衰减伪影对冠心病患者门控心肌灌注显像图像质量及灌注结果的影响

目的探讨衰减伪影对冠心病患者门控心肌灌注显像(GMPI)图像质量及灌注结果的影响。资料与方法回顾性分析2020年3月—2021年3月在郑州大学第一附属医院核医学科经冠状动脉造影证实且于造影前后1周行GMPI的99例冠心病患者的图像,定性及半定量分析衰减校正前后GMPI图像结果,比较衰减校正前后左心室各壁段平均放射性计数及灌注结果的差异,进一步分析衰减校正前后灌注结果不一致部分的受检者的节段性室壁运动及增厚情况。结果与衰减校正前比较,衰减校正后左心室间隔、下后壁及侧壁的平均放射性计数较高(Z=-7.302、-8.014、-3.991,P均<0.001),心尖部较低(Z=-8.021,P<0.001)。其中女性衰减校正后前壁平均放射性计数减低(Z=-2.314,P=0.021)。男性衰减校正前后下后壁放射性计数差值明显高于女性(t=-8.408,P<0.05)。衰减校正后44%(44/99)的左前降支及37%(37/99)的右冠状动脉分支供血区域显像结果发生改变,结合超声心动图及GMPI结果显示其中85%(35/41)的左前降支及81%(29/36)的右冠状动脉分支供血区域室壁运动及室壁增厚率均正常。结论衰减伪影对GMPI的图像质量和灌注结果有较大影响,结合室壁运动和增厚情况等有助于鉴别衰减伪影,提高诊断准确度与特异度。     

Attenuation Coefficient Estimation of Normal Placentas

Attenuation coefficient estimation has the potential to be a useful tool for placental tissue characterization. A current challenge is the presence of inhomogeneities in biological tissue that result in a large variance in the attenuation coefficient estimate (ACE), restricting its clinical utility. In this work, we propose a new Attenuation Estimation Region Of Interest (AEROI) selection method for computing the ACE based on the (i) envelope signal-to-noise ratio deviation and (ii) coefficient of variation of the transmit pulse bandwidth. The method was first validated on a tissue-mimicking phantom, for which an 18%–21% reduction in the standard deviation of ACE and a 14%–24% reduction in the ACE error, expressed as a percentage of reported ACE, were obtained. A study on 59 post-delivery clinically normal placentas was then performed. The proposed AEROI selection method reduced the intra-subject standard deviation of ACE from 0.72 to 0.39 dB/cm/MHz. The measured ACE of 59 placentas was 0.77 ± 0.37 dB/cm/MHz, which establishes a baseline for future studies on placental tissue characterization.     

Propagation velocity and attenuation of a shear wave pulse measured by ultrasound detection in agarose and polyacrylamide gels

The aim of our research was to measure and analyze phase velocity and pulse attenuation of a shear wave in two media: well-known agarose-gelatin gel and seldom-used polyacrylamide gel. These quantities were determined at three temperatures by the method of transmission sonoelastography described by Catheline et al. (1999). The shear wave was generated with a shaker stimulated by an electric pulse, with a length of one sinusoidal period with a preset frequency. The calculation method is based on a cross-correlation algorithm used for consecutive A-scans of signals of backwards scattered ultrasonic pulses. It allows determination of the local displacement of scattering elements in the medium, caused by a propagating shear wave, and determination of viscoelastic properties of gels. The results of the measurements of shear wave phase velocity and attenuation, obtained for agarose-gelatin and polyacrylamide gels that simulate biological systems depending on frequency and amplitude of vibrations, are presented. The comparison of the measured characteristic properties of gels has revealed that polyacrylamide gel is more useful in viscoelastic investigations of tissue-like phantoms.     

18F-FDG标准化摄取值在不同衰减校正方式中的比较研究

目的比较应用X线CT和Cs透射数据对PET发射数据进行衰减校正时,标准化摄取值(SUV)的差异。方法以Philips圆柱体空心SUV校正模型和20例患者为研究对象,在PET/CT全身三维显像模式中,分别用X线CT和137Cs透射数据做PET发射数据的衰减校正(CTAC和CsAC)。分别在CTAC及CsAC均匀水模的中心15层横断面图像的相同位置,以及所有患者相同部位的肌肉、脂肪、肠道、肝脏、肺、心肌、脑、骨等不同密度的正常组织中,划取相同大小的感兴趣区(ROI),通过计算机自动测量各ROI的平均SUV,并在CT横断面图像的相应位置测量人体组织的平均CT值。然后将所有被测人体组织分为软组织和骨组织两组,分别比较分析各组中CTAC和CsAC平均SUV的差异,及这种差异与CT值的相关性。全部采用临床全身显像的三维重建算法来重建图像。结果模型研究结果:在不同活性时,CsAC方式均能得到稳定可靠的SUV。而CTAC方式得到的SUV随着放射性活性水平降低,有逐渐升高的趋势。在单位活度6.253MBq/kg至4.292MBq/kg之间,即制造商推荐的标准给药活性(5.18MBq/kg体重)附近,CTAC和CsAC方式测得的SUV相同;患者研究结果:除脑组织以外的所有软组织中,CTAC的平均SUV较CsAC者低17%(t=-5.328,P=0.000),相应部位所测得的CT值为-850～68Hu[平均(-87±295)Hu],平均SUV的差异与相应的CT值呈负相关(r=-0.237,P=0.000);在骨组织中,CTAC的平均SUV较CsAC者高16%(t=7.960,P=0.000),相应部位所测得的CT值为105～550Hu[平均(334±151)Hu],平均SUV的差异与相应的CT值呈正相关(r=0.539,P=0.000)。结论①不同活性水平时,CsAC方式的SUV稳定、可靠,而CTAC方式的SUV稳定性和可靠性差;②模型模拟标准临床显像程序来测试PET/CT定量指标的稳定性具有明确的实用价值;③呼吸运动和组织衰减系数由低能向高能转换过程所带来的误差等,也是影响CTAC方式SUV稳定性的主要因素。     

Ultrasonic radio-frequency spectrum analysis of normal brain tissue

Acoustic tissue properties can be estimated using texture and/or spectral parameter analysis. Spectral analysis is based on the rf-signals whose frequency-content is commonly neglected in conventional B-mode imaging. Attenuation and backscatter values of normal brain tissue were analyzed. Unprocessed rf-data of 20 patients were sampled intraoperatively after craniotomy using a modified conventional ultrasonic device (Hitachi CS 9600) and analyzed off-line by a custom-made software routine. Before parameter estimation, influences of the diffraction pattern were compensated by means of a correction function obtained using a tissue-mimicking phantom. Attenuation of white matter showed a linear frequency dependence with a slope of 0.94 +/- 0.13 dB cm(-1) MHz(-1). The spectral slope was determined using 10 distinct frequencies between 2.5 and 5.75 MHz. Backscattering properties were analyzed by determining the power spectral density (PSD) and a relative backscatter coefficient (rel BSC) against the values derived from the tissue-mimicking phantom. PSD and rel BSC values were frequency-dependent, with highest PSD values at the probe's center frequency (-75.69 +/- 8.26 dB V(2) Hz(-1)). The corresponding rel BSC value at 5 MHz was determined as 15.39 +/- 8.26 dB. Finally, backscatter coefficients (BSC) of brain tissue were computed using the known BSC of the phantom. The data provided in this study are meant to serve as a base for intended future characterization of brain tissue that potentially allows intraoperative differentiation between normal and pathologic areas and therefore provides the surgeon with additional information for defining the extent of resection in brain more precisely.     

Diagnostic accuracy of myocardial perfusion imaging with single photon emission computed tomography and positron emission tomography: a comparison with coronary angiography

Objective The aim of this study was to compare the diagnostic accuracy of myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) by positron emission tomography (PET) with the diagnostic accuracy of MPI by single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) in two comparable patient cohorts, using coronary angiography (CA) as the standard of reference. Methods A “SPECT-group” of 80 patients (15 female, 65 male; mean age 60 ± 9 years) and a “PET-group” of 70 patients (14 female, 56 male; mean age 57 ± 10 years) underwent a one day stress/rest examination either with attenuation-corrected ¹³N-ammonia PET or attenuation-corrected ²⁰¹TlCl SPECT or ^99mTc-hexakis-methoxy-isobutyl-isonitril (MIBI) SPECT. PET and SPECT results were semiquantitatively graded using a 6-segment heart model. All patients underwent CA, and stenoses were graded as a diameter reduction ≥50%. Results Coronary findings between both groups did not significantly differ at CA. For the SPECT-group overall sensitivity and specificity for localisation of stenoses was 77% and 84%. Respective values for the PET-group were 97% and 84%. The specificity of MPI by SPECT in the detection of ischemia was 74% and 91% for MPI by PET. The diagnostic accuracy of MPI improves when the individual coronary dominance and previous coronary revascularisations are taken into account. Conclusion MPI by ¹³N-ammonia PET is more sensitive in the detection and localisation of coronary stenoses, and more specific in the detection of ischemia than MPI by ²⁰¹TlCl/^99mMIBI SPECT.     

Evaluation of X-ray table mattresses for radiation attenuation and impact on image quality

IntroductionMattresses in the radiology department tend to be an overlooked aspect of imaging equipment. This paper evaluates the radiation attenuation characteristics of mattresses and the effect they have on image quality.MethodsThirteen mattresses (from new to 20 years of age) were evaluated. Incident air kerma (IAK) was measured in two conditions, with and without mattress over a range of exposure factors using a digital dosimeter. Image quality was assessed by calculating the inverse image quality factor (IQF_inv) using a commercially available phantom (CDRAD) for the same exposure factors. The correlation of age and attenuation and image quality was calculated.ResultsMeasured IAK and image quality was affected by the addition of a mattress with older mattresses having greater attenuation; there is a moderate/large correlation (0.38–0.51) between age and IAK. IQF_inv deteriorated with the addition of a mattress but there was no correlation with age (?0.41 to 0.16). Clinically, there is no impact of any mattress in the study as changes to the exposure factors to account for the attenuation are smaller than the increments in mAs available on X-ray equipment.ConclusionThe results indicate that while the presence of a mattress does impact on transmitted radiation and the quality of the image, the clinical impact is insignificant. Attenuation correlates with age but with no clinical significance. There is no correlation between age and image quality.Implications for practiceQuality control tests for attenuation and impact on image quality are not required in clinical practice. The method could be used by manufacturers to test new materials and mattresses and could provide users with specifications of new products.     

Quantification of upper body movements during gait in older adults and in those with Parkinson’s disease: impact of acceleration realignment methodologies

The upper body accelerations of people with Parkinson’s disease (PD) measured by inertial measurement units (IMUs) may contribute towards diagnostic algorithms and help track disease progression. Before extracting variables related to upper body motion, acceleration signals require realignment to a global reference; however, the impact of these techniques on the resulting upper body variables is unclear. Therefore, the aim of this investigation was to examine the impact of four different realignment methods designed to correct acceleration signals on a range of upper body variables in older adults and in patients with PD. Two minutes of continuous gait were measured in 54 community-dwelling older adults (71.1 ± 6.7 years) and 60 people with PD (age: 68.5 ± 9.1 years). Three IMUs placed on the 5th lumbar vertebra, 7th cervical vertebra and the back of the head recorded the acceleration of the upper body. A selection of upper body variables sensitive to impaired upper body control in PD and four acceleration realignment methods were compared. A mixed-model ANOVA showed that the choice of realignment method significantly affected the values of upper body variables as well as their ability to discriminate between the PD and control group. Our findings indicate researchers and clinicians should be cautious when comparing upper body variables extracted from IMUs using different realignment methods, and consideration of realignment technique will be important when identifying the most sensitive markers of disease presence and progression. Therefore, it’s strongly recommend that researchers consider and report their realignment methods when assessing upper body variables during gait.