Mammographic breast density and breast cancer risk in the Saudi population: a case-control study using visual and automated methods.

Objective: This study aims to establish risk of breast cancer based on breast density among Saudi women and to compare cancer prediction using different breast density methods.

Methods: 1140 pseudonymised screening mammograms from Saudi females were retrospectively collected. Breast density was assessed using Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) density categories and visual analogue scale (VAS) of 285 cases and 855 controls matched on age and body mass index.

Study of Primordial 226Ra, 228Ra, and 40K Concentrations in Dietary Palm Dates and Concomitant Radiological Risk.

The presence of natural radionuclides in the food chain point to a need to assess concentration levels and concomitant radiological risk. Highly popular and forming a staple part of the diet in North Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, and West Asia, palm dates growing naturally there have even greater marketability than simple satisfaction of domestic demand, the palm dates representing a valuable export item. Accurate knowledge of the levels of natural radioactivity in the fruit is thus of importance.

Radioluminescence sensing of radiology exposures using P-doped silica optical fibres.

In previous work we investigated the real-time radioluminescence (RL) yield of Ge-doped silica fibres and AlO nanodot media, sensing electron- and x-ray energies and intensities at values familiarly obtained in external beam radiotherapy. The observation of an appreciable low-dose sensitivity has given rise to the realisation that there is strong potential for use of RL dosimetry in diagnostic radiology. Herein use has been made of P-doped silica optical fibre, 2 mm diameter, also including a 271 µm cylindrical doped core.

Quantitative imaging characteristics of zirconium-89 on Gemini Time-Of-Flight PET/CT.

Purpose: Interest in PET imaging using zirconium-89 (Zr) (t1/2=78.41 h)-labeled tracers for the tracking and quantification of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) is growing, mainly because of its well-matched physical half-life with the biological half-life of intact mAbs. This study aims to evaluate the imaging characteristics of Zr-PET in comparison with those obtained using fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (F-FDG) PET (gold standard tracer in PET imaging) using a Time-Of-Flight (TOF) PET/computed tomography (CT) scanner.

"To-and-fro" waveform in the diagnosis of arterial pseudoaneurysms.

Medical ultrasound imaging with Doppler plays an essential role in the diagnosis of vascular disease. This study intended to review the clinical use of "to-and-fro" waveform at duplex Doppler ultrasonography (DDU) in the diagnosis of pseudoaneurysms in the arterial vessels of upper and lower extremities, abdominal aorta, carotid and vertebral arteries as well as to review our personal experiences of "to-and-fro" waveform at DDU also. After receiving institutional review board approval, an inclusive literature review was carried out in order to review the scientific foundation of "to-and-fro" waveform at DDU and its clinical use in the diagnosis of pseudoaneurysms in various arterial vessels.

High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) in Localized Prostate Cancer Treatment.

Background: High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) applies high-intensity focused ultrasound energy to locally heat and destroy diseased or damaged tissue through ablation. This study intended to review HIFU to explain the fundamentals of HIFU, evaluate the evidence concerning the role of HIFU in the treatment of prostate cancer (PC), review the technologies used to perform HIFU and the published clinical literature regarding the procedure as a primary treatment for PC.

Material/methods: Studies addressing HIFU in localized PC were identified in a search of internet scientific databases.

High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) in Uterine Fibroid Treatment: Review Study.

Background: High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) is a highly precise medical procedure used locally to heat and destroy diseased tissue through ablation. This study intended to review HIFU in uterine fibroid therapy, to evaluate the role of HIFU in the therapy of leiomyomas as well as to review the actual clinical activities in this field including efficacy and safety measures beside the published clinical literature.

Material/methods: An inclusive literature review was carried out in order to review the scientific foundation, and how it resulted in the development of extracorporeal distinct devices.

Evaluation of common carotid artery changes in Saudi current smokers using medical ultrasound (B-mode and Doppler).

Purpose: This study evaluates using ultrasound the changes that occur in wall thickness, blood flow velocity, and Doppler indices of the common carotid arteries (CCAs) in healthy Saudi adult males who are current smokers.

Methods: A prospective study was performed between May 2011 and May 2013 with a group consisting of nonsmokers (n = 180; 36 %) and current smokers (n = 320; 64 %) with a mean age of 25 ± 2.6 years.

Preliminary Monte Carlo study of (18)F-FDG SPECT imaging with LaBr(3):Ce Crystal-based Gamma Cameras.

The utility of (18)F-deoxyglucose ((18)F-FDG) in oncology, cardiology, and neurology has generated great interest in a more economical ways of imaging (18)F-FDG than conventional PET scanners. The main thrust of this work is to investigate the potential use of LaBr(3):Ce materials in a low-cost FDG-SPECT system compared to NaI(Tl) using GATE Monte Carlo simulation. System performance at 140 keV and 511 keV was assessed using energy spectra, system sensitivity and count rate performance.