Interobserver Variability in Manual Versus Semi-Automatic CT Assessments of Small Lung Nodule Diameter and Volume.

Background: This study aimed to assess the interobserver variability of semi-automatic diameter and volumetric measurements versus manual diameter measurements for small lung nodules identified on computed tomography scans.

Methods: The radiological patient database was searched for CT thorax examinations with at least one noncalcified solid nodule (∼3-10 mm). Three radiologists with four to six years of experience evaluated each nodule in accordance with the Fleischner Society guidelines using standard diameter measurements, semi-automatic lesion diameter measurements, and volumetric assessments.

COMPARISON OF PULMONARY NODULE DETECTION, READING TIMES AND PATIENT DOSES OF ULTRA-LOW DOSE CT, STANDARD DOSE CT AND DIGITAL RADIOGRAPHY.

The purpose of the present work was to evaluate performance in pulmonary nodule detection, reading times and patient doses for ultra-low dose computed tomography (ULD-CT), standard dose chest CT (SD-CT), and digital radiography (DR). Pulmonary nodules were simulated in an anthropomorphic lung phantom. Thirty cases, 18 with lesions (45 total lesions of 3-12 mm) and 12 without lesions were acquired for each imaging modality.

Influence of Different Arm Positions in the Localizer Radiograph(s) on Patient Dose during Exposure-Controlled CT Examinations of the Neck to Pelvis.

Our aim was to examine the impact of different arm positions during imaging of the localizer radiograph(s) on effective dose for exposure-controlled computed tomography (CT) (Siemens/Canon) scans of the neck to pelvis. An anthropomorphic whole-body phantom was scanned from the neck to pelvis with the arms positioned in three different ways during the acquisition of the localizer radiograph: (i) above the head, (ii) alongside the trunk, and (iii) along the trunk with the hands placed on the abdomen. In accordance with clinical routines, the arms were not included in the subsequent helical scans.

COMPARISON OF PHOTON-COUNTING AND FLAT-PANEL DIGITAL MAMMMOGRAPHY FOR THE PURPOSE OF 3D IMAGING USING A NOVEL IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD.

The purpose of the present work was to compare the quality of low-dose projections from a photon-counting with a flat-panel system, and to evaluate a novel image processing method. Images were acquired of phantoms in both systems at average glandular doses ranging from ~ 0.15 to 1.

EFFECTIVE DOSE AND EFFECT OF DOSE MODULATION FOR LOCALIZER RADIOGRAPHS USING APPLIED AND ALTERNATIVE SETTINGS ON TOSHIBA/CANON CT SYSTEMS.

The purpose was to estimate the effective dose of Toshiba/Canon thorax localizer radiographs for available parameter settings, and to test their dose modulation ability. Localizer radiographs were acquired of anthropomorphic chest phantoms (body mass indices 29 and 23) using various settings (120-80 kV, 100-10 mA). The milliamperes values were compared from resulting helical scan data.

OPTIMIZING IMAGE QUALITY, RADIATION DOSAGE TO THE PATIENT AND TO THE DETECTOR IN PEDIATRIC CHEST RADIOGRAPHY: A PHANTOM STUDY OF A PORTABLE DIGITAL RADIOGRAPHY SYSTEM.

The present work aimed to optimize exposure settings in pediatric digital chest radiography (DR) with regard to image quality and radiation dosage. A pediatric phantom was imaged with a portable DR unit to examine different exposure settings (range: 75-109 kVp; 0.3-1.

Dose estimation of ultra-low-dose chest CT to different sized adult patients.

Objectives: To evaluate the effect of patient size on radiation dose for standard CT (SD-CT), ultra-low-dose CT (ULD-CT) and two-view digital radiography (DR).

Methods: Dosimeters were distributed within the lungs of chest phantoms representing males of 65 kg and 82 kg (body mass indices 23 and 29). In contrast to SD-CT and DR which include automatic exposure control (AEC), the ULD scan employs a fixed mAs value.

Phase I Trial of Everolimus and Capecitabine in Metastatic HER2 Breast Cancer.

Background: The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway is a driver of breast tumorigenesis. The mTOR inhibitor everolimus reverses antihormonal therapy resistance and is an approved therapy for metastatic breast cancer. A synergistic effect with fluoropyrimidine has been suggested.

Delayed elimination of high-dose methotrexate and use of carboxypeptidase G2 in pediatric patients during treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Background: Carboxypeptidase G2 (CPDG ) can be used as rescue treatment in cases of delayed methotrexate elimination (DME) and Mtx-induced nephrotoxicity.

Procedure: Between July 2008 and December 2014, all children (1.0-17.

Radiologists' interpretive efficiency and variability in true- and false-positive detection when screen-reading with tomosynthesis (3D-mammography) relative to standard mammography in population screening.

We examined interpretive efficiency and variability in true- and false-positive detection (TP, FP) for radiologists screen-reading with digital breast tomosynthesis as adjunct to full-field digital mammography (2D/3D) relative to 2D alone in population-based screening studies. A systematic literature search was performed to identify screening studies that provided radiologist-specific data for TP and FP detection. Radiologist interpretive efficiency (trade-off between TPs and FPs) was calculated using the FP:TP ratio which expresses the number of FP recalls for each screen-detected breast cancer.

Comparative morphology of the snake spectacle using light and transmission electron microscopy.

Objective: To determine the interspecific variation in the morphology of the snake spectacle.

Animals Studied: About 43 snakes of 14 different species, belonging to three different families: Boidae, Colubridae, and Pythonidae.

Procedure: The spectacles were examined by light and transmission electron microscopy.

Evaluation of time-efficient reconstruction methods in digital breast tomosynthesis.

Three reconstruction algorithms for digital breast tomosynthesis were compared in this article: filtered back-projection (FBP), iterative adapted FBP and maximum likelihood-convex iterative algorithms. Quality metrics such as signal-difference-to-noise ratio, normalised line-profiles and artefact-spread function were used for evaluation of reconstructed tomosynthesis images. The iterative-based methods offered increased image quality in terms of higher detectability and reduced artefacts, which will be further examined in clinical images.

Digital breast tomosynthesis in one or two views as a replacement or adjunct technique to full-field digital mammography.

Clinical studies using different imaging protocols to perform digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) were reviewed (2008-14) to assess interpretive accuracy. Descriptive pooled statistics were used to estimate and summarise accuracy measures for each type of imaging protocol in relation to that of two-view full-field digital mammography (FFDM). In studies comparing multiple DBT imaging protocols, a trend of increased performance was often seen when including both the mediolateral oblique and craniocaudal views for DBT alone and even more so for DBT adjunct to FFDM.

Review of radiation dose estimates in digital breast tomosynthesis relative to those in two-view full-field digital mammography.

We examined how radiation dose levels in digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) differ from those used in 2-view full-field digital mammography (FFDM). Acquisition parameter settings and information on the average absorbed dose to the glandular tissues within the breasts were reviewed based on clinical studies that evaluated DBT and FFDM. Dose ratios (DDBT/DFFDM) were derived from imaging protocols, which included tomosynthesis in 1- or 2-views alone, and as an adjunct technique to FFDM.

Breast tomosynthesis and digital mammography: a comparison of diagnostic accuracy.

Objective: Our aim was to compare the ability of radiologists to detect breast cancers using one-view breast tomosynthesis (BT) and two-view digital mammography (DM) in an enriched population of diseased patients and benign and/or healthy patients.

Methods: All participants gave informed consent. The BT and DM examinations were performed with about the same average glandular dose to the breast.

A circum-corneal conjunctival nevus in a child.

An amelanotic, circum-corneal nevus in a 2-year-old child is described. The nevus presented at birth as a red spot in the nasal conjunctiva that subsequently enlarged to completely encircle the cornea. The tumour was partially removed three times, but at the age of 6 years, the nevus still covers the entire limbal region.

