• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.57 no.3
• /
• pp.231-239
• /
• 2024

Background: Although the modified Blalock-Taussig shunt remains the mainstay method of palliation for augmenting pulmonary blood flow in various congenital heart diseases, the shunt must be carefully designed to achieve the best outcomes. This study investigated the effect of shunt configuration on pulmonary artery growth and growth discrepancy. Methods: Twenty patients with successful modified Blalock-Taussig shunt takedown were analyzed. Pulmonary artery and shunt characteristics were obtained using computed tomography scans. Differences in the baseline and follow-up diameter ratios and growth in the ipsilateral and contralateral arteries were calculated. The angle between the shunt and pulmonary artery, as well as the distance from the main pulmonary artery bifurcation, were measured. Correlations between pulmonary arteries and shunt configurations were analyzed. Results: The median interval time between shunt placement and takedown was 154.5 days (interquartile range, 113.25-276.25 days). Follow-up values of the ipsilateral-to-contralateral pulmonary artery diameter ratio showed no significant correlation with the shunt angle (ρ=0.429, p=0.126) or distance (ρ=0.110, p=0.645). The shunt angle and distance from the main pulmonary bifurcation showed no significant correlation (ρ=-0.373, p=0.189). Pulmonary artery growth was negatively correlated with shunt angle (ipsilateral, ρ=-0.565 and p=0.035; contralateral, ρ=-0.578 and p=0.030), but not with distance (ipsilateral, ρ=-0.065 and p=0.786; contralateral, ρ=-0.130 and p=0.586). Conclusion: Shunt configuration had no significant effect on growth imbalance. The angle and distance of the shunt showed no significant correlation with each other. A more vertical shunt was associated with significant pulmonary artery growth. We suggest a more vertical graft design for improved pulmonary artery growth.

• Anatomy and Cell Biology
• /
• v.57 no.1
• /
• pp.45-60
• /
• 2024

Morphologic changes in the brain through aging, as a physiologic process, may involve a wide range of variables including ventricular dilation, and sulcus widening. This study reports normal ranges of these changes as standard criteria. Normal brain computed tomography scans of 400 patients (200 males, 200 females) in every decade of life (20 groups each containing 20 participants) were investigated for subcortical/cortical atrophy (bicaudate width [BCW], third ventricle width [ThVW], maximum length of lateral ventricle at cella media [MLCM], bicaudate index [BCI], third ventricle index [ThVI], and cella media index 3 [CMI3], interhemispheric sulcus width [IHSW], right hemisphere sulci diameter [RHSD], and left hemisphere sulci diameter [LHSD]), ventricular symmetry. Distribution and correlation of all the variables were demonstrated with age and a multiple linear regression model was reported for age prediction. Among the various parameters of subcortical atrophy, BCW, ThVW, MLCM, and the corresponding indices of BCI, ThVI, and CMI3 demonstrated a significant correlation with age (R²≥0.62). All the cortical atrophy parameters including IHSW, RHSD, and LHSD demonstrated a significant correlation with age (R²≥0.63). This study is a thorough investigation of variables in a normal brain which can be affected by aging disclosing normal ranges of variables including major ventricular variables, derived ventricular indices, lateral ventricles asymmetry, cortical atrophy, in every decade of life introducing BW, ThVW, MLCM, BCI, ThVI, CMI3 as most significant ventricular parameters, and IHSW, RHSD, LHSD as significant cortical parameters associated with age.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
• /
• v.50 no.4
• /
• pp.299-307
• /
• 2020

Purpose: The diagnosis of chronic rhinosinusitis requires a comprehensive knowledge of the signs and symptoms of the disease and an accurate radiographic assessment. Computed tomography (CT) is the superior imaging modality for diagnosis of chronic rhinosinusitis. However, considering the lower dose and higher resolution of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) compared to CT, this study aimed to assess the agreement between the findings of CBCT and functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS). Materials and Methods: This descriptive prospective study evaluated 49 patients with treatment-resistant chronic rhinosinusitis who were candidates for FESS. Preoperative CBCT scans were obtained before patients underwent FESS. The agreement between the CBCT findings and those of FESS was determined using the kappa correlation coefficient. The frequency of anatomical variations of the paranasal sinuses was also evaluated on CBCT scans. Results: Significant agreement existed between pathological findings on CBCT scans and those of FESS, such that the kappa correlation coefficient was 1 for mucosal thickening, 0.644 for nasal deviation, 0.750 for concha bullosa, 0.918 for nasal polyp, 0.935 for ostiomeatal complex (OMC) obstruction, and 0.552 for infundibulum thickening. Furthermore, 95.9% of patients had 1 or more and 79.6% had 2 or more anatomical variations, of which nasal deviation was the most common (67.3%). Conclusion: Considering the significant agreement between the findings of CBCT and FESS for the detection of pathological changes in the paranasal sinuses, CBCT can be used prior to FESS to detect chronic rhinosinusitis and to assess anatomical variations of the OMC.

