Capturing the cervical spine shape: Angular measurements versus geometric morphometric methods.

The cervical spine manifests a wide shape variation. However, the traditional methods to evaluate the cervical spine curve were never tested against its actual shape. The study's main aim was to determine whether the shape classification of the cervical spine, based on traditional angular measurements, coincides with each other and with the shape captured by the 2D landmark-based geometric morphometric method.

A new method for sex estimation based on femoral cross-sectional geometry measurements and its validation using recent and ancient populations.

Estimating sex is a fundamental task in biological and forensic anthropology. This study aimed to develop new methods for sex estimation based on femoral cross-sectional geometry (CSG) variables and to test their applicability in recent and ancient assemblages. The sample was divided into a study group (living individuals, N = 124) for creating sex prediction equations and two test groups: living individuals (N = 31) and prehistoric individuals (N = 34).

Sex estimation using computed tomography of the mandible.

Sex estimation of skeletal parts is of great value even in the DNA era. When computed tomography (CT) facilities were introduced to forensic institutes, new possibilities for sex estimation emerged. The aim of this study was to develop a CT-based method for sex estimation using the mandible.

Paraspinal muscles density: a marker for degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis?

Background: The condition of paraspinal muscles is known to be associated with some variables such as age, gender, and low back pain. It is generally agreed that these muscles play an important role in the stability and functional movements of the lumbar vertebral column. Although spinal instability has been shown to play an essential role in degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis (DLSS), the role of paraspinal muscles remains elusive.

Vertebral Hemangiomas and Their Correlation With Other Pathologies.

Study Design: This cross-sectional study was carried out on 196 adults (98 men and 98 women), aged between 18 and 91 years.

Objective: To examine whether vertebral hemangiomas (VHs) are associated with other spinal pathologies, metabolic diseases, cardiovascular diseases, cancer and past trauma, to shed light on their possible pathophysiology.

Summary Of Background Data: VHs are the most common form of benign tumors in the spine.

The Lumbar Lordosis in Males and Females, Revisited.

Background: Whether differences exist in male and female lumbar lordosis has been debated by researchers who are divided as to the nature of variations in the spinal curve, their origin, reasoning, and implications from a morphological, functional and evolutionary perspective. Evaluation of the spinal curvature is constructive in understanding the evolution of the spine, as well as its pathology, planning of surgical procedures, monitoring its progression and treatment of spinal deformities. The aim of the current study was to revisit the nature of lumbar curve in males and females.

Automated Computer-Assisted Diagnosis of Obstructive Coronary Artery Disease in Emergency Department Patients Undergoing 256-Slice Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography for Acute Chest Pain.

A 256-slice coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) is an accurate method for detection and exclusion of obstructive coronary artery disease (OBS-CAD). However, accurate image interpretation requires expertise and may not be available at all hours. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of a fully automated computer-assisted diagnosis (COMP-DIAG) tool for exclusion of OBS-CAD in patients in the emergency department (ED) presenting with chest pain.

A possible case of cherubism in a 17th-century Korean mummy.

Cherubism is a benign fibro-osseous disease of childhood limited specifically to the maxilla and mandible. The progressive replacement of the jaw bones with expansile multilocular cystic lesions causes eventual prominence of the lower face, and hence the classic "cherubic" phenotype reflecting variable extents of jaw hypertrophy. Histologically, this condition has been characterized as replacement of the normal bone matrix with multicystic pockets of fibrous stroma and osteoclastic giant cells.

Socioeconomic and physical characteristics of individuals with degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis.

Study Design: A descriptive study of the association between demographic factors, and physical characteristics, and degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis (DLSS).

Objective: To shed light on the association between socioeconomic parameters, physical characteristics, and DLSS.

Summary Of Background Data: Lumbar spinal stenosis is a prevalent and disabling condition in the aging population.

The association between sacralization and spondylolisthesis.

The role of transitional vertebra in spondylolisthesis is still an enigma. Theoretically, obstruction of movements in the L5-S1 joint should provoke hypermobility at the L4-L5 vertebrae, thus leading to the development of spondylolisthesis. The aim of this study was to inquire whether a positive association exists between sacralization and spondylolisthesis.

Automatic assessment of coronary artery calcium score from contrast-enhanced 256-row coronary computed tomography angiography.

The coronary artery calcium score (CS), an independent predictor of cardiovascular events, can be obtained from a stand-alone nonenhanced computed tomography (CT) scan (CSCT) or as an additional nonenhanced procedure before contrast-enhanced coronary CT angiography (CCTA). We evaluated the accuracy of a novel fully automatic tool for computing CS from the CCTA examination. One hundred thirty-six consecutive symptomatic patients (aged 59 ± 11 years, 40% female) without known coronary artery disease who underwent both 256-row CSCT and CCTA were studied.

Computed tomography-enhanced anatomy course using enterprise visualization.

Rapid changes in medical knowledge are forcing continuous adaptation of the basic science courses in medical schools. This article discusses a three-year experience developing a new Computed Tomography (CT)-based anatomy curriculum at the Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, including describing the motivations and reasoning for the new curriculum, the CT-based learning system itself, practical examples of visual dissections, and student assessments of the new curriculum. At the heart of this new curriculum is the emphasis on studying anatomy by navigating inside the bodies of various living individuals utilizing a CT viewer.

Long-term prognosis and outcome in patients with a chest pain syndrome and myocardial bridging: a 64-slice coronary computed tomography angiography study.

