Effectiveness of automated quantification of pulmonary perfused blood volume using dual-energy CTPA for the severity assessment of acute pulmonary embolism.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine whether automated quantification of pulmonary perfused blood volume (PBV) in dual-energy computed tomography pulmonary angiography is of diagnostic value in assessing the severity of acute pulmonary embolism (PE).

Materials And Methods: Ethical approval and informed consent were waived by the responsible institutional review board for this retrospective study. Of 224 consecutive patients with dual-energy computed tomography pulmonary angiographic findings positive for acute PE, we excluded 153 patients because of thoracic comorbidities (n = 130), missing data (n = 11), severe artifacts (n = 11), or inadequate enhancement (n = 1).

Assessing pulmonary perfusion in emphysema: automated quantification of perfused blood volume in dual-energy CTPA.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to determine whether automated quantification of lung perfused blood volume (PBV) in dual-energy computed tomographic pulmonary angiography (DE-CTPA) can be used to assess the severity and regional distribution of pulmonary hypoperfusion in emphysema.

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 40 consecutive patients (mean age, 67 [13] years) with pulmonary emphysema, who have no cardiopulmonary comorbidities, and a DE-CTPA negative for pulmonary embolism. Automated quantification of global and regional pulmonary PBV was performed using the syngo Dual Energy application (Siemens Healthcare).

Worsening respiratory function in mechanically ventilated intensive care patients: feasibility and value of xenon-enhanced dual energy CT.

Objectives: To evaluate the feasibility and incremental diagnostic value of xenon-enhanced dual-energy CT in mechanically ventilated intensive care patients with worsening respiratory function.

Methods: The study was performed in 13 mechanically ventilated patients with severe pulmonary conditions (acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), n=5; status post lung transplantation, n=5; other, n=3) and declining respiratory function. CT scans were performed using a dual-source CT scanner at an expiratory xenon concentration of 30%.

Evaluation of the 6-F ExoSeal vascular closure device in antegrade femoral artery punctures.

Purpose: To evaluate the safety, comfort, and efficacy of an extravascularly deployed bioabsorbable plug-based vascular closure device (VCD) for sealing 6-F antegrade access sites in patients requiring peripheral endovascular intervention.

Methods: A single-center, single-arm, prospective study to evaluate the 6-F ExoSeal VCD in terms of technical success, adverse events, and patient comfort enrolled 59 unselected symptomatic patients (42 men; mean age 72.1 ± 9.

Ventilation imaging of the paranasal sinuses using xenon-enhanced dynamic single-energy CT and dual-energy CT: a feasibility study in a nasal cast.

Objective: To show the feasibility of dual-energy CT (DECT) and dynamic CT for ventilation imaging of the paranasal sinuses in a nasal cast.

Methods: In a first trial, xenon gas was administered to a nasal cast with a laminar flow of 7 L/min. Dynamic CT acquisitions of the nasal cavity and the sinuses were performed.

Value of oxygen-enhanced MRI of the lungs in patients with pulmonary hypertension: a qualitative and quantitative approach.

Purpose: To assess the clinical value of oxygen-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (oeMRI) in patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH) by correlation with ventilation/perfusion (V/Q) scintigraphy.

Materials And Methods: In all, 33 patients with known PH underwent V/Q scintigraphy and oeMRI. oeMRI was used to assess the regional pulmonary function based on relative-signal-enhancement (RSE) and cross-correlation-coefficient (CCC) maps, evaluating mean RSE (mRSE), fraction of oxygen-activated pixels (fOAP), and mean CCC (mCCC).

Relationship between PSA kinetics and [18F]fluorocholine PET/CT detection rates of recurrence in patients with prostate cancer after total prostatectomy.

Purpose: The aim of the present study was to identify prostate-specific antigen (PSA) threshold levels, as well as PSA velocity, progression rate and doubling time in relation to the detectability and localization of recurrent lesions with [(18)F]fluorocholine (FC) PET/CT in patients after radical prostatectomy.

