European Radiology Experimental最新文献

{"title":"CT lymphangiography of the thoracic duct in mice: direct mesenteric versus popliteal lymph node puncture.","authors":"Shimpei Kato, Haruto Sugawara, Toshihiro Furuta, Osamu Abe, Hiroyuki Akai","doi":"10.1186/s41747-025-00568-z","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s41747-025-00568-z","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>To evaluate the efficacy of computed tomography (CT) lymphangiography after direct mesenteric lymph node injection for thoracic duct (TD) visualization in mice.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Twelve female BALB/c mice were injected with 35 μL of iodinated contrast medium (iomeprol 350 mgI/mL) into the mesenteric (mesenteric group) or popliteal (popliteal group) lymph nodes. CT images were acquired before injection and 1 min, 3 min, 5 min, 10 min, and 15 min after injection using a micro-CT scanner. Contrast ratios (CRs) were measured at the cisterna chyli and three levels of the TD (diaphragm, carina, and venous angle). Two experienced radiologists qualitatively assessed images as good, fair, or poor.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The mesenteric group had significantly higher mean (± standard deviation) CRs than the popliteal group for all examined regions at 1 min after injection: cisterna chyli (14.01 ± 4.77 versus 1.47 ± 1.21, p < 0.001), diaphragm (7.28 ± 2.50 versus 0.85 ± 0.61, p = 0.0011), carina (10.33 ± 3.42 versus 0.44 ± 0.40, p < 0.001), and venous angle (6.26 ± 2.02 versus 0.79 ± 0.75, p < 0.001). For the TD between the cisterna chyli and the diaphragm, 6/6 mice in the mesenteric group showed strong enhancement, whereas 5/6 mice in the popliteal group showed minimal or no enhancement. The visual scores of the mesenteric group were significantly higher than those of the popliteal group for all the evaluated regions (p = 0.002).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>CT lymphangiography via mesenteric lymph node injection provides better imaging of the TD in mice than popliteal lymph node injection.</p><p><strong>Relevance statement: </strong>This study enhances TD visualization in mice, advancing preclinical research on lymphatic disorders and improving translational applications for better clinical diagnostics and treatments.</p><p><strong>Key points: </strong>Mesenteric lymph node injection improved the efficacy of TD CT lymphangiography in mice. Mesenteric injection provided significantly better TD visualization than popliteal injection. Enhanced TD visualization in mice advances preclinical research on lymphatic diseases.</p>","PeriodicalId":36926,"journal":{"name":"European Radiology Experimental","volume":"9 1","pages":"22"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2025-02-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11836253/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143450456","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Can ChatGPT and Gemini justify brain CT referrals? A comparative study with human experts and a custom prediction model.","authors":"Jaka Potočnik, Edel Thomas, Dearbhla Kearney, Ronan P Killeen, Eric J Heffernan, Shane J Foley","doi":"10.1186/s41747-025-00569-y","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s41747-025-00569-y","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The poor uptake of imaging referral guidelines in Europe results in a substantial amount of inappropriate computed tomography (CT) scans. Publicly available chatbots, ChatGPT and Gemini, offer an alternative for justifying real-world referrals. Recent research reports high ChatGPT accuracy when analysing American College of Radiology Appropriateness Criteria variants. We compared the chatbots' performance in interpreting, justifying, and suggesting alternative imaging for unstructured adult brain CT referrals in accordance with the European Society of Radiology iGuide. Our prediction model for automated iGuide categorisation of referrals was also compared against the chatbots.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The iGuide justification of 143 real-world CT brain referrals, used to evaluate a prediction model, was analysed by two radiographers and radiologists. ChatGPT-4's and Gemini's imaging recommendations and pathology suspicions were compared with those of humans, with respect to referral completeness. Inter-rater reliability with κ statistics determined the agreement between entities.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Chatbots' performance was limited (κ = 0.3) but improved for more complete referrals. The prediction model outperformed the chatbots in justification analysis (κ = 0.853). The chatbots' interpretations of complete referrals were highly consistent (49/52, 94.2%). The agreement regarding alternative imaging was high for both complete and ambiguous referrals, with ChatGPT and Gemini correctly identifying imaging modality and anatomical region in 83/96 (86.5%) and 81/96 (84.4%) cases, respectively.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The chatbots' ability to analyse the justification of adult brain CT referrals is limited to complete referrals, unlike our prediction model. Further research is needed to confirm these findings for other types of CT scans and modalities.</p><p><strong>Relevance statement: </strong>ChatGPT and Gemini exhibit potential in justifying free text brain CT referrals; however, further improvements are required to handle real-world referrals of varying quality.</p><p><strong>Key points: </strong>Custom prediction model's justification analysis strongly aligns with iGuide and surpasses chatbots. Chatbots incorrectly justified almost one-half of all CT brain referrals. Chatbots have limited performance in justifying ambiguous CT brain referrals. Chatbot performance improved when referrals were detailed and included suspected pathology.</p>","PeriodicalId":36926,"journal":{"name":"European Radiology Experimental","volume":"9 1","pages":"24"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2025-02-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11836243/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143450440","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"CT-guided high-dose-rate brachytherapy ablation of HCC patients with portal vein tumor thrombosis.","authors":"Timo Alexander Auer, Marie-Luise Helene Hildegard Ranner-Hafferl, Melina Anhamm, Georg Böning, Uli Fehrenbach, Raphael Mohr, Dominik Geisel, Roman Kloeckner, Bernhard Gebauer, Federico Collettini","doi":"10.1186/s41747-025-00564-3","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s41747-025-00564-3","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>We assessed the safety and efficacy of computed tomography (CT)-guided high-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy in treating hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with portal vein tumor thrombosis (PVTT).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>From January 2010 to January 2022, 56 patients (median age 67.5 years) with HCC and PVTT underwent 64 procedures. PVTT was further classified according to the Japan liver cancer study group into VP1-VP4. Tumor response was evaluated by cross-sectional imaging 6 weeks after CT-guided HDR brachytherapy and every 3 months thereafter. Local tumor control (LTC), progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) were assessed using Kaplan-Meier curves. The severity of procedure-related complications was classified according to the Society of Interventional Radiology guidelines.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Patients were available for imaging evaluation for a median follow-up of 14.0 months. The median diameter of the largest lesion was 56 mm. Estimated median PFS, LTC, and OS were 7.0 (95% CI 5.0-13.0), 14.0 (95% CI 7.0-21.0), and 20.0 (95% CI 13.0-26.0) months respectively. Actuarial 1-, 2-, and 3-year OS rates were 66%, 41%, and 27%, respectively. Subclassified for VP1, VP2, VP3, and VP4 estimated OS was 38.0 (95% CI 9.0-Not-a-number), 21.5 (95% CI 15.0-25.0), 15.0 (95% CI 7.0-33.0), and 13.0 (95% CI 6.0-34.0) months, respectively. Considering the 64 procedures, we recorded no complications for 49 (76.6%), mild-to-moderate complications for 12 (18.8%), and major complications for 3 (4.7%).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>CT-guided HDR brachytherapy was safe and effective for locoregional treatment in patients with advanced HCC due to PVTT, achieving long-lasting local tumor control.</p><p><strong>Relevance statement: </strong>CT-guided HDR brachytherapy is an option to be considered for locoregional treatment of patients with advanced HCC due to PVTT.</p><p><strong>Key points: </strong>Evaluation of CT-guided high-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy in treating HCC patients with portal vein tumor thrombosis (PVTT). Median OS was 20.0 months ranging between 13.0 and 38.0 months. CT-guided HDR brachytherapy seems to be a safe and effective treatment option in HCC patients with PVTT.</p>","PeriodicalId":36926,"journal":{"name":"European Radiology Experimental","volume":"9 1","pages":"16"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2025-02-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11828765/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143415461","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Enhancing deep learning methods for brain metastasis detection through cross-technique annotations on SPACE MRI.","authors":"Tassilo Wald, Benjamin Hamm, Julius C Holzschuh, Rami El Shafie, Andreas Kudak, Balint Kovacs, Irada Pflüger, Bastian von Nettelbladt, Constantin Ulrich, Michael Anton Baumgartner, Philipp Vollmuth, Jürgen Debus, Klaus H Maier-Hein, Thomas Welzel","doi":"10.1186/s41747-025-00554-5","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s41747-025-00554-5","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Gadolinium-enhanced \"sampling perfection with application-optimized contrasts using different flip angle evolution\" (SPACE) sequence allows better visualization of brain metastases (BMs) compared to \"magnetization-prepared rapid acquisition gradient echo\" (MPRAGE). We hypothesize that this better conspicuity leads to high-quality annotation (HAQ), enhancing deep learning (DL) algorithm detection of BMs on MPRAGE images.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Retrospective contrast-enhanced (gadobutrol 0.1 mmol/kg) SPACE and MPRAGE data of 157 patients with BM were used, either annotated on MPRAGE resulting in normal annotation quality (NAQ) or on coregistered SPACE resulting in HAQ. Multiple DL methods were developed with NAQ or HAQ using either SPACE or MRPAGE images and evaluated on their detection performance using positive predictive value (PPV), sensitivity, and F1 score and on their delineation performance using volumetric Dice similarity coefficient, PPV, and sensitivity on one internal and four additional test datasets (660 patients).