Conversion factors for effective dose and organ doses with the air kerma area product in patients undergoing percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage and trans arterial chemoembolization

Conversion factors used to estimate effective (E) and organ doses (H_T) from air Kerma area product (KAP) are required to estimate population doses in percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) and trans arterial chemoembolization (TACE) interventional procedures.In this study, E and H_T for ten critical organs/tissues, were derived in 64 PTBD and 48 TACE procedures and in 14,540 irradiation events from dosimetric, technical and geometrical information included in the radiation dose structured report using the PCXMC Monte Carlo model, and the ICRP 103 organ weighting factors. Conversion factors of: 0.13; 0.19; 0.26 and 0.32 mSv Gy⁻¹ cm⁻² were established for irradiation events characterized by a Cu filtration of 0.0; 0.1; 0.4 and 0.9 mm, respectively. While a single coefficient of conversion is not able to provide estimates of E with enough accuracy, a high agreement is obtained between E estimated through Monte Carlo methods and E estimated through E/KAP conversion factors accounting separately for the different modes of fluoroscopy and the fluorography component of the procedures.An algorithm for the estimation of effective and organ doses from KAP has been established in biliary procedures which considers the Cu filtration in the X-ray irradiation events. A similar algorithm could be easily extended to other interventional procedures and incorporated in radiation dose monitoring systems to provide dosimetric estimates automatically with enough accuracy to assess population doses.     

Estimation of size-specific dose estimates (SSDE) for paediatric and adults patients based on a single slice

Volume averaged CT dose index (CTDI_vol) is an important dose index utilized for CT dosimetry. Measurements of CTDI_vol are performed in reference cylindrical phantoms of specified diameters. A size-specific dose estimate (SSDE) has been recommended for assessment of doses delivered to individual patients. Evaluation of the SSDE requires the size of the scanned region of the patient to be estimated in terms of water-equivalent diameter (D_w) to allow calculation of a dose value appropriate for the patient. Estimation of D_w, however, may be challenging and time consuming as it requires assessment of D_w for each slice within the scanned region. A study has been carried out to investigate the suitability of using D_w,mid for a single slice at the middle of the scanned region to estimate a value of D_w,mean to apply to all slices. 351 phantoms (158 paediatric and 193 adult) developed from reconstructed CT images of patients were employed. Six scan regions were studied: chest, abdomen, pelvis, chest and abdomen, abdomen and pelvis, and the whole trunk. Results show that the use of D_w,mid can lead to over or underestimation of D_w,mean by up to 13% for paediatric and adult patients. SSDE values based on D_w,mid and D_w,mean were assessed for each phantom, and a linear regression analysis was performed. Use of the analysis could provide a simple and practical approach to assessing SSDE for a given scan based on D_w,mid with the root-mean-square errors estimated to be in the range of 1.2%–4.0% for paediatric and 1.2%–5.9% for adults.     

Calibration of MTT assay in proton beams using radiochromic films

PurposeThis study provides methodology of calibrating as well as controlling the output for an MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) colorimetric assay irradiated in a low energy proton beam using EBT3-model GAFCHROMIC^TM film, without correcting for quenching effect.MethodsA calibrated Markus ionization chamber was used to measure the depth dose and beam output for 26.5 MeV protons produced by a CS30 cyclotron. A time-controlled aluminum cylinder was added in front of the horizontal beam-exit serving as a radiation shutter. Following the TRS-398 reference dosimetry protocol for proton beams, the output was calibrated in water at a reference depth of 3 mm. EBT3 film was calibrated for doses up to 8 Gy at the same depth. To verify the dose distribution for each 96-well MTT assay plate, EBT3 film was placed at the reference depth during irradiation and cell doses were scaled by measured percent depth dose (PDD) data.ResultsThe radiochromic film dosimetry system in this study provides dose measurements with an uncertainty better than 3.3% for doses higher than 1 Gy. From a single exposure and utilizing the Gaussian shape of the beam, multiple dose points can be obtained within different wells of the same plate ranging from 6.9 Gy (sigma ∼4%) in the central well, and 2 Gy (sigma ∼8%) for wells positioned closer to the periphery.ConclusionsWe described a methodology for radiochromic film-based dose monitoring system, using low-energy protons, which can be used for the MTT assay in any proton beam, except within Bragg peak region.     

Lower limb kinematics in individuals with chronic low back pain during walking

Several investigators have suggested the presence of a link between Chronic Low Back Pain (CLBP) and lower limbs kinematics that can contribute to functional limitations and disability. Moreover, CLBP has been connected to postural and structural asymmetry. Understanding the movement pattern of lower extremities and its asymmetry during walking can provide a basis for examination and rehabilitation in people with CLBP. The present study focuses on lower limbs kinematics in individuals with CLBP during walking. Three-dimensional movements of the pelvic, hip, knee and ankle joints were tracked using a seven-camera Qualysis motion capture system. Functional dada analysis (FDA) was applied for the statistical analysis of pelvic and lower limbs motion patterns in 40 participants (20 CLBP and 20 controls). The CLBP group showed significantly different hip motion pattern in the transvers plane, altered knee and ankle motion pattern in the sagittal plane on the dominant side and different hip motion pattern in the transvers and frontal planes on the non-dominant side in comparison with the control group over the stance phase. In terms of symmetry, in the CLBP group, hip and knee moved through a significantly different motion patterns in the transvers plane on the dominant side in comparison with the non-dominant side. In the control group, knee moved through a significantly different motion pattern in the transvers plane on the dominant side in comparison with the non-dominant side. In conclusion, low back pain lead to altered movement patterns of the main joints of lower limbs especially on the dominant side during stance phase. Therefore, care should be taken to examine dominant lower limb movement pattern in CLBP to make a better clinical decision.     

CT定量分析在冠心病介入治疗前后血流灌注改变的评估价值

摘要 目的：探讨CT定量分析在冠心病介入治疗前后血流灌注改变的评估价值。方法：2018年2月到2020年11月选择在本院诊治的冠心病患者95例作为研究对象,所有患者都给予经皮冠状动脉介入治疗,在介入前1 d与介入后1个月进行CT定量与超声检查,随访介入后6个月的冠状动脉再狭窄情况并进行相关性分析。结果：所有患者都顺利完成介入治疗,介入期无严重并发症发生。95例患者介入后1个月的左室射血分数(ejectionfraction,EF)、左室短轴缩短率(fractionalshortening,FS)高于介入前1 d(P<0.05),介入前后左室等容舒张时间(iso-volumicrelaxationtime,IVRT)对比差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。95例患者介入后1个月的心肌血流量(Myocardialbloodflow,MBF)、心肌血容量(Myocardialbloodvolume,MBV)高于介入前1d(P<0.05),达峰时间(Timetopeak,TTP)低于介入前1 d(P<0.05)。介入后随访6个月,冠状动脉再狭窄14例,再狭窄率14.7 %,其中中度狭窄12例,重度狭窄2例;Pearson分析显示冠心病患者介入前1 d的MBF、MBV、TTP与FS、EF都存在相关性(P<0.05);Logistic回归分析显示MBF、MBV、TTP、FS、EF为影响冠心病患者介入后随访再狭窄率的重要因素(P<0.05)。结论：CT定量分析在冠心病介入前后的应用能有效反映血流灌注改变情况,且与患者的心功能存在相关性,也可有效预测患者介入随访冠状动脉再狭窄发生情况。     

CBCT引导放疗摆位误差对中上段食管癌患者受照射剂量的影响

摘要 目的：探究锥形束CT（CBCT）引导放疗摆位误差对中上段食管癌患者受照射剂量的影响。方法：选取2017年5月～2019年5月于我院收治的60例中上段食管癌患者为研究对象,所有患者均行CBCT图像、计划CT图像采集。在患者放疗前进行CBCT扫描,将CBCT图像与计划CT图像匹配,得到左右（x轴）、头脚（y轴）、前后（z轴）三个方向的线性误差,分析出现的误差及误差的分布规律。利用模拟实际照射系统,进行模拟计划,得到实际照射靶区及正常组织受照射剂量,将其与治疗前计划比较,研究摆位误差对患者受照剂量的影响。结果：患者整体摆位误差为x轴（2.91±2.20）mm,y轴（3.89±2.17）mm,z轴（2.44±1.64）mm,x轴的MPTV为4.054 mm,y轴的MPTV为8.183 mm,z轴的MPTV为3.482 mm。模拟计划的CI、PTV的Dmin、Dmean、D95%均低于标准计划差异显著（P均＜0.05）,而模拟计划的HI低于标准计划（P＜0.05）。模拟计划的脊髓Dmax高于标准计划（P＜0.05）,而标准计划与模拟计划的双肺V20、Dmean,心脏V40差异比较无统计学意义（P均＞0.05）。结论：CBCT引导放疗摆位误差对中上段食管癌患者影响较小,提高PTV受照射剂量及治疗准确程度,对脊髓有保护效果。摆位误差对心、肺的剂量分布无明显影响。     

冠状动脉磁共振血管成像和CT对可疑冠心病患者心脏事件的预测价值的比较研究

摘要 目的：探讨与比较冠状动脉核磁共振(MR)血管成像和CT对可疑冠心病患者心脏事件的预测价值。方法：2018年4月到2020年10月选择在本院诊治的103例可疑冠心病患者作为研究对象,所有患者都给予冠状动脉MRI血管成像与64层螺旋CT冠状动脉成像检查,记录影像学特征。随访患者的预后并进行预测价值分析。结果：103例可疑冠心病患者随访到2021年4月1日,发生心血管不良终点事件23例(不良事件组),发生率为22.3%。不良事件组的MRI血管成像显示右冠状动脉血管长度与内径都低于非不良事件组(P<0.05)。不良事件组的CT显示斑块率、斑块性质等与非不良事件组对比差异有统计学意义(P<0.05),两组斑块位置对比差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。多因素Cox回归分析显示斑块性质、斑块率、右冠状动脉血管长度与内径都为导致心血管不良终点事件的重要因素(P<0.05)。结论：冠状动脉MRI血管成像和CT都可有效预测可疑冠心病患者心脏事件发生情况,能满足临床诊断可疑冠心病与预测预后的要求。