Objective To explore the clinical application of dual-soure CT(DSCT) in coronary artery.Methods 51 patients suspected with coronary artery disease underwent both DSCT coronary arteriography and selective coronary angiography(CAG), the DSCTA results were compared with that of CAG.Results DSCT coronary arteriography in 51 patients at any heart rate was successful.Coronary artery branches and part sub-branches were clearly displayed by DSCT angiography.Stenosis or obstruction of 166 coronary artery branchs in 51 patients were showed ,of them,150 branches were confirmed by CAG. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV) and accuracy of DSCTA were 100%, 90%, 90.4%, 100% and 94.8% respectively.Conclusion DSCT is a valuable method in detecting the diseases of coronary artery with lower dose. The accuracy of the DSCT is approximate to the CAG.

Objective To evaluate the clinical value of 131 Ⅰ SPECT/CT in the differentiation of indeterminate 131Ⅰ uptake on planer whole body scan (WBS) for patients with DTC after 131Ⅰ treatment. Methods Fifty-six DTC patients ( male: 19, female: 37, mean age: 45 ± 15 years, ranging from 20 to 85 years) underwent 131Ⅰ treatment. 131Ⅰ WBS was performed five days after 131 Ⅰ treatment, followed by regional 131Ⅰ SPECT/CT for the indeterminate foci with abnormal uptake on 131Ⅰ WBS. The diagnostic difference of the two imaging modalities was compared by x2 test. Results There were 288 foci with abnormal uptake on 131 Ⅰ WBS, including 108 indeterminate foci (37.5%). Subsequent 131Ⅰ SPECT/CT identified 27 foci as DTC metastases (25.0%) and 71 foci as non-metastases such as benign lesions at nose, oral cavity, salivary gland, maxillary cyst, thyroid remnant, thymus, gallbladder, gastrointestinal tract, and uterus, or non-specific uptake of body contaminations (65.7%). However, the remaining 10 foci (9.3%) remained indeterminate on 131 Ⅰ SPECT/CT imaging. The diagnostic accuracy of 131 Ⅰ SPECT/CT was significantly higher than that of 131Ⅰ WBS (x2 = 102.35, P＜0. 01). Conclusion 131Ⅰ SPECT/CT could significantly improve the diagnostic accuracy for the differentiation of indeterminate foci with abnormal uptake on 131Ⅰ WBS.

A rapid LAMP detection method with primers designed on genus-specific region identified in the gyrA gene was established in this assay. All four Campylobacter jejuni from different sources were detected positive and fourteen non Campylobacter bacteria were negative, which shows excellent specificity of the primers. Compared with plate count and PCR method, the LAMP method and the PCR method had equal sensitivity, which were three orders of magnitude higher than plate count. In this assay, we also found out that the treatment of DNase could reduce the dead bacteria DNA effectively. The LAMP detection on chicken indicated relatively good result on detection of Campylobacter jejuni combining with treatment of DNase.

ObjectiveTo explore the value of low-dose gated dual-source CT(DSCT)in the diagnosis of interrupted aortic.arch.MethodsNine pediatric patients performed DSCT angiography and color Doppler flow imaging(CDFI)in the thoracic aorta and heart.All patients were operated.ResultsDSCT examination was finished in all patients with interrupted aortic arch.Nine patients were associated with ventricular septal defect(VSD),8 patients with patent ductus arteriosus(PDA),2 with bronchus artery dilation and 3 with abnormal origin of the coronary artery.Seven patients were diagnosed as interrupted aortic arch by CDFI,2 patients were diagnosed as truncus arteriosus and coarctation of the aorta respectively.All VSDs and PDAs were detected by CDFI.The diagnostic accuracy of DSCT and CDFI were 94.12%(32/34)and 82.35(28/34)respectively.Conclusion DSCT is a valuable imaging method for the diagnosis of pediatric interrupted aortic arch.

Objective To investigate a new method which could not only avoid the extrusion of the silicon implant, but also be benefit for the reconstruction of nasal tip and alar during nasal augmen-tation procedure. Methods Folded lower lateral cartilage flap combined with silicon implant was ap-plied for nasal dorsal augmentation and reconstruction of nasal tip and alar with its unique character at the same time. Results 12 cases were all primary healing, without infection, extrusion of implant and other complications. One month after operation, the projection of nasal tip was increased, which had better delicate and definite shape, natural appearing tip adding contour and height to nasal tip, pleas-ant definition. Conclusions Folded lower lateral cartilage flap combined with silicon implant is an ef-fective method to decrease the incidence of extrusion, when we want to have a little over-projected na-sal tip with prosthesis. It is also helpful for reconstructing the nasal tip and alar with its unique char-acter.