• KSII Transactions on Internet and Information Systems (TIIS)
• /
• v.14 no.2
• /
• pp.495-513
• /
• 2020

The correlation identification of the subsurface is a novel electrical prospecting method which could suppress stochastic noise. This method is increasingly being utilized by geophysicists. It achieves the frequency response of the underground media through division of the cross spectrum of the input & output signal and the auto spectrum of the input signal. This is subject to the spectral leakage when the cross spectrum and the auto spectrum are computed from cross correlation and autocorrelation function by Discrete Fourier Transformation (DFT, "To obtain an accurate frequency response of the earth system, we propose an improved correlation identification method which uses all phase Fast Fourier Transform (APFFT) to acquire the cross spectrum and the auto spectrum. Simulation and engineering application results show that compared to existing correlation identification algorithm the new approach demonstrates more precise frequency response, especially the phase response of the system under identification.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
• /
• v.19 no.6
• /
• pp.1187-1195
• /
• 2018

Objective: To compare correlations between pulmonary function test (PFT) results and different reconstruction algorithms and to suggest the optimal reconstruction protocol for computed tomography (CT) quantification of low lung attenuation areas and airways in healthy individuals. Materials and Methods: A total of 259 subjects with normal PFT and chest CT results were included. CT scans were reconstructed using filtered back projection, hybrid-iterative reconstruction, and model-based IR (MIR). For quantitative analysis, the emphysema index (EI) and wall area percentage (WA%) were determined. Subgroup analysis according to smoking history was also performed. Results: The EIs of all the reconstruction algorithms correlated significantly with the forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1)/forced vital capacity (FVC) (all p < 0.001). The EI of MIR showed the strongest correlation with FEV1/FVC (r = -0.437). WA% showed a significant correlation with FEV1 in all the reconstruction algorithms (all p < 0.05) correlated significantly with FEV1/FVC for MIR only (p < 0.001). The WA% of MIR showed the strongest correlations with FEV1 (r = -0.205) and FEV1/FVC (r = -0.250). In subgroup analysis, the EI of MIR had the strongest correlation with PFT in both eversmoker and never-smoker subgroups, although there was no significant difference in the EI between the reconstruction algorithms. WA% of MIR showed a significantly thinner airway thickness than the other algorithms ($49.7{\pm}7.6$ in ever-smokers and $49.5{\pm}7.5$ in never-smokers, all p < 0.001), and also showed the strongest correlation with PFT in both ever-smoker and never-smoker subgroups. Conclusion: CT quantification of low lung attenuation areas and airways by means of MIR showed the strongest correlation with PFT results among the algorithms used, in normal subjects.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
• /
• v.38 no.1
• /
• pp.12-25
• /
• 2000

To demonstrate possible influences of general bone density on the mandible, histomorphometric analysis was carried out in mandibles and iliac bones and the correlation of the two bone densities was tested. Comparison of bony density in women and men over 60 years in the mandible was carried out too. Quantitative computed tomography(QCT) was taken in cross-section of mandibles at the same site where histomorphometric analysis was peformed to evaluate the reliability of QCT. The analysis included 40 cadavers with no known diseases affecting the bones. The subjects consisted of 15 females and 25 males with a mean age of 60.3 years. Spearman correlation analysis and Wilcoxon rank sum test was performed. The results were as follows. 1. There was statistically no correlation between the mandible and iliac bone in the values of corrected cortical width(CCW), cortical porosity(POR) in cortex, and total bone volume(TBV), mean trabecular plate thickness(MTPT), mean trabecular plate density(MTPD), and mean trabecular plate separation(MTPS) in trabecular bone. 2. Comparison of women and men over 60 years, men had statistically higher bone density than women except fir POR of buccal and lingual cortex, and WTPD of alveolar trabeculae in mandible. 3. There was statistically significant correlation between TBV of trabecular bone and CT No., but not between POR and CT No. in mandible. According to the results above, there was no correlation between mandible and iliac bone density and between mandibular bony density and age. Further studies are required to support the results. A more noninvasive method to be able to measure the bone density of mandible should be developed and it is necessary to accumulate data on the normal values of bone density of mandible according to age and sex. Further study should be carried out about QCT to measure mandibular bony density using QCT.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
• /
• v.50 no.4
• /
• pp.809-815
• /
• 2023

