ABSTRACT
Objective To assess the virtual non-contrast liver CT from dual-energy CT for the clinical application. Methods In total, 51 patients were included in the study, and all patients underwent multi-phase liver CT on a dual-source CT. The True non-contrast liver CT (TNCT) was performed in a single-energy acquisition mode, but the arterial and portovenous liver CT (VNCT) were performed in a dual-energy mode of 110 kV and 140 kV respectively. The virtual non-contrast CT images were derived from the arterial data using liver virtual non-contrast software. Between the true non-contrast CT and the virtual non-contrast CT, the image quality, mean CT HU values in the liver and muscle, signal to noise (SNR), the radiation dose of volume CT dose index (CTDIvol) and dose length product (DLP) in a single phase and total examination were compared with t test. Results There was no significant difference in the detection of liver lesions between TNCT and VNCT. The CT Hu values of muscle on both TNCT and VNCT images were almost equal. The CT HU values of liver on VNCT images were higher than that on TNCT images and the difference was significant [61.32 ±6. 04 vs. (56. 85 ±4. 80) HU, t = -3. 927,P＜0.01]. There was also significant differenc of SNR between TNCT (11.28±2. 78) and VNCT (8.65 ± 1.56) images( t =-5.590,P＜0.01). The CTDIvol and DLP of single phase were (7.07 ±0.85) mGy and (155.11 ±respectively, but in TNCT the total CTDIvol and DLP reached (21.43 ± 2. 46 ) mGy and (469. 02 ±significance, but the total CTDIvol and DLP were significantly different (t = 16. 168 and 13. 132, P ＜0. 01). Conclusion With the consequent reduction in radiation dose, the VNCT can replace TNCT as an imaging protocol in multi-phase abdominal CT examination in clinic.
ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the features of 2-D air vented ionization chamber array MatriXX system to use the QA procedures of radiotherapy. Methods Some important QA procedure of clinical radiotherapy practice were investigated by using a MatriXX system and a phantom made in house, mainly including the calibration of MatriXX, the off-axis rate (OAR) of virtual wedge fields, the connection between two half-fields or two asymmetry-fields, the skillful adjustment of the clinac flat filter, the 2-D dose distribution verification of radiotherapy planning, the influence of scatter screen to a large area electron beam field, the effect and best thickness and shielding position of block for a large area electron beam fields with scatter screen. Results The OAR of any virtual wedge field can be measured by a MatriXX system in a single irradiation. The conjunction accuracy of two half-fields or two asymmetry-fields may be less than 1 ram. The difference between the calculated and measured dose of any point or any isodose or any OAR of a field can be determined by using a MatriXX system. After the adjustment of the elinae flat filter with the help of MatriXX system, the flatness and symmetry of the field are 1. 85 % and 0.98 %, respectively. The dose characteristic of a large area electron beam field may be distinctively influenced by a scatter screen, and under this condition, the block faraway from the shielded target can hardly protect the organ at risk, and directe block which is put on or near the organ at risk is perfect. Conclusion Compared with conventional ionization chamber (Farmer type) or film dose measuring, the MatriXX combined with the OmniPre I'mRT software is much more convenient and effective in QA practice of clinical radiotherapy, and it's a perfect tool for the QA procedure of radiation therapy.
ABSTRACT
Objective To evaluate the clinical application of contrast-enhanced digital subtraction MRI in musculoskeletal malignant tumors.Methods Fifty patients with musculoskeletal malignant tumors were scanned by contrast enhanced T 1WI with an injection of Gd-DTPA (0.1 mmol/kg), and digital subtraction was performed between post-contrast-enhanced images and pre-contrast-enhanced images. Musculoskeletal malignant tumors were evaluated by means of a contrast-to-noise ratio (C/Ns). Imaging sign of the musculoskeletal malignant tumors were compared between subtraction MR images and conventional contrast enhanced MR images.Results Contrast-enhanced digital subtraction MR images were better than conventional contrast enhanced MR images. All cases were confirmed by operation or pathology. All the lesions had higher C/Ns on subtraction MR imaging than on conventional contrast enhanced MR images. C/Ns was 109.74?5.10 (?s) for subtraction MR imaging and 23.61?3.16 for conventional contrast enhanced MR images (t=101.51, P