Ultra micro angiography (UMA) can effectively improve the sensitivity and spatial resolution of blood flow imaging. To further meet the clinical requirements of quantitative measurements for microvascular imaging, this article demonstrated technical features and performance verification results of the microflow quantitative analysis function, which was developed based on the UMA function. This article provided preliminary validation of the measurement of Synchronous Arbitrary Gate-PW (SAG-PW) using a Doppler flow phantom and a moving string phantom. The Doppler flow phantom results demonstrated that the SAG-PW measurement values were close to the traditional PW results, and the average error of multiple sets of measurement results under different conditions was 3.9%. The results of SAG-PW and PW were strongly linearly correlated, with the slope and correlation coefficient approaching 1. The results of the moving string phantom demonstrated that the relative errors of TAMean and SAG-PW with different phantom set values were within 10%.
Phantoms, Imaging ; Ultrasonography, Doppler/instrumentation* ; Microvessels/diagnostic imaging*

The design of wall filter in ultrasonic microvascular imaging directly affects the resolution of blood flow imaging. We compared the traditional polynomial regression wall filter algorithm and two algorithms based on singular value decomposition (SVD), Full-SVD algorithm and RS-RSVD algorithm (random sampling based on random singular value decomposition) through experiments with simulated data and human renal entity data imaging experiments. The experimental results showed that the filtering effect of the traditional polynomial regression wall filter algorithm was limited, however, Full-SVD algorithm and RS-RSVD algorithm could better extract the micro blood flow signal from the tissue or noise signal. When RS-RSVD algorithm was randomly divided into 16 blocks, the signal-to-noise ratio was the same as that of Full-SVD algorithm, reduces the contrast-to-noise ratio by 2.05 dB, and reduces the execution time by 90.41%. RS-RSVD algorithm can improve the operation efficiency and is more conducive to the real-time imaging of high frame rate ultrasound microvessels.
Algorithms ; Humans ; Microvessels/diagnostic imaging* ; Signal-To-Noise Ratio ; Ultrasonics ; Ultrasonography/methods*

OBJECTIVES: Central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) is generally a common fundus disease in young and middle-aged Asian men. Acute and chronic CSC can lead to different degrees of injury to the retinal blood flow. This study aims to observe and compare the blood flow density in different retinal capillary layers in patients with acute and chronic CSC using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) technology. METHODS: Twelve patients with acute CSC and 8 patients with chronic CSC including 12 eyes with acute CSC (acute CSC eye group), 11 eyes with chronic CSC (chronic CSC eye group), and 17 normal eyes (normal eye group) were enrolled in this study. All patients underwent 3 mm×3 mm, 6 mm×6 mm macular OCTA scanning. The retinal microvascu-lature was divided into superficial vascular complexes (SVC), intermediate capillary plexuses (ICP), and deep capillary plexuses (DCP) using the projection resolved-OCTA algorithm. Inner retina includes SVC, ICP, and DCP. The vessel density in each retinal layer and the inner retina were calculated and compared. RESULTS: Macular OCTA scanning of 3 mm×3 mm showed that there was no significant difference in blood flow density of SVC and ICP among the 3 groups (both P>0.05); blood flow density of DCP and inner retina in the chronic CSC eye group was significantly lower than that in the acute CSC eye group and the normal eye group (all P<0.05); there was no significant difference in retinal blood flow density of different layer between the acute CSC eye group and the normal eye group (all P>0.05). Macular OCTA scanning of 6 mm×6 mm showed that inner retinal blood flow density of the chronic CSC eye group was significantly lower than that of the acute CSC eye group and the normal eye group (both P<0.05); there was no significant difference in blood flow density of SVC among the 3 groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS The vessel density of DCP and inner retina in the eyes with chronic CSC are significantly reduced, which may result in impaired visual function. Therefore, we recommend that patients with acute CSC should be properly treated to avoid progressing into chronic CSC.
Central Serous Chorioretinopathy/diagnostic imaging* ; Fluorescein Angiography/methods* ; Humans ; Male ; Microvessels/diagnostic imaging* ; Middle Aged ; Retina ; Tomography, Optical Coherence/methods*

OBJECTIVEThe aim of this study was to determine the repeatability and reproducibility of optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) based on optical microangiography (OMAG) measurements of macular vessels in normal eyes.

