Few-view CT reconstruction via a novel non-local means algorithm

PurposeNon-local means (NLM) based reconstruction method is a promising algorithm for few-view computed tomography (CT) reconstruction, but often suffers from over-smoothed image edges. To address this problem, an adaptive NLM reconstruction method based on rotational invariance (ART-RIANLM) is proposed.MethodsThe method consists of four steps: 1) Initializing parameters; 2) ART reconstruction using raw data; 3) Positivity constraint of the reconstructed image; 4) Image updating by RIANLM filtering. In RIANLM, two kinds of rotational invariance measures which are average gradient (AG) and region homogeneity (RH) are proposed to calculate the distance between two patches and a novel NLM filter is developed to avoid over-smoothed image. Moreover, the parameter h in RIANLM which controls the decay of the weights is adaptive to avoid over-smoothness, while it is constant in NLM during the whole reconstruction process. The proposed method is validated on two digital phantoms and real projection data.ResultsIn our experiments, the searching neighborhood size is set as 15 × 15 and the similarity window is set as 3 × 3. For the simulated case of Shepp-Logan phantom, ART-RIANLM produces higher SNR (36.23 dB > 24.00 dB) and lower MAE (0.0006 < 0.0024) reconstructed images than ART-NLM. The visual inspection demonstrated that the proposed method could suppress artifacts or noises more effectively and recover image edges better. The result of real data case is also consistent with the simulation result.ConclusionsA RIANLM based reconstruction method for few-view CT is presented. Compared to the traditional ART-NLM method, SNR and MAE from ART-RIANLM increases 51% and decreases 75%, respectively.     

赛加羚羊头骨的三维重建研究及其精确度评价

为建立赛加羚羊（Saiga tatarica）头骨三维可视化模型,进一步研究赛加羚羊头骨的解剖特征,建立赛加羚羊头骨的“数字化标本”,以提高其疾病诊治的准确率和物种保护的有效性。本研究以国家林业局甘肃濒危动物保护中心的赛加羚羊为研究对象,经锥形束CT扫描获得影像数据,运用MIMICS 20.0软件对赛加羚羊头骨扫描数据进行处理和三维重建,以建立赛加羚羊的“数字化头骨”用于形态研究。运用MIMICS 20.0软件对数字化头骨的26项形态学指标（n = 8）进行三维测量,且与头骨标本游标卡尺的测量值（n = 8）进行配对样本t检验分析,经与真实测量值比较后评价数字化模型及其三维测量的准确性。结果显示,26项形态测量指标均与真实头骨无显著性差异（P > 0.05）,例如颅全长游标卡尺测量值为（227.147 ± 10.646）mm,三维测量值为（227.130 ± 10.638）mm,P = 0.635,表明三维重建后的数字化头骨和真实的头骨标本高度相似,且“数字标本”能够实现任意角度的旋转、剖切和测量。本研究可为赛加羚羊头部疾病如骨折等的治疗及骨骼系统的三维可视化研究提供基础依据和技术支撑,同时可为CT扫描和医学图像三维可视化技术在野生动物的临床应用和相关研究提供理论基础。     

Suitability of pharyngeal bone measures commonly used for reconstruction of prey fish length

Three measures (gape, tip and tooth row) of pharyngeal bones from 13 Eurasian cyprinid fish species caught in north-eastern Germany were used to establish species specific bone measurelength relationships for reconstruction of prey fish length. Left and right bones were symmetrical in the case of gape, tip and length of tooth row in 69, 46 and 8%, respectively. Gape and tip showed significantly lower maximum values of relative error than the tooth row measure. A comparison of bone measures established for roach Rutilus rutilus (L.) and bream Abramis brama (L.) from north-eastern and from southern Germany showed significant differences. Left and right bone measure-length relationships are not generally identical. Gape and tip measures allow more accurate back-calculation of length than tooth row measures and locality specific relationships should be established.     

Image quality assessment of an iterative reconstruction algorithm applied to abdominal CT imaging

PurposeTo compare the noise and accuracy on images of the whole porcine liver acquired with iterative reconstruction (IMR, Philips Healthcare, Cleveland, OH, USA) and filtered back projection (FBP) methods.Materials and methodsWe used non-enhanced porcine liver to simulate the human liver and acquired it 100 times to obtain the average FBP value as the ground-truth. The mean and the standard deviation (“inter-scan SD”) of the pixel values on the 100 image acquisitions were calculated for FBP and for three levels of IMR (L1, L2, and L3). We also calculated the noise power spectrum (NPS) and the normalized NPS for the 100 image acquisitions.ResultsThe spatial SD for the porcine liver parenchyma on these slices was 9.92, 4.37, 3.63, and 2.30 Hounsfield units with FBP, IMR-L1, IMR-L2, and IMR-L3, respectively. The detectability of small faint features was better on single IMR than single FBP images. The inter-scan SD value for IMR-L3 images was 53% larger at the liver edges than at the liver parenchyma; it was only 10% larger on FBP images. Assessment of the normalized NPS showed that the noise on IMR images was comprised primarily of low-frequency components.ConclusionIMR images yield the same structure informations as FBP images and image accuracy is maintained. On level 3 IMR images the image noise is more strongly suppressed than on IMR images of the other levels and on FBP images.     

