BACKGROUND Early screening,preoperative staging,and diagnosis of lymph node metastasis are crucial for improving the prognosis of gastric cancer(GC).AIM To evaluate the diagnostic value of combined multidetector compu...BACKGROUND Early screening,preoperative staging,and diagnosis of lymph node metastasis are crucial for improving the prognosis of gastric cancer(GC).AIM To evaluate the diagnostic value of combined multidetector computed tomography(MDCT)and gastrointestinal endoscopy for GC screening,preoperative staging,and lymph node metastasis detection,thereby providing a reference for clinical diagnosis and treatment.METHODS In this retrospective study clinical and imaging data of 134 patients with suspected GC who were admitted between January 2023 and October 2024 were initially reviewed.According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria,102 patients were finally enrolled in the analysis.All enrolled patients had undergone both MDCT and gastrointestinal endoscopy examinations prior to surgical intervention.Preoperative clinical staging and lymph node metastasis findings were compared with pathological results.RESULTS The combined use of MDCT and gastrointestinal endoscopy demonstrated a sensitivity of 98.53%,specificity of 97.06%,accuracy of 98.04%,positive predictive value of 98.53%,and negative predictive value of 97.06%for diagnosing GC.These factors were all significantly higher than those of MDCT or endoscopy alone(P<0.05).The accuracy rates of the combined approach for detecting clinical T and N stages were 97.06%and 92.65%,respectively,outperforming MDCT alone(86.76% and 79.41%)and endoscopy alone(85.29% and 70.59%)(P<0.05).Among 68 patients with confirmed GC,50(73.53%)were pathologically diagnosed with lymph node metastasis.The accuracy for detecting lymph node metastasis was 66.00%with endoscopy,76.00%with MDCT,and 92.00% with the combined approach,all with statistically significant differences(P<0.05).CONCLUSION The combined application of MDCT and gastrointestinal endoscopy enhanced diagnostic accuracy for GC,provided greater consistency in preoperative staging,and improved the detection of lymph node metastasis,thereby demonstrating significant clinical utility.展开更多
Photon-counting computed tomography(PCCT)represents a significant advancement in pediatric cardiovascular imaging.Traditional CT systems employ energy-integrating detectors that convert X-ray photons into visible ligh...Photon-counting computed tomography(PCCT)represents a significant advancement in pediatric cardiovascular imaging.Traditional CT systems employ energy-integrating detectors that convert X-ray photons into visible light,whereas PCCT utilizes photon-counting detectors that directly transform X-ray photons into electric signals.This direct conversion allows photon-counting detectors to sort photons into discrete energy levels,thereby enhancing image quality through superior noise reduction,improved spatial and contrast resolution,and reduced artifacts.In pediatric applications,PCCT offers substantial benefits,including lower radiation doses,which may help reduce the risk of malignancy in pediatric patients,with perhaps greater potential to benefit those with repeated exposure from a young age.Enhanced spatial resolution facilitates better visualization of small structures,vital for diagnosing congenital heart defects.Additionally,PCCT’s spectral capabilities improve tissue characterization and enable the creation of virtual monoenergetic images,which enhance soft-tissue contrast and potentially reduce contrast media doses.Initial clinical results indicate that PCCT provides superior image quality and diagnostic accuracy compared to conven-tional CT,particularly in challenging pediatric cardiovascular cases.As PCCT technology matures,further research and standardized protocols will be essential to fully integrate it into pediatric imaging practices,ensuring optimized diagnostic outcomes and patient safety.展开更多
Caustic ingestion is a relatively rare but potentially catastrophic gastroentero-logical emergency.Upper gastrointestinal(GI)endoscopy is currently regarded as the gold standard modality not only to assess the depth a...Caustic ingestion is a relatively rare but potentially catastrophic gastroentero-logical emergency.Upper gastrointestinal(GI)endoscopy is currently regarded as the gold standard modality not only to assess the depth and the extension of GI caustic injury,but also to guide the appropriate treatment.Intriguingly,contrast-enhanced computed tomography(CECT)has recently emerged as a promising non-invasive and more accurate alternative to endoscopy in this setting.However,to date,evidence concerning the role of CECT as an alternative or complementary diagnostic tool to endoscopy in caustic ingestion is still limited.The aim of our review was to summarize and discuss the current evidence concerning the role of CECT in the emergency diagnosis of caustic ingestion and its value in assessing injury severity among non-pediatric patients.展开更多
