Methods for quantitative measurement in the computed tomography images of Tusanqi related hepatic sinusoidal obstruction syndrome / 中华消化杂志

Objective To explore the feasibility of applying threshold and region-growing based algorithm in computed tomography (CT) images for the estimation of hepatic lesion volumes in patients with Tusanqi related hepatic sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (SOS).Methods From July 2012 to January 2015,at the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University,20 patients who were diagnosed with SOS and had complete CT images were enrolled.Stereology and threshold and regiongrowing based algorithm were performed to estimate volumes of the low-density region in the liver,respectively,and then the measured volumes of hepatic lesion and operation time were compared.Paired samples t test and the Bland-Altman statistical test were performed for statistical analysis.Results The hepatic lesion volumes measured by stereology and threshold and region-growing based algorithm were (1.001±0.327) dm3 and (1.045±0.363) dm3,respectively,and the difference was not statistically significant (P＞0.05).The consistency between the two methods was good.The operation time of threshold and region-growing based algorithm was (597.55±52.86) s (minimum 500 s),which was less than that of stereology (1 251.60 ± 105.88) s (minimum 1 075 s),and the difference was statistically significant (t =32.808,P＜ 0.01).Conclusion There is no statistically significant difference in the measured hepatic lesion volume of patients with SOS between stereology and the threshold and regiongrowing based algorithm,but the operation time of threshold and region-growing based algorithm is shorter.

Clinical application of MDCTE score in evaluating Crohn's disease Activity / 安徽医科大学学报

Fifty activity small intestinal Crohn's disease patients were enrolled in this study.Every patient was confirmed multidetector CT enterography (MDCTE) scanning.The CT imaging and scored accoeding to the CT findings were retrospectively analyzed.Patients were divided into mild,moderate,severe activities according to patients'Crohn's disease activity index(CDAI).The correlation between CT score and the CDAI was compared.Results showed that CT score and CDAI had significant correlation (r =0.825,P ＜ 0.825).The MDCTE score can be used for clinical evaluation of Crohn's disease activity.

The sensitivity and specificity of CT enterography comprehensive score in evaluating the activity of Crohn's disease / 实用放射学杂志

Objective To evaluate the value of CT enterography (CTE)imaging scores in assessing the clinical activity of Crohn's disease (CD).Methods Forty-eight patients with pathologically or clinically confirmed CD were collected retrospectively.The CTE findings associated with disease activity were analyzed and scored,and the well-known Crohn's disease activity index (CDAI)was also performed.The correlation between CTE score and CDAI score was analyzed by Pearson correlation method.The diagnostic efficacy and optimal diagnostic threshold of CTE score for clinical activity of CD were evaluated by ROC curve analysis.Results There was a good correlation between the CTE score and CDAI (r =0.790,P <0.001).ROC curve analysis showed the area under the curve (AUC)was 0.913 (P <0.001).The optimal diagnostic threshold was 5.5.A CTE score of 5.5 or above indicated the disease was active,with a sensitivity of 84.2％,specificity of 80％,positive predictive value of 94.1％,negative predictive value of 57.1％ and the Youden index of 0.642.Conclusion The CTE comprehensive score has high sensitivity and specificity for estimating clinical activity of CD.

The sensitivity and specificity of CT enterography comprehensive score in evaluating the activity of Crohn's disease / 实用放射学杂志

Objective To evaluate the value of CT enterography (CTE)imaging scores in assessing the clinical activity of Crohn's disease (CD).Methods Forty-eight patients with pathologically or clinically confirmed CD were collected retrospectively.The CTE findings associated with disease activity were analyzed and scored,and the well-known Crohn's disease activity index (CDAI)was also performed.The correlation between CTE score and CDAI score was analyzed by Pearson correlation method.The diagnostic efficacy and optimal diagnostic threshold of CTE score for clinical activity of CD were evaluated by ROC curve analysis.Results There was a good correlation between the CTE score and CDAI (r =0.790,P <0.001).ROC curve analysis showed the area under the curve (AUC)was 0.913 (P <0.001).The optimal diagnostic threshold was 5.5.A CTE score of 5.5 or above indicated the disease was active,with a sensitivity of 84.2％,specificity of 80％,positive predictive value of 94.1％,negative predictive value of 57.1％ and the Youden index of 0.642.Conclusion The CTE comprehensive score has high sensitivity and specificity for estimating clinical activity of CD.

