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Objective:To explore the feasibility and accuracy of three-dimensional (3D) modeling methods based on ultrasound imaging data for normal and abnormal fetal cardiac structures, and to construct a methodology system for 3D printing of fetal heart based on ultrasound.Methods:A total of 93 fetuses examined in Tangdu Hospital of Air Force Military Medical University from January to December 2019 were selected. Fetal echocardiography was obtained using spatio-temporal image correlation (STIC). Ninety-three hearts were 3D modeled by blood flow modeling, blood pool modeling and cavity modeling, and printed by stereolithography technique. The data measured on the 3D digital models and 3D printed solid models were compared with the corresponding fetal echocardiographic images respectively in order to evaluate the accuracy of the modeling methods.Results:The fetal cardiac blood flow models based on Doppler flow image data showed the malformation and trend of small blood vessels. The fetal cardiac structure models printed based on blood pool modeling displayed the malformation of heart and large blood vessels. Models printed based on cavity modeling method accurately displayed valve and structural defects.For 83 normal fetal hearts, the long diameters of left and right ventricles measured on echocardiography [(15.3±1.9)mm, (13.2±1.9)mm] were compared with those measured on digital models [(15.1±1.9)mm, (12.9±1.9)mm] and 3D printed models[(15.1±1.9)mm, (13.0±1.9)mm], respectively, and there were no significant differences between any two groups of them ( P>0.05). Bland-Altman showed good consistency for all measurements within and between operators. Conclusions:The three modeling methods, including blood flow modeling, blood pool modeling and cavity modeling, have their own advantages in displaying different types of fetal heart malformations. Appropriate modeling methods should be selected for 3D modeling and printing to make up for the limitations of single modeling method. The consistency between measurements on 3D models and those on echocardiography is high, and the repeatability between operators is good.
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Objective Based on the multi-camera digital image correlation (DIC) method, the dynamic deformation characteristics of human hand during grasping were studied. Methods A continuous four-camera DIC system was established to measure surface strain of the skin on the back of the hand during grasping process, and then through the connection between skin, joints, bones and muscles, the regular pattern of muscle deformation could be known indirectly. Results Four grasping postures (medium cylinder, lateral pinch, index finger extension, power sphere) were measured. It was found that the increases of strain magnitude were different at different positions on back surface of the hand under different grasping postures, and the maximum principal strains were between 0.1 and 0.3. The movement characteristics for each muscle group of the hand under different grasping postures were obtained through analysis. Conclusions This method has the characteristics of non-contact, full field, intuitive results, which provides a new way for in vivo measurement of dynamic deformation during grasping.
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Background:The gold standard for pulmonary artery pressure measurement is right heart catheterization but its invasive nature precludes its routine use. Main pulmonary arterial trunk calibreincrease is a strong indicator of underlying pulmonary arterial hypertension. MDCT can accurately measure the diameter of main pulmonary artery. The objective of the study was to establish the normative values of main pulmonary artery caliber using contrast enhanced CT and try to ascertain any significant difference in main pulmonary artery calibers between two genders and correlation of age and main pulmonary artery diameter. Methods:Contrast enhanced CT images of 462 subjects were analysed on a PACS workstation monitor and widest diameter perpendicular to long axis of the main pulmonary artery as seen on reformatted axial image was measured with electronic caliper tool at the level of the main pulmonary artery bifurcation.Results:The mean main pulmonary artery diameter in females was 22.54±2.19 mm and 23.34±3.06 mm in males. The mean pulmonary artery diameter in males was larger than females with statistically significant difference seen (p<0.05). The correlation coefficient between age of whole sample and their mean main pulmonary artery was found to be 0.1006 with no statistically significant difference.Conclusions:There is a statistically significant difference in the mean main pulmonary artery calibre between males and femaleswith no strong correlation between the age and mean main pulmonary artery calibre. Further studies are warranted to find the complex interaction between main pulmonary artery diameter and sex, age and body mass index
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Objective To explore the potential of spatio-temporal image correlation (STIC) and tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) in observation on fetal cardiac structure and function in pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Methods Totally 140 GDM pregnancies (40 in the insulin treatment group, 62 in the diet control group, 38 in the glycemic uncontrolled group) and 211 normal pregnancies (control group) were enrolled. STIC with M-mode display (STIC-M) was used to measure the thicknesses of fetal ventricular wall and interventricular septum at the end of diastole and systole. TDI ultrasound was used to measure fetal atrioventricular annular velocity in early diastole (Ea), during atrial contraction (Aa), and in systole (Sa), and to calculate the Ea/Aa ratios. The parameters were compared among the 4 groups. Results The overall differences of thickness of the left and right ventricular wall and interventricular septum at the end of diastole and systole were statistically significant among the 4 groups (all P0.05). The overall differences of mitral annular Ea/Aa among the 4 groups were statistically significant (P=0.002), and those in all GDM pregnancy groups were lower than in control group (all P0.05). The differences in tricuspid annular Ea/Aa, mitral and tricuspid annular Sa were not statistically significant among 4 groups (all P>0.05). Conclusion The fetal ventricular wall and interventricular septum thicknesses are increased, cardiac diastolic function is decreased in GDM pregnancy independent of glycemic control condition. Combination of STIC-M and TDI has certain value to observe fetal cardiac structure and function in GDM pregnancy.
