Three-dimensional structure of endothelial cells in hepatic sinusoids of the rat as revealed by the Golgi method

Summary The three-dimensional structure of endothelial cells in the hepatic sinusoids of the rat was studied by application of light- and electron microscopy on Golgi-impregnated specimens. A number of endothelial cells could thus be individually delineated throughout the hepatic lobules. The cytoplasm, showing heavy silver deposits, consists of two distinct areas, a thick and thin portion. The thick portion, issuing from the region of the perikaryon, branches and tapers toward the cell periphery. The thin portion, occupying the remainder of the cytoplasm, consists largely of highly fenestrated sieve plates. Some intralobular variation can be noted; the thick portion of the endothelial cells is well developed in the periportal zone, while the cells in the centrilobular zone are relatively rich in thin portions. In addition, the area of distribution of an individual endothelial cell is larger in the centrilobular sinusoids than in the periportal zone. Some endothelial cells also possess unique cytoplasmic processes projecting into the intercellular space between hepatocytes and connecting the sinusoidal walls of neighboring sinusoids. These processes may anchor the endothelial cells to the hepatic plates.     

Radioprotection of eye lens using protective material in neuro cone-beam computed tomography: Estimation of dose reduction rate and image quality

PurposeIn cerebral angiography, for diagnosis and interventional neuroradiology, cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scan is frequently performed for evaluating brain parenchyma, cerebral hemorrhage, and cerebral infarction. However, the patient’s eye lens is more frequently exposed to excessive doses in these scans than in the previous angiography and interventional neuroradiology (INR) procedures. Hence, radioprotection for the lenses is needed. This study selects the most suitable eye lens protection material for CBCT from among nine materials by evaluating the dose reduction rate and image quality.MethodsTo determine the dose reduction rate, the lens doses were measured using an anthropomorphic head phantom and a real-time dosimeter. For image quality assessment, the artifact index was calculated based on the pixel value and image noise within various regions of interest in a water phantom.ResultsThe protective materials exhibited dose reduction; however, streak artifacts were observed near the materials. The dose reduction rate and the degree of the artifact varied significantly depending on the protective material. The dose reduction rates were 14.6%, 14.2%, and 26.0% when bismuth shield: normal (bismuth shield in the shape of an eye mask), bismuth shield: separate (two separate bismuth shields), and lead goggles were used, respectively. The “separate” bismuth shield was found to be effective in dose reduction without lowering the image quality.ConclusionWe found that bismuth shields and lead goggles are suitable protective devices for the optimal reduction of lens doses.     

成人骨性Ⅱ类不同垂直骨面型上气道及舌骨形态位置的三维研究

目的:研究成人骨性II类不同垂直骨面型上气道与舌骨形态及位置的差异。方法:随机选择60名成人骨性II类患者,男女比例1:1,依据GoGn-SN角分为三组(高角组、均角组及低角组),在自然头位下拍摄CBCT,运用MIMICS软件对上呼吸道及舌骨进行三维建模并测量21项相关指标,分析不同垂直骨面型之间上气道各段之间及舌骨形态、位置的差异。结果:不同垂直骨面型之间鄂咽上界平面矢状径长度(PNSL)存在显著性差异(P0.05),上气道各段高度(UTH、ETH)及宽度(PNSW、UTW、ETW)之间比较无统计学差异(P0.05)。高角组上气道鄂咽下界及舌咽下界矢状径长度(UTL、ETL)与均角和低角组均存在显著差异(P0.01),随着垂直骨面型增大,呈现高角均角低角的趋势。高角组上气道鄂咽及舌咽体积明显小于均角和低角,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。舌骨形态及位置在不同垂直骨面型之间无差异(P0.05)。结论:不同垂直向生长方式对上气道产生影响较大,而对舌骨的生长发育无影响。     

Impact of iterative reconstructions on image quality and detectability of focal liver lesions in low-energy monochromatic images

PurposeTo assess the impact of iterative reconstructions on image quality and detectability of focal liver lesions in low-energy monochromatic images from a Fast kV-Switching Dual Energy CT (KVSCT) platform.MethodsAcquisitions on an image-quality phantom were performed using a KVSCT for three dose levels (CTDI_vol:12.72/10.76/8.79 mGy). Raw data were reconstructed for five energy levels (40/50/60/70/80 keV) using Filtered Back Projection (FBP) and four levels of ASIR (ASIR30/ASIR50/ASIR70/ASIR100). Noise power spectrum (NPS) and task-based transfer function (TTF) were measured before computing a Detectability index (d′) to model the detection task of liver metastasis (LM) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) as function of keV.ResultsFrom 40 to 70 keV, noise-magnitude was reduced on average by −68% ± 1% with FBP; −61% ± 3% with ASIR50 and −52% ± 6% with ASIR100. The mean spatial frequency of the NPS decreased when the energy level decreased and the iterative level increased. TTF values at 50% decreased as the energy level increased and as the percentage of ASIR increased. The detectability of both lesions increased with increasing dose level and percentage of ASIR. For the LM, d′ peaked at 70 keV for all reconstruction types, except for ASIR70 at 12.72 mGy and ASIR100, where d' peaked at 50 keV. For HCC, d’ peaked at 60 keV for FBP and ASIR30 but peaked at 50 keV for ASIR50, ASIR70 and ASIR100.ConclusionsUsing percentage of ASIR above 50% at low-energy monochromatic images could limit the increase of noise-magnitude, benefit from spatial resolution improvement and hence enhance detectability of subtle low contrast focal liver lesions such as HCC.     