Background: Small case series have associated coronary myocardial bridging (MB) with adverse cardiac events. However, the clinical significance of MB in unselected patients with chest pain remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to explore the relation between the presence of isolated MB and subsequent adverse cardiac events in symptomatic patients referred for coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA).

MRI findings after hyperbaric oxygen-induced seizures.

Hyperbaric oxygen-induced seizures are classified as generalized, tonic-clonic seizures. They are believed to cause no residual neurologic damage, although this has not been investigated in depth. We used different MRI sequences to determine whether hyperbaric oxygen-induced seizures in mice caused brain structural changes.

Diagnostic accuracy of 256-row computed tomographic angiography for detection of obstructive coronary artery disease using invasive quantitative coronary angiography as reference standard.

We assessed the performance of a new-generation, 256-row computed tomography (CT) scanner for detection of obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) compared to invasive quantitative coronary angiography. A total 121 consecutive symptomatic patients without known CAD referred for invasive coronary angiography (age 59 ± 12 years, 37% women) underwent clinically driven 256-row coronary computed tomographic angiography (CCTA) before the invasive procedure. Obstructive CAD (>50% diameter stenosis) was assessed visually on CCTA by 2 independent observers using the 18-segment society of cardiovascular CT model and on invasive angiograms using quantitative coronary angiography (the reference standard).

Intracranial volume, cranial thickness, and hyperostosis frontalis interna in the elderly.

Objectives: According to the "brain reserve hypothesis," a larger premorbid brain protects against the development of dementia. The aim of this study was to reveal a possible pathophysiology of brain degenerative diseases by studying intracranial bone lesions that act to reduce intracranial volume (ICV), such as hyperostosis frontalis interna (HFI).

Methods: Three hundred and eighty postmenopausal females (aged 60+) who had undergone a head computerized tomography scan (Brilliance 64, Philips Healthcare, Cleveland, OH) at the Carmel Medical Center, Haifa, Israel, before the study were included.

Computer-aided simple triage (CAST) for coronary CT angiography (CCTA).

Purpose: Following a recent introduction of computer-aided simple triage (CAST) as a new subclass of computer-aided detection/diagnosis (CAD), we present a CAST software system for a fully automatic initial interpretation of coronary CT angiography (CCTA). We show how the system design and diagnostic performance make it CAST-compliant and suitable for chest pain patient triage in emergency room (ER).

Methods: The processing performed by the system consists of three major steps: segmentation of coronary artery tree, labeling of major coronary arteries, and detection of significant stenotic lesions (causing > 50% stenosis).

Chest radiography validity in screening pulmonary tuberculosis in immigrants from a high-burden country.

Background: Chest x-ray (CXR) is widely used for diagnosing and screening pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB), yet its validity is debatable and its costs are relatively high. This study aimed to determine the validity of CXR screening in detecting radiological findings compatible with active PTB or with old healed tuberculosis (OHTB).

Methods: All Ethiopian immigrants to Israel between 2001 and 2005 were radiographed before emigration.

Visceral abdominal adipose tissue and coronary atherosclerosis in asymptomatic diabetics.

Background: Visceral abdominal adipose tissue (VAT) may play an active role in the progression of coronary atherosclerosis. We examined the relation between VAT, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and extent of coronary atheroma in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus but no known coronary artery disease.

Methods: Coronary artery calcium and area, distribution and thickness of upper abdominal fat were measured in selected axial cross-sections from non-enhanced computed tomography (CT) scans of the chest.

Computer-aided simple triage.

Purpose: Computer-aided detection (CAD) established its role in medical imaging as second reader aimed to boost the diagnostic accuracy of human interpreter. As the diagnostic performance of CAD systems improves and more imaging modalities are covered, CAD steps forward to fill new, more demanding positions in medical practice. In this paper, we investigate how the introduction of CAD for emergency diagnostic imaging shifts the use case paradigm from second reader to initial interpreter and triage tool.

Image quality in obese patients undergoing 256-row computed tomography coronary angiography.

To evaluate, objectively and subjectively, the feasibility of 256-row computed tomography coronary angiography (CTCA) in obese patients. 256-row CTCA was performed in 68 symptomatic patients (age 61 ± 10 years, 37 females), 39 obese (body mass index-BMI > 30 kg/m(2)) and 29 non-obese. Retrospective analysis was performed by two observers who assessed the image quality of each coronary segment using a 4-point subjective scale (1 excellent to 4 non-diagnostic), and another blinded observer measured objective image parameters.

Hyperostosis frontalis interna: what does it tell us about our health?

Objectives: To examine whether the prevalence and severity of hyperostosis frontalis interna (HFI) has significantly changed during the past 100 years.

Methods: Two female populations, 100 years apart, were studied; 992 historic and 568 present day females. Detection of HFI was carried out via direct observation or CT images (Brilliance 64, Philips Medical Systems, Cleveland, Ohio).

The epiphyseal ring: a long forgotten anatomical structure with significant physiological function.

Study Design: A descriptive study of the epiphyseal ring's structural design along the thoracolumbar spine.

Objective: To characterize and analyze the shape and size of the epiphyseal ring, to better understand its function.

Summary Of Background Data: The literature is lacking in metrical data pertaining to the epiphyseal ring that is usually described as a narrow bony labrum on which the external fibers of the anulus fibrosus are anchored.