Five algorithms with its advantages and disadvantage for medical image fusion are analyzed. Four kinds of quantitative evaluation criteria for the quality of image fusion algorithms are proposed and these will give us some guidance for future research.
Algorithms ; Humans ; Image Enhancement ; methods ; Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted ; methods ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; methods ; Information Storage and Retrieval ; methods ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Software ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Objective To analyze and evaluate the image quality and the impact factors of CT virtual endoscopy (CTVE) in the application of various body parts. Methods CTVE images from 143 patients were classified into 2 types according to the chosen threshold: low attenuation lumen (including natural air filled and artificially air filled lumina) and high attenuation lumen. A 4 point scale was used to evaluate the differences of diagnostic confidence, artifacts, and overall image quality rating between both kinds of lumina. Results There was no statistically significant differences in diagnostic confidence of CTVE images among 3 kinds of lumina, but the image quality of CTVE of natural air filled lumen was better than that of artificially air filled lumen ( P 0.05). There was a significant difference in artifact rating of CTVE images among three kinds of lumina with the most artifacts seen on images of high attenuation lumen. Common artifacts observed on the CTVE images were attributed to patient motion artifacts such as respiration, inappropriate choice of spiral CT scanning parameters, and improper modification of thresholds. Conclusion The threshold setting was one of the most important factors impacting the image quality of CTVE images, and most artifacts seen on the CTVE images were easily recognized on the basis of their characteristic appearance, and did not influence the diagnostic information heavily.

0.05), but the lesion detection sensitivity of SSD and Raysum display were lower than that of UGI(? 2=4.17,7.11, and 5.14,4.17, P0.05). Excess fluid remained in the stomach and patient respiratory movement during breath holds were the reasons causing severe artifacts (6.1%) that influenced the diagnostic evaluation. Conclusion The performance of CTVG was equivalent to UGI in the detection of advanced gastric carcinoma and superior to UGI in the Borrmann′s classification. CTVG has potential in the detection of early gastric carcinoma. The value of SSD and Raysum display was limited in the evaluation of gastric carcinoma when used alone clinically.

Objective To analyze the clinical features of patients with prostate adenocarcinoma under 50 years.Methods Between January 2008 and April 2014,we reviewed 21 cases with prostate cancer under 50 years old.The mean age in those patients was 48 years old (ranged 42-49 years old).Their tPSA level was elevated,including＞10 μg/L in 17 cases,4-10 μg/L in 4 cases.21 cases were all confirmed by pathology.The results Gleason score showed 6 scores in 3 cases,7 scores in 6 cases (3+4 scores in 5 cases and 4+3 scores in one case),8 scores in 7 cases and 9 scores in 5 cases.In the study,clinical stage was for T2N0M0 in 16 cases,T3N0M0 in 1 case,T4NxM0 in 1 case and T3-4N1M1 in 3 cases.The treatments were hormonal therapy was chosen in 5 cases and radical prostatectomy was performed in 16 cases,including 16 cases with T2N0M0 stage and one case with T3N0M0.Results In those patients who accepted the radical prostatectomy,the duration of follow-up ranged from 3 to 65 months (mean 23 months).During the follow-up,14 patients had a lower incidence of biochemical recurrence.1 patient (T2,PSA 82.8 μg/L,GS 9) had external beam radiotherapy one month after the radical prostatectomy because of tumor invasion into the prostatic capsule.Then his PSA level returned to the 0.2 μg/L.1 patient (T3,PSA 38.9 μg/L,GS 8) had external beam radiotherapy 18 months after the radical prostatectomy because of biochemical recurrence and the tPSA level returned to the 4.0 μg/L.All patients who underwent radical prostatectomy had favourable recovery of urinary continence.In 5 patients who had androgen deprivation therapy,2 patients died after 63 or 65 months and one patient was lost to follow-up.The PSA level in one patient decreased from 71.8 μg/L to 2 μg/L after four months treatment.One patient had castration resistant prostate cancer and the adjuvant external beam radiotherapy was considered,subsequently.Conclusions Men under the 50 years old,who are diagnosed with localised prostate cancer,usually demonstrated the early clinic stage and high Gleason scores.It should not be discouraged from RP.Young men with metastatic prostate cancer have a poor prognosis.