256排Revolution多参数调节下低剂量心脏冠脉成像应用

目的:研究256排Revolution多参数调节下低剂量扫描心脏冠脉成像(Coronary computed tomographic angiography,CCTA)的应用。方法:回顾性分析2016年3月15日至5月15日间在我院256排CT行CCTA的患者,分为心率稳定试验组(n=54例)和心率不稳定试验组(n=41例),同时选取在我院64排VCT行CCTA的患者为对照组(n=116例),对三组CCTA图像质量行主观和客观评估,比较有效辐射剂量的差异。结果:256排CT检查成功率和图像质量的主观评价均优于对照组(P0.05);信噪比(SNR)、对比噪声比(CNR)与对照组差异无统计学意义(P0.05);但有效辐射剂量明显降低(P0.05)。结论:256排CT多参数调节下检查冠脉在保证图像质量下可有效降低辐射剂量。     

锥形束CT测量上颌第一磨牙根分叉形态的临床研究

目的:评价锥形束CT(cone beam computed tomography,CBCT)对于上颌第一磨牙根分叉形态的评估价值。方法:选取14例被诊断为广泛性重度慢性牙周炎的患者,给予规范化牙周基础治疗,在再评估阶段,选取由于牙周袋探针深度6 mm或者有根分叉病变需要进一步手术治疗的患牙,利用CBCT行术前影像学检测并评估根分叉形态和病变程度。共计20颗上颌第一磨牙被纳入研究,比较术中所见根分叉形态与CBCT影像学测量结果。结果:总的CBCT检查与术中结果所得根分叉病变分度完全一致率为80%,两种方法检测的根分叉结果一致性在颊侧最高,之后依次为远中腭部、近中腭部。CBCT测得的根分叉区垂直骨缺损[(4.29±1.67)mm]与术中直接测量值[(4.67±1.77)mm]差异无统计学意义(p0.05);此外,CBCT测得的骨嵴顶水平根分叉开口宽度为[(4.69±2.48)mm],术中探查为[(5.02±2.34)mm],两者比较差异无统计学意义(p0.05);两者测得的根分叉角度差异亦无统计学意义(p0.05),CBCT为35.9±10.4,术中为37.4±9.5。而根分叉水平骨吸收[(2.31±1.12)mm]与术中测量值[(2.67±1.14)mm],但差异的平均值为0.36 mm。结论:CBCT影像在临床诊断评估根分叉病变的分型和牙周组织的丧失有很高的准确性。     

Accuracy of dose calculation on iterative CBCT for head and neck radiotherapy

PurposeTo evaluate the feasibility of the use of iterative cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) for dose calculation in the head and neck region.MethodsThis study includes phantom and clinical studies. All acquired CBCT images were reconstructed with Feldkamp–Davis–Kress algorithm-based CBCT (FDK-CBCT) and iterative CBCT (iCBCT) algorithm. The Hounsfield unit (HU) consistency between the head and body phantoms was determined in both reconstruction techniques. Volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) plans were generated for 16 head and neck patients on a planning CT scan, and the doses were recalculated on FDK-CBCT and iCBCT with Anisotropic Analytical Algorithm (AAA) and Acuros XB (AXB). As a comparison of the accuracy of dose calculations, the absolute dosimetric difference and 1%/1 mm gamma passing rate analysis were analyzed.ResultsThe difference in the mean HU values between the head and body phantoms was larger for FDK-CBCT (max value: 449.1 HU) than iCBCT (260.0 HU). The median dosimetric difference from the planning CT were <1.0% for both FDK-CBCT and iCBCT but smaller differences were found with iCBCT (planning target volume D_50%: 0.38% (0.15–0.59%) for FDK-CBCT, 0.28% (0.13–0.49%) for iCBCT, AAA; 0.14% (0.04–0.19%) for FDK-CBCT, 0.07% (0.02–0.20%) for iCBCT). The mean gamma passing rate was significantly better in iCBCT than FDK-CBCT (AAA: 98.7% for FDK-CBCT, 99.4% for iCBCT; AXB: 96.8% for FDK_CBCT, 97.5% for iCBCT).ConclusionThe iCBCT-based dose calculation in VMAT for head and neck cancer was accurate compared to FDK-CBCT.     

