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Biomedical subjects

Shintaro Funabasama

Publications and source records attributed to Shintaro Funabasama.

9 recordsLinked to original sources

[Evaluation of the perceptional performance of high resolution flat panel displays].

With the recent great advances in technology, the use of flat panel displays (FPD) is tending to increase. However, there is concern that the physical properties are not understood well enough by physicians to take advantage of the improved physical properties to assist them with diagnosis. Because displays of differing physical properties are being used in clinics, we have not seen enough research about the relationship between diagnostic ability and the physical properties of displays. The purpose of this study was to evaluate radiologists' performance in the diagnosis of nodules in chest radiographs with three kinds of flat panel displays: 3M- and 5M-pixel monochrome flat panel displays, and a 3M-pixel color flat panel display. Nine radiologists participated in this observer study. Sixty chest radiographs were used. Thirty-five images depicted malignant nodules, and 25 images were normal. We set for an 8-bit gray scale in advance. The radiologists' performance was evaluated with receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis by using a computer program (ROCKIT; Charles E. Metz, University of Chicago) . Observer performance for the diagnosis of nodules in chest radiographs was not significantly different using 3M- and 5M-pixel monochrome, and 3M-pixel color flat panel displays. Further investigation of frequent spatial patterns requiring higher resolutions such as the interstitial infiltrate pattern in chest images and the microcalcifications in mammographs will be needed.

Data Display↗

Noninvasive determination of regional myocardial perfusion with first-pass magnetic resonance (MR) imaging.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: To develop a method to provide absolute values of regional myocardial perfusion by means of color maps, and to determine myocardial perfusion reserve using magnetic resonance imaging during the first pass of gadolinium-diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (Gd-DTPA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study population consisted of five patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, two with dilated cardiomyopathy, four with coronary artery disease, and one with normal coronary arteries who presented with mildly abnormal electrocardiogram findings. For each heartbeat, six continuous slices were acquired during the first pass of Gd-DTPA (0.05 mmol/kg body weight) before and during adenosine triphosphate (ATP) **stress using an electrocardiogram-triggered fast low-angle shot (FLASH) sequence on a 1.5-T magnetic resonance unit. Myocardial perfusion images were created and displayed by means of a color scale. The parameters were calculated pixel by pixel, using the upslope method. Myocardial perfusion reserve was then calculated, as the quotient of myocardial perfusion during ATP stress and perfusion before ATP stress. RESULTS: Myocardial perfusion during ATP stress in patients with normal coronary arteries (n = 1) or after successful percutaneous coronary intervention (n = 2) was increased compared with that before ATP stress. However, the patients with coronary artery disease (n = 2) failed to show increased myocardial perfusion. The patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy showed increased myocardial perfusion during ATP stress, although two with dilated cardiomyopathy did not. CONCLUSION: Our new technique can provide absolute values of regional myocardial perfusion by means of color maps, and has potential for widespread use for evaluation of ischemic and other types of heart disease.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Quantitative perfusion map of malignant liver tumors, created from dynamic computed tomography data.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: To apply perfusion computed tomography (CT) technique to variable malignant liver tumors, and to define the usefulness of quantitative color mapping. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Perfusion CT images were created for 36 malignant liver tumors in 28 patients (age, 66.4 +/- 10.1 years; range, 48-85) with metastatic liver tumors (n = 17; nine colorectal carcinomas, eight other malignant tumors) and hepatocellular carcinomas (n = 11). A single-slice dynamic CT was performed after an intravenous bolus injection of 40 mL of contrast material (320 mgI/mL) with 8 mL/sec. The parameters were calculated pixel-by-pixel using maximum slope method, and quantitative maps of arterial and portal perfusion were created. In four patients who underwent transcatheter arterial chemoembolization, perfusion CT was performed before and after transcatheter arterial chemoembolization. RESULTS: In all patients, liver tumors were shown as hypervascular lesions on arterial perfusion CT. The average arterial perfusion value of the metastatic tumors from the colorectal carcinomas was 0.67 +/- 0.33 mL/min/mL, and that of hepatocellular carcinomas was 0.94 +/- 0.26 mL/min/mL (P = .03). The other metastatic tumors from various primary tumors showed a wide range (0.19-1.45 mL/min/mL) of arterial perfusion. Arterial perfusion of the liver tumors was obviously decreased after successful transcatheter arterial chemoembolization. In 12 of 15 tumors, in which portal perfusion CT images could be created, region-of-interest analysis showed no portal perfusion in the tumors. In two cases, decreased portal perfusion in the segments, which malignant tumors involved, was demonstrated. CONCLUSION: Perfusion CT can provide quantitative information about arterial and portal perfusion of liver tumors, combined with good anatomic detail in one image. This technique has a potential to evaluate the angiogenesis of liver tumors, to show secondary changes in perfusion, such as decreased portal perfusion in apparently normal liver adjacent to metastases, and to monitor the therapeutic response in vivo.

Aged↗

[Hepatic perfusion CT imaging analyzed by the dual-input one-compartment model].

AIM: To improve liver-perfusion imaging by using the dual-input one-compartmental model. METHODS: Single-level dynamic computed tomography (dynamic CT) was taken at the height of the hepatic hilum after a rapid intravenous injection using 40 ml of iodinated contrast material. From the time-density curve of each pixel on CT, we calculated blood-flow rate constants of liver inflow and outflow. For inflow, two constants were calculated at arterial and portal veins. We postulated that blood flow between hepatic vessels and the hepatic parenchyma could be analyzed by using the calculated constants, and made equations for liver perfusion mapping. The perfusion images obtained by this method were compared with those made by the maximum slope method. RESULTS: We applied the method to a patient with hepatolithiasis. On dynamic CT, there was an abnormal enhancement pattern in the posterior segment of the liver. Perfusion CT images made by the dual-input one-compartment model demonstrated abnormal portal perfusion of the liver. In contrast, those made by the maximum-slope method did not represent the perfusion pattern well. CONCLUSION: The dual-input one-compartmental model makes it possible to obtain more detailed information on liver hemodynamics.

Bile Ducts, Intrahepatic↗

[Kinetic radiography and functional analysis of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ)].

To develop a method of kinetic radiography and a computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) system for quantitative evaluation of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), dynamic images of the TMJ from one healthy volunteer were obtained by fluoroscopy in the lateral view on the right and left sides. The accumulated image subtraction technique extracted the condyle in each image. A sequential similarity detection algorithm (SSDA) was employed to trace the movement path and the velocity of the condyle. The shape of the path of the right condyle was smoother than that of the left condyle. The size of the maximum vertical and horizontal movements of the condyle were 4.6+/-0.1 mm and 15.0+/-0.2 mm, respectively. The velocity of the movement of the condyle was higher in the area close to the articular eminence than in any other area during the opening and closing of the mouth. This CAD system will contribute to the kinetic analysis of the TMJ for screening, follow-up study, and informed consent, providing speed, quantitation, and cost-effectiveness.

Algorithms↗

[Morphological analysis for kinetic X-ray images of the temporomandibular joint].

The purpose of this study was to develop a screening technique for temporomandibular disorders (TMD) and assist dentists in objectively observing and evaluating pre/post-treatment status. Dynamic images of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) from one healthy volunteer were obtained by digital fluoroscopy in the lateral view on both right and left sides. Outlines of the glenoid fossa and the condyle were extracted, respectively, by using sobel operator (7x7) thresholding and labeling. Morphological parameters in time-sequence, such as fossa ratio, area, and distance of the joint space, were then analyzed. There were no differences between manual and computer analysis in extracting the outline of the glenoid fossa and the condyle. Deformity of the outline of the glenoid fossa and the condyle was not identified in this subject. The fossa ratio was 0.30+/-0.01 on the right and 0.29+/-0.02 on the left. The area and distance of the joint space in the post-glenoid fossa were slightly larger than those in the articular eminence on both sides. These morphological parameters were useful for screening and pre- and post-treatment evaluation of TMD patients.

Adult↗

Development of perfusion CT software for personal computers.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: The authors developed software for creating quantitative maps of arterial and portal perfusion in the upper abdominal organs on personal computers. The image quality of these perfusion computed tomographic (CT) images was visually evaluated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 58 patients (38 men, 20 women; mean age, 63.9 years +/- 11.9; range, 22-85 years) with various diseases of the upper abdomen, 91 single-section dynamic CT studies were obtained. The data were transferred on-line to a personal computer, and quantitative maps of arterial and portal perfusion were created by means of the maximum-slope method. Perfusion CT images were reviewed by a radiologist and a radiation technologist, and image quality was rated according to a four-category scoring system (1 = good quality, 2 = moderate, 3 = poor, 4 = images could not be created). RESULTS: Arterial perfusion CT images could be created in 81 (89%) of 91 examinations, and 74 images (81%) were scored as 1 or 2. Portal perfusion CT images could be created in 60 (68%) of 88 examinations, in which a portal trunk was included in the section, and 33 of them (38%) were scored as 1 or 2. Patient motion during dynamic CT sequences resulted in poor image quality in seven arterial and 27 portal perfusion images. CONCLUSION: Perfusion CT can combine quantitative perfusion maps with good anatomic detail in one image, although patient movement frequently degrades image quality in portal perfusion CT.

Abdomen↗