Major Blood Vessels Research Articles

New Developments in Image-Guided Percutaneous Irreversible Electroporation of Solid Tumors.

This review will describe the various applications, benefits, risks, and approaches of conventional irreversible electroporation (IRE), as well as highlight the new technological developments of this procedure along with their clinical applications. Minimally invasive image-guided percutaneous IRE ablation has emerged as a newer, non-thermal ablation technique for tumors in the solid organs, particularly within the liver, pancreas, kidney, and prostate. IRE allows for ablation near heat-sensitive structures, including major blood vessels and nerves, and is not susceptible to the heat sink effect. However, it is limited by certain requirements, such as the need for precise parallel placement of at least two probes with a maximum inter-probe distance of 2.5 cm to reduce the risk of arching phenomenon, the requirement for general anesthesia with muscle relaxant, and the need for cardiac synchronization. However, new technological advancements in the ablation system and image guidance tools have been introduced to improve the efficiency and efficacy of IRE. IRE is a safe and effective treatment option for solid tumor ablation within the liver, pancreas, kidney, and prostate. Compared with other ablation techniques, IRE has several advantages, such as the absence of heat sink effect and minimal injury to blood vessels and bile ducts while activating the immune system. Novel techniques such as H-FIRE, needle placement systems, and robotics have enhanced the accuracy and performance in placement of IRE probes. IRE can be especially beneficial when combined with chemotherapy, immunomodulation, and immunotherapy.

Craniopharyngiomas: The Dawn of a New Era with the Elucidation of Driver Genes

Craniopharyngiomas(CPs)are primary brain tumors that emerge from the remnants of Rathke's pouch. Despite their histologically non-malignant nature, the proximity to major blood vessels and hypothalamus, as well as the infiltrative growth, make total resection challenging. CPs are classified into two pathological subtypes: adamantinomatous(ACP)and papillary(PCP). CTNNB1 mutations were detected in ACPs, and the BRAF V600E mutation was detected in PCPs. Although both subtypes are epithelial tumors, they have different genetic profiles, clinical presentations, imaging findings, and histopathology. They are mentioned as independent chapters in the World Health Organization Classification of Tumors of the Central Nervous System, 5th edition. In 2023, a prospective clinical trial investigating a BRAF/MEK inhibitor for craniopharyngioma with BRAF mutations demonstrated marked tumor shrinkage. Currently, attempts are being made to elucidate the predictors of BRAF mutations to facilitate the use of neoadjuvant chemotherapy for craniopharyngioma. Additionally, the management of craniopharyngiomas requires the development of a surgical strategy that considers radiation and molecular-targeted therapies.

Trajectory Planning Software for Deep Brain Stimulation Driven by Patient-Specific Data

Abstract Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a treatment for several neurological disorders including Parkinson's disease, essential tremor, and epilepsy. The neurosurgical procedure involves implanting a lead of electrodes to a deep brain target and thereafter electrically stimulating that target to suppress symptoms. To reduce the probability of intracranial bleeding during implantation, neurosurgeons carefully plan out a patient-specific lead trajectory that avoids passing the lead through regions with major blood vessels. This process can be tedious, and there is a need to provide neurosurgeons with a more efficient and quantitative means to identify major blood vessels on a patient-specific basis. Here, we developed a modular graphical user interface (GUI) containing anatomically segmented digital reconstructions of patient vasculature, cortex, and deep brain target anatomy from preoperative high-field (3T and 7T) MRI. The system prompts users to identify the deep brain target, and then algorithmically calculates a log-scale blood vessel density along the length of potential lead trajectories that pivot around the deep brain target. Heatmaps highlighting regions with low blood vessel density were calculated for cortical and subcortical vasculature models. The modeling framework enabled users to further interact with the models by panning, rotating, zooming, showing, or hiding the various anatomical reconstructions and heatmaps. Providing surgeons with quantitative, patient specific vasculature data has the potential to further reduce the likelihood of hemorrhage events during microelectrode mapping and DBS lead implantation.

Ultrasound-Based Image Analysis for Predicting Carotid Artery Stenosis Risk: A Comprehensive Review of the Problem, Techniques, Datasets, and Future Directions.

