一种新型加速器的乳腺癌固定野调强放射治疗中计划质量和执行效率评价

目的 基于Halcyon加速器的乳腺癌固定野调强放射治疗（IMRT）计划质量和执行效率的研究。方法 回顾分析基于Trilogy平台治疗完成的10例左侧乳腺癌IMRT计划,将靶区和危及器官导入Eclipse 15.1版本计划系统,重新设计基于Halcyon治疗平台的IMRT计划,比较两种计划靶区和危及器官受量、机器跳数、子野面积和执行时间差异。结果 Halcyon左侧乳腺癌IMRT计划能够满足临床要求,靶区各剂量指标与Trilogy计划差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）。Halcyon计划中左肺的V₁₀、V₂₀、D_mean均低于Trilogy计划（Z=-2.22~-1.78,P<0.05）,Halcyon计划心脏的V₅为（27.80±7.66）%高于Trilogy计划的（23.18±8.19）%（Z=-0.71,P<0.05）,D_mean为（7.03±1.80）Gy低于Trilogy计划的（7.11±2.40）Gy,但差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）。Halcyon计划的机器跳数为1 770.5±383.9,Trilogy计划的机器跳数为1 526.2±227.7,差异有统计学意义（Z=-1.44,P<0.05）。Halcyon计划执行时间为（3.01±0.28）min,Trilogy计划执行时间为（12.38±1.49）min,差异有统计学意义（Z=-3.42,P<0.05）。结论 Halcyon加速器左侧乳腺癌IMRT在保证计划质量降低危及器官剂量的同时显著缩短了治疗时间。     

三种局部补量技术在晚期宫颈癌放疗中的应用研究

目的 探讨三维腔内联合组织间插植（IC/IS BT）、三维腔内（ICBT）联合调强 （ICBT+IMRT）以及单纯IMRT技术在局部晚期宫颈癌治疗中的剂量学差异。方法 选取16例接受三维近距离治疗的局部晚期宫颈癌患者,在原IC/IS BT计划的基础上分别设计ICBT+IMRT和单纯 IMRT计划,研究3种计划中肿瘤靶区和危及器官（OARs）的剂量学差异。结果 共制定75个后装治疗计划,其中IC/IS BT、ICBT+IMRT和单纯 IMRT各25个。 ICBT+IMRT与IC/IS BT计划的靶区体积剂量D₉₀差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）, OARs的剂量比较低。单纯IMRT计划中OARs受量相对较大,且V₆₀明显偏高（与IC/IS BT相比,t=6.77、10.37、4.61、2.83,P<0.05）。结论 ICBT+IMRT计划的肿瘤靶区剂量覆盖较好且OARs受剂量低,可以作为IC/IS BT替代治疗手段。单纯 IMRT技术虽然靶区覆盖度较好,但OARs保护差,不适用于晚期宫颈癌的局部补量治疗。     

乳腺癌保乳术后部分乳腺三种放疗计划的剂量学比较

目的 比较容积弧形调强（VMAT）、固定野动态调强（IMRT）及三维适形放疗（3D-CRT）技术对乳腺癌保乳术后采用部分乳腺放疗的剂量学差异。方法 选取20例临床分期为T_1-2N₀M₀的早期乳腺癌保乳术后患者进行VMAT,并同时设计IMRT及3D-CRT,比较3种计划的剂量学参数,包括剂量-体积直方图（DVH）、靶区剂量适形度、靶区及危及器官的剂量、机器跳数及治疗时间。结果 IMRT及VMAT计划靶区剂量分布优于3D-CRT计划,其中最大剂量,平均剂量及适形指数（CI）组间比较差异具有统计学意义（F=14.86、8.57、18.23,P<0.05）。正常组织受量：VMAT计划在患侧乳腺V₅上优于IMRT及3D-CRT计划（F=5.83,P<0.05）;IMRT在患侧肺V₂₀、V₅及D₅上有优势（F=16.39、3.62、4.81,P<0.05）;在对侧肺的统计中,IMRT计划在最大剂量及D₅上可以得到比VMAT和3D-CRT更低的剂量（F=3.99、3.43,P<0.05）;VMAT、3D-CRT和IMRT计划所需机器跳数值分别为621.0±111.9、707.3±130.9、1161.4±315.6,计划间的差异有统计学意义（F=31.30,P<0.05）。VMAT、3D-CRT和IMRT计划所需治疗时间分别为（1.5±0.2）、（7.0±1.6）、（11.5±1.9）min。结论 IMRT和VMAT计划靶区剂量分布优于3D-CRT计划,而不提高患侧肺剂量。对于部分乳腺癌的放疗,容积弧形调强放疗在降低机器跳数和减少治疗时间方面具有明显优势。     

