A multi-aperture encoding scheme for increased SNR in photoacoustic Imaging.

Photoacoustic imaging creates light-induced ultrasonic signals to provide valuable information on internal body structures and tissue morphology non-invasively. A multi-aperture photoacoustic imaging (MP-PAI) system is an improvement over conventional photoacoustic imaging (PAI) systems in terms of resolution, contrast, and field of view. Previously, a prototype MP-PAI system was introduced based on multiple capacitive micromachined ultrasound transducers (CMUTs) with shared channels, such that each element in a CMUT shares its channel with its counterpart in other CMUTs.

Geometry and local wall thickness of abdominal aortic aneurysms using intravascular ultrasound.

Currently, abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) are treated based on the diameter of the aorta, however, a more robust patient-specific marker is needed. The mean thickness of the wall is a potential indicator for AAA rupture risk, which varies significantly within and between patients. So far, regional thickness has not been used in previous rupture risk analysis studies, since it is challenging to measure in CT, MRI, and non-invasive ultrasound (US).

In vivo Multi-perspective 3D + t Ultrasound Imaging and Motion Estimation of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms.

Time-resolved three-dimensional ultrasound (3D + t US) is a promising imaging modality for monitoring abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs), providing their 3D geometry and motion. The lateral contrast of US is poor, a well-documented drawback which multi-perspective (MP) imaging could resolve. This study aims to show the feasibility of in vivo multi-perspective 3D + t ultrasound imaging of AAAs for improving the image contrast and displacement accuracy.

Trans-axillary thoracic outlet decompression.

Thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) is a group of conditions thought to be caused by the compression of neurovascular structures going to the upper extremity. TOS is a difficult disease to diagnose, and surgical treatment remains challenging. Many different surgical techniques for the treatment of TOS have been described in the literature and many reasonable to good outcomes have been reported, which makes it hard for surgeons to determine which techniques should be used.

Geometric Analysis of the Gore Excluder Conformable Endoprosthesis in the Infrarenal Aortic Neck: One Year Results of the EXCeL Registry.

Objective: The Gore Excluder Conformable Endoprosthesis (CEXC) is designed to treat challenging infrarenal anatomy because of its active angulation control, repositionability, and enhanced conformability. This study evaluated 30 day and one year position and apposition of the CEXC in the infrarenal neck.

Methods: Patients treated with the CEXC between 2018 and 2022 with an available 30 day computed tomography angiogram (CTA) were selected from four hospitals in a prospective registry.

bistatic dual-aperture ultrasound imaging and elastography of the abdominal aorta.

In this paper we introduce multi-aperture ultrasound imaging and elastography of the abdominal aorta. Monitoring of the geometry and growth of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) is paramount for risk stratification and intervention planning. However, such an assessment is limited by the lateral lumen-wall contrast and resolution of conventional ultrasound.

Enabling strain imaging in realistic Eulerian ultrasound simulation methods.

Cardiovascular strain imaging is continually improving due to ongoing advances in ultrasound acquisition and data processing techniques. The phantoms used for validation of new methods are often burdensome to make and lack flexibility to vary mechanical and acoustic properties. Simulations of US imaging provide an alternative with the required flexibility and ground truth strain data.

3D-Ultrasound Based Mechanical and Geometrical Analysis of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms and Relationship to Growth.

The heterogeneity of progression of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) is not well understood. This study investigates which geometrical and mechanical factors, determined using time-resolved 3D ultrasound (3D + t US), correlate with increased growth of the aneurysm. The AAA diameter, volume, wall curvature, distensibility, and compliance in the maximal diameter region were determined automatically from 3D + t echograms of 167 patients.

Performance of the BioIntegral Bovine Pericardial Graft in Vascular Infections: VASCular No-REact Graft Against INfection Study.

Background: Vascular graft and endograft infections (VGEI) and native vessel infections (NVI) remain considerable challenges in vascular surgery, leading to high mortality and morbidity rates. Although in situ reconstruction is the preferred treatment, the material of choice is still a source of debate. Autologous veins are considered the first choice; however, xenografts may be an acceptable alternative.

General Overview and Diagnostic (Imaging) Techniques for Neurogenic Thoracic Outlet Syndrome.

Thoracic outlet syndrome is an uncommon and controversial syndrome. Three different diagnoses can be made based on the compressed structure, arterial TOS, venous TOS, and neurogenic TOS, though combinations do exist as well. Diagnosing NTOS is difficult since no specific objective diagnostic modalities exist.

An aberration correction approach for single and dual aperture ultrasound imaging of the abdomen.

Abdominal ultrasound image quality is hampered by phase aberration, that is mainly caused by the large speed-of-sound (SoS) differences between fat and muscle tissue in the abdominal wall. The mismatch between the assumed and actual SoS distribution introduces general blurring of the ultrasound images, and acoustic refraction can lead to geometric distortion of the imaged features. Large aperture imaging or dual-transducer imaging can improve abdominal imaging at deep locations by providing increased contrast and resolution.

Local and global distensibility assessment of abdominal aortic aneurysms from probe tracked 2D ultrasound images.

Rupture risk estimation of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) patients is currently based on the maximum diameter of the AAA. Mechanical properties that characterize the mechanical state of the vessel may serve as a better rupture risk predictor. Non-electrocardiogram-gated (non-ECG-gated) freehand 2D ultrasound imaging is a fast approach from which a reconstructed volumetric image of the aorta can be obtained.

A Statistical Shape Model of Infrarenal Aortic Necks in Patients With and Without Late Type Ia Endoleak After Endovascular Aneurysm Repair.

Purpose: Hostile aortic neck characteristics, including short length, severe suprarenal and infrarenal angulation, conicity, and large diameter, have been associated with increased risk for type Ia endoleak (T1aEL) after endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR). This study investigates the mid-term discriminative ability of a statistical shape model (SSM) of the infrarenal aortic neck morphology compared with or in combination with conventional measurements in patients who developed T1aEL post-EVAR.

Materials And Methods: The dataset composed of EVAR patients who developed a T1aEL during follow-up and a control group without T1aEL.

Spatiotemporal Registration of 3-D Multi-perspective Ultrasound Images of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms.

Methods for patient-specific abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) progression monitoring and rupture risk assessment are widely investigated. Three-dimensional ultrasound can visualize the AAA's complex geometry and displacement fields. However, ultrasound has a limited field of view and low frame rate (i.

Multiperspective Photoacoustic Imaging Using Spatially Diverse CMUTs.

Photoacoustic imaging (PAI) is a promising technique to assess different constituents in tissue. In PAI, the propagating waves are low-amplitude, isotropic, and broadband. A common approach in PAI is the use of a single linear or curved piezoelectric transducer array to perform both PA and ultrasound imaging.

Modeling toolchain for realistic simulation of photoacoustic data acquisition.

Significance: Physics-based simulations of photoacoustic (PA) signals are used to validate new methods, to characterize PA setups and to generate training datasets for machine learning. However, a thoroughly validated PA simulation toolchain that can simulate realistic images is still lacking.

Aim: A quantitative toolchain was developed to model PA image acquisition in complex tissues, by simulating both the optical fluence and the acoustic wave propagation.

Editor's Choice - Endurant Stent Graft in Patients with Challenging Neck Anatomy "One Step Outside Instructions for Use": Early and Midterm Results from the EAGLE Registry.

Objective: The aim of the Endurant for Challenging Anatomy: Global Experience (EAGLE) registry is to evaluate prospectively the technical and clinical success rate of a stentgraft used in patients with challenging neck anatomy outside the instructions for use (IFU) but within objective anatomical limits.

Methods: This was a prospective, international, multicentre, observational study. From 1 February 2012 to 1 September 2017, patients with an abdominal aortic aneurysm with a challenging infrarenal neck that were deemed suitable for endovascular aneurysm repair were included prospectively at 23 European centres.

Reliability and validity of the standardized elevated arm stress test in the diagnosis of neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome.

Objective: We developed a standardized elevated arm stress test (sEAST) meter to standardize patients' posture and measure additional grip and fatigue parameters. In the present prospective cohort study, we aimed to determine the reliability and validity of the sEAST in the diagnosis of neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome (NTOS).

Methods: Patients evaluated for NTOS between October 2018 and February 2020 were included and performed the sEAST.

Reliability and validity of the elevated arm stress test in the diagnosis of neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome.

Objectives: The objective of this retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data was to assess the test-retest reliability and validity of the elevated arm stress test (EAST) as measured by the duration in a cohort of patients with suspected neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome (NTOS).

Methods: Patients evaluated for NTOS between January 2017 and September 2018 were identified. Test-retest reliability by the intraclass correlation coefficient was determined for duration of the EAST.

Surgery Versus Continued Conservative Treatment for Neurogenic Thoracic Outlet Syndrome: the First Randomised Clinical Trial (STOPNTOS Trial).

Objective: Neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome (NTOS) is one of the most controversial clinical entities in medicine. Several major case series have shown promising results of surgery; however, solid scientific evidence is lacking. The aim of this trial was to objectify the effect of thoracic outlet decompression (TOD).

Corrigendum: Ultrasound-Based Fluid-Structure Interaction Modeling of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms Incorporating Pre-Stress.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.

Redo surgery for neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome is useful.

Objectives: Surgery for neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome (NTOS) has shown good outcome in numerous case series. However, 5% to 30% of patients will have persistent or recurrent symptoms, caused by incomplete first rib resection, reattachment of residual scalene muscle, fibrous scarring around the brachial plexus, or a wrong NTOS diagnosis. In patients with a sound diagnosis of recurrent or persisting NTOS, not responding to conservative measures, a secondary procedure can be considered.

Thoracic outlet decompression surgery for Gilliatt-Sumner hand as a presentation of neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome.

Background: Chronic compression of the inferior trunk of the brachial plexus can result in severe pain and progressive atrophy and weakness of the musculature of the forearm and hand, known as Gilliatt-Sumner hand (GSH). The objective of treatment for these patients is to stop further atrophy and pain. Restoration of motor function has been thought to be seldom achieved.

Corrections to "Multiperspective Ultrasound Strain Imaging of the Abdominal Aorta".

In the above article [1], one error, (1), was found which has an impact on the results and interpretation of the image quality that was described in four sentences, (2)-(5). This correction does not mitigate the overall conclusion of this work, but does positively support improvements of the proposed method (multi-perspective ultrafast imaging) in comparison with the standard method (focused line-by-line imaging).

Multiperspective Bistatic Ultrasound Imaging and Elastography of the Ex Vivo Abdominal Aorta.

Knowledge of aneurysm geometry and local mechanical wall parameters using ultrasound (US) can contribute to a better prediction of rupture risk in abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs). However, aortic strain imaging using conventional US is limited by the lateral lumen-wall contrast and resolution. In this study, ultrafast multiperspective bistatic (MP BS) imaging is used to improve aortic US, in which two curved array transducers receive simultaneously on each transmit event.