Diameter Measurements Research Articles

Down to the Wire and Under Pressure: a historical perspective of the development of small vessel myography

Wire and pressure myography are both isolated vessel preparations that developed in the 1970s and '80s to study the microvasculature. These two in vitro methods shaped the possibilities for experimentation on small vessels, including arteries, veins, and lymphatics. In this work, publications and book chapters were used to synthesize a historical record of the emergence and landmark developments of wire and pressure myography. Following the creation of these techniques, vascular physiologists could now obtain either isometric measurements of vessel tension (wire myography) or isobaric measurements of vessel diameter (pressure myography). Further, vascular smooth muscle cells and endothelial cells could be individually assessed using pharmacological agents or following denudation, the process of removing the endothelial cell layer. This work examines the role of wire and pressure myography in furthering our understanding of microvascular physiology, highlights the different values of these two techniques, and acts as a supplement to enrich the current understanding of the standard practice of wire and pressure myography. These techniques left a lasting impact on the field of vascular physiology and, today, benefit researchers across fields, especially when linked to other tools including calcium imaging, electrophysiology, and disease or transgenic animal models. Project supported by NIH Grant R01HL155618. This is the full abstract presented at the American Physiology Summit 2024 meeting and is only available in HTML format. There are no additional versions or additional content available for this abstract. Physiology was not involved in the peer review process.

The Effect of Hydrocephalus on the Optic Nerve in the Presence of Intracranial Mass

The measurement of optic nerve sheath diameter is a noninvasive, practical, and economical method used to identify increased intracranial pressure. The purpose of this study is to detect the preoperative and postoperative changes in optic nerve sheath diameter in patients with intracranial mass, to correlate these changes with optic nerve diameter variations, and to evaluate the impact of hydrocephalus on these alterations. This study was conducted with patients who presented to our clinic with complaints of intracranial mass, were decided for surgery, and underwent surgical procedures. The optic nerve and optic nerve sheath diameter measurement values were different preoperatively and postoperatively, with a significant decrease in the optic nerve sheath diameter in all groups in postoperative measurements, while the optic nerve diameter significantly increased. Although there was no significant difference between the effects of hydrocephalus and intracranial mass-related increase in intracranial pressure on the optic nerve and optic nerve sheath, it was observed that hydrocephalus increased intracranial pressure when considering the Evans ratio. It has been determined that as ventricular dilatation increases, so does intracranial pressure, which leads to an increase in the diameter of the optic nerve sheath, resulting in papilledema and thinning of the optic nerve. These findings indicate the importance of early cerebrospinal fluid diversion and monitoring optic nerve sheath diameter in the management.

Coupled quintessence scalar field model in light of observational datasets

We do a detailed analysis of a well-theoretically motivated interacting dark energy scalar field model with a time-varying interaction term. Using current cosmological datasets from CMB, BAO, Type Ia Supernova, H(z) measurements from cosmic chronometers, angular diameter measurements from Megamasers, growth measurements, and local SH0ES measurements, we found that dark energy component may act differently than a cosmological constant at early times. The observational data also does not disfavor a small interaction between dark energy and dark matter at late times.When using all these datasets in combination, our value of H 0 agrees well with SH0ES results but in 2.5σ tension with Planck results. We also did AIC and BIC analysis, and we found that the cosmological data prefer coupled quintessence model over ΛCDM, although the chi-square per number of degrees of freedom test prefers the latter.