Preliminary study of peripheral artery CT angiography with auto-tube current of different tube voltage and noise index / 实用放射学杂志

Objective To evaluate the effect of different tube voltage and noise index (NI)on image quality and radiation dose during peripheral artery CTA with automatic tube current modulation(ATCM)technique.Methods Seventy-two patients were ran-domly divided into three groups with different scanning tube voltage and noise index as follows:group A with 100 kV and NI of 1 5, group B with 80 kV and NI of 1 5,group C with 100 kV and NI of 20.Image quality,segmental vascular enhancement,signal-to-noise ratio (SNR),contrast-to-noise (CNR)and effective dose (ED)were independently evaluated in 3 groups.The methods of sta-tistics analysis were ANOVA,and P 0.05).Conclusion Using ATCM low-kV with high NI scanning can reduce radiation dose without interference on image quality for peripheral artery CTA.

Clinical study on the etiologic diagnosis method of small bowel obstruction / 中华消化杂志

Objective To evaluate the clinical value of computed tomography (CT) examination in the etiologic diagnosis of small bowel obstruction.Methods From January 2010 to September 2013,a total of 237 patients with small bowel obstruction confirmed by operation were enrolled.The clinical data of all patients were collected.The diagnostic value of color Doppler ultrasound and abdominal CT examination were compared in estimating site of obstruction,etiology of obstruction and strangulation obstruction.Chi square test was performed for count data comparison.Results Among 237 patients with small bowel obstruction,there were 121 patients with data of both color Doppler ultrasound and abdominal CT examination.After operation,it was comfirmed that the accurate diagnosis rates of abdominal CT scan in the site of obstruction,the etiology of obstruction and strangulation obstruction were 75.2 ％ (91/121),66.1％ (80/121) and 87.2％ (41/47),respectively,and which were higher than those of abdominal color ultrasound (44.6％,54/121; 30.6％,37/121 and 42.6％,20/47).The differences were statistically significant (x2 =23.555,30.595 and 20.593,all P＜0.01).Conclusion The accurate diagnosis rates of abdominal CT scan in estimating the site of obstruction,the etiology of obstruction and strangulation obstruction were higher than those of color Doppler ultrasound,especially with obvious advantage in judging the etiology of obstruction.

Evaluation of monochromatic imaging spectal CT for intestinal bleeding using an experimental pig intestine model / 中华放射学杂志

Objective To discuss the diagnostic value of monochromatic energy image spectral CT in active small bowel bleeding and to screen the optimal energy level that indicates active bleeding of the gastrointestinal tract.Methods The bleeding model was established using the small intestines of pigs in vitro.Seven blood flow rates were simulated:0.500,0.400,0.300,0.200,0.100,0.050,0.025 ml/min,respectively.For each rate,a GE Discovery HD750 CT scanner was used in GSI scan mode and 64 slice CT was performed,with a delay of 15 s and 40 s simulated the arterial phase and portal venous phase,respectively.Each out of the blood flow rate in the 2 modes was respectively scanned 5 times.The GSI reconstruction platform was employed to obtain 7 monochromatic energy images(40,50,60,70,80,90,100 keV).A set of polychromatic energy images was obtained from an ordinary scan.The detection rates of the contrast agent exudation regions using the two scanning methods were compared.The contrast to noise ratios(CNR) for the contrast agent exudation regions were measured.Randomized block analysis of Variance was performed to compare the differences in CNR between energy levels.The x2 test was used to compare the detection rates obtained from the 2 scanning methods.Results The detection rates for energy spectral CT and 64 slice CT in the arterial phase were 31/35 and 23/35,respectively; there was significant difference(x2=5.185,P=0.023).The total detection rates of portal venous phase were 35/35 and 32/35,respectively,there was no significant difference(x2=l.393,P=0.238).On the ordinary scan mode,the detection rates of arterial and portal venous phase difference was statistically significant(x2 =6.873,P =0.009);but on the GSI scan mode,there was no significant difference(x2=2.386,P=0.122). The CNR values at 8 group energy levels for arterial phase and portal venous phase were statistically different(respectively P＜ 0.05),the CNR value of the contrast agent exudation regions at 50 keV and 60 keV monochromatic energy images on the GSI scan mode higher than that of polychromatic energy images,the difference was statistically significant(respectively P＜0.05),the CNR in portal venous phase images were higher than that of arterial at all energy groups,differences were statistically significant(t=-3.996 to-2.380,respectively P＜ 0.05).Conclusions Monochromatic energy image spectral CT demonstrates superiority over polychromatic energy images in detecting active bleeding of the gastrointestinal tract.The optimal monochromatic energy value for detection was between 50 keV and 60 keV,and the detection was easier in the portal venous phase than in the arterial phase.