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Objective: To explore the application value of spatiotemporal image correlation (STIC) combined with 5D Heart intelligent navigation echocardiography in ultrasonic screening of normal fetuses. Methods: Ultrasonic screening of fetal heart was performed in 114 normal fetuses using conventional two-dimensional ultrasound and STIC combined with 5D Heart intelligent navigation technique by doctor A. The time taken for image collection using these two methods were recorded and the same nine sections were scored. One week later, image quality of STIC combined with 5D Heart was scored again by doctor A again, also by doctor B. The qualified rate of each section was compared between the two methods, and the consistency of image quality score by the same doctor and different doctors was analyzed. Results: Two fetuses were excluded due to obvious fetal movement and inability to determine the position of the intelligent navigation point. The time of collection of fetal heart volume images and conventional two-dimension ultrasound images were (94.76±35.21)s and (595.88±139.29)s, respectively (P0.05). The qualification rate of the abdomen and left ventricular outflow tract sections using STIC combined with 5D Heart was lower than those using the conventional two-dimension ultrasound (both P0.75). Conclusion: STIC combined with 5D-Heart intelligent navigation technique can shorten the examination time. The quality of the nine fetal heart view images can meet the needs of fetal heart ultrasonic screening, feasible and repeatable in normal fetal heart ultrasonic screening.
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Objective To investigate the application of fetal intelligent navigation echocardiography ( FINE ,5D Heart) in the diagnosis of conotruncal anomalies ( CTD ) . Methods For prospective study , volume transducer was used to collect the three-dimensional data of fetal heart at 20th - 30th week of gestation . The STIC volume images were processed by three independent physicians of different hierarchies via 5D Heart software afterwards ,and the quality of the STIC diagnosis as well as the consistence among the physicians were analyzed according to the gold standard of postpartum ultrasonic follow-up or surgery results . Results Twelve out of 16 CTD cases were finally included in the study ,and the volume data were analyzed . Senior physicians A could apply 5D Heart diagnosis to achieve 2D-US diagnosis efficiency and gold standard consistently( P = 0 .157 ,0 .083) ,medium and low seniority physician B and C got roughly equal score using 5D Heart diagnosis( P = 0 .705) ,but the diagnostic performance could not reach 2D-US ( P =0 .000 ,0 .000) and gold standard( P = 0 .000 ,0 .000) . Conclusions Fetal cardiac anomalies of CTD can be diagnosed correctly by an expert using 5D Heart ,which has important application prospects in remote consultation , training and scientific research and teaching of congenital heart disease of fetus .
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Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of spatio-temporal image correlation with M-mode display ( STIC-M ) in monitoring fetal left ventricular systolic function in fetuses with congenital heart disease(CHD) . Methods Five hundred and thirty-six normal fetuses and 34 fetuses with CHD( 29 without hydrops and 5 with hydrops) were involved in the study . Left ventricular fractional shortening ( LVFS) was measured using STIC-M . The data of normal fetuses was used to construct reference ranges of LVFS for assessment of fetuses with CHD . Results The LVFS of the normal fetuses [ range :26 .8％ - 42 .9％ , mean :( 34 .9 ± 4 .1) ％ ] was negatively correlated with gestational age ( r = - 0 .16 , P < 0 .001) . Compared with the normal controls ,LVFS was significantly decreased in CHD fetuses with hydrops ( P < 0 .001) . However ,there was no significant difference in LVFS between normal controls and CHD fetuses without hydrops ( P > 0 .05) . Conclusions STIC-M is a new method that can be used to measure LVFS to evaluate fetal ventricular systolic function . The fetal ventricular contractile function of CHD fetuses without hydrops may not be damaged or is in compensation stage . The fetuses with cardiac hydrops generally become lower .
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Objective To explore the feasibility of intelligent spatiotemporal image correlation-fetal heart navigator(iSTIC-FHN) in the display of the ductal arch view in normal fetuses ,and to compare two-dimensional echocardiography( 2DE) and iSTIC-FHN based measures of ductus arteriosus( DA ) in normal fetuses . Methods Two hundred and eleven normal fetuses with gestational age of 22 - 32 weeks were enrolled . Each fetus had undergone conventional 2DE examination and the iSTIC fetal cardiac volumes were obtained .The volume datasets were analyzed offline using new automatic software ( the Fetal Heart Navigator ,FHN ) . The diameter of DA were measured by 2DE and iSTIC based FHN ,respectively . Pearson's correlation analysis was used to examine the relation between gestational age and diameter of DA for both 2DE and iSTIC-FHN . The measurement of the diameters of ductus arteriosus by two methods were compared . Results The ductal arch view using FHN was successfully obtained in 165(78 .2％ ) cases among 211 normal cases . The comparison of 2DE and iSTIC-FHN in the measurement of the DA was made in 131(62 .1％ ) normal fetuses . Mean 2DE DA increased from ( 3 .00 ± 0 .23) mm at 22 weeks to ( 5 .42 ± 0 .26) mm at 32 weeks . Mean iSTIC-FHN DA increased from ( 2 .96 ± 0 .21) mm at 22 weeks to ( 5 .36 ± 0 .17) mm at 32 weeks . There was a good correlation between the two methods ( Pearson's R 2 = 0 .942 ,P =0 .539) . Bland-Altman plot showed the 95％ limits of agreement was ( - 0 .3287 ,0 .3111) . Conclusions iSTIC-FHN is the potential tool for the evaluation of the ductal arch view .
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Objective To evaluate the cardiac function of fetuses with aortic arch anomalies using spatio -temporal image correlation (STIC). Methods Thirty - two fetuses with aortic arch anomalies in Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine from March 2015 to October 2016,were included. These fetuses were divided into 2 groups according to hemodynamics:obstructive lesion group(17 cases)and non - obstructive lesion group(15 cases). Comparative analysis of cardiac function of these fetuses was conducted in light of gestational age - matched normal fetuses separately using fetal echocardiography and STIC. The indexes were obtained,which in-cluded diameter of great arteries,left ventricular end diastolic dimension(LVDD),right ventricular end diastolic dimen-sion(RVDD),right ventricular end systolic transverse diameter(RVDS),left ventricular end systolic transverse diame-ter(LVDS),fractional shortening (FS),left ventricular end - diastolic volume(LVEDV),right ventricular end - dias-tolic volume (RVEDV),left ventricular end - systolic volume (LVESV),right ventricular end - systolic volume (RVESV),stroke volume(SV)and ejection fraction(EF)were obtained. Comparison was made between the groups. Results Cardiac function of fetuses with aortic arch anomalies was within normal range,however,FS and EF were lower in these fetuses than those of normal ones,specifically,the development of aorta was worse in fetuses with obstruc-tive lesions (all P < 0. 05). In these fetuses,RVEDV was larger than that of normal fetuses. EDV and SV were larger in the right ventricle(RV)than those of the left ventricle(LV)[RVEDV vs. LVEDV:(1. 681 ± 0. 725)mL vs. (1. 181 ± 0. 565)mL,SV of RV vs. SV of LV:(1. 020 ± 0. 436)mL vs. (0. 643 ± 0. 299)mL],and the differences were all sta-tistically significant(t = - 2. 246,P = 0. 032;t = - 2. 939,P = 0. 006);and EF was higher in RV[EF of RV vs. EF of LV:(61 ± 5)％ vs. (54 ± 5)％],and the difference was statistically significant(t = - 3. 708,P = 0. 001). Meanwhile, aorta and pulmonary artery were both smaller in fetuses with non - obstructive lesions than those of normal fetuses,and the differences were all statistically significant(all P < 0. 05). There were no significant differences between these fetu-ses and normal fetuses in LVDD,LVDS,RVDD,RVDS or RVDD/ LVDD,and there was no significant difference be-tween LV and RV in volumic indices (all P > 0. 05). Conclusions Small aorta and ventricular disproportion may appear in fetuses with aortic arch obstruction. Though ventricular systolic function is within normal range,FS and EF are lower in aortic arch anomaly fetuses than those in normal fetuses. Aortic arch anomalies may have influence on fetal car-diac function.
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[Objective] To evaluate the value of cardiac screening in the first trimester by using three-dimensional ultrasound with spatiotemporal image correlation (STIC) and to analyze the value of different views for cardiac assessment.[Methods] This study retrospectively reviewed the eighty-seven fetuses with congenital heart diseases which were diagnosed in our institution between January 4th 2013 and June 30th 2016.We compared the detection rate of prenatal ultrasound screening with STIC in the first trimester and the results of postnatal echocardiography or autopsy.In addition,the detection rates of the different planes,including four-chamber view (4CV),outlet of the left ventricle (OLV),outlet of the right ventricle (ORV) and three vessels-trachea view (3VT) were analyzed.[Results] Severe cardiac anomalies were identified in 62 fetuses (71.3％) and non-severe cardiac anomalies were identified in 25 fetuses (28.7％).Seventy-eight cases (89.7％,78/87) with congenital heart diseases could be detected by using three-dimensional ultrasound with STIC.The detection ratesfor 4CV,4CV+OLV,4CV+ORV,4CV+3VT,4CV+OLV+ORV and 4CV+OLV+ORV+3VT were 48.3％,64.4％,66.7％,79.3％,69.0％ and 89.7％ respectively.[Conclusions] Three-dimensional ultrasound with STIC could detect congenital heart disease in the first trinester.The four-chamber view plus outlet of the left ventricle,outlet of the right ventricle and three vessels-trachea view could increase the detection rates of congenital heart diseases.
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Objective To evaluate the clinical value of fetal intelligent navigation echocardiography (5D Heart) in the display of key diagnostic elements in basic fetal echocardiographic views.Methods Using volume probe,3D volume datasets of the 209 normal singleton fetuses in the second and third trimesters were acquired from a four-chamber view.After processing the datasets by using 5D Heart,9 cardiac diagnostic planes were acquired and then the image qualities of key diagnosis elements of the heart and great vessels were graded by 3 doctors with different experiences of performing fetal echocardiography.Results Two hundred and sixty-two volume datasets were acquired from 209 normal fetuses,including 53 volume datasets collected when cardiac apex was in different directions,satisfactory datasets failed to be acquired in 27 fetuses because of the maternal obesity,the artifacts of fetal movement,or other influencing factors.Two hundred and thirty-one volume datasets of 182 fetuses could be used for 5D Heart analyzing and displaying,and the displaying rate of 9 standard diagnostic views was up to 88.2％.No significant difference was found when comparing the grading results of one observer in different periods of time,the grading results between two experienced doctors and the grading results among the experienced doctor and one relatively inexperienced doctor (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusions 5D Heart has high reliability and repeatability in obtaining fetal echocardiographic diagnosis views and displaying fetal elemental diagnostic information.
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Objective To investigate whether different initial planes have an effect on examination of the fetal heart by four-dimensional ultrasound with spatiotemporal image correlation (STIC).Methods The standard examination planes of fetal heart were rendered using the heart volume data which were acquired in different initial planes with STIC,then these rendered planes were compared and scored.Results① At the four-chamber initial planes,the reconstruction rate of longitudinal planes of the aortic arch (46.27%) and the pulmonary artery (49.25%) were poor,in addition,the reconstruction showed low quality,and the average scores were 1.366 and 1.403,respectively.② At the left outflow-tract initial planes,reconstruction rates of all planes were above 75%,and there was no statistical difference(P=0.169).Each reconstruction plane had good score,even if the scores of longitudinal planes of the aortic arch/pulmonary artery were low,whose scores reached 1.936 and 2.051,respectively.③ At the initial longitudinal planes of the aortic arch,the reconstruction rate (96.67%) and average reconstruction score (2.617) of longitudinal planes of the pulmonary artery were obviously higher than those of other planes.④ Compared with different initial planes,volume data acquired from left outflow-tract initial planes could lead to high-quality reconstructed planes of all standard examination planes.While four-chamber initial planes acquired high-quality standard examination planes except longitudinal planes of the aortic arch and pulmonary artery.Volume data from initial longitudinal plane of the aortic arch acquired low-quality standard examination planes except longitudinal planes of the aortic arch and longitudinal plane of the pulmonary artery.Conclusions With STIC,sonographers can not only save the volume data for off-line analysis and remote consultation but also choose the better initial planes for themselves during the examination of fetal hearts.
