基于锥形束CT的头颈部肿瘤在线与离线结合图像引导放疗的研究

目的 分析锥形束CT(CBCT)在线摆位校正与离线自适应校正在减小头颈部肿瘤临床靶区(CTV)外放,从而减轻正常组织并发症中的作用.方法 16例行三维适形放疗的头颈部癌症患者入组.分次放疗前后均行在线CBCT扫描1次,并与计划CT图像配准,记录各个方向的配准差值.放疗前后的配准差值分别作为放疗分次间误差和分次内误差,用于计算每例患者的系统误差和随机误差.利用CTV外放计算公式,计算在线校正前后CTV外放;以0.5 mm为允许的最大残余系统误差,计算离线校正系统摆位误差后CTV外放.结果 未经在线校正,左右、头脚和前后方向上群体化CTV外放分别为5.7mm、5.6 mm和7.3 mm;每分次放疗均行在线校正,3个方向上群体化CTV外放分别为1.7 mm、1.7 mm和2.3 mm;对系统摆位误差进行离线自适应校正,3个方向上群体化CTV外放分别为2.7 mm、2.5mm和3.6 mm.结论 基于CBCT图像分析的在线校正和离线自适应校正均能明显减小摆位误差,有助于缩小CTV外放,并有望减轻正常组织并发症.     

基于锥形束CT的头颈部肿瘤在线与离线结合图像引导放疗的研究

目的 分析锥形束CT(CBCT)在线摆位校正与离线自适应校正在减小头颈部肿瘤临床靶区(CTV)外放,从而减轻正常组织并发症中的作用.方法 16例行三维适形放疗的头颈部癌症患者入组.分次放疗前后均行在线CBCT扫描1次,并与计划CT图像配准,记录各个方向的配准差值.放疗前后的配准差值分别作为放疗分次间误差和分次内误差,用于计算每例患者的系统误差和随机误差.利用CTV外放计算公式,计算在线校正前后CTV外放;以0.5 mm为允许的最大残余系统误差,计算离线校正系统摆位误差后CTV外放.结果 未经在线校正,左右、头脚和前后方向上群体化CTV外放分别为5.7mm、5.6 mm和7.3 mm;每分次放疗均行在线校正,3个方向上群体化CTV外放分别为1.7 mm、1.7 mm和2.3 mm;对系统摆位误差进行离线自适应校正,3个方向上群体化CTV外放分别为2.7 mm、2.5mm和3.6 mm.结论 基于CBCT图像分析的在线校正和离线自适应校正均能明显减小摆位误差,有助于缩小CTV外放,并有望减轻正常组织并发症.     

基于锥形束CT的头颈部肿瘤在线与离线结合图像引导放疗的研究

目的 分析锥形束CT(CBCT)在线摆位校正与离线自适应校正在减小头颈部肿瘤临床靶区(CTV)外放,从而减轻正常组织并发症中的作用.方法 16例行三维适形放疗的头颈部癌症患者入组.分次放疗前后均行在线CBCT扫描1次,并与计划CT图像配准,记录各个方向的配准差值.放疗前后的配准差值分别作为放疗分次间误差和分次内误差,用于计算每例患者的系统误差和随机误差.利用CTV外放计算公式,计算在线校正前后CTV外放;以0.5 mm为允许的最大残余系统误差,计算离线校正系统摆位误差后CTV外放.结果 未经在线校正,左右、头脚和前后方向上群体化CTV外放分别为5.7mm、5.6 mm和7.3 mm;每分次放疗均行在线校正,3个方向上群体化CTV外放分别为1.7 mm、1.7 mm和2.3 mm;对系统摆位误差进行离线自适应校正,3个方向上群体化CTV外放分别为2.7 mm、2.5mm和3.6 mm.结论 基于CBCT图像分析的在线校正和离线自适应校正均能明显减小摆位误差,有助于缩小CTV外放,并有望减轻正常组织并发症.     

基于锥形束CT的头颈部肿瘤在线与离线结合图像引导放疗的研究

目的 分析锥形束CT(CBCT)在线摆位校正与离线自适应校正在减小头颈部肿瘤临床靶区(CTV)外放,从而减轻正常组织并发症中的作用.方法 16例行三维适形放疗的头颈部癌症患者入组.分次放疗前后均行在线CBCT扫描1次,并与计划CT图像配准,记录各个方向的配准差值.放疗前后的配准差值分别作为放疗分次间误差和分次内误差,用于计算每例患者的系统误差和随机误差.利用CTV外放计算公式,计算在线校正前后CTV外放;以0.5 mm为允许的最大残余系统误差,计算离线校正系统摆位误差后CTV外放.结果 未经在线校正,左右、头脚和前后方向上群体化CTV外放分别为5.7mm、5.6 mm和7.3 mm;每分次放疗均行在线校正,3个方向上群体化CTV外放分别为1.7 mm、1.7 mm和2.3 mm;对系统摆位误差进行离线自适应校正,3个方向上群体化CTV外放分别为2.7 mm、2.5mm和3.6 mm.结论 基于CBCT图像分析的在线校正和离线自适应校正均能明显减小摆位误差,有助于缩小CTV外放,并有望减轻正常组织并发症.     

基于锥形束CT的头颈部肿瘤在线与离线结合图像引导放疗的研究

目的 分析锥形束CT(CBCT)在线摆位校正与离线自适应校正在减小头颈部肿瘤临床靶区(CTV)外放,从而减轻正常组织并发症中的作用.方法 16例行三维适形放疗的头颈部癌症患者入组.分次放疗前后均行在线CBCT扫描1次,并与计划CT图像配准,记录各个方向的配准差值.放疗前后的配准差值分别作为放疗分次间误差和分次内误差,用于计算每例患者的系统误差和随机误差.利用CTV外放计算公式,计算在线校正前后CTV外放;以0.5 mm为允许的最大残余系统误差,计算离线校正系统摆位误差后CTV外放.结果 未经在线校正,左右、头脚和前后方向上群体化CTV外放分别为5.7mm、5.6 mm和7.3 mm;每分次放疗均行在线校正,3个方向上群体化CTV外放分别为1.7 mm、1.7 mm和2.3 mm;对系统摆位误差进行离线自适应校正,3个方向上群体化CTV外放分别为2.7 mm、2.5mm和3.6 mm.结论 基于CBCT图像分析的在线校正和离线自适应校正均能明显减小摆位误差,有助于缩小CTV外放,并有望减轻正常组织并发症.     

基于锥形束CT的头颈部肿瘤在线与离线结合图像引导放疗的研究

目的 分析锥形束CT(CBCT)在线摆位校正与离线自适应校正在减小头颈部肿瘤临床靶区(CTV)外放,从而减轻正常组织并发症中的作用.方法 16例行三维适形放疗的头颈部癌症患者入组.分次放疗前后均行在线CBCT扫描1次,并与计划CT图像配准,记录各个方向的配准差值.放疗前后的配准差值分别作为放疗分次间误差和分次内误差,用于计算每例患者的系统误差和随机误差.利用CTV外放计算公式,计算在线校正前后CTV外放;以0.5 mm为允许的最大残余系统误差,计算离线校正系统摆位误差后CTV外放.结果 未经在线校正,左右、头脚和前后方向上群体化CTV外放分别为5.7mm、5.6 mm和7.3 mm;每分次放疗均行在线校正,3个方向上群体化CTV外放分别为1.7 mm、1.7 mm和2.3 mm;对系统摆位误差进行离线自适应校正,3个方向上群体化CTV外放分别为2.7 mm、2.5mm和3.6 mm.结论 基于CBCT图像分析的在线校正和离线自适应校正均能明显减小摆位误差,有助于缩小CTV外放,并有望减轻正常组织并发症.     

