Historical fog climate dataset for Carpathian Basin from 1886 to 1919.

This paper presents the historical fog climate dataset from 1886 to 1919 for Hungary and its neighbouring countries in the Carpathian Basin. The dataset was obtained from the yearbooks of the Royal Hungarian Central Institute of Meteorology and Earth Magnetism (RHCIMEM) established in 1870 to investigate the climatic features of Hungary during the time of the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy. Monthly observations were recorded from 1871 and daily observations were recorded from 1886.

Installation and Optimization of Ga Synthesis Module for Clinical Use: An Institutional Experience.

Introduction: With advent of gallium-labeling somatostatin analogs and its evaluation under positron emission tomography-computed tomography, there has been a tremendous surge in its application. Gallium 68 can be made available either from onsite cyclotron production or in the form of ready-to-use Ge/Ga generators. Wherein setting up and running of cyclotron amounts to huge investment and dedicated team, the Ge/Ga generator has proved to be a better option and viable project.

Importance of Understanding and Analyzing Daily Quality Assurance Test of Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography Equipment in Minimizing the Downtime of Equipment in Remote Places.

This article briefly describes the event of a defective detector block in a daily quality assurance scan/blank scan and insists on implementing guidelines to scan or not to scan in such a scenario. The nuclear medicine physicist should have a clear understanding of the blank scan graph, which shall help rectify the right cause of problem and give confidence to the physician in reporting the acquired study. A routine blank scan in positron emission tomography signifies various parameters of the crystal (coincidence count rate, single count rate, dead time, and coincidence time along with energy response) and in some respect is analogous to the daily uniformity flood image for gamma cameras, providing an overall assessment of detector response.

Assessment of Effective Dose Received in Various Computed Tomography Protocols and Factors Affecting It.

Purpose Of Study: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effect of patient characteristics and equipment-related factors on the computed tomography (CT) dose received by patients from positron emission tomography-CT (PET-CT) using system-generated dose-length product (DLP) values and also to check the effective dose (ED) received from various CT protocols at our institute.

Materials And Methods: This retrospective study included 78 adult patients who underwent F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose whole-body PET-CT and were divided into three groups based on the area of primary cancerous lesion. In Group A, we had 44 patients who underwent PET-CT (head-and-neck protocol), in Group B, we had 24 patients who underwent PET-CT (whole body with brain protocol), and in Group C, we had 10 patients who underwent PET-CT (pelvis protocol).

Impact of High Temperature and Humidity on the Performance of Positron Emission Tomography Scanner.

Positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) scanner is a state-of-art imaging device. Susceptibility of PET scanner in fluctuation environmental condition is known. Hence, every vendor prescribes the optimal conditions such as temperature and humidity to maintain the equipment in its best condition.

Commissioning of portal dosimetry using a novel method for flattening filter-free photon beam in a nontrue beam linear accelerator.

Aim: The aim of this study is to commission and validate the portal dosimetry (PD) system using an indirect method for flattening filter free (FFF) photon beam of the upgraded c-series linear accelerator.

Background: Varian Medical System clinacs with amorphous-silicon portal imager panel (aSi-1000) do not have PD for FFF beams. Recently, our c-series linear accelerator was upgraded to deliver 6MV FFF (6MVFFF) photon beam with the highest dose rate of 1400 monitor unit (MU)/min.

Application of aSi-kVCBCT for Volume Assessment and Dose Estimation: An Offline Adaptive Study for Prostate Radiotherapy.

Objective: The purpose of this study is to develop a method to estimate the dose using amorphous silicon detector panel cone beam computed tomography (aSi-kVCBCT) for the OARs and targets in prostate radiotherapy and to compare with the actual planned dose. Methods: The aSi-kVCBCT is used widely in radiotherapy to verify the patient position before treatment. The advancement in aSi-kVCBCT combined with adaptive software allows us to verify the dose distribution in daily acquired CBCT images.

Significance of Daily Quality Assurance Scan in Hardware Artifact Evaluation.

A failure in any of the hardware components can lead to degradation in image quality and accuracy of quantification. Few artifacts may bring serious impacts on the image quality and finally lead to the wrong diagnosis. We encountered a sudden appearance of the cold area, being more prominently visible on Positron Emission Tomography image in comparison to the fused image.

Multi-isocentric 4π volumetric-modulated arc therapy approach for head and neck cancer.

Objectives: To explore the feasibility of multi-isocentric 4π volumetric-modulated arc therapy (MI4π-VMAT) for the complex targets of head and neck cancers.

Methods: Twenty-five previously treated patients of HNC underwent re-planning to improve the dose distributions with either coplanar VMAT technique (CP-VMAT) or noncoplanar MI4π-VMAT plans. The latter, involving 3-6 noncoplanar arcs and 2-3 isocenters were re-optimized using the same priorities and objectives.

An overlap of granulomatosis with polyangiitis and eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis.

We present a case report of overlap of granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA; formerly known as Wegener's granulomatosis) and eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA; formerly known as Churg-Strauss syndrome). We report a 45-year-old female who presented with rapidly progressive renal failure associated with fever, polyarthralgia, and respiratory symptoms with cytoplasmic antineutrophilic cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) and proteinase (PR-3) antigen positivity. Computerized tomography scan of the chest showed diffuse alveolar hemorrhage with renal biopsy revealing pauci-immune necrotizing crescentic glomerulonephritis with intense eosinophilic infiltration suggestive of eosinophilic GPA (EGPA).

Dosimetric comparison of head and neck cancer patients planned with multivendor volumetric modulated arc therapy technology.

Aim: Purpose of this study is to dosimetrically compare head and neck (H and N) cancer patients planned with multivendor volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) technology. VMAT treatment planning can be done using biological (treatment planning system [TPSB]: Monaco) or physical (TPSP: Eclipse)-based cost function optimization techniques. Planning and dosimetric comparisons were done in both techniques for H and N cases.

Feasibility of offline head & neck adaptive radiotherapy using deformed planning CT electron density mapping on weekly cone beam computed tomography.

Objective: The purpose of the study was to use deformable mapping of planning CT (pCT) electron density values on weekly cone-beam CT (CBCT) to quantify the anatomical changes and determine the dose-volume relationship in offline adaptive volumetric-modulated arc therapy.

Methods: 10 patients treated with RapidArc plans who had weekly CBCTs were selected retrospectively. The pCT was deformed to weekly CBCTs and the deformed contours were checked for any discrepancies.

Is 5 mm MMLC suitable for VMAT-based lung SBRT? A dosimetric comparison with 2.5 mm HDMLC using RTOG-0813 treatment planning criteria for both conventional and high-dose flattening filter-free photon beams.

The aim of this study is to assess the suitability of 5 mm millennium multileaf collimator (MMLC) for volumetric-modulated arc therapy (VMAT)-based lung stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT). Thirty lung SBRT patient treatment plans along with their planning target volumes (ranging from 2.01 cc to 150.

Planning and Dosimetric Study of Volumetric Modulated Arc Based Hypofractionated Stereotactic Radiotherapy for Acoustic Schwannoma--6MV Flattening Filter Free Photon Beam.

Background: The purpose of this study was to assess the dosimetric and clinical feasibility of volumetric modulated arc based hypofractionated stereotactic radiotherapy (RapidArc) treatment for large acoustic schwannoma (AS>10 cc).

Materials And Methods: Ten AS patients were immobilized using BrainLab mask. They were subject to multimodality imaging (magnetic resonance and computed tomography) to contour target and organs at risk (brainstem and cochlea).

Feasibility study of deep inspiration breath-hold based volumetric modulated arc therapy for locally advanced left sided breast cancer patients.

Background: The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility of deep inspiration breath-hold (DIBH) based volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) for locally advanced left sided breast cancer patients undergoing radical mastectomy. DIBH immobilizes the tumor bed providing dosimetric benefits over free breathing (FB).

Materials And Methods: Ten left sided post mastectomy patients were immobilized in a supine position with both the arms lifted above the head on a hemi-body vaclock.

Evaluation of (18)F-FDG Uptake Pattern in Brown Adipose Tissue Over Extended Time Period as Assessed by Multiple Time Point (18)F-FDG-PET.

Purpose: To study the (18)F-FDG uptake pattern in brown adipose tissue (BAT) over an extended time period, by multiple-time-point fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) imaging. The primary objective for this kind of research was that it could form a basis and may have further implications for obesity research, metabolic diseases and for cachexia of both malignant and benign origin.

Methods: A total of 12 patients who had undergone routine FDG-PET for disease evaluation and had demonstrated prominent BAT uptake in their baseline scans were selected.

Use of FDG/PET CT to diagnose malignancy as the cause of mucocele of the appendix.

Mucocele of the appendix is an uncommon condition characterized by luminal distension and accumulation of a mucoid material. Occasionally, it can be caused due to malignancy like cystadenocarcinoma, and the preoperative diagnosis of which is very rare. We report a case of a 64-year-old lady presenting with intermittent abdominal pain diagnosed on ultrasonography as a mucocele where preoperative (18)F-flurodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computerized tomography (FDG PET/CT) findings raised a strong suspicion of malignancy.

Critical appraisal of the accuracy of Acuros-XB and Anisotropic Analytical Algorithm compared to measurement and calculations with the compass system in the delivery of RapidArc clinical plans.

Background: The accuracy of the two dose calculation engines available for RapidArc planning (both released for clinical use) is investigated in comparison to the COMPASS data.

Methods: Two dose calculation algorithms (Acuros-XB and Anisotropic Analytic Algorithm (AAA)) were used to calculate RA plans and compared to calculations with the Collapsed Cone Convolution algorithm (CC) from the COMPASS system (IBA Dosimetry). CC calculations, performed on patient data, are based on experimental fluence measurements with a 2D array of ion chambers mounted on the linac head.

Management of dyslipidemia in children.

Dyslipidemia is an important etiologic factor in the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD), which is a leading cause of death worldwide. As CVD begins in childhood, and as dyslipidemia is an important risk factor for CVD, screening and treatment of dyslipidemia in adolescents and children becomes an important health matter. This review deals with issues related to screening, diagnosis and treatment of dyslipidemia in children and adolescents.