Angiomyolipomas(AMLs)represent the most common benign solid renal tumors.The frequency of their detection in the general population is increasing owing to advances in imaging technology.The objective of this review is...Angiomyolipomas(AMLs)represent the most common benign solid renal tumors.The frequency of their detection in the general population is increasing owing to advances in imaging technology.The objective of this review is to discuss computed tomography(CT)and magnetic resonance imaging findings for both typical and atypical renal AMLs,along with their associated complications.AMLs are typically defined as solid triphasic tumors composed of varying amounts of dysmorphic and tortuous blood vessels,smooth muscle components and adipose tissue.In an adult,a classical renal AML appears as a solid,heterogeneous renal cortical mass with macroscopic fat.However,up to 5%of AMLs contain minimal fat and cannot be reliably diagnosed by imaging.Fat-poor AMLs can appear as hyperattenuating masses on unenhanced CT and as hypointense masses on T2WI;other AMLs may be isodense or exhibit cystic components.Hemorrhage is the most common complication,and AMLs with hemorrhage can mimic other tumors,making their diagnosis challenging.Understanding the variable and heterogeneous nature of this neoplasm to correctly classify renal AMLs and to avoid misdiagnosis of other renal lesions is crucial.展开更多
Pericoronary adipose tissue(PCAT)plays an important role in the pathogenesis and progression of cardiovascular diseases due to its bidirectional communication with the coronary artery wall.In recent years,PCAT paramet...Pericoronary adipose tissue(PCAT)plays an important role in the pathogenesis and progression of cardiovascular diseases due to its bidirectional communication with the coronary artery wall.In recent years,PCAT parameters measured using coronary computed tomography have emerged as potential noninvasive imaging biomarkers for quantifying coronary artery inflammation,with significant clinical value in the early detection,disease progression assessment,treatment efficacy evaluation,and prognosis prediction of cardiovascular diseases.Furthermore,new technologies such as PCAT radiomics analysis have broadened its potential applications in evaluating coronary plaque vulnerability,predicting cardiovascular events,and improving risk stratification.This review discusses recent advances in PCAT research,focusing on its role in coronary artery disease risk identification and inflammation monitoring,and aims to offer imaging-based insights to support its future clinical use in cardiovascular disease management.展开更多
Biliary tract cancer(BTC)is a group of heterogeneous sporadic diseases,including intrahepatic,hilar,and distal cholangiocarcinoma,as well as gallbladder cancer.BTC is characterized by high invasiveness and extremely p...Biliary tract cancer(BTC)is a group of heterogeneous sporadic diseases,including intrahepatic,hilar,and distal cholangiocarcinoma,as well as gallbladder cancer.BTC is characterized by high invasiveness and extremely poor prognosis,with a global increased incidence due to intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma(ICC).The 18Ffludeoxyglucose positron emission tomography(PET)computed tomography(18F-FDG PET/CT)combines glucose metabolic information(reflecting the glycolytic activity of tumor cells)with anatomical structure to assess tumor metabolic heterogeneity,systemic metastasis,and molecular characteristics noninvasively,overcoming the limitations of traditional imaging in the detection of micrometastases and recurrent lesions.18F-FDG PET/CT offers critical insights in clinical staging,therapeutic evaluation,and prognostic prediction of BTC.This article reviews research progress in this field over the past decade,with a particular focus on the advances made in the last 3 years,which have not been adequately summarized and recognized.The research paradigm in this field is shifting from qualitative to quantitative studies,and there have been significant breakthroughs in using 18F-FDG PET/CT metabolic information to predict gene expression in ICC.Radiomics and deep learning techniques have been applied to ICC for prognostic prediction and differential diagnosis.Additionally,PET/magnetic resonance imaging is increasingly demonstrating its value in this field.展开更多
The paper presents experimental investigation results of crack pattern change in cement pastes caused by external sulfate attack(ESA).To visualize the formation and development of cracks in cement pastes under ESA,an ...The paper presents experimental investigation results of crack pattern change in cement pastes caused by external sulfate attack(ESA).To visualize the formation and development of cracks in cement pastes under ESA,an X-ray computed tomography(X-ray CT)was used,i e,the tomography system of Zeiss Xradia 510 versa.The results indicate that X-CT can monitor the development process and distribution characteristics of the internal cracks of cement pastes under ESA with attack time.In addition,the C3A content in the cement significantly affects the damage mode of cement paste specimens during sulfate erosion.The damage of ordinary Portland cement(OPC)pastes subjected to sulfate attack with high C3A content are severe,while the damage of sulfate resistant Portland cement(SRPC)pastes is much smaller than that of OPC pastes.Furthermore,a quadratic function describes the correlation between the crack volume fraction and development depth for two cement pastes immermed in sulfate solution.展开更多
BACKGROUND Mucosal healing(MH)is the major therapeutic target for Crohn's disease(CD).As the most commonly involved intestinal segment,small bowel(SB)assessment is crucial for CD patients.Yet,it poses a significan...BACKGROUND Mucosal healing(MH)is the major therapeutic target for Crohn's disease(CD).As the most commonly involved intestinal segment,small bowel(SB)assessment is crucial for CD patients.Yet,it poses a significant challenge due to its limited accessibility through conventional endoscopic methods.AIM To establish a noninvasive radiomic model based on computed tomography enterography(CTE)for MH assessment in SBCD patients.METHODS Seventy-three patients diagnosed with SBCD were included and divided into a training cohort(n=55)and a test cohort(n=18).Radiomic features were obtained from CTE images to establish a radiomic model.Patient demographics were analysed to establish a clinical model.A radiomic-clinical nomogram was constructed by combining significant clinical and radiomic features.The diagnostic efficacy and clinical benefit were evaluated via receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve analysis and decision curve analysis(DCA),respectively.RESULTS Of the 73 patients enrolled,25 patients achieved MH.The radiomic-clinical nomogram had an area under the ROC curve of 0.961(95%confidence interval:0.886-1.000)in the training cohort and 0.958(0.877-1.000)in the test cohort and provided superior clinical benefit to either the clinical or radiomic models alone,as demonstrated by DCA.CONCLUSION These results indicate that the CTE-based radiomic-clinical nomogram is a promising imaging biomarker for MH and serves as a potential noninvasive alternative to enteroscopy for MH assessment in SBCD patients.展开更多
Ultrasound computed tomography(USCT)is a noninvasive biomedical imaging modality that offers insights into acoustic properties such as the sound speed(SS)and acoustic attenuation(AA)of the human body,enhancing diagnos...Ultrasound computed tomography(USCT)is a noninvasive biomedical imaging modality that offers insights into acoustic properties such as the sound speed(SS)and acoustic attenuation(AA)of the human body,enhancing diagnostic accuracy and therapy planning.Full waveform inversion(FWI)is a promising USCT image reconstruction method that optimizes the parameter fields of a wave propagation model via gradient-based optimization.However,twodimensional FWI methods are limited by their inability to account for three-dimensional wave propagation in the elevation direction,resulting in image artifacts.To address this problem,we propose a three-dimensional time-domain full waveform inversion algorithm to reconstruct the SS and AA distributions on the basis of a fractional Laplacian wave equation,adjoint field formulation,and gradient descent optimization.Validated by two sets of simulations,the proposed algorithm has potential for generating high-resolution and quantitative SS and AA distributions.This approach holds promise for clinical USCT applications,assisting early disease detection,precise abnormality localization,and optimized treatment planning,thus contributing to better healthcare outcomes.展开更多
Acute appendicitis remains one of the most common causes of emergency abdominal surgery globally.Imaging plays a pivotal role in confirming or excluding the diagnosis and identifying complications that influence manag...Acute appendicitis remains one of the most common causes of emergency abdominal surgery globally.Imaging plays a pivotal role in confirming or excluding the diagnosis and identifying complications that influence management pathways.This narrative review synthesizes contemporary evidence and consensusbased imaging protocols for appendicitis,with a focus on computed tomography,magnetic resonance imaging,and ultrasound.The article explores advanced diagnostic criteria,interpretation challenges,imaging algorithms derived from professional society guidelines,and special considerations including pregnancy and pediatric populations.Clinical practice recommendations by the World Society of Emergency Surgery,European Association of Endoscopic Surgery,American College of Radiology,and Infectious Diseases Society of America are incorporated to frame best practices.展开更多
Dual-energy CT(DECT)is an advancement in CT technology that allows for the acquisition of images at two different energy levels.Two main post-processing tools,which form the backbone of DECT,include material decomposi...Dual-energy CT(DECT)is an advancement in CT technology that allows for the acquisition of images at two different energy levels.Two main post-processing tools,which form the backbone of DECT,include material decomposition and virtual monoenergetic images.Material decomposition helps in the generation of virtual nonenhanced,iodine,pulmonary lung blood volume,lung vessel,automated bone removal,and renal stone characterization images.DECT offers a broad spectrum of clinical applications in pediatric imaging,including vascular,neurological,thoracic,abdominal,skeletal,and oncologic assessments.Additionally,it contributes to shorter scan times and enables the use of lower contrast media volumes while maintaining diagnostic image quality.This technique provides unique qualitative and quantitative information about the composition of the tissue,allowing differentiation of materials,including iodinated contrast agents.The radiation dose of DECT is equivalent to or lower than that of a singleenergy CT,adding to the advantages of DECT,especially in children who are more sensitive to the harmful effects of radiation.In this minireview we outlined the basic principles of the DECT technique and its post-processing techniques with emphasis on clinical applications in pediatric imaging.展开更多
