Deep Learning Algorithm for Simultaneous Noise Reduction and Edge Sharpening in Low-Dose CT Images: A Pilot Study Using Lumbar Spine CT
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- Korean Journal of Radiology
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- v.22 no.11
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- pp.1850-1857
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- 2021
Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess whether a deep learning (DL) algorithm could enable simultaneous noise reduction and edge sharpening in low-dose lumbar spine CT. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study included 52 patients (26 male and 26 female; median age, 60.5 years) who had undergone CT-guided lumbar bone biopsy between October 2015 and April 2020. Initial 100-mAs survey images and 50-mAs intraprocedural images were reconstructed by filtered back projection. Denoising was performed using a vendor-agnostic DL model (ClariCT.AITM, ClariPI) for the 50-mAS images, and the 50-mAs, denoised 50-mAs, and 100-mAs CT images were compared. Noise, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and edge rise distance (ERD) for image sharpness were measured. The data were summarized as the mean ± standard deviation for these parameters. Two musculoskeletal radiologists assessed the visibility of the normal anatomical structures. Results: Noise was lower in the denoised 50-mAs images (36.38 ± 7.03 Hounsfield unit [HU]) than the 50-mAs (93.33 ± 25.36 HU) and 100-mAs (63.33 ± 16.09 HU) images (p < 0.001). The SNRs for the images in descending order were as follows: denoised 50-mAs (1.46 ± 0.54), 100-mAs (0.99 ± 0.34), and 50-mAs (0.58 ± 0.18) images (p < 0.001). The denoised 50-mAs images had better edge sharpness than the 100-mAs images at the vertebral body (ERD; 0.94 ± 0.2 mm vs. 1.05 ± 0.24 mm, p = 0.036) and the psoas (ERD; 0.42 ± 0.09 mm vs. 0.50 ± 0.12 mm, p = 0.002). The denoised 50-mAs images significantly improved the visualization of the normal anatomical structures (p < 0.001). Conclusion: DL-based reconstruction may enable simultaneous noise reduction and improvement in image quality with the preservation of edge sharpness on low-dose lumbar spine CT. Investigations on further radiation dose reduction and the clinical applicability of this technique are warranted.
In this study, we quantify the residual motion artifact in 4D-CT scan using the dynamic lung phantom which could simulate respiratory target motion and suggest a simple one-dimension theoretical model to explain and characterize the source of motion artifacts in 4DCT scanning. We set-up regular 1D sine motion and adjusted three level of amplitude (10, 20, 30 mm) with fixed period (4s). The 4DCT scans are acquired in helical mode and phase information provided by the belt type respiratory monitoring system. The images were sorted into ten phase bins ranging from 0% to 90%. The reconstructed images were subsequently imported into the Treatment Planning System (CorePLAN, SC&J) for target delineation using a fixed contour window and dimensions of the three targets are measured along the direction of motion. Target dimension of each phase image have same changing trend. The error is minimum at 50% phase in all case (10, 20, 30 mm) and we found that
The wall shear stress in the vicinity of end-to end anastomoses under steady flow conditions was measured using a flush-mounted hot-film anemometer(FMHFA) probe. The experimental measurements were in good agreement with numerical results except in flow with low Reynolds numbers. The wall shear stress increased proximal to the anastomosis in flow from the Penrose tubing (simulating an artery) to the PTFE: graft. In flow from the PTFE graft to the Penrose tubing, low wall shear stress was observed distal to the anastomosis. Abnormal distributions of wall shear stress in the vicinity of the anastomosis, resulting from the compliance mismatch between the graft and the host artery, might be an important factor of ANFH formation and the graft failure. The present study suggests a correlation between regions of the low wall shear stress and the development of anastomotic neointimal fibrous hyperplasia(ANPH) in end-to-end anastomoses. 30523 T00401030523 ^x Air pressure decay(APD) rate and ultrafiltration rate(UFR) tests were performed on new and saline rinsed dialyzers as well as those roused in patients several times. C-DAK 4000 (Cordis Dow) and CF IS-11 (Baxter Travenol) reused dialyzers obtained from the dialysis clinic were used in the present study. The new dialyzers exhibited a relatively flat APD, whereas saline rinsed and reused dialyzers showed considerable amount of decay. C-DAH dialyzers had a larger APD(11.70
The wall shear stress in the vicinity of end-to end anastomoses under steady flow conditions was measured using a flush-mounted hot-film anemometer(FMHFA) probe. The experimental measurements were in good agreement with numerical results except in flow with low Reynolds numbers. The wall shear stress increased proximal to the anastomosis in flow from the Penrose tubing (simulating an artery) to the PTFE: graft. In flow from the PTFE graft to the Penrose tubing, low wall shear stress was observed distal to the anastomosis. Abnormal distributions of wall shear stress in the vicinity of the anastomosis, resulting from the compliance mismatch between the graft and the host artery, might be an important factor of ANFH formation and the graft failure. The present study suggests a correlation between regions of the low wall shear stress and the development of anastomotic neointimal fibrous hyperplasia(ANPH) in end-to-end anastomoses. 30523 T00401030523 ^x Air pressure decay(APD) rate and ultrafiltration rate(UFR) tests were performed on new and saline rinsed dialyzers as well as those roused in patients several times. C-DAK 4000 (Cordis Dow) and CF IS-11 (Baxter Travenol) reused dialyzers obtained from the dialysis clinic were used in the present study. The new dialyzers exhibited a relatively flat APD, whereas saline rinsed and reused dialyzers showed considerable amount of decay. C-DAH dialyzers had a larger APD(11.70
A special mesenchymal tissue layer called perichondrium has a chondrogenic capacity and is a candidate tissue for engineering of cartilage. To overcome limited potential for chondrocyte proliferation and re-absorption, we studied a method of cartilage tissue engineering comprising chondrocyte-hydrogel pluronic complex (CPC) and cultured perichondrial cell sheet (cPCs) which entirely cover CPC. For effective cartilage regeneration, cell-sheet engineering technique of high-density culture was used for fabrication of cPCs. Hydrogel pluronic as a biomimetic cell carrier used for stable and maintains the chondrocytes. The human cPCs was cultured as a single layer and entirely covered CPC. The tissue engineered constructs were implanted into the dorsal subcutaneous tissue pocket on nude mice (n = 6). CPC without cPCs were used as a controls (N = 6). Engineered cartilage specimens were harvested at 12 weeks after implantation and evaluated with gross morphology and histological examination. Biological analysis was also performed for glycosaminoglycan (GAG) and type II collagen. Indeed, we performed additional in vivo studies of cartilage regeneration using canine large fullthickness chondrial defect model. The dogs were allocated to the experimental groups as treated chondrocyte sheets with perichondrial cell sheet group (n = 4), and chondrocyte sheets only group (n = 4). The histological and biochemical studies performed 12 weeks later as same manners as nude mouse but additional immunofluorescence study. Grossly, the size of cartilage specimen of cPCs covered group was larger than that of the control. On histological examination, the specimen of cPCs covered group showed typical characteristics of cartilage tissue. The contents of GAG and type II collagen were higher in cPCs covered group than that of the control. These studies demonstrated the potential of such CPC/cPCs constructs to support chondrogenesis in vivo. In conclusion, the method of cartilage tissue engineering using cPCs supposed to be an effective method with higher cartilage tissue gain. We suggest a new method of cartilage tissue engineering using cultured perichondrial cell sheet as a promising strategy for cartilage tissue reconstruction.
With the development of technology, the methods of digitally converting various forms of analog information have become common. As a result, the concept of recording, building, and reproducing data in a virtual space, such as digital heritage and digital reconstruction, has been actively used in the preservation and research of various cultural heritages. However, there are few existing research results that suggest optimal scanners for small and medium-sized relics. In addition, scanner prices are not cheap for researchers to use, so there are not many related studies. The 3D scanner specifications have a great influence on the quality of the 3D model. In particular, since the state of light reflected on the surface of the object varies depending on the type of light source used in the scanner, using a scanner suitable for the characteristics of the object is the way to increase the efficiency of the work. Therefore, this paper conducted a study on nine small and medium-sized buried cultural properties of various materials, including earthenware and porcelain, by period, to examine the differences in quality of the four types of 3D scanners. As a result of the study, optical scanners and small and medium-sized object scanners were the most suitable digital records of the small and medium-sized relics. Optical scanners are excellent in both mesh and texture but have the disadvantage of being very expensive and not portable. The handheld method had the advantage of excellent portability and speed. When considering the results compared to the price, the small and medium-sized object scanner was the best. It was the photo room measurement that was able to obtain the 3D model at the lowest cost. 3D scanning technology can be largely used to produce digital drawings of relics, restore and duplicate cultural properties, and build databases. This study is meaningful in that it contributed to the use of scanners most suitable for buried cultural properties by material and period for the active use of 3D scanning technology in cultural heritage.