半铅门技术在口咽癌调强治疗计划中的剂量学研究

目的 研究半铅门容积旋转调强计划（H-VMAT）应用于口咽癌时的剂量优势,与全铅门容积旋转调强计划（W-VMAT）,固定野调强计划（IMRT）进行比较。方法 选取10例口咽癌患者CT图像传至Eclipse11.0（美国Varian公司）治疗计划系统行H-VMAT、W-VMAT和IMRT。两种VMAT计划均采用双弧360℃照射,IMRT计划采用7野均分。3种调强计划的通量优化条件一样。统计靶区PGTV、PCTV1、PCTV2、PGTVln、PCTVln的D₂、D₉₈、D₅₀、均匀性指数（HI）、适形指数（CI）;脑干、脊髓的D_{1 cc};腮腺、口腔、喉的平均剂量D_mean,颈部正常组织D_mean,跳数（MU）以及其他剂量学参数。结果 3种调强计划方式之间比较,H-VAMT计划改善了靶区的HI、CI（靶区PCTV2除外）,差异具有统计学意义（HI：F=3.959、6.764、10.581、6.770、13.040,P<0.05;CI：F=6.594、4.138、0.842、4.031、5.388,P<0.05）,同时明显降低了脑干、脊髓的D_max（F=4.509、20.331,P<0.05）和D_{1 cc}（F=27.432、26.314,P<0.05）,减少了口腔、喉以及颈部正常组织的D_mean（F=4.279、29.498、19.295,P<0.05）,其中口腔、喉的V_50%在IMRT中略低（F=8.140,P<0.05）。IMRT对口腔、喉的保护略优于W-VMAT,但剂量分布最差。H-VMAT计划在颈部正常组织以及下颈,背部的剂量分布最优,IMRT则存在高剂量曲线。结论 口咽癌容积旋转调强计划采用半铅门技术优于全铅门W-VMAT、固定野IMRT计划,可以考虑临床实践。     

基于深度学习的直肠癌术后调强放疗剂量分布预测

目的 建立一种深度学习模型预测调强放疗（IMRT）的三维剂量分布。方法 收集直肠癌术后IMRT患者共110例,随机数表法选择其中90例作为训练验证集并作9折交叉验证,剩下20例作为测试集。构建3D U-Res-Net模型,以CT影像、靶区和危及器官（OARs）的解剖结构以及射束信息作为输入,IMRT剂量作为输出训练该模型,并用来预测测试集病例的剂量分布。采用三维剂量分布以及剂量—体积直方图（DVH）剂量参数评估预测精确性。结果 在三维剂量分布上,体素剂量的平均预测偏差为-2.12%~2.88%、平均绝对误差为2.55%~5.75%;等剂量面的Dice系数均在0.9以上,平均霍夫距离（HD₉₅）和平均表面距离（MSD）分别0.61~1.54 cm和0.21~0.45 cm。对于DVH剂量参数,除膀胱D_mean（P=0.048）以外,其他剂量学参数差异均无统计学意义（P>0.05）。结论 基于3D U-Res-Net模型可以实现直肠癌术后IMRT剂量分布预测,为自动计划设计奠定基础。     