基于锥形束CT的头颈部肿瘤在线与离线结合图像引导放疗的研究

目的 分析锥形束CT(CBCT)在线摆位校正与离线自适应校正在减小头颈部肿瘤临床靶区(CTV)外放,从而减轻正常组织并发症中的作用.方法 16例行三维适形放疗的头颈部癌症患者入组.分次放疗前后均行在线CBCT扫描1次,并与计划CT图像配准,记录各个方向的配准差值.放疗前后的配准差值分别作为放疗分次间误差和分次内误差,用于计算每例患者的系统误差和随机误差.利用CTV外放计算公式,计算在线校正前后CTV外放;以0.5 mm为允许的最大残余系统误差,计算离线校正系统摆位误差后CTV外放.结果 未经在线校正,左右、头脚和前后方向上群体化CTV外放分别为5.7mm、5.6 mm和7.3 mm;每分次放疗均行在线校正,3个方向上群体化CTV外放分别为1.7 mm、1.7 mm和2.3 mm;对系统摆位误差进行离线自适应校正,3个方向上群体化CTV外放分别为2.7 mm、2.5mm和3.6 mm.结论 基于CBCT图像分析的在线校正和离线自适应校正均能明显减小摆位误差,有助于缩小CTV外放,并有望减轻正常组织并发症.     

基于锥形束CT的头颈部肿瘤在线与离线结合图像引导放疗的研究

目的 分析锥形束CT(CBCT)在线摆位校正与离线自适应校正在减小头颈部肿瘤临床靶区(CTV)外放,从而减轻正常组织并发症中的作用.方法 16例行三维适形放疗的头颈部癌症患者入组.分次放疗前后均行在线CBCT扫描1次,并与计划CT图像配准,记录各个方向的配准差值.放疗前后的配准差值分别作为放疗分次间误差和分次内误差,用于计算每例患者的系统误差和随机误差.利用CTV外放计算公式,计算在线校正前后CTV外放;以0.5 mm为允许的最大残余系统误差,计算离线校正系统摆位误差后CTV外放.结果 未经在线校正,左右、头脚和前后方向上群体化CTV外放分别为5.7mm、5.6 mm和7.3 mm;每分次放疗均行在线校正,3个方向上群体化CTV外放分别为1.7 mm、1.7 mm和2.3 mm;对系统摆位误差进行离线自适应校正,3个方向上群体化CTV外放分别为2.7 mm、2.5mm和3.6 mm.结论 基于CBCT图像分析的在线校正和离线自适应校正均能明显减小摆位误差,有助于缩小CTV外放,并有望减轻正常组织并发症.     

基于锥形束CT的头颈部肿瘤在线与离线结合图像引导放疗的研究

目的 分析锥形束CT(CBCT)在线摆位校正与离线自适应校正在减小头颈部肿瘤临床靶区(CTV)外放,从而减轻正常组织并发症中的作用.方法 16例行三维适形放疗的头颈部癌症患者入组.分次放疗前后均行在线CBCT扫描1次,并与计划CT图像配准,记录各个方向的配准差值.放疗前后的配准差值分别作为放疗分次间误差和分次内误差,用于计算每例患者的系统误差和随机误差.利用CTV外放计算公式,计算在线校正前后CTV外放;以0.5 mm为允许的最大残余系统误差,计算离线校正系统摆位误差后CTV外放.结果 未经在线校正,左右、头脚和前后方向上群体化CTV外放分别为5.7mm、5.6 mm和7.3 mm;每分次放疗均行在线校正,3个方向上群体化CTV外放分别为1.7 mm、1.7 mm和2.3 mm;对系统摆位误差进行离线自适应校正,3个方向上群体化CTV外放分别为2.7 mm、2.5mm和3.6 mm.结论 基于CBCT图像分析的在线校正和离线自适应校正均能明显减小摆位误差,有助于缩小CTV外放,并有望减轻正常组织并发症.     

基于锥形束CT的头颈部肿瘤在线与离线结合图像引导放疗的研究

目的 分析锥形束CT(CBCT)在线摆位校正与离线自适应校正在减小头颈部肿瘤临床靶区(CTV)外放,从而减轻正常组织并发症中的作用.方法 16例行三维适形放疗的头颈部癌症患者入组.分次放疗前后均行在线CBCT扫描1次,并与计划CT图像配准,记录各个方向的配准差值.放疗前后的配准差值分别作为放疗分次间误差和分次内误差,用于计算每例患者的系统误差和随机误差.利用CTV外放计算公式,计算在线校正前后CTV外放;以0.5 mm为允许的最大残余系统误差,计算离线校正系统摆位误差后CTV外放.结果 未经在线校正,左右、头脚和前后方向上群体化CTV外放分别为5.7mm、5.6 mm和7.3 mm;每分次放疗均行在线校正,3个方向上群体化CTV外放分别为1.7 mm、1.7 mm和2.3 mm;对系统摆位误差进行离线自适应校正,3个方向上群体化CTV外放分别为2.7 mm、2.5mm和3.6 mm.结论 基于CBCT图像分析的在线校正和离线自适应校正均能明显减小摆位误差,有助于缩小CTV外放,并有望减轻正常组织并发症.     

16层CT蛛网膜下腔造影

蛛网膜下腔造影后进行CT扫描充分结合了腔道造影和CT断层成像的优势,16层CT同时还提供了优秀的三维重建,使CT蛛网膜下腔造影技术得到了充分的发挥.本文就其中的CT椎管造影和脑室脑池造影的应用技术和效果作一论述.     

Influence of observer experience and training on proficiency in coronary CT angiography interpretation

Purpose

To assess the influence of experience and training on the proficiency in coronary CT angiography (CCTA) interpretation of practitioners with different levels of experience.

Methods and materials

Nine radiologist and cardiologist observers with varying prior CCTA experience ranging from novice to expert independently analyzed two case series of 50 catheter-correlated CCTA studies for coronary artery stenosis (0%, ≤49%, 50–74%, 75–99%, or 100%). Results of the first case series were unblinded and presented along with catheter angiography results to each reader before proceeding to the second series. Diagnostic accuracy on a per-segment basis was compared for all readers and both case series, respectively.

Results

Correlation coefficients between CCTA and catheter angiography initially ranged between good (r = 0.87) and poor (r = 0.26), depending on reader experience, and significantly (p < 0.05) improved in the second case series (range: r = 0.42 to r = 0.91). Diagnostic accuracy was significantly (p < 0.05) higher for more experienced readers (range: 96.5–97.8%) as compared to less experienced observers (range: 90.7–93.6%). After completion of the second case series for less experienced readers sensitivity and PPV significantly (p < 0.05) improved (range: 62.7–67.8%/51.4–84.1%), but still remained significantly (p < 0.05) lower as compared to more experienced observers (range: 89.8–93.3%/80.6–93.3%).

Conclusion

The level of experience appears to be a strong determinant of proficiency in CCTA interpretation. Limited one-time training improves proficiency in novice readers, but not to clinically satisfactory levels.     

First performance evaluation of a dual-source CT (DSCT) system

We present a performance evaluation of a recently introduced dual-source computed tomography (DSCT) system equipped with two X-ray tubes and two corresponding detectors, mounted onto the rotating gantry with an angular offset of 90°. We introduce the system concept and derive its consequences and potential benefits for echocardiograph (ECG)-controlled cardiac CT and for general radiology applications. We evaluate both temporal and spatial resolution by means of phantom scans. We present first patient scans to illustrate the performance of DSCT for ECG-gated cardiac imaging, and we demonstrate first results using a dual-energy acquisition mode. Using ECG-gated single-segment reconstruction, the DSCT system provides 83 ms temporal resolution independent of the patient’s heart rate for coronary CT angiography (CTA) and evaluation of basic functional parameters. With dual-segment reconstruction, the mean temporal resolution is 60 ms (minimum temporal resolution 42 ms) for advanced functional evaluation. The z-flying focal spot technique implemented in the evaluated DSCT system allows 0.4 mm cylinders to be resolved at all heart rates. First clinical experience shows a considerably increased robustness for the imaging of patients with high heart rates. As a potential application of the dual-energy acquisition mode, the automatic separation of bones and iodine-filled vessels is demonstrated. An erratum to this article can be found at     

High-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) in the detection of “early asbestosis”

