Biomedical subjects

Soenke H Bartling

Publications and source records attributed to Soenke H Bartling.

8 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2007

Increase of accuracy in intraoperative navigation through high-resolution flat-panel volume computed tomography: experimental comparison with multislice computed tomography-based navigation.

HYPOTHESIS: High-resolution imaging, as provided by flat-panel-based volume computed tomography (fpVCT), could increase navigation accuracy and could therefore improve image-guided procedures or make novel navigated surgery concepts possible. BACKGROUND: Intraoperative navigation is an accepted tool in head and neck surgery. However, its use is limited in the lateral cranial base because of its low surgical accuracy. Surgical accuracy is substantially influenced by the resolution of the underlying data set. The fpVCT offers a resolution of nearly two times higher than multislice computed tomography (MSCT). Target registration error (TRE), as a measurement for surgical navigation accuracy, should decrease when navigation is based on fpVCT data sets. METHODS: An acrylic glass phantom with 37 fiducial points was scanned in a current MSCT and in an experimental fpVCT. Both data sets were imported in an optical navigation system. Five fiducial points were used for registration, and seven points were used for measuring TRE. The distance between the indicated pointer tip and the corresponding fiducial point in data set was measured as TRE. Registration and TRE measurement were repeated five times for each computed tomographic data set. Average TREs were calculated, and results were compared using t-test. RESULTS: The average TRE using MSCT (0.82 mm [standard deviation, 0.35 mm]) was significantly higher than that using fpVCT (0.46 mm [standard deviation, 0.22 mm]) (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Submillimeter surgical navigation accuracy is possible using high-resolution fpVCT. This could be highly beneficial in cranial base surgery navigation.

Humans↗

PubMed2006

Ultra-high resolution flat-panel volume CT: fundamental principles, design architecture, and system characterization.

Digital flat-panel-based volume CT (VCT) represents a unique design capable of ultra-high spatial resolution, direct volumetric imaging, and dynamic CT scanning. This innovation, when fully developed, has the promise of opening a unique window on human anatomy and physiology. For example, the volumetric coverage offered by this technology enables us to observe the perfusion of an entire organ, such as the brain, liver, or kidney, tomographically (e.g., after a transplant or ischemic event). By virtue of its higher resolution, one can directly visualize the trabecular structure of bone. This paper describes the basic design architecture of VCT. Three key technical challenges, viz., scatter correction, dynamic range extension, and temporal resolution improvement, must be addressed for successful implementation of a VCT scanner. How these issues are solved in a VCT prototype and the modifications necessary to enable ultra-high resolution volumetric scanning are described. The fundamental principles of scatter correction and dose reduction are illustrated with the help of an actual prototype. The image quality metrics of this prototype are characterized and compared with a multi-detector CT (MDCT).

Algorithms↗

PubMed2006

Flat-panel volume computed tomography for cochlear implant electrode array examination in isolated temporal bone specimens.

HYPOTHESIS: Flat-panel based volume computed tomography could improve cochlear implant electrode evaluation in comparison with multislice computed tomography. BACKGROUND: Flat-panel based volume computed tomography offers higher spatial resolution and less metal artifacts than multislice computed tomography. Both characteristics could improve the evaluation of challenging but important questions in cochlear implantation assessment, such as an exact imaging of cochlea, osseous spiral lamina, electrode array position, and single electrode contacts. These questions are not currently fully answered by multislice computed tomography. METHODS: Four isolated temporal bone specimens were scanned in a current multislice computed tomography scanner and in two experimental flat-panel based volume computed tomography scanners before and after cochlea implantation. To compare flat-panel based volume computed tomography and multislice computed tomography, four features were rated according to the following criteria: 1) visibility of the cochlea; 2) visibility of the osseous spiral lamina; 3) discernibility of individual electrode contacts; and 4) the ability to determine the electrode array position relative to scala tympani and scala vestibuli. Layer-by-layer microgrinding pictures were used as the ground truth for verification of imaging findings. RESULTS: Flat-panel based volume computed tomography was superior to multislice computed tomography in all four features rated. The cochlea and facial nerve canal were much better delineated in flat-panel based volume computed tomography. The osseous spiral lamina and single electrode contacts were only visible in flat-panel based volume computed tomography. Assessment of implant position with regard to the cochlear spaces was considerably improved by flat-panel based volume computed tomography. CONCLUSION: Cochlear implantation assessment could be improved by flat-panel based volume computed tomography and, therefore, would be highly beneficial for cochlea implantation research and for clinical evaluation. However, these first results were shown by scanning isolated temporal bone specimens; scanning whole human skull bases might be more challenging.

Artifacts↗

PubMed2004

Experimental flat-panel high-spatial-resolution volume CT of the temporal bone.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: A CT scanner employing a digital flat-panel detector is capable of very high spatial resolution as compared with a multi-section CT (MSCT) scanner. Our purpose was to determine how well a prototypical volume CT (VCT) scanner with a flat-panel detector system defines fine structures in temporal bone. METHODS: Four partially manipulated temporal-bone specimens were imaged by use of a prototypical cone-beam VCT scanner with a flat-panel detector system at an isometric resolution of 150 microm at the isocenter. These specimens were also depicted by state-of-the-art multisection CT (MSCT). Forty-two structures imaged by both scanners were qualitatively assessed and rated, and scores assigned to VCT findings were compared with those of MSCT. RESULTS: Qualitative assessment of anatomic structures, lesions, cochlear implants, and middle-ear hearing aids indicated that image quality was significantly better with VCT (P < .001). Structures near the spatial-resolution limit of MSCT (e.g., bony covering of the tympanic segment of the facial canal, the incudo-stapedial joint, the proximal vestibular aqueduct, the interscalar septum, and the modiolus) had higher contrast and less partial-volume effect with VCT. CONCLUSION: The flat-panel prototype provides better definition of fine osseous structures of temporal bone than that of currently available MSCT scanners. This study provides impetus for further research in increasing spatial resolution beyond that offered by the current state-of-the-art scanners.

Artifacts↗

PubMedDate not supplied

High-resolution computed tomography of temporal bone: Part III: Axial postoperative anatomy.

The purpose of this 4-part series is to illustrate the nuances of temporal bone anatomy using a high-resolution (200-mu isotropic) prototype volume computed tomography (CT) scanner. The normal anatomy in axial and coronal sections is depicted in the first and second parts. In this and the subsequent part, the structures that are removed and/or altered in 9 different surgical procedures are color coded and inscribed in the same axial (article III) and coronal (article IV) sections. The text stresses clinically important imaging features, including the normal postoperative appearance, and common complications after these operations. The superior resolution of the volume CT images is vital to the comprehensive and accurate representation of these operations. Minuscule intricate structures that are currently only localized in the mind's eye because of the resolution limit of conventional CT are clearly seen on these scans. This enhanced visualization, together with the information presented in the text, should assist in interpreting temporal bone scans, communicating with surgeons, and teaching this complex anatomy.

Humans↗

PubMedDate not supplied

High-resolution computed tomography of temporal bone: Part IV: Coronal postoperative anatomy.

The purpose of this 4-part series is to illustrate the nuances of temporal bone anatomy using a high-resolution (200 micro isotropic) prototype volume computed tomography (CT) scanner. The normal anatomy in axial and coronal sections is depicted in the first and second parts. In this, the fourth part, and the third part, the structures that are removed and/or altered in 9 different surgical procedures are color coded and inscribed in the same coronal (article IV) and axial (article III) sections. The text stresses clinically important imaging features, including the normal postoperative appearance, and common complications after these operations. The superior resolution of the volume CT images is vital to the comprehensive and accurate representation of these operations. Minuscule intricate structures that are currently only localized in the mind's eye because of the resolution limit of conventional CT are clearly seen on these scans. This enhanced visualization, together with the information presented in the text, should assist in interpreting temporal bone scans, communicating with surgeons, and teaching this complex anatomy.

Cochlear Implantation↗

PubMedDate not supplied

High-resolution flat-panel volume-CT of temporal bone--part 1: axial preoperative anatomy.

The purpose of this four-part series is to show the high-resolution axial and coronal anatomy of the temporal bone from a flat-panel detector-based volume CT (parts 1 and 2); these imaging planes are then used to outline the effect of different surgical procedures commonly applied to the temporal bone (parts 3 and 4). The structures that are removed or altered in 11 different surgical procedures are color-coded and inscribed in axial and coronal sections. Clinically important imaging features and complications following these surgeries will also be discussed. In these high-resolution images, many structures that are below the resolution limit of conventional CT can be seen and localized. It is hoped that one would be able to picture these structures and surgeries, in the mind's eye, even when they fall below the resolution limit using a conventional CT scanner. This article (part 1) focuses on the preoperative axial anatomy.

Humans↗

PubMedDate not supplied

High-resolution computed tomography of temporal bone: Part II: coronal preoperative anatomy.

The purpose of this 4-part series is to demonstrate the high-resolution axial and coronal anatomy of temporal bone from a flat-panel detector-based volume computed tomography (CT) scanner (parts I and II); these imaging planes are then used to outline the effect of different surgical procedures commonly applied to the temporal bone (parts III and IV). The structures that are removed and/or altered in 11 different surgical procedures are color coded and inscribed in axial and coronal sections. Clinically important imaging features and complications after these operations are also discussed. In these high-resolution images, many structures that are below the resolution limit of conventional CT can be seen and localized. It is hoped that this exposition enables one to visualize these structures and surgeries in the mind's eye, even when they fall below the resolution limit using a conventional CT scanner. This article (part II) focuses on the preoperative coronal anatomy.

Cadaver↗