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Objective To investigate the value of fetal intelligent navigation echocardiography (FINE,5D Heart)in displaying the normal fetal heart structure during 20 to 38 weeks'gestation.Methods Three-dimensional data of fetal heart during 20 to 38 weeks'gestation were acquired using volume transducer prospectively.The STIC volume images were post-processed with 5D heart software by three physicians with different levels of echocardiographic examination and the quality of the section images were analyzed.The intra-and interobserver repeatability was analyzed for the qualification of section images.The correlation between the quality of image and gestational age,body mass index,the placenta position,fetal initial plane position were evaluated using univariate and multivariable logistic regression analysis.Results Two hundreds and five cases of pregnant women were included,and 9 cases were excluded.Volume data acquisition was completed in 180 pregnant women,and the image acquisition rate was 91.8%.The data were assessed twice by three observers and qualified 9 section images were gotten in 156-180 cases(degree of qualification 86.7%-100%).The screening images were satisfied in 152 cases(84.4%),dissatisfied with 28 cases(15.6%).The intra-observer agreement by three observers was absolute concord in four chamber view and abdomen、stomach view;excellent in three vessel trachea view(3VT),five chamber view, left ventricular outflow tract view and superior and inferior vena cava view;good in right ventricular outflow tract view,ductal arch view and aortic arch view.The inter-observer agreement by each of three observers was absolute concord in four chamber view and abdomen、stomach view;excellent in superior and inferior vena cava view;excellent to good in five chamber view,left ventricular outflow tract view,right ventricular outflow tract view;good in 3VT,ductal arch view and aortic arch view.In a univariate analysis,the quality of the image was associated with obesity(χ2=15.338,P =0.000),gestational age(χ2=23.356,P =0.000).Multivariable analysis showed that the obesity(OR=5.587,P =0.001)and gestational age (OR=8.843,P=0.000)were factors affecting the quality of the image.The average time spent in post-processing the images for first time by three observers was(2.77±1.39)min,and there was no significant difference among observers(P > 0.05).Conclusions Fetal intelligent navigation echocardiography (FINE,5D Heart)based on STIC volumes can successfully generate 9 standard fetal echocardiography views in 86.7%-100% of fetuses in the 2nd and 3rd trimesters.This method can simplify examination of the fetal heart and reduce operator dependency.
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Objective To evaluate the value of fetal intelligent navigation echocardiography ( 5D Heart) and Virtual Intelligent Sonographer Assistance ( VIS-Assistance ? ) in the display of key diagnostic elements in basic fetal echocardiographic views . Methods The heart volumes data of 209 normal fetuses were collected and then the offline analysis was conducted . Processing of the built-in VIS-Assistance ? for each diagnosis plane was optimized . The display success rate and image quality difference of diagnosis images and diagnosis elements before and after the VIS-Assistance ? processing as well as the repeatability between observers were analyzed and compared . Results Totally 262 fetal heart volume data were collected from 209 fetuses ,and 231 volume data of 182 cases could be used for the analysis ,with the acquiring success rate of 88 .2% . For the display rate of 8 diagnosis sections of the 231 fetal heart volume data before and after VIS-Assistance ? processing ,abdominal transverse section at stomach level showed no significant difference ,while the other diagnostic sections showed significant differences ( all P < 0 .05) ,and the display rate after the processing was higher than that before the processing . For the image quality scores of diagnosis sections before and after VIS-Assistance ? processing ,abdominal transverse section at stomach level showed no significant differences ,while other diagnostic sections showed significant differences ( all P < 0 .01) ,and the image quality scores after the processing were higher than those before the processing . According to Bland-Altman analysis ,95% credibility interval of the total scores of 8 sections measured by different observers before and after VIS-Assistance ? were ( - 0 .17/ + 0 .18 ) and ( - 0 .17/ + 0 .18 ) , respectively ,6 .06% (14/231) and 3 .89% (9/231) of the points were outside the 95% credibility interval , and the rest had high consistency . Conclusions 5D Heart and VIS-Assistance ? technology can significantly improve the display rate of diagnostic section and image quality of element structures , and has high reliability and repeatability in obtaining fetal cardiac diagnosis sections and displaying fetal elemental diagnostic information .