The carotid artery is a major blood vessel that supplies blood to the brain. Plaque buildup in the arteries can lead to cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis, stroke, ruptured arteries, and even death. Both invasive and non-invasive methods are used to detect plaque buildup in the arteries, with ultrasound imaging being the first line of diagnosis. This paper presents a comprehensive review of the existing literature on ultrasound image analysis methods for detecting and characterizing plaque buildup in the carotid artery. The review includes an in-depth analysis of datasets; image segmentation techniques for the carotid artery plaque area, lumen area, and intima-media thickness (IMT); and plaque measurement, characterization, classification, and stenosis grading using deep learning and machine learning. Additionally, the paper provides an overview of the performance of these methods, including challenges in analysis, and future directions for research.

Two Affordable, High-Fidelity Central Venous Models for Ultrasound-Guided Interventional Training.

Ultrasound-guided vascular access is an increasingly popular technique due to its reduced complication and higher success rates. Commercially bought training phantoms allow providers to develop tactile skills in a low-risk setting, but are also expensive and poorly accessible. This study analyzes the efficacy of homemade, low-cost, gelatin-based central line vascular models to teach vascular anatomy and intravascular access techniques in training physicians. A gelatin mold was created using a mixture of unflavored gelatin, hot water, psyllium husk powder, and rubbing alcohol. Latex tubing, balloons, precooked hot dog, and tofu were inserted to simulate arteries, veins, nerves, and the sternocleidomastoid muscle, respectively. Medical students from a single institution participated in a 90-minute workshop led by interventional radiology residents. Participants completed presurveys and postsurveys that assessed knowledge acquisition and confidence levels related to acquiring central access. All images were obtained using a USB-C Butterfly iQ probe. Twenty medical students were analyzed after the workshop. There was a statistically significant increase in self-reported confidence in basic ultrasound use (adjusting gain, depth, probe manipulation), localizing major anatomical structures, using ultrasound for vessel access, and reported ease in identifying muscle, nerves, and major blood vessels under ultrasound. There was also a significant increase in correctly identified anatomical landmarks after the workshop, including the sternocleidomastoid muscle, internal jugular vein, carotid artery, femoral nerve, femoral artery, and femoral vein. Our findings suggest that our homemade, low-cost, gelatin-based models were effective in teaching vascular anatomy and ultrasound-guided vascular access techniques to training physicians.

Photodynamic Therapy: Killing cancer gently with visible light

Photodynamic Therapy: Killing cancer gently with visible light Drs. Mary Potasek, Evgueni Parilov, and Karl Beeson, who are all co-founders of Simphotek, Inc have been using a novel therapeutic modality known as Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) to treat cancer, with far fewer side effects than traditional radiation x-ray methods. By using near-infrared or “gentle” visible light, this PDT does not cause nausea as chemotherapy does, does not damage ordinary tissue as x-ray radiation does, nor does it require removing or damaging parts of the body as surgery does. Simphotek has been supported by the United States National Institute of Health (NIH) to create such a simulation research tool for solid cancers and it’s called Dosie™. Dosie is the first comprehensive tool to simulate the PDT process including the light transport, drug, and molecular oxygen interactions to create the cytotoxic agent, singlet oxygen, which kills cancer. The goal is to treat a tumor’s greatest volume with the least exposure to the major blood vessels or other sensitive areas, which the researchers hope that this clinical trial will bring them one step closer to their aim of treating patients as safely and effectively as possible.

Evaluation of methemoglobin as an intravascular contrast agent: T1 relaxation time effect in a rabbit model

ObjectiveAlternative contrast agents for MRI are needed for individuals who may respond adversely to gadolinium, and need an intravascular agent for specific indications. One potential contrast agent is intracellular methemoglobin, a paramagnetic molecule that is normally present in small amounts in red blood cells. An animal model was used to determine whether methemoglobin modulation with intravenous sodium nitrite transiently changes the T1 relaxation of blood. MethodsFour adult New Zealand white rabbits were treated with 30 mg intravenous sodium nitrite. 3D TOF and 3D MPRAGE images were acquired before (baseline) and after methemoglobin modulation. T1 of blood was measured with 2D ss EPl acquisitions with inversion recovery preparation performed at two-minute intervals up to 30 min. T1 maps were calculated by fitting the signal recovery curve within major blood vessels. ResultsBaseline T1 was 1758 ± 53 ms in carotid arteries and 1716 ± 41 ms in jugular veins. Sodium nitrite significantly changed intravascular T1 relaxation. The mean minimum value of T1 was 1126 ± 28 ms in carotid arteries 8 to 10 min after the injection of sodium nitrite. The mean minimum value of T1 was 1171 ± 52 ms in jugular veins 10 to 14 min after the injection of sodium nitrite. Arterial and venous T1 recovered to baseline after a period of 30 min. ConclusionMethemoglobin modulation produces intravascular contrast on T1-weighted MRI in vivo. Additional studies are needed to safely optimize methemoglobin modulation and sequence parameters for maximal tissue contrast.

Morphologic and Morphometric Study of Lungs in Adult Indigenous Peafowl ‎‎(Pavo cristatus)


 
 
 
 Peafowl are a species of bird for which there is limited scientific research, despite the ‎importance of the respiratory system on bird health. This study aimed to provide a detailed ‎anatomical examination and comparative description of the lungs in adult male and female ‎indigenous peafowl (Pavo cristatus) to further our understanding of the respiratory system in ‎this species. Sixteen healthy adult peafowl (8 peacocks and 8 peahens) were obtained from ‎commercial markets in Dyalla, and Baghdad, Iraq. The birds had a mean live weight of 3.5±0.59 kg for females ‎and 3.0±0.39 kg for males. After being anesthetized, the birds were sacrificed by cutting off major ‎blood vessels in the neck. Subsequently, the lungs were carefully dissected and examined to ‎identify their shape, color, position, dimensions, and overall structure. Detailed photographs of ‎the lungs were taken, and various measurements were recorded for each lung in male and ‎female peafowl. The lungs of the peafowl were found to have an elongated, triangular shape, ‎extending from the first to the sixth vertebral ribs. Each lung exhibited two borders (medial and ‎lateral) and three surfaces (vertebral, costal or dorsal, and septal). Notably, the lateral border ‎and dorsal surface of each lung had four deep grooves resulting from the embedding of the ‎second to fifth ribs, which led to the division of the lung into five lobes in both peacocks and ‎peahens. To the best of our knowledge, this study represents the first scientific research on the ‎anatomical features of the lungs in indigenous peafowl. The findings from this study contribute ‎to a better understanding of the lung structure in this bird species, which can be valuable for ‎future studies on avian respiratory physiology and health.‎‎‎
 
 
 

AN AUTOPSY STUDY OF THORACO-ABDOMINAL INJURIES IN ROAD TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS

Objectives: More than 1.3 lacks people died on Indian roads, giving India the dubious honor of topping the list of road deaths across the world. With just 1% of the world’s vehicles, India manages to account for 10% of its road fatalities. Since the thoraco-abdominal cavity contains the vital organs such as heart, lungs, liver, spleen, stomach, kidney, major blood vessels, and ribs, trauma to this region challenges the integrity and even the viability of the individual. Methods: The present study was conducted in the department of forensic medicine and toxicology of a tertiary care center. The study was carried out during the period of 2 years from 1st October 2012 to 30th September 2014. Results: Males between the age group of 21 and 30 years, i.e., 26 victims (26.53%), more vulnerable. Females were more vulnerable in the age group of 51–60 years, i.e., 5 victims (31.25%). Out of total 114 cases, total 48 victims were died on the spot or brought death to the hospital. Lungs were injured in maximum number of victims, i.e., 87 cases (76.31%), followed by the heart, i.e., in 24 cases (20.17%). Liver was the most commonly injured abdominal organ, in 67 cases (58.77%). Conclusion: Maximum cases were spot death. It confirms the urgency to establish the good pre-hospital care and provision of efficient and prompt trauma services at site.