METHODSIn this prospective cohort study, 40 eyes of 40 healthy volunteers underwent repeated OCTA (Cirrus HD-OCT 5000 angiography system, Carl Zeiss Meditec, Inc.) scans on two separate visit days. On each visit day, the eyes were scanned three times. The following parameters were used to quantitatively describe the OCTA images of the superficial vascular network: vessel area density (VAD), vessel skeleton density (VSD), vessel diameter index (VDI), vessel perimeter index (VPI), vessel complexity index (VCI), flux, and foveal avascular zone (FAZ). Coefficient of variation (CV) and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) were calculated for evaluating intravisit and intervisit repeatability, as well as interobserver reproducibility.

RESULTSThe measurements showed high repeatability [CVs ⪕ 4.2% (intravisit) and ⪕ 4.6% (intervisit)] and interobserver reproducibility (ICCs ⪖ 0.923) for all parameters.

CONCLUSIONThis study demonstrated good repeatability and reproducibility of OCTA based on OMAG for the measurement of superficial vessel parameters in normal eyes.

Adult ; Cohort Studies ; Evaluation Studies as Topic ; Female ; Fluorescein Angiography ; standards ; Healthy Volunteers ; Humans ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; Male ; Microvessels ; diagnostic imaging ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; Reproducibility of Results ; Retina ; diagnostic imaging ; Retinal Vessels ; diagnostic imaging ; Tomography, Optical Coherence ; standards ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of treatment with Qishen Yiqi Dripping Pills (, QSYQ) on myocardial injury and myocardial microvascular function in patients undergoing elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

METHODSEighty patients undergoing elective PCI were randomly assigned to QSYQ and control groups. The QSYQ group received QSYQ at a dosage of 0.5 g 3 times daily (3-7 days before PCI and then daily for 1 month) and regular medication, which comprised of aspirin, clopidogrel, statin, β-blocker, and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor/angiotensin receptor blocker in the absence of contradiction. The control group received only the regular medication. The index of microcirculatory resistance (IMR) was measured at maximal hyperemia after PCI. The fractional flow reserve was measured before and after the procedure. Troponin I levels were obtained at baseline and 20-24 h after the procedure.

RESULTSPre-PCI troponin I levels between the two groups were similar (0.028±0.05 vs. 0.022±0.04 ng/mL, P=0.55). However, post- PCI troponin I levels in the QSYQ group were significantly lower than that in the control group (0.11±0.02 vs. 0.16±0.09 ng/mL, P<0.01). IMR values were significantly lower in the QSYQ group as compared to the control group (16.5±6.1 vs. 31.2±16.0, P<0.01). Multivariate analysis identified QSYQ treatment as the only independent protective factor against IMR >32 (odds ratio=0.29, 95% confidence interval: 0.11-0.74, P=0.01).

CONCLUSIONSThe present study demonstrated the benefit of QSYQ in reducing myocardial injury and preserving microvascular function during elective PCI.

Aged ; Coronary Angiography ; Coronary Circulation ; drug effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Microvessels ; diagnostic imaging ; drug effects ; physiopathology ; Middle Aged ; Multivariate Analysis ; Myocardium ; pathology ; Percutaneous Coronary Intervention ; Pilot Projects ; Troponin I ; blood

To investigate the correlations among total liver CT perfusion parameters, unpaired arteries (UAs) and microvessel area (MVA) in a rabbit liver VX2 tumor model, and to learn the tumoral angiogenesis condition and the mechanisms for perfusion imaging.
 Methods: Rabbits with or without the inoculated VX2 tumor in the liver underwent total liver CT perfusion imaging 2 weeks after the operation. Perfusion parameters included blood flow (BF), blood volume (BV), arterial liver perfusion (ALP), portal liver perfusion (PVP), hepatic perfusion index (HPI) for the tumor rim and the surrounding liver tissue. After the examination, the UAs and MVA of tumor tissues were obtained by immunohistochemical staining. The differences of perfusion parameters between the vital tumor rim and the surrounding liver tissue were compared. The correlations among perfusion parameters, UAs and MVA were analyzed.
 Results: There was significant difference between the CT perfusion parameters at the tumor rim and the surrounding liver tissue or liver tissue of the control group (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference between the perfusion parameters at the surrounding liver tissues of the experimental group and the control (P>0.05). There was positive correlation between UAs and MVA. UAs and MVA were positively correlated with BF, ALP and BV at the tumor rim. UAs and MVA were negatively correlated with PVP. HPI positively correlated with UAs, but it was not correlated with MVA.
 Conclusion: Total liver CT perfusion can provide quantitative information to evaluate the artery and portal vein perfusion of liver VX2 tumor, and to assess the degree of tumor angiogenesis.
Animals ; Arteries ; diagnostic imaging ; Blood Volume ; Carcinoma ; Immunohistochemistry ; Liver Circulation ; Liver Neoplasms ; blood supply ; diagnostic imaging ; Microvessels ; diagnostic imaging ; Neoplasm Transplantation ; Neoplasms, Squamous Cell ; Neovascularization, Pathologic ; diagnostic imaging ; Perfusion Imaging ; statistics & numerical data ; Portal System ; diagnostic imaging ; Rabbits ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; methods ; statistics & numerical data

BACKGROUND: Glomus tumors were first described by Wood in 1812 as painful subcutaneous tubercles. It is an uncommon benign neoplasm involving the glomus body, an apparatus that involves in thermoregulation of cutaneous microvasculature. Glomus tumor constitutes 1%-5% of all hand tumors. It usually occurs at the subungual region and more commonly in aged women. Its classical clinical triad consists of pain, tenderness and temperature intolerance, especially cold sensitivity. This study reviews 15 cases of glomus tumor which were analyzed according to its anatomic location, surgical approach and histologic findings. METHODS: Fifteen patients with subungual glomus tumors of the hand operated on between January 2006 and March 2013, were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were evaluated preoperatively with standard physical examination including ice cube test and Love's test. Diagnostic imaging consisted of ultrasonography, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging. All procedures were performed with tourniquet control under local anesthesia. Eleven patients underwent excision using the transungual approach, 3 patients using the volar approach and 1 patient using the lateral subperiosteal approach. RESULTS: Total of 15 cases were reviewed. 11 tumors were located in the nail bed, 3 in the volar pulp and 1 in the radial aspect of the finger tip. After complete excision, patients remained asymptomatic in the immediate postoperative period. In the long term follow up, patients exhibited excellent cosmetic results with no recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Accurate diagnosis should be made by physical, radiologic and pathologic examinations. Preoperative localization and complete extirpation is essential in preventing recurrence and subsequent nail deformity.
Anesthesia, Local ; Body Temperature Regulation ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Diagnosis ; Diagnostic Imaging ; Female ; Fingers ; Follow-Up Studies ; Glomus Tumor* ; Hand* ; Humans ; Ice ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Microvessels ; Physical Examination ; Postoperative Period ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Tourniquets ; Ultrasonography ; Wood

OBJECTIVETo explore the correlation between metabolic tumour volume (MTV) and microvessel density (MVD) and blood-borne metastasis in colorectal carcinoma.

METHODSThirty-six patients with CRC conformed by pathology underwent PET-CT examination before operation. SUVmax and MTV were obtained by PET VCRA software. The blood vessels were identified with CD34 immunohistochemical staining, and the MVD was recorded. The correlation between SUVmax and MTV with histological differentiation, T stage, MVD and blood-borne metastasis was analyzed.

RESULTSThe SUVmax, MTV and MVD in patients with blood-borne metastasis were 5.15 ± 5.41, (22.99 ± 18.63) cm³ and 14.17 ± 3.63, and were 10.65 ± 3.79, (16.95 ± 11.82) cm³ and 11.27 ± 3.69, respectively, in patients with non-blood-borne metastasis. The differences of SUVmax, MTV and MVD between blood-borne metastasis and non-blood-borne metastasis patients were statistically significant (all P > 0.05). Pearson correlation analysis found that there was no linear correlation between SUVmax and MVD, and the SUVmax was not statistically significant between high and low MVD groups (t = 0.919, P = 0.364). But there was a linear correlation between MTV and MVD (r = 0.621, P = 0.000), and the MTV was statistically significant between high and low MVD groups (t = 3.567, P = 0.001). The receiver-operating characteristic curves showed that MTV could be used to predict blood-borne metastasis of CRC, and the best cutoff value for MTV was 14.975 cm³, and the sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value and positive predictive value were 85.7%, 54.5%, 72.3% and 64.2%, respectively. There were no significant relationships between SUVmax, MTV, MVD, blood-borne metastasis and histological differentiation (P > 0.05). With the increased T stage, the MTV, MVD and the probability of blood-borne metastasis were also increased (all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThere are correlations between MTV and MVD and blood-borne metastasis in CRC. The risk of blood-borne metastasis in patients with MTV > 14.975 cm³ is higher, and needs to take more effective intervention.

Colorectal Neoplasms ; blood supply ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Fluorodeoxyglucose F18 ; Humans ; Microvessels ; pathology ; Multimodal Imaging ; Neoplasm Staging ; Neoplastic Cells, Circulating ; Positron-Emission Tomography ; ROC Curve ; Radiopharmaceuticals ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; blood supply ; diagnostic imaging ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; blood supply ; diagnostic imaging ; Microvessels ; diagnostic imaging ; Neovascularization, Pathologic ; diagnostic imaging ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; methods

OBJECTIVETo explore the feasibility of volume perfusion CT imaging to dynamically monitor and evaluate the response of rabbit VX2 soft-tissue tumor to antiangiogenic treatment.

METHODSTo establish an experimental animal model of VX2 soft tissue tumor on 20 New Zealand white rabbits. Twenty rabbits were randomly divided into 2 groups. The therapy group was treated with recombinant human endostatin (3 mg·kg⁻¹·d⁻¹) for 7 days, and the control group received saline in the same dose only. Four times of CT volume perfusion scan were performed before treatment and on the second, forth, seventh days of treatment, respectively. The value of blood flow (BF), blood volume (BV), mean transit time (MTT), and permeability (PMB) in the VX2 tumors were measured after scanning. The microvessel density (MVD) and expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the tumors were determined using immunohistochemical staining.

RESULTSThe tumor volume of the therapy group was (1.36 ± 0.73) cm³ on the forth day of treatment and (1.69 ± 0.68) cm³ on the seventh day of the treatment. The tumor volume of the control group was (2.35 ± 0.62) cm³ on the fourth day of treatment and (3.87 ± 0.93) cm³ on the seventh day of the treatment (P < 0.05). On the seventh day of treatment, tumor necrosis ratio of the therapy group and the control group was (25.58 ± 5.51)% and (42.93 ± 4.34)%, respectively (P < 0.05). Comparing the perfusion parameters between the two groups on the same day, and the second, forth, seventh days of treatment, the value of PMB of the therapy group was (70.36 ± 23.46) ml·100 ml⁻¹·min⁻¹, (79.64 ± 13.68) ml·100 ml⁻¹·min⁻¹ and (84.76 ± 3.55) ml·100 ml⁻¹·min⁻¹, respectively, and that in the control group was (26.61 ± 6.47) ml·100 ml⁻¹·min⁻¹, (33.74 ± 16.47) ml·100 ml⁻¹·min⁻¹ and (30.47 ± 10.64) ml·100 ml⁻¹·min⁻¹, respectively (P < 0.05). The value of BF in the therapy group and control group was (71.19 ± 12.21) ml·100 ml⁻¹·min⁻¹ and (43.56 ± 12.21) ml·100 ml⁻¹·min⁻¹, respectively, on the seventh day of treatment (P < 0.05). The parameters on different days in the same group were compared. In the control group, the value of BF on the seventh day of treatment was significantly lower than that before and on the second and forth days of treatment (P < 0.05). However, in the therapy group, the value of PMB on the second, forth, and seventh days of treatment was significantly higher than that before treatment (P < 0.05). MVD of tumor in the control group was increased gradually, whereas increased on the first day and then decreased more in the therapy group. The VEGF expressions did not differ significantly between the experimental and control groups.

CONCLUSIONSVolume perfusion CT is helpful to quantify the tumor perfusion and evaluate the functional changes of tumor vasculature, and then evaluate the early therapeutic effect of antiangiogenic treatment.

Angiogenesis Inhibitors ; therapeutic use ; Animals ; Antineoplastic Agents ; therapeutic use ; Blood Volume ; Capillary Permeability ; Cone-Beam Computed Tomography ; methods ; Endostatins ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Male ; Microvessels ; pathology ; Neovascularization, Pathologic ; diagnostic imaging ; Perfusion Imaging ; Rabbits ; Random Allocation ; Regional Blood Flow ; Soft Tissue Neoplasms ; blood supply ; diagnostic imaging ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Tumor Burden ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; metabolism