容积旋转调强与固定野调强在晚期宫颈癌放疗的剂量学比较及疗效观察

目的 比较容积旋转调强（RapidArc）和固定野调强（IMRT）技术在宫颈癌根治性放疗的剂量学参数、急性不良反应发生率及疗效。方法 回顾性分析43例局部晚期（II_b~IV）宫颈癌患者,其中22例行容积旋转调强放疗,21例行固定野调强放疗,处方剂量50.4 Gy/28次,比较两组靶区剂量适形度、均匀性、靶区及危及器官的剂量、机器跳数及治疗时间;对比两组患者治疗期间的急性肠道及膀胱反应发生率;对比两组患者的完全缓解率和有效率。结果 与IMRT计划相比,RapidArc计划的靶区适形性指数CI略好,但差异无统计学意义（P > 0.05）;两组计划的靶区均匀性指数HI比较,差异无统计学意义（P > 0.05）。RapidArc计划中膀胱的V₄₀、V₅₀以及直肠的V₃₀、V₄₀、V₅₀均低于IMRT计划（t=-2.386、-2.397、-5.525、-2.883、-2.686,P < 0.05）,RapidArc计划中股骨头的平均剂量低于IMRT计划（t=-2.395,P < 0.05）。RapidArc较IMRT平均MU减少了53.15%,治疗所需平均时间缩短了62.14%。两组患者肠道、膀胱急性反应发生率相近。两组患者完全缓解率和有效率相近。结论 晚期宫颈癌根治性放疗中,采用RapidArc技术可以降低危及器官受量,缩短患者的治疗时间。     

基于Pinnacle3自动化计划设计模块在直肠癌调强放疗的应用研究

目的 通过比较自动化计划设计（Auto-Planning,AP）和调强放疗（IMRT）在直肠癌调强计划设计中的靶区和危及器官的剂量学差异,探讨AP在直肠癌计划设计中的优势。方法 选取10例直肠癌术后放疗病例,用Pinnacle³9.10计划系统基于同一CT图像进行IMRT和AP计划设计,比较两种不同计划的剂量体积直方图,分析靶区适形度指数（CI）、均匀性指数（HI）和危及器官受照剂量的差异。结果 AP计划中,靶区D_mean和D_min略有增加,D_maxcGy略有减小,差异有统计学意义（t=-1.36、-3.03、0.37,P<0.05）。D₂、D₉₅、D₉₈差异均无统计学意义（P>0.05）。AP计划中靶区的HI值有所降低,CI值有所提高,差异有统计学意义（t=1.24、0.10,P<0.05）。危及器官中膀胱V₄₀、V₅₀,小肠的 V₃₀、V₄₅、V₅₀,左右股骨头V₃₀、V₄₀,在AP计划与IMRT计划比较中差异有统计学意义（t=-3.21~1.02,P<0.05）。膀胱V₃₀、V₄₅,小肠V₄₀及左右股骨头V₄₅受照剂量体积均略低于IMRT计划,但差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）。结论 直肠癌AP计划能够达到比IMRT计划更好的靶区适形度,能有效降低靶区最高剂量,增加靶区最低剂量,减少热点和冷点,同时降低危及器官受照剂量,更好的保护正常组织。     

胸上段食管癌无均整器容积弧形调强与固定野调强放疗计划的剂量学比较

目的 探讨在瓦里安TrueBeam^TM直线加速器中使用无均整器出束容积弧形调强(RA-FFF)及常规固定野调强(IMRT)两种计划剂量学差异.方法 选择10例分期为cT_2-3N_0-1M_0-1a胸上段食管癌患者定位CT资料,使用ECLIPSE^TM 10.0.4治疗计划系统分别设计RA-FFF、IMRT根治性放疗计划,处方剂量为60 Gy/30次,比较2种计划的剂量学参数和执行效率.结果 2种计划靶区适形度相似,差异无统计学意义;IMRT计划的均匀性指数高于RA-FFF计划(t=7.298,P=0.008);RA-FFF计划中肺组织的V₂₀、V₅低于IMRT计划(t=2.451、2.604,P<0.05).RA-FFF及IMRT两种计划制定时间分别为(5.3±1.4)、(3.5±1.7)h(t=2.585,P<0.05),机器总跳数分别为632±213及734±132(t=-1.287,P=0.084),治疗执行时间分别为(2.2±0.9)、(4.5±1.3)min(t=4.60,P<0.01).结论 与IMRT计划相比,RA-FFF在胸上段食管癌治疗中具有相似的靶区剂量分布,可更好地保护肺组织,计划制定时间较长但执行效率较高.     