Using high-density perimetry to explore new approaches for characterizing visual field defects

High-density threshold perimetry has found that conventional static threshold perimetry misses defects due to undersampling. However, high-density testing can be both slow and limited by normal fixational eye movements. We explored alternatives by studying displays of high-density perimetry results for angioscotomas in healthy eyes—areas of reduced sensitivity in the shadows of blood vessels. The right eyes of four healthy adults were tested with a Digital Light Ophthalmoscope that gathered retinal images while presenting visual stimuli. The images were used to infer stimulus location on each trial. Contrast thresholds for a Goldmann size III stimulus were measured at 247 locations of a 13°×19° rectangular grid, with separation 0.5°, extending from 11° to 17° horizontally and −3° to +6° vertically, covering a portion of the optic nerve head and several major blood vessels. Maps of perimetric sensitivity identified diffuse regions of reduced sensitivity near the blood vessels, but these showed moderate structure–function agreement that was only modestly improved when effects of eye position were accounted for. An innovative method termed slice display was used to locate regions of reduced sensitivity. Slice display demonstrated that many fewer trials could yield similar structure–function agreement. These results are an indication that test duration might be reduced dramatically by focusing on location of defects rather than maps of sensitivity. Such alternatives to conventional threshold perimetry have the potential to map the shape of defects without the extensive time demands of high-density threshold perimetry. Simulations illustrate how such an algorithm could operate.

An open-label, multicenter study investigating RP3 oncolytic immunotherapy in combination with first- or second-line systemic atezolizumab and bevacizumab therapy in patients with locally advanced unresectable or metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma.

TPS4178 Background: Despite advances in treatment for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), long-term survival rates remain poor. The combination of bevacizumab (Bev) and atezolizumab (Atezo) is the preferred frontline therapy for advanced HCC, but a minority of patients (pts) respond, and secondary resistance usually occurs within months. HCC has an immune-suppressed tumor microenvironment, mediated by activated immune checkpoint signaling and angiogenesis pathways, which may contribute to therapeutic resistance. RP3 is a genetically modified herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) that expresses the fusogenic gibbon ape leukemia virus glycoprotein with the R sequence deleted (GALV-GP-R–), an anti–CTLA-4 antibody-like molecule, CD40 ligand, and 4-1BB ligand. The direct oncolytic effect coupled with immune stimulation by RP3 in the tumor microenvironment is intended to provide systemic antitumor activity and enhance therapeutic response to anti–PD-1/PD-L1 agents, such as Atezo. Preclinical data have demonstrated improved distribution of oncolytic HSV within tumors in combination with Bev, supporting the clinical combination of RP3 with Bev. This study will evaluate the safety and efficacy of RP3 combined with Atezo and Bev as first- (1L) and second-line (2L) systemic therapies for unresectable and advanced HCC. Methods: The 1L and 2L cohorts will each enroll up to 30 pts. Pts in the 1L cohort may not have received prior systemic treatment; pts in the 2L cohort must have progressed on or following one prior line of systemic therapy, which must have included a PD-1/PD-L1−directed agent. Key inclusion criteria include advanced, unresectable HCC with ≥1 measurable tumor of ≥1 cm in longest diameter, Child-Pugh Class A, and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 0−1. Key exclusion criteria include untreated esophageal and/or gastric varices with bleeding or at high risk for bleeding and macroscopic invasion of tumor into any major blood vessel(s) and/or main bile ducts. Pts with a history of medically refractory hepatic encephalopathy and/or hepato-renal syndrome are also excluded. Pts in the 1L cohort will receive 1200 mg Atezo and 15 mg/kg Bev every 3 weeks (Q3W) together with RP3 intratumorally Q3W for a total of up to 8 doses. Pts in the 2L cohort will receive RP3 every 2 weeks for 4 doses with Bev Q3W starting on cycle (C) 1 day (D) 1, then RP3 and Bev Q3W for up to 4 more doses with Atezo Q3W being added on C4D1. The primary endpoint is overall response rate (ORR) by Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) v1.1. Secondary endpoints are safety, ORR using HCC modified RECIST, duration of response, complete response rate, and progression-free survival. Clinical trial information: NCT05733598 .

Developing CAR‐T‐sparing Radiotherapy ‐ early dosimetric results

Background/objective: Radiotherapy (RT) is an effective treatment for residual lymphoma following CD19 chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy. However, there are concerns regarding the potential effect of RT on CAR-T, particularly early after infusion. We initiated a prospective protocol to explore the effect of different RT planning parameters and techniques on dose to the blood, and thus CAR-T cells, in order to develop a “CAR-T sparing RT” for early RT after CAR-T therapy. Methods: We analysed 33 RT treatment plans for 11 lesions in 7 patients. Each lesion was planned 3 times; (1) a conventional plan using volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) technique, (2) a plan with optimisation for blood vessels in the region as well as blood-rich organs and bone marrow, and (3) same as plan 2 but delivered with Flattening Filter-Free (FFF) beams to increase dose rate. Plans were compared with regards to planning target volume (PTV) coverage, dose homogeneity, organs at risk (OAR) doses including blood vessels, dose rate and beam-on time. Results: Using CAR-T sparing techniques, the mean dose to major blood vessels was reduced by a mean of 12% compared to the conventional VMAT plan. The beam-on time was reduced by a mean of 60% due to the increase in dose rate. The blood-rich organ doses were not significantly affected. There was no detrimental effect on the overall quality of plans in terms of PTV coverage and dose homogeneity. The effect of different planning measures employed varied in different cases depending on the PTV volume, the anatomical location, and the proximity of blood vessels. Examples of clinical cases will be presented in the meeting. Conclusion: Reduction of radiation dose to the blood is possible using a variety of technical adjustments as well as reduction of the beam-on time. Further work continues to understand the relative contribution of the individual parameters and optimise RT in the post-CAR-T setting. Keywords: Aggressive B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma, Cellular therapies, Radiation Therapy Conflicts of interests pertinent to the abstract. N. G. Mikhaeel Honoraria: Gilead, Educational meeting honoraria, Oct 2022

Applications of Deep Learning: Automated Assessment of Vascular Tortuosity in Mouse Models of Oxygen-Induced Retinopathy

To develop a generative adversarial network (GAN) to segment major blood vessels from retinal flat-mount images from oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR) and demonstrate the utility of these GAN-generated vessel segmentations in quantifying vascular tortuosity. Development and validation of GAN. Three datasets containing 1084, 50, and 20 flat-mount mice retina images with various stains used and ages at sacrifice acquired from previously published manuscripts. Four graders manually segmented major blood vessels from flat-mount images of retinas from OIR mice. Pix2Pix, a high-resolution GAN, was trained on 984 pairs of raw flat-mount images and manual vessel segmentations and then tested on 100 and 50 image pairs from a held-out and external test set, respectively. GAN-generated and manual vessel segmentations were then used as an input into a previously published algorithm (iROP-Assist) to generate a vascular cumulative tortuosity index (CTI) for 20 image pairs containing mouse eyes treated with aflibercept versus control. Mean dice coefficients were used to compare segmentation accuracy betweenthe GAN-generated and manually annotated segmentation maps. For the image pairs treated withaflibercept versus control, mean CTIs were also calculated for both GAN-generated and manual vessel maps. Statistical significance was evaluated using Wilcoxon signed-rank tests (P ≤ 0.05 threshold for significance). The dice coefficient for the GAN-generated versus manual vessel segmentations was 0.75 ± 0.27 and 0.77 ± 0.17 for the held-out test set and external test set, respectively. The mean CTI generated from the GAN-generated and manual vessel segmentations was 1.12 ± 0.07 versus 1.03 ± 0.02 (P= 0.003) and 1.06 ± 0.04 versus 1.01 ± 0.01 (P < 0.001), respectively, for eyes treated with aflibercept versus control, demonstrating that vascular tortuosity was rescued by aflibercept when quantified by GAN-generated and manual vessel segmentations. GANs can be used to accurately generate vessel map segmentations from flat-mount images. These vessel maps may be used to evaluate novel metrics of vascular tortuosity in OIR, such as CTI, and have the potential to accelerate research in treatments for ischemic retinopathies. The author(s) have no proprietary or commercial interest in any materials discussed in this article.

Prospective Cohort Study Quantifying the Effect of the LevaLap 1.0 on the Distance between the Abdominal Wall and Intra-abdominal Viscera

More than 13 million laparoscopic procedures are performed globally every year. The LevaLap 1.0 device may facilitate safe abdominal access when using the Veress needle for initial abdominal insufflation during laparoscopic surgery. We undertook this study to test the hypothesis that use of the LevaLap 1.0 would increase the distance from the abdominal wall to underlying viscera and the retroperitoneum, including from major vessels. Prospective cohort study. Referral center. Eighteen patients scheduled to undergo an interventional radiology procedure under general anesthesia and muscle relaxation. Application of the LevaLap 1.0 device on the umbilicus and on Palmer's point, during computed tomography scanning. Distance from the abdominal wall to the underlying bowel and to retroperitoneal blood vessels and more distant intra-abdominal organs before and after vacuum was applied to the LevaLap 1.0. The device did not significantly increase the distance from the abdominal wall to the immediate underlying bowel. Alternatively, the LevaLap 1.0 created a significant increase in the distance between the abdominal wall at the access point and more distant intra-abdominal organs at the umbilicus and at Palmer's point (mean ± SD: +3.91 ± 2.32 cm, p=.001, and +3.41 ± 3.12 cm, p=.001, respectively). At the umbilicus, the device increased the distance between the abdominal wall and the anterior wall of the vena cava by +5.32 ± 1.22 cm (p=.004) or the anterior wall of the aorta by 5.49 ± 1.40 cm (p=.004). At Palmer's point, the device increased the distance between the anterior abdominal wall and the colon and/or small bowel by 2.13 ± 1.81 cm (p=.023). No adverse events were reported. The LevaLap 1.0 increased the distance between abdominal wall and major retroperitoneal blood vessels by >5 cm, promoting safer access during Veress needle insufflation when performing laparoscopic surgery.

Randomized Phase II Trial Comparing Bevacizumab Plus Carboplatin and Paclitaxel With Carboplatin and Paclitaxel Alone in Previously Untreated Locally Advanced or Metastatic Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer.

To investigate the efficacy and safety of bevacizumab plus carboplatin and paclitaxel in patients with advanced or recurrent non-small-cell lung cancer. In a phase II trial, 99 patients were randomly assigned to bevacizumab 7.5 (n = 32) or 15 mg/kg (n = 35) plus carboplatin (area under the curve = 6) and paclitaxel (200 mg/m2) every 3 weeks or carboplatin and paclitaxel alone (n = 32). Primary efficacy end points were time to disease progression and best confirmed response rate. On disease progression, patients in the control arm had the option to receive single-agent bevacizumab 15 mg/kg every 3 weeks. Compared with the control arm, treatment with carboplatin and paclitaxel plus bevacizumab (15 mg/kg) resulted in a higher response rate (31.5% v 18.8%), longer median time to progression (7.4 v 4.2 months) and a modest increase in survival (17.7 v 14.9 months). Of the 19 control patients that crossed over to single-agent bevacizumab, five experienced stable disease, and 1-year survival was 47%. Bleeding was the most prominent adverse event and was manifested in two distinct clinical patterns; minor mucocutaneous hemorrhage and major hemoptysis. Major hemoptysis was associated with squamous cell histology, tumor necrosis and cavitation, and disease location close to major blood vessels. Bevacizumab in combination with carboplatin and paclitaxel improved overall response and time to progression in patients with advanced or recurrent non-small-cell lung cancer. Patients with nonsquamous cell histology appear to be a subpopulation with improved outcome and acceptable safety risks.

Dilation of the superior sagittal sinus detected in rat model of mild traumatic brain injury using 1 T magnetic resonance imaging.

Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) is a common injury that can lead to temporary and, in some cases, life-long disability. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is widely used to diagnose and study brain injuries and diseases, yet mTBI remains notoriously difficult to detect in structural MRI. mTBI is thought to be caused by microstructural or physiological changes in the function of the brain that cannot be adequately captured in structural imaging of the gray and white matter. However, structural MRIs may be useful in detecting significant changes in the cerebral vascular system (e.g., the blood-brain barrier (BBB), major blood vessels, and sinuses) and the ventricular system, and these changes may even be detectable in images taken by low magnetic field strength MRI scanners (<1.5T). In this study, we induced a model of mTBI in the anesthetized rat animal model using a commonly used linear acceleration drop-weight technique. Using a 1T MRI scanner, the brain of the rat was imaged, without and with contrast, before and after mTBI on post-injury days 1, 2, 7, and 14 (i.e., P1, P2, P7, and P14). Voxel-based analyses of MRIs showed time-dependent, statistically significant T2-weighted signal hypointensities in the superior sagittal sinus (SSS) and hyperintensities of the gadolinium-enhanced T1-weighted signal in the superior subarachnoid space (SA) and blood vessels near the dorsal third ventricle. These results showed a widening, or vasodilation, of the SSS on P1 and of the SA on P1-2 on the dorsal surface of the cortex near the site of the drop-weight impact. The results also showed vasodilation of vasculature near the dorsal third ventricle and basal forebrain on P1-7. Vasodilation of the SSS and SA near the site of impact could be explained by the direct mechanical injury resulting in local changes in tissue function, oxygenation, inflammation, and blood flow dynamics. Our results agreed with literature and show that the 1T MRI scanner performs at a level comparable to higher field strength scanners for this type of research.

Automated occlusion detection for the diagnosis of acute ischemic stroke: A detailed performance review

IntroductionStroke is a leading cause of adult disability and death worldwide. Automated detection of stroke on brain imaging has promise in a time critical environment. We present a method for the automated detection of intracranial occlusions on dynamic CT Angiography (CTA) causing acute ischemic stroke. MethodsWe derived dynamic CTA images from CT Perfusion (CTP) data and utilised advanced image processing to enhance and display major cerebral blood vessels for symmetry analysis. We reviewed the performance of the algorithm on a cohort of 207 patients from the International Stroke Perfusion Imaging Registry (INSPIRE), with Large Vessel Occlusion (LVO) and non-LVO strokes. Included in the data were images with chronic stroke, various artefacts, incomplete vessel occlusions, and images of poorer quality. All images were annotated by stroke experts. In addition, each image was graded in terms of the difficulty of the task of occlusion detection. Performance was evaluated on the overall cohort, and with respect to occlusion location, collateral grade, and task difficulty. We also evaluated the impact of including additional perfusion data. ResultsImages with a rating of lower difficulty achieved a sensitivity and specificity of 96% and 90%, respectively, while images with a moderate difficulty rating achieved 88% and 50%, respectively. For cases of high difficulty, where more than two experts or additional data were required to reach consensus, sensitivity and specificity was 53% and 11%. The addition of perfusion data to the dCTA images increased the specificity by 38%. ConclusionWe have provided an unbiased interpretation of algorithm performance. Further developments include generalising to conventional CTA and employing the algorithm in a clinical setting for prospective studies.

Middle Hepatic Vein-Guided Cranial and Hilar Approach Using a Modified Two-Surgeon Technique in Laparoscopic Extended Left Medial Sectionectomy: A Technical Case Report With Videos.

Anatomical liver resection and liver resection close to major blood vessels are quite challenging and requirea high level of expertise.In addition, anatomical hepatectomy requires extensive knowledge of the positions of blood vessels and techniques for hemostasis because the resection surface is extensive and operations around blood vessels are required. A hepatic vein-guided cranial and hilar approach using a modified "two-surgeon technique" is effective in resolving these problems.Herein, we present a middle hepatic vein (MHV)-guided cranial and hilar approach using a modified two-surgeon technique in laparoscopic extended left medial sectionectomy to resolve these problems. This procedure is feasible and effective.

Evaluated the Correlation Between Serum Ferritin and Iron Overload of Liver, Spleen and Heart in β-Thalassemia Major Patients by MRI T2&amp;lt;sup&amp;gt;*&amp;lt;/sup&amp;gt; Method

β-Thalassemia major often results in an excess of iron in the body due to frequent blood transfusions and enhanced absorption of iron in the gastrointestinal tract. Early detection of this condition and administering sufficient iron chelator therapy can significantly decrease the risk of complications and fatalities resulting from iron overload. MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) T2^* is an accurate non-invasive method for assessing organ iron overload in β-Thalassaemia major patients. This study evaluated the correlation between serum ferritin and iron overload of liver, spleen, and heart in β -Thalassaemia major patients by MRI T2^* method. The design was a cross-section, descriptive study. We used MRI-T2^* to evaluate the correlation between serum ferritin and iron overload of liver, spleen, and heart in 24 Thalassaemia major patients admitted in Cho Ray hospital from 10/2013 to 1/2014, using a 1.5T MRI system (Siemens) with a body coil. T2^* measurements were taken in the liver, spleen, and myocardium using different gradient echo pulse sequences. T2^* values were calculated within homogeneous regions of interest (ROI) in the liver avoiding major blood vessels, spleen, and the entire thickness of the interventricular septum in the myocardium. Pearson correlation coefficient was used to evaluate correlations in the study with a significance threshold of p < 0.05 using SPSS 16.0 software. As results, moderate negative correlation between serum ferritin and liver, spleen MRI T2^* relaxation time (r = 0.57 and 0.755) and a weak negative correlation between serum ferritin and heart MRI T2^* relaxation time (r = 0.303). Liver and heart MRI T2^* readings were poorly correlated (r = 0.28). In conclusion, MRI T2^* is useful to evaluate the iron overload status in β thalassemia patients.

Clinical application of Flow-through bridge anterolateral thigh flap in repair of complex calf soft tissue defects

To investigate the effectiveness of Flow-through bridge anterolateral thigh flap transplantation in the treatment of complex calf soft tissue defects. The clinical data of the patients with complicated calf soft tissue defects, who were treated with Flow-through bridge anterolateral thigh flap (study group, 23 cases) or bridge anterolateral thigh flap (control group, 23 cases) between January 2008 and January 2022, were retrospectively analyzed. All complex calf soft tissue defects in the two groups were caused by trauma or osteomyelitis, and there was only one major blood vessel in the calf or no blood vessel anastomosed with the grafted skin flap. There was no significant difference between the two groups in general data such as gender, age, etiology, size of leg soft tissue defect, and time from injury to operation ( P>0.05). The lower extremity functional scale (LEFS) was used to evaluate the sufferred lower extremity function of the both groups after operation, and the peripheral blood circulation score of the healthy side was evaluated according to the Chinese Medical Association Hand Surgery Society's functional evaluation standard for replantation of amputated limbs. Weber's quantitative method was used to detect static 2-point discrimination (S2PD) to evaluate peripheral sensation of the healthy side, and the popliteal artery flow velocity, toenail capillary filling time, foot temperature, toe blood oxygen saturation of the healthy side, and the incidence of complications were compared between the two groups. No vascular or nerve injury occurred during operation. All flaps survived, and 1 case of partial flap necrosis occurred in both groups, which healed after free skin grafting. All patients were followed up 6 months to 8 years, with a median time of 26 months. The function of the sufferred limb of the two groups recovered satisfactorily, the blood supply of the flap was good, the texture was soft, and the appearance was fair. The incision in the donor site healed well with a linear scar, and the color of the skin graft area was similar. Only a rectangular scar could be seen in the skin donor area where have a satisfactory appearance. The blood supply of the distal limb of the healthy limb was good, and there was no obvious abnormality in color and skin temperature, and the blood supply of the limb was normal during activity. The popliteal artery flow velocity in the study group was significantly faster than that in the control group at 1 month after the pedicle was cut, and the foot temperature, toe blood oxygen saturation, S2PD, toenail capillary filling time, and peripheral blood circulation score were significantly better than those in the control group ( P<0.05). There were 8 cases of cold feet and 2 cases of numbness on the healthy side in the control group, while only 3 cases of cold feet occurred in the study group. The incidence of complications in the study group (13.04%) was significantly lower than that in the control group (43.47%) ( χ 2=3.860, P=0.049). There was no significant difference in LEFS score between the two groups at 6 months after operation ( P>0.05). Flow-through bridge anterolateral thigh flap can reduce postoperative complications of healthy feet and reduce the impact of surgery on blood supply and sensation of healthy feet. It is an effective method for repairing complex calf soft tissue defects.