Sensitivity of Hyperdense Basilar Artery Sign on Non-Enhanced Computed Tomography

Purpose

The hyperdense basilar artery sign (HBAS) is an indicator of vessel occlusion on non contrast-enhanced computer tomography (NECT) in acute stroke patients. Since basilar artery occlusion (BAO) is associated with a high mortality and morbidity, its early detection is of great clinical value. We sought to analyze the influence of density measurement as well as a normalized ratio of Hounsfield unit/hematocrit (HU/Hct) ratio on the detection of BAO on NECT in patients with suspected BAO.

Materials and Methods

102 patients with clinically suspected BAO were examined with NECT followed immediately by Multidetector computed tomography Angiography. Two observers independently analyzed the images regarding the presence or absence of HBAS on NECT and performed HU measurements in the basilar artery. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was performed to determine the optimal density threshold for BAO using attenuation measurements or HU/Hct ratio.

Results

Sensitivity of visual detection of the HBAS on NECT was relatively low 81% (95%-CI, 54–95%) while specificity was high 91% (95%-CI, 82–96%). The highest sensitivity was achieved by the combination of visual assessment and additional quantitative attenuation measurements applying a cut-off value of 46.5 HU with 94% sensitivity and 81% specificity for BAO. A HU/Hct ratio >1.32 revealed sensitivity of 88% (95%-CI, 60–98%) and specificity of 84% (95%-CI, 74–90%).

Conclusion

In patients with clinically suspected acute BAO the combination of visual assessment and additional attenuation measurement with a cut-off value of 46.5 HU is a reliable approach with high sensitivity in the detection of BAO on NECT.     

冠状动脉解剖变异的CTA影像特征分析

目的:分析冠状动脉解剖变异的CT血管造影(computed tomography angiography,CTA)影像特征。方法:回顾分析2010年6月到2014年4月间PACS存储的12326例心脏CTA图像资料,记录解剖变异冠状动脉的名称、开口起源位置、数目、行程状态及终止部位表现及其与毗邻结构的关系。结果:共有700例心脏有冠状动脉解剖变异,以冠状动脉开口起源异常最多见,共622例(622/12326,5.05%),其中左和右冠状动脉开口高位350例(350/12326,2.84%),左和右冠状动脉开口于对侧窦166例(166/12326,1.35%),冠状动脉双开口70例(70/12326,0.57%),左和右冠状动脉开口于窦间36例(36/12326,0.29%);其次为数目异常29例(29/12326,0.24%),包括左、右单支冠状动脉19例(19/12326,0.15%)和冠状动脉分支(LCx)缺如10例(10/12326,0.08%);冠状动脉终止异常(冠脉动脉-动脉圆锥和/或肺动脉瘘)29例(29/12326,0.24%)。VR是显示冠状动脉解剖变异最重要的后处理方法。结论:冠状动脉解剖变异CTA表现复杂多样,心脏CTA能够准确显示冠状动脉解剖变异种类及其毗邻关系。     

The Association of Brachial-Ankle Pulse Wave Velocity with Coronary Artery Disease Evaluated by Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography

The aim of this study was to investigate whether brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) is associated with the severity of coronary artery disease (CAD) assessed by coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA), and to evaluate baPWV as a predictor of obstructive CAD on CCTA. A total of 470 patients who underwent both baPWV and CCTA were included. We evaluated stenosis degree and plaque characteristics on CCTA. To estimate the severity of CAD, we calculated the number of segment with plaque (segment involvement score; SIS), stenosis degree-weighted plaque score (segment stenosis score; SSS), and coronary artery calcium score (CACS). The mean baPWV was 1,485 ± 315 cm/s (range, 935-3,175 cm/s). Non-obstructive (stenosis < 50%) and obstructive (stenosis ≥ 50%) CAD was found in 129 patients (27.4%) and 144 (30.6%), respectively. baPWV in patients with obstructive CAD was higher than that of patients with non-obstructive (1,680 ± 396 cm/s versus 1,477 ± 244 cm/s, P < 0.001) or no CAD (1,680 ± 396 cm/s versus ± 196 1,389 cm/s, P < 0.001). baPWV showed significant correlation with SSS (r = 0.429, P < 0.001), SIS (r = 0.395, P < 0.001), CACS (r 0.346, P < 0.001), and the number of segment with non-calcified plaque (r 0.092, P = 0.047), mixed plaque (r = 0.267, P < 0.001), and calcified plaque (r = 0.348, P < 0.001), respectively. The optimal baPWV cut-off value for the detection of obstructive CAD was 1,547 cm/s. baPWV ≥ 1,547 cm/s was independent predictor for the obstructive CAD. In conclusion, baPWV is well correlated with the severity of CAD evaluated by CCTA. baPWV has the potential to predict severity of coronary artery atherosclerosis.     

Automated Axial Right Ventricle to Left Ventricle Diameter Ratio Computation in Computed Tomography Pulmonary Angiography

ResultsThe CAD system analyzed correctly 92.4% (183/198) of CTPA studies. The mean difference between automated and manually computed axial RV/LV ratios was 0.03±0.22. The correlation between the RV/LV diameter ratio obtained by the CAD system and that obtained by the radiologist was high (r=0.81). Compared to the radiologist, the CAD system equally achieved high accuracy for the composite outcome, with areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves of 0.75 vs. 0.78. Similar results were found for 30-days PE-specific mortality, with areas under the curve of 0.72 vs. 0.75.ConclusionsAn automated CAD system for determining the CT derived RV/LV diameter ratio in patients with acute PE has high accuracy when compared to manual measurements and similar prognostic significance for two clinical outcomes.     

Reduced Radiation Exposure for Face Transplant Surgical Planning Computed Tomography Angiography

Objective

To test the hypothesis that wide area detector face transplant surgical planning CT angiograms with simulated lower radiation dose and iterative reconstruction (AIDR3D) are comparable in image quality to those with standard tube current and filtered back projection (FBP) reconstruction.

Materials and Methods

The sinograms from 320-detector row CT angiography of four clinical candidates for face transplantation were processed utilizing standard FBP, FBP with simulated 75, 62, and 50% tube current, and AIDR3D with corresponding dose reduction. Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) were measured at muscle, fat, artery, and vein. Image quality for each reconstruction strategy was assessed by two independent readers using a 4-point scale.

Results

Compared to FBP, the median SNR and CNR for AIDR3D images were higher at all sites for all 4 different tube currents. The AIDR3D with simulated 50% tube current achieved comparable SNR and CNR to FBP with standard dose (median muscle SNR: 5.77 vs. 6.23; fat SNR: 6.40 vs. 5.75; artery SNR: 43.8 vs. 45.0; vein SNR: 54.9 vs. 55.7; artery CNR: 38.1 vs. 38.6; vein CNR: 49.0 vs. 48.7; all p-values >0.19). The interobserver agreement in the image quality score was good (weighted κ = 0.7). The overall score and the scores for smaller arteries were significantly lower when FBP with 50% dose reduction was used. The AIDR3D reconstruction images with 4 different simulated doses achieved a mean score ranging from 3.68 to 3.82 that were comparable to the scores from images reconstructed using FBP with original dose (3.68–3.77).

Conclusions

Simulated radiation dose reduction applied to clinical CT angiography for face transplant planning suggests that AIDR3D allows for a 50% reduction in radiation dose, as compared to FBP, while preserving image quality.     

The Effects of Computed Tomography with Iterative Reconstruction on Solid Pulmonary Nodule Volume Quantification

Background

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the influence of iterative reconstruction (IR) on pulmonary nodule volumetry with chest computed tomography (CT).