Objective To assess the value of three-dimensional contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (3D-CEUS) in evaluation of hepatic arteries variants.Methods Both two-dimensional contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (2D-CEUS) and 3D-CEUS were used to assess 30 patients including living donor candidates and patients with upper abdomen tumors.The reference standard was operation or CTA or DSA or MRA,and the accuracy for detecting hepatic artery variants provided by the two methods was evaluated.Arterial anatomic types were defined by using Michels classification.Results The total accuracy for detecting hepatic artery anatomy types by 2D-CEUS was 40.0% (12/30),while 83.3% (25/30) by 2D-CEUS.For convention anatomy types the accuracy on 2D-CEUS and 3D-CEUS were 40.9%(9/22)and 90.9%(20/22),respectively.The difference was statistically significant (P<0.05).For anatomy variants types the accuracy on 2D-CEUS and 3D-CEUS were 37.5%(3/8)and 62.5%(5/8),respectively.No significant difference between these two methods was observed.Conclusion 3D-CEUS was a new method in diagnosis of hepatic arteries anatomy types with practical clinical value in evaluation of the living liver donors.

Objective To assess the feasibility of three-dimensional contrast-enhanced ultrasonic cholangiography(3D-CEUSC) in cadaver liver.Methods The 3D-CEUSC was performed in 6 cases of cadaver liver.Image quality of 3D-CEUSC was evaluated.The visualization of branching orders,the degree of visibility and coincidence of morphous were compared with those of cholangiagraphy using fluoroscopy.Results The imaging quality of 3D-CEUSC was inferior to that of cholangiography with significant difference.The three-dimensional biliary tree structures were visualized in all 6 3D-CEUSC.The maximum visualization of branching orders in 3D-CEUSC was (3.67±0.52),which was equal to the results(4.00±0.63)by cholangiography (P=0.465).The degrees of visibility of biliary tree were equivalent with those by cholangiography in the first and second order with significant difference.The coincidence of morphous was excellent compared the images of 3D-CEUSC with direct X-ray cholangiography.Conclusion 3D-CEUSC is a new technique as a useful supplement to cholangiography in evaluation of biliary anatomy and variation before graft harvesting in LDLT.

0.05).The mRNA expression of Cyclin B1 of IMRT group was significantly higher than that of ART group at each dose point(P

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility of light transmission to measure focal cerebral ischemia in mice. METHODS: Persistent focal cerebral ischemia was induced by middle cerebral artey occlusion (MCAO) in mice. The brain were removed 24 h after MCAO and coronally dissected into 1 mm sections. Using a stereomicroscope, the brain section was illuminated with a halogen lamp and computerized images were stored. Next the brain sections were stained for 30 minutes with 0.5% TTC (2, 3, 5-triphenylterzolim chloride) at 37 degrees C. Using an image analyzer (AnalyPower 1.0), the infarct volumes obtained by light transmittance and TTC staining were calculated. Integrated gray scales of sections of both hemispheres were calculated by Photoshop 5.0. RESULTS: A close correlation existed between cerebral infarct volume measured by light transmission and TTC staining (r=0.81). The mean gray scales measured by both techniques of the ischemic hemispheres as well as those of the cortex, subcortex and hippocampus were siginificantly higher than those of non-ischemic hemispheres and of control mouse hemispheres (P <0.001). Further there were no significant difference between the two hemispheres of control mice and between hemispheres of control mice and non-ischemic hemispheres of the MCAO mice. CONCLUSION: Light transmission can be used for qualitative analysis of focal cerebral ischemia.

