数字乳腺X射线摄影平均腺体剂量与乳腺分型及压迫厚度关系研究

目的分析乳腺分型及压迫厚度对数字乳腺X射线摄影平均腺体剂量(AGD)的影响,探讨不同乳腺分型和压迫厚度同AGD之间的关系。方法选择2014年7月至9月在南方医科大学南方医院行乳腺X射线摄影检查患者400例,均为女性,年龄21~72岁,中位年龄46岁。采用美国Hologic Selenia Dimensions全数字化乳腺摄影系统、全自动曝光控制模式下摄影所获得的400例乳腺片,回顾性分析不同的乳腺分型、不同的压迫厚度与AGD的关系。根据美国放射学会(ACR)分型为脂肪型、少量腺体型、多量腺体型、致密型。采用SPSS 20.0统计学软件对不同乳腺分型、不同压迫厚度患者的AGD进行分析,以研究不同乳腺分型、不同压迫厚度及全数字化乳腺X射线摄影AGD的关系。结果乳腺X射线摄影AGD随乳腺厚度增高而增高,随着乳腺密度分型由脂肪型、少量腺体型、多量腺体型到致密型逐步升高,AGD也随之升高。结论乳腺AGD与乳腺的压迫厚度和不同乳腺分型有着密切关系,有利于根据实际条件选择最优化的曝光参数,以最低的辐射剂量获得最优质图像。     

CR静脉肾盂造影图像质量与X射线剂量的探讨

目的探讨计算机X射线摄影（CR）在静脉肾盂造影应用中以满足图像诊断质量和X射线曝光参数（kVp、mAs）的优化组合,使X射线剂量控制在最低,降低被检者的有害X射线辐射量。方法对3组不同体型厚度（18cm、22cm、26cm）的被检者,对每组分别以常规摄影条件,增加kVp、降低mAs进行摄影。以kVp与mAs组合图像质量完全满足诊断要求,剂量最低的参数作为最优参考曝光参数。用体模替代3种被检者体型厚度,用同样摄影曝光参数,分别测量体表、体后及有关被检者器官组织的吸收X射线剂量。结果与常规摄影相比,被检者的X射线吸收剂量平均降低了31.97%,面积乘积剂量平均降低了34.57%,有效剂量降低了33.98%。结论在静脉肾盂造影中用CR成像技术与投照参数优化组合,对降低被检者的X射线吸收剂量是行之有效的,为其他投照部位用CR或数字X射线摄影（DR）数字成像参数优化组合研究提供了指导性的方法,有一定的临床应用价值。     

一种半导体探测器在乳腺AEC中应用的初步研究

目的:研究一种有效面积为1 cm×1 cm的半导体探测器对钼靶X射线的响应情况、探测器的输出与胶片达到质控密度时所需曝光量的函数关系,以期将此探测器实际应用于高频乳腺X线摄影AEC控制系统中.方法:将探测器置于暗盒下部,焦片距63 cm,利用高频乳腺X线机分别在28 kV和35 kV管电压情况下对不同厚度组体模照射,测量探测器输出,分析探测器对经体模衰减后的软X射线响应情况;对不同厚度组体模阶梯状排列以不同摄影条件拍摄胶片、测量各阶梯对应密度值,分析在胶片密度为1.0和1.25时,体模厚度与所需曝光量的函数关系,再进一步分析设定密度时探测器输出值与所需曝光量的函数关系.结果:探测器输出与体模厚度之间符合V=V0e-cx函数关系;设定胶片密度时,探测器输出值与所需曝光量之间符合J=J0(V0)k/cV-k/c函数关系.结论:进行相应的电路和控制程序设计,可将此探测器应用于实际的高频乳腺X线摄影自动曝光控制系统中,实现管电压和mAs的自动控制.     

图像域迭代重建算法对腹部CT平扫图像质量和辐射剂量的影响

目的:探讨图像域迭代重建算法对腹部CT平扫图像质量及辐射剂量的影响。 方法:以辽阳市中心医院2017年1月~2018年4月行腹部CT平扫的150例患者为研究对象,依据就诊先后顺序随机将其分为观察组与对照组,各75例。均行自动毫安控制技术扫描,管电压均为130 kV。观察组预设图像质量参考毫安秒150 mAs,行图像域迭代重建算法重建;对照组预设图像质量参考毫安秒250 mAs,行滤波反投影重组。通过CT值、图像噪声SD、图像信噪比、对比噪声比评价两组图像客观质量,并行图像质量主观评价,记录两组CT剂量容积指数。 结果:观察组肝脏、脾脏的图像噪声SD均显著低于对照组,图像信噪比均显著高于对照组,差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）;CT值、对比噪声比、主观整体质量评分两组比较差异均无统计学意义（P>0.05）;观察组CT剂量容积指数为（10.02±2.85） mGy,显著低于对照组的（15.68±4.36） mGy,差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）。 结论:图像域迭代重建算法不仅能保证腹部CT平扫图像质量,而且能有效减少辐射剂量。     

多层螺旋CT低剂量扫描在小儿胸部的应用探讨

目的:评价小儿胸部多层螺旋CT低剂量与常规剂量扫描的图像质量,探讨低剂量扫描在小儿胸部应用的可行性.材料与方法:(1)随机选择肺部感染的患儿30例,先常规剂量(150mAs)扫描,再在感染灶局部加作低剂量扫描,剂量为50,35及15mAs.其他参数为:120kV,床进28.8mm/圈,0.5s/圈,16×1.5mm准直,重建层厚及间隔均为3mm.分别记录不同剂量扫描时的CT权重剂量指数(CTDIw)及剂量长度乘积(DLP).(2)由2位高年资医师按优、良、合格及不合格的等级盲法评价不同剂量的图像质量,结果进行统计学处理.结果:(1)小儿胸部35mAs和15mAs的CTDIw与常规剂量150mAs的比值分别为23.0%及10.0%,其DLP与常规剂量比值为23.3%和10.0%.(2)图像质量评价结果:150,50,35,15mAs的可诊断图像χ2检验,肺窗P>0.05 ,纵膈窗P<0.05,提示上述剂量肺窗图像差异无显著性意义,纵膈窗图像差异有显著性意义.用150,50,35mAs的可诊断图像进行χ2检验, P>0.05,提示其差异亦无显著性意义.结论:多层螺旋CT低剂量扫描适用于小儿胸部检查,在保证图像质量的前提下,采用35mAs左右的扫描条件较为适宜.     

全数字化乳腺摄影与乳腺三维断层摄影对乳腺钙化的对比研究

目的:研究全数字化乳腺摄影（FFDM）及数字乳腺断层摄影（DBT）对于钙化征象及其在乳腺疾病诊断效能的对比。 方法:收集福建医科大学附属第二医院2013年6月~2017年4月期间就诊的97例经FFDM及DBT检查发现有钙化征象,并具有病理结果的患者,根据乳腺影像报告和数据系统进行阅片诊断,同时计算出在FFDM及COMBO（DBT结合FFDM）两种摄片模式下的钙化分数。 结果:通过秩和检验分析两种方法下钙化分数存在显著性差异（P<0.05）。通过ROC曲线分析两种方法在乳腺疾病诊断效能发现,两者曲线下面积均大于0.5,具有诊断价值,FFDM与COMBO敏感度（95.7%）一致;COMBO特异性（92%）较FFDM特异性（76%）高。 结论:COMBO相对于FFDM能更好地观察钙化征象,提高诊断效能。     

CT图像质量和辐射剂量的影响因素研究

目的对自动曝光技术性能进行定量评价。方法①在自动曝光方式下,检测肩部体模偏离扫描野中心时,噪声和有效mAs的变化。②在自动曝光和手动固定曝光方式下,对圆锥体模用头部和腹部方案分别进行螺旋扫描,比较2种曝光方式噪声和有效mAs随体模直径的变化。结果体模偏离扫描野中心25mm及以上时,图像的噪声在统计学上有显著差异．辐射剂量降低幅度依赖体模直径,体模位置明显影响图像质量和辐射剂量。结论在自动曝光方式下,体模位置明显影响图像质量和辐射剂量,辐射剂量降低幅度与体模的结构和大小有关。     

自动曝光控制技术在数字化 X 射线胸部摄影中的应用探讨简

目的探讨自动曝光控制（AEC）技术在胸部数字化X射线摄影（DR）中的应用及其对图像质量的影响。方法使用AEC技术和根据经验设置曝光条件法,分别采集50张胸部后前位X射线图像,分为2组。试验组使用AEC技术：其中男性27例,女性23例,年龄9-81岁,平均年龄43．6岁。对照组使用手动选择曝光条件：其中男性24例．女性26例．年龄17-76岁,平均年龄45.3岁。记录每次成像的曝光指数（EU并对两组数据进行统计学分析。结果试验组与对照组图像EI比较,差异无统计学意义（1951．00vs1961．80,P〉0．05）,且绝大多数图像质量都在可诊断范围之内。但AEC技术EI的标准差较小．说明AEC技术能更精确地控制曝光量。结论AEC技术可以减少因曝光量不足引起的图像质量下降．也可以避免因曝光过度而产生不必要的患者辐射．     