成人骨性Ⅱ类上气道与颅颌面关系初探

目的:比较骨性Ⅱ类不同垂直骨面型成人上气道鼻咽、腭咽、舌咽大小的差异,并探讨其与颅面部骨骼形态的关系.方法:将64名(男34例,女30例)成人骨性Ⅱ类错患者按GoGn-SN角大小分为高角、均角、低角三组.分别行颅面部锥体束计算机断层扫描(CBCT),对各段的矢状径、横径、长度、截面积以及容积等指标进行测量分析,比较三组间的差异.同时,对上气道各测量项目与颅颌面结构指标进行相关性分析.结果:在上气道各线性测量项目中,鼻咽和腭咽长度(Ln、Lp)随着垂直骨面型增大而逐渐减小,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).高角组舌咽段的高度(Hg)与均角、低角组存在差异,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05),均角组和低角组间并无统计学差异(P＞0.05).上气道各段宽度在不同垂直骨面型之间均无统计学差异.不同垂直骨面型上气道总体积(Vt)无明显差异.高角组舌咽段体积(Vg)及鼻咽段横截面积(CSAn)与均角、低角组存在差异,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05),均角组和低角组间并无统计学差异(P＞0.05).而其余测量项目在各垂直骨面型间均未发现统计学差异.由相关性分析可知,舌咽和腭咽的体积与横截面积与上下颌骨垂直向不调指数(ODI)正相关,而腭咽体积和横截面积与下颌平面角负相关.结论:随着垂直骨面型增大上气道结构存在着差异,且主要影响腭咽段和舌咽段,对鼻咽段影响较小.     

Machine log file-based dose verification using novel iterative CBCT reconstruction algorithm in commercial software during volumetric modulated arc therapy for prostate cancer patients

PurposeTo evaluate the utility of the use of iterative cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) for machine log file-based dose verification during volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) for prostate cancer patients.MethodsAll CBCT acquisition data were used to reconstruct images with the Feldkamp-Davis-Kress algorithm (FDK-CBCT) and the novel iterative algorithm (iCBCT). The Hounsfield unit (HU)-electron density curves for CBCT images were created using the Advanced Electron Density Phantom. The I’mRT and anthropomorphic phantoms were irradiated with VMAT after CBCT registration. Subsequently, fourteen prostate cancer patients received VMAT after CBCT registration. Machine log files and both CBCT images were exported to the PerFRACTION software, and a 3D patient dose was reconstructed. Mean dose for planning target volume (PTV), the bladder, and rectum and the 3D gamma analysis were evaluated.ResultsFor the phantom studies, the variation of HU values was observed at the central position surrounding the bones in FDK-CBCT. There were almost no changes in the difference of doses at the isocenter between measurement and reconstructed dose for planning CT (pCT), FDK-CBCT, and iCBCT. Mean dose differences of PTV, rectum, and bladder between iCBCT and pCT were approximately 2% lower than those between FDK-CBCT and pCT. For the clinical study, average gamma analysis for 2%/2 mm was 98.22% ± 1.07 and 98.81% ± 1.25% in FDK-CBCT and iCBCT, respectively.ConclusionsA similar machine log file-based dose verification accuracy is obtained for FDK-CBCT and iCBCT during VMAT for prostate cancer patients.     

Enhancement of Hounsfield unit distribution in cone-beam CT images for adaptive radiation therapy: Evaluation of a hybrid correction approach

PurposeThis study aims to evaluate the accuracy of a hybrid approach combining the histogram matching (HM) and the multilevel threshold (MLT) to correct the Hounsfield Unit (HU) distribution in cone-beam CT (CBCT) images.Methods and MaterialsCBCT images acquired for ten prostate cancer patients were processed by matching their histograms to those of deformed planning CT (pCT) images obtained after applying a deformable registration (DR) process. Then, HU values corresponding to five tissue types in the pCT were assigned to the obtained CBCT images (CBCT_HM-MLT). Finally, the CBCT_HM-MLT images were compared to the deformed pCT visually and using different statistical metrics.ResultsThe visual assessment and the profiles comparison showed that the high discrepancies in the CBCT images were significantly reduced when using the proposed approach. Furthermore, the correlation values indicated that the CBCT_HM-MLT were in good agreement with the deformed pCT with correlation values ranging from 0.9893 to 0.9962. In addition, the root mean squared error (RMSE) over the entire volume was reduced from 64.15 ± 9.50 to 51.20 ± 6.76 HU. Similarly, the mean absolute error in specific tissue classes was significantly reduced especially in the soft tissue-air interfaces. These results confirmed that applying MLT after HM worked better than using only HM for which the correlation values were ranging from 0.9878 to 0.9955 and the RMSE was 55.95 ± 10.43 HU.ConclusionEvaluation of the proposed approach showed that the HM + MLT correction can improve the HU distribution in the CBCT images and generate corrected images in good agreement with the pCT.