OBJECTIVESTo research radiographic anatomy of the main structure of the pelvic Teepee view, including its azimuth direction and view anatomy structure.

METHODSFrom June 2013 to June 2014 adult pelvic CT examination results were filtered, excluding skeletal deformities and pelvic osseous destruction caused by tumors, trauma, etc. The data of 2.0 mm contiguous CT scan of 9 adults' intact pelves was,selected and input into Mimics 10.01 involving 7 males and 2 females with an average age of (41.2±10.3) years old. Utilizing the software, the 3D CT reconstructions of the pelves were completed. Setting the transparency being high,the pelvic 3D reconstructions were manipulated from the pelvic anteroposterior view to the combined obturator oblique outlet view and fine-tuned till the regular Teepee-or teardrop-shaped appearance emerges. Cutting tools of the software were at the moment applied to separate the "Teepee" from the main pelvis for each reconstruction. Then the "Teepee" and the rest (main) part of the pelvis were displayed in different color to facilitate the analysis on the Teepee, iliac-oblique, and anteroposterior views.

RESULTSThe "Teepee" started from the posterolateral aspect of the anterior inferior iliac spine and finished at the cortex between the posterior superior iliac spine and the posterior inferior iliac spine in a direction of being from caudal-anterior-lateral to cranial-posterior-medial. The radiographic anatomical composition of the "Teepee" contained one tip, one base,and two aspects. With the inner and outer iliac tables being the inner and outer aspects of the "Teepee", the tip is consequently formed by their intersection. The base is imaged from the cortex of the greater sciatic notch. The medial-inferior-posterior portion of the "Teepee" contains a small part of sacroiliac joint and its corresponding side of bone of the sacrum.

CONCLUSIONSThe "Teepee" is a zone of ample osseous structures of the pelvis, aside from a small medial-inferior-posterior portion, the main zone of which can be accepted as a safe osseous zone for the anchor of implants stabilizing certain pelvic and acetabular fracture patterns. The Teepee view can be utilized as guidance for the safe percutaneous insertion of such implants.

Adult ; Female ; Fractures, Bone ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pelvic Bones ; anatomy & histology ; diagnostic imaging ; injuries ; surgery ; Sacroiliac Joint ; diagnostic imaging ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo introduce the location and course of S1, S2 sacral nerve root tunnel and to clarify the significance of the anterior aspect of sacral nerve root tunnel on placement of iliosacral screw on the standard lateral sacral view.

METHODSFirstly the data of 2.0 mm slice pelvic axial CT images were imported into Mimics 10.0, and the sacrum, innominate bones, and sacral nerve root tunnels were reconstructed into 3D views respectively, which were rotated to the standard lateral sacral views, pelvic outlet and inlet views. Then the location and course of the S1, S2 sacral nerve root tunnel on each view were observed.

RESULTSThe sacral nerve root tunnel started from the cranial end and anterior aspect of the vertebral canal of the same segment and ended up to the anterior sacral foramen with a direction from cranial-posterior-medial to caudal-anterior-lateral. The tunnel had a lower density than the iliac cortex and greater sciatic notch on the pelvic X-rays,especially on the standard sacral lateral view, on which it showed up as a disrupted are line and required more careful recognition.

CONCLUSIONIt can prevent the iliosacral screw from penetrating the sacral nerve root tunnel and vertebral canal when recognizing the anterior aspect of sacral nerve root tunnel and choosing it as the caudal-posterior boundary of the "safe zone" on the standard lateral sacral view.

Adult ; Aged ; Bone Screws ; Female ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; Fractures, Bone ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pelvic Bones ; diagnostic imaging ; injuries ; innervation ; surgery ; Radiography ; Sacrococcygeal Region ; diagnostic imaging ; innervation ; surgery ; Sacrum ; diagnostic imaging ; injuries ; innervation ; surgery ; Spinal Nerve Roots ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVESTo introduce a classification system of upper sacral segment and its significance based on the continuous pelvic axial computed tomography scan.