Investigation on the value of spectral CT imaging in diagnosis of benign and malignant thyroid nodules / 中华放射学杂志

Objective To explore the value of gemstone spectral imaging (GSI) in the detection and differential diagnosis of benign and malignant thyroid nodules.Methods The spectral CT images in 88 patients with thyroid nodules were analyzed retrospectively.All the patients underwent spectral CT scanning,including 33 patients undergoing biphase enhanced CT imaging.Nodules were divided into benign and malignant ones according to histopathologic results.The iodine concentration,slope of spectral curve,effective atomic number in non-enhanced and enhanced scanning were compared between benign and malignant group by the Wilcoxon rank sum test,respectively.The optimal iodine concentration threshold to predict malignancy was obtained by receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC),sensitivity and specificity were achieved.Results A total of 106 nodules were detected,including 76 benign and 30 malignant nodules.In non-contrast CT imaging,the average iodine concentration,slope of spectral curve,effective atomic number of were 2.35 × 100 μg/ml,0.29 and 7.71 for benign group:-0.51 × 100 μg/ml,-0.06 and 7.52 for malignant group (Z value were-3.072,-3.107 and-3.055,respectively ; P ＜ 0.05).In the arterial phase,the average iodine concentration,slope of spectral curve,effective atomic number of the two group were 27.22 × 100 μg/ml,3.23 and 9.10 for benign group; 18.81 × 100 μg/ml,2.24 and 8.69 for malignant group (Z value were-2.582,-2.582 and-2.564,respectively; P ＜ 0.05).In venous phase,no significant difference was found for each parameter between the two groups (P ＞ 0.05).The optimal iodine concentration to predict malignancy was-0.35 × 100 μg/ml in non-enhanced phase with 56.7％ sensitivity and 73.7％ specificity.The optimal iodine concentration was 22.91 × 100 μg/ml in arterial phase,with 76.2％ sensitivity and 75.0％ specificity.Using iodine concentration to predict malignancy in both noncontrast phase and arterial phase,the sensitivity and specificity were 81.2％ and 73.3％,while the accuracy was 81.6％.Conclusion Gemstone spectral CT imaging can quantitatively evaluate the iodine content of thyroid nodules,having a potential value in differential diagnosis of thyroid nodules.

Value of imaging findings score in valuing the activity of Crohn disease / 中华放射学杂志

Objective To evaluate the value of multi-slice CT enterography(MSCTE),capsule endoscopy(CE) and contrast-enhanced ultrasound(CEUS) findings score in the assessment of Crohn disease activity,prospectively.Methods One hundred and eight patients were diagnosed with CD by endoscopy combined with clinical or pathological results,and all of the patients' Crohn disease activity index(CDAI) were greater than or equal to 150.MSCTE were performed in all the patients.At the same time,48 and 60 patients of them were voluntary to accept CEUS and CE examination,respectively.The imaging score of the three different techniques was calculated.Patients' CDAI were calculated combined with the C-reactive protein(CRP) content and clinical feature.To analyze the correlation among the imaging score patients' CDAI,and CRP content,respectively using the Pearson method.Results The mean score of MSCTE,CEUS and CE were(7.6±2.7),(11.5 ±4.3) and(12.8±8.2),respectively.The patients' mean CDAI and CRP content were(296.1±93.5) and(23.7±5.2) mg/L,respectively.It was high correlation between MSCTE score and CDAI (r=0.916,P＜0.01),but it was moderate between CEUS(r=0.752,P＜0.01),CE(r=0.707,P＜0.01) score and CDAI.There was no evident correlation between MSCTE(r=0.167,P＞0.05),CEUS(r=0.200,P＞0.05) score and CRP content excepting the CE result(r=0.467,P＜0.01).Conclusions There was a good correlation between the MSCTE score and CDAI.We could use MSCTE findings score to assess the activity of CD patients prospectively.