Background : In acute lung injury, alveolar macrophages play a pivotal role in the inflammatory process during the initiation phase and in the reconstruction and fibrosis process during the later phase. Recently, it has been proven that alveolar macrophages are constituted by morphologically, biochemically and immunologically heterogenous cell subpopulations. The possibility of alterations to these characteristics of the alveolar macrophage population during lung disease has been raised. To investigate such a possibility a hyperoxic rat lung model was made to check the distributional and morphological changes of rat alveolar macrophage subpopulation in acute hyperoxic lung injury. Method : Alveolar macrophage were lavaged from normal and hyperoxic lung injury rats and separated by discontinuous gradients of percoll. After cell counts of each density fraction were accessed, the morphomeric analysis of alveolar macrophages was performed on cytocentrifuged preparations by transmission electron micrograph. Result : 1. The total alveolar macrophage cell count significantly increased up to 24 hours after hyperoxic challenge (normal control group
In gated radiation therapy (gRT), due to residual motion, beam delivery is intended to irradiate not only the true extent of disease, but also neighboring normal tissues. It is desired that the delivery covers the true extent (i.e. clinical target volume or CTV) as a minimum, although target moves under dose delivery. The objectives of our study are to validate if the intended dose is surely delivered to the true target in gRT and to quantitatively understand the trend of dose delivery on it and neighboring normal tissues when gating window (GW), motion amplitude (MA), and CTV size changes. To fulfill the objectives, experimental and computational studies have been designed and performed. A custom-made phantom with rectangle- and pyramid-shaped targets (CTVs) on a moving platform was scanned for four-dimensional imaging. Various GWs were selected and image integration was performed to generate targets (internal target volume or ITV) for planning that included the CTVs and internal margins (IM). The planning was done conventionally for the rectangle target and IMRT optimization was done for the pyramid target. Dose evaluation was then performed on a diode array aligned perpendicularly to the gated beams through measurements and computational modeling of dose delivery under motion. This study has quantitatively demonstrated and analytically interpreted the impact of residual motion including penumbral broadening for both targets, perturbed but secured dose coverage on the CTV, and significant doses delivered in the neighboring normal tissues. Dose volume histogram analyses also demonstrated and interpreted the trend of dose coverage: for ITV, it increased as GW or MA decreased or CTV size increased; for IM, it increased as GW or MA decreased; for the neighboring normal tissue, opposite trend to that of IM was observed. This study has provided a clear understanding on the impact of the residual motion and proved that if breathing is reproducible gRT is secure despite discontinuous delivery and target motion. The procedures and computational model can be used for commissioning, routine quality assurance, and patient-specific validation of gRT. More work needs to be done for patient-specific dose reconstruction on CT images.
The purpose of this study is to develop and evaluate a web-based instruction Program(WBI) to help nurses improving their knowledge and skill of cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Using the model of web-based instruction(WBI) program designed by Rhu(1999), this study was carried out during February-April 2002 in five different steps; analysis, design, data collection and reconstruction, programming and publishing, and evaluation. The results of the study were as follows; 1) The goal of this program was focused on improving accuracy of knowledge and skills of cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The program texts consists of the concepts and importances of cardiopulmonary resuscitation(CPR), basic life support(BLS), advanced cardiac life support(ACLS), treatment of CPR, nursing care after CPR treatment. And in the file making step, photographs, drawings and image files were collected and edited by web-editor(Namo), scanner and Adobe photoshop program. Then, the files were modified and posted on the web by file transfer protocol(FTP). Finally, the program was demonstrated and once again revised by the result, and then completed. 2) For the evaluation of the program, 36 nurses who in K university hospital located in D city, and related questionnaire were distributed to them as well. Higher scores were given by the nurses in its learning contents with
Japan's first pilot-scale