Coronary artery calcification score and common iliac artery calcification score in non-dialysis CKD patients.

AIM: Many studies have validated Agatston's coronary artery calcification score (CACS) for assessing vascular calcification (VC) in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. This study aimed to evaluate the CACS and common iliac artery calcification score (IACS) and to examine the variables related to each score. METHODS: The subjects were 145 non-dialysis CKD patients. The CACS and IACS were determined using the same thoracicoabdominal multi-detector computed tomography. Multiple regression analyses were performed to assess the factors associated with the CACS or IACS. The associations between progression to renal replacement therapy (RRT) and the CACS or IACS were studied using Cox hazards models. RESULTS: The subjects' median age, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), and follow-up period were 72 (62-78) years, 32 (18-50) mL/min/1.73m2 , and 864 (550-1425) days, respectively. Age, diabetes, the serum phosphate level, and the eGFR were found to be significant factors of the CACS [ß (95% CI): 0.38 (0.02-0.04), P < 0.0001, 0.28 (0.19-0.50), P < 0.0001, 0.16 (0.03-0.45), P < 0.05 and -0.15 (-0.02-0.00), P < 0.05, respectively]. Age and diabetes were shown to be significant factors of the IACS [ß (95% CI): 0.53 (0.04-0.06), P < 0.0001, and 0.18 (0.07-0.40), P < 0.01, respectively]. Progression to RRT occurred in 31 patients and was significantly associated with the CACS (hazard ratio: 1.01, P < 0.01), urinary protein level and eGFR, but not the IACS. CONCLUSION: Chronic kidney disease related risk factors for VC, such as the eGFR and hyperphosphataemia, are significantly associated with a high CACS, but not a high IACS, and the CACS is a significant predictor of progression to RRT.

[Improvement of overall performance for lung nodule detection in chest CT images].

We have developed an automated computerized schema for the detection of lung nodules in 3D CT images obtained by helical CT. In our previous schema, linear discriminant analysis (LDA) and a rule-based method with 53 image features were employed in order to reduce false positives. However, several false positives have remained. Therefore, in this study, we improved the false-positive reduction technique by using the edge image and radial image analysis. Overall performance for the detection of lung nodules was greatly improved. Sensitivity was higher than that of our previous study. Moreover, we evaluated the overall performance of the new scheme by using 69 cases acquired from four hospitals. The average number of false positives was 5.2 per case at a percent sensitivity of 95.8%. Our new scheme would assist in the detection of early lung cancer.

[Development of computer-aided diagnostic system for detection of lung nodules in three-dimensional computed tomography images].

We have developed an automated computerized method for the detection of lung nodules in three-dimensional (3D) computed tomography (CT) images obtained by helical CT. In this scheme, a lung segmentation technique for the determination of the nodule search area is performed based on a gray-level thresholding technique. To enhance lung nodules, we employed the 3D cross-correlation method by using a 3D Gaussian template with zero-surrounding as a model of lung nodule. False positives are then eliminated by using a rule-base with 53 features. For further reduction of false positives, we performed linear discriminant analysis using these 53 features. The average number of false positives was 6.7 per case at a percent sensitivity of 85.0%. This computerized scheme will be useful to radiologists by providing a "second opinion" in case of possible early lung cancer.

A case of congenital absence of the portal vein.

We experienced a girl with congenital absence of the portal vein. She was examined by computed tomography (CT), three-dimensional computed tomographic angiography (3DCTA), digital subtraction angiography and liver biopsy. Nodular regenerative hyperplasia of the liver was detected, presumably due to an abnormal hepatocellular response to absent portal flow. 3DCTA showed that the splenic vein and superior mesenteric vein joined to form a common trunk, which directly entered the right atrium. 3DCTA may be a valuable noninvasive tool for identifying portal malformations.