Methods

Twenty patients (12 women and 8 men, mean age 61.9, range 32–87) underwent evaluation of pulmonary nodules with a 64-slice CT-scanner. Data were reconstructed using filtered back projection (FBP) and IR (Philips Healthcare, iDose⁴-levels 2, 4 and 6) at similar radiation dose. Volumetric nodule measurements were performed with semi-automatic software on thin slice reconstructions. Only solid pulmonary nodules were measured, no additional selection criteria were used for the nature of nodules. For intra-observer and inter-observer variability, measurements were performed once by one observer and twice by another observer. Algorithms were compared using the concordance correlation-coefficient (p_c) and Friedman-test, and post-hoc analysis with the Wilcoxon-signed ranks-test with Bonferroni-correction (significance-level p<0.017).

Results

Seventy-eight nodules were present including 56 small nodules (volume<200 mm³, diameter<8 mm) and 22 large nodules (volume≥200 mm³, diameter≥8 mm). No significant differences in measured pulmonary nodule volumes between FBP, iDose⁴-levels 2, 4 and 6 were found in both small nodules and large nodules. FBP and iDose⁴-levels 2, 4 and 6 were correlated with p_c-values of 0.98 or higher for both small and large nodules. P_c-values of intra-observer and inter-observer variability were 0.98 or higher.

Conclusions

Measurements of solid pulmonary nodule volume measured with standard-FBP were comparable with IR, regardless of the IR-level and no significant differences between measured volumes of both small and large solid nodules were found.     

320排CT冠脉造影检查对冠状动脉斑块成分分析可行性初探

目的:研究320排CT冠脉造影对分析冠状动脉轻度及重度狭窄患者斑块成分的价值。方法:2011年4月-2012年5月间我院1132例(62±12岁,42%女性)冠心病患者行320排CT冠状动脉造影检查,依据美国心脏协会16分段标准,分析每一例患者每一节段血管狭窄程度及斑块性质,CT斑块分型如下:Ⅰ型为钙化斑块,Ⅱ型为钙化为主的混合斑块,Ⅲ型为非钙化为主的混合斑块,Ⅳ型为非钙化斑块。比较不同狭窄程度组斑块类型差别。结果:共363例为冠脉血管正常人群,冠状动脉狭窄患者共769例,其中管腔狭窄程度<50%的轻度人群为367例,重度狭窄组(≥50%)为402例。重度狭窄患者组冠脉血管混合斑块数量较多,而非钙化斑块相对较少(Ⅰ～Ⅳ型斑块所占比例分别为22%,,39%,21%,18%),轻度狭窄患者组各斑块所占比例分别为29%,29%,26%,16%(p=0.006)。结论:随着冠状动脉狭窄程度的不同,冠状动脉粥样硬化斑块的类型也不尽相同,重度狭窄人群组中混合斑块较多而非钙化斑块较少。320排CT冠脉造影可对冠状动脉斑块成分进行分析。     

Run-Off Computed Tomography Angiography (CTA) for Discriminating the Underlying Causes of Intermittent Claudication

AimTo evaluate run-off computed tomography angiography (CTA) of abdominal aorta and lower extremities for detecting musculoskeletal pathologies and clinically relevant extravascular incidental findings in patients with intermittent claudication (IC) and suspected peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Does run-off CTA allow image-based therapeutic decision making by discriminating the causes of intermittent claudication in patients with suspected peripheral arterial disease PAD?ResultsWhile focused on vascular imaging, CTA image quality was sufficient for evaluation of the MSK system in all cases. The underlying cause of IC was diagnosed in run-off CTA as vascular, MSK and a combination in n = 138 (65%), n = 10 (4%), and n = 66 (31%) cases, respectively. Specific vascular or MSK therapy was recorded in n = 123 and n = 9 cases. In n = 82, no follow-up was possible. Clinically relevant extravascular incidental findings were detected in n = 65 patients (30%) with neoplasia, ascites and pleural effusion being the most common findings.DiscussionRun-off CTA allows identification of vascular, MSK, and combined causes of IC in patients with suspected PAD and can guide specific therapy. CTA also allowed confident detection of crEVIF although detection did not necessarily trigger workup or treatment.     