Lower extremity woven and nonwoven venous stent morphology and luminal changes

ObjectiveVenous stents are a common treatment modality for obstructive venous disease. Venous stents differentiate themselves by either a woven or braided structure, open or closed cell arrangement or based on material composition (elgiloy vs nitinol). Changes in the morphology of venous stents over time may contribute to restenosis or thrombosis. Woven elgiloy stents are prone to proximal and distal edge deformation compared with dedicated venous stents, which offer increased radial force at stent edges. The objective of this study is to describe luminal morphological changes among various venous stents and between woven to nonwoven venous stent configuration, over time. MethodsA retrospective review at a single institution between January 2014 and June 2021 identified patients treated with venous stents. Patients with iliac and/or femoral venous stents with intraoperative intravascular ultrasound and a postoperative computed tomography scan were included in the study. Cross-sectional diameters measurements were taken at proximal, middle, and distal portions of each stent from intravascular ultrasound examination at the time of initial stenting and compared with the cross-sectional diameter measurements taken from computed tomography imaging at follow-up. A paired t test was used to compare the luminal change with a D'Agostino-Pearson test used for normality. ResultsFifty-four stents distributed among 38 patients were identified. The mean time to follow-up was 17.5 months. Stents were placed in the common iliac vein (n = 37, 68.5%), external iliac vein (n = 14, 25.9%), and common femoral vein (n = 3, 5.6%). Implanted stents included the Boston Scientific Wallstent (n = 23, 42.6%), Bard Venovo (n = 3, 5.6%), Boston Scientific Vici (n = 23, 42.6%), and Medtronic Abre (n = 5, 9.3%). The mean luminal loss was measured at 2.12 mm proximally (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.64-2.60; P<.001), 1.29 mm at the mid-stent (95% CI, 0.83-1.74, P<.001), and 1.56 mm distally (95% CI, 0.99-2.12; P<.001). There was no significant difference in luminal changes between woven and nonwoven stents at proximal (P = .374), middle (P = .179), and distal (P = .609) stent measurements. ConclusionsThis study reports morphological changes within venous stents and between woven and nonwoven venous stents. Our findings demonstrate that the edge-stent luminal decrease traditionally attributed to woven configurations also occurs with the newer nonwoven stents. Additional factors such as anatomical location, pelvic curvature, and other external forces may be accountable for this change rather than geometrical configuration of the stent.

Measurement of mandibular incisive canal diameter using cone beam computed tomography

Cone beam computed tomography was used for measuring the diameter of a Mandibular incisive canal. The dental practice can now visualize small bone structures with low dose and high spatial resolution due to the introduction of CBCT (Cone Beam Computed Tomography). Therefore, it is of interest to measure the diameter of the MIC (Mandibular Incisive Canal) using the CBCT. Fifty CBCT scans obtained for implant placement preoperative planning were included in the study material. Observers carefully examined the CBCT data to determine the MIC’s presence &amp; position. The inner diameter of the MIC was measured by taking the longest distance between the inner cortical borders of the canal which was further analyzed using software CS3D software. The collected data were further subjected to statistical analysis. The average mean of the population was 1.7130±.5178. The average diameter of MIC in males was 1.735±.5406 and in females was 1.6800±.4934. Complications from implant surgery in the anterior mandible may be prevented by utilizing CBCT scans to analyze the smallest diameter of the MIC.

Variability in Intracranial Vessel Diameters and Considerations for Neurovascular Models: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis

BACKGROUND In vitro experiments are critical for understanding the impact of medical devices and techniques on blood vessels and blood flow. However, their interpretation is often limited by anatomical models’ inability to capture the wide range of vessel sizes observed in real‐world practice. The current study aims to address this limitation by describing the distribution of vessel diameters in a real‐world population. METHODS This systematic literature review using the PubMed database analyzed cerebral vessel diameters in patients from 2000 to 2022. The diameter measurements of various vessels within the neurovasculature were extracted. Random‐effects meta‐analyses were performed to synthesize vessel diameters across studies. Predicted distributions were generated from the meta‐analytical results. RESULTS Seventy‐six studies were included in the analysis. The M1 segment, internal carotid artery (cervical and communicating segments), A1 segment, V2 segment, V4 segment, and basilar artery had sufficient data for generating predicted distributions of vessel diameters. Predicted mean diameters were as follows: M1 segment, 2.55 ± 0.42 mm (95th interpercentile range [IPR]: 1.71–3.38); internal carotid artery‐cervical segment, 4.74 ± 0.64 mm (95th IPR: 3.49–5.99); internal carotid artery‐communicating segment, 3.40 ± 0.64 mm (95th IPR: 2.15–4.66); A1 segment, 1.89 ± 0.34 mm (95th IPR: 1.23–2.55); V2 segment, 3.36 ± 0.67 mm (95th IPR: 2.05–4.67); V4 segment, 2.42 ± 0.74 mm (95th IPR: 0.98–3.86); and basilar artery, 2.96 ± 0.52 mm (95th IPR: 1.94–3.97). CONCLUSION Cerebral vessel diameter measurements can vary substantially due to patient‐specific factors and imaging techniques. This literature review highlights the diverse range of vessel sizes observed in different patient populations, emphasizing the need for anatomical models that accurately represent clinical observations.

Increased diameter and stiffness of elastic but not muscular arteries in men with abdominal aortic aneurysm.