OBJECTIVETo establish a rat model of blood stasis and heat accumulation syndrome in accordance with the Chinese medicine (CM) theoretic features.

METHODSThirty male SD rats were randomly divided into the normal group, the model group, and the danshen root group, 10 in each. Rats in the danshen root group were given danshen decoction at 13.5 g/kg by gastrogavage, with the volume of 20 mL/kg, twice daily for 7 successive days. As for rats in the normal group and the model group, equal volume of pure water was given to them by gastrogavage, twice daily for 7 successive days. On the 4th day of medication, carrageen at 50 mg/kg was peritoneally injected to rats in the model group and the danshen root group, once daily for 3 successive days. Twenty-four h after the last injection, 20% dry yeast suspension (10 mL/kg) was given to the rats by subcutaneous injection. The indictors such as body temperature, tongue figure, tail ecchymosis, skin color of the ears and four limbs, microcirculation indicators, and hemorheological indicators were observed 6 h later.

RESULTSCompared with the normal group, red and purple tongue, longer and thicker arteries and veins under the tongue, red and purple claw color, red ear flap edge, obvious ecchymosis of the tail occurred in rats of the model group (P<0.01), with obviously increased body temperature (P<0.01). The blood velocity of the microcirculation in the ear flap obviously decreased. The hemorheology tests showed that the whole blood viscosity (high, middle, and low), hematocrit, and erythrocyte electrophoretic time obviously increased, red blood cell deformation index obviously deceased, showing statistical difference (P<0.01, P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the length of ecchymosis in the tail obviously decreased in rats of the danshen root group. The blood velocity score of the microcirculation obviously increased. The hemorheology tests showed that the whole blood viscosity (high, middle, and low), hematocrit, and erythrocyte electrophoretic time obviously decreased, red blood cell deformation index obviously increased, showing statistical difference (P<0.05, P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe rat model of blood stasis and heat accumulation syndrome established with carrageen and dry yeast suspension injection had obvious features, with good reproducibility and stability. It could be used in the study of CM basic theories, screening of Chinese herbs, and the theories of Chinese-drug properties.

Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Hemorheology ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Microcirculation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo explore the prediction of the site for microsurgical vasoepididymostomy (VE) in the treatment of epididymal obstructive azoospermia (OA).

METHODSThis study involved 56 infertile men with confirmed OA whose obstruction was suspected to be in the epididymis. Based on their medical history and results of preoperative physical examination and ultrasonography, we predicted the sites for VE. We performed surgical scrotal exploration for the status of epididymal obstruction, conducted palpation and microscopic observation for the epididymal tubules to be anastomosed, and finally decided on the sites for VE by making sure of the presence of motile sperm in the epididymal fluid of the patients. After surgery, we followed up the patients for the rate of pregnancy.

RESULTSAll the patients received bilateral scrotal ultrasonography and surgical scrotal exploration, totaling 112 procedures, including 98 VE procedures. The accuracy rate of the predicted sites for VE was 80.5% (153/190) by medical history and physical examination, 80.3% (90/112) based on the results of ultrasonography, and 87.4% (90/103) according to the first selected epididymal tubules. Of the 28 patients followed up for more than 12 months, motile sperm were found in 19 (67.9% ) at 2 to 12 months and spontaneous pregnancies were achieved in 10 (35.7%), all with the anastomotic sites in the corpus or cauda.

CONCLUSIONMedical history and physical examination contribute to the selection of anastomotic sites and non-invasive scrotal ultrasonography is effective and practical for positioning epididymal obstruction. The epididymal tubules with motile sperm for anastomosis could be easily obtained from the most dilated ones in indurated epididymides.

Azoospermia ; surgery ; Body Fluids ; Epididymis ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Microsurgery ; methods ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Rate ; Scrotum ; diagnostic imaging ; Ultrasonography ; Vas Deferens ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery