Development and validation of deep learning models for identifying the brand of pedicle screws on plain spine radiographs.

Background: In spinal revision surgery, previous pedicle screws (PS) may need to be replaced with new implants. Failure to accurately identify the brand of PS-based instrumentation preoperatively may increase the risk of perioperative complications. This study aimed to develop and validate an optimal deep learning (DL) model to identify the brand of PS-based instrumentation on plain radiographs of spine (PRS) using anteroposterior (AP) and lateral images.

Simulation and evaluation of increased imaging service capacity at the MRI department using reduced coil-setting times.

The wait times for patients from their appointments to receiving magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are usually long. To reduce this wait time, the present study proposed that service time wastage could be reduced by adjusting MRI examination scheduling by prioritizing patients who require examinations involving the same type of coil. This approach can reduce patient wait times and thereby maximize MRI departments' service times.

BlueLight: An Open Source DICOM Viewer Using Low-Cost Computation Algorithm Implemented with JavaScript Using Advanced Medical Imaging Visualization.

Recently, WebGL has been widely used in numerous web-based medical image viewers to present advanced imaging visualization. However, in the scenario of medical imaging, there are many challenges of computation time and memory consumption that limit the use of advanced image renderings, such as volume rendering and multiplanar reformation/reconstruction, in low-cost mobile devices. In this study, we propose a client-side rendering low-cost computation algorithm for common two- and three-dimensional medical imaging visualization implemented by pure JavaScript.

Ensemble classification and segmentation for intracranial metastatic tumors on MRI images based on 2D U-nets.

The extraction of brain tumor tissues in 3D Brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) plays an important role in diagnosis before the gamma knife radiosurgery (GKRS). In this article, the post-contrast T1 whole-brain MRI images had been collected by Taipei Veterans General Hospital (TVGH) and stored in DICOM format (dated from 1999 to 2018). The proposed method starts with the active contour model to get the region of interest (ROI) automatically and enhance the image contrast.

Visiting in disguise: Analysis of inpatient companions in the time of COVID-19.

Background: As outbreak of COVID-19 infection, on April 3, 2020, it is stipulated that the number of inpatient companions is limited to one in Taiwan. All companions are required to register their real personal data with 14 days of travel history, occupation, contact history, and cluster history. We would like to evaluate the impact of the new regulations to the accompanying and visiting culture in Taiwan, via analyzing the appearance and characteristics of inpatient companions in this period.

Hospital-Owned Apps in Taiwan: Nationwide Survey.

Background: Over the last decade, the use of mobile phone apps in the health care industry has grown rapidly. Owing to the high penetration rate of Internet use in Taiwan, hospitals are eager to provide their own apps to improve the accessibility of medical care for patients.

Objective: The aims of this study were to provide an overview of the currently available hospital-owned apps in Taiwan and to conduct a cross-hospital comparison of app features.

A rational approach to estimating the surgical demand elasticity needed to guide manpower reallocation during contagious outbreaks.

Background: Emerging infectious diseases continue to pose serious threats to global public health. So far, however, few published study has addressed the need for manpower reallocation needed in hospitals when such a serious contagious outbreak occurs.

Aim: To quantify the demand elasticity of the major surgery types in order to guide future manpower reallocation during contagious outbreaks.

Risk of post-vertebroplasty fracture in adjacent vertebral bodies appears correlated with the morphologic extent of bone cement.

Background: New fractures in adjacent vertebral bodies were found after percutaneous vertebroplasty. We evaluated the correlation between extent of polymethylmethacrylate cement and occurrence of post-vertebroplasty fractures in patients with osteoporosis.

Methods: Totally 162 adjacent vertebral bodies with no fracture at the time of vertebroplasty and the distribution of cement in corresponding treated vertebral bodies of 98 patients were included for the evaluation.

Comparing the working time between Bar-Code Medication Administration system and traditional medication administration system: an observational study.

Background: The medical institutions had paid attention to the medication error via Bar-Code Medication Administration system (BCMA) to improve the accuracy of the medication process for patient safety. Yet, the working time of drug delivery was under investigated.

Objectives: Comparing the working time of oral drugs between Bar-Code Medication Administration system and traditional medication administration system.

Are Non-contrast MR Images enough for Detection of Fracture Levels Prior to Percutaneous Vertebroplasty in Patients with Osteoporosis?

We evaluated the detectability of painful vertebral compression fractures (VCFs) on different MRI protocols in 40 osteoporotic patients with thoraco-lumbar osteoporotic vertebral fractures. Five hundred and ten thoracic and lumbar vertebrae in 40 patients were evaluated. All patients underwent percutaneous vertebroplasty.

Torticollis due to atlantoaxial rotatory fixation.

Torticollis due to atlantoaxial rotatory fixation (AARF) is rare. Most cases are idiopathic or occur after infection or minor trauma. AARF can cause neurologic deficits, and patients often present with torticollis that fails to resolve.

The current role of 1.5T non-contrast 3D time-of-flight magnetic resonance angiography to detect intracranial steno-occlusive disease.

Background/purpose: This study was performed to evaluate the role of non-contrast 3D time-of-flight (TOF) magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) to detect and quantify intracranial steno-occlusive disease.

Methods: Between April 2004 and January 2006, 45 patients with both 1.5T TOF MRA and digital subtraction angiography (DSA) performed within a 30-day interval were included.

The Relationship between Carotid Artery Diameter and Percentage of Stenosis.

In order to understand percentage of stenosis from the residual lumen of the carotid artery, we explored the relationship between the residual diameter at the carotid stenosis, its stenosis percentage and the size of the internal carotid artery. Diameters of 103 carotid arteries of Taiwan residents were retrospectively measured from digital subtraction angiograms. Severe cases of near occlusion with the angiographic string sign, and cases with tandem lesions or intracranial occlusion were excluded.

Variable pump flow-based Doppler ultrasound method: a novel approach to the measurement of access flow in hemodialysis patients.

Decreasing vascular access flow (Qa) is an important predictor of future access thrombosis and malfunction for hemodialysis (HD) patients. Among all of the methods for determining Qa, the variable pump flow (VPF) Doppler method measures Qa according to the change in Doppler signal between the arterial and the venous needles under different pump flow. After this technique was combined with spectral analysis of Duplex Doppler imaging, the variable pump flow-based Doppler ultrasound method (VPFDUM) for Qa measurement was developed.

Comparison of shoulder ultrasound and MR imaging in diagnosing full-thickness rotator cuff tears.

Ultrasound (US) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of 422 cases were evaluated to compare the feasibility in diagnosing full-thickness rotator cuff tears (FTRCTs). On the basis of different US performers, they were divided into two groups: Group 1 performed by a 5-year experience technician and Group 2 performed by a 10-year experience radiologist. Sensitivity, negative predictive value (NPV), accuracy of US, and correlation between the two modalities were better in Group 2.