This study was conducted to find out the correlation between meat quality and muscle fat ratio in pork part meat (pork belly and shoulder butt) using CT (computed tomography) imaging technique. After 24 hours from slaughter, pork loin and belly were individually prepared from the left semiconductors of 26 pigs for CT measurement. The image obtained from CT scans was checked through the picture archiving and communications system (PACS). The volume of muscle and fat in the pork belly and shoulder butt of cross-sectional images taken by CT was estimated using Vitrea workstation version 7. This assemblage was further processed through Vitrea post-processing software to automatically calculate the volumes (Fig. 1). The volumes were measured in milliliters (mL). In addition to volume calculation, a three-dimensional reconstruction of the organ under consideration was generated. Pearson's correlation coefficient was analyzed to evaluate the relationship by region (pork belly, pork shoulder butt), and statistical processing was performed using GraphPad Prism 8. The muscle-fat ratios of pork belly taken by CT was 1 : 0.86, while that of pork shoulder butt was 1 : 0.37. As a result of CT analysis of the correlation coefficient between pork belly and shoulder butt compared to the muscle-fat ratio, the correlation coefficient was 0.5679 (R² = 0.3295, p < 0.01). CT imaging provided very good estimates of muscle contents in cuts and in the whole carcass.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
• /
• v.23 no.1
• /
• pp.38-42
• /
• 2010

Purpose: The clinical utility of brain computed tomography (CT) in detecting temporal bone fracture is not well established. We performed this study to determine the utility of brain computed tomography (CT) in detecting fractures of the temporal bones in correlation with fracture patterns. We used high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) as the gold standard for diagnosing temporal bone fracture and its pattern. Methods: From January 2007 to December 2009, patients who underwent both brain CT and HRCT within 10 days of head trauma were investigated. Among them, 58 cases of temporal bone fracture confirmed by HRCT were finally included. Fracture patterns (transverse or non-transverse, otic capsule sparing or otic capsule violating) were determined by HRCT. Brain CT findings in correlation with fracture patterns were analyzed. Results: Among 58 confirmed cases of temporal bone fracture by HRCT, 14 cases (24.1%) were not detected by brain CT. Brain CT showed a significantly lower ability to detect temporal bone fracture with transverse component than without transverse component (p=0.020). Moreover, brain CT showed lower ability to detect otic capsule violating pattern than otic capsule sparing pattern (p=0.015). Among the 14 cases of temporal bone fracture that were not detected by brain CT, 4 cases lacked any objective physical findings (facial palsy, hemotympanum, external auditory canal bleeding) suggesting fractures of the temporal bones. Conclusion: Brain CT showed poor ability to detect temporal bone fracture with transverse component and otic capsule violating pattern, which is associated with a poorer clinical outcome than otic capsule sparing pattern. Routine use of HRCT to identify temporal bone fracture is warranted, even in cases without evidence of temporal bone fracture on brain CT scans or any objective physical findings suggestive of temporal bone fracture.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
• /
• v.48 no.1
• /
• pp.31-39
• /
• 2018

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of field-of-view (FOV) size on the gray values derived from cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) compared with the Hounsfield unit values from multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) scans as the gold standard. Materials and Methods: A radiographic phantom was designed with 4 acrylic cylinders. One cylinder was filled with distilled water, and the other 3 were filled with 3 types of bone substitute: namely, Nanobone, Cenobone, and Cerabone. The phantom was scanned with 2 CBCT systems using 2 different FOV sizes, and 1 MDCT system was used as the gold standard. The mean gray values(MGVs) of each cylinder were calculated in each imaging protocol. Results: In both CBCT systems, significant differences were noted in the MGVs of all materials between the 2 FOV sizes(P<.05) except for Cerabone in the Cranex3D system. Significant differences were found in the MGVs of each material compared with the others in both FOV sizes for each CBCT system. No significant difference was seen between the Cranex3D CBCT system and the MDCT system in the MGVs of bone substitutes on images obtained with a small FOV. Conclusion: The size of the FOV significantly changed the MGVs of all bone substitutes, except for Cerabone in the Cranex3D system. Both CBCT systems had the ability to distinguish the 3 types of bone substitutes based on a comparison of their MGVs. The Cranex3D CBCT system used with a small FOV had a significant correlation with MDCT results.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
• /
• v.41 no.6
• /
• pp.545-552
• /
• 2018

The purpose of this study was evaluated the relationship between echocardiography and cardiac computed tomography in normal adults by visual assessment, and evaluated the effective doses of cardiac computed tomography. The subjects were 100 normal patients who visited two general hospitals in Chungnam, from January 1 to May 30, 2018. We obtained images by using these modalities and evaluated the wall thickness and internal dimension of the Left Ventricle with visual assessment. To evaluate the appropriateness of the visual evaluation, two evaluators who were trained for one week were measured and the agreement between the evaluators were verified by statistical analysis. The effective doses of computed tomography were evaluated using the dose length product. As a result, there was a high correlation between the two modalities. The agreement between the two visual evaluator were also highly agreed. The mean X-ray dose of the subjects was $11.1{\pm}3.1mSv$. Although the purpose of imaging is somewhat different in the clinical setting, echocardiography could achieve the same results as radiation-invasive computed tomography. It is thought that utilization will become even larger.