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The SPACE-HAQ model reached 0.978 PPV, 0.882 sensitivity, and 0.916 F1-score. The MPRAGE-HAQ reached 0.867, 0.839, and 0.840, the MPRAGE NAQ 0.964, 0.667, and 0.798, respectively (p ≥ 0.157). Relative to MPRAGE-NAQ, the MPRAGE-HAQ F1-score detection increased on all additional test datasets by 2.5-9.6 points (p < 0.016) and sensitivity improved on three datasets by 4.6-8.5 points (p < 0.001). Moreover, volumetric instance sensitivity improved by 3.6-7.6 points (p < 0.001).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>HAQ improves DL methods without specialized imaging during application time. HAQ alone achieves about 40% of the performance improvements seen with SPACE images as input, allowing for fast and accurate, fully automated detection of small (< 1 cm) BMs.</p><p><strong>Relevance statement: </strong>Training with higher-quality annotations, created using the SPACE sequence, improves the detection and delineation sensitivity of DL methods for the detection of brain metastases (BMs)on MPRAGE images. This MRI cross-technique transfer learning is a promising way to increase diagnostic performance.</p><p><strong>Key points: </strong>Delineating small BMs on SPACE MRI sequence results in higher quality annotations than on MPRAGE sequence due to enhanced conspicuity. Leveraging cross-technique ground truth annotations during training improved the accuracy of DL models in detecting and segmenting BMs. Cross-technique annotation may enhance DL models by integrating benefits from specialized, time-intensive MRI sequences while not relying on them. Further validation in prospective studies is needed.</p>","PeriodicalId":36926,"journal":{"name":"European Radiology Experimental","volume":"9 1","pages":"15"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2025-02-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11802942/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143256993","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A minimally invasive animal model of atherosclerosis and neointimal hyperplasia for translational research.","authors":"Max L A Ebert, Vanessa F Schmidt, Osman Öcal, Anne von Thaden, Olaf Dietrich, Bastian Popper, Sandra Elges, Max Seidensticker, Jens Ricke, Melanie A Kimm, Astrid Jeibmann, Moritz Wildgruber","doi":"10.1186/s41747-025-00558-1","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s41747-025-00558-1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>A variety of animal models has been developed for research on atherosclerosis and neointimal hyperplasia. While small animal models contain limits for translational research, we aimed to develop an atherosclerosis model with lumen-narrowing plaques to foster basic research in vascular biology, the development of new angioplasty devices, and vessel wall imaging approaches.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Endothelial denudation was performed via a minimally invasive approach through the auricular artery, followed by stent-retriever mediated endothelial injury in New Zealand White rabbits (n = 10). Along with a high-fat diet, the rabbits developed lumen-narrowing atherosclerosis and neointimal hyperplasia of the iliac arteries within a 6-week period after mechanical injury. The stent-retriever method was compared with a conventional rabbit model (n = 10) using balloon denudation via surgical access, and both models were analyzed with a particular focus on animal welfare. Fisher's exact, Mann-Whitney U, and unpaired t-tests were used.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The average time for the entire procedure was 62 min for the balloon group and 31 min for the stent-retriever group (p < 0.001). The stent-retriever model resulted in less periprocedural morbidity (including expenditure, intubation time, anesthetics, and end-tidal CO₂ level) and mortality (40% mortality in the conventional group compared to 0% in the stent-retriever model, p = 0.011), while generating lumen-narrowing atherosclerotic lesions with key features as compared to humans as revealed by time-of-flight magnetic resonance imaging and histology.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>We developed a minimally invasive model of iliac atherosclerosis with high reproducibility and improved animal welfare for translational research.</p><p><strong>Relevance statement: </strong>This advanced rabbit model could allow for translational research in atherosclerosis, including pharmacological investigations as well as research on interventional angioplasty procedures.</p><p><strong>Key points: </strong>Rabbit models show similar lipid metabolism as humans. Stent-retriever mediated endothelial denudation causes neointimal hyperplasia and lumen narrowing. This minimal invasive model allows for clinical translation, including pharmacological investigations and vessel wall imaging.</p>","PeriodicalId":36926,"journal":{"name":"European Radiology Experimental","volume":"9 1","pages":"14"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2025-02-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11802948/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143256992","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Flexible and wireless metasurface coils for knee and elbow MRI.","authors":"Daniel M Düx, Robert Kowal, Lucas Knull, Simon Schröer, Othmar Belker, Dominik Horstmann, Moritz Gutt, Holger Maune, Oliver Speck, Frank Wacker, Bennet Hensen, Marcel Gutberlet","doi":"10.1186/s41747-024-00549-8","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s41747-024-00549-8","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Metasurface coils (MCs) are a promising magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technology. Aiming to evaluate the image quality of MCs for knee and elbow imaging, we compared signal-to-noise ratio (SNRs) obtained in standard clinical setups.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Knee and elbow MRI routine sequences were applied at 1.5 T, implementing four coil scenarios: (1) 15-channel transmit/receive knee coil; (2) four-channel multipurpose coil (flex coil); (3) MC + spine coil; and (4) MC + multipurpose coil. Three regions of interest (ROIs) at different anatomical depths were compared.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Seven participants (aged 28 ± 2 years; 6 males) were enrolled. In elbow MRI, the MC + spine coil demonstrated the highest SNR across all ROIs (superficial-anterior: +114%, p = 0.008; middle: +147%, p = 0.008; deep-posterior: +24%, p = 0.039) compared to the flex coil and all ROIs, except the deepest from the MC, compared to the knee coil (superficial-anterior: +28%, p = 0.016; middle: +104%, p = 0.008; deep-posterior: -1%, p = 0.531). In knee MRI, the MC + spine coil provided higher SNR compared to the flex coil, except posterior (superficial-anterior: +69%, p = 0.008; middle: +288%, p = 0.008; deep-posterior: -12%, p = 0.148) versus the knee coil, the MC + spine coil was superior in the middle but non-different in superficial pre-patellar areas and less in deep-posterior areas (superficial-anterior: -8%, p = 0.188; middle: +44%, p = 0.008; deep-posterior: -36%, p = 0.016).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Wireless MCs exhibited great potential for knee and elbow MRI outperforming the flex coil. Future developments will improve the posterior illumination to increase its clinical value.</p><p><strong>Relevance statement: </strong>MCs offer enhanced versatility, flexibility, and patient comfort. If universal MC designs can achieve image quality comparable to those of standard coils and simultaneously be utilized across multiple body areas, the technology may revolutionize future musculoskeletal MRIs.</p><p><strong>Key points: </strong>MCs are promising in MRI, but homogeneity is challenging depending on the design. Signal-to-noise-ratio was improved for knee and elbow imaging with slight inhomogeneous illumination. MCs could match the image quality of standard coils in both knee and elbow imaging.</p>","PeriodicalId":36926,"journal":{"name":"European Radiology Experimental","volume":"9 1","pages":"13"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2025-01-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11782736/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143068578","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"CompositIA: an open-source automated quantification tool for body composition scores from thoraco-abdominal CT scans.","authors":"Raffaella Fiamma Cabini, Andrea Cozzi, Svenja Leu, Benedikt Thelen, Rolf Krause, Filippo Del Grande, Diego Ulisse Pizzagalli, Stefania Maria Rita Rizzo","doi":"10.1186/s41747-025-00552-7","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s41747-025-00552-7","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Body composition scores allow for quantifying the volume and physical properties of specific tissues. However, their manual calculation is time-consuming and prone to human error. This study aims to develop and validate CompositIA, an automated, open-source pipeline for quantifying body composition scores from thoraco-abdominal computed tomography (CT) scans.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A retrospective dataset of 205 contrast-enhanced thoraco-abdominal CT examinations was used for training, while 54 scans from a publicly available dataset were used for independent testing. Two radiology residents performed manual segmentation, identifying the centers of the L1 and L3 vertebrae and segmenting the corresponding axial slices. MultiResUNet was used to identify CT slices intersecting the L1 and L3 vertebrae, and its performance was evaluated using the mean absolute error (MAE). Two U-nets were used to segment the axial slices, with performance evaluated through the volumetric Dice similarity coefficient (vDSC). CompositIA's performance in quantifying body composition indices was assessed using mean percentage relative error (PRE), regression, and Bland-Altman analyses.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>On the independent dataset, CompositIA achieved a MAE of about 5 mm in detecting slices intersecting the L1 and L3 vertebrae, with a MAE < 10 mm in at least 85% of cases and a vDSC greater than 0.85 in segmenting axial slices. Regression and Bland-Altman analyses demonstrated a strong linear relationship and good agreement between automated and manual scores (p values < 0.001 for all indices), with mean PREs ranging from 5.13% to 15.18%.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>CompositIA facilitated the automated quantification of body composition scores, achieving high precision in independent testing.