ABSTRACT
Objective To assess quantitative and subjective image quality in computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CT-PA)with dual-energy subtraction methods,and to select the best dual-energy subtraction method.Methods 30 consecutive patients underwent CTPA using a single tube,fast voltage switching technique.One set of routine poly-chromatic images (RPI),two sets of monochromatic images with different optimal contrast-to-noise ratios (OCNR)and three sets of dual-energy subtraction images (DE-SI)were obtained by a dedicated workstation with dual-energy software (AW4.5 Advantage WS;GE Healthcare).For all the six sets of images,CNR and the score of global subjective image quality were calculated.Results DESI 3 got the highest CNR,and DESI 1 got the next high CNR.In global subjective image quality,DESI 1 got the highest score.However,when compared with DESI 2,no significant difference was found.Conclusion CTPA with dual-energy subtraction technique is feasible.DESI 1 affords the best bal-ance between quantitative analysis and subjective evaluation compared with other sets of images.
ABSTRACT
ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical significance of the serum levels of hs-CRP and IL-6 in patients with acute cerebral infarction(ACI). Methods90 patients with ACI were selected and divided into different groups according to the size of infarction and clinical neurologic impairment degree score. The serum hs-CRP level was detected by immunoturbidimetry, IL-6 concentration was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).ResultsThe serum hs-CRP and IL-6 levels in the patients with ACI were significantly higher than that in the healthy subjects ( P ＜ 0.05). Comparing groups with the different infarction size: the serum levels of hs-CRP and IL-6 were increased steply with the volume of infarction,the differences between the groups were significant( all P ＜0.05). Comparing the three groups : the serum levels of hs-CRP and IL-6 were increased steply with the clinical neurologic impairment degree score ,the differences between the groups were significant( all P ＜ 0.05 ). ConclusionThe serum levels of hs-CRP and IL-6 were significantly elevated in the patients with ACI. The serum levels of hs-CRP and IL-6 were increased closely with the volume of infarction and the clinical neurologic impairment degree score, which suggests that hs-CRP and IL-6 should play an important role in the pathogencsis of ACI, and probably be a prognostic factor of ACI.