腕关节多层螺旋CT扫描参数、图像质量和辐射剂量的关系

目的 研究尸体标本腕关节多层螺旋CT （MSCT）扫描参数、图像质量和辐射剂量的相互关系。 方法 腕关节尸体标本共4例,依次编为1~4号。扫描机型为Siemens Somatom Sensation16 螺旋CT扫描仪。每例尸体标本共进行11组扫描,第1~11组扫描采用的电流和电压依次为：1.80mAs、80kV;2.80mAs、100kV;3.80mAs、120kV;4.100mAs、80kV;5.100mAs、100kV;6.100mAs、120kV;7.120mAs、80kV;8.120mAs、100kV;9.120mAs、120kV;10.100mAs、100kV;11.100mAs、100kV。第1～11组均采用16×0.75mm准直器。第1～9组采用的螺距均为0.55,第10组和第11组扫描采用的螺距分别为1.0和1.5。3号标本加1组高电压、高电流扫描：140kV、300mAs。以上扫描球管旋转1周均为0.5s。扫描完成后重建1.0mm层厚、0.5mm间距薄层图像并传至Siemens多功能后处理工作站（MMWP）进行冠状位重组。比较不同扫描参数时的辐射剂量及冠状位重组图像质量。 结果 腕关节标本在不同扫描条件下重组的冠状位图像质量无明显差异。辐射剂量与电流的改变呈直线正相关;辐射剂量与电压的改变呈曲线正相关;辐射剂量与螺距的改变无明显相互关系。 结论 辐射剂量与各种扫描参数的关系各不相同,扫描参数、图像质量和辐射剂量的相互关系对临床工作有指导意义。     

乳腺三维断层摄影与乳腺彩超在乳腺疾病诊断中的效能对比

【摘 要】 目的:研究数字乳腺三维断层技术（DBT）和乳腺超声在诊断乳腺病变效能的不同以及联合应用对于乳腺诊断的价值。 方法:收集1 065例乳腺病变患者,其中333例有完整的病理检查资料。以乳腺影像报告和数据系统（BI-RADS）分类为标准,分析DBT、超声、DBT+超声在乳腺病变诊断中的分布差异。根据333例病理结果,比较3种诊断模式的诊断效能。 结果:DBT与超声的BI-RADS分布有显着性差异（P=0.001）,DBT与DBT+超声或超声与DBT+超声的BI-RADS分布无显著性差异（P=0.258, 0.394）。3种诊断模式均可明显区分恶性和良性乳腺病变（P<0.001）。多组独立样本Kruskal-Wallis秩和检验分析显示3种诊断模型存在差异（[χ2]=14.982, P=0.001）。DBT的特异性、误诊率、准确性和阳性预测值明显优于超声。超声显示囊性病变优于DBT,且超声对确定良性肿块的敏感性优于DBT。DBT+超声的特异性为99.5％,误诊率为0.5%,阳性预测值也达到99%。DBT+超声的检查模式优于单独使用DBT或超声。 结论:与单独的DBT或超声相比,DBT和超声的组合可以提高乳腺病变的诊断效能。     

Grid removal and impact on population dose in full-field digital mammography

The study purpose was to determine the impact of anti-scatter grid removal on patient dose, in full field digital mammography. Dose saving, phantom based, was evaluated with the constraint that images acquired with and without grid would provide the same contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR). The digital equipment employed a flat panel detector with cesium iodide for x-ray to light conversion, 100 microm pixel size; the x-ray source was a dual-track tube with selectable filtration. Poly(methyl-emathocrylate) (PMMA) layers in the range 20-70 mm were used to simulate the absorption of different breast thickness, while two Al foils, 0.1 and 0.2 mm thick were used to provide a certain CNR. Images with grid were acquired with the same beam quality as selected in full automatic exposure mode and the mAs levels as close as possible, and the CNR measured for each thickness between 20 and 70 mm. Phantom images without grid were acquired in manual exposure mode, by selecting the same anode/filter combination and kVp as the image with grid at the same thickness, but varying mAs from 10 to 200. For each thickness, an image without aluminum was acquired for each mAs value, in order to obtain a flat image to be used to subtract the scatter nonuniformity from the phantom images. After scatter subtraction, the CNR was measured on images without grid. The mAs value that should be set to acquire a phantom image without grid so that it has the same CNR as the corresponding grid image was calculated. Therefore, mAs reduction percentage was determined versus phantom thickness. Results showed that dose saving was lower than 30% for PMMA equivalent breast thinner than 40 mm, decreased below 10% for intermediate thickness (45-50 mm), but there was no dose gain for thickness beyond 60 mm. By applying the mAs reduction factors to a clinical population derived from a data base of 4622 breasts, dose benefit was quantified in terms of population dose. On the average, the overall dose reduction was about 8%. It was considered small, not sufficient to justify a clinical implementation, and the anti-scatter grid was maintained.     

Patient dose in digital mammography

In the present investigation, we analyze the dose of 5034 patients (20,137 images) who underwent mammographic examinations with a full-field digital mammography system. Also, we evaluate the system calibration by analyzing the exposure factors as a function of breast thickness. The information relevant to this study has been extracted from the image DICOM header and stored in a database during a 3-year period (March 2001-October 2003). Patient data included age, breast thickness, kVp, mAs, target/filter combination, and nominal dose values. Entrance surface air kerma (ESAK) without backscatter was calculated from the tube output as measured for each voltage used under clinical conditions and from the tube loading (mAs) included in the DICOM header. Mean values for the patient age and compressed breast thickness were 56 years (SD: 11) and 52 mm (SD: 13), respectively. The majority of the images was acquired using the STD (for standard) automatic mode (98%). The most frequent target/filter combination automatically selected for breast smaller than 35 mm was Mo/Mo (75%); for intermediate thicknesses between 35 and 65 mm, the combinations were Mo/Rh (54%) and Rh/Rh (38.5%); Rh/Rh was the combination selected for 91% of the cases for breasts thicker than 65 mm. A wide kVp range was observed for each target/filter combination. The most frequent values were 28 kVp for Mo/Mo, 29 kVp for Mo/Rh, and 29 and 30 kV for Rh/Rh. Exposure times ranged from 0.2 to 4.2 s with a mean value of 1.1 s. Average glandular doses (AGD) per exposure were calculated by multiplying the ESAK values by the conversion factors tabulated by Dance for women in the age groups 50 to 64 and 40 to 49. This approach is based on the dependence of breast glandularity on breast thickness and age. The total mean average glandular dose (AGD(T)) was calculated by summing the values associated with the pre-exposure and with the main exposure. Mean AGD(T) per exposure was 1.88 mGy (CI 0.01) and the mean AGD(T) per examination was 3.8 mGy, with 4 images per examination on average. The mean dose for cranio-caudal view (CC) images was 1.8 mGy, which is lower than that for medio-lateral oblique (MLO) view because the thickness for CC images was on average 10% lower than that for MLO images. Mean AGD(T) for the oldest group of women (1.90) was 3% higher than the AGD(T) for the younger group (1.85) due to the larger compressed breast thickness of women in the older group (10% on average). Differences between the corresponding AGD(T) values of each age group were lowest for breast thicknesses in the range 40-60 mm, being slightly higher for the women in the older group.     

A search for optimal x-ray spectra in iodine contrast media mammography

The aim of this work was to search for the optimal x-ray tube voltage and anode-filter combination in digital iodine contrast media mammography. In the optimization, two entities were of interest: the average glandular dose, AGD, and the signal-to-noise ratio, SNR, for detection of diluted iodine contrast medium. The optimum is defined as the technique maximizing the figure of merit, SNR2/AGD. A Monte Carlo computer program was used which simulates the transport of photons from the x-ray tube through the compression plate, breast, breast support plate, anti-scatter grid and image detector. It computes the AGD and the SNR of an iodine detail inside the compressed breast. The breast thickness was varied between 2 and 8 cm with 10-90% glandularity. The tube voltage was varied between 20 and 55 kV for each anode material (Rh, Mo and W) in combination with either 25 microm Rh or 0.05-0.5 mm Cu added filtration. The x-ray spectra were calculated with MCNP4C (Monte Carlo N-Particle Transport Code System, version 4C). A CsI scintillator was used as the image detector. The results for Rh/0.3 mmCu, Mo/0.3 mmCu and W/0.3 mmCu were similar. For all breast thicknesses, a maximum in the figure of merit was found at approximately 45 kV for the Rh/Cu, Mo/Cu and W/Cu combinations. The corresponding results for the Rh/Rh combination gave a figure of merit that was typically lower and more slowly varying with tube voltage. For a 4 cm breast at 45 kV, the SNR2/AGD was 3.5 times higher for the Rh/0.3 mmCu combination compared with the Rh/Rh combination. The difference is even larger for thicker breasts. The SNR2/AGD increases slowly with increasing Cu-filter thickness. We conclude that tube voltages between 41 and 55 kV and added Cu-filtration will result in significant dose advantage in digital iodine contrast media mammography compared to using the Rh/Rh anode/filter combination at 25-32 kV.     

Optimization of technique factors for a silicon diode array full-field digital mammography system and comparison to screen-film mammography with matched average glandular dose

Contrast-detail experiments were performed to optimize technique factors for the detection of low-contrast lesions using a silicon diode array full-field digital mammography (FFDM) system under the conditions of a matched average glandular dose (AGD) for different techniques. Optimization was performed for compressed breast thickness from 2 to 8 cm. FFDM results were compared to screen-film mammography (SFM) at each breast thickness. Four contrast-detail (CD) images were acquired on a SFM unit with optimal techniques at 2, 4, 6, and 8 cm breast thicknesses. The AGD for each breast thickness was calculated based on half-value layer (HVL) and entrance exposure measurements on the SFM unit. A computer algorithm was developed and used to determine FFDM beam current (mAs) that matched AGD between FFDM and SFM at each thickness, while varying target, filter, and peak kilovoltage (kVp) across the full range available for the FFDM unit. CD images were then acquired on FFDM for kVp values from 23-35 for a molybdenum-molybdenum (Mo-Mo), 23-40 for a molybdenum-rhodium (Mo-Rh), and 25-49 for a rhodium-rhodium (Rh-Rh) target-filter under the constraint of matching the AGD from screen-film for each breast thickness (2, 4, 6, and 8 cm). CD images were scored independently for SFM and each FFDM technique by six readers. CD scores were analyzed to assess trends as a function of target-filter and kVp and were compared to SFM at each breast thickness. For 2 cm thick breasts, optimal FFDM CD scores occurred at the lowest possible kVp setting for each target-filter, with significant decreases in FFDM CD scores as kVp was increased under the constraint of matched AGD. For 2 cm breasts, optimal FFDM CD scores were not significantly different from SFM CD scores. For 4-8 cm breasts, optimum FFDM CD scores were superior to SFM CD scores. For 4 cm breasts, FFDM CD scores decreased as kVp increased for each target-filter combination. For 6 cm breasts, CD scores decreased slightly as kVp increased for Mo-Mo, but did not change significantly as a function of kVp for either Mo-Rh or Rh-Rh. For 8 cm breasts, Rh/Rh FFDM CD scores were superior to other target-filter combinations and increased significantly as kVp increased. These results indicate that low-contrast lesion detection was optimized for FFDM by using a softer x-ray beam for thin breasts and a harder x-ray beam for thick breasts, when AGD was kept constant for a given breast thickness. Under this constraint, optimum low-contrast lesion detection with FFDM was superior to that for SFM for all but the thinnest breasts.     

Quantification techniques for dual-energy cardiac imaging

We have previously reported a motion immune dual-energy subtraction technique in which x-ray tube voltage and x-ray beam filtration are switched at 30 Hz between 60 kVp (2.0-mm Al filter) and 120 kVp (2.0-mm Al + 2.5-mm Cu filtration). In this paper we consider the suitability of these dual-energy images for quantitative measurements of iodine thickness and volume. Optimized iodine signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) was measured as a function of phantom thickness. Using a fixed mAs, the S/N of the dual-energy images was found to decrease by sevenfold as lucite thickness increased from 10 to 25 cm. For the same increase in lucite thickness S/N for time subtraction images decreased by fivefold. Image quality in two human volunteers was subjectively judged to be good. In order to quantitate physiological parameters such as ejection fraction and left ventricular volume, energy dependent corrections for scatter and veiling glare, beam hardening, detector nonuniformity, heel effect, and uncanceled bone signals were developed. Since the dual-energy technique does not completely cancel bone, a preinjection dual-energy subtraction image was used to estimate integrated bone contributions to iodine volume measurements. In a phantom measurement simulating exercise ventriculography, the known (Vk) and videodensitometrically measured (Vm) volumes of 19 mg/cm3 solution of iodine were related by Vm = 0.95 Vk + 1.50 cm3 (r greater than 0.99).     

双层探测器光谱CT虚拟平扫中重建层厚对肝细胞癌显示的影响

目的：探讨双层探测器光谱CT虚拟平扫（VNC）对肝细胞癌（HCC）显示的最佳层厚。方法：回顾性分析73例HCC患者腹部CT扫描的影像资料,分别获得5、3、1 mm不同层厚的常规平扫（TNC）、动脉期VNC(VNC-a)图像和门静脉期VNC(VNC-p)图像。比较3种不同层厚TNC、VNC-a和VNC-p图像的CT值、信噪比（SNR）、对比噪声比（CNR）和噪声（SD）。通过Bland-Altman plot散点图分析TNC图像和VNC图像的CT值一致性;采用5分法评价图像质量。结果：3种层厚VNC-a图像、VNC-p图像与TNC图像相比,SNR升高,SD降低,差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）,CT值和CNR的差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）;组内两两比较,5和3 mm层厚VNC-p图像比VNC-a图像SD更低,SNR更高（P<0.05）,1 mm图像VNC-p与VNC-a图像SD和SNR差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）。5和3 mm层厚VNC-a图像和VNC-p图像与TNC图像的CT值一致性良好,其中3 mm VNC-p图像LOA界限外的数据点比例最低（1.4%...     

Dual-energy cardiac imaging: an image quality and dose comparison for a flat-panel detector and x-ray image intensifier

This study presents a comparison of dual-energy imaging with an x-ray image intensifier and flat-panel detector for cardiac imaging. It also investigates if the wide dynamic range of the flat-panel detector can improve dual-energy image quality while reducing patient dose. Experimental contrast-to-noise (CNR) measurements were carried out in addition to simulation studies. Patient entrance exposure and system tube loading were also recorded. The studied contrast objects were calcium and iodine. System performance was quantified with a figure-of-merit (FOM) defined as the image CNR(2) over patient entrance exposure. The range of thickness studied was from 10 to 30 cm of Lucite (PMMA). Detector dose was initially set to 140 nGy (16 microR)/frame. The high-energy 120 kVp beam was filtered by an additional 0.8 mm silver filter. Keeping the same filament current, the kVp for the low-energy beam was adjusted as a function of thickness until 140 nGy was achieved. System performance was found to be similar for both systems, with the x-ray image intensifier performing better at lower thicknesses and the flat-panel detector performing better at higher thicknesses. This requirement of fixed detector entrance exposure was then relaxed and the kVp for the low-energy beam was allowed to vary while the mAs of the x-ray tube remained fixed to study changes in dual-energy image quality, patient dose and FOM with the flat-panel detector. It was found that as the kVp for the low-energy beam was reduced, system performance would rise until reaching a maximum while simultaneously lowering patient exposure. Suggested recommendations for optimal dual-energy imaging implementation are also provided.     

Image quality and localization accuracy in C-arm tomosynthesis-guided head and neck surgery

The image quality and localization accuracy for C-arm tomosynthesis and cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) guidance of head and neck surgery were investigated. A continuum in image acquisition was explored, ranging from a single exposure (radiograph) to multiple projections acquired over a limited arc (tomosynthesis) to a full semicircular trajectory (CBCT). Experiments were performed using a prototype mobile C-arm modified to perform 3D image acquisition (a modified Siemens PowerMobil). The tradeoffs in image quality associated with the extent of the source-detector arc (theta(tot)), the number of projection views, and the total imaging dose were evaluated in phantom and cadaver studies. Surgical localization performance was evaluated using three cadaver heads imaged as a function of theta(tot). Six localization tasks were considered, ranging from high-contrast feature identification (e.g., tip of a K-wire pointer) to more challenging soft-tissue delineation (e.g., junction of the hard and soft palate). Five head and neck surgeons and one radiologist participated as observers. For each localization task, the 3D coordinates of landmarks pinpointed by each observer were analyzed as a function of theta(tot). For all tomosynthesis angles, image quality was highest in the coronal plane, whereas sagittal and axial planes exhibited a substantial decrease in spatial resolution associated with out-of-plane blur and distortion. Tasks involving complex, lower-contrast features demonstrated steeper degradation with smaller tomosynthetic arc. Localization accuracy in the coronal plane was correspondingly high, maintained to < 3 mm down to theta(tot) approximately 30 degrees, whereas sagittal and axial localization degraded rapidly below theta(tot) approximately 60 degrees. Similarly, localization precision was better than approximately 1 mm within the coronal plane, compared to approximately 2-3 mm out-of-plane for tomosynthesis angles below theta(tot) approximately 45 degrees. An overall 3D localization accuracy of approximately 2.5 mm was achieved with theta(tot) approximately 90 degrees for most tasks. The high in-plane spatial resolution, short scanning time, and low radiation dose characteristic of tomosynthesis may enable the surgeon to collect near real-time images throughout the procedure with minimal interference to surgical workflow. Therefore, tomosynthesis could provide a useful addition to the image-guided surgery arsenal, providing on-demand, high quality image updates, complemented by CBCT at critical milestones in the surgical procedure.     

MSCT轴向分辨力和图像噪声影响因素分析

目的:探讨多排螺旋CT（MSCT）轴向分辨力或断层灵敏度曲线（SSP）和图像噪声的影响因素。方法:使用临床常 用的腹部扫描模式,采用不同直径的模板,重建层厚、螺距、电压（kV）、重建算法等扫面参数,进行MSCT扫描,对不同参数 对断层图像SSP和图像噪声的影响进行统计学分析。结果:当螺距和准直器宽度保持不变,不同层厚和重建算法得到的 SSP的半高宽FWHM值基本保持不变（P>0.05）;当重建算法和准直器宽度保持不变,不同螺距和层厚得到的SSP的半高 宽FWHM值基本保持不变（P>0.05）;不同准直器宽度,同螺距和层厚得到的SSP 的半高宽FWHM值基本保持不变（P> 0.05）;随着层厚、mAs增加,图像噪声减小（P<0.05）;随着kV增加,图像噪声随之减小,不同重建算法下图像噪声存在明显 差异（P<0.05）。结论:卷积重建算法、螺距和准直器宽度对SSP的影响很小,螺距对图像噪声影响很小,而层厚、重建算 法、mAs、kV对图像噪声影响大。层厚、mAs、kV增大,图像噪声减小;重建算法分辨率越高,图像噪声越大。     

Long-term hormone replacement therapy delays the age related progression of carotid intima-media thickness in healthy postmenopausal women

OBJECTIVES: Carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) is an appropriate intermediate end point to investigate clinically relevant effects on atherogenesis. The study objective was to clarify whether long-term hormone replacement therapy (HRT) modifies the progress of age-related IMT in healthy postmenopausal Japanese women. METHODS: One hundred and eighty-eight healthy postmenopausal women aged 42-69 years were recruited into the retrospective study. IMT was measured by B-mode real-time ultrasound in the following three groups of patients. One hundred and fifteen women who were prescribed estrogen plus progestin or estrogen alone were classified into two groups according to the HRT treated period: short-term (<2 years of treatment, n = 52) and long-term (> or =2 years, n = 63) HRT groups. The third group consisted an age-matched women (n = 73), who were never treated with HRT (non-HRT group) as a control. RESULTS: Each group was divided into three subgroups according to age: < or =49 years, 50-59 years and 60 years or older. IMT in patients of age > or =60 years in the non-HRT group was 0.607 +/- 0.064 mm and was significantly higher compared with that in the other two age subgroups of non-HRT patients (< or =49 years: [0.495 +/- 0.051 mm; 50-59 years: 0.505 +/- 0.068 mm) (P < 0.05). In the short-term HRT group, IMT of > or =60-year-old-subjects (0.588 +/- 0.074 mm) was also significantly higher compared with that in the other two age subgroups (< or =49 years: 0.480 +/- 0.034 mm; 50-59 years: 0.511 +/- 0.062 mm). However, in the long-term HRT group, IMT was not significantly different among the three age subgroups. There was a significant relationship between IMT and age in non-HRT (r = 0.594, P < 0.0001) and short-term HRT (r = 0.542, P < 0.001) groups, but no significant relationship was observed in the long-term HRT (r = 0.195 , P = 0.1266) group. CONCLUSIONS: In long-term HRT, more than 2 years may delay the age-related increase in IMT in healthy postmenopausal Japanese women.