Pulmonary Emphysema in Cystic Fibrosis Detected by Densitometry on Chest Multidetector Computed Tomography

Background

Histopathological studies on lung specimens from patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) and recent results from a mouse model indicate that emphysema may contribute to CF lung disease. However, little is known about the relevance of emphysema in patients with CF. In the present study, we used computationally generated density masks based on multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) of the chest for non-invasive characterization and quantification of emphysema in CF.

Methods

Volumetric MDCT scans were acquired in parallel to pulmonary function testing in 41 patients with CF (median age 20.1 years; range 7-66 years) and 21 non-CF controls (median age 30.4 years; range 4-68 years), and subjected to dedicated software. The lung was segmented, low attenuation volumes below a threshold of -950 Hounsfield units were assigned to emphysema volume (EV), and the emphysema index was computed (EI). Results were correlated with forced expiratory volume in 1 s percent predicted (FEV1%), residual volume (RV), and RV/total lung capacity (RV/TLC).

Results

We show that EV was increased in CF (457±530 ml) compared to non-CF controls (78±90 ml) (P<0.01). EI was also increased in CF (7.7±7.5%) compared to the control group (1.2±1.4%) (P<0.05). EI correlated inversely with FEV1% (r_s=-0.66), and directly with RV (r_s=0.69) and RV/TLC (r_s=0.47) in patients with CF (P<0.007), but not in non-CF controls. Emphysema in CF was detected from early adolescence (~13 years) and increased with age (r_s=0.67, P<0.001).

Conclusions

Our results indicate that early onset emphysema detected by densitometry on chest MDCT is a characteristic pathology that contributes to airflow limitation and may serve as a novel endpoint for monitoring lung disease in CF.     

头颅电子计算机断层扫描血管造影和头颅磁共振血管成像在颅内动脉瘤中诊断价值比较的回顾性研究

摘要 目的：研究对比头颅电子计算机断层扫描血管造影（CTA）和头颅磁共振血管成像（MRA）在颅内动脉瘤中诊断价值。方法：回顾性分析医院2019年1月2日～2020年12月15日收治的60例疑似颅内动脉瘤患者资料,所有受试者均开展头颅CTA检查、MRA检查以及数字减影血管造影（DSA）检查。以DSA检查结果为金标准,比较头颅CTA和头颅MRA诊断颅内动脉瘤的效能。此外,对比头颅CTA和头颅MRA诊断不同分级、不同部位颅内动脉瘤的符合率。结果：DAS检查结果显示确诊动脉瘤患者48例,共检出动脉瘤74个,CTA检出动脉瘤65个,MRA检出动脉瘤51个,CTA动脉瘤检出率高于MRA检出率（均P＜0.05）。以DSA结果为金标准,CTA诊断颅内动脉瘤的灵敏度、特异度以及准确度分别为94.20%（65/69）、60.00%（3/5）、91.89%（68/74）,均高于MRA的82.26%（51/62）、41.67%（5/12）、75.68%（56/74）（均P＜0.05）。CTA诊断1级颅内动脉瘤的符合率为13.85%（9/65）,高于MRA的7.84%（4/51）（P＜0.05）。各种检查方式诊断不同部位颅内动脉瘤的符合率对比均无明显差异（均P＞0.05）。结论：CTA诊断颅内动脉瘤的灵敏度、特异度以及准确度均高于MRA,可提高对小直径肿瘤的检出率。然而,MRA具有无辐射、检测费用少、安全性高等优势,临床实际工作中可综合选择合理的检查方式。     

Electrocardiogram-Gated 320-Slice Multidetector Computed Tomography for the Measurement of Pulmonary Arterial Distensibility in Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension

Background

We aimed to study whether pulmonary arterial distensibility (PAD) correlates with hemodynamic parameters in chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) using electrocardiogram (ECG)-gated 320-slice multidetector computed tomography (MDCT).