基于四分位距值的调强放疗计划剂量体积直方图分析

目的 提出一种基于四分位距值的调强放射治疗（IMRT）计划靶区及危及器官剂量体积直方图（DVH）差异分析方法。方法 回顾分析22例宫颈癌IMRT计划,将靶区和危及器官（膀胱、直肠和左右股骨头）5组DVH曲线从Pinnacle³计划系统中导出,对每组DVH曲线求出平均DVH曲线和四分位距值曲线。结果 计划靶区DVH在54.03 Gy处差异最大,四分位距值为6.95%,处方剂量包绕的靶区体积为（96.43±1.63）%。膀胱DVH在17.24 Gy处差异最大,四分位距值为14.62%,V₄₀和V₃₀分别为（32.79±7.06）% 和（56.47±9.94）%。直肠DVH在35.92 Gy处差异最大,四分位距值为19.94%,V₄₀和V₃₀分别为（30.17±10.80）%和（58.16±11.99）%。膀胱与直肠的四分位距值差异有统计学意义（z=-6.59, P<0.05）。左侧股骨头DVH在16.06 Gy处差异最大,四分位距值为31.47%。右侧股骨头DVH在17.47 Gy处差异最大,四分位距值为32.82%,左右股骨头间的四分位距值间差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）。结论 四分位距值曲线可以分析靶区和危及器官DVH曲线的变化趋势,为自动计划优化参数设置提供指导。     

2 010例调强放疗患者计划剂量验证结果分析

目的 分析2 010例调强放疗计划剂量验证结果,为改进和完善调强放疗计划验证方法提供参考。方法 回顾性分析北京大学第三医院2012年2月—2016年2月美国瓦里安公司Trilogy加速器治疗的2 010例计划的剂量验证结果,其中调强放射治疗（IMRT）计划965例,容积旋转调强放疗（VMAT）计划1 045例。计划设计使用Eclipse计划系统,剂量验证采用MatriXX及Multicube模体。分析计划和测量等中心点剂量差异,3%/3 mm标准平面剂量分布的γ通过率。等中心点剂量差异<±3%定为通过,平面剂量分布γ通过率>90%定为通过。分析病变部位、治疗技术（IMRT和VMAT）对计划验证通过率的影响。结果 2 010例计划等中心点剂量平均差异为-0.3%±2.4%,γ通过率为97.9%±3.4%。88.2%和96.7%的计划能够通过点剂量验证和平面剂量验证标准。不同病变部位计划验证γ通过率不同（F=3.09,P<0.05）。不同病变计划点剂量和面剂量验证通过率不同（χ²=40.93、39.15,P<0.05）。IMRT和VMAT计划验证点剂量通过率和面剂量验证通过率差异均无统计学意义（P>0.05）。结论 大部分调强放疗计划能够通过计划验证,不同病变部位计划验证通过率不同,IMRT和VMAT计划验证通过率无差异。     

Benchmarking failure mode and effects analysis of electronic brachytherapy with data from incident learning systems

PurposeFailure modes and effects analysis (FMEA) is a prospective risk assessment tool for identifying failure modes in equipment or processes and informing the design of quality control systems. This work aims to benchmark the performance of FMEAs for electronic brachytherapy (eBT) of the skin and for breast by comparing predicted versus actual failure modes reported in multiple incident learning systems (ILS).Methods and MaterialsTwo public and our institution's internal ILS were queried for Xoft Axxent eBT-related events over 9 years. The failure modes and Risk Priority Numbers (RPNs) were taken from FMEAs previously performed for Xoft eBT of nonmelanoma skin cancer and breast intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT). For each event, the treatment site and primary failure mode was compared with the failure modes and RPNs from that site's FMEA.Results49 events involving Xoft eBT were identified. Thirty-one (63.3%) involved breast IORT, and 18 (36.7%) involved the skin. Three events could not be linked to an FMEA failure mode. In 87.7% of events, the primary failure mode ranked in the FMEA top 10 by RPNs. In 83.3% of skin events, the failure modes ranked in the top 10 by RPN or severity. In 90.3% of IORT events, the failure modes ranked within the top 10 by RPN or severity.ConclusionsEvaluating FMEA failure modes against ILS data demonstrates that FMEA is effective at predicting failure modes but can be dependent on user experience. ILS data can improve FMEA by identifying potential failure modes and suggesting realistic occurrence, detectability, and severity values.     