It has been proposed that formation of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is part of a systemic arterial dilatative disease. However, arteries in the upper extremities are scarcely studied and it remains unclear whether both muscular and elastic arteries are affected by the proposed systemic arterial dilatation. The aim of this study was to investigate the diameter and stiffness of muscular and elastic arteries in arterial branches originating from the aortic arch. Twenty-six men with AAA (69 ± 4 yr) and 57 men without AAA (70 ± 5 yr) were included in the study. Ultrasound was used to examine the distal and proximal brachial artery, axillary artery, and common carotid artery (CCA), and measurement of diameter and diameter change was performed with wall-tracking software. Blood pressure measurements were used to calculate local arterial wall stiffness indices. The AAA cohort presented larger arterial diameters in the CCA and axillary artery after adjustment for body surface area (P = 0.002, respectively), whereas the brachial artery diameters were unchanged. Indices of increased stiffness in CCA (e.g., lower distensibility, P = 0.003) were seen in subjects with AAA after adjustments for body mass index and mean arterial blood pressure. This study supports the theory of a systemic arterial dilating diathesis in peripheral elastic, but not in muscular, arteries. Peripheral elastic arteries also exhibited increased stiffness, in analogy with findings in the aorta in AAA.NEW & NOTEWORTHY We present data partially supporting the notion of abdominal aortic aneurysm being a systemic vascular disease with focal manifestation in the abdominal aorta, from two well-defined groups recruited from a regional screening program. We show that elastic arteries distal from the aorta exhibit vascular alterations without aneurysmal formation in subjects with AAA compared with controls while muscular arteries seem unaffected.

Retrospective application of a validated algorithm for estimation of adrenal gland volume after computed tomography on 46 dogs undergoing adrenalectomy.

Canine adrenal gland volume can be predicted based on body weight and computed tomography (CT) measurements using a validated algorithm. Use of this algorithm to detect adrenal pathology, including hyperplasia, hypoplasia and neoplasia, in clinical cases has not been described. The objective of this study was to illustrate application of the algorithm by estimating subject-specific adrenal gland volume in a historical cohort of dogs with known adrenal disease. Forty-six dogs that underwent CT and subsequent adrenalectomy were included. Clinical records and CT images from dogs that underwent adrenalectomy and histologic examination of the excised adrenal gland(s) were reviewed. Normal adrenal gland volumes for each dog were estimated using the algorithm, and compared with measured volumes of the affected glands. Linear measurement of the largest lesion diameter was also recorded. Fifty-eight adrenal glands were removed from 46 dogs, with pathology confirmed in all glands. Pathology included 28 adenomas, 13 carcinomas, 11 pheochromocytomas and 6 other benign pathologies. The volume of all removed adrenal glands was measured to be larger than the expected normal volume estimated by the algorithm, ranging from 1.1 to 212.9 times larger than estimated. Adrenal glands with malignant and benign pathology showed variable volumes with overlapping ranges recorded. Assessment of the dimensions of any focal lesion against a cut-off of 20 mm failed to discriminate malignancy. This study illustrates and supports the application of a validated volumetric algorithm for estimation of subject-specific adrenal gland volume to identify the presence of pathology and as a tool to assist clinical decision-making.

Reflectance confocal microscopy and clinical evaluation of a product containing Silybum marianum fruit extract in monotherapy for acne vulgaris treatment: A prospective study

AbstractBackgroundAcne is a common pilosebaceous unit chronic inflammatory disease, with a multifactorial pathogenesis. It involves several processes: increased sebum production, alteration of the follicular keratinization process and bacterial colonization by Cutibacterium acnes.ObjectivesTo evaluate the effectiveness of reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) in evaluating the reduction of mild to severe acne lesions in patients treated with an investigational product containing Silybum marianum fruit extract (SMFE).MethodsSubjects previously examined for counting acne lesions were topically treated in the face, with an investigational product containing SMFE in monotherapy over the course of 60 days (n = 31). They were examined for counting acne lesions. Efficacy and quality of life, tolerability, and safety assessments were performed. The infundibular diameter (ID) measurement of normal and acne skin areas was analyzed using RCM.ResultsThe RCM data statistical analysis allowed us to identify two ID patterns, 300–750 µm, with a reduction of 33.33% (p &lt; 0.05) and 900–1050 µm with 73.16% (p &lt; 0.05) reduction after 60 days. The noninflammatory lesions had a mean variation of −44.51% and −67.82% after 30 and 60 days, respectively (t test: p &lt; 0.05 and p &lt; 0.001 after Bonferroni's correction). The inflammatory lesions had a mean variation of −69.31% and −79.40% after 30 and 60 days (t test: p &lt; 0.05 and p = 0.118 after Bonferroni's correction).ConclusionsThe authors demonstrated the effectiveness of the monotherapy scheme with an investigational product containing SMFE through the statistically significant results obtained by the RCM in acneic and nonacneic skin, in addition to the reduction in the number of noninflammatory at the end of the 60 days of clinical follow‐up. Furthermore, the monotherapy scheme with the investigational product proved safe, with no serious adverse events during the entire clinical study. In summary, the use of RCM proved to be effective in assessing the therapeutic response in patients with moderate to severe acne.

A Deep Learning Method for Log Diameter Measurement Using Wood Images Based on Yolov3 and DeepLabv3+

Wood volume is an important indicator in timber trading, and log diameter is one of the primary parameters used to calculate wood volume. Currently, the most common methods for measuring log diameters are manual measurement or visual estimation by log scalers, which are laborious, time consuming, costly, and error prone owing to the irregular placement of logs and large numbers of roots. Additionally, this approach can easily lead to misrepresentation of data for profit. This study proposes a model for automatic log diameter measurement that is based on deep learning and uses images to address the existing problems. The specific measures to improve the performance and accuracy of log-diameter detection are as follows: (1) A dual network model is constructed combining the Yolov3 algorithm and DeepLabv3+ architecture to adapt to different log-end color states that considers the complexity of log-end faces. (2) AprilTag vision library is added to estimate the camera position during image acquisition to achieve real-time adjustment of the shooting angle and reduce the effect of log-image deformation on the results. (3) The backbone network is replaced with a MobileNetv2 convolutional neural network to migrate the model to mobile devices, which reduces the number of network parameters while maintaining detection accuracy. The training results show that the mean average precision of log-diameter detection reaches 97.28% and the mean intersection over union (mIoU) of log segmentation reaches 92.22%. Comparisons with other measurement models demonstrate that the proposed model is accurate and stable in measuring log diameter under different environments and lighting conditions, with an average accuracy of 96.26%. In the forestry test, the measurement errors for the volume of an entire truckload of logs and a single log diameter are 1.20% and 0.73%, respectively, which are less than the corresponding error requirements specified in the industry standards. These results indicate that the proposed method can provide a viable and cost-effective solution for measuring log diameters and offering the potential to improve the efficiency of log measurement and promote fair trade practices in the lumber industry.

Role of inferior vena cava assessment in volume management in acute kidney injury patients

BackgroundIntravascular volume assessment is critical to guiding volume management in patients with acute kidney injury (AKI). This study aimed to compare the impact of using inferior vena cava (IVC) diameter and collapsibility index (IVC-CI) measurements versus clinical assessment on the management of volume status and improvement of renal function in patients with AKI.MethodsThis prospective comparative study included 88 patients with AKI or AKI on top of chronic kidney disease (CKD) who were randomly allocated into two groups: In group 1, volume status was managed according to IVC assessment, while in group 2, volume status was managed according to clinical assessment. In addition, group 1 patients were assessed clinically and compared with IVC measurements in the same group.ResultsThere was moderate agreement between the IVC and clinical methods in diagnosing 86.4% of patients (P < 0.001) within group 1. The percentage of patients with edema increased post-treatment in group 2. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups regarding renal recovery and survival.ConclusionBedside ultrasonographic IVC assessment is a non-invasive method that can facilitate volume management in AKI patients, helping to administer fluids more wisely without unintended excess fluid administration.

Non-destructive evaluation of artillery combustible cartridge case using terahertz radiation

In this study, terahertz radiation was employed to determine the radius, diameter, and thickness of the nitrocellulose combustible cartridge case used for tank ammunition. The construction of the sample was outlined, and the refractive index of the case material was measured. A terahertz rotary scanner with a time-domain spectroscopy setup in reflection configuration was developed, and its performance and parameters were determined. A wire polariser was introduced as a reference to determine the stable time difference. The radius and diameter measurements of the case were based on a reference terahertz pulse reflected from its metal base. The thickness of the case was calculated based on the time difference between pulses reflected from its inner and outer surfaces. These measurements were in agreement with the reference measurements. The results prove that the developed setup and measurement methods are suitable for the non-destructive evaluation of cases and provided satisfactory performance.

Physicochemical Stability of Hospital Parenteral Nutrition Solutions: Effect of Changes in Composition and Storage Protocol.

(1) Background: Parenteral nutrition (PN) is a technique used for the administration of nutrients to patients for whom traditional routes cannot be used. It is performed using solutions with extremely complex compositions, which can give rise to a large number of interactions. These interactions can impact their stability and put the patient's life at risk. The aim of this study is to determine how changes in composition and storage protocol affect the stability of NP solutions. (2) Methods: Twenty-three samples were prepared according to routine clinical practice, with modifications to the concentration of some components. The samples were stored at room temperature (RT) and refrigerated (4 °C). Measurements of the droplet diameter, pH, density and viscosity were performed for both storage protocols on days 1, 3, 10 and 14. (3) Results: The samples with the lowest concentration of lipids (PN13-17) and proteins (PN18-22) showed a larger droplet diameter than the rest of the samples throughout the experiments. The USP limits were exceeded for some of the measurements of these sample groups. The pH density and viscosity remained relatively constant under the conditions studied. (4) Conclusions: The PN samples were considered stable and safe for administration under real-world conditions, but the samples with the lowest concentrations of lipids and proteins showed a tendency towards emulsion instability.

Detection of maize stem diameter by using RGB-D cameras' depth information under selected field condition.

Stem diameter is a critical phenotypic parameter for maize, integral to yield prediction and lodging resistance assessment. Traditionally, the quantification of this parameter through manual measurement has been the norm, notwithstanding its tedious and laborious nature. To address these challenges, this study introduces a non-invasive field-based system utilizing depth information from RGB-D cameras to measure maize stem diameter. This technology offers a practical solution for conducting rapid and non-destructive phenotyping. Firstly, RGB images, depth images, and 3D point clouds of maize stems were captured using an RGB-D camera, and precise alignment between the RGB and depth images was achieved. Subsequently, the contours of maize stems were delineated using 2D image processing techniques, followed by the extraction of the stem's skeletal structure employing a thinning-based skeletonization algorithm. Furthermore, within the areas of interest on the maize stems, horizontal lines were constructed using points on the skeletal structure, resulting in 2D pixel coordinates at the intersections of these horizontal lines with the maize stem contours. Subsequently, a back-projection transformation from 2D pixel coordinates to 3D world coordinates was achieved by combining the depth data with the camera's intrinsic parameters. The 3D world coordinates were then precisely mapped onto the 3D point cloud using rigid transformation techniques. Finally, the maize stem diameter was sensed and determined by calculating the Euclidean distance between pairs of 3D world coordinate points. The method demonstrated a Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE) of 3.01%, a Mean Absolute Error (MAE) of 0.75mm, a Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) of 1.07mm, and a coefficient of determination (R²) of 0.96, ensuring accurate measurement of maize stem diameter. This research not only provides a new method of precise and efficient crop phenotypic analysis but also offers theoretical knowledge for the advancement of precision agriculture.

Double lumen endobronchial tube intubation: lessons learned from anatomy

BackgroundDouble lumen endobronchial tubes (DLTs) are frequently used to employ single lung ventilation strategies during thoracic surgical procedures. Placement of these tubes can be challenging even for experienced clinicians. We hypothesized that airway anatomy, particularly of the glottis and proximal trachea, significantly impacts the ease or difficulty in placement of these tubes.MethodsImages from 24 randomly selected Positron Emission Tomography – Computed Tomography (PET-CT) scans were evaluated for several anatomic aspects of the upper airway, including size and angulation of the glottis and proximal tracheal using calibrated CT measurements and an online digital protractor. The anatomic issues identified were confirmed in cadaveric anatomic models.ResultsProximal tracheal diameter measurements in PET-CT scans demonstrated a mean ± standard deviation of 20.4 ± 2.5 mm in 12 males and 15.5 ± 0.98 mm in 12 females (p < 0.001), and both were large enough to accommodate 39 French and 37 French DLTs in males and females, respectively. Subsequent measurements of the posterior angulation of the proximal trachea revealed a mean angle of 40.8 ± 5.7 degrees with no sex differences. By combining the 24 individual posterior tracheal angles with the 16 angled distal tip measurements DLTs (mean angle 24.9 ± 2.1 degrees), we created a series of 384 patient intubation angle scenarios. This data clearly showed that DLT rotation to a full 180 degrees decreased the mean intubation angle between the DLT and the proximal trachea from a mean of 66.6 ± 5.9 to only 15.8 ± 5.9 degrees.ConclusionsRotation of DLTs a full 180 instead of the recommended 90 degrees facilitates DLT intubations.

Review on Fundamental Considerations During Lignocellulosic Fiber Characterization in Light Micromechanical Analysis of Their Composites

Lignocellulose fibers (Cellulosic fibers) are among the major agricultural resources from plant whose potentials are not exploited in some cases and/or underexploited in many cases. If their potentials for industrial application could be exploited, selling the fibers for manufacturing uses would be a win-win situation for both the industries and the farmers, and provide the latter with a much needed source of additional income since composite material reinforced with lignocellulose fibers can be used for diverse application including the production of parts in automotive industry. For this to be successful, it is mandatory to make fiber level characterization. In this process, there are various determinants that affects the characteristics of lignocellulose fiber including agro-ecological zone, plant age from which the fiber is extracted, lignocellulose structure, fiber extraction method and subsequent treatment to enhance properties. This review, therefore, presents the basics of lignocellulose fiber potential and insight into selected deliberation related to fiber level characterization in light of micromechanical analysis for new biocomposite under development. Included in this review, there are considerations to be potted during characterization at fiber level. For fiber diameter measurement and estimation, the following considerations are reported in this paper: measurement method validation, proper cross-section and fiber geometry assumption, lignocellulose structure and internal holes; enough sample consideration, incorporation of analytical method for cross checking. Likewise consideration during estimating fiber density, single fiber tensile strength and stiffness are review and discussed in this review.

Feasibility and Effectiveness of Repeat Laparoscopic Pyeloplasty for Recurrent Ureteropelvic Junction Obstruction in Pediatric Patients.

Objective: To assess the outcomes of redo laparoscopic pyeloplasty (RLP) in pediatric patients with recurrent ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) in contrast to redo open pyeloplasty (ROP). In addition, evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of RLP as a treatment modality for recurrent UPJO in children. Materials and Methods: The data of 44 patients from March 2012 to March 2022, who underwent redo pyeloplasty, were retrospectively reviewed. In Group RLP, the children underwent RLP, whereas ROP was attempted in Group ROP. Demographics, clinical manifestations, surgical duration, hospitalization duration, complication rates, and treatment success were examined within the respective groups. Moreover, preoperative and postoperative measurements of anterior-posterior diameter of the renal pelvis (APD), preoperative assessment of differential renal function (DRF), and the percentage of improvement in DRF (PI-DRF) were subject to analysis. Results: The study included 28 patients who underwent RLP (Group RLP), and 16 patients who underwent ROP (Group ROP). In all cases, the Anderson-Hynes technique was employed. There was no significant difference between the two groups regarding age, body mass index, gender distribution, affected side, preoperative APD, postoperative APD, and preoperative DRF. In comparison to Group ROP, Group RLP exhibited a shorter hospitalization duration, a longer surgical procedure duration, and a higher percentage improvement in PI-DRF. The median follow-up period for Group RLP was 25 months, whereas it was 25.5 months for Group ROP. Notably, the success rates were similar between the two groups, with a success rate of 89.2% in RLP and 87.5% in ROP (p = 0.634). Conclusion: RLP has a comparable success rate to ROP and is a safe, effective, and feasible procedure for the treatment of failed pyeloplasty in children.

Long-term outcome of multilayer flow modulator in aortic aneurysms.

This retrospective study investigated the efficacy of endovascular treatment with multilayer flow modulators (MFMs) for treating aortic aneurysms in high-risk patients unsuitable for conventional treatments. Conducted from 2011 to 2019 at a single center, this retrospective observational study included 17 patients who underwent endovascular treatment with MFMs. These patients were selected based on their unsuitability for traditional surgical or endovascular procedures. The study involved meticulous pre-procedural planning, precise implantation of MFMs, and follow-up using CT angiography. The primary focus was on volumetric and flow volume changes in aneurysms, along with traditional diameter measurements. Moreover, the technical success and post-procedural complications were also registered. The technical success rate was 100%, and 30-day procedural complication rate was 17.6%. Post-treatment assessments revealed that 11 out of 17 patients showed a decrease in flow volume within the aneurysm sac, indicative of a favorable hemodynamic response. The median decrease in flow volume was 12 ml, with a median relative decrease of 8%. However, there was no consistent reduction in aneurysm size; most aneurysms demonstrated a median increase in volume for 46 ml and median increase in diameter for 18 mm. While MFMs offer a potential alternative for high-risk aortic aneurysm patients, their effectiveness in preventing aneurysm expansion is limited. The results suggest that MFMs can provide a stable hemodynamic environment but do not reliably reduce aneurysm size. This underscores the need for ongoing vigilance and long-term monitoring in patients treated with this technology.

Ultra-high-resolution CT of the temporal bone: The end of stapes prosthesis dimensional error and correlation with patient symptoms

PurposeTo describe the reliability of ultra-high-resolution computed tomography (UHR-CT) in the measurement of titanium stapes prostheses using manufacturer data as a reference. Materials and methodsThis retrospective study included patients treated by stapedectomy with titanium prostheses who underwent UHR-CT between January 2020 and October 2023. Images were acquired using an ultra-high-resolution mode (slice thickness: 0.25 mm; matrix, 1024 × 1024). Two radiologists independently evaluated the length, diameter, and intra-vestibular protrusion of the prosthesis. Post-operative air-bone gaps (ABGs) were recorded. ResultsFourteen patients were enrolled (mean age, 44.3 ± 13.8 [SD] years, 9 females), resulting in 16 temporal bone UHR-CTs. The exact length was obtained in 81.3 % (n = 13/16) and underestimated by 0.1 to 0.3 mm in the remaining 18.7 % (n = 3/16) CT scans for both readers (mean misestimation: −0.02 ± 0.06 [SD] mm, overall underestimation of 0.43 %). The exact diameter was reported in 75 % (n = 12/16) and 87.5 % (n = 14/16) of the CT scans for readers 1 and 2, respectively, and was off by 0.1 mm in all discrepancies (mean misestimation: 0.01 ± 0.04 [SD] mm, overall overestimation of 2.43 %). Intravestibular prosthesis protrusion was of 0.5 ± 0.43 [SD] mm (range: 0–1) and 0.49 ± 0.44 [SD] mm (range: 0–1.1) for readers 1 and 2, respectively, and did not correlate with ABGs (r = 0.25 and 0.22; P = 0.39 and 0.47 for readers 1 and 2, respectively). Intra and interobserver agreements were excellent. ConclusionUHR-CT provides 99.6 % and 97.6 % accuracy for prosthesis length and diameter measurements, respectively.

Assessment of Lung Nodule Detection and Lung CT Screening Reporting and Data System Classification Using Zero Echo Time Pulmonary MRI.

The detection rate of lung nodules has increased considerably with CT as the primary method of examination, and the repeated CT examinations at 3 months, 6 months or annually, based on nodule characteristics, have increased the radiation exposure of patients. So, it is urgent to explore a radiation-free MRI examination method that can effectively address the challenges posed by low proton density and magnetic field inhomogeneities. To evaluate the potential of zero echo time (ZTE) MRI in lung nodule detection and lung CT screening reporting and data system (lung-RADS) classification, and to explore the value of ZTE-MRI in the assessment of lung nodules. Prospective. 54 patients, including 21 men and 33 women. Chest CT using a 16-slice scanner and ZTE-MRI at 3.0T based on fast gradient echo. Nodule type (ground-glass nodules, part-solid nodules, and solid nodules), lung-RADS classification, and nodule diameter (manual measurement) on CT and ZTE-MRI images were recorded. The percent of concordant cases, Kappa value, intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), Wilcoxon signed-rank test, Spearman's correlation, and Bland-Altman. The p-value <0.05 is considered significant. A total of 54 patients (age, 54.8 ± 11.9 years; 21 men) with 63 nodules were enrolled. Compared with CT, the total nodule detection rate of ZTE-MRI was 85.7%. The intermodality agreement of ZTE-MRI and CT lung nodules type evaluation was substantial (Kappa = 0.761), and the intermodality agreement of ZTE-MRI and CT lung-RADS classification was moderate (Kappa = 0.592). The diameter measurements between ZTE-MRI and CT showed no significant difference and demonstrated a high degree of interobserver (ICC = 0.997-0.999) and intermodality (ICC = 0.956-0.985) agreements. The measurement of nodule diameter by pulmonary ZTE-MRI is similar to that by CT, but the ability of lung-RADS to classify nodes from MRI images still requires further research. 2 TECHNICAL EFFICACY: Stage 2.