Experimental Study of MAR Algorithm in Metal Artifact Removal of CT Simulator / 中国医疗器械杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the application value of MAR algorithm in metal artifact removal of CT simulator.@*METHODS@#CT phantom with titanium plate was scanned using conventional algorithms and MAR algorithms, respectively. Artifact index(AI), contrast-to-noise ratio(CNR) and AI values at different slices were used to analyze the artifact images.@*RESULTS@#In artifact index, MAR algorithm (10.28±2.60) is significantly lower than conventional algorithm (20.65±5.04); In contrast-to-noise ratio index, MAR algorithm (7.81±1.12) is better than conventional algorithm (5.61±1.36). The above indicators were statistically significant in both algorithms (P<0.01). In the slices affected by metal artifacts, the artifact index decreased by 21.72%~88.40% after the MAR algorithm.@*CONCLUSIONS@#MAR algorithm can significantly reduce the metal artifacts and improve the clinical value of CT data.

Research on the Evaluation System of Clinical Value of Digital Radiography / 中国医疗器械杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To establish a set of evaluation system of digital radiography clinical value and provide foundation for the maturity assessment of digital radiography.@*METHODS@#The evaluation system of clinical value of digital radiography was established by literature survey,expert consultation,and percentage weight method.@*RESULTS@#The expert authority coefficients were 0.81 and 0.88,respectively.After two rounds of consultation,variation coefficients of each item ranged from 0 to 0.207,and the coefficient coordination were 0.599.The index system consisted of 5 first-level indexes and 12 second-level indexes.The weights of first-level indexes such as image quality,safety,usability,economic and social indicators share of the weight are 0.298,0.294,0.199,0.121 and 0.088 respectively.@*CONCLUSIONS@#A completed and scientific evaluation system was established,which provides a scientific assessment tool for clinical value of digital radiography.

Research on Fault Risk Identification and Control of CT Simulator Based on FMEA / 中国医疗器械杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the high-risk fault risk of CT simulator and the main causes of the risk, and to put forward effective risk management strategies.@*METHODS@#The failure mode and effect analysis method was used to identify and control the operational fault risk of CT simulator.@*RESULTS@#5 major fault components, 8 fault failure models and 17 failure causes were analyzed. The top 5 failure causes are:anode target surface burn caused by direct scanning without warming up the tube (590.4), tube failure (518.2), burnout of joints caused by aging of high voltage cables (424.2), motor carbon brush wear (304.8) and belt break (296.4).@*CONCLUSIONS@#The failure mode and effect analysis method can effectively identify the risk of equipment failure, and thus specifically formulate risk management and control measures to ensure the normal operation of equipment and the safety of doctors and patients.

The diagnostic value of combined specific IgG and specific IgE of Aspergillus fumigatus in allergic broncho pulmonary aspergillosis and severe asthma with fungal sensitization / 中华内科杂志

This study aims to explore the diagnostic value of specific immunoglobulin E (sIgE) and specific immunoglobulin G (sIgG) of Aspergillus fumigatus in the diagnosis of allergic broncho-pulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) and severe asthma with fungal sensitization (SAFS). A total of 17 ABPA patients and 14 SAFS patients were enrolled. The levels of sIgG [2 294.00 (1 527.00, 14 170.00) U/ml vs. 972.60 (650.90, 1 792.00) U/ml] and sIgE [8.77 (1.64, 16.85) kU/L vs. 1.04 (0.70, 2.05) kU/L] in ABPA patients were significantly higher than those in SAFS patients (P<0.05). Aspergillus fumigatus sIgG was strongly correlated with Aspergillus fumigatus sIgE (rs=0.797, P<0.001) in ABPA patients. When combined with Aspergillus fumigatus sIgG (>1 000.00 U/mL) and Aspergillus fumigatus sIgE (>1.00 kU/L), the sensitivity was 82.3% and specificity 78.6% for the differential diagnosis of ABPA and SAFS. It demonstrates the diagnostic value of Aspergillus fumigatus sIgG and sIgE.

A prospective study on quality of life in patients with head and neck cancer treated by intensity-modulated radiotherapy versus conventional radiotherapy / 中华放射肿瘤学杂志

Objective To prospectively assess the influence of intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) and conventional radiotherapy on quality of life (QOL) in patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) for clinical guidance. Methods From May 2007 to May 2008, 102 HNC patients were enrolled in this study. Fifty-two patients were treated with IMRT and 50 with conventional radiotherapy. In patients with IMRT, at least one parotid gland was spared, and the contralateral submandibular gland was spared in 24 patients. The parotid and submandibular gland were not spared in patient with conventional radiotherapy.QOL was assessed using EORTC QLQ C30 and HN35 questionnaires at 4 time points (before radiotherapy,end of radiotherapy, 2 months and 6 months after radiotherapy). A change of 10% in scores of the instru-ment range had been previously demonstrated to be clinically significant. Results In the study, 94% (31/33) of the QOL domains were worse after IMRT or conventional radiotherapy, including 49% (16/33) with significant difference (U=2.72-5.98, all values of P<0.01) and 33% (11/33) with clinical signifi-cance. At 2 months after radiotherapy, 12% (4/33) of the domains showed clinically significant improve-ment, however, 15% (5/33) of the domains did not show any improvement (U=3.10-5.93,all value of P < 0.01). Continuous improvement in most domains of QOL was shown at 6 months after radiotherapy. Clini-cally and statistically significant improvement were shown in 21% (7/33) of the domains, and some were even better than pretreatment except in dry mouth and sticky saliva scales (U=4.49 , P<0.01 and U=4.87 ,P <0.01). Compared with conventional radiotherapy, the dry mouth and sticky saliva caused by IM-RT were milder (U=4.57,P <0.01 and U=5.57, P < 0.01) and continuous improvement were shown over time after radiotherapy (U=7.23, P <0.01 and U = 7.57, P < 0.01). Similar improvement weren't shown in patients with conventional radiotherapy. Conclusions QOL in HNC patients is significant worse after ra-diotherapy. QOL can be improved continuously over time after treatment except dry mouth and sticky saliva which are the main factors affecting QOL. IMBT, causing less dry mouth and sticky saliva when compared with conventional radiotherapy, has benefits for the preservation of QOL.