Methods and Findings

ECG-gated 320-slice MDCT and right heart catheterization (RHC) was performed in 53 subjects (60.6±11.4 years old; 37 females) with CTEPH. We retrospectively measured the minimum and maximum values of the cross sectional area (CSA) of the main pulmonary artery (mainPA), right pulmonary artery (rtPA), and left pulmonary artery (ltPA) during one heartbeat. PAD was calculated using the following formula: PAD = [(CSAmaximum−CSAminimum)/CSAmaximum]×100(%). The correlation between hemodynamic parameters and PAD was assessed. Mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP) and pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) were 40.8±8.7 mmHg and 8.3±3.0 wood units, respectively. PAD values were as follows: mainPA (14.0±5.0%), rtPA (12.8±5.6%), and ltPA (9.7±4.6%). Good correlations existed between mainPAD, with mPAP (r = −0.594, p<0.001) and PVR (r = −0.659, p<0.001). The correlation coefficients between rtPAD and ltPAD with pulmonary hemodynamics were all lower or equal than for mainPAD.

Conclusions

PAD measured using ECG-gated 320-slice MDCT correlates with pulmonary hemodynamics in subjects with CTEPH. The mainPA is suitable for PAD measurement.     

基于CTA的在体女性盆腔静脉血管网数字化三维模型构建的方法及意义

目的:探讨利用CTA原始数据集构建在体女性盆腔静脉血管网数字化三维模型的方法及意义。方法:基于双源CTA技术,获取1例宫颈癌患者的Dicom 3.0原始二维断层图像数据集。利用Mimics 10.01软件分别对骨盆、盆腔动脉血管网以及盆腔静脉血管网进行三维重建并配准融合。结果:构建的盆腔静脉血管网数字化三维模型可以清楚地显示下腔静脉、髂总静脉、髂外静脉、髂内静脉及其初级属支,以及双侧卵巢静脉等。与重建的骨盆、盆腔动脉血管网配准融合后,各支静脉血管的解剖走形及引流区域变得更加清晰明确。结论:基于CTA的计算机三维重建技术是一种研究女性盆腔静脉血管网的好方法,具有较大的运用价值。     

Diagnostic Accuracy of Computed Tomography for Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

This study aimed to determine the diagnostic accuracy of computed tomography imaging for the diagnosis of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). Additionally, the effect of test and study characteristics was explored. Studies published between 1990 and 2015 identified by PubMed, OVID search and citation tracking were examined. Of the 613 citations, 11 articles (n=712) met the inclusion criteria. The patient-based analysis demonstrated a pooled sensitivity of 76% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 69% to 82%), and a pooled specificity of 96% (95%CI: 93% to 98%). This resulted in a pooled diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) of 191 (95%CI: 75 to 486). The vessel-based analyses were divided into 3 levels: total arteries、main+ lobar arteries and segmental arteries. The pooled sensitivity were 88% (95%CI: 87% to 90%)、95% (95%CI: 92% to 97%) and 88% (95%CI: 87% to 90%), respectively, with a pooled specificity of 90% (95%CI: 88% to 91%)、96% (95%CI: 94% to 97%) and 89% (95% CI: 87% to 91%). This resulted in a pooled diagnostic odds ratio of 76 (95%CI: 23 to 254),751 (95%CI: 57 to 9905) and 189 (95%CI: 21 to 1072), respectively. In conclusion, CT is a favorable method to rule in CTEPH and to rule out pulmonary endarterectomy (PEA) patients for proximal branches. Furthermore, dual-energy and 320-slices CT can increase the sensitivity for subsegmental arterials, which are promising imaging techniques for balloon pulmonary angioplasty (BPA) approach. In the near future, CT could position itself as the key for screening consideration and for surgical and interventional operability.     