Photon-counting computed tomography(PCCT)represents a transformative advancement in neuroimaging,offering superior spatial resolution,spectral imaging capabilities,reduced radiation dose,and enhanced contrast-to-noise...Photon-counting computed tomography(PCCT)represents a transformative advancement in neuroimaging,offering superior spatial resolution,spectral imaging capabilities,reduced radiation dose,and enhanced contrast-to-noise ratios.This review explores the technical foundations of PCCT,its advantages over conventional CT,and its growing applications in neuroimaging.PCCT has shown promise in improving neurovascular imaging,detecting small vessels,and reducing artifacts near metallic implants.It also enhances the visualization of spontaneous intracranial hypotension and cerebrospinal fluid leaks and provides superior diagnostic accuracy in acute ischemic stroke imaging.However,current limitations,including protocol complexity,high data volume,and the absence of integrated artificial intelligence noise reduction algorithms,pose challenges to widespread adoption.Future research should address these limitations and refine PCCT’s applications to unlock its full clinical potential.展开更多
BACKGROUND Inguinal hernias are common after surgery.Tension-free repair is widely accepted as the main method for managing inguinal hernias.Adequate exposure,coverage,and repair of the myopectineal orifice(MPO)are ne...BACKGROUND Inguinal hernias are common after surgery.Tension-free repair is widely accepted as the main method for managing inguinal hernias.Adequate exposure,coverage,and repair of the myopectineal orifice(MPO)are necessary.However,due to differences in race and sex,people’s body shapes vary.According to European guidelines,the patch should measure 10 cm×15 cm.If any part of the MPO is dissected,injury to the nerves,vascular network,or organs may occur during surgery,thereby leading to inguinal discomfort,pain,and seroma formation after surgery.Therefore,accurate localization and measurement of the boundary of the MPO are crucial for selecting the optimal patch for inguinal hernia repair.AIM To compare the size of the MPO measured on three-dimensional multislice spiral computed tomography(CT)with that measured via laparoscopy and explore the relevant factors influencing the size of the MPO.METHODS Clinical data from 74 patients who underwent laparoscopic tension-free inguinal hernia repair at the General Surgery Department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Science and Technology between September 2022 and July 2024 were collected and analyzed retrospectively.Transabdominal preperitoneal was performed.Sixty-four males and 10 females,with an average age of 58.30±12.32 years,were included.The clinical data of the patients were collected.The boundary of the MPO was measured on three-dimensional CT images before surgery and then again during transabdominal preperitoneal.All the preoperative and intraoperative data were analyzed via paired t-tests.A t-test was used for comparisons of age,body mass index,and sex between the groups.In the comparative analysis,a P value less than 0.05 indicated a significant difference.RESULTS The boundaries of the MPO on 3-dimensional CT images measured 7.05±0.47 cm and 6.27±0.61 cm,and the area of the MPO was 19.54±3.33 cm^(2).The boundaries of the MPO during surgery were 7.18±0.51 cm and 6.17±0.40 cm.The errors were not statistically significant.However,the intraoperative BD(the width of the MPO,P=0.024,P<0.05)and preoperative AC(the length of the MPO,P=0.045,P<0.05)significantly differed according to sex.The AC and BD measurements before and during surgery were not significantly different according to age,body mass index,hernia side or hernia type(P>0.05).CONCLUSION The application of this technology can aid in determining the most appropriate dissection range and patch size.展开更多
Computed tomography(CT)can inspect the internal structure of concrete with high resolution,but improving the accuracy of measurements remains a key challenge due to the reliance on complex image processing and signifi...Computed tomography(CT)can inspect the internal structure of concrete with high resolution,but improving the accuracy of measurements remains a key challenge due to the reliance on complex image processing and significant manual intervention.This study aims to optimize CT scanning parameters to enhance the accuracy of measuring crack widths and rebar volumes in reinforced concrete.Nine sets of specimens,each with varying rebar diameters and concrete cover thicknesses,were scanned before and after corrosion using an Optima CT scanner,followed by three-dimensional reconstructions using Avizo software.The effects of threshold values and“Erosion”coefficients on measurement accuracy were evaluated.The results demonstrated that an optimal lower threshold of 2950,combined with an‘Erosion’coefficient of 6,effectively limits the measurement error of rebar volumes to within 1%.The optimal threshold for measuring crack widths was influenced by the crack width,rebar diameter,and concrete cover thickness.Additionally,an optimized formula for determining crack measurement thresholds was proposed.This study significantly improves the accuracy of CT-based non-destructive testing(NDT)techniques,providing valuable insights for structural health monitoring(SHM).展开更多
