A user-friendly deep learning application for accurate lung cancer diagnosis.

BACKGROUND: Accurate diagnosis and subsequent delineated treatment planning require the experience of clinicians in the handling of their case numbers. However, applying deep learning in image processing is useful in creating tools that promise faster high-quality diagnoses, but the accuracy and precision of 3-D image processing from 2-D data may be limited by factors such as superposition of organs, distortion and magnification, and detection of new pathologies. The purpose of this research is to use radiomics and deep learning to develop a tool for lung cancer diagnosis. METHODS: This study applies radiomics and deep learning in the diagnosis of lung cancer to help clinicians accurately analyze the images and thereby provide the appropriate treatment planning. 86 patients were recruited from Bach Mai Hospital, and 1012 patients were collected from an open-source database. First, deep learning has been applied in the process of segmentation by U-NET and cancer classification via the use of the DenseNet model. Second, the radiomics were applied for measuring and calculating diameter, surface area, and volume. Finally, the hardware also was designed by connecting between Arduino Nano and MFRC522 module for reading data from the tag. In addition, the displayed interface was created on a web platform using Python through Streamlit. RESULTS: The applied segmentation model yielded a validation loss of 0.498, a train loss of 0.27, a cancer classification validation loss of 0.78, and a training accuracy of 0.98. The outcomes of the diagnostic capabilities of lung cancer (recognition and classification of lung cancer from chest CT scans) were quite successful. CONCLUSIONS: The model provided means for storing and updating patients' data directly on the interface which allowed the results to be readily available for the health care providers. The developed system will improve clinical communication and information exchange. Moreover, it can manage efforts by generating correlated and coherent summaries of cancer diagnoses.

Assessment of breast dose and cancer risk for young females during CT chest and abdomen examinations.

CT scanning deliver much higher radiation doses than planar radiological procedures, which puts patients to high risks. This study measures and evaluates patient doses during chest and abdomen computed tomography procedures. Particular attention is given to measuring the dose to the equivalent breast (mSv) and to estimate the associated risks of breast cancer to young female patients (15-35 years). Data was obtained from standard examinations from three hospitals. The measured values of CT dose indexes, CTDI (mGy) as well as exposure-related parameters were used for assessment. Breast and effective doses were extrapolated using a software. The results showed remarkable variations of the mean organ equivalent doses for similar CT examinations in the studied hospitals. This could be attributed to the variation in CT scanning imaging technique, and clinical indications. The average effective dose to the chest was 7.9 mSv (2.3-47.0 mSv) and for the abdomen the mean dose was 6.6 mSv, ranging from (3.3-27 mSv). The breast received equivalent doses from chest and abdomen procedures as follows: 10.2 (1.6-33 mSv) and 10.1(2.3-19 mS) Sv respectively. Each procedure yielded high risks of breast cancer for young females. Implementation of accurate referral criteria is recommended to avoid unnecessary breast radiation exposure.

Dosimetric and radiobiological comparison in head-and-neck radiotherapy using JO-IMRT and 3D-CRT.

Introduction: Dosimetric and radiobiological evaluations for the Jaws-only Intensity-modulated radiotherapy (JO-IMRT) technique for head and neck jaws-only intensity-modulated radiation therapy (JO-IMRT) and 3D conformal radiation therapy (3D-CRT). To compare the head-and-neck therapeutic approaches utilizing JO-IMRT and 3D-CRT techniques, different radiation dose indices were calculated, including: conformity index (CI), homogeneity index (HI), and radiobiological variables like Niemierko's equivalent uniform dose based tumor control probability (TCP) of planning target volume (PTV), normal tissue complication probability (NTCP) of organs at risk (OAR) (brainstem, spinal cord, and parotid grand). Materials and methods: Twenty-five nasopharynx patients were studied using the Prowess Panther Treatment Planning System (Prowess Inc). The results were compared with the dose distribution obtained using 3D-CRT. Results: Regarding tumor coverage and CI, JO-IMRT showed better results than 3D-CRT. The average doses received by the PTVs were quite similar: 72.1 ± 0.8 Gy by 3D-CRT and 72.5 ± 0.6 Gy by JO-IMRT plans (p > 0.05). The mean doses received by the parotid gland were 56.7 ± 0.7 Gy by 3D-CRT and 26.8 ± 0.3 Gy by JO-IMRT (p > 0.05). The HI and CI were 0.13 ± 0.01 and 0.14 ± 0.05 and (p > 0.05) by 3D-CRT and 0.83 ± 0.05 and 0.73 ± 0.10 by JO-IMRT (p < 0.05). The average TCP of PTV was 0.82 ± 0.08 by 3D-CRT and 0.92 ± 0.02 by JO-IMRT. Moreover, the NTCP of the parotid glands, brain stem, and spinal cord were lower using the JO-IMRT than 3D-CRT plans. In comparison to the 3D-CRT approach, the JO-IMRT technique was able to boost dose coverage to the PTV, improve the target's CI and HI, and spare the parotid glands. This suggests the power of the JO-IMRT over 3D-CRT in head-and-neck radiotherapy.

Elimination of biological and physical artifacts in abdomen and brain computed tomography procedures using filtering techniques.

Introduction: Medical images are usually affected by biological and physical artifacts or noise, which reduces image quality and hence poses difficulties in visual analysis, interpretation and thus requires higher doses and increased radiographs repetition rate. Objectives: This study aims at assessing image quality during CT abdomen and brain examinations using filtering techniques as well as estimating the radiogenic risk associated with CT abdomen and brain examinations. Materials and Methods: The data were collected from the Radiology Department at Royal Care International (RCI) Hospital, Khartoum, Sudan. The study included 100 abdominal CT images and 100 brain CT images selected from adult patients. Filters applied are namely: Mean filter, Gaussian filter, Median filter and Minimum filter. In this study, image quality after denoising is measured based on the Mean Squared Error (MSE), Peak Signal-to-Noise Ratio (PSNR), and the Structural Similarity Index Metric (SSIM). Results: The results show that the images quality parameters become higher after applications of filters. Median filter showed improved image quality as interpreted by the measured parameters: PSNR and SSIM, and it is thus considered as a better filter for removing the noise from all other applied filters. Discussion: The noise removed by the different filters applied to the CT images resulted in enhancing high quality images thereby effectively revealing the important details of the images without increasing the patients' risks from higher doses. Conclusions: Filtering and image reconstruction techniques not only reduce the dose and thus the radiation risks, but also enhances high quality imaging which allows better diagnosis.

Estimation of patient effective doses in PET/CT- 18F-Sodium Fluoride examinations.

The positron emitters (18F-Sodium Fluoride (NaF)) and X-rays used in Positron emission tomography (PET) combined with computed tomography (PET/CT) imaging have a high radiation dose, which results in a high patient dose. The present research intends to determine the radiation dose and risks associated with PET/CT- 18F-Sodium fluoride examinations in patients. The 18F-NaF PET/CT was used to investigate the doses of 86 patients. Patient exposure parameters and ImPACT software were used to calculate mean effective doses. The administered activity of 185 MBq (5.0 mCi) per procedure has a mean and range based on the patient's BMI (BMI). The range of patient effective doses per procedure was found to be 4-10 mSv, with a radiation risk of 1 × 10-5 per procedure. Patient doses are determined by the patient's size, scanner type, imaging protocol, and reconstruction method. For further dose reduction, proper justification and radiation dose optimization is required.

Radiobiological effects and medical applications of non-ionizing radiation.

Radiation is used in medicine to diagnose and treat diseases but it can also cause harm to the body by burning or mutation. This depends on whether the radiation is ionizing or nonionizing. Despite its vast applications in surgery, dermatology and cosmetics, little is taught and thus known about non-ionizing radiation. This review article discusses the fundamentals of non-ionizing electromagnetic radiations. The main aim is to extensively explain the different types of non-ionizing radiation. This will equip students and medical personnel with knowledge on different medical applications and expose them to a variety of specializations in medicine that utilize non-ionizing radiation. The article discusses the physics, hazard, means of protection and medical application of each type of radiation: ultraviolet radiation, light (both visible light and LASER), infrared radiation, microwaves and extremely low frequency radiation separately. It presents these terms in a simple manner that avoids rigors mathematics and physics, which makes them comprehensible for medical students. The development of new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches could also lead to increased hazards to the body unless they are treated with precaution. If not adequately monitored, a significant health risk may be posed to potentially exposed employees. Hence proper dosage should be used for non-ionizing radiation. This is only possible through understanding of the risks/benefits of these radiations by studying the physics and radiobiological effects of each individual radiation.

Occupational and patients effective radiation doses in dental imaging.

Ionizing radiation exposure from medical applications is increasing annually worldwide. It was estimated that 325 million dental procedures were performed in the United States. Radiation exposure from dental radiography consists of intraoral, panoramic, and 3D imaging cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) imaging. Recent studies reported an association between dental imaging procedures and increased cancer probability of brain and thyroid. Previous studies showed that some dental imaging practices exposed patients and staff to unnecessary radiation doses due to incorrect image acquisition and insufficient radiation protection measures. This study aims to (i) measure the occupational and patients doses during dental procedures and (ii) assess the current imaging techniques and radiation protection practices. Two hundred fourteen patients were evaluated for periapical, bitewing, cephalometric, occlusal, and panoramic procedures. Organ equivalent doses were quantified for the breast, eye lens, and thyroid gland during CBCT procedure. Occupational and ambient dose assessment were assessed using calibrated thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLD-100(LiF: Mg. Ti). Ambient doses were measure at different locations at the department using TLDs. Patients' radiation doses were quantified using kerma area product (PKA (mGy.cm) and the entrance surface air kerma (ESAK (mGy). Fixed tube voltage (65 kVp) and tube current-time product (7 mAs) were used. The overall mean, sd, and range of patients dose values during intraoral (mGy), panoramic and CBCT examinations were 4.6 ± 0.7 (1.4-7.1), 135 ± 45 (75.2-168.5), and 215 ± 165 (186-2115), respectively. The mean and range of the annual occupational doses (mSv) were 1.4 (0.6-3.7), which below the annual dose limits for radiation workers (20 mSv/y). The study showed that inadequate radiation protection for patients existed in terms of the use of the thyroid shield, the technologist's presence inside the room during radiation exposure. Patients' radiation doses were comparable with the international diagnostic reference level (DRL). Staff education and training in radiation protection aspects are highly recommended.

Recognition of brain tumors in MRI images using texture analysis.

OBJECTIVES: Brain neoplasms or intracranial tumors, which are more common in older adults, can affect individuals of any age including pediatric and children. Exposure to carcinogenic agents including ionizing radiation and family history is one of the main causes of the disease. Early diagnosis is crucial to avoid prolonged. patients' suffering. The aim of the study was to efficiently recognize the brain tumors from the other brain tissues which include grey and white matter as well as cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was performed using axial, sagittal and coronal views for fifty brain tumor patients randomly selected from a set of 200 patients, with a "control" set consisting of images showing no sign of disease; and the "test" brain MRI images for patients diagnosed with brain tumor. The study includes both genders with age ranging from 18 years to 83 years old, (56.5 ± 17.2). The brain images were acquired using a standard head coil Philips Intera 1.5 Tesla machine (USA). The thickness of each section in the entire sequence was 8 mm. Acquisition of T2-weighted and T1-weighted were performed. Interactive Data Language software was used to analyze the data. RESULTS: The results of this study showed that: the overall accuracy of classification process was 94.8%, and for the tumor; the sensitivity was 97.3%. White matter and grey matter showed a classification accuracy of 95.7% and 89.7% and for CSF the accuracy was 94.3%. CONCLUSION: The results showed that brain tumor can be classified successfully and delineated using texture analysis with minimum efforts and with high accuracy for brain tumors.

Eye lens and thyroid gland radiation exposure for patients undergoing brain computed tomography examination.

This study aims to estimate the effective radiation dose and organ dose from head CT procedures. It was conducted in three main private hospitals in Khartoum State-Sudan, using Toshiba machines with 64 slices. The total number of patients included in this study was 142 patients (82 males and 60 females). The effective dose and organ dose were calculated by CT Expo software. The effective dose slightly varied among patients according to gender and age. The effective dose for female patients (5.99 mSv) was higher than that for male patients (5.84 mSv), and the pediatric dose (5.46 mSv) was lower than the adults' dose (5.94 mSv). The dose for eye lens was found lower for male patients (89.117 mSv) than the dose for female patients (94.62) mSv). According to patients' age: the dose received by the lens of the eye was much lower in pediatric (79.93 mSv) than the adults (92.41 mSv). The dose for thyroid in female patients (33.52 mSv) was higher than the male patients (28 mSv). The pediatric dose (28.34 mSv) was lower than the adults' dose (30.64 mSv). Departmental imaging protocol and lack of training among hospital staff are expected to be responsible for these variations. Therefore, this study recommends that the CT technologists be trained on suitable strategies to achieve dose optimization. Moreover, patients' doses must be monitored regularly.

Evaluation of hysterosalpingographic findings among patients presenting with infertility.

BACKGROUND: Infertility is a global health issue and hysterosalpingography (HSG) is a valuable radiological tool in infertility workup and remains a main modality for investigating female infertility. However, the HSG findings of infertility are not the same worldwide.This study aimed at evaluating the incidence of HSG findings in patients investigated for primary and secondary infertility, correlating these findings with their clinical data that reflect the infertility causes and comparing the findings with previous international studies. METHODS: A prospective descriptive study of 75 female patients referred, as cases of infertility, for HSG examination in Elrebat Hospital and Khartoum Advanced Diagnostic Center. HSG was performed in the first half of the cycle. The procedure and its complications, were explained to the patients and informed consents were obtained. Patients with active pelvic infection and active uterine or vaginal bleeding were excluded from the study. Using aseptic technique and with proper patient's positioning, iodinated contrast was introduced into the cervix under fluoroscopic monitoring, to demonstrate the uterine cavity, fallopian tubes and free spillage into the peritoneal cavity. Personal data, clinical data and HSG findings were analyzed using SPSS version 23. RESULTS: The commonest age group seen was 26-36 years. Close incidences of primary and secondary infertility were detected. 52.7% had abnormal findings in HSG. Tubal pathology (42.7%) being the most common abnormality, followed by uterine and combined abnormalities. There was strong association between past medical history suggesting pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) or past history suggesting tubal blockage secondary to abdominopelvic surgery and tubal abnormalities. CONCLUSION: HSG examinations revealed that the most common abnormality was tubal blockage possibly complicating PID and abdominopelvic surgeries. This reflects the HSG diagnostic and therapeutic role in the assessment of female infertility and the further needs for more preventive measures targeting the reduction of tubal pathologies in developing countries.

Comparative efficacy of Gum Arabic (Acacia senegal) and Tribulus terrestris on male fertility.

In this study the effect of Gum arabic (Acacia Senegal) was systemically targeted at male fertility with two experiments, the first comparing the effectiveness of Gum arabic (GA) and Tribulus terrestris (TT). For the first experiment, 27 adult mice Balb / c (18 females, 9 males) were divided into 3 in each group, one male and two females, group one had the usual tap water as power, group two had 5% (w / v) GA and group three had 5% (w / v) of TT for 21 days. The results showed, the number of offspring was more with GA treated when compared to TT treated. Blood measurements of testosterone showed significant increase in the GA group as compared to other groups, also Histopathological analysis showed the dose dependent 5% GA had normal seminiferous tubules with increase spermatogenesis. In this study the enhanced fertility in GA-treated mice Balb/c was observed and the experimental studies also show that GA fertility was increased.

Estimation of effective dose during hystrosalpingography procedures in certain hospitals in Sudan.

The aims of this study were to measure the patients' entrance surface air kerma doses (ESAK), effective doses and to compare practices between different hospitals in Sudan. ESAK were measured for patient using calibrated thermo luminance dosimeters (TLDs, GR200A). Effective doses were estimated using National radiological Protection Board (NRPB) software. This study was conducted in five radiological departments: Two Teaching Hospitals (A and D), two private hospitals (B and C) and one University Hospital (E). The mean ESAK was 20.1mGy, 28.9mGy, 13.6mGy, 17.5mGy, 35.7mGy for hospitals A, B, C, D, and E, respectively. The mean effective dose was 2.4mSv, 3.5mSv, 1.6mSv, 2.1mSv and 4.3mSv in the same order. The study showed wide variations in the ESDs with three of the hospitals having values above the internationally reported values.