用失效模式、影响及危害度分析法研究 PET应用程序中的人为因素

目的 通过对临床正电子发射断层显像(PET)应用程序中的人因分析,找出较高风险的步骤并提出针对性措施,降低职业人员的潜在照射风险.方法 采用现场调查、填写调查表、建立失效模式影响及危害度分析表、专家评估的方法获得基本资料,并对其进行统计分析.比较分别配备自动分装设备和手动分装设备医院工作流程的相对风险.结果 通过临床PET应用程序分析,获得了其中的10个相对高风险步骤,其中有8个步骤存在于化学合成的工作中,并提出风险控制措施.比较配备自动分装设备和手动分装设备医院的工作流程,相对风险值分别为2.28±0.99和3.20±2.01,差异有统计学意义(t=2.56,P＜0.05).化学合成工作中,有76%的步骤采用手动分装模式的相对风险值大于自动分装模式.结论 失效模式、影响及危害度分析(FMECA)方法应用于临床PET应用程序中的风险评估是有效的,对其风险控制提供了重要依据.

Abstract：

Objective To identify the steps with potentially higher risk through the analysis of human factors in clinical PET application so as to provide the efficient measures to reduce the risk of potential exposures.Methods The basic data were obtained through field investigation, questionnaire,failure mode, risk identification, FMECA and expert's evaluation, with statistical analysis made.Comparison was made of the relative risk values of automatic encapsulation equipment and manual encapsulation ones.Results The 10 steps with potentially higher risks were identified through analyzing human factors of clinical PET application, of which 8 occurred in the phase of chemical synthesis.The measures to control risk were addressed for the steps with higher risk.The results show that the relative risk value of the clinical process with automatic encapsulation equipment was 2.28 ± 0.99 and the one with manual encapsulation equipment was 3.20 ± 2.01 ( t = 2.56, P ＜ 0.05 ), with the latter being 76% of the former.Conclusions Failure mode and FMECA are effective in risk evaluation of clinical PET application, which can provide important basis for risk control.     

Forensic engineering: applying materials and mechanics principles to the investigation of product failures

Forensic engineering is the application of engineering principles or techniques to the investigation of materials, products, structures or components that fail or do not perform as intended. In particular, forensic engineering can involve providing solutions to forensic problems by the application of engineering science. A criminal aspect may be involved in the investigation but often the problems are related to negligence, breach of contract, or providing information needed in the redesign of a product to eliminate future failures. Forensic engineering may include the investigation of the physical causes of accidents or other sources of claims and litigation (for example, patent disputes). It involves the preparation of technical engineering reports, and may require giving testimony and providing advice to assist in the resolution of disputes affecting life or property. This paper reviews the principal methods available for the analysis of failed components and then gives examples of different component failure modes through selected case studies.     

Value of ultrasonography in acute renal failure: analysis of qualitative features in patients with nephropathia epidemica

Purpose: To assess the value of renal ultrasonography (US) and the frequency of qualitative pathology in patients with nephropathia epidemica (NE) and to determine whether these features are related to the clinical course of NE. Material and Methods: Renal US was undertaken in 23 hospital-treated NE cases during the acute phase of the disease (first study). A second US study was performed 3-6 months later. Captured US images were used in the analysis. Results: From acute to control phase the overall rating of kidney status improved in 20 patients, parenchymal swelling decreased and corticomedullary border differentiation improved in 21, echogenicity decreased in 18, and patchy pattern in parenchymal echo-texture decreased in 15. The severity of findings in US evinced some association with fluid volume overload, high blood pressure level and blood leukocyte count, and severe clinical renal insufficiency. The degree of parenchymal swelling had more statistically significant associations with clinical course than other US features. Conclusion: Qualitative US features are as sensitive as quantitative US parameters in assessment of NE patients' clinical course and recovery, assuming that a comparative study is available. US using only qualitative features is fairly limited in evaluating NE patients' clinical situation.     

Outcomes research and cost-effectiveness analysis in radiology

The decision to implement a new medical technology requires that if not only increases survival or quality of life, but that it is also economically sound. The unique feature in the assessment of diagnostic tests is that the results of such tests are intermediate outcomes. Both randomized controlled clinical trials and decision analysis have an important role to play in the assessment of diagnostic tests. Important points to consider when performing a cost-effectiveness study are what perspective to take; comparing the technology with the next best strategy; including both effectiveness and costs; the distinction between describing and valuing the quality of life; intangibles such as the value of information; and the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio. Adjunct appointments: University Hospital Groningen, The Netherlands and Department of Health Policy and Management, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA Correspondence to: M. G. M. Hunink     

放化疗联合免疫一线治疗局部晚期或转移性食管鳞癌的初步分析

目的评估放化疗联合免疫一线治疗局部晚期或转移性食管鳞癌(LA/M ESCC)患者的疗效和预后因素。方法回顾性分析单中心符合入组条件的57例LA/M ESCC患者, 分析其近期疗效、生存情况、预后因素、治疗后失败模式和治疗相关不良反应等情况。结果全组患者1、2、3年总生存(OS)率和无进展生存(PFS)率分别为86.0%、57.5%、53.9%和61.4%、31.0%、31.0%;中位OS值未达到, 中位PFS为15.0个月(95%CI:10.77～19.23);患者总有效率(ORR)为80.7%(46/57), 疾病控制率(DCR)为94.7%(54/57)。多因素分析结果显示, 患者年龄、临床分期、免疫治疗周期数和近期疗效为影响患者OS的独立预后因素(HR=0.25、2.58、0.35、4.05, P<0.05), 而临床分期和近期疗效为影响患者PFS的独立因素(HR=2.27、1.97, P<0.05)。免疫药物与放化疗联合模式、照射范围对患者OS和PFS的差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05)。共有32例患者出现治疗后失败, 二次治疗后1、2年OS率分别为55.7%...     

pN0期胸段食管鳞癌患者术后失败模式及其对术后放疗指导作用分析

目的 探讨pN₀期胸段食管鳞癌（TESCC）患者单纯手术治疗后失败模式及失败原因,并据此讨论患者术后放疗的可行性。方法 对2007年1月至2010年12月在本院胸外科接受手术治疗且符合入组条件的473例食管癌患者进行回顾性分析,通过分析患者术后治疗的失败模式及其原因,探讨pN₀期TESCC患者单纯手术治疗后辅助性放疗的可行性及意义。结果 全组患者出现胸腔内-区域性复发57例（12.1%）,其中多数出现在胸腔内（52例）;远处转移42例（8.9%）。复发合并远处转移13例。总失败率为20.9%。胸上段食管癌患者胸腔内-区域性复发率显著高于胸中段和胸下段患者（χ²=7.469,P<0.05）,而远处转移率差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）。T分期越晚的食管癌患者其复发率及远处转移率均显著高于T分期早者（χ²=10.247、7.886,P<0.05）。单因素分析结果显示,不同病变部位、食管瘤床与周边组织器官的黏连程度和术后残端情况为影响胸腔内-区域性复发率的显著性因素（χ²=14.232、9.486、7.546,P<0.05）;患者性别、吸烟史和术前体重减轻≥ 5 kg为影响患者远处转移率的显著性因素（χ²=10.823、10.275、6.065,P<0.05）;而T分期对胸腔内-区域性复发率及远处转移率均有显著性影响（χ²=15.994、12.885,P<0.05）。多因素分析结果显示,T分期和术后残端为影响胸腔内-区域性复发的独立性因素（P<0.05）,既往吸烟史为影响远处转移的独立性因素（P<0.05）。结论 pN₀期TESCC患者单纯术后仍有较高的胸腔内-区域性复发率,对于胸上段食管癌患者、T分期较晚、食管瘤床与周边组织器官的黏连程度较重和术后残端阳性患者建议术后辅助性放疗。男性患者、有吸烟史和术前体重减轻≥ 5 kg者远处转移高。     

Conjunction analysis and propositional logic in fMRI data analysis using Bayesian statistics

Purpose

To evaluate logical expressions over different effects in data analyses using the general linear model (GLM) and to evaluate logical expressions over different posterior probability maps (PPMs).

Materials and Methods

In functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data analysis, the GLM was applied to estimate unknown regression parameters. Based on the GLM, Bayesian statistics can be used to determine the probability of conjunction, disjunction, implication, or any other arbitrary logical expression over different effects or contrast. For second‐level inferences, PPMs from individual sessions or subjects are utilized. These PPMs can be combined to a logical expression and its probability can be computed. The methods proposed in this article are applied to data from a STROOP experiment and the methods are compared to conjunction analysis approaches for test‐statistics.

Results

The combination of Bayesian statistics with propositional logic provides a new approach for data analyses in fMRI. Two different methods are introduced for propositional logic: the first for analyses using the GLM and the second for common inferences about different probability maps.

Conclusion

The methods introduced extend the idea of conjunction analysis to a full propositional logic and adapt it from test‐statistics to Bayesian statistics. The new approaches allow inferences that are not possible with known standard methods in fMRI. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2008;28:1533–1539. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Novel and programmatic improvements to the workflow associated with the AccuBoost breast brachytherapy procedure

PurposeWhile the noninvasive breast brachytherapy (NIBB) treatment procedure, known as AccuBoost, for breast cancer patients is well established, the treatment quality can be improved by the efficiency of the workflow delivery. A formalized approach evaluated the current workflow through failure modes and effects analysis and generated insight for developing new procedural workflow techniques to improve the clinical treatment process.Methods and MaterialsAccuBoost treatments were observed for several months while gathering details on the multidisciplinary workflow. A list of possible failure modes for each procedure step was generated and organized by timing within the treatment process. A team of medical professionals highlighted procedural steps that unnecessarily increased treatment time, as well as introduced quality deficiencies involving applicator setup, treatment planning, and quality control checks preceding brachytherapy delivery. Procedural improvements and their impact on the clinical workflow are discussed.ResultsThe revised clinical workflow included the following key procedural enhancements. Prepatient arrival: Improvement of prearrival preparation requires advance completion of dose calculation documentation with patient-specific setup data. Patient arrival pretreatment: Physicists carry out dwell time calculations and check the plan, while the therapist concurrently performs several checks of the ensuing hardware configuration. Treatment: An electronic method to export the associated HDR brachytherapy paperwork to the electronic medical record system with electronic signatures and captured approvals was generated. Posttreatment: The therapist confirms the applicators were appropriately positioned, and treatment was delivered as expected.ConclusionsThe procedural improvements reduced the overall treatment time, improved consistency across users, and eased performance of this special procedure for all participants.     

Spectral analysis: principle and clinical applications

This review article describes the principle and clinical applications of spectral analysis. Spectral analysis provides a spectrum of the kinetic components which are involved in the regional uptake and partitioning of tracer from the blood to the tissue. This technique allows the tissue impulse response function to be derived with minimal modeling assumptions. Spectral analysis makes no a priori assumptions regarding the number of compartments or components required to describe the time course of tracer in the tissue. Spectral analysis can be applied to various dynamic data acquired by planar scintigraphy, single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) or positron emission tomography (PET) as an alternative approach to compartment analysis. This analysis appears to be clinically useful, because it not only facilitates the interpretation of dynamic scintigraphic, SPECT or PET data, but also simplifies comparisons between regions and between subjects.