Creation of an anthropomorphic CT head phantom for verification of image segmentation.

Purpose: Many methods are available to segment structural magnetic resonance (MR) images of the brain into different tissue types. These have generally been developed for research purposes but there is some clinical use in the diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases such as dementia. The potential exists for computed tomography (CT) segmentation to be used in place of MRI segmentation, but this will require a method to verify the accuracy of CT processing, particularly if algorithms developed for MR are used, as MR has notably greater tissue contrast.

Technical Note: Development of a 3D printed subresolution sandwich phantom for validation of brain SPECT analysis.

Purpose: To make an adaptable, head shaped radionuclide phantom to simulate molecular imaging of the brain using clinical acquisition and reconstruction protocols. This will allow the characterization and correction of scanner characteristics, and improve the accuracy of clinical image analysis, including the application of databases of normal subjects.

Methods: A fused deposition modeling 3D printer was used to create a head shaped phantom made up of transaxial slabs, derived from a simulated MRI dataset.

Evidence for cardiovascular autonomic dysfunction in neonates with coarctation of the aorta.

Background: Coarctation of the aorta (CoA) is associated with hypertension and abnormalities of blood pressure control, which persist after late repair. Assumptions that neonatal repair would prevent development of blood pressure abnormalities have not been supported by recent data. We hypothesized that early pathological adjustment of autonomic cardiovascular function may already be established in the neonate with coarctation.

Electroencephalograph variables, drug concentrations and sedation scores in children emerging from propofol infusion anaesthesia.

Background: Inadequate sedation or oversedation are common problems in Paediatric Intensive Care because of wide variations in drug response and the lack of objective tests for sedative depth. We undertook a pilot study to try to identify correlates of propofol drug concentration, electroencephalographic (EEG) variables and observed behaviour during a stepwise reduction in propofol infusion after paediatric cardiac surgery.

Methods: This was a prospective pilot study with 10 children (5 months to 8 years) emerging from propofol anaesthesia following cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB).