Flat panel detector-based volumetric computed tomography (fpVCT): performance evaluation of volumetric methods by using different phantoms in comparison to 64-multislice computed tomography.

Objectives: Evaluation of a silicon-based flat panel volumetric computed tomography (fpVCT) and multislice CT in terms of volumetry of phantoms with different algorithms. Furthermore, to compare the different volumetric analysis methods themselves.

Materials And Methods: Four phantoms of different materials have been scanned with fpVCT (GE prototype with circular gantry with 2 aSi/CsI flat panel detector) and a 64-slice spiral CT (MSCT: LightSpeed VCT).

Flat-panel-detector-based volumetric CT: performance evaluation of imaging for skeletal structures of small animals in comparison to multislice CT.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare the image performance of silicon-based flat-panel-detector-based volumetric computed tomography (fpVCT) to multislice spiral computed tomography (MSCT) for the visualization and detail detectability of skeletal structures in rodents of different development stages.

Materials And Methods: Rodents of different development stages were imaged with fpVCT (GE prototype with circular gantry with two 1024 x 1024, 200-microm pixel size, amorphous silicon/Cesium lodid (Csl) flat-panel detector) and eight-slice MSCT (LightSpeed Ultra). Imaging parameters (80 kVp, 100 mA) and the position of the rodents were identical in both techniques.

Imaging of genitourinary trauma.

The kidney, bladder and male urethra are the organs typically injured by blunt and penetrating trauma to the urinary tract, whereas the ureter is only rarely injured. The staging of genitourinary tract trauma has recently gained tremendous significance due to improvements in ultrasound, CT and MRI, including contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography, and has become a helpful tool for decision making with regard to conservative and surgical management. Furthermore, interventional radiology may be helpful to control hemorrhage from vessels in the pelvic region that may not be easily accessed by open surgery.

Impact of breast density on computer-aided detection in full-field digital mammography.

The goal of this study was to evaluate the performance of a computer-aided detection (CAD) system in full-field digital mammography (Senographe 2000D, General Electric, Buc, France) in finding out carcinomas depending on the parenchymal density. A total of 226 mediolateral oblique (MLO) and 186 craniocaudal (CC) mammographic views of histologically proven cancers were retrospectively evaluated with a digital CAD system (ImageChecker V2.3 R2 Technology, Los Altos, CA, USA).

Computer-aided detection in full-field digital mammography: detection in dependence of the BI-RADS categories.

The object of this study was to determine the performance of a computer-aided detection system in full-field digital mammography (Senographe 2000D, General Electric, Buc, France) in detecting carcinomas in breasts in dependence of the initial Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) categories. A total of 226 mediolateral oblique (MLO) and 186 craniocaudal (CC) view mammograms of histologically proven cancers were retrospectively evaluated with a primary digital computer-aided detection system (Image Checker V2.3; R2 Technology, Los Altos, CA).

[Retrospective analysis of a computer-aided detection (CAD) system in full-field digital mammography in correlation to tumor histology].

Purpose: To evaluate the usefulness of a computer-aided detection (CAD) system in full-field digital mammography in correlation to tumor histology.

Material And Methods: A total of 476 patients (226 patients with histologically proven malignant tumors, 250 healthy women) took part in this study. The mammograms were studied retrospectively, using the CAD system Image Checker.

Applications and literature review of the BI-RADS classification.

The Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) of the American College of Radiology (ACR) is a tool created to reduce variability in the terminology used in mammographic reports. An illustration of mammographic examples from our institution interpreted according to the BI-RADS lexicon of the American College of Radiology (ACR) is presented. A literature review concerning the usefulness and limitations of the BI-RADS lexicon is given.

Imaging skeletal anatomy of injured cervical spine specimens: comparison of single-slice vs multi-slice helical CT.

Our objective was to compare a single-slice CT (SS-CT) scanner with a multi-slice CT (MS-CT) scanner in the depiction of osseous anatomic structures and fractures of the upper cervical spine. Two cervical spine specimens with artificial trauma were scanned with a SS-CT scanner (HighSpeed, CT/i, GE, Milwaukee, Wis.) by using various collimations (1, 3, 5 mm) and pitch factors (1, 1.

Screen film vs full-field digital mammography: image quality, detectability and characterization of lesions.

The objective of this study was to compare screen-film mammography (SFM) to full-field digital mammography (FFDM) regarding image quality as well as detectability and characterization of lesions using equivalent images of the same patient acquired with both systems. Two mammography units were used, one with a screen-film system (Senographe DMR) and the other with a digital detector (Senographe 2000D, both GEMS). Screen-film and digital mammograms were performed on 55 patients with cytologically or histologically proven tumors on the same day.

[Stereotactic vacuum core biopsy of clustered microcalcifications classified as B1-RADS 3].

Purpose: Evaluation of stereotactic vacuum core biopsy of clustered microcalcifications categorized as BI-RADS 3.

Material And Methods: 86 patients with microcalcifications BI-RADS 3 (probably benign, < 3% malignant) underwent a stereotactic vacuum core biopsy (Mammotome, Fa. Ethicon Endo-Surgery Breast Care) using a digital stereotactic unit (Mammotest, Fa.

[Full-field digital mammography: dose-dependent detectability of breast lesions and microcalcinosis].

Objectives: The study compares contrast-detail and microcalcification detectability of a full-field digital mammography (FFDM) to a state-of-the-art conventional screen-film mammography (SFM) by using different doses in the digital system.

Materials And Methods: The investigations were performed with an FFDM (Senographe 2000 D, GEMS) and an SFM system (Senographe DMR, GEMS) using a contrast-detail mammography phantom (CDMAM) and an anthropomorphic breast phantom with superimposed microcalcifications. The digital detector was exposed with standard dose of SFM and with a dose reduction of up to 75%.

[Full-field digital mammography: a phantom study for detection of microcalcification].

Objectives: The study compares direct full-field digital mammography (FFDM) to the state-of-the-art conventional screen-film mammography (SFM) concerning the detectability of simulated microcalcifications.

Materials And Methods: The investigations were performed with a FFDM system (Senographe 2000D, GEMS) and a SFM system (Senographe DMR, GEMS, Fuji UM MA film with Fuji UM MAMMO FINE screen). An anthropomorphic breast phantom with superimposed microcalcifications (50-200 microns) was used to evaluate the detectability of microcalcifications with a confidence level ranging from 1 to 5.

[The optimization of MR cholangiopancreatography].

Purpose: To improve the image quality of magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) by modification of examination conditions.

Materials And Methods: MRCP of 72 patients was performed with a 1.5 T system (Magnetom Vision, Siemens, 25 mT/m) using two breath-hold techniques, half-fourier acquisition with multislice T2-WI HASTE in MIP technique, and single shot T2-WI turbo-spin-echo (RARE) with different slice thicknesses.