Long term follow-up of reconstruction with allogeneic mandibular bone crib packed with autogenous particulate cancellous bone marrow

Allogeneic mandibular bone processed by the deep frozen method was used as a biologic crib for mandibular reconstruction. The allogeneic mandible is biocompatible, bioresorbable, of low antigenicity and provides the morphology for symphysis contour, angle of mandible and dental arch form. The particulate cancellous bone marrow (PCBM) contains marked osteogenic potential of hematopoietic marrow, which promotes osteogenesis. The cancellous marrow graft lacks structure and requires a crib to house it during the bone regeneration to the consolidation phase. Fresh frozen mandible was hollowed out for packing with PCBM prior to securing it to the defect by a rigid fixation method. Four cases of large mandibular defects resulting from treatment of benign odontogenic tumors were reconstructed utilizing this technique. All cases showed excellent facial contour and function satisfactorily in mastication and pronunciation. Complete graft incorporation and restoration of the osseous continuities were observed for four to 12 years after the operation. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Human demineralised bone matrix as a bone substitute for reconstruction of cystic defects of the lower jaw

Ina retrospective study validated by a standardized clinical and radiologicalexamination, the bone regeneration in 90 patients with cystic mandibulardefectswas examined. In 50 patients bony defect reconstructions with humandemineralised bone matrix (HDBM) were carried out, while in a comparable groupof 40 patients the hollow pockets were left to regenerate bone spontaneously.The bone regeneration after the implantation of human demineralised bone matrix(HDBM) was subjected to a comparative validation. Osteoinductive proteinspresent in HDBM (bone morphogenetic proteins) can diffuse into the implant seatand induce new bone formation (osteoinduction). A markedly faster and morethorough bone regeneration was demonstrated after the surgical therapy ofcysticmandibular lesions with HDBM than without. HDBM also proved to be exceptionallybiocompatible.     

颅底孔在多层CT三维重建中的测量研究

探讨颅底MSCT三维重建图像效果及主要孔的正常值,采用多层螺旋CT(MSCT),对200名正常成人(男100名,女100名)进行颅脑扫描,利用电子计算机三维重建程序立体地显示颅底外面的卵圆孔、棘孔、颈动脉管外口、破裂孔、茎乳孔、枕骨大孔,并观察其形态和测出其内径及其性差。     

CT scan reconstruction of the palate region of Latimeria chalumnae

Synopsis The palate of Latimeria chalumnae is described based mainly on three-dimensional CT scan reconstruction. It is compared with that of other osteichthyans. The palate of L. chalumnae compares best with that of rhipidistians; it is more advanced than that of actinopterygians in having fewer bones. This tendency toward bone reduction in the palate is even more pronounced in dipnoans. The interpretation of features of the Early Devonian genus Diabolepis determines if authors consider dipnoans or actinistians more closely related to tetrapods. Both groups are only distant relatives of tetrapods.     

α半水硫酸钙复合功能化多壁碳纳米管骨修复材料生物相容性

旨在评价α半水硫酸钙复合功能化多壁碳纳米管骨修复材料的生物相容性,为后期临床实验奠定基础。分别采用兔L929成纤维细胞与材料浸提液以及材料片剂与兔骨髓基质干细胞复合培养,在不同时段运用倒置显微镜观察,MTT检测,扫描电子显微镜分析等手段,观察材料对细胞的相容性;进行急性、亚急性毒性实验,肌肉植入实验,骨植入实验等,观察材料对组织的相容性。结果表明,L929成纤维细胞在材料浸提液中生长良好,MTT检测与对照组无显著差异(P>0.05);扫描电子显微镜结果显示,细胞能在材料上黏附并增殖;体内实验表明材料对机体无毒,无致敏性,组织相容性佳。α半水硫酸钙/碳纳米管复合材料表现出的良好生物相容性,有望在骨组织工程中得到广泛运用。     

基于计算机三维图象技术的失语症病灶空间定位法

首次把计算机三维重建方法应用于失语症的研究中,主要有三方面的工作:(1)建立了一套精细程度较高的标准CT脑图,用三维重建方法建立了标准立体头颅,并用伪彩色显示不同的脑结构和语言区.(2)提出标准化应在三维空间内进行的观点,改进的标准化方法充分利用了CT所能提供的关于脑结构的信息,从而使病灶在每层标准CT脑图上的定位更加准确.(3)对两类临床表现不同但CT显示病灶位置相近的失语症病人共47例进行了研究.通过对标准化之后的病灶的统计处理,得到病灶的集中部位,并对其进行三维重建,在标准立体头颅中显示其空间位置的差别.     

