Grayscale Histogram Analysis Research Articles

Differentiation Between Heterogeneous GGN and Part-Solid Nodule Using 2 D Grayscale Histogram Analysis of Thin-Section CT Image

Introduction/BackgroundTo evaluate cases of surgically resected pulmonary adenocarcinoma (Ad) with heterogenous ground-glass nodules (HGGNs) or part-solid nodules (PSNs) and to clarify the differences between them, and between invasive adenocarcinoma (IVA) and minimally invasive adenocarcinoma (MIA) + adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS) using grayscale histogram analysis of thin-section computed tomography (TSCT). Materials and Methods241 patients with pulmonary Ad were retrospectively classified into HGGNs and PSNs on TSCT by three thoracic radiologists. Sixty HGGNs were classified into 17 IVAs, 26 MIAs, and 17 AISs. 181 PSNs were classified into 114 IVAs, 55 MIAs, and 12 AISs. ResultsWe found significant differences in area (P = 0.0024), relative size of solid component (P <0.0001), circumference (P <0.0001), mean CT value (P <0.0001), standard deviation of the CT value (P <0.0001), maximum CT value (P <0.0001), skewness (P <0.0001), kurtosis (P <0.0001), and entropy (P <0.0001) between HGGNs and PSNs. In HGGNs, we found significant differences in relative size of solid component (P <0.0001), mean CT value (P = 0.0005), standard deviation of CT value (P = 0.0071), maximum CT value (P = 0.0237), and skewness (P = 0.0027) between IVAs and MIA+AIS lesions. In PSNs, we found significant differences in area (P = 0.0029), relative size of solid component (P = 0.0003), circumference (P = 0.0004), mean CT value (P = 0.0011), skewness (P = 0.0009), and entropy (P = 0.0002) between IVAs and the MIA+AIS lesions. ConclusionQuantitative evaluations using grayscale histogram analysis can clearly distinguish between HGGNs and PSNs, and may be useful for estimating the pathology of such lesions.

Automatic detection of thin oil films on water surfaces in ultraviolet imagery

AbstractAmong the various remote sensing technologies that have been applied to monitor oil spills on the sea surface, passive ultraviolet (UV) imaging is a controversial one that has raised some disputes in the community of oil spill remote sensing. As a result, the research and applications of oil spill detection using passive UV imaging have not been as developed as other methods. In order to clarify some existing questions on oil spill detection using passive UV remote sensing technology, this paper discusses the needs of thin oil film detection, examines the feasibility of thin oil film detection using passive UV imaging through field experiments under controlled conditions and validates it with the UV imagery derived from the airborne visible/infrared imaging spectrometer (AVIRIS) observation of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Two types of fully automatic models are designed to extract the thin oil films on the water surface: (1) a binary classification model based on an adaptive threshold; (2) an unsupervised image segmentation model based on image clustering and greyscale histogram analysis. The two models are tested on the UV imagery obtained through both field experiments and AVIRIS observations. The results indicate that the binary classification model can extract the thin oil films with reasonable accuracy under stable imaging conditions, while the unsupervised image clustering model can robustly detect the thin oil films at the cost of higher computational complexity. These results infer that passive UV imaging is an effective way to detect thin oil films and could be applied to provide early warning at the beginning stage of oil spills and reduce further damage. It may also be applied as a supplementary method for oil spill detection to achieve comprehensive oil spill monitoring.

The role of quantitative gray-scale ultrasound histogram in the differential diagnosis of infected and non-infected hydronephrosis.

The early detection of infected hydronephrosis is critical before lithotripsy. A feasible and noninvasive diagnostic method is of considerable clinical attention. This retrospective study was performed to find some quantitative evaluation parameters of B-mode Gray-scale ultrasound histogram analysis that might assist the early diagnosis of infected hydronephrosis and test their diagnostic efficacy. The ultrasound images and clinical data of 245 patients with hydronephrosis were retrospectively analyzed. Image J software was applied to obtain the gray-scale maps and the analysis results of the signal strength. The difference in the data between the infected and non-infected groups and the diagnostic value of the parameters were calculated. In this retrospective study, 70 patients with infected hydronephrosis and 175 patients with non-infected hydronephrosis were enrolled. The echogenicity of internal effusion and the echogenicity ratio of infected cases were significantly higher than those of non-infected cases (p < 0.05). The cutoff values were 23.82 (AUC = 0.859) of echogenicity of internal effusion, while 0.27 (AUC = 0.832) of echogenicity ratio. The quantitative evaluation of gray-scale ultrasound histogram is an objective and reliable method in differentiating infected from non-infected hydronephrosis.

Quantitative Assessment of Lung Ultrasound Grayscale Images Based on Shannon Entropy for the Detection of Pulmonary Aeration

Lung ultrasound (LUS) is a radiation-free, affordable, and bedside monitoring method that can detect changes in pulmonary aeration before hypoxic damage. However, visual scoring methods of LUS only enable subjective diagnosis. Therefore, quantitative analysis of LUS is necessary for obtaining objective information on pulmonary aeration. Because raw data are not always available in conventional ultrasound systems, Shannon entropy (ShanEn) of information theory without the requirement of raw data is valuable. In this study, we explored the feasibility of ShanEn estimated through grayscale histogram (GSH) analysis of LUS images for the quantification of pulmonary aeration. Different degrees of pulmonary aeration caused by edema was induced in 32 male New Zealand rabbits intravenously injected with 0.1 mL/kg saline (the control group) and 0.025, 0.05, and 0.1 mL/kg oleic acid (mild, moderate, and severe groups, respectively). In vivo grayscale LUS images were acquired using a commercial point-of-care ultrasound system for estimation of GSH and corresponding ShanEn. Both lungs of each rabbit were dissected, weighed, and dried to determine the wet weight-to-dry weight ratio (W/D) through gravimetry. The determination coefficients of linear correlations between ShanEn and W/D increased from 0.0487 to 0.7477 with gain and dynamic range (DR). In contrast to visual scoring methods of pulmonary aeration that use median gain and low DR, ShanEn for quantifying pulmonary aeration requires high gain and DR. The current findings indicate that ShanEn estimated through GSH analysis of LUS images acquired using conventional ultrasonic imaging systems has great potential to provide objective information on pulmonary aeration.

The Value of Magnetic Resonance Imaging Histograms in the Preoperative Differential Diagnosis of Endometrial Stromal Sarcoma and Degenerative Hysteromyoma.

Objective: The present study aimed to explore the application value of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) histograms with multiple sequences in the preoperative differential diagnosis of endometrial stromal sarcoma (ESS) and degenerative hysteromyoma (DH).Methods: The clinical and preoperative MRI data of 20 patients with pathologically confirmed ESS and 24 patients with pathologically confirmed DH were retrospectively analyzed, forming the two study groups. Mazda software was used to select the MRI layer with the largest tumor diameter in T2WI, the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), and enhanced T1WI (T1CE) images. The region of interest (ROI) was outlined for gray-scale histogram analysis. Nine parameters—the mean, variance, kurtosis, skewness, 1st percentile, 10th percentile, 50th percentile, 90th percentile, and 99th percentile—were obtained for intergroup analysis, and the receiver operating curves (ROCs) were plotted to analyze the differential diagnostic efficacy for each parameter.Results: In the T2WI histogram, the differences between the two groups in seven of the parameters (mean, skewness, 1st percentile, 10th percentile, 50th percentile, 90th percentile, and 99th percentile) were statistically significant (P < 0.05). In the ADC histogram, the differences between the two groups in three of the parameters (skewness, 10th percentile, and 50th percentile) were statistically significant (P < 0.05). In the T1CE histogram, no significant differences were found between the two groups in any of the parameters (all P > 0.05). Of the nine parameters, the 50th percentile was found to have the best diagnostic efficacy. In the T2WI histogram, ROC curve analysis of the 50th percentile yielded the best area under the ROC curve (AUC; 0.742), sensitivity of 70%, and specificity of 83.3%. In the ADC histogram, ROC curve analysis of the 50th percentile yielded the best area under the ROC curve (AUC; 0.783), sensitivity of 81%, and specificity of 76.9%.Conclusion: The parameters of the mean, 10th percentile and 50th percentile in the T2WI histogram have good diagnostic efficacy, providing new methods and ideas for clinical diagnosis.