The effect of subretinal viscoelastics on the porcine retinal function.

The functional consequence of long-term retinal detachment in the porcine model is examined by multifocal electroretinography (mfERG). Retinal detachment (RD) in humans leaves permanent visual impairment, despite anatomical successful reattachment surgery. To improve treatment, adjuvant pharmaceutical therapy is needed, and can only be tested in a suitable animal model.

Breast cancer screening with tomosynthesis--initial experiences.

Experiences gained so far using tomosynthesis for breast cancer screening will be reported. A short summary of results from preparatory studies will also be presented. The sensitivity and specificity of breast tomosynthesis (BT) will be compared with conventional two-dimensional digital mammography (DM) for breast cancer screening in a population-based study.

The effect of reduced breast compression in breast tomosynthesis: human observer study using clinical cases.

The aim of this study was to investigate whether the compression force used with conventional mammography can be reduced with breast tomosynthesis (BT), without adversely affecting the visualisation of normal and pathological structures. Forty-five women were examined with BT using full (same as for 2D mammography) and half compression force. Both examinations were performed with the same acquisition parameters.

The diagnostic accuracy of dual-view digital mammography, single-view breast tomosynthesis and a dual-view combination of breast tomosynthesis and digital mammography in a free-response observer performance study.

The purpose of the present study was to compare the diagnostic accuracy of dual-view digital mammography (DM), single-view breast tomosynthesis (BT) and BT combined with the opposite DM view. Patients with subtle lesions were selected to undergo BT examinations. Two radiologists who are non-participants in the study and have experience in using DM and BT determined the locations and extents of lesions in the images.

Breast tomosynthesis: Accuracy of tumor measurement compared with digital mammography and ultrasonography.

Background: Mammographic tumor size measurement can be difficult because breast structures are superimposed onto a two-dimensional (2D) plane, potentially obscuring the tumor outline. Breast tomosynthesis (BT) is a 3D X-ray imaging technique in which low-dose images are acquired over a limited angular range at a total dose comparable to digital mammography (DM). These low-dose images are used to mathematically reconstruct a 3D image volume of the breast, thus reducing the problem of superimposed tissue.

Predictors and temporal trends of adjuvant aromatase inhibitor use in breast cancer.

After the first report of the ATAC (Arimidex, Tamoxifen, Alone or in Combination) trial, adjuvant aromatase inhibitor use increased rapidly among National Comprehensive Cancer Network member institutions. Increased aromatase inhibitor use was associated with older age, vascular disease, overexpression of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), or more advanced stage, and substantial variation was seen among institutions. This article examines adjuvant endocrine therapy in postmenopausal women after the first report of the trial, identifies temporal relationships in aromatase inhibitor use, and examines characteristics associated with choice of endocrine therapy among 4044 postmenopausal patients with hormone receptor-positive nonmetastatic breast cancer presenting from July 1997 to December 2004.

Breast tomosynthesis and digital mammography: a comparison of breast cancer visibility and BIRADS classification in a population of cancers with subtle mammographic findings.

The main purpose was to compare breast cancer visibility in one-view breast tomosynthesis (BT) to cancer visibility in one- or two-view digital mammography (DM). Thirty-six patients were selected on the basis of subtle signs of breast cancer on DM. One-view BT was performed with the same compression angle as the DM image in which the finding was least/not visible.

Dose reduction and its influence on diagnostic accuracy and radiation risk in digital mammography: an observer performance study using an anthropomorphic breast phantom.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of dose reduction on diagnostic accuracy and radiation risk in digital mammography. Simulated masses and microcalcifications were positioned in an anthropomorphic breast phantom. Thirty digital images, 14 with lesions, 16 without, were acquired of the phantom using a Mammomat Novation (Siemens, Erlangen, Germany) at each of three dose levels.