Double bowtie design for high sensitivity pediatric spectral CT.

Despite the evident benefits of spectral computed tomography (CT) in delivering qualitative imaging superior to that of conventional CT in adults, its application in pediatric diagnostic imaging is still relatively limited due to various reasons, including design limitations and radiation dose considerations. The use of specialized K-edge filters, in conjunction with other spectral technologies, has been demonstrated to improve spectral quantification accuracy. X-ray flux limitations generally pose challenges in these concepts when applied to adults.

Lifelike and Deformable Lung Phantoms for 4DCT Imaging: A Three-Dimensional Printing Approach.

Respiratory motion phantoms can be used for evaluation of CT imaging technologies such as motion artifact reduction algorithms and deformable image registration. However, current respiratory motion phantoms do not exhibit detailed lung tissue structures and thus do not provide a realistic testing environment. This paper presents PixelPrint, a method for 3D-printing deformable lung phantoms featuring highly realistic internal structures, suitable for a broad range of CT evaluations, optimizations, and research.

Evaluation of Photon-Counting CT for Spectral Imaging in Cardiovascular Applications: Impact of Lumen Size, Dose, and Patient Habitus.

Objectives: This study evaluates the performance of a clinical dual-source photon-counting computed tomography (PCCT) system in quantifying iodine within calcified vessels, using 3D- printed phantoms with vascular-like structures lined with calcium.

Methods: Parameters assessed include lumen diameters (4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 mm), phantom sizes (S: 20×20 cm, M: 25×25 cm, L: 30×40 cm, XL: 40×50 cm, representing the 99th percentile of US patient sizes), and iodine concentrations (2, 5, and 10 mg/mL). Scans were performed at radiation dose levels of 5, 10, 15, and 20 mGy to systematically evaluate iodine quantification accuracy and spectral imaging performance.

Multicenter Perioperative Results with a New Endoscopic Powered Stapler in Bariatric Surgery: A Retrospective Study.

Advancements in surgical stapling devices play a crucial role in improving outcomes for bariatric procedures. This study evaluates the performance and safety of a new endoscopic stapler (EnDrive® Beluga) regarding perioperative results across multiple bariatric surgery types. A retrospective analysis was conducted on 112 patients who underwent bariatric procedures using the Beluga stapler at two centers in the United Arab Emirates and Kenya over a 6-month period (June-December 2023).

The Effect of the Size of Gold Nanoparticle Contrast Agents on CT Imaging of the Gastrointestinal Tract and Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). CT imaging with contrast agents is commonly used for visualizing the gastrointestinal (GI) tract in UC patients. Contrast agents that provide enhanced imaging performance are highly valuable in this field.