Detection and characterization of crystal suspensions using single-source dual-energy computed tomography: a phantom model of crystal arthropathies.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to perform phantom measurements to prove the feasibility of single-source dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) of the extremities using a volume scan mode. In addition, we, for the first time, wanted to determine which concentrations of monosodium urate (MSU) in gout and calcium pyrophosphate (CP) in pseudogout are needed to detect or distinguish these soft tissue depositions with DECT.

Materials And Methods: We created a hand-shaped plastic phantom assembled with a descending order of concentrations of MSU (6.

Safety considerations during transapical aortic valve implantation.

Objectives: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is a new method for the treatment of very high-risk patients with aortic valve stenosis. The radiation dose to which the patient and each member of the heart team are exposed during this new fluoroscopically guided intervention is unknown.

Methods: Between April 2008 and August 2013, 1177 consecutive patients underwent transapical TAVI (TA-TAVI).

Cyst-like lesions in finger joints detected by conventional radiography: comparison with 320-row multidetector computed tomography.

Objective: Many rheumatologists and radiologists routinely assess conventional radiographs of the hands, and it is often unclear how to proceed if radiography reveals only cyst-like lesions (CLLs), with otherwise normal findings. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the use of 320-row multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) of the hands in the further assessment of CLLs of metacarpophalangeal (MCP) and proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joints identified on conventional radiography.

Methods: MCP and PIP joints (n = 1,120 joints) of 56 consecutive patients (44 women [mean age 55 years, range 31-72 years] and 12 men [mean age 57 years, range 37-77 years]) were prospectively scored for the presence of cysts, CLLs, and erosions of the PIP and MCP joints, first on conventional radiographs, then on MDCT.

Computed tomography for preoperative planning in minimal-invasive total hip arthroplasty: radiation exposure and cost analysis.

Computed tomography (CT) was used for preoperative planning of minimal-invasive total hip arthroplasty (THA). 92 patients (50 males, 42 females, mean age 59.5 years) with a mean body-mass-index (BMI) of 26.

Radiation exposure in 212 very low and extremely low birth weight infants.

Objective: We determined the frequency and estimated effective radiation dose (E) from conventional diagnostic radiographs for infants who had birth weight of
Methods: Entrance skin doses were experimentally measured for all standard weight-dependent exposure settings. For each radiograph in the radiologic file, the exposed area on the film was measured manually.

Intra-individual comparison of average glandular dose of two digital mammography units using different anode/filter combinations.

Rationale And Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare average glandular dose (AGD) in two full-field digital mammography units using different anode/filter combinations.

Materials And Methods: Mammographies of 50 consecutive patients on a mammography system using a tungsten/rhodium (W/Rh) anode/filter combination were retrospectively compared to prior examinations on a different mammography unit using combinations of Molybdenum (Mo) and Rhodium (Rh). To exclude effects of increasing patient age, two prior examinations within 5 years were used.

softMip: a novel projection algorithm for ultra-low-dose computed tomography.

Two projection algorithms are currently available for viewing computed tomography (CT) data sets: average projection (AVG) and maximum intensity projection (MIP). Although AVG images feature good suppression of image noise but reduced edge sharpness, MIP images are characterized by good edge sharpness but also amplify image noise. Ultra-low-dose (ULD) CT has very low radiation exposure but has high image noise.