Two radiologists reviewed in masked fashion 144 standard chest radiographs, previously judged as normal by other readers, within a cohort of asymptomatic shipyard workers exposed to amosite. Among the 144 workers we selected subjects (n = 72) who fitted the following criteria: (1) documented occupational exposure to asbestos; (2) absence of any clinical symptomatology suggestive of asbestosis or of any other lung disease. Thirty-eight of them had standard chest radiogrphs that were confirmed as normal by both our radiologists, while 34 showed suspected pleural plaques or a very slight parenchymal involvement. These 72 subjects underwent high-resolution CT (HRCT): pleural plaques were shown in 33, parenchymal alterations in 7, and both pleural and parenchymal involvement in 13. HRCT findings were strictly correlated to the duration of amosite exposure and to the latency time since first exposure. Sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic accuracy values of standard chest radiographs were calculated with respect to HRCT and found to be, for pleural and parenchymal findings respectively: sensitivity 53% and 19%; specificity 72% and 94%; accuracy 60% and 72%. In conclusion, pleural and/or pulmonary involvement in asbestos-exposed workers can be shown by HRCT before the appearance of any symptomatology and abnormality on chest radiography. Furthermore the HRCT findings are correlated to the duration of exposure and latency time. time. Correspondence to; P. Boraschi     

Suitability of helical multislice acquisition technique for routine unenhanced brain CT: an image quality study using a 16-row detector configuration

Subjective and objective image quality (IQ) criteria, radiation doses, and acquisition times were compared using incremental monoslice, incremental multislice, and helical multislice acquisition techniques for routine unenhanced brain computed tomography (CT). Twenty-four patients were examined by two techniques in the same imaging session using a 16-row CT system equipped with 0.75-width detectors. Contiguous “native” 3-mm-thick slices were reconstructed for all acquisitions from four detectors for each slice (4×0.75 mm), with one channel available per detector. Two protocols were tailored to compare: (1) one-slice vs four-slice incremental images; (2) incremental vs helical four-slice images. Two trained observers independently scored 12 subjective items of IQ. Preference for the technique was assessed by one-tailed t test and the interobserver variation by two-tailed t test. The two observers gave very close IQ scores for the three techniques without significant interobserver variations. Measured IQ parameters failed to reveal any difference between techniques, and an approximate half radiation dose reduction was obtained by using the full 16-row configuration. Acquisition times were cumulatively shortened by using the multislice and the helical modality.     

A retrospectively ECG-gated multislice spiral CT scan and reconstruction technique with suppression of heart pulsation artifacts for cardio-thoracic imaging with extended volume coverage

A method for cardio-thoracic multislice spiral CT imaging with ECG gating for suppression of heart pulsation artifacts is introduced. The proposed technique offers extended volume coverage compared with standard ECG-gated spiral scan and reconstruction approaches for cardiac applications: Thin-slice data of the entire thorax can be acquired within one breath-hold period using a four-slice CT system. The extended volume coverage is enabled by a modified approach for ECG-gated image reconstruction. For a CT system with 0.5-s gantry rotation time, images are reconstructed with 250-ms image temporal resolution. Instead of selecting scan data acquired in exactly the same phase of the cardiac cycle for each image as in standard ECG-gated reconstruction techniques, the patient's ECG signal is used to omit scan data acquired during the systolic phase of highest cardiac motion. With this approach cardiac pulsation artifacts in CT studies of the aorta, of paracardiac lung segments, and of coronary bypass grafts can be effectively reduced.     

Thin-section CT of the lung: influence of 0.5-s gantry rotation and ECG triggering on image quality

The aim of this study was to determine if ECG triggering and a shorter acquisition time of 0.5-s rotation decrease cardiac motion artifacts of thin-section CT of the lung. In 25 patients referred for thin-section thoracic CT, 1-mm thin-section slices were performed with a scanning time of 0.5 s with ECG gating, 0.5 s and 1 s during the diastolic phase of the heart at five identical anatomical levels from the aortic arch to lung basis. At each anatomical level and for each lung, cardiac motion artifacts were graded independently on a four-point scale by three readers. Patients were divided into two groups according to their heart rate. A four-way analysis of variance was used to assess differences between the three modalities. Mean cardiac motion artifacts scores were rated 1.23+/-0.02, 1.47+/-0.02, and 1.79+/-0.02, at 0.5 s with ECG gating, 0.5 s without ECG gating, and 1 s, respectively (F=139, p<0.0001). At the four anatomical levels below the aortic arch, the left lung scores were greater than the right lung score for the three modalities. For the modality 0.5 s with ECG gating no difference of scores was found between patients grouped according to their cardiac frequency. The 0.5-s gantry rotation with or without ECG gating scans reduces cardiac motion artifacts on pulmonary thin-section CT images and is mainly beneficial for the lower part of the left lung.