Volume-based 18 F-FDG PET analysis of cardiac sarcoidosis using the descending aorta as a reference tissue.

Objective: 18 F-FDG PET can be used to calculate the threshold value of myocardial volume based on the mean standardised uptake value (SUV mean ) of the aorta to detect highly integrated regions of cardiac sarcoidosis. The present study investigated the myocardial volume when the position and number of volumes of interest (VOIs) were changed in the aorta.

Methods: The present study examined PET/computed tomography images of 47 consecutive cardiac sarcoidosis cases.

Automated classification of increased uptake regions in bone single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography images using three-dimensional deep convolutional neural network.

Objective: This study proposes an automated classification of benign and malignant in highly integrated regions in bone single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT) using a three-dimensional deep convolutional neural network (3D-DCNN).

Methods: We examined 100 regions of 35 patients with bone SPECT/CT classified as benign and malignant by other examinations and follow-ups. First, SPECT and CT images were extracted at the same coordinates in a cube, with a long side two times the diameter of a high concentration in SPECT images.

Prediction of pulmonary function after major lung resection using lung perfusion scintigraphy with single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography.

Objective: Precise prediction of postoperative pulmonary function is extremely important for accurately evaluating the risk of perioperative morbidity and mortality after major surgery for lung cancer. This study aimed to compare the accuracy of a single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT) method that we recently developed for predicting postoperative pulmonary function versus the accuracy of both the conventional simplified calculating (SC) method and the method using planar images of lung perfusion scintigraphy.

Methods: The relationship between the postoperative observed % values of the forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV) or diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DL or DL') and the % predicted postoperative (%ppo) values of FEV, DL, or DL' calculated by the three methods were analyzed in 30 consecutive patients with lung cancer undergoing lobectomy.