Visual versus Automated Evaluation of Chest Computed Tomography for the Presence of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Background

Incidental CT findings may provide an opportunity for early detection of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which may prove important in CT-based lung cancer screening setting. We aimed to determine the diagnostic performance of human observers to visually evaluate COPD presence on CT images, in comparison to automated evaluation using quantitative CT measures.

Methods

This study was approved by the Dutch Ministry of Health and the institutional review board. All participants provided written informed consent. We studied 266 heavy smokers enrolled in a lung cancer screening trial. All subjects underwent volumetric inspiratory and expiratory chest computed tomography (CT). Pulmonary function testing was used as the reference standard for COPD. We evaluated the diagnostic performance of eight observers and one automated model based on quantitative CT measures.

Results

The prevalence of COPD in the study population was 44% (118/266), of whom 62% (73/118) had mild disease. The diagnostic accuracy was 74.1% in the automated evaluation, and ranged between 58.3% and 74.3% for the visual evaluation of CT images. The positive predictive value was 74.3% in the automated evaluation, and ranged between 52.9% and 74.7% for the visual evaluation. Interobserver variation was substantial, even within the subgroup of experienced observers. Agreement within observers yielded kappa values between 0.28 and 0.68, regardless of the level of expertise. The agreement between the observers and the automated CT model showed kappa values of 0.12–0.35.

Conclusions

Visual evaluation of COPD presence on chest CT images provides at best modest accuracy and is associated with substantial interobserver variation. Automated evaluation of COPD subjects using quantitative CT measures appears superior to visual evaluation by human observers.     

The ABC of a Simple Method for Pulmonary Vein Angiography

Catheter-directed intervention to treat atrial fibrillation (AF) is becoming widely accepted procedure in current clinical practice. For assessment of pulmonary vein (PV) anatomy, angiography of left atrium (LA) and/or PV is often performed. We present a new, simple angiographic method for PVs and LA opacification using SL1 sheath. Total of 100 patients in our clinic underwent this procedure. In all of the cases good angiographic results were achieved. No immediate or late complications related to this procedure were observed.     

Reproducibility of Volumetric Computed Tomography of Stable Small Pulmonary Nodules with Implications on Estimated Growth Rate and Optimal Scan Interval

Purpose

To use clinically measured reproducibility of volumetric CT (vCT) of lung nodules to estimate error in nodule growth rate in order to determine optimal scan interval for patient follow-up.

Methods

We performed quantitative vCT on 89 stable non-calcified nodules and 49 calcified nodules measuring 3–13 mm diameter in 71 patients who underwent 3–9 repeat vCT studies for clinical evaluation of pulmonary nodules. Calculated volume standard deviation as a function of mean nodule volume was used to compute error in estimated growth rate. This error was then used to determine the optimal patient follow-up scan interval while fixing the false positive rate at 5%.

Results

Linear regression of nodule volume standard deviation versus the mean nodule volume for stable non-calcified nodules yielded a slope of 0.057±0.002 (r² = 0.79, p<0.001). For calcified stable nodules, the regression slope was 0.052±0.005 (r² = 0.65, p = 0.03). Using this with the error propagation formula, the optimal patient follow-up scan interval was calculated to be 81 days, independent of initial nodule volume.

Conclusions

Reproducibility of vCT is excellent, and the standard error is proportional to the mean calculated nodule volume for the range of nodules examined. This relationship constrains statistical certainty of vCT calculated doubling times and results in an optimal scan interval that is independent of the initial nodule volume.     

CT Coronary Angiography Is Feasible for the Assessment of Coronary Artery Disease in Chronic Dialysis Patients,Despite High Average Calcium Scores

Purpose

Significant obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) is common in asymptomatic dialysis patients. Identifying these high risk patients is warranted and may improve the prognosis of this vulnerable patient group. Routine catheterization of incident dialysis patients has been proposed, but is considered too invasive. CT-angiography may therefore be more appropriate. However, extensive coronary calcification, often present in this patient group, might hamper adequate lumen evaluation. The objective of this study was to assess the feasibility of CT-angiography in this patient group.

Methods

For this analysis all patients currently participating in the ICD2 trial (ISRCTN20479861), with no history of PCI or CABG were included. The major epicardial vessels were evaluated on a segment basis (segment 1–3, 5–8, 11 and 13) by a team consisting of an interventional and an imaging specialist. Segments were scored as not significant, significant and not interpretable.

Results

A total of 70 dialysis patients, with a mean age of 66±8 yrs and predominantly male (70%) were included. The median calcium score was 623 [79, 1619].Over 90% of the analyzed segments were considered interpretable. The incidence of significant CAD on CT was 43% and was associated with cardiovascular events during follow-up. The incidence of cardiovascular events after 2-years follow-up: 36% vs. 0% in patients with no significant CAD (p<0.01).

Conclusion

Despite the high calcium scores CT-angiography is feasible for the evaluation of the extent of CAD in dialysis patients. Moreover the presence of significant CAD on CT was associated with events during follow-up.     

The Ciliary Protein Ftm Is Required for Ventricular Wall and Septal Development

Ventricular septal defects (VSDs) are the most common congenital heart defects in humans. Despite several studies of the molecular mechanisms involved in ventricular septum (VS) development, very little is known about VS-forming signaling. We observed perimembranous and muscular VSDs in Fantom (Ftm)-negative mice. Since Ftm is a ciliary protein, we investigated presence and function of cilia in murine hearts. Primary cilia could be detected at distinct positions in atria and ventricles at embryonic days (E) 10.5–12.5. The loss of Ftm leads to shortened cilia and a reduced proliferation in distinct atrial and ventricular ciliary regions at E11.5. Consequently, wall thickness is diminished in these areas. We suggest that ventricular proliferation is regulated by cilia-mediated Sonic hedgehog (Shh) and platelet-derived growth factor receptor α (Pdgfrα) signaling. Accordingly, we propose that primary cilia govern the cardiac proliferation which is essential for proper atrial and ventricular wall development and hence for the fully outgrowth of the VS. Thus, our study suggests ciliopathy as a cause of VSDs.     

MSCT评价兔VX2乳腺种植瘤抗血管生成治疗的研究

探讨多层螺旋CT（multi—slice spiral computed tomography,MSCT）灌注成像与肿瘤血管内皮生长因子（vascular endothelial growth factor,VEGF）表达的相关性以评估兔VX2乳腺种植瘤抗血管生成治疗的疗效。将69R乳腺VX：瘤兔于肿瘤生长2周后随机分为对照组（生理盐水1、恩度组（Endostar）、cEF组[环磷酰胺（Cyclophosphamide C）、表阿霉素（EpirubicinE）和5-氟尿嘧啶（5．FluorouracilF）]、联合治疗CR（Endostar和CEF）。治疗2周后对瘤兔进行MSCT灌注扫描,获得血流量（bloodflow,BF）、血容量（bloodvolume,BV）、平均通过时间（meantransittime,MTT）及表面通透性（permeabilitysurface,PS）等灌注参数均值：随后取瘤组织进行免疫组化及Westernblot检测 VEGF蛋白表达情况。结果显示,对照组、CEF组、恩度组、联合治疗组BF、BV和Ps均与VEGF表达结果呈正相关（R对照组=0．896、0．680、0．765,RCEF组=0．877、0．876、0．852,R恩度组=0．804、0．924、0．888,R联合治疗组=0．780、0．735、0．744;P〈0．05）,MTT均与VEGF表达结果呈负相关（R对照组＝-0．591,RCEF组=0．678,R恩度组=0．793,R联合治疗组=-0．687;P〈0．05）。MSCT灌注参数与VEGF蛋白表达具有相关性,MSCT灌注参数可以反映肿瘤治疗后免疫组化与分子水平VEGF表达的变化,MSCT可以在体无创评价兔VX2乳腺种植瘤抗血管生成治疗的疗效。