Validation of a convolutional neural network for the automated creation of curved planar reconstruction images along the main pancreatic duct.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the accuracy and time-efficiency of newly developed software in automatically creating curved planar reconstruction (CPR) images along the main pancreatic duct (MPD), which was developed based on a 3-dimensional convolutional neural network, and compare them with those of conventional manually generated CPR ones. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 100 consecutive patients with MPD dilatation (≥ 3 mm) who underwent contrast-enhanced computed tomography between February 2021 and July 2021 were included in the study. Two radiologists independently performed blinded qualitative analysis of automated and manually created CPR images. They rated overall image quality based on a four-point scale and weighted κ analysis was employed to compare between manually created and automated CPR images. A quantitative analysis of the time required to create CPR images and the total length of the MPD measured from CPR images was performed. RESULTS: The κ value was 0.796, and a good correlation was found between the manually created and automated CPR images. The average time to create automated and manually created CPR images was 61.7 s and 174.6 s, respectively (P < 0.001). The total MPD length of the automated and manually created CPR images was 110.5 and 115.6 mm, respectively (P = 0.059). CONCLUSION: The automated CPR software significantly reduced reconstruction time without compromising image quality.

Bridging vein and tentorial sinus in the subtemporal corridor during the anterior transpetrosal approach.

BACKGROUND: The bridging vein (BV) and the tentorial sinus (TenS) are important venous structures in neurological surgery. These venous structures during the anterior transpetrosal approach (ATPA) have not been reported. The objective of this study is to examine the BV and the TenS in the subtemporal corridor during the ATPA and propose a technique to identify the BV preoperatively. METHODS: This study included 126 patients treated via the ATPA. The BV and the TenS located in the operative fields were analyzed. Furthermore, in the preoperative evaluation, the cross-sectional shapes of the intradural vein and the interdural sinus were analyzed by curved planar reconstruction (CPR), and the flattening rate was calculated. Flattening rate = (a-b)/a = 1-b/a (a: long radius, b: short radius). RESULTS: Seventeen BVs and 18 TenS were identified. The bridging site was divided into two groups: tentorial and middle fossa. The middle fossa group was divided into three subgroups: cavernous sinus, middle fossa dural sinus, and middle fossa dural adherence. Five isolated TenS were sacrificed and no venous complications were observed. The mean flattening rate was 0.13 in the intradural vein and 0.51 in the interdural sinus, respectively (P = 0.0003). CONCLUSIONS: We showed classification of the BV, and preservation of the BV and TenS during the ATPA. Furthermore, we found that the interdural sinus was significantly flatter than the intradural veins. Measuring the flattening rate by CPR may be useful to identify BVs preoperatively.

The rotating stretched curved planar reconstruction of 3D-FIESTA MR imaging for evaluating the anterior cruciate ligament of the knee joint.

PURPOSE: To determine the feasibility of the rotating stretched curved planar reconstruction (CPR) of three-dimensional fast imaging with steady-state acquisition magnetic resonance imaging (3D-FIESTA MRI) for evaluating the anterior cruciate ligament of the knee joint. MATERIALS AND METHODS: MRI of 40 knee joints in healthy volunteers was performed on a 3.0-T MR scanner and a phased-array extremity coil. The protocol consisted of oblique sagittal spin echo (SE) T1WI, coronal FS-PDWI, axial FS-FSE-T2WI, and 3D-FIESTA sequences. The rotating stretched curved planar reconstructions (CPR) of the ACL at angles of 0°, 30°, 60°, 90°, 120°, 150°, and 180° were generated from images of 3D-FIESTA sequences. Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) of the 3D-FIESTA were compared with those of the oblique sagittal SE T1WI sequence. The presence of the tibial attachment, midportion, femoral attachment, and double bundles of the ACL on the oblique sagittal SE T1WI and CPR of 3D-FIESTA MR imaging were divided into two categories: visible and not visible. RESULTS: The ACL SNR efficiency of 3D-FIESTA sequences was significantly higher than that of oblique sagittal SE T1WI sequence (P < 0.05). The 3D-FIESTA sequences produced images with a significantly higher CNR between ACL and synovial fluid than did the oblique sagittal SE T1WI sequence (P < 0.05). CPR of 3D-FIESTA MRI generated an excellent visualization of the ACL. The CPR of 3D-FIESTA MRI was rated superior to oblique sagittal SE T1WI sequence in 60% and 65% of cases with regard to the tibial attachment and midportion of ACL, respectively (P < 0.05). CPR of 3D-FIESTA MR imaging was rated superior to oblique sagittal SE T1WI sequence in 80% and 85% of cases with regard to femoral attachment and double bundles of ACL, respectively (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The rotating stretched curved planar reconstruction of 3D-FIESTA sequences is significantly better than that of conventional 2D-MRI in evaluating the native ACL and its components, AM bundle and PL bundle, in healthy volunteers.

Evaluation of Patients with Obstruction of Biliary Tract by Multi-Detector Row CT Using Reconstruction Techniques / 中国医学影像学杂志

Purpose:To evaluate the role of multi - detector row CT(MDCT) using reconstruction techniques in the assessment of patients with obstructed diseases of biliary tract.Materials and Methods: 47 Patients with obstructed diseases of biliary tract confirmed clinically underwent MDCT and their reconstructed images of biliary tract including multi-planar reconstruction (MPR) images and curved planar reconstruction(CPR) images were compared with those of 50 patients without obstruction and dilatation of biliary tract.The display effect of biliary duct structure and biliary duct wall and the display ability of biliary tract by MPR and CPR images between the 2 groups were compared and analysed.The reconstruction images of biliary tract were analysed retrospectively to evaluate the location and possible causes of biliary obstruction.Results: The display effect of biliary duct structure and biliary duct wall in MPR and CPR images of the group with biliary obstruction is better than that of control group,and the display ability of biliary tract in CPR images of the group with biliary obstruction is also better than that of control group.The accuracy of localization and cause evaluation of obstruction by MPR and CPR images is 100% and 89.4% respectively.Conclusions: The MPR and CPR images of MDCT provide a good display of biliary duct structure,biliary duct wall and an accurate evaluation of obstruction localization.The reconstruction technique of MDCT such as MPR and CPR should be widely applied in the evaluation of biliary obstruction.