Ultrasound imaging of quadriceps muscle in patients with knee osteoarthritis: The test-retest and inter-rater reliability and concurrent validity of echo intensity measurement

BackgroundEcho intensity(EI) on ultrasonography images of skeletal muscle reflects muscle composition. ObjectivesThe primary aim of the study was to investigate the inter-rater and test-retest reliability of EI using grayscale histogram analysis of the cross-sectional area of quadriceps femoris(QF) muscle in patients with knee osteoarthritis(KOA). The secondary aim of the study was to determine the concurrent validity of the Free Hand Tool(FHT) when compared to Rectangular Marquee Tool(RMT) for calculating the region of interest(ROI) in ImageJ. MethodsThis study included thirty patients with KOA. Echogenicity of the QF muscle were performed by two different raters. The reliability analysis was applied using intraclass correlation coefficient(ICC), standard error of measurement(SEM) and coefficient of variation(CV). Spearman rank correlation coefficients were calculated for assessing concurrent validity of the FHT to RMT. The Bland–Altman plots was used to show disagreement between tools. Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used for differences in assessments between test/retest sessions, raters, tools. ResultsThe inter-rater and test-retest reliability of the EI using FHT and RMT was found to be excellent (ICCFHT = 0.91–0.95, 0.98–0.99, ICCRMT = 0.91–0.98, 0.91–0.99,respectively). Bland–Altman analysis demonstrated a slight bias when region ROI calculations were collected from RMT or FHT (bias ranging from 2.75 to−2.40 a. u). There were no significant differences between test/retest sessions, raters and tools(p > 0.05). Spearman correlation coefficient showed excellent correlation between tools used for echogenicity assessment of QF muscle(p < 0.001). ConclusionEI assessment using ultrasonography in the QF muscle showed excellent reliability. Evaluating muscle echogenicity using both FHT and RMT appears to be reliable and validity for monitoring muscle changes due to KOA.

Reliability of Endoscopic Ultrasound Using Miniprobes and Grayscale Histogram Analysis in Diagnosing Upper Gastrointestinal Subepithelial Lesions.

Background To assess the role of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) in the diagnosis of upper gastrointestinal subepithelial lesions (SELs) and to investigate EUS combined with a grayscale histogram analysis for the differentiation of leiomyomas and gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs). Methods A retrospective study of 709 patients with upper gastrointestinal SELs was conducted by EUS before endoscopic resection. The EUS findings of SELs and pathological results after endoscopic resection were compared. The EUS images of SELs, particularly, leiomyoma and GIST, were further analyzed via a grayscale histogram to differentiate between the two tumors. Results Of the 709 patients, 47 cases were pathologically undetermined. The diagnostic consistency of EUS with endoscopic resection was 88.2% (584/662), including 185 muscularis mucosa, 61 submucosa, and 338 muscularis propria, respectively. The diagnostic consistency of EUS with pathology was 80.1% (530/662). The gray value of GISTs was significantly higher than that of leiomyomas (58.9 ± 8.3 vs. 39.5 ± 5.9, t = 57.0, P < 0.0001). The standard deviation of leiomyomas was significantly lower than that of GISTs (20.6 ± 7.0 vs. 39.8 ± 9.3, t = 23.7, P < 0.0001). The grayscale histogram analysis of GISTs showed higher echo ultrasound, and the echo of leiomyoma was more uniform. Conclusion EUS is the preferred procedure for the evaluation of upper gastrointestinal SELs. EUS combined with a grayscale histogram analysis is an effective method for the differentiation of leiomyomas and GISTs.

The Role of Real-Time Tissue Elastography and Gray-Scale Ultrasound Histogram Analysis in the Diagnosis of Patients With Sjögren's Syndrome.

This study aims to evaluate gray-scale histogram analysis of B-mode ultrasound (US) images and US elastographic features of the parotid glands in patients with Sjögren's syndrome (SS) and to explore relationships with the ultrasonographic and disease activity scores in the light of histopathological findings. A total of 57 consecutive female patients (mean age 47.9±10.4 years; range 25 to 76 years) with a diagnosis of SS and 48 healthy female individuals (mean age 51.1±10.8 years; range 20 to 70 years) underwent parotid ultrasonography and real-time tissue elastography imaging. Quantitative measurements of gray-scale US images were performed using the histogram software of the scanner. The histogram ratios of the parotid glands from both sides were obtained (histogram ratio; mean gray-scale histogram parotid/mean gray-scale histogram fat). Strain ratio (SR; ratio of fat to gland parenchyma) was calculated from the color-coded images. Subjective B-mode US scoring of electronically recorded gray- scale US images was performed by two radiologists independently for intra- and inter-observer agreement. Subjective assessments, quantitative measurements, and clinical parameters were compared. The SR of the patient group (1.4±0.8 right side, 1.5±0.9 left side) was significantly higher than that of the control group (1.0±0.3 right side, 1.1±0.3 left side) (p<0.05). The gray-scale histogram ratio of the patient group (1.3±0.5 right side, 1.4±0.9 left side) was lower than that of the control group (1.8±0.7 right side, 1.9±0.7 left side) (p<0.05). Receiver-operating-characteristics curve yielded 66% sensitivity for both sides and 50% and 52% specificity for the right and left sides, respectively, for a cut-off SR of 1.02; 76% and 86% sensitivity for the right and left sides, respectively, and 63% specificity for both sides for a cut-off histogram ratio of 1.35. The quantitative histogram ratio method had a higher positivity rate for the diagnosis of abnormal parotid glands than subjective assessments of US images. Sonoelastography and gray-scale histogram analysis of the parotid glands may be used as auxiliary tools to detect parotid gland sonographic abnormalities in patients with SS.

Thyroid Homeostasis After Bariatric Surgery in Obese Cases.

The aim of this study was to determine changes in thyroid hormones and morphology with weight loss after bariatric surgery in obese patients. This prospective study was performed in our endocrinology and surgery clinic. Pre- and post-bariatric surgery thyroid function tests and thyroid ultrasonography parameters were compared. Four hundred seventy-two patients were included in the study. Mean weight loss after surgery was 30.7 ± 5.1kg. TSH levels decreased statistically significantly parallel with weight loss and decreased BMI (p = 0.025) after bariatric surgery. However, no statistically significant change was observed in fT4 or fT3 levels (p > 0.05). A significant increase in thyroid parenchyma echogenicity, correlated with weight loss and time elapsed since surgery, was detected at ultrasonography (US) grayscale histogram analysis compared with muscle echogenicity (p = 0.032). An increase in echogenicity was even detected in patients with isoechoic thyroid parenchyma before surgery. Fasting insulin and HOMA-IR levels decreased after surgery (p = 0.010 and p = 0.001, respectively). Patients were divided into three groups based on weight loss. In group 3, preoperative TSH of 4.1 ± 0.7 decreased to 1.6 ± 0.7 postoperatively (p = 0.001), while preoperative HOMA-IR of 4.9 ± 1.9 decreased to 2.4 ± 0.8 postoperatively (p = 0.001). Obesity causes thyroid hormone resistance through a mechanism similar to insulin resistance and leads to an increase in TSH similar to hyperinsulinemia. Our findings show that echogenicity at thyroid US increases in line with weight loss following bariatric surgery.

Structural analysis on cutting notch of tea stalk by X-ray micro-computed tomography

Quantitative analysis on cutting notch of tea stalk is one method to better understand shear resistance and mechanical properties of the stalk, which could improve cutting performance and efficiency for tea harvesting. Optimal design of the cutter might be achieved through structural analysis of cutting notch by X-ray micro-computed tomography (micro-CT). The third inter-node of the stalks were sampled and scanned by micro-CT after they were cut at different cutting depths (0.7, 1.5, 2.3 mm) and cutting edge angles of cutter (30°, 35°, 40°). The structural change of the cutting notch and cutting force was observed. Grey-scale histogram analysis and bimodal segmentation method were used to extract the information about cutting notch from 2D slice images. A 3D model of the stalk was established with reconstruction and volume rendering. Besides, maximum cross-sectional area ratio of cutting notch (MCSARCN) and volume ratio of cutting notch (VRCN) were calculated. The results show that MCSARCN and VRCN had a closely relationship with the cutting force, cutting depth and cutting edge angle according to 3D tomographic images and 2D slice images. Both MCSARCN and VRCN increased with cutting depth, despite of cutting edge angle. For cutting edge angle of 30°, 35° and 40° at different cutting depths, MCSARCN increased from 4.89% to 9.47%, from 8.51% to 22.83% and from 4.30% to 16.87%, respectively. Meanwhile, VRCN increased from 1.59% to 2.13%, from 2.98% to 5.76% and from 3.04% to 5.01%, respectively. When cutting depth was 1.5 mm, cutting force increased but VRCN present a decreased trend with cutting edge angle. X-ray micro-CT could be used to analyze the structure on cutting notch of tea stalks which is helpful in optimizing the structural parameters of the cutter.

Grayscale histogram analysis to study the echogenicity and echotexture of the walls of the common carotid arteries of horses and mules

ABSTRACT: Visual inspection of ultrasound examination for assessment of echogenicity and echotexture of blood vessel tissues is a technique routinely used in medical practice in humans. However, simple visual inspection can lead to poor quality diagnoses and errors. The use of grayscale histogram (GSH) analysis has proved to be an efficient technique to quantify the region of interest, allowing minimization of image interpretation errors. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the echogenicity and echotexture of the walls of the common carotid arteries of healthy female horses and mules using the GSH technique and correlate them with age, body mass, and vessel diameters. B-mode ultrasound examinations were performed in the left and right common carotid arteries in three regions (cranial, middle, and caudal) in 11 horses and 11 healthy mules. The GSH of the animals showed heterogeneous walls, but did not differentiate statistically between female horses and mules. The Mean variable of the middle right, middle left and caudal right sides showed differences, more significant in the mules. On the middle right side, the Min variable was different, higher in the mules. On the middle and caudal left side, the variables Max and Mode showed higher values in the mules. For the mules, the age factor presented negative correlation with the Mean, Mode,, Mode(Count), and Mode(Count)/Count(%) variables, and the body mass factor presented negative correlation with the Mode, Mean and Max variables. For the female horses, the body mass factor showed positive correlation with the Mean and Mode variables. Echogenicity of the carotid artery walls differed between female horses and mules, whereas echotexture was heterogeneous and statistically similar among the animals. The age and body mass factors inversely influenced the echogenicity of the mules, but were not significant in the female horses, in which only the body mass factor positively influenced echogenicity.

Gray Scale Histogram Analysis of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome with Ultrasonography.

In this study, we aim to evaluate the diagnostic value of echogenicity ratio with histogram analyses. This retrospective study was performed on 22 patients with 44 hands. The patients had clinical presentations consistent with CTS, in at one hand. Quantitative ultrasound scanning and image capture were completed using a diagnostic sonography machine. For gray scale histogram analysis, image J software was used. Mean flexor tendons histogram analysis echogenicity/Mean median nerve histogram analysis echogenicity was significantly high for 1,7 cutoff value. Mean FTE/MNE ratio may be a useful sonographic parameter for CTS.

Improved Thyroid Hypoechogenicity Following Bariatric-Induced Weight Loss in Euthyroid Adults With Severe Obesity-a Pilot Study.

Background: Obesity may affect both biochemical thyroid function tests; and thyroid morphology, as assessed using ultrasound scans (US). The aim of the present pilot study was to explore whether weight loss achieved by bariatric surgery alters thyroid US morphology including gray-scale measurements; and/or function in euthyroid adults with severe obesity.Methods: Euthyroid adults (>18 years) with body mass index (BMI) ≥40 kg/m2 and negative thyroid peroxidase antibodies were assessed at baseline (pre-surgery) and after achieving at least 5% weight loss of their baseline body weight following bariatric surgery. Anthropometric assessments, biochemical/hormonal measurements (TSH, free-T4, free-T3, reverse-T3, and leptin) and thyroid US with gray-scale histogram analysis were performed at the baseline and post-surgery follow-up.Results: Ten Caucasian, euthyroid patients (women/men: 8/2; age: 48.6 ± 3.1 years; BMI: 51.4 ± 1.8 kg/m2) successfully completed this study with significantly decreased body weight (>5% weight loss), waist circumference and serum leptin levels post-surgery (mean post-surgery follow-up duration: 16.5 ± 2.5 months). In parallel to the observed bariatric-induced weight loss, thyroid US echogenicity increased by 25% (p = 0.03), without significant changes in thyroid volume. No significant changes in thyroid function tests were detected. No significant correlations were observed between the increase in thyroid echogenicity and the decreases in anthropometric parameters and circulating leptin.Conclusion: Our results indicate that in euthyroid adults with severe obesity, marked weight loss achieved by bariatric surgery is associated with a parallel significant increase in the thyroid US echogenicity, suggesting that morphological changes of the thyroid in obesity are reversible with weight loss.Clinical Trial Registration: www.ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier: NCT03048708

Histological Image Analysis of Scaffold‐Based Cell Products to Estimate Percent Viability

IntroductionRegulatory agencies have an expectation that cell‐based products in clinical development be characterized for their percent (%) viability. However, many new cell‐based products do not readily lend themselves to determining this metric through classical methods such as enzymatic dissociation and cell enumeration. Vital Therapies, Inc. (VTL) uses four metabolically active cartridges containing VTL C3A cells in its investigational (phase 3) ELAD® System, an extracorporeal human allogeneic cellular treatment being evaluated for severe alcoholic hepatitis. This study objective was to develop and verify new image processing methods for automatically characterizing the % viability of ELAD C3A cell cartridge histological samples.MethodsELAD C3A cell cartridges were clinically manufactured by introducing VTL C3A cells into the extracapillary space and perfusing growth medium through the lumens of the porous polysulfone hollow fibers. At maturity, cartridges were fixed for histology by recirculating 10% neutral buffered formalin through the hollow fiber lumens for approximately 24 hr. Cross‐sectional discs (~2‐cm thick) were cut using a saw and further cut into 16‐grid samples prior to paraffin embedding. Thin (4‐mm) sections were sliced from the grid blocks, stained with hematoxylin and eosin, and imaged using a high‐resolution scanner (Olympus VS120 or Hamamatsu NanoZoomer 2.0). MATLAB software was utilized to develop a custom algorithm to automatically isolate, count, and mask the hollow fiber cross‐sections through image processing techniques (e.g., color thresholding and object feature segmentation). Grayscale histogram analysis of the differently stained cells in the remaining space was utilized to separate viable from non‐viable areas. The % viability for an entire histology grid image could then be reported as the integrated ratio of viable tissue area to total tissue area. This method was compared to blinded, independent mass measurements of printed and hand‐cut images to separate hollow fiber, viable tissue, and non‐viable tissue areas. Additional comparisons were made against blinded visual assessment.ResultsThis methodology demonstrated that reliable % viability estimates could be estimated from histological images despite fixation and/or sectioning artifacts (e.g., tissue separating from the hollow fibers). The automated image‐processing method was able to complete the analysis very rapidly (e.g., an 8000×8000 pixel image containing over 600 fibers is analyzed in a couple minutes), such that a large library of histological samples could be completed quickly and the results tallied for inter‐grid, intra‐ and inter‐cartridge, and intra‐ and inter‐lot comparisons.ConclusionsNew cell‐based products require creative approaches to address regulatory expectations. The image processing algorithm developed herein was shown to be in agreement with, and more reproducible and rapid than, visual or manual assessments. It was further recognized that this method could be extended to other types of histological stains (e.g., trichrome) or to other types of biomaterial/scaffold‐based tissue‐engineered products.This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.

Histogram analysis of greyscale sonograms to differentiate between the subtypes of follicular variant of papillary thyroid cancer

To evaluate the diagnostic value of histogram analysis using ultrasound (US) to differentiate between the subtypes of follicular variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma (FVPTC). The present study included 151 patients with surgically confirmed FVPTC diagnosed between January 2014 and May 2016. Their preoperative US features were reviewed retrospectively. Histogram parameters (mean, maximum, minimum, range, root mean square, skewness, kurtosis, energy, entropy, and correlation) were obtained for each nodule. The 152 nodules in 151 patients comprised 48 non-invasive follicular thyroid neoplasm with papillary-like nuclear features (NIFTPs; 31.6%), 60 invasive encapsulated FVPTCs (EFVPTCs; 39.5%), and 44 infiltrative FVPTCs (28.9%). The US features differed significantly between the subtypes of FVPTC. Discrimination was achieved between NIFTPs and infiltrative FVPTC, and between invasive EFVPTC and infiltrative FVPTC using histogram parameters; however, the parameters were not significantly different between NIFTP and invasive EFVPTC. It is feasible to use greyscale histogram analysis to differentiate between NIFTP and infiltrative FVPTC, but not between NIFTP and invasive EFVPTC. Histograms can be used as a supplementary tool to differentiate the subtypes of FVPTC.

Evaluation of the Effects of Prostate Radiation Therapy on Occludin Expression and Ultrasonography Characteristics of the Bladder

To evaluate the effects of radiation dose in prostate radiation therapy (RT) on occludin expression and ultrasonography characteristics of the bladder. Urine samples of 64 prostate RT patients were collected before, at regular intervals during, and 3months after RT. Occludin expression analysis was performed, and bladder wall echogenicity and echotexture were investigated by ultrasound and the gray-scale histogram analysis method. The bladder equivalent uniform dose (EUD) was derived from individually produced dose treatment plan for each patient. Clinical scoring for bladder-specific symptoms was done using the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group Acute Radiation Morbidity Scoring Criteria Scale. Thirty patients (47%) experienced at least 1 of the studied bladder symptoms (grade ≥1 endpoints), including urinary pain, frequency, urgency, straining, incontinence, hematuria, dysuria, and nocturia. For these patients there were significant changes in urine occludin levels after starting the treatment compared with the baseline urine samples (P=.023). The mean bladder EUD that caused a significant change in occludin level, which occurred after the 15th RT session, was 26.9Gy (range, 13.2-36.5Gy, P=.020). In all patients a significant reduction in bladder echogenicity (P=.0137) and a significant change in its echotexture (P=.047) was found after the 10th RT session, after which the EUD to the bladder reached 17.9Gy (range, 8.8-24.3Gy). Significant changes in occludin expression level and bladder wall echogenicity and echotexture occurred during prostate RT. Our findings suggest that a significant reduction in bladder echogenicity and increase in occludin expression during treatment can be associated with acute urinary complications.

Ultrasound estimates of muscle quality in older adults: reliability and comparison of Photoshop and ImageJ for the grayscale analysis of muscle echogenicity.

Background. Quantitative diagnostic ultrasound imaging has been proposed as a method of estimating muscle quality using measures of echogenicity. The Rectangular Marquee Tool (RMT) and the Free Hand Tool (FHT) are two types of editing features used in Photoshop and ImageJ for determining a region of interest (ROI) within an ultrasound image. The primary objective of this study is to determine the intrarater and interrater reliability of Photoshop and ImageJ for the estimate of muscle tissue echogenicity in older adults via grayscale histogram analysis. The secondary objective is to compare the mean grayscale values obtained using both the RMT and FHT methods across both image analysis platforms.Methods. This cross-sectional observational study features 18 community-dwelling men (age = 61.5 ± 2.32 years). Longitudinal views of the rectus femoris were captured using B-mode ultrasound. The ROI for each scan was selected by 2 examiners using the RMT and FHT methods from each software program. Their reliability is assessed using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) and the standard error of the measurement (SEM). Measurement agreement for these values is depicted using Bland-Altman plots. A paired t-test is used to determine mean differences in echogenicity expressed as grayscale values using the RMT and FHT methods to select the post-image acquisition ROI. The degree of association among ROI selection methods and image analysis platforms is analyzed using the coefficient of determination (R2).Results. The raters demonstrated excellent intrarater and interrater reliability using the RMT and FHT methods across both platforms (lower bound 95% CI ICC = .97–.99, p < .001). Mean differences between the echogenicity estimates obtained with the RMT and FHT methods was .87 grayscale levels (95% CI [.54–1.21], p < .0001) using data obtained with both programs. The SEM for Photoshop was .97 and 1.05 grayscale levels when using the RMT and FHT ROI selection methods, respectively. Comparatively, the SEM values were .72 and .81 grayscale levels, respectively, when using the RMT and FHT ROI selection methods in ImageJ. Uniform coefficients of determination (R2 = .96–.99, p < .001) indicate strong positive associations among the grayscale histogram analysis measurement conditions independent of the ROI selection methods and imaging platform.Conclusion. Our method for evaluating muscle echogenicity demonstrated a high degree of intrarater and interrater reliability using both the RMT and FHT methods across 2 common image analysis platforms. The minimal measurement error exhibited by the examiners demonstrates that the ROI selection methods used with Photoshop and ImageJ are suitable for the post-acquisition image analysis of tissue echogenicity in older adults.