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Objective To evaluate the concordance of two-dimensional echocardiography (2DE) and intelligent spatiotemporal image correlation (iSTIC) in measuring fetal aortic and aortic arch diameters during the second and third trimesters.Methods Data were collected by a prospective cross-sectional study of 140 normal singleton fetuses with the gestational age from 22 to 32 weeks.A total of 6 dimensions of the fetal aortic and aortic arch,including aortic annular diameter (AO),ascending aorta diameter (AAO),aortic arch diameter [AO Arch (INA to LCCA)],aortic arch diameter [AO Arch (LCCA to LSA)],aortic isthmus diameter and descending aorta diameter (DAO),were measured by two different methods.Concordance was assessed by comparing the measurements acquired by iSTIC with those determined by 2DE and depicted by Bland-Altman plots.Inter-and intra-observer variability was evaluated by the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) test.Results A total of 137 iSTIC volumes in 140 cases were found to be suitable for further analysis.Good correlation was observed in the measurements that determined by 2D or iSTIC (Pearson's R2 =0.977-0.983).There was no significant difference in the mean values of all the parameters that measured by two methods.Bland-Altman plot showed that the 95％ limits of agreement (LOA) in AO,AAO,AO Arch (INA to LCCA),AO Arch (LCCA to LSA),aortic isthmus diameter and DAO were (-0.1260/+ 0.2299),(-0.1707/+ 0.2241),(-0.1547/+ 0.2190),(-0.1736/+ 0.2024),(-0.1514/+ 0.2039) and (-0.1485/+ 0.2228),respectively.The points in the outside of LOA were 5.11％ (7/137),4.38％ (6/137),5.11％ (7/137),5.84％ (8/137),4.38％ (6/137)and 4.38％ (6/137),respectively.Conclusions iSTIC has a good agreement with 2DE in measuring fetal aortic and aortic arch dimensions during the second and third trimesters.
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Real-time magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) navigated ultrasound is an image fusion technique to display the results of both MRI and ultrasonography on the same monitor. This system is a promising technique to improve lesion detection and analysis, to maximize advantages of each imaging modality, and to compensate the disadvantages of both MRI and ultrasound. In evaluating breast cancer stage preoperatively, MRI and ultrasound are the most representative imaging modalities. However, sometimes difficulties arise in interpreting and correlating the radiological features between these two different modalities. This pictorial essay demonstrates the technical principles of the real-time MRI navigated ultrasound, and clinical implementation of the system in preoperative evaluation of tumor extent, multiplicity, and nodal status in breast cancer patients.
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Humans , Breast Neoplasms , Breast , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , UltrasonographyABSTRACT
Objective To explore whether the use of spatiotemporal image correlation (STIC) can supply additional information with respect to conventional fetal echocardiography in the prenatal diagnosis of total anomalous pulmonary venous connection(TAPVC).Methods Twenty-five cases diagnosed as TAPVC received fetal echocardiography examination.Four-dimensional volumes from 19 cases of suspected TAPVC were compared to conventional echocardiography.Echocardiographic characteristics were compared with the results of postnatal work-up and pathology.Results TAPVC was found in 25 cases by fetal echocardiography,four cases were isolated TAPVC,21 TAPVC had associated cardiac anomalies.Among them,nine cases were supracardiac types,six cases were infracardiac types,nine cases were intracardiac types and one was indefinite.Three true positivecases of TAPVC were confirmed after birth.Twenty-two choose to terminate pregnancy,9 of which refused to autopsy,and 10 true positive cases of TAPVC were confirmed at autopsy while 3 were considered false-positive cases.4D ultrasound with STIC clearly visualized the anomalous PV confluence and/or the draining vertical vein in all nineteen cases examined.Conclusions STIC may be proposed to identify abnormal venous drainage at the screening level,thus supplying additional information over that provided by 2D fetal echocardiography.