A new high‐resolution computed tomography (CT) segmentation method for trabecular bone architectural analysis

In the last decade, high‐resolution computed tomography (CT) and microcomputed tomography (micro‐CT) have been increasingly used in anthropological studies and as a complement to traditional histological techniques. This is due in large part to the ability of CT techniques to nondestructively extract three‐dimensional representations of bone structures. Despite prior studies employing CT techniques, no completely reliable method of bone segmentation has been established. Accurate preprocessing of digital data is crucial for measurement accuracy, especially when subtle structures such as trabecular bone are investigated. The research presented here is a new, reproducible, accurate, and fully automated computerized segmentation method for high‐resolution CT datasets of fossil and recent cancellous bone: the Ray Casting Algorithm (RCA). We compare this technique with commonly used methods of image thresholding (i.e., the half‐maximum height protocol and the automatic, adaptive iterative thresholding procedure). While the quality of the input images is crucial for conventional image segmentation, the RCA method is robust regarding the signal to noise ratio, beam hardening, ring artifacts, and blurriness. Tests with data of extant and fossil material demonstrate the superior quality of RCA compared with conventional thresholding procedures, and emphasize the need for careful consideration of optimal CT scanning parameters. Am J Phys Anthropol 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

运用CT三维重建测量重度先天性脊柱侧凸Cobb角的临床应用

目的:评价在CT三维重建上测量重度先天性脊柱侧凸Cobb角度的可重复性和可靠性。方法:收集在我院诊治的重度先天性脊柱侧凸病人的CT三维重建和脊柱全长X线片,共计67例。由五名不同测量者对CT三维重建脊柱畸形冠状面主弯Cobb角测量两次,两次间隔在三周以上,并测量脊柱全长X线片脊柱畸形冠状面主弯Cobb角一次,运用组内相关系数分析测量结果之间的可重复性和可靠性。结果:同一测量者两次测量结果之间的差值平均为4.5°。同一测量者两次测量结果之间的组内相关系数为0.969,不同测量者之间测量结果的组内相关系数为0.913。取五名测量者在CT三维重建上第一次测量的Cobb角度,其平均值为(110.5±23.5)°,五名测量者在X线片上测量结果的平均值为(103.1±22.0)°,对两组数据进行Mann-Whitney非参数检验差异有统计学意义(Z=-2.86,P=0.004)。结论:在CT三维重建上测量重度先天性脊柱侧凸的Cobb角,可以减小测量的误差,提高测量的可重复性和可靠性,是一种相对准确的测量方法。     

First application of the GPU-based software framework TIGRE for proton CT image reconstruction

In proton therapy, the knowledge of the proton stopping power, i.e. the energy deposition per unit length within human tissue, is essential for accurate treatment planning. One suitable method to directly measure the stopping power is proton computed tomography (pCT). Due to the proton interaction mechanisms in matter, pCT image reconstruction faces some challenges: the unique path of each proton has to be considered separately in the reconstruction process adding complexity to the reconstruction problem. This study shows that the GPU-based open-source software toolkit TIGRE, which was initially intended for X-ray CT reconstruction, can be applied to the pCT image reconstruction problem using a straight line approach for the proton path. This simplified approach allows for reconstructions within seconds.To validate the applicability of TIGRE to pCT, several Monte Carlo simulations modeling a pCT setup with two Catphan® modules as phantoms were performed. Ordered-Subset Simultaneous Algebraic Reconstruction Technique (OS-SART) and Adaptive-Steepest-Descent Projection Onto Convex Sets (ASD-POCS) were used for image reconstruction. Since the accuracy of the approach is limited by the straight line approximation of the proton path, requirements for further improvement of TIGRE for pCT are addressed.     

Simultaneous achievement of accurate CT number and image quality improvement for myocardial perfusion CT at 320-MDCT volume scanning

PurposeTo investigate differences in image-to-image variations between full- and half-scan reconstruction on myocardial CT perfusion (CTP) study.MethodsUsing a cardiac phantom we performed ECG-gated myocardial CTP on a second-generation 320-multidetector CT volume scanner. The heart rate was set at 60 bpm; once per second for a total of 24 s were performed. CT images were acquired at 80- and 120 kVp and subjected to full- and half-scan reconstruction. On images acquired at the same slice level we then measured image-to-image variations, coefficients of variance (CV), and image noise.ResultsThe image-to-image variations with full- and half-scan reconstruction were 1.3 HU vs. 27.2 HU at 80 kVp (p < 0.001) and 0.70 HU vs. 9.3 HU at 120 kVp (p < 0.001) even though the mean HU value was almost the same for both reconstruction methods. The CV of 80- and 120-kVp images of the left ventricular cavity decreased by 0.16% and 0.17%, respectively, with full-scan reconstruction; with half-scan reconstruction it decreased by 3.34% and 2.30%, respectively. Compared with half-scan reconstruction, the image noise was reduced by 27.2% at 80 kVp and by 28.0% at 120 kVp with full-scan reconstruction.ConclusionMyocardial CTP with full-scan reconstruction substantially decreased image-to-image variations and provided accurate CT attenuation.     

16层螺旋CT三维重建成像技术在骨盆骨折中的临床意义

目的:探讨16层螺旋CT三维重建成像技术在骨盆骨折中的临床意义.方法:选取2011年8月～2012年8月我院收治的骨盆外伤患者共60例,比较CT、DR片2种检查方法.结果:16层螺旋CT片检查出53处阳性,而DR片查出43处阳性及1例假阳性.2种检查方法比较:敏感度差异存在统计学意义(P＜0.05).结论:16层螺旋CT三维重建成像技术在骨盆外伤的诊断上有着显著的优势,综合使用VRT、SSD、CPR、MPR技术,能够检测出DR片不易发现的骨折,提高了诊断符合率,对骨盆骨折的诊断有着重要的临床意义.     

多排螺旋CT后处理技术对不规则骨骨折的诊断价值

目的:探讨多排螺旋CT及其后处理技术在诊断不规则骨骨折中的诊断价值。方法:用16排螺旋CT对25例怀疑颅骨、脊柱或关节附近骨折的外伤患儿进行扫描并进行后处理(MPR、VR)。结果:25例病例中颅骨骨折15例,脊柱骨折5例,四肢关节骨折5例(其中3例关节内骨折伴有骺软骨损伤)。结论:对于不规则骨骨折,多排螺旋CT及其后处理重建具有很大的优越性,应横断位、MPR及VR三者相结合判断,为临床提供丰富的、科学的、准确的信息依据。     

Palaeodiet reconstruction in a woman with probable celiac disease: A stable isotope analysis of bone remains from the archaeological site of Cosa (Italy)

Stable isotope analysis in the reconstruction of human palaeodiets can yield clues to early human subsistence strategies, origins and history of farming and pastoralist societies, and intra‐ and intergroup social differentiation. In the last 10 years, the method has been extended to the pathological investigation. Stable isotope analysis to better understand a diet‐related disease: celiac disease in ancient human bones was carried out. To do this, we analyzed the nitrogen and carbon isotopic composition of human (n = 37) and faunal (n = 8) bone remains from the archaeological site of Cosa at Ansedonia, on the Tyrrhenian coast near Orbetello (Tuscany), including the skeletal remains of a young woman (late 1st century–early 2nd century Common Era [CE]) with morphological and genetic features suggestive of celiac disease. We compared the young woman's isotopic data with those of other individuals recovered at the same site but from two later time periods (6th century CE; 11–12th century CE) and with literature data from other Italian archaeological sites dating to the same period. Her collagen δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N values differed from those of the samples at the same site, and from most but not all of the contemporary sites. Although the woman's diet appears distinct, chronic malnutrition resulting from severe malabsorption of essential nutrients due to celiac disease may have affected the isotopic composition of her bone collagen. Am J Phys Anthropol 154:349–356, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

螺旋CT三维重建技术在胫骨平台骨折的诊疗应用分析

目的探讨螺旋CT三维重建在胫骨平台骨折中的临床应用。方法回顾性分析2007-2008年55例胫骨平台骨折病例．手术前均常规行X线摄片,行螺旋CT三维重建并与术中所见对照。结果所有病例螺旋CT三维重建明确地显示了骨折,并在骨折的分型和关节面碎裂情况的描述上较平片优越,与手术中所见一致。结论CT多种成像后处理技术可清晰显示骨折的部位、骨折线的走行方向、骨质碎裂程度和移位的距离以及关节面塌陷情况等,对术前分型、制订手术治疗方案具有重要的参考价值。