</p><p><strong>Relevance statement: </strong>CompositIA is an automated, open-source pipeline for quantifying body composition indices from CT scans, simplifying clinical assessments, and expanding their applicability.</p><p><strong>Key points: </strong>Manual body composition assessment from CTs is time-consuming and prone to errors. CompositIA was trained on 205 CT scans and tested on 54 scans. CompositIA demonstrated mean percentage relative errors under 15% compared to manual indices. CompositIA simplifies body composition assessment through an artificial intelligence-driven and open-source pipeline.</p>","PeriodicalId":36926,"journal":{"name":"European Radiology Experimental","volume":"9 1","pages":"12"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2025-01-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11780042/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143068572","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Photon-counting detector CTA to assess intracranial stents and flow diverters: an in vivo study with ultrahigh-resolution spectral reconstructions.","authors":"Frederic De Beukelaer, Sophie De Beukelaer, Laura L Wuyts, Omid Nikoubashman, Mohammed El Halal, Iliana Kantzeli, Martin Wiesmann, Hani Ridwan, Charlotte S Weyland","doi":"10.1186/s41747-025-00550-9","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s41747-025-00550-9","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>To define optimal parameters for the evaluation of vessel visibility in intracranial stents (ICS) and flow diverters (FD) using photon-counting detector computed tomography angiography (PCD-CTA) with spectral reconstructions.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We retrospectively analyzed consecutive patients with implanted ICS or FD, who received a PCD-CTA between April 2023 and March 2024. Polyenergetic, virtual monoenergetic, pure lumen, and iodine reconstructions with different keV levels (40, 60, and 80) and reconstruction kernels (body vascular [Bv]48, Bv56, Bv64, Bv72, and Bv76) were evaluated by two radiologists with regions of interests and Likert scales. Reconstructions were compared in descriptive analysis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In total, twelve patients with nine FDs and six ICSs were analyzed. In terms of quantitative image quality, sharper kernels as Bv64 and Bv72 yielded increased image noise and decreased signal-to-noise and contrast-to-noise ratios compared to the smoothest kernel Bv48 (p = 0.001). Among the different keV levels and kernels, readers selected the 40 keV level (p = 0.001) and sharper kernels (in the majority of cases Bv72) as the best to visualize the in-stent vessel lumen. Assessing the different spectral reconstructions virtual monoenergetic and iodine reconstructions proved to be best to evaluate in-stent vessel lumen (p = 0.001).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>PCD-CTA and spectral reconstructions with sharper reconstruction kernels and a low keV level of 40 seem to be beneficial to achieve optimal image quality for the evaluation of ICS and FD. Iodine and virtual monoenergetic reconstructions were superior to pure lumen and polyenergetic reconstructions to evaluate in-stent vessel lumen.</p><p><strong>Relevance statement: </strong>PCD-CTA offers the opportunity to reduce the need for invasive angiography serving as follow-up examination after intracranial stent (ICS) or flow diverter (FD) implantation.</p><p><strong>Key points: </strong>Neuroimaging of intracranial vessels with implanted stents and flow diverters is limited by artifacts. Twelve patients with nine flow diverters and six intracranial stents underwent photon-counting detector computed tomography angiography (PCD-CTA). In-stent vessel lumen visibility improved using sharp reconstruction kernels and a low keV level. Virtual monoenergetic and iodine reconstructions were best to evaluate in-stent vessel lumen.</p>","PeriodicalId":36926,"journal":{"name":"European Radiology Experimental","volume":"9 1","pages":"10"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2025-01-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11780015/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143068496","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Feasibility of generating sagittal radiographs from coronal views using GAN-based deep learning framework in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.","authors":"Tito Bassani, Andrea Cina, Fabio Galbusera, Andrea Cazzato, Maria Elena Pellegrino, Domenico Albano, Luca Maria Sconfienza","doi":"10.1186/s41747-025-00553-6","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s41747-025-00553-6","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Minimizing radiation exposure is crucial in monitoring adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). Generative adversarial networks (GANs) have emerged as valuable tools being able to generate high-quality synthetic images. This study explores the use of GANs to generate synthetic sagittal radiographs from coronal views in AIS patients.