Ultrasonographic assessment of superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) core lesion treated with platelet rich plasma (PRP) in donkeys (Equus Asinus)

The aim of this study was ultrasonographic evaluation, subjective and objective or quantitative, of theSDFT core lesion in donkeys treated with intra lesional injection of PRP. Subjective evaluation wasperformed by assessment of fiber echogenicity score (FES) and fiber alignment score (FAS).Quantitative evaluation was performed by gray scale histogram analysis and measuring of core lesioncross section area (CSA). The present study was carried out on two groups (Group-I) 12 donkeys treatedby intra-tendenious injection of freshly prepared (PRP) and (group-II) 7 donkeys as control group andsubjected to intra-tendenious injection of normal saline (Placebo). Ultrasonographic assessment wereperformed before induction, 5th, 15th, 30th, 45th, 60th and 90th days post induction of core lesion. The PRPtreated group revealed significant (p ≤ 0.05) improvement of FES and FAS at 15th, 30th, 60th and 90thdays and at 30th days post induction, respectively. Moreover, there was significant improvement of thecore lesion CSA and theme an gray scale histogram during all time points to reach near to the normalvalue at the end of the study. The mean gray value of the PRP treated group was significant (p ≤ 0.05)higher than that of control group at all-time points of the experiment. The obtained subjective andquantitative ultrasonographic assessments in the present investigations proved that these parameterscould be valuable in the evaluation of SDFT core lesions and monitoring the treatment of tendopathy inequines.

Diagnostic ultrasound estimates of muscle mass and muscle quality discriminate between women with and without sarcopenia.

Introduction: Age-related changes in muscle mass and muscle tissue composition contribute to diminished strength in older adults. The objectives of this study are to examine if an assessment method using mobile diagnostic ultrasound augments well-known determinants of lean body mass (LBM) to aid sarcopenia staging, and if a sonographic measure of muscle quality is associated with muscle performance.Methods: Twenty community-dwelling female subjects participated in the study (age = 43.4 ± 20.9 years; BMI: 23.8, interquartile range: 8.5). Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and diagnostic ultrasound morphometry were used to estimate LBM. Muscle tissue quality was estimated via the echogenicity using grayscale histogram analysis. Peak force was measured with grip dynamometry and scaled for body size. Bivariate and multiple regression analyses were used to determine the association of the predictor variables with appendicular lean mass (aLM/ht2), and examine the relationship between scaled peak force values and muscle echogenicity. The sarcopenia LBM cut point value of 6.75 kg/m2 determined participant assignment into the Normal LBM and Low LBM subgroups.Results: The selected LBM predictor variables were body mass index (BMI), ultrasound morphometry, and age. Although BMI exhibited a significant positive relationship with aLM/ht2 (adj. R2 = 0.61, p < 0.001), the strength of association improved with the addition of ultrasound morphometry and age as predictor variables (adj. R2 = 0.85, p < 0.001). Scaled peak force was associated with age and echogenicity (adj. R2 = 0.53, p < 0.001), but not LBM. The Low LBM subgroup of women (n = 10) had higher scaled peak force, lower BMI, and lower echogenicity values in comparison to the Normal LBM subgroup (n = 10; p < 0.05).Conclusions: Diagnostic ultrasound morphometry values are associated with LBM, and improve the BMI predictive model for aLM/ht2 in women. In addition, ultrasound proxy measures of muscle quality are more strongly associated with strength than muscle mass within the study sample.

A Pilot Study to Assess Fatty Infiltration of the Supraspinatus in Patients with Rotator Cuff Tears: Comparison with Magnetic Resonance Imaging

The aim of this study was to quantitatively assess the echo intensity of the supraspinatus muscle and compare magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasound findings for 27 patients (12 women, 15 men, 65.8 ± 11.5 y). Tear size and fatty infiltration were determined by magnetic resonance imaging; five stages were assigned based on Goutallier's classification. Gray-scale histogram analysis was used for ultrasound assessment, which was performed in both subcutaneous fat and supraspinatus muscle in three different regions; the echo intensity ratio was the ratio of echo intensity in subcutaneous fat to that in the supraspinatus muscle. Sonograms of 27 shoulders revealed 3 shoulders with a partial tear, and 4 with a small tear, 6 with a medium tear, 6 with a large tear and 4 with a massive tear; 4 shoulders had no tear. Supraspinatus muscle echo intensity and echo intensity ratio were significantly lower in the stage 0 and 1 than in stages 2–4. Our study suggests that ultrasound can quantitatively and objectively assess fatty infiltration in the rotator cuff muscle.