in both. Objectives: To avoid doing KUB radiograph before ESWL routinely by correlating the stone attenuation value on CT KUB with stone visualization at fluoroscopy. Methods: This is a prospective cross sectional hospital based, Multicentric study carried out on 1010 patients with ureteric stones in Sudan from August 2014 to March 2016. Results: Mean stone density in HU was 704.45 ± 300 (SD) ranging (81 - 1873) HU. All of the stones were localized using fluoroscopy and only 26.5% of them were not seen under fluoroscopy. I.V contrast was used mostly, and also mainly in the upper ureter. More than 80% of the application of contrast through the ureteric catheter was in the lower ureteric stones. 91.2% of patients with stone density ≤ 400 HU failed to appear at fluoroscopy and therefore 400 HU attenuation value can be used as a cut-off level to request doing KUB before ESWL and Ureteroscopy. Conclusion: the ureteric stones with density ≤400 HU the likelihood of being non-visualized at fluoroscopy is 91.2% therefore if the stone has ≤400 HU at CT KUB it is mandatory to do KUB before treatment above that it is most likely to be seen at fluoroscopy and no need to request KUB for them before ESWL or URS. 1) Inclusion Criteria: All patients diagnosed by CT scan to have ureteric stones for ESWL or Ureteroscopy. 2) Exclusion Criteria: Patients for whom treatment of ureteric stone by ESWL or ureteroscopy is not indicated like severe infection or poor kidney function where nephrectomy is needed.

Predictive value of enhanced CT Hounsfield unit value for central lymph node metastasis in Hashimoto’s thyroiditis with papillary carcinoma

Objective To investigate the diagnostic and predictive value of enhanced CT Hounsfield unit value for central lymph node metastasis(CLNM)in patients with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis(HT)complicated with papillary thyroid carcinoma(PTC).Methods The CT images of HTs with PTC confirmed by operation and pathology from 88 patients were analyzed retrospectively.Among them,50 cases of CLNM were all negative and 38 cases of CLNM were all positive.One lymph node was selected as the study subject in each case.The average HU values(AHUVs)and maximum HU values(MHUVs)were measured on the enhanced CT.The diagnostic efficacy of the two parameters for diagnosing CLNM was analyzed by the receiver operating specificity curve(ROC),and the best cut-off values were obtained,which were used to predict 103 HT with PTC CLNM in the validation group.Results The AHUVs of negative group and positive group were(63.79±15.34)HU and(90.92±18.04)HU(t=8.828,P<0.001).The MHUVs of negative group and positive group were(77.08±15.30)HU and(108.79±18.37)HU,respectively(t=7.615,P<0.001).The AUCs for AHUVs and MHUVs for the diagnosis of CLNM-positive was 0.870 and 0.906,and the cut-off values were 84.0 HU and 96.5 HU,respectively.The sensitivity,specificity,and accuracy of predicting CLNM positivity in the validation group using AHUVs≥84.0 HU were 35.7%,95.1%,and 70.9%,respectively,and MHUVs≥96.5 HU were 38.1%,93.4%,and 70.9%,respectively.Conclusion AHUVs≥84.0 HU and MHUVs≥96.5 HU have high specificity for the diagnosis of HT with PTC CLNM,which can provide an important basis for clinical treatment decision.

Is sarcopenia effective on survival in patients with metastatic gastric cancer?

BACKGROUND Sarcopenia is a progressively diminishing state characterized by the reduction of muscle mass and density,which is frequently observed in malignancies of solid organs.AIM To assess how sarcopenia affects the overall survival of individuals who have been diagnosed with metastatic gastric cancer.METHODS The study retrospectively included individuals who had been diagnosed with metastatic gastric cancer between January 2008 and December 2020.Sarcopenia was identified through the calculation of the average Hounsfield units(HUAC)using computed tomography(CT)images taken at the time of diagnosis in patients.RESULTS A total of 118 patients with metastatic gastric cancer were evaluated.Sarcopenia was detected in 29 patients(24.6%).The median survival of all patients was 8(1-43)mo.The median survival of patients with sarcopenia was 2 mo,while it was 10 mo for those without sarcopenia(P<0.001).A significant relationship was found between sarcopenia and survival.CONCLUSION Sarcopenia has been observed to impact survival outcomes in various types of solid tumor cancers.Sarcopenic patients can be identified in a short time,easily and inexpensively,by HUAC measurements from CT images used for diagnosis,and survival could be promoted with nutritional support.