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A dataset of 3,935 AIS patients who underwent spine and pelvis radiographic examinations using the EOS system, which simultaneously acquires coronal and sagittal images, was analyzed. The dataset was divided into training-set (85%, n = 3,356) and test-set (15%, n = 579). GAN model was trained to generate sagittal images from coronal views, with real sagittal views as reference standard. To assess accuracy, 100 subjects from the test-set were randomly selected for manual measurement of lumbar lordosis (LL), sacral slope (SS), pelvic incidence (PI), and sagittal vertical axis (SVA) by two radiologists in both synthetic and real images.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Sixty-nine synthetic images were considered assessable. The intraclass correlation coefficient ranged 0.93-0.99 for measurements in real images, and from 0.83 to 0.88 for synthetic images. Correlations between parameters of real and synthetic images were 0.52 (LL), 0.17 (SS), 0.18 (PI), and 0.74 (SVA). Measurement errors showed minimal correlation with scoliosis severity. Mean ± standard deviation absolute errors were 7 ± 7° (LL), 9 ± 7° (SS), 9 ± 8° (PI), and 1.1 ± 0.8 cm (SVA).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>While the model generates sagittal images visually consistent with reference images, their quality is not sufficient for clinical parameter assessment, except for promising results in SVA.</p><p><strong>Relevance statement: </strong>AI can generate synthetic sagittal radiographs from coronal views to reduce radiation exposure in monitoring adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). However, while these synthetic images appear visually consistent with real ones, their quality remains insufficient for accurate clinical assessment.</p><p><strong>Key points: </strong>AI can be exploited to generate synthetic sagittal radiographs from coronal views. Dataset of 3,935 subjects was used to train and test AI-model; spinal parameters from synthetic and real images were compared. Synthetic images were visually consistent with real ones, but quality was generally insufficient for accurate clinical assessment.</p>","PeriodicalId":36926,"journal":{"name":"European Radiology Experimental","volume":"9 1","pages":"11"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2025-01-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11780070/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143068575","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"CLINTERVENTIONAL protocol: a randomized controlled trial to evaluate clinical consultations and audiovisual tools for interventional radiology.","authors":"Pedro Blas García Jurado, Juan José Espejo Herrero, María Sagrario Lombardo Galera, María Eugenia Pérez Montilla, Sara Barranco Acosta, José García-Revillo, Pilar Font Ugalde, Marina Álvarez Benito","doi":"10.1186/s41747-024-00545-y","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s41747-024-00545-y","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Interventional radiology (IR) has evolved rapidly, but the clinical integration of interventional radiologists has not kept pace with technical advancements. This trial will address a gap in the literature by providing a robust investigation into specific measures for enhancing the clinical role of interventional radiologists, with potential implications for improving patient experiences and outcomes. The single-center randomized controlled trial will include 428 patients undergoing IR procedures. The control group will receive information about the procedure from the ordering physician, while the experimental group will have an additional consultation with an interventional radiologist and be shown procedure-specific explanatory videos. The primary outcomes are patients' knowledge, satisfaction with the information and communication, and anxiety. Data collection will involve specific questionnaires and scales. This trial is designed to investigate the importance of proactive clinical roles in patient care within IR. The study explores the potential of consultations and audiovisual tools, highlighting their role in educating patients about procedures. The results may help foster a more widespread acceptance of clinical responsibilities in IR and underscore the pivotal role of audiovisual aids in patient education and satisfaction.</p><p><strong>Trial registration: </strong>NCT05461482 at clinicaltrials.gov.</p><p><strong>Relevance statement: </strong>This randomized controlled trial will assess the impact of clinical consultations and explanatory audiovisual tools on patient understanding, satisfaction, and anxiety in interventional radiology. The findings could help establish a more proactive clinical role for interventional radiologists and improve the overall quality of patient-centered care.</p><p><strong>Key points: </strong>We describe the protocol of an interventional radiology randomized clinical trial. The control group will receive procedure information from the referring physician and the experimental group receives additional consultation with interventionalists and views a video. Knowledge, satisfaction with information, and patient anxiety will be evaluated. This study will provide insights about the benefits of consultations and videos in interventional radiology.</p>","PeriodicalId":36926,"journal":{"name":"European Radiology Experimental","volume":"9 1","pages":"6"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2025-01-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11735821/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142985079","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}