BACKGROUND Esophageal cancer carries a poor prognosis with low 5-year survival rates and limited early detection options.The skeletal muscle index at the L3 vertebral level is a well-established prognostic marker in e...BACKGROUND Esophageal cancer carries a poor prognosis with low 5-year survival rates and limited early detection options.The skeletal muscle index at the L3 vertebral level is a well-established prognostic marker in esophageal cancer,but most follow-up computed tomography(CT)scans do not extend to L3 and limiting its utility.Radiomics has emerged as a powerful tool for extracting prognostic information from medical images.AIM To evaluate the influential features for esophageal cancer prognosis by integrating radiomic and body compositionbased indices of skeletal muscle and adipose tissue at the T12 level from both pretreatment and follow-up CT images,in order to assess their value in predicting overall survival(OS).METHODS This retrospective study included 212 esophageal cancer patients who underwent concurrent chemoradiotherapy,with both pretreatment and follow-up chest CT scans available.Body organ analysis(BOA)and radiomic features were extracted from skeletal muscle and adipose tissue at the T12 level using automated tools.Four feature subsets(no-radiomics,pretreatment only,follow-up only,and combined inputs)were developed using logistic regression(LR)with least absolute shrinkage and selection operator for feature selection,followed by Cox regression.Prognostic models-including nomogram,support vector classifier,LR,and extra trees classifier-were constructed to predict 1-,2-,and 3-year OS.RESULTS The model integrating both BOA and radiomics from pretreatment and follow-up CT,combined with clinical data,achieved the best performance for 2-year OS prediction,with an area under the time-dependent receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.91,sensitivity of 0.81,and specificity of 0.88 using the LR model.The most predictive features included both clinical variables,body composition indices,and radiomic features,particularly from follow-up VAT.Follow-up imaging contributed significantly to model performance,reinforcing its value in treatment response evaluation.CONCLUSION This is the first study to demonstrate that BOA indices and their corresponding radiomics at the T12-level from both pretreatment and follow-up CT scans-combined with clinical data-can provide accurate prognostic information for esophageal cancer.This approach offers a practical alternative when L3-level imaging is unavailable and supports the clinical integration of automated T12-based imaging biomarkers.The integration of these imaging features with clinical parameters enhances the prediction of survival outcomes and contributes to non-invasive,personalized treatment planning.展开更多
BACKGROUND Accurate identification of tumor invasion depth and lymph node(LN)involve-ment in patients with colon cancer(CC)is critical for guiding treatment strategies.However,the preoperative prediction of tumor inva...BACKGROUND Accurate identification of tumor invasion depth and lymph node(LN)involve-ment in patients with colon cancer(CC)is critical for guiding treatment strategies.However,the preoperative prediction of tumor invasion depth and LN metastasis in CC remains challenging.As the intestinal tumor develops,the fat density in the mesentery increases.METHODS Patients,who were diagnosed with CC and underwent surgery,were included and divided into the training and validation cohorts.CT-T values of the mesen-tery were extracted from the CT images.Cutoff points were determined using the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve,and the area under the ROC curve was employed to assess the performance of the CT-T value for tumor invasion depth and LN status prediction.RESULTS Cutoff values of 11.83 and 17.17 were identified to discriminate T1/2 vs T3/4 and N0 vs N1/2,respectively.With a cutoff CT-T value of 11.83,the total diagnostic accuracy for T stage was 83.1%(81.5%for the training cohort and 86.2%for the validation cohort).With a cutoff CT-T value of 17.17,the total diagnostic accuracy for N stage was 77.3%(75.8%for the training cohort and 80.1%for the validation cohort),which was higher than that of CT-reported LN metastasis.CONCLUSION In this study,we explored an efficient method for predicting preoperative T and N stages using the tumor-contributed CT value of the mesentery in CC,which displayed superior predictive accuracy.展开更多
BACKGROUND Gastric bezoars are masses of indigestible material that accumulate in the stomach,causing nausea,abdominal pain,and vomiting.Persimmon bezoars(diospyrobezoars),which comprise tannins and fibers from persim...BACKGROUND Gastric bezoars are masses of indigestible material that accumulate in the stomach,causing nausea,abdominal pain,and vomiting.Persimmon bezoars(diospyrobezoars),which comprise tannins and fibers from persimmons,are relatively rare but may cause significant gastric complications,including gastric outlet obstruction or ileus.Although computed tomography(CT)is a useful ima-ging tool,diagnosing bezoars can be challenging because their density is similar to that of food debris and gastric content.CASE SUMMARY Here,we report the case of a 72-year-old woman with a persimmon bezoar that was diagnosed using serial CT imaging and confirmed by endoscopy.CT perfor-med over several months revealed changes in the internal structure and density of the bezoar,suggesting progressive hardening.The patient had a history of a par-tial gastrectomy and excessive persimmon consumption,both of which are risk factors for bezoar formation.Endoscopic fragmentation of the bezoar successfully resolved symptoms.CONCLUSION Gastric bezoars,particularly persimmon bezoars,present diagnostic challenges because of their variable imaging characteristics.Serial CT can document tem-poral changes in bezoar density,potentially reflecting changes in hardness.Early diagnosis and endoscopic treatment are essential for effective management,particularly in patients with predisposing factors.This case underscores the im-portance of considering bezoars in the differential diagnosis of gastric masses,and highlights the value of CT for monitoring changes in bezoar characteristics over time.展开更多
BACKGROUND Lower abdominal pain presents as a common complaint with diverse etiologies ranging from benign conditions to surgical emergencies.Computed tomography(CT)imaging has become instrumental in accurate diagnosi...BACKGROUND Lower abdominal pain presents as a common complaint with diverse etiologies ranging from benign conditions to surgical emergencies.Computed tomography(CT)imaging has become instrumental in accurate diagnosis and management planning,though clinicians must carefully balance its benefits against radiation exposure concerns and resource allocation constraints.AIM To comprehensively evaluate the diagnostic accuracy,utility and clinical implications of CT in patients with acute lower abdominal pain,emphasizing rare anatomical variations,pregnancy-related issues,and practical limitations of other imaging modalities in emergency settings in Japan.METHODS This retrospective review included 230 patients who underwent CT scans for acute lower abdominal pain at Juntendo University Shizuoka Hospital throughout 2014.CT findings were systematically correlated with the final clinical diagnoses.Cases with diagnostic uncertain underwent independent reviewed by two experienced radiologists.The CT protocols included portal venous-phase imaging with selective arterial-phase acquisition when clinically indicated.RESULTS Idiopathic pain was the most common diagnosis(104 cases,45.2%),followed by appendicitis(46 cases,20.0%)and diverticulitis(27 cases,11.7%).Right lower quadrant pain predominantly revealed appendicitis(20.2%),whereas left lower quadrant pain frequently indicated diverticulitis(12.1%).Nonspecific pain cases have diverse etiologies.Rare conditions included situs inversus(one case)and intestinal malrotation(one case).Pregnancy-related diagnoses included acute appendicitis and uterine fibroid degeneration.CONCLUSION CT significantly aids in the diagnosis of lower abdominal pain,especially given limited access to ultrasonography and MRI during emergency hours in Japan.Awareness of the anatomical variations and pregnancy-related constraints is crucial.Diagnosis-specific protocols for CT based on pain location can optimize clinical management and resource utilization.展开更多
BACKGROUND Lymph node metastasis(LNM)is a key prognostic factor in pancreatic cancer(PC).Accurate preoperative prediction of LNM remains challenging.Radiomics offers a noninvasive method to extract quantitative imagin...BACKGROUND Lymph node metastasis(LNM)is a key prognostic factor in pancreatic cancer(PC).Accurate preoperative prediction of LNM remains challenging.Radiomics offers a noninvasive method to extract quantitative imaging features that may aid in predicting LNM.AIM To investigate the potential value of a computed tomography(CT)-based radiomics model in prediction of LNM in PC.METHODS A retrospective analysis was performed on 168 pathologically confirmed PC patients who underwent contrast-enhanced-CT.Among them,107 cases had no LNM,while 61 cases had confirmed LNM.These patients were randomly divided into a training cohort(n=135)and a validation cohort(n=33).A total of 792 radiomics features were extracted,comprising 396 features from the arterial phase and another 396 from the portal venous phase.The Minimum Redundancy Maximum Relevance and Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator methods were used for feature selection and Radiomics model construction.The receiver operating characteristic curve was employed to assess the diagnostic potential of the model,and DeLong test was used to compare the area under the curve(AUC)values of the model.RESULTS Six radiomics features from the arterial phase and nine from the portal venous phase were selected.The Radscore model demonstrated strong predictive performance for LNM in both the training and test cohorts,with AUC values ranging from 0.86 to 0.94,sensitivity between 66.7% and 91.7%,specificity from 71.4% to 100.0%,accuracy between 78.8%and 91.1%,PPV ranging from 64.7% to 100.0%,and negative predictive value between 84.0% and 93.8%.No significant differences in AUC values were observed between the arterial and portal venous phases in either the training or test set.CONCLUSION The preoperative CT-based radiomics model exhibited robust predictive capability for identifying LNM in PC.展开更多
Colorectal cancer(CRC)is one of the most prevalent cancers globally,with a high recurrence rate following curative surgery,especially within the first 3 to 5 years.Post-surgical follow-up plays a vital role in detecti...Colorectal cancer(CRC)is one of the most prevalent cancers globally,with a high recurrence rate following curative surgery,especially within the first 3 to 5 years.Post-surgical follow-up plays a vital role in detecting local and distant recurrences,significantly influencing survival rates.However,despite established guidelines recommending surveillance strategies,discrepancies persist regarding the optimal surveillance modality and patient adherence to follow protocols.Sala-Miquel et al’s study emphasize the superiority of computed tomography in detecting metastasis and recurrence,while also shedding light on the critical role of adherence to surveillance protocols in improving patient outcomes.This editorial discusses the implications of these findings for clinical practice,providing a comprehensive overview of the current landscape of CRC surveillance and the path forward for improving patient outcomes.展开更多
文摘BACKGROUND Early screening,preoperative staging,and diagnosis of lymph node metastasis are crucial for improving the prognosis of gastric cancer(GC).AIM To evaluate the diagnostic value of combined multidetector computed tomography(MDCT)and gastrointestinal endoscopy for GC screening,preoperative staging,and lymph node metastasis detection,thereby providing a reference for clinical diagnosis and treatment.METHODS In this retrospective study clinical and imaging data of 134 patients with suspected GC who were admitted between January 2023 and October 2024 were initially reviewed.According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria,102 patients were finally enrolled in the analysis.All enrolled patients had undergone both MDCT and gastrointestinal endoscopy examinations prior to surgical intervention.Preoperative clinical staging and lymph node metastasis findings were compared with pathological results.RESULTS The combined use of MDCT and gastrointestinal endoscopy demonstrated a sensitivity of 98.53%,specificity of 97.06%,accuracy of 98.04%,positive predictive value of 98.53%,and negative predictive value of 97.06%for diagnosing GC.These factors were all significantly higher than those of MDCT or endoscopy alone(P<0.05).The accuracy rates of the combined approach for detecting clinical T and N stages were 97.06%and 92.65%,respectively,outperforming MDCT alone(86.76% and 79.41%)and endoscopy alone(85.29% and 70.59%)(P<0.05).Among 68 patients with confirmed GC,50(73.53%)were pathologically diagnosed with lymph node metastasis.The accuracy for detecting lymph node metastasis was 66.00%with endoscopy,76.00%with MDCT,and 92.00% with the combined approach,all with statistically significant differences(P<0.05).CONCLUSION The combined application of MDCT and gastrointestinal endoscopy enhanced diagnostic accuracy for GC,provided greater consistency in preoperative staging,and improved the detection of lymph node metastasis,thereby demonstrating significant clinical utility.
文摘Photon-counting computed tomography(PCCT)represents a significant advancement in pediatric cardiovascular imaging.Traditional CT systems employ energy-integrating detectors that convert X-ray photons into visible light,whereas PCCT utilizes photon-counting detectors that directly transform X-ray photons into electric signals.This direct conversion allows photon-counting detectors to sort photons into discrete energy levels,thereby enhancing image quality through superior noise reduction,improved spatial and contrast resolution,and reduced artifacts.In pediatric applications,PCCT offers substantial benefits,including lower radiation doses,which may help reduce the risk of malignancy in pediatric patients,with perhaps greater potential to benefit those with repeated exposure from a young age.Enhanced spatial resolution facilitates better visualization of small structures,vital for diagnosing congenital heart defects.Additionally,PCCT’s spectral capabilities improve tissue characterization and enable the creation of virtual monoenergetic images,which enhance soft-tissue contrast and potentially reduce contrast media doses.Initial clinical results indicate that PCCT provides superior image quality and diagnostic accuracy compared to conven-tional CT,particularly in challenging pediatric cardiovascular cases.As PCCT technology matures,further research and standardized protocols will be essential to fully integrate it into pediatric imaging practices,ensuring optimized diagnostic outcomes and patient safety.
文摘Caustic ingestion is a relatively rare but potentially catastrophic gastroentero-logical emergency.Upper gastrointestinal(GI)endoscopy is currently regarded as the gold standard modality not only to assess the depth and the extension of GI caustic injury,but also to guide the appropriate treatment.Intriguingly,contrast-enhanced computed tomography(CECT)has recently emerged as a promising non-invasive and more accurate alternative to endoscopy in this setting.However,to date,evidence concerning the role of CECT as an alternative or complementary diagnostic tool to endoscopy in caustic ingestion is still limited.The aim of our review was to summarize and discuss the current evidence concerning the role of CECT in the emergency diagnosis of caustic ingestion and its value in assessing injury severity among non-pediatric patients.
文摘Angiomyolipomas(AMLs)represent the most common benign solid renal tumors.The frequency of their detection in the general population is increasing owing to advances in imaging technology.The objective of this review is to discuss computed tomography(CT)and magnetic resonance imaging findings for both typical and atypical renal AMLs,along with their associated complications.AMLs are typically defined as solid triphasic tumors composed of varying amounts of dysmorphic and tortuous blood vessels,smooth muscle components and adipose tissue.In an adult,a classical renal AML appears as a solid,heterogeneous renal cortical mass with macroscopic fat.However,up to 5%of AMLs contain minimal fat and cannot be reliably diagnosed by imaging.Fat-poor AMLs can appear as hyperattenuating masses on unenhanced CT and as hypointense masses on T2WI;other AMLs may be isodense or exhibit cystic components.Hemorrhage is the most common complication,and AMLs with hemorrhage can mimic other tumors,making their diagnosis challenging.Understanding the variable and heterogeneous nature of this neoplasm to correctly classify renal AMLs and to avoid misdiagnosis of other renal lesions is crucial.