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Objective To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy and integrity of two-dimension ultrasound (2DUS)assisted with spatio-temporal image correlation (STIC)for cardiac and vascular abnormalities in fetal heterotaxy syndrome (HS).Methods The retrospective study was conducted from Nov 2007 to Feb 2013.Forty-five fetuses with suspected heterotaxy syndrome on routine prenatal ultrasonic screening underwent STIC volume sweep.The diagnosis was confirmed by pathological or echocardiographic examination.STIC volume data sets of fetal hearts were off-line analyzed blindly by one doctor who had practiced fetal echocardiography for more than five years.The concordance and integrity levels of diagnosis with 2DUS or assisted with STIC were compared according with pathological results.Results There were 397 cardiac and vascular defects in 37 cases of right isomerism.The overall concordance of various defects in right isomerism diagnosed assisted with STIC (96.5%)was significantly higher than that of 2DUS (60.2%) (P 0.05).There was no significant difference in concordance rates of various defects of left isomerism diagnosed between two methods,except that the concordance rate of left atria isomerism diagnosed assisted with STIC was higher(P <0.05).There was no difference in percentages of diagnostic integrity levels (0-3)in left isomerism between two methods.Conclusions STIC technology may provide considerable diagnostic information for ultrasonic diagnosis of fetal heterotaxy syndrome,especially in abnormalities of atria and ventricle isomerism,ventriculo-arterial junction,arterial arches,systematic and pulmonary veins in right isomerism.
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AIM:To establish a rapid in vitro method for mast cell degranulation tracing by raster image corre-lation spectroscopy (RICS).METHODS:RBL-2H3, a basophilic granulocyte mast cell line transfected with CD 63-GFP plasmid, was used for evaluating the methods , including β-hexosaminidase ( HEX) colorimetric assay, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and RICS in the detection of mast cell degranulation .The sensibilities of these methods were com-pared.RESULTS:The sensitivities of β-HEX colorimetric assay and SEM were 5 mg/L and 3.9 ×10 -2 mg/L, respec-tively.RICS detection showed obvious decrease in the diffusion coefficient at dose of 3.9 ×10 -2 mg/L.CONCLUSION:Fluorescent molecular diffusion dynamic measurement can be used for rapid tracing of allergic substances in vitro.Accord-ing to the results, RICS can achieve nearly the same extent of sensitivity as the SEM does and is far more sensitive than β-HEX colorimetric assay.Compared with SEM, RICS has several advantages: it is faster, simpler and cheaper; it can be used in living cells;it is more suitable for rapid in vitro allergenic compounds tracing .Therefore, RICS is applicable in clinic allergic antigen screening and may also be used in pharmaceutical quality control .
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Objective To establish z-score model for fetal aorta (Ao) and pulmonary artery (PA) dimensions base on fetal femur length (FL),then to evaluate them in prenatal diagnosis of tetralogy of Fallot (TOF).Methods Three hundred twenty-nine normal fetuses and 43 fetuses with TOF were involved,Ao and PA dimensions were measured for all cases offline after cardio-spatiotemporal image correlation (STIC) volume acquisition,and PA to Ao ratio (PA/Ao) was calculated.Normal Ao and PA dimensions z-score models were constructed by using first standard regression analysis using FL as independent variable.Subsequently,the three parameters between normal and TOF fetuses were compared.Results The models use to calculate z-score for Ao and PA dimensions were constructed,FL had close correlation with fetal Ao and PA dimensions.Compared with normal fetuses,the mean z-scores of Ao,PA and PA/Ao ratio were statistical different in TOF fetuses.All Ao z-scores were ＞ + 2 z-scores and all the PA/Ao ratio were ＜ the 95％ CI in TOF group,however,only 48.84％ (21/43) PA z-scores of TOF cases were ＜-2 z-scores.Conclusions The Ao and PA dimensions z-score can provide quantitative evidence in prenatal diagnosis of TOF.Aortic dilatation and abnormal PA/Ao ratio are the main performances in fetal TOF and would be markers for prenatal diagnosis of TOF.