Development of a simple image viewer designed for small X-ray field CT equipment 3DX

Objectives To develop a simple image viewer that utilizes image files in general-purpose formats that are written from the original 3DX volume data. Methods We used FLASH MX2004 for Macintosh to develop a simple image viewer. In developing the software for the simple image viewer, we decided that the viewer should provide the following features: (1) be available to both Windows OS and Mac OS, (2) allow interlocking of the 3D images, (3) display image enlargement, and (4) allow distance measurements. The accuracy of the distance measurements was evaluated. Results The procedure was as follows: (1) write 3D images in jpeg format to a folder on i-VIEW; (2) place the folder containing the 3D images into the directory of the simple image viewer software on a PC; (3) start the software and open the window to input the folder name containing the 3D images; and (4) display the 3D images. Our viewer had features such as image enlargement, interlocking 3D images, drawing, and distance measurements. No significant differences were shown between the measurements made by our simple viewer and the actual values of the images in any direction. Conclusions Our image-viewing software for 3DX is beneficial for clinical use.     

Bolus tracking技术在MSCT冠状动脉成像的应用

目的:研究应用Bolus tracking自动触发技术在16层螺旋CT冠状动脉成像时,选用不同阈值对血管质量的影响,评价其价值.方法:64例患者采用Bolus tracking技术,分别用100、130、160和190 HU的阈值,比较四组触发时间、实际触发值、升主动脉强化值和冠状动脉成像质量.结果:64例均完成Bolus tracking自动触发扫描,100 HU组130 HU组在触发时间和冠状动脉血管评价上无明显差异,但160 HU和190 HU组有明显差异,四组的实际触发值均有明显差异,而升主动脉强化值均无明显差异.结论:Bolus tracking技术可以为16层螺旋CT冠状动脉成像提供理想的扫描延迟时间,自动触发阈值选择在100～130 HU为佳.     

Benefits from peer teaching in the dental gross anatomy laboratory

This study examined the impact of implementing a rotating dissection schedule on the attitudes and performance of first-year dental students in the gross anatomy laboratory at the University of Kentucky. In 2002-2003, half of the students assigned to each cadaver dissected the assigned objectives during the first 90 min of the laboratory session. During the last 30 min, the non-dissecting group members came into the laboratory and had the day's dissection demonstrated and explained to them via peer instruction. Dissection responsibilities rotated with each laboratory session. Eighty-eight percent of student participants were satisfied with the rotating dissection approach according to a mid-term survey, and this satisfaction level remained unchanged at the end of the semester for most students. Students' perceptions of the quality of peer laboratory presentations varied, with only 44% rating them as good or better. Eighty percent of students perceived that rotating dissection did not impede their performance, and this was confirmed by analysis of grade data. Student satisfaction and the ability to devote additional weekly curriculum time to studying anatomy in a very compressed curriculum were the main student-described benefits.     

Image processing in swallowing and speech research

An image processing system for application to studies of the temporal and spatial parameters of movement during swallowing and speech is described. Image sequences from videotape are digitized for computerized manipulation and analysis in an attempt to improve on conventional visual inspection. The system is “interactive” or “event-driven”: after executing a function, the computer waits for guidance from the user who controls the program through keyboard and mouse input, selecting options from menus and responding to prompts. The analyst alters image clarity by the application of filters and heightens contrast through video enhancement. A technique called “remapping” reduces head motion and provides uniform spatial scaling. Animated sequences of images are used, as opposed to frame-by-frame analysis, to preserve temporal context and increase efficiency of measurement. Low cost off-the-shelf personal computer hardware is used along with original software tailored to the application.     

心率及重建相位窗对多层螺旋CT冠状动脉造影图像质量的影响

目的 探讨心率及重建相位窗对多层螺旋CT冠状动脉造影图像质量的影响。方法 80例健康体检者行16层螺旋CT回顾性心电门控条件下冠状动脉造影。结果 每位患者的4条冠状动脉分支(左冠状动脉主干、左前降支、左回旋支、右冠状动脉)分别用于图像质量分析。心率≤60次／min者，有82．1％(46／56支)的图像可用于诊断；心率61～70次／min者，有63．4％(104／164支)的图像可用于诊断；心率71～80次/min者，有41．20h，(28／68支)的图像可用于诊断；心率80次／min以上者有31．2％(10／32支)的图像可用于诊断。左冠状动脉前降支在60％～70％的重建相位窗时图像质量最佳，左冠状动脉回旋支在50％～60％时最佳，右冠状动脉重建相位窗为50％～70％较满意。结论心率及重建相位窗对多层螺旋CT冠状动脉造影图像质量有重要影响作用。     

如何加强局部解剖学教学中的专业英语学习

医学专业英语教学是大部分医学院校教育的薄弱环节 ,作者认为应该在每门专业课中加强专业英语的教学。本文从局部解剖学教学的角度 ,提出一些解决措施 ,包括提高学生对专业英语的认识和学习动力、结合公共英语、构词法的教学、加强预习复习、启发式教学等 ,来提高局部解剖学专业英语的教学质量。     

补肾抗衰口服液对大鼠衰老模型免疫器官影响的实验研究

研究补肾抗衰口服液对大鼠衰老模型免疫器官胸腺和脾脏的影响.结果显示,模型组大鼠胸腺和脾脏重量减轻,胸腺重/体重比值、脾重/体重比值减小,胸腺组织学观察,显示萎缩改变;药物组大鼠胸腺和脾脏重量、胸腺重/体重、脾重/体重比值接近正常对照组,胸腺组织学观察,未显示萎缩改变.本研究结果表明,补肾抗衰口服液能延缓胸腺和脾脏萎缩,保护机体的正常免疫功能,提示该药有抗衰老的作用.     

Epidural blood patch illustrated by CT-epidurography

Four patients, who received epidural blood patch to treat postdural puncture headache, were examined with computed tomography in order to demonstrate the distribution of the injected blood. Blood alone could not be identified, but adding 2 ml contrast agent Iohexol 180 mg J/ ml (Omnipaque®, Nycomed Imaging) to 18 ml blood gave an excellent demonstration of the distribution of the blood in the epidural space, both cranio-caudally (7–14 segments) and spatially in relation to the epidural septae. The blood-contrast media had a strong affinity to the dural sac. There was no support of the spacefilling effect of blood patch.     

Self-directed learning in anatomy: incorporation of case-based studies into a conventional medical curriculum

This paper reports an attempt to develop self-directed learning skills in second-year medical students by introducing case-based projects into the gross anatomy course at a long-established medical school. The programme and students' responses to a questionnaire completed at the end of the year are presented. Information on the various resources used by students to find information is given. The performance of students in the case-based components of the course has been evaluated and also in the more traditional end-of-year written examination. The data confirm that students have recognized that the projects were about obtaining a deeper understanding of the anatomy, and the programme appears to have promoted the use and study of library texts.     

Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) of the circle of Willis: a prospective comparison with conventional angiography in 54 subjects

We prospectively correlated the findings of magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) with those of transfemoral four-vessel angiography in 54 patients to investigate the direction of flow within the circle of Willis. Our primary goal was to assess the direction of flow using the size of the vessel and signal intensity, without saturation techniques. Analysis of the circle of Willis, especially the communicating arteries, was performed double-blind by two groups of two radiologists. Three types of arteries were identified: high flow or cross-cerebral circulation, patent and nonvisualised arteries. Cerebral angiography was the standard for comparison between the two methods. MRA did not reveal any arteries invisible on angiography, thus providing a specificity of 100%. The sensitivity of MRA was 89.2% for the anterior and 81.3% for the posterior communicating arteries, and 100% for the anterior, middle and posterior cerebral arteries. MRA was shown to be a useful technique for the assessment of patency of the circle of Willis.