Complicated calcified alloplastic implants in the nasal dorsum:A clinical analysis

BACKGROUND In rhinoplasty,calcification around silicone implants is frequently observed in the tip dorsum(TD)area.Additionally,based on a review of various literature,it is presumed that calcification in silicone implants occurs due to both inflammatory chemical reactions and physical friction against the tissue.The calcification of nasal silicone implants not only results in the functional loss of the implants,but also leads to material deformation.However,there is a lack of research on calcification of nasal silicone implants in the current literature.AIM To elucidate various clinical characteristics of calcification around nasal silicone implants,using histological and radiological analysis.METHODS This study analyzed data from 16 patients of calcified nasal implants,who underwent revision rhinoplasty for various reasons after undergoing augmentation rhinoplasty with silicone implants.The collected data included information on implant duration,implant types,location of calcification,presence of inflammatory reactions,and computed tomography(CT)scans.RESULTS The most common location of calcification,as visually analyzed,was in the TD area,accounting for 56%.Additionally,the analysis of CT scans revealed a trend of increasing Hounsfield Unit values for calcification with the duration of implantation,although this trend was not statistically significant(P=0.139).CONCLUSION Our study shows that reducing the frequency of calcification may be achievable by using softer silicone implants and by minimizing the damage to perioperative tissues.

腓骨远端CT值在评价老年人踝关节骨折骨密度中的应用

目的通过计算机断层扫描(CT)扫描测量腓骨远端的CT值(Houndsfield Unit,HU),评估老年踝关节骨折患者的骨密度,并探讨骨密度与踝关节骨折的相关性。方法纳入74例老年踝关节骨折患者,根据骨密度分为骨质疏松组、骨质减少组和正常组。测量腓骨远端的CT值,利用受试者工作特征(Receiver Operating Characteristic,ROC)曲线计算出区分组间差异的最佳CT值,并分析腓骨远端CT值与腰椎及股骨近端骨矿物质密度(Bone Mineral Density,BMD)和T值之间的相关性。结果腓骨远端CT值与除L1至L3整体BMD外的其他部位均显著相关,尤其与L2 BMD相关性最高(r=0.555,P<0.001)。各组间CT值差异有统计学意义。根据ROC曲线,当CT值为157.43 HU时,区分骨质疏松组和骨质减少组的曲线下面积为0.808(P<0.001),当CT值为218.47 HU时,区分骨质减少的曲线下面积与正常值的差异为0.698(P<0.001)。结论腓骨远端HU的测量可以有效地反映BMD,腓骨远端CT值与腰椎、股骨近端BMD及T值显著相关。CT值可以潜在预测踝关节骨折患者骨质疏松风险的指标。

螺旋CT衰减值预测尿路结石成分及对碎石影响的体内研究

目的研究螺旋CT对体内尿路结石化学成份的预测以及在体外震波碎石中的价值。方法选取本院2008年至2010年尿路结石患者117例,均在治疗前行螺旋CT平扫,测结石CT值并对治疗后获取的结石成分进行分析;选择结石大小适合体外震波碎石(ESWL)的患者,用结石CT值预测ESWL的结石粉碎率和排空率。结果所有结石的CT值为323～1 580 Hu。单一结石成分仅33例(28.21%),包括一水草酸钙、碳酸磷灰石、无水尿酸、二水磷酸氢钙和二水草酸钙结石,CT值分别为(693±128)Hu、(1 233±241)Hu、(368±38)Hu、1 580 Hu和73 Hu;混合性结石84例(71.80%),混合结石主要含两种化学成分,CT值在相应两种成分纯结石的CT值之间。一水草酸钙结石、碳酸磷灰石结石、无水尿酸结石、一水草酸钙+碳磷灰石结石、碳酸磷灰石+一水草酸钙结石、无水尿酸+碳磷灰石结石之间CT值的差异有统计学意义(P<0.01),一水草酸钙结石与一水草酸钙+二水草酸钙、六水磷酸镁胺+碳酸磷灰石之间CT值差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。二水草酸钙结石和二水磷酸氢钙结石各1例,CT值为673 Hu和1 580 Hu,未参与统计分析。117例患者中结石排空者81例(69.23%),结石残留者36例(30.77%),其CT值分别为(754±146)Hu和(1 068±247)Hu,2者差异具有统计学意义(P<0.01)。结论结石CT值能在一定程度上预测体内尿路结石成分,而且还能预测体内尿路结石ESWL后结石的排空率和失败率。CT值低者则ESWL后结石容易粉碎和易于排空;CT值高者结石的粉碎率和排空率较低,此类患者可考虑选择输尿管镜下取石碎石术、经皮肾镜取石碎石术。

