Objective:To explore the feasibility of applying deep learning image reconstruction (DLIR) in low-radiation dose liver dual-energy CT to further improve image quality, diagnostic confidence of lesion, and accuracy of iodine concentration (IC) measurement.Methods:This prospective cohort study enrolled 60 patients scheduled for enhanced liver CT at the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University from June 2023 to January 2024. The participants were randomly assigned into the standard dose group and low radiation dose group with 30 cases in each using randomized block method. The standard radiation dose group underwent standard-radiation dose 120 kVp scans during the venous phase, while the low radiation dose group underwent low radiation dose scans with a rapid kVp-switching spectral scanning mode at 80 kVp and 140 kVp. The effective radiation dose (ED) was calculated for both groups. The standard radiation dose group was reconstructed using adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction-V (ASIR-V) algorithm 40% (AR40 120 kVp). The low radiation dose group using high-intensity DLIR (DLIR-H) to reconstructed 40 keV and 50 keV virtual monoenergetic images (VMI) (DH-VMI 40 keV, DH-VMI 50 keV). The image quality of the above three groups was objectively evaluated through the measurement of image noise and calculation of contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) for the liver and portal vein; and the image quality was subjectively scored for image noise, contrast, lesion conspicuity, and diagnostic confidence. In the low radiation dose group, DLIR-H and ASIR-V40% reconstructed iodine maps were used to measure the liver and portal vein of IC values, standard deviations (SD), and coefficients of variation (CV). One-way analysis of variance or Kruskal-Wallis H test was used to compare the differences of subjective and objective image quality among the three groups, and paired t-test was used to compare the differences in measurement indexes between DLIR-H and ASIR-V40% reconstructed iodine maps. Results:The ED in the low radiation dose group [(2.2±0.5) mSv] was reduced by 56.8% compared to the conventional radiation dose group [(5.4±1.4) mSv]. Objective evaluations demonstrated that DH-VMI 40 keV had higher image noise, CNR, and SNR for liver and portal veins compared to AR40 120 kVp ( P<0.001). DH-VMI 50 keV had lower image noise ( P=0.200), with higher CNR and SNR for the liver and portal vein compared to AR40 120 kVp( P<0.001). In subjective evaluation, there was no statistically significant difference in image noise scores between DH-VMI 40 keV and AR40 120 kVp ( P>0.05), while the image noise score for DH-VMI 50 keV was lower than that of AR40 120 kVp ( P<0.05). Both DH-VMI 40 keV and DH-VMI 50 keV had higher scores for contrast, lesion conspicuity, and diagnostic confidence compared to those of AR40 120 kVp ( P<0.05). In the low radiation dose group, there was no statistically significant difference in IC values for the liver and portal vein between the ASIR-V40% and DLIR-H algorithm reconstructed iodine maps ( P>0.05). The SD and CV of liver and portal vein in the DLIR-H reconstructed iodine maps were lower than those in the ASIR-V40% reconstructed iodine maps ( P<0.001). Conclusions:DLIR can effectively reduce the image noise of low-energy (40, 50 keV) VMI, enhance lesion conspicuity and diagnostic confidence, and improve measurement accuracy without affecting IC values.

Wilson's disease(WD)is an autosomal recessive inherited copper metabolism disorder that can cause myocardial damage,but the sensitivity of electrocardiography and echocardiography in detecting WD myocardial injury is limited.In recent years,cardiac magnetic resonance has been widely used for non-invasive identification of myocardial damage.Cardiac magnetic resonance,through cine imaging,can detect ventricular remodeling and decreased cardiac function in WD patients,as well as identify myocardial fissures;strain imaging can detect subclinical myocardial contractile dysfunction in WD patients;delayed enhancement can assess myocardial fibrosis in WD patients;Mapping techniques can quantitatively detect myocardial edema,inflammation and fibrosis in WD patients,providing a comprehensive non-invasive assessment of WD myocardial damage and offering important information for understanding the mechanism of myocardial injury in WD.This article reviews the research progress of cardiac magnetic resonance in WD myocardial damage.

The deep learning reconstruction(DLR)algorithm is a new CT image reconstruction technology in recent years,which can be used as an alternative to filtered back projection and iterative reconstruction in clinical practice.Compared with traditional image reconstruction algorithms,the DLR algorithm can reduce image noise and radiation dose while preserving image texture,shortening reconstruction time,and improving diagnostic efficiency.Therefore,it has broad clinical application prospects in the field of image reconstruction.This article summarizes the basic principles of the DLR algorithm and its new progress in the clinical application of abdominal CT.

The deep learning reconstruction(DLR)algorithm is a new CT image reconstruction technology in recent years,which can be used as an alternative to filtered back projection and iterative reconstruction in clinical practice.Compared with traditional image reconstruction algorithms,the DLR algorithm can reduce image noise and radiation dose while preserving image texture,shortening reconstruction time,and improving diagnostic efficiency.Therefore,it has broad clinical application prospects in the field of image reconstruction.This article summarizes the basic principles of the DLR algorithm and its new progress in the clinical application of abdominal CT.

Wilson's disease(WD)is an autosomal recessive inherited copper metabolism disorder that can cause myocardial damage,but the sensitivity of electrocardiography and echocardiography in detecting WD myocardial injury is limited.In recent years,cardiac magnetic resonance has been widely used for non-invasive identification of myocardial damage.Cardiac magnetic resonance,through cine imaging,can detect ventricular remodeling and decreased cardiac function in WD patients,as well as identify myocardial fissures;strain imaging can detect subclinical myocardial contractile dysfunction in WD patients;delayed enhancement can assess myocardial fibrosis in WD patients;Mapping techniques can quantitatively detect myocardial edema,inflammation and fibrosis in WD patients,providing a comprehensive non-invasive assessment of WD myocardial damage and offering important information for understanding the mechanism of myocardial injury in WD.This article reviews the research progress of cardiac magnetic resonance in WD myocardial damage.

Objective:To explore the feasibility of applying deep learning image reconstruction (DLIR) in low-radiation dose liver dual-energy CT to further improve image quality, diagnostic confidence of lesion, and accuracy of iodine concentration (IC) measurement.Methods:This prospective cohort study enrolled 60 patients scheduled for enhanced liver CT at the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University from June 2023 to January 2024. The participants were randomly assigned into the standard dose group and low radiation dose group with 30 cases in each using randomized block method. The standard radiation dose group underwent standard-radiation dose 120 kVp scans during the venous phase, while the low radiation dose group underwent low radiation dose scans with a rapid kVp-switching spectral scanning mode at 80 kVp and 140 kVp. The effective radiation dose (ED) was calculated for both groups. The standard radiation dose group was reconstructed using adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction-V (ASIR-V) algorithm 40% (AR40 120 kVp). The low radiation dose group using high-intensity DLIR (DLIR-H) to reconstructed 40 keV and 50 keV virtual monoenergetic images (VMI) (DH-VMI 40 keV, DH-VMI 50 keV). The image quality of the above three groups was objectively evaluated through the measurement of image noise and calculation of contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) for the liver and portal vein; and the image quality was subjectively scored for image noise, contrast, lesion conspicuity, and diagnostic confidence. In the low radiation dose group, DLIR-H and ASIR-V40% reconstructed iodine maps were used to measure the liver and portal vein of IC values, standard deviations (SD), and coefficients of variation (CV). One-way analysis of variance or Kruskal-Wallis H test was used to compare the differences of subjective and objective image quality among the three groups, and paired t-test was used to compare the differences in measurement indexes between DLIR-H and ASIR-V40% reconstructed iodine maps. Results:The ED in the low radiation dose group [(2.2±0.5) mSv] was reduced by 56.8% compared to the conventional radiation dose group [(5.4±1.4) mSv]. Objective evaluations demonstrated that DH-VMI 40 keV had higher image noise, CNR, and SNR for liver and portal veins compared to AR40 120 kVp ( P<0.001). DH-VMI 50 keV had lower image noise ( P=0.200), with higher CNR and SNR for the liver and portal vein compared to AR40 120 kVp( P<0.001). In subjective evaluation, there was no statistically significant difference in image noise scores between DH-VMI 40 keV and AR40 120 kVp ( P>0.05), while the image noise score for DH-VMI 50 keV was lower than that of AR40 120 kVp ( P<0.05). Both DH-VMI 40 keV and DH-VMI 50 keV had higher scores for contrast, lesion conspicuity, and diagnostic confidence compared to those of AR40 120 kVp ( P<0.05). In the low radiation dose group, there was no statistically significant difference in IC values for the liver and portal vein between the ASIR-V40% and DLIR-H algorithm reconstructed iodine maps ( P>0.05). The SD and CV of liver and portal vein in the DLIR-H reconstructed iodine maps were lower than those in the ASIR-V40% reconstructed iodine maps ( P<0.001). Conclusions:DLIR can effectively reduce the image noise of low-energy (40, 50 keV) VMI, enhance lesion conspicuity and diagnostic confidence, and improve measurement accuracy without affecting IC values.

Objective:To analyze the early outcomes of self-made false lumen embolization device for occlusion the false lumen in chronic Stanford type B aortic dissection.Methods:A retrospective study analyzed 10 patients, there were 9 males and 1 female, with an average age of (52±10) years, aged from 39-69 years. Those 10 patients were diagnosed with chronic Stanford type B aortic dissection between June 2020 and July 2023, which presented with persistent false lumen backflow in the thoracic aortic segment, and persistent dilation or rupture of dissected aneurysms in our center. False lumen occlusion was performed using self-made false lumen embolization device. Primary endpoints index were technical success rate and clinical success rate. Secondary endpoints observation index were 30-day mortality and morbidity.Results:Over a mean 6-month follow-up (range 0-32 months) in 10 patients, the technical success rate was 90%. One patient occurred minor false lumen backflow in the intraoperative angiography and it exceeds the embolization device, but it was disappeared through conservative treatment during follow up period. The clinical success rate was 90%, 9 patients attained completely thrombosed at the thoracic segment while another 1 patient was manifested as partially thrombosed in false lumen. There were no intraprocedural death cases and 1 patient occurred paraparesis during perioperative period.Conclusion:It was a safe, effective and easy to achieve in the treatment of chronic Stanford type B aortic dissection using self-made false lumen embolization device, especially it is suitable for patients with chronic Stanford type B aortic dissection required emergent handling in the setting of rupture.

Objective:To investigate the application of cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) quantitative techniques in evaluating myocardial involvement differences between new onset and longstanding systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients.Methods:From August 2020 to April 2023, 14 new onset and 15 longstanding SLE patients treated at the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University were prospectively included as the study group. Additionally, 18 age-, gender-, body surface area-, and body mass index-matched healthy volunteers were included as the control group. Clinical baseline data, electrocardiograms, and CMR results including left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular end-systolic volume index (LVESVI), left ventricular end-diastolic volume index (LVEDVI), cardiac index (CI), left ventricular stroke volume index (LVSVI), left ventricular mass index (LVMI), myocardial strain, native T 1 values, and T 2 values were collected. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) or Kruskal-Wallis H test was used to compare the quantitative parameters among the three groups. Bonferroni correction was applied for pairwise group comparisons. Results:The native T 1 values [1 114.50 (1 089.33, 1 150.39) ms, 1 085.32 (1 051.31, 1 129.75) ms] and T 2 values [(55.9±3.4) ms, (53.3±1.5) ms] of new onset and longstanding SLE patients were higher than those of the healthy control group [native T 1 values 1052.62 (1024.75, 1077.59) ms, H=17.72, P<0.001; T 2 values (51.2±1.3) ms, F=18.70, P<0.001]. The T 2 values of the new onset SLE group was higher than that of the longstanding SLE group ( P<0.05). The LVEDVI[86.87 (80.80, 93.55) ml/m 2], LVSVI [54.63 (50.42, 59.03) ml/m 2], and LVMI [48.39 (41.65, 53.26) g/m 2] of the new onset SLE group were higher than those of the control group [LVEDVI: 71.11 (65.80, 81.28) ml/m 2, Z=3.02, P=0.003; LVSVI: 42.17 (40.36, 51.33) ml/m 2, Z=2.76, P=0.006; LVMI: 38.48 (35.22, 43.83) g/m 2, Z=3.10, P=0.002]. The LVEDVI and LVSVI of the new onset SLE group were also higher than those of the longstanding SLE group [LVEDVI: 73.30 (69.87, 84.71) ml/m 2, Z=1.97, P=0.048; LVSVI: 45.53 (42.28, 50.98) ml/m 2, Z=2.34, P=0.020]. Conclusion:Myocardial involvement is more severe in new onset SLE patients, whereas acute myocardial injury is alleviated in longstanding SLE patients. Therefore, early detection of cardiac involvement in SLE patients is crucial for improving prognosis.

Purpose To explore the influence of different spin-locking frequencies on T1ρ values based on a 3.0T MR system.Materials and Methods Thirty-eight healthy adult volunteers underwent cardiac magnetic resonance imaging at the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University from July to September 2023.T1ρ mapping and short-axis cine imaging with steady-state free precession sequences were performed with 3.0T MR system.T1ρ mapping sequence in three short-axis slices with three spin-lock frequencies at the amplitude of 5 Hz,300 Hz,400 Hz,and 500 Hz was scanned,respectively.T1ρ relaxation times and myocardial fibrosis index were quantified for each slice and each myocardial segment,the difference in T1ρ of different spin-locking frequencies and myocardial fibrosis index was analyzed using one-way repeated-measures analysis of variance method.Results T1ρ of 5 Hz,300 Hz,400 Hz,and 500 Hz were(33.9±2.8)ms,(43.4±2.1)ms,(45.4±2.6)ms and(46.5±2.4)ms,respectively;and T1ρ values showed a significant progressive increase from the low spin-lock frequency to the high spin-lock frequency of the heart(300 Hz vs.400 Hz:P<0.001;300 Hz vs.500 Hz:P<0.001;400 Hz vs.500 Hz:P=0.043).In addition,the measured myocardial fibrosis index at 300 Hz,400 Hz and 500 Hz were(9.4±2.2)ms,(11.3±2.9)ms and(12.6±2.7)ms,respectively.Statistical analysis underscored significant variations among these measurements(300 Hz vs.400 Hz:P<0.001;300 Hz vs.500 Hz:P<0.001;400 Hz vs.500 Hz:P=0.033).Conclusion In this prospective study,myocardial T1ρ values for the specific cardiac magnetic resonance setting are provided,and we found that spin-lock frequency can affect the T1ρ values.

Purpose To explore the changes in biventricular volume and mass in chronic kidney disease(CKD)patients with preserved ejection fraction using cardiac magnetic resonance(CMR),and evaluate cardiac function using tissue-tracking strain analysis.Materials and Methods The retrospective analysis of 40 CKD patients without symptoms of cardiovascular disease,diabetes and the estimated glomerular filtration rate<60 ml/(min·1.73 m2)who were treated at the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University from October 2020 to June 2023 and 25 age-and gender-matched healthy volunteers.All participants underwent 1.5T CMR scans to calculate left and right ventricular function,myocardial strain and native T1 and T2 values,and differences in various imaging parameters between the two groups were compared.Results The native T1 value[(1 109.6±35.9)ms]and T2 value[(58.1±2.9)ms]of CKD patients were significantly higher than those in control group[(1 046.3±15.9)ms,(53.3±2.3)ms](t=8.296,6.916,both P<0.001).The left ventricular end-diastolic volume index,left ventricular end-systolic volume index,left ventricular mass index,right ventricular end-diastolic volume index,right ventricular end-systolic volume index and right ventricular mass index of CKD patients were significantly increased compared with the control group(t=3.233,3.350,5.751,7.746,5.937,2.363,all P<0.05),while the left and right ventricular strain parameters,left ventricular global longitudinal strain,left ventricular global circumferential strain,left ventricular global radial strain,right ventricular global longitudinal strain,right ventricular global circumferential strain and right ventricular global radial strain were significantly decreased(t=9.506,9.072,-10.603,10.496,11.574,-4.018,all P<0.001),and the estimated glomerular filtration rate exhibited significant correlations with left ventricular global longitudinal strain(r=-0.636),left ventricular global radial strain(r=0.688),right ventricular global longitudinal strain(r=-0.513),right ventricular global circumferential strain(r=-0.827)and right ventricular global radial strain(r=0.514)(all P<0.001).Conclusion CMR can quantitatively assess myocardial fibrosis and edema in patients with CKD,and tissue tracking strain analysis can detect myocardial motion abnormalities before changes in ventricular ejection fraction,offering value in the early detection of cardiac involvement in CKD patients..