Assessment of left ventricular function: comparison between radionuclide angiography and semiquantitative two-dimensional echocardiographic analysis

Measurement of global left ventricular function is important in the follow-up of cardiac patients and is a good prognostic indicator in acute cardiac situations. We compared quantitative measurements of global left ventricular function made with radionuclide angiography (RNA) and contrast cardiac ventriculography (CVG) to visual semiquantitative estimates from two-dimensional echocardiographic images (2D-echo). Three hundred and thirty-nine consecutive patients who underwent RNA were assessed with 2D-echo within 3 months. In addition, 92 of these patients also underwent CVG (correlation of ejection fraction between CVG and RNA:r=0.82;P<0.0001). The RNA mean ejection fractions in the four 2D-echo groups (0=normal, 1=slightly, 2=moderate, or 3=severe reduced left ventricular function) differed markedly (P<0.0001); however, there was overlapping among the groups (2D-echo score/RNA ejection fraction: 0=57.3%±12.8%; 1=46.0%±12.9%; 2=29.6%±12.2%; and 3=24.6%±11.5%) and the difference between 2D-echo scores 2 and 3 was not significant. 2D-echo showed a good concordance in RNA classes (0=505; 1=35%–49%; 2=21%–34%; and 3=520% ejection fraction) 0 (133/166; 80%) and 3 (18/30; 60%) but low concordance in classes 1 (27/82; 33%) and 2 (21/61; 34%). For accurate assessment of global left ventricular ejection fraction, visual semiquantitative judgement of a 2D echocardiographic image is limited in comparison to CVG or RNA, especially in patients with a slight or moderate reduction in left ventricular ejection fraction.     

Assessment of left ventricular diastolic function: comparison of contrast ventriculography and equilibrium radionuclide angiography.

Twenty-two patients with coronary artery disease were studied first by radionuclide angiography (RNA) and then by contrast ventriculography. Cardiac medications were discontinued at least 72 hr before study. The patients were studied during atrial pacing at heart rates close to their spontaneous sinus rhythm. Contrast ventriculography was performed at 50 frames/sec in the 30 degrees right anterior oblique projection using 40 ml of a nonionic contrast medium (iopamidol) at a flow rate of 10-12 ml/sec. The contours of the left ventricular silhouette at contrast ventriculography were traced, frame by frame, on a graphic table with a digitizing penlight. Equilibrium 99mTc RNA was performed in the best septal 45 degrees left anterior oblique projection, acquiring 150,000 cts/frame, at 50 frames/sec and with a 5% gate tolerance. Time-activity curves from both end-diastolic and end-systolic ROIs were built and interpolated. Both RNA and contrast ventriculography volume curves were filtered with Fourier five harmonics. A close relationship was found between RNA and contrast ventriculography measurements of peak filling rate normalized to end-diastolic cps (r = 0.87, p less than 0.001) and stroke count (r = 0.87, p less than 0.001), ejection fraction (r = 0.94, p less than 0.001). Thus, in patients with coronary artery disease, LV filling can be accurately assessed using RNA.     

MR成像下精囊分泌功能与性功能关系的初步研究

目的:研究精囊MR的成像规律,探讨精囊的分泌功能与性功能的关系。方法:将52例性功能障碍患者分为观察组A和观察组B,并设立20例正常对照组,分别进行精囊MR成像,测量精囊的宽度,观察组A、B与对照组之间精囊状况分布,并对其进行IIEF-5和IIEF-11、12问题评分,然后通过统计学处理,研究精囊的分泌功能与IIEF-5和IIEF-11、12的相关性。结果:观察组与对照组之间精囊状况分布有明显统计学差异(P<0.05)。观察组与对照组之间精囊宽度有显著性差异(P<0.05);观察组A与观察组B之间精囊宽度无显著性差异(P>0.05)。观察组A与对照组之间IIEF-11、12评分有极显著性差异(P<0.01);观察组B与对照组之间IIEF-11、12评分有显著性差异(P<0.05)。观察组A与对照组之间IIEF-5评分有显著性差异(P<0.05);观察组B与对照组之间IIEF-5评分有极显著性差异(P<0.01)。观察组A精囊宽度与IIEF-5评分呈极显著正相关(r=0.81,P<0.01),观察组B精囊宽度与IIEF-5评分呈显著正相关(r=0.53,P<0.05),对照组精囊宽度与IIEF-5评分呈显著正相关(r=0.61,P<0.05)。结论:精囊的分泌功能与性功能之间存在明显的相关性,提示可通过改善精囊的分泌功能提高性功能。     

双源CT与3.0T MRI比较评估不同时相的左心房容积和功能

目的 与3.0 T MRI比较,探讨双源CT(DSCT)评估心动周期中不同时相左心房容积和功能的能力.方法 回顾性分析行冠状动脉CTA检查的49例患者,同一天完成DSCT和MR检查,并获得DSCT容积数据及左心房垂直长轴和左心室短轴快速稳态平衡进动序列(FIESTA)电影图像.分析左心房不同时相容积并计算左心房功能指标,所有的左心房功能指标都经体表面积校正.通过线性相关和Bland-Altman分析评估DSCT和MR电影(CMR)两种检查方法间的相关性和一致性.结果 DSCT与CMR测量的体表面积校正参数分别为:最大左心房容积(LAVmax):(47.4±11.1)和(46.2±9.7)ml/m2;最小左心房容积(LAVmin):(22.2±6.9)和(21.3±5.8) ml/m2;P波对应的左心房容积(LAVp):(34.8±8.8)和(33.6±7.8) ml/m2;左心房存储容积(LARV):(24.0±5.7)和(21.5±5.0) ml/m2;左心房被动收缩容积(LAPV):(11.6±3.9)和(10.9±3.9)ml/m2;左心房主动收缩容积(LAAV):(12.4±3.9)和(10.7±3.6) ml/m2;左心房管道容积(LACV):(22.6±8.4)和(21.0±6.4)ml/m2;左心房射血分数(LAEF):(52.8±7.4)％和(54.5±6.3)％;DSCT与CMR测值之间的相关性分别为:0.89、0.90、0.90、0.80、0.82、0.80、0.76和0.78(P值均＜0.01).但DSCT高估了校正后的LAVmax、LAVmin、LAVp、LARV、LAPV、LAAV和LACV,其高估的偏差分别为1.2、0.9、1.1、0.3、0.1、0.2和0.4 ml/m2.与CMR相比,DSCT稍微低估了LAEF约0.6％.对左心房功能指标的测量,DSCT操作者间的差异低于CMR操作者间的差异(P＜0.05).结论 DSCT对心动周期内不同时相左心房的容积和功能的评估较准确、重复性较强,可为临床提供冠状动脉以外的信息.     

Assessment of global left ventricular function: comparison of cardiac multidetector-row computed tomography with angiocardiography

OBJECTIVE: Evaluation of left ventricular function using electrocardiogram (ECG)-gated multidetector row CT (MDCT) by using 3 different volumetric assessment methods in comparison to assessment of the left ventricular function by invasive ventriculography. METHODS: Thirty patients with suspected or known coronary artery disease underwent MDCT coronary angiography with retrospective ECG cardiac gating. Raw data were reconstructed at the end-diastolic and end-systolic periods of the heart cycle. To calculate the volumes of the left ventricle, 3 methods were applied: The 3-dimensional data set (3D), the geometric hemisphere cylinder (HC), and the geometric biplane ellipsoid (BE) methods. End-diastolic volumes (EDV), end-systolic volumes (ESV), the stroke volumes (SV), and ejection fractions (EF) were calculated. The left ventricular volumetric data from the 3 methods were compared with measurements from left ventriculography (LVG). RESULTS: The best results were obtained using the 3D method; EDV (r = 0.73), ESV (r = 0.88), and EF (r = 0.76) correlated well with the LVG data. The EDV volumes did not differ significantly between LVG and the 3D method (P = 0.24); however, ESV, SV, and EF differed significantly. The ESV were significantly overestimated (P < 0.01), leading to an underestimation of the SV (P < 0.01) and the EF (P < 0.01). The HC method resulted in the greatest overestimation of the volumes. The EDV and the ESV were 31.8 +/- 37.6% and 136.4 +/- 92.9% higher than the EDV and ESV volumes obtained by LVG. Bland-Altman analysis showed systematic overestimation of the ESV using the HC method. CONCLUSION: MDCT with retrospective cardiac ECG gating allows the calculation of left ventricular volumes to estimate systolic function. The 3D method had the highest correlation with LVG. However, the overestimation of the ESV is significant, which led to an underestimation of the SV and the EF.     

Assessment of right ventricular function by 16-detector-row CT: comparison with magnetic resonance imaging

The purpose of this study was to determine right ventricular (RV) function from 16-detector-row CT by using two different software tools in comparison with MRI. Nineteen patients underwent cardiac CT. (1) With semiautomated contour detection software end-diastolic and end-systolic RV volumes were determined from short-axis CT reformations (MPR) created at every 10% of the RR-interval. (2) End-systolic and end-diastolic axial images were transformed to 3D to determine the volumes by using a threshold-supported reconstruction algorithm. Steady-state free-precession cine-MRI of the heart was done in short-axis orientation. RV function could not be analyzed in one patient because of sternal wire artifacts in MRI. Mean end-diastolic (155.4±54.6 ml) and end-systolic (79.1±37.0 ml) RV volumes determined with MPR correlated well with MRI [151.9±53.7 ml (r=0.98) and 75.0±36.0 ml (r=0.96), respectively (P<0.001)]. RV stroke volume (76.2±20.2 ml for MPR-CT, 76.9±20.7 ml for MRI, r=0.93) showed a good correlation and RV ejection fraction (50.8±8.4% for MPR-CT, 51.9±7.4% for MRI, r=0.74) only a moderate one. Threshold supported 3D reconstructions revealed insufficient correlations with MRI (r=0.31–0.59). MPR-based semiautomated analysis of cardiac 16 detector-row CT allows for RV functional analysis. The results correlate well with MRI findings. Threshold value-supported 3D reconstructions did not show satisfying results because of inhomogeneities of RV contrast enhancement.This paper contains parts of the doctoral thesis of Cand. Med. P. Bender.     

Assessment of left ventricular diastolic function by gated single-photon emission tomography: comparison with Doppler echocardiography

Gated single-photon emission tomography (SPET) is not yet an established procedure for the evaluation of left ventricular (LV) diastolic function. This study examined diastolic function derived from gated SPET in comparison with an established diagnostic tool, Doppler echocardiography. We examined 37 consecutive patients with normal sinus rhythm who underwent gated technetium-99m tetrofosmin SPET. A gated SPET program was used with a temporal resolution of 32 frames per R-R interval. We obtained the Doppler transmitral flow velocity waveform immediately before gated SPET image acquisition. Patients who showed a ratio of peak early transmitral flow velocity to atrial flow velocity (E/A) of >1 or whose R-R intervals differed by >5% between Doppler echocardiography and gated SPET were excluded from this investigation. We compared diastolic indices and presumed corresponding intervals in diastole using the two methods. The peak filling rate (PFR) derived from gated SPET correlated with the Doppler peak velocity of the early transmitral flow (E) wave (r=0.65) and deceleration of the E wave (r=0.71). The time to PFR and percent atrial contribution to LV filling from gated SPET correlated excellently with the Doppler LV isovolumic relaxation time (r=0.93) and the E/A ratio (r=–0.85), respectively. There was a significant linear correlation in all the intervals from the R wave to the presumed corresponding diastolic points. The point of PFR in gated SPET and the peak of the E wave in Doppler echocardiography generally coincided. The onset of filling in gated SPET tended to be closer to the second heart sound than the start of the E wave in Doppler echocardiography. We conclude that gated SPET permits the assessment of not only myocardial perfusion and LV systolic function but also diastolic function, although there may be some errors in detection of the precise beginning of LV filling.     

Ventilatory function during urography: a comparison of iopamidol and sodium iothalamate

The effects on respiratory function during intravenous urography of the ionic contrast medium sodium iothalamate and the non-ionic contrast medium iopamidol were compared. Forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC) were recorded in 37 non-atopic patients referred for intravenous urography. Nineteen patients received iopamidol and 18 patients received sodium iothalamate. Both the sodium iothalamate and the iopamidol groups showed a significant fall in FEV1 and FVC (P less than 0.001). The reductions in FEV1 and FVC were comparable and were not symptomatic. The differences in the percentage changes of the FEV1 and FVC in the iopamidol and the sodium iothalamate groups were not statistically significant (P greater than 0.5 and P greater than 0.1 respectively). No significant change in the ratio of the FEV1 and the FVC was demonstrated in either the iopamidol or the sodium iothalamate groups. Both the ionic and the non-ionic contrast media produced a measurable but asymptomatic and biologically insignificant fall in static ventilatory function. Bronchospasm does not appear to be an important contrast-induced effect in non-atopic individuals. Iopamidol offers no advantage over sodium iothalamate with respect to ventilatory effects in non-atopic patients undergoing intravenous urography.     

Assessment of renal hemodynamics and function in pigs with 64-section multidetector CT: comparison with electron-beam CT

PURPOSE: To prospectively evaluate the feasibility of obtaining reliable measurements of renal hemodynamics and function by using 64-section multidetector CT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee. Eight pigs (two with induced unilateral renal artery stenosis) were studied with both electron-beam CT and 64-section multidetector CT at 1-week intervals in randomized order. Both kidneys were scanned repeatedly, without table movement, for about 3 minutes after intravenous (IV) administration of a bolus of contrast medium and again during vasodilator challenge (acetylcholine). Images were reconstructed on each CT console but were analyzed on the same independent workstation. Attenuation changes in the kidneys were plotted as function of time, and time-attenuation curves (TACs) were subsequently analyzed to determine regional perfusion and volume, glomerular filtration rate (GFR), and renal blood flow (RBF). Statistical analysis utilized Student t test, analysis of variance (ANOVA), linear regression, and Bland-Altman analysis. RESULTS: TACs obtained with multidetector CT were qualitatively similar to those obtained with electron-beam CT, as were the quantitative values of renal perfusion and function. RBF correlated significantly between the two techniques (RBF(MD) = 0.96 . RBF(EB) mL/min; R = 0.77, P < .01). GFR(MD) was also similar to GFR(EB) (77.6 +/- 8.3 vs 79.8 +/- 8.8 mL/min, p > .05). Bland-Altman plots showed good agreement between the two techniques. Both techniques similarly detected the differences between stenotic and contralateral kidneys. CONCLUSION: The clinical multidetector CT scanner provides reliable measurements of single-kidney hemodynamics and function, which are similar to those obtained with previously validated electron-beam CT.     

Assessment of bone age: a comparison of the Greulich and Pyle, and the Tanner and Whitehouse methods

A comparison of two methods of bone-age estimation has been made using the hand and wrist radiographs of 66 boys and 58 girls. An estimate made using the specialist auxological technique of Tanner and Whitehouse was compared with three separate estimates obtained by the atlas matching method of Greulich and Pyle (1971). Two of the latter estimates were carried out by two dedicated radiologists whose results showed close agreement. The third estimate made using the Greulich and Pyle method was derived from the routine reports of a number of radiologists at initial presentation. Only in one narrow age-range for girls was there a significant inter-observer difference, and the reasons for this are discussed. Estimates made using the method of Greulich and Pyle were younger than those made using that of Tanner and Whitehouse. There was a linear relationship between the two methods for the boys but not for the girls. It is suggested that atlas matching methods still have a valuable place in non-specialist hospitals concerned with initial diagnosis rather than with the long-term care of growth problems.     

Assessment of myocardial function with interactive non-breath-hold real-time MR imaging: comparison with echocardiography and breath-hold Cine MR imaging

PURPOSE: To compare a spiral gradient-echo sequence with a radial steady-state free precession sequence and to compare these two interactive real-time cardiac magnetic resonance (MR) imaging examinations with harmonic two-dimensional echocardiography (ECHO) for the evaluation of regional myocardial function. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Electrocardiographically triggered breath-hold steady-state free precession (BH-SSFP) MR imaging was the reference standard. Thirty-five nonselected patients scheduled for routine ECHO were included. Data from corresponding two-, three-, and four-chamber long-axis views and a midventricular short-axis view were acquired with each modality. Image quality and depiction of segmental wall motion were scored semiquantitatively by using the 16-segment model of the American Society of Echocardiography. Repeated-measures analysis of variance was performed to assess differences in image quality and wall motion depiction scores among the four imaging methods. Agreement was assessed by using Cohen kappa statistics. RESULTS: Compared with the image quality achieved with BH-SSFP MR imaging, the image quality achieved with radial MR imaging was similar (nonsignificant difference), but that achieved with spiral MR imaging and ECHO was significantly inferior (P <.0001). There were no significant differences in the image quality of the long- and short-axis views between the radial and BH-SSFP sequences, while the image quality of the long-axis spiral (P <.05) and the short- and long-axis ECHO (P <.0001) views was lower than that of the BH-SSFP views. Compared with the mean wall motion score for BH-SSFP MR imaging, the mean wall motion score for radial MR imaging was not significantly different, but those for ECHO (P <.05) and spiral MR imaging (P =.0003) were significantly lower. Cohen kappa coefficients for agreement with the BH-SSFP sequence regarding wall motion scoring were 0.47 for ECHO, 0.67 for the spiral sequence, and 0.89 for the radial sequence. CONCLUSION: The radial sequence enables similar accurate assessment of regional wall motion compared with the BH-SSFP sequence and yields image quality that is superior to that yielded by the spiral sequence and ECHO.     

Assessment of global and regional left ventricular function using 64-slice multislice computed tomography and 2D echocardiography: a comparison with cardiac magnetic resonance

OBJECTIVES: To compare the assessment of global and regional left ventricular (LV) function using 64-slice multislice computed tomography (MSCT), 2D echocardiography (2DE) and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR). METHODS: Thirty-two consecutive patients (mean age, 56.5+/-9.7 years) referred for evaluation of coronary artery using 64-slice MSCT also underwent 2DE and CMR within 48h. The global left ventricular function which include left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular end diastolic volume (LVdV) and left ventricular end systolic volume (LVsV) were determine using the three modalities. Regional wall motion (RWM) was assessed visually in all three modalities. The CMR served as the gold standard for the comparison between 64-slice MSCT with CMR and 2DE with CMR. Statistical analysis included Pearson correlation coefficient, Bland-Altman plots and kappa-statistics. RESULTS: The 64-slice MSCT agreed well with CMR for assessment of LVEF (r=0.92; p<0.0001), LVdV (r=0.98; p<0.0001) and LVsV (r=0.98; p<0.0001). In comparison with 64-slice MSCT, 2DE showed moderate correlation with CMR for the assessment of LVEF (r=0.84; p<0.0001), LVdV (r=0.83; p<0.0001) and LVsV (r=0.80; p<0.0001). However in RWM analysis, 2DE showed better accuracy than 64-slice MSCT (94.3% versus 82.4%) and closer agreement (kappa=0.89 versus 0.63) with CMR. CONCLUSION: 64-Slice MSCT correlates strongly with CMR in global LV function however in regional LV function 2DE showed better agreement with CMR than 64-slice MSCT.     

Brachytherapy for penile cancer: Efficacy and impact on sexual function

PurposePenis brachytherapy (PB) remains an alternative in the cancer treatment. The objective of this study was to assess the oncologic outcomes, sexual function, and the sexual behavior of men treated by PB for a cancer of the penis.Methods and MaterialsBetween 1992 and 2009, 47 patients with a cancer of the penis were treated by PB (¹⁹²Ir), in the Toulouse, Montpellier, and Barcelona cancer centers. The investigation into their sexuality was obtained by means of questionnaire. A total of 21 French patients were approached, of whom 19 (mean age = 73.2 years) agreed to answer the questionnaire (participation rate = 90.5%).ResultsOncologic data: The specific survival and the disease-free survival at 5 years was 87.6% (95% confidence interval, 72.4–94.7%) and 84% (95% confidence interval, 57.6–94.7%), respectively. The rate of preservation of the penis was 66% (n = 31). Sexual data: Among the 17 patients sexually active before brachytherapy, 10 patients remained sexually active after treatment (58.8%). Of the 18 patients who had erections before PB, 17 still had them after treatment (94.4%). Age was the main predictive factor.ConclusionThe PB seems to have a moderated impact on the sexual functions and the sexual behavior of the patients.     

Assessment of biventricular function using gated blood pool SPECT with QBS software: comparison with planar radionuclide ventriculography

Quantitative blood pool SPECT (QBS) is a new application for the quantitative assessment of biventricular function from gated blood pool SPECT (TMUGA). In this study, we compared biventricular function between planar radionuclide ventriculography and TMUGA. The reproducibility of measuring biventricular ejection fraction with QBS was also evaluated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-five patients with cardiac disease were enrolled. Following intravenous bolus injection of 740 MBq of 99mTc human serum albumin-DTPA, first-pass radionuclide angiography (FP) and 25-gated interval planar multi-gated blood pool scintigraphy (PMUGA) were performed for the measurement of right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF; %) and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF; %), respectively. Subsequently TMUGA data set was acquired with a dual-head gamma camera (16 gated intervals). Then, alternative LVEF and RVEF were measured using TMUGA with QBS. Regional left ventricular wall motion for both PMUGA and TMUGA were assessed with a 4-point scoring system respectively. RESULTS: Automatic biventricular border detection using QBS was feasible in 27 of 35 patients (70.7%). Measurements of TMUGA LVEF and RVEF were well reproducible, with interobserver correlation coefficient of 0.98 and 0.97, respectively. TMUGA LVEF showed excellent correlation with PMUGA LVEF (r = 0.98, SEE = 3.92%). The agreement of LV wall motion score between TMUGA and PMUGA was 88.1% (214 of 243 segments), with a kappa value of 0.82. On the other hand, RVEF determined by QBS had a 12.4% average overestimate compared to the same value obtained by FP. Moreover 95% confidential interval of TMUGA RVEF (-28.8 to +4.0%) was wider than that of TMUGA LVEF (-10.7 to +10.7%). CONCLUSION: TMUGA with QBS analysis provided accurate and reproducible data for global and regional left ventricular function. However, the results of RVEF with TMUGA were not satisfying as a replacement for those with FP and modifying the algorithm were needed to improve accuracy of quantification.     

Assessment of lung volumes in pulmonary emphysema using multidetector helical CT: comparison with pulmonary function tests.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the usefulness of multidetector helical CT (MDCT) with three-dimensional (3D) postprocessing for assessing the lung volume at inspiration and expiration of the pulmonary emphysema and for comparing it with pulmonary function tests. Percentage lung volume at the threshold of -930, -900, -810, -790, and -770 at expiration showed good correlation with FEV1, FEV1/FVC, and DLCO/Va. Excellent correlation was observed between percentage lung volume at the threshold of -900 and FEV1/FVC. CT densitometry at expiration showed better correlation than that at inspiration with pulmonary function tests. MDCT with 3D technique is useful for assessing the severity of pulmonary emphysema.     

Assessment of global left ventricular function and volumes with 320-row multidetector computed tomography: A comparison with 2D-echocardiography

Background  

Multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) has been demonstrated as a feasible imaging modality for noninvasive assessment of coronary artery disease and left ventricular (LV) function. Recently, 320-row systems have become available with 16 cm anatomical coverage allowing image acquisition of the entire heart within a single heartbeat. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of 320-row MDCT in the assessment of global LV function compared to two-dimensional (2D) echocardiography as the standard of reference.     

Assessment of global and regional left ventricular function and volumes with 64-slice MSCT: A comparison with 2D echocardiography

Background  In patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), LV function and volumes are important parameters for long-term prognosis. Multislice computed tomography (MSCT) allows noninvasive assessment of the coronary arteries, but the accuracy of 64-slice MSCT for the assessment of left ventricular (LV) volumes and function is unknown. Methods and Results  A head-to-head comparison between 64-slice MSCT and 2-dimensional (2D) echocardiography was performed in 40 patients with known or suspected CAD. The LV end-diastolic volume (LVEDV) and LV end-systolic volume (LVESV) were determined and the LV ejection fraction (LVEF) was derived. Regional wall motion was assessed visually using a 17-segment model. A 3-point scoring system was used to assign to each segment a wall motion score: 1 = normokinesia, 2 = hypokinesia, 3 = akinesia or dyskinesia. Two-dimensional echocardiography served as the gold standard. MSCT agreed well with 2D echocardiography for assessment of LVEDV (r = 0.97; p < .0001) and LVESV (r = 0.98; p < .0001). An excellent correlation between MSCT and 2D echocardiography was shown for the evaluation of LVEF (r = 0.91; p < .0001). Agreement for the assessment of regional wall motion was excellent (96%, κ = 0.82). Conclusions  An accurate assessment of global and regional LV function and volumes is feasible with 64-slice MSCT. This work was supported by The Netherlands Heart Foundation, The Hague, The Netherlands, grant numbers 2002B105 (J.D.S.) and 2001D032 (J.W.J.).     

Assessment of left ventricular myocardial function using 16-slice multidetector-row computed tomography: comparison with magnetic resonance imaging and echocardiography

Objective To assess functional parameters using multidetector-row computed tomography (MDCT) and echocardiography and to compare the results with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Materials and methods End-diastolic-volume (EDV), end-systolic-volume (ESV), stroke-volume (SV), ejection-fraction (EF), and myocardial mass (MM) were calculated based on CT data sets from 52 patients. Echocardiography was performed in 24 of the 52 patients. The results from MDCT and echocardiography were compared with MRI. Results A strong correlation between MDCT and MRI (r=0.66–0.90) was found for all parameters. Echocardiography revealed a low or moderate correlation (0.05–0.59). Compared to MRI the average differences with MDCT were for EDV 15.1 ml, ESV 10.6 ml, SV 4.5 ml, EF 1.8%, and MM 8.2 g, for EDV determined by echocardiography 36.2 ml, ESV 6.8 ml, and EF 13.9%. Bland-Altman analysis revealed acceptable limits of agreement between MRI and MDCT. Conclusions MDCT enables reliable quantification of left ventricular function. Echocardiography was found to have only a moderate agreement of functional parameters with MRI.     

核医学显像评估生殖与性功能障碍

生殖道是一个复杂的解剖器官,它同时具有内分泌学和解剖学上的功能特征。核医学在检查生殖和性功能方面有一定价值,包括男性睾丸和阴茎海绵体的灌注情况,女性输卵管的传输情况及亚临床型精索静脉曲张。这些检查方法的成功应用证实了它们具有重要的临床实用价值。