METHODSThe whole pelvis 2.0 mm thick axial scan images of 127 cases were observed, the sacroiliac screw channel of S1 were measured, according to the size of the transverse screw channel the upper sacral segment were classified. Such as transverse screw channel existed and in at least 4 layer scan images its width was > 7.3 mm, it was defined as sacral segment of the normal type. Such as transverse screw channel existed and its maximum width was 7.3 mm or less on scanning level, it was defined as a transitional. Such as transverse channel did not exist, or its width on all scanning level was 0 mm or less, it was defined as dysplastic. Various cases,percentage, and the average of the transverse screw channel were calculated.

RESULTSThere were 58 normal (45.7%),42 transitional (33.1%), and 27 dysplastic (21.2%) upper sacral segments with an averaged width of the tansverse screw channel of 13.9 mm, 5.2 mm, and 0.9 mm, respectively. Each specimen could be defined as one of the three types of upper sacral segment without exceptions.

CONCLUSIONIt is possible to insert a transverse iliosacral screw into a normal upper sacral segment when indicated because of the capacious transverse screw channel. The transverse iliosacral screw placement into the transitional and dysplastic upper sacral segments was contraindicated because of the limited or none transverse screw channel. The transitional upper sacral segment was superior to the dysplastic segment due to its starting point location restriction on the true lateral sacral view.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Bone Density ; Bone Screws ; Female ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pelvic Bones ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Sacrum ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Young Adult

Objective To analyze the CT and MRI characteristics of the pineal region tumors (PRTs) to improve the accuracy of diagnosis and differential diagnosis.Methods The MRI and CT findings of 28 patients with PRTs proved by operation and pathology were retrospectively analyzed.Eight of them were performed preoperative 1H-MRS and DWI examination and thier data were analyzed too.Results of these 28 patients,11 were diagnosed as having germinoma,4 teratoma,3 astrocytoma,3 meningioma,2 pinealocytoma and 1 epidermoid cyst,1 pineoblastoma,1 hamartoma and 1 dermoidcyst.The main imaging characteristics were cystic tumors in the pineal region,variational density/signal intensity with few tumors having their specified morphology,density/signal intensity and enhancement style.The germinomas and the pineoblastomas were mainly homogeneous solid masses with symmetrical density/signal.The astrocytoma was cystic-solid,mostly,with changing shapes and odds density/signal.The mature teratoma showed blending density/signal.The 1H-MRS showed typical high Cho peak and low NAA peak in the astrocytoma; no NAA peak was found in the meningeoma; high Cho peak and no Lip peak were found in the pineoblastoma; the germinoma was noted having Lip peak.Conclusion Observation on the changes of the morphologic features,density/signal intensity and enhancement style can help in the differential diagnosis of PRTs.DWI and 1H-MRS examinations can improve the accuracy of differential diagnosis to some extent,but some PRTs remain to be non-differentiable.

Purpose: The global fight against the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has led to widespread vaccination efforts, yet the optimal dosing schedule for SARS-CoV-2 vaccines remains a subject of ongoing research. This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of administering two booster doses as the third and fourth doses at different intervals to enhance vaccine protection. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted at a military regional hospital operated by the Ministry of National Defense in Taiwan. A cohort of vaccinated individuals was selected, and their vaccine potency was assessed at various time intervals following their initial vaccine administration. The study participants received booster doses as the third and fourth doses, with differing time intervals between them. The study monitored neutralizing antibody titers and other relevant parameters to assess vaccine efficacy. Results: Our findings revealed that the potency of the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine exhibited a significant decline 80 days after the initial vaccine administration. However, a longer interval of 175 days between booster injections resulted in significantly higher neutralizing antibody titers. The individuals who received the extended interval boosters exhibited a more robust immune response, suggesting that a vaccine schedule with a 175-day interval between injections may provide superior protection against SARS-CoV-2. Conclusion This study underscores the importance of optimizing vaccine booster dosing schedules to maximize protection against SARS-CoV-2. The results indicate that a longer interval of 175 days between the third and fourth doses of the vaccine can significantly enhance the neutralizing antibody response, potentially offering improved protection against the virus. These findings have important implications for vaccine distribution and administration strategies in the ongoing battle against the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Further research and large-scale trials are needed to confirm and extend these findings for broader public health implications.