Methods: The study group comprised 82 consecutive patients with biochemical relapse after radical prostatectomy. PSA levels measured at the time of imaging were correlated with the FC PET/CT detection rates in the entire group with PSA velocity (in 48 patients), with PSA doubling time (in 47 patients) and with PSA progression (in 29 patients).

Severity assessment of pulmonary embolism using dual energy CT - correlation of a pulmonary perfusion defect score with clinical and morphological parameters of blood oxygenation and right ventricular failure.

Objective: To correlate a Dual Energy (DE)-based visual perfusion defect scoring system with established CT-based and clinical parameters of pulmonary embolism (PE) severity.

Methods: In 63 PE patients, DE perfusion maps were visually scored for perfusion defects (P-score). Vascular obstruction was quantified using the Mastora score.

Dual-energy lung perfusion computed tomography: a novel pulmonary functional imaging method.

Dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) can be used for visualization of pulmonary microvascular contrast material distribution, representing regional perfusion. It is performed as DECT angiography and allows for the reconstruction of morphologic images as well as of "perfusion maps." The authors of previous studies have shown its potential to reliably depict perfusion defects, mainly in the context of pulmonary embolism.

Pulmonary ventilation and perfusion imaging with dual-energy CT.

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility of dual-energy CT (DECT) ventilation imaging in combination with DE perfusion mapping for a comprehensive assessment of ventilation, perfusion, morphology and structure of the pulmonary parenchyma.

Methods: Two dual-energy CT acquisitions for xenon-enhanced ventilation and iodine-enhanced perfusion mapping were performed in patients under artificial respiration. Parenchymal xenon and iodine distribution were mapped and correlated with structural or vascular abnormalities.

Diagnosing pulmonary embolism: new computed tomography applications.

Computed tomographic pulmonary angiography has become the standard of care for the evaluation of patients with suspected pulmonary embolism (PE). In addition to the direct depiction or exclusion of a pulmonary embolus in suspected PE, a number of predictive markers have been established to evaluate the patient's prognosis in acute and in chronic PE. An accurate risk stratification based on CT findings is crucial because optimal management, monitoring, and therapeutic strategies depend on the prognosis.

Dual-energy CT for the assessment of contrast material distribution in the pulmonary parenchyma.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility and diagnostic value of dual-energy CT iodine mapping at pulmonary CT angiography.

Subjects And Methods: Ninety-three patients underwent CT angiography with the dual-energy technique on a dual-source CT scanner. Postprocessing was used to map iodine in the lung parenchyma on the basis of its spectral behavior, and image quality was assessed by two readers.

Adult presentation of combined unilateral atresia of the right proximal pulmonary artery and left patent ductus arteriosus: case report and embryological considerations.

We report on a rare case of combined unilateral atresia of the proximal right pulmonary artery (PA) and left patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). A 46 year-old female patient with known PDA and associated advanced pulmonary arterial hypertension presented with progressive hemoptysis and increasing exertional dyspnea. Computed tomography of the chest proved the presence of the known PDA but surprisingly failed to demonstrate an extrapulmonary proximal right PA.

Dual energy CT for the assessment of lung perfusion--correlation to scintigraphy.

Purpose of this study was to determine the diagnostic value of dual energy CT in the assessment of pulmonary perfusion with reference to pulmonary perfusion scintigraphy. Thirteen patients received both dual energy CT (DECT) angiography (Somatom Definition, Siemens) and ventilation/perfusion scintigraphy. Median time between scans was 3 days (range, 0-90).

Extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer regulates matrix metalloproteinase activity in cardiovascular cells: implications in acute myocardial infarction.

Background: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are thought to promote progression of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular complications such as plaque rupture. It has been suggested that, on tumor cells, the extracellular MMP inducer (EMMPRIN) is involved in MMP synthesis by as yet unknown mechanisms. On cardiovascular cells, regulation of EMMPRIN in vivo or any functional relevance for MMP induction in vitro has not yet been studied.