Imaging presentations of multiple gastric duplication cysts inside the mediastina / 中华消化外科杂志

Gastrointestinal duplication cyst is a rare congenital disease which can occur in any part of the digestive tract between the root of tongue and the anus,and it is commonly seen in the ileum.About 45％ of the gastrointestinal duplication cyst occurs in the ileocecus and the epityphlon.Multiple gastric duplication cyst is a rare type of the gastrointestinal duplication cyst,which accounted for 3.8％-5.0％.Gastric duplication cyst mostly occurs in the greater curvature of the stomach,and it connects with the stomach wall.Multiple gastric duplication cysts in the mediastina is rarely seen.In this article,the imaging presentations of 1 patient with multiple gastric duplication cysts inside the mediastina were analyzed.

Spectral CT imaging in the evaluation of composition of kidney stones / 中华放射学杂志

ObjectiveTo evaluate the feasibility of determining the chemical composition of kidney stones using gemstone spectral imaging ( GSI ).Methods One hundred and sixty eight extracted human kidney stones immersed in a 10 cm deep water tank underwent CT (Discovery CT750 HD) scans with GSI mode and conventional polychromatic imaging ( CPI,120 kVp) mode.All GSI data were transferred to Workstation AW 4.4 to acquire monochromatic images of 50 keY,effective atomic number (Zeff) mapping images,water (calcium)-based images and calcium (Water)-based images with GSI Viewer.CT numbers of stones were measured and compared at 50 keV monochromatic images and 120 kVp polychromatic images,the mean Zeff,calcium density and water density were measured at Zeff mapping images,Calcium (Water) -based images and Water (Calcium)-based images,respectively.The mean Zeff,spectral HU curve slope and calcium water ratio (CWR) were compared with ANOVA and Wilcoxon test.The composition of kidney stones was determined by infrared spectrometer after CT examination.According to the result of stone composition determined by infrared spectroscopy,108 pure kidney stones were divided into five groups:Uric acid stones ( UA,n = 13 ),struvite stones ( STR,n = 24),cystine stones ( CYS,n = 14),calcium phosphate stones ( CaP,n = 18),and calcium oxalate stones ( COX,n = 39).ResultsThe mean Zeff,CWR,the mean CT numbers at 50 keV images,120 kVp images and spectral HU curve slope of each group were listed as the following:UA [ 7.4 ± 0.4,0.0085 ± 0.0021,( 503 ± 168 ) HU,(495 ± 106 ) HU and - 0.77 ] ; STR [ 11.8 ± 0.9,0.1743 ± 0.0677,( 1056 ± 290 ) HU,( 799 ± 165 ) HU and 18.72 ] ; CYS [ 11.2 ± 0.6,0.1253 ± 0.0297,( 740 ± 172 ) HU,( 565 ± 129 ) HU and 12.79 ] ; CaP [ 16.0 ± 0.4,0.6781 ± 0.0952,( 2567 ±178 ) HU,( 1602 ± 200 ) HU and 37.14 ] ; COX [ 15.4 ± 0.4,0.5683 ± 0.0759,( 2267 ± 385 ) HU,( 1489 ±284) HU and 36.36 ],there were significant differences among groups ( P ＜ 0.01 ).The differences in the mean Zeff,CRW,spectral HU curve slope were statistically significant among the five groups ( P ＜ 0.05 ).Conclusion Spectral CT imaging provides a new method to characterize the kidney stones with the information orovided by mean Zeff,CRW and the CT numbers at 50 keV.

Influence of various doses and injection rates of contrast agent on CT perfusion in rabbits' liver with deconvolution method / 中国医学影像技术

Objective To study the influence of various doses and injection rates of contrast agent on CT perfusion in rabbits' liver with a deconvolution mathematical model. Methods Eight rabbits were enrolled in the experiment. Randomized block design was adopted. The treatment factor (contrast medium injection rate) was classified into 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 ml/s, while the subjects were divided into 3 blocks with contrast medium injection dose of 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 ml/kg. The data obtained at CT perfusion imaging were then transferred to the workstation. Absolute values of 7 perfusion parameters (hepatic arterior fraction, blood flow, blood volume, permeability surface, mean transmit time, hepatic artery perfusion and portal vein perfusion) were measured with perfusion software (Perfusion 3). Results The dose of contrast medium had significant effect on peak enhancement of the aorta, the portal vein and liver tissue (P0.05). Conclusion CT perfusion imaging with a deconvolution mathematical model can quantify the hemodynamic functional status in liver with stable results. This technique does not need strict confinement to dose and injection rate of contrast medium, and has great potential value to be put into clinical use.

Clinical Value of 64-slice Computed Tomography in the Diagnosis of Complex Congenital Heart Disease / 实用放射学杂志

Objective To study the clinical value of 64-slice spiral computed tomography(64SCT) contrast-enhanced scan and three-dimensional reconstructed techniques in the diagnosis of complex congenital heart disease(CCHD). Methods 39 patients with CCHD underwent CT angiography and transthoracic echocardiograms (TTE). Of them, the electrocardiographic-gating technique was used in 8 cases. The accurate rates in diagnosing CCHD with CT, TTE and CT with or without electrocardiographic-gating were analysed compared with that of operation and χ~2 test using SPSS13.0 tool. Results A total of 102 cardiac deformities con-firmed by operations,those included 47 intracardiac deformities,the diagnostic accuracys with CT and TTE were 85.1% and 95.7%, respectively, and there was no obvious difference among them (χ~2=2.68, P>0.05). 55 extracardiac deformities, the definite diagnos-tic rates with CT and TTE were 98.2% and 78.2%, respectively. CT was superior to TTE in the indentification of extracardiac de-formities(χ~2= 14.64 ,P<0.01). There was no obvious difference between with and without electrocardiographic-gating technique during CT scanning in diagnosis of cardiac deformities(χ~2=1.84, P>0.05). Conclusion 64SCT has significant value in diagnosis of CCHD,and there was no obvious difference in diagnosis of cardiac deformities by 64SCT between with and without electrocardio-graphic-gating technic.

Clinical Application of 64-slice Spiral CT Colonography / 实用放射学杂志

Objective To evaluate the techniques and application of 64-slice helical CT colonography in colonic lesions. Methods Thirty-eight patients (including 12 colonic carcinomas,10 polypi, 9 colon multiple scrobiculus, 2 multiple diverticula, 2 negative, 1 congenital bowel malrotaion,1 ulcerative colitis and tunica mucosa glandular organ hyperplasy,1 colocolic anastomosis of terminal ileum and sigmoid colon) underwent volume scanning using 64-slice helical CT after cleaning colon. Six types of reconstruction including CT virtual colonoscopy(CTVC), volume rendering(VR), multiple planar reconstruction(MPR), 360?sectional view, RaySum,and navigation were gained.CTVC appearances were compared with that of conventional colonoscopy(CC).Results In 12 colonic carcinomas and 10 polypi,the lesions’ morphology,number,size, were satisfactorily shown by CTVC. The lesions’ location,range,and 1 intestinal canal obviously stenosis were also exactly shown by RaySum.The relationship between tumor and environment, 3 liver or retroperitoneal lymph node metastasis were satisfactorily shown by MPR and 2D transection image. On 360?sectional view,the distance between tumor and anus was exactly measured and the result was in conformity to that of CC. Of the CTVC appearances,1 sigmoid carcinoma and 1 transverse colon polyp was in unconformity to that of CC;1 ulcerative colitis and descending colon carcinoma was diagnosed as ulcerative colitis and tunica mucosa glandular organ hyperplasy by pathology.Conclusion 64-slice helical CT is a valuable imaging technique for detecting colon diseases. CTVC can obtain more clinical information than CC combining MPR,RaySum and VR.