CT值对强直性脊柱炎患者骨质疏松的评估

目的:利用腰椎CT值来评估强直性脊柱炎患者骨质疏松以及骨质疏松性椎体骨折和螺钉松动的情况。方法:回顾性分析2002年1月~2017年12月在我院住院并手术的27例强直性脊柱炎患者骨密度资料。双能X线骨密度测定法(dualenergy X-ray absorptiometry,DXA)检查结果T值>-1为骨量正常,T值-2.5^-1为骨量减少,T值<-2.5为骨质疏松。L1椎体平均CT值<100HU诊断骨质疏松,100~160HU之间为骨量减少,160HU以上为骨量正常。用SPSS统计软件进行分析,经Kappa检验评估以及Mann-Whitney U检验比较DXA和CT值评估强直性脊柱炎患者中骨质疏松以及骨质疏松性椎体骨折和螺钉松动情况。结果:27例患者中,使用传统DXA方法测量骨质疏松患者16例,骨量减少患者6例,骨量正常患者5例;用CT值测量骨质疏松患者16例,骨量减少患者9例,骨量正常患者2例,经Kappa检验两者一致性差,两种方法评估骨质疏松存在差异,通过Mann-Whitney U检验比较骨质疏松的常见并发症骨质疏松性椎体骨折,发现CT值评估骨量情况的患者在椎体骨折组和非骨折组分布存在差异性(CT值诊断为骨质疏松的患者更易同时并发骨质疏松性骨折)(P=0.009),而DXA评估骨量情况的患者在椎体骨折组以及非骨折组分部无统计学差异(P=0.095)。CT值诊断为骨质疏松的强直性脊柱炎患者在螺钉松动组以及非螺钉松动组分布无显著性差异(P=0.272),DXA诊断骨质疏松的强直性脊柱炎患者在螺钉松动组以及非螺钉松动组分布无显著性差异(P=0.610)。结论:CT值和DXA方法测量强直性脊柱炎患者骨密度情况一致性差,在骨质疏松性椎体骨折中应用CT值评估强直性脊柱炎患者骨质疏松情况比传统DXA有一定的优势,但本身也存在一定局限性。

自动测量法评估冠状动脉管腔内密度衰减梯度准确性的研究

目的评估自动测量法测量管腔内密度衰减梯度(transluminal attenuation gradient,TAG)值的准确性,并评估年龄、性别及不同冠状动脉分支对TAG值的影响。方法收集我院采用320排CT对进行冠状动脉CTA检查的连续受检者50例。分别采用自动测量法和手动测量法测量冠状动脉三大主干(LAD、LCx、RCA)的TAG值。同时测量不同年龄、性别及不同冠状动脉分支TAG值的差异性。采用Bland-Altman分析和线性回归分析自动测量法的准确性、观察者间一致性。结果女性受检者的TAG值低于男性受检者;老年组受检者的TAG值低于中年组;RCA的TAG值稍高于LAD、LCx。自动测量法测量一支冠状动脉的时间比手动测量法减少64%。Bland-Altman分析显示自动测量法和手动测量法差值的均数较小(-1 HU/cm)。自动测量法和手动测量法均有较高的观察者间一致性。结论本研究证实自动测量法对TAG值的测量时间较短,且准确性较高,重复性较好。

CT值对输尿管下段结石选择治疗方法的指导意义

目的探讨cT值对于输尿管下段结石选择治疗方法的价值。方法选择不同CT值的三组（A组HU〈700，B组HU700—1000，C组HU〉1000）输尿管下段结石的患者，分别行体外碎石（ESWL）＋药物治疗，治疗后有变化但还有未排出的结石，间隔10～14d后再行2次或3次ESWL。治疗后3～6个月复查。结果A组（n=45）患者中43例结石排出占95．6％，B组（n=31）患者中23例结石排出，占74．2％，C组（n=36）患者中15例患者结石排出占41．7％，均未出现明显并发症。结论输尿管下段结石的CT值对指导治疗方法的选择有重要价值，HU〈700的患者应首选ESWL。

体重指数及结石CT值预测体外冲击波碎石术结石排空率

目的:探讨体重指数(BMI)及结石CT值是否可以用来预测体外冲击波碎石术(ESWL)结石的清除率。方法:选择2004年4月～2006年7月在本院碎石中心进行体外冲击波碎石的200例上尿路结石患者进行ESWL治疗,结石直径0.5～1cm,治疗前计算BMI,行CT扫描并测定CT值,治疗后依据碎石屑测定结石成分,3个月后根据影像学判断结果把病人分为结石清除组及残余结石组,将BMI及CT值作为预测的相关因素,进行logistic回归分析。结果:163例结石清除,37例结石残余,平均BMI分别为25.5±0.5及31.2±0.7;两组平均CT值分别为557.8±121.5及953.4±170.5,两组上述2项指标比较,差异显著(P<0,05)。logistic回归分析显示结石清除率与BMI及CT值密切相关。结论:BMI及CT值是ESWL结石清除率的重要预测因子,通过治疗前后相关资料进行分析,可为患者选择合理的治疗方法提供参考。

一水草酸钙结石的碎石脆性研究

目的探讨CT在预测一水草酸钙结石(COM)的碎石脆性中的价值。方法选择50例开放手术取出的、经红外光谱法证实的COM标本行体外冲击波碎石,患者术前均行CT扫描结石,观察其结构特征并采用双盲法对其进行结构异质性分类,同时测量CT值,最后对COM的结构特征、CT值与碎石次数进行相关性分析。结果对COM进行结构异质性分类有高度可重复性(K=0.83),同质COM所需碎石冲击次数为(1 883±813)次,异质COM所需碎石冲击次数为(908±527)次,同质COM较异质COM所需碎石冲击次数更多(P<0.05),而CT值与COM的碎石脆性无相关性(P=0.82)。结论一水草酸钙结石的碎石脆性是由其结构决定的,与其CT值无相关性。

Evaluation of Outcome of Ureteroscopic Pneumatic Lithotripsy in Single Lower Ureteric Calculus and Its Association with CT Parameters

Objective: To evaluate the outcome of ureteroscopic pneumatic lithotripsy in single lower ureteric calculus and correlate its success with different CT parameters like HU, size of calculus and hydrnephrosis, if present. Patients and Methods: This study was conducted from October 2017 to March 2019 in Department of General Surgery, Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi. 30 patients (out of which 6 were excluded due to spontaneous passage of calculus), with single lower ureteric calculus were chosen and the outcome of URSL was compared with respect to CT parameters of Size, HU and Hydronephrosis and intra-operative clearance of calculus. Results: Success rate of URSL in single lower ureteric calculus was found to be 75%. Lower HU (774.12 ± 212.85) was associated with higher success rate. Similarly smaller size of calculus (9 ± 2.1) mm was associated with success group. Patients with gross hydronephrosis had a poor outcome of URSL. Lower urinary tract infection (8.33%) was the most common complication. Conclusion: Patients with small size calculus, low HU and absence of hydronephrosis have a better outcome of URSL.

左心室血液低密度诊断成人贫血的特征

目的:分析左心室血液及室间隔CT值与血红蛋白浓度的关系,探讨左心室血液低密度诊断成人贫血的特征。方法:收集27例CT平扫示左心室血液低密度,经外周血检验证实为贫血的成人病例,采用双变量相关分析person方法分析成人左心室血液及室间隔CT值与血红蛋白(HGB)浓度的关系。收集63例CT平扫示左心室血液低密度,经外周血检验证实贫血,并具有完整临床资料,采用描述性统计方法分析左心室血液低密度诊断成人贫血的平均年龄、平均HGB浓度及贫血原因构成比。结果:27例贫血患者心脏CT值与HGB的关系①HGB浓度与CT差值(室间隔与左心室血液CT值之差)相关性:r=-0.567,P<0.01;②HGB浓度与CT比值(左心室血液与室间隔CT值之比)相关性:r=0.558,P<0.01;③HGB浓度与左心室血液CT值相关分析:r=0.420,P=0.029。63例CT平扫示左心室血液低密度经外周血检验确诊的贫血患者平均年龄(57±15.7)岁,平均HGB为(73±19.5)g/L,肿瘤性贫血约36.5%、肾性贫血约19.1%、失血性贫血约14.3%。结论:左心室血液CT值、CT差值及CT比值与HGB浓度显著线性相关,是左心室血液低密度诊断贫血的可靠依据;左心室血液低密度诊断成人贫血以中老人多见,多为中偏重度贫血,病因以肿瘤性贫血最常见、其次是肾性及失血性贫血。

CT值评估特发性脊柱侧凸严重程度与椎体骨密度不对称丢失的相关性研究

目的:研究CT值在评估特发性脊柱侧凸(IS)严重程度与椎体骨密度(BMD)不对称丢失相关性的应用价值。方法:回顾性收集2014年1月至2021年12月手术治疗的120例IS患者的临床资料,测量主弯顶椎上方4(Apex-4)至下方4(Apex+4)椎体CT值(VB-HU)和椎弓根螺钉轨迹CT值(PST-HU),同时测量主弯、上胸弯、胸腰弯的上端椎、顶椎、下端椎及稳定椎的VB-HU、PST-HU、不对称性比值(AR)。结果:主弯Apex-4至Apex+4各椎体的平均CT值之间无显著差异;但与Cobb角呈负相关,VB-HU和PST-HU在主弯和次弯的凹侧明显大于凸侧;VB-HU和PST-HU的AR与主弯Cobb角显著相关,在顶点达到峰值,从顶点到末端椎体逐渐减小;椎体BMD的不对称丢失随着脊柱侧凸严重程度的进展而加剧,表现为VB-HU在主弯的凸侧显著下降,而在凹侧下降不明显。结论:CT值评估结果显示,IS严重程度与椎体BMD的不对称丢失密切相关。对于重度IS患者,应优先牵开凹侧椎弓根螺钉以矫正主弯,并在主弯顶椎的凸侧,放置辅助锚钉和较大尺寸的螺钉,以减少手术后螺钉松动的风险。

Novel Approach for Automatic Region of Interest and Seed Point Detection in CT Images Based on Temporal and Spatial Data

Accurately finding the region of interest is a very vital step for segmenting organs in medical image processing.We propose a novel approach of automatically identifying region of interest in Computed Tomography Image(CT)images based on temporal and spatial data.Our method is a 3 stages approach,1)We extract organ features from the CT images by adopting the Hounsfield filter.2)We use these filtered features and introduce our novel approach of selecting observable feature candidates by calculating contours’area and automatically detect a seed point.3)We use a novel approach to track the growing region changes across the CT image sequence in detecting region of interest,given a seed point as our input.We used quantitative and qualitative analysis to measure the accuracy against the given ground truth and our results presented a better performance than other generic approaches for automatic region of interest detection of organs in abdominal CT images.With the results presented in this research work,our proposed novel sequence approach method has been proven to be superior in terms of accuracy,automation and robustness.

CBCT成像技术在种植位点临床骨质评价中的应用

目的检验锥形束CT(CBCT)成像的灰度值和多层螺旋CT(MSCT)的CT值(HU)间的相关性,以及患者植牙区的CBCT灰度值和临床骨质主观评价的相关性。方法制作不同浓度的磷酸氢二钾(K2HPO4)放射标本和羟磷灰石(HA)放射标本,分别用CBCT和MSCT成像,检验样本的CBCT灰度值和HU值之间的相关性。152名拟行后牙种植的患者进行术前CBCT扫描,测量植牙区骨质的CBCT灰度值,并与术中医师对骨质的主观评价比较。结果 CBCT灰度值和HU值间有强相关性。植牙区骨质的CBCT灰度值随骨质类型呈下降趋势,4型骨质的平均CBCT灰度值为:1类312,2类214,3类76,4类-454。结论 CBCT灰度值可用于评价骨质密度,并为种植区的骨质预测提供参考。

Clinical features and literature review related to the material differences in thread rhinoplasty:Two case reports

BACKGROUND Thread rhinoplasty can trigger a reaction to thread material,which is a foreign body.We compared clinical features induced by absorbable and non-absorbable threads following thread rhinoplasty.CASE SUMMARY Two patients who underwent different thread materials showed different clinical courses and different Hounsfield unit(HU)values in computed tomography.Patients with absorbable thread showed high HU values similar to a metallic material,and the HU value of inflammation was similar to vascular tissues with a lot of water(250).In the intraoperative field,absorbable thread materials and micro-abscesses were observed.In contrast,in the case of a non-absorbable thread,an object presumed to be thread was seen on the computed tomography(CT),and the HU value of inflammatory tissues was less than 100.In both patients,post-operative HU decreased to less than 100 and the clinical course improved.In both cases,histopathologic findings revealed foreign body granuloma associated with inflammation.CONCLUSION Absorbable threads were more aggressive and are more easily detected on CT.

Porosity Estimation from High Resolution CT SCAN Images of Rock Samples by Using Housfield Unit

Computer Automated Tomography has been shown to be a valuable tool in production research because it provides a non-destructive method to identify and evaluate the internal structural characteristics of reservoir rock. In CT scan, Hounsfield Unit (HU) is proportional to the degree of X-ray attenuation by the tissue. The aim of the present study was to introduce the method to estimate porosity which is one of physical parameters of reservoir rock though HU data. In this study, an Image J software was used to extract Hounsfield Unit data and calibrate by standard material’s density. This method provides the ability of using CT Scanner in advanced reservoir characterization and flow test experiments.