基金Supported by the Health Commission of the Sichuan Province Medical Science and Technology Program,China,No.24WXXT10the Sichuan Province Science and Technology Support Program,China,No.2021YJ0242the 23rd Batch of Student Scientific Research Project Approval of Jiangsu University,China,No.Y23A164.
文摘Pericoronary adipose tissue(PCAT)plays an important role in the pathogenesis and progression of cardiovascular diseases due to its bidirectional communication with the coronary artery wall.In recent years,PCAT parameters measured using coronary computed tomography have emerged as potential noninvasive imaging biomarkers for quantifying coronary artery inflammation,with significant clinical value in the early detection,disease progression assessment,treatment efficacy evaluation,and prognosis prediction of cardiovascular diseases.Furthermore,new technologies such as PCAT radiomics analysis have broadened its potential applications in evaluating coronary plaque vulnerability,predicting cardiovascular events,and improving risk stratification.This review discusses recent advances in PCAT research,focusing on its role in coronary artery disease risk identification and inflammation monitoring,and aims to offer imaging-based insights to support its future clinical use in cardiovascular disease management.
文摘Biliary tract cancer(BTC)is a group of heterogeneous sporadic diseases,including intrahepatic,hilar,and distal cholangiocarcinoma,as well as gallbladder cancer.BTC is characterized by high invasiveness and extremely poor prognosis,with a global increased incidence due to intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma(ICC).The 18Ffludeoxyglucose positron emission tomography(PET)computed tomography(18F-FDG PET/CT)combines glucose metabolic information(reflecting the glycolytic activity of tumor cells)with anatomical structure to assess tumor metabolic heterogeneity,systemic metastasis,and molecular characteristics noninvasively,overcoming the limitations of traditional imaging in the detection of micrometastases and recurrent lesions.18F-FDG PET/CT offers critical insights in clinical staging,therapeutic evaluation,and prognostic prediction of BTC.This article reviews research progress in this field over the past decade,with a particular focus on the advances made in the last 3 years,which have not been adequately summarized and recognized.The research paradigm in this field is shifting from qualitative to quantitative studies,and there have been significant breakthroughs in using 18F-FDG PET/CT metabolic information to predict gene expression in ICC.Radiomics and deep learning techniques have been applied to ICC for prognostic prediction and differential diagnosis.Additionally,PET/magnetic resonance imaging is increasingly demonstrating its value in this field.
基金Funded by Chinese National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.U2006224)。
文摘The paper presents experimental investigation results of crack pattern change in cement pastes caused by external sulfate attack(ESA).To visualize the formation and development of cracks in cement pastes under ESA,an X-ray computed tomography(X-ray CT)was used,i e,the tomography system of Zeiss Xradia 510 versa.The results indicate that X-CT can monitor the development process and distribution characteristics of the internal cracks of cement pastes under ESA with attack time.In addition,the C3A content in the cement significantly affects the damage mode of cement paste specimens during sulfate erosion.The damage of ordinary Portland cement(OPC)pastes subjected to sulfate attack with high C3A content are severe,while the damage of sulfate resistant Portland cement(SRPC)pastes is much smaller than that of OPC pastes.Furthermore,a quadratic function describes the correlation between the crack volume fraction and development depth for two cement pastes immermed in sulfate solution.
基金Supported by Natural Science Foundation of Anhui Medical University,No.2023xkj130.
文摘BACKGROUND Mucosal healing(MH)is the major therapeutic target for Crohn's disease(CD).As the most commonly involved intestinal segment,small bowel(SB)assessment is crucial for CD patients.Yet,it poses a significant challenge due to its limited accessibility through conventional endoscopic methods.AIM To establish a noninvasive radiomic model based on computed tomography enterography(CTE)for MH assessment in SBCD patients.METHODS Seventy-three patients diagnosed with SBCD were included and divided into a training cohort(n=55)and a test cohort(n=18).Radiomic features were obtained from CTE images to establish a radiomic model.Patient demographics were analysed to establish a clinical model.A radiomic-clinical nomogram was constructed by combining significant clinical and radiomic features.The diagnostic efficacy and clinical benefit were evaluated via receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve analysis and decision curve analysis(DCA),respectively.RESULTS Of the 73 patients enrolled,25 patients achieved MH.The radiomic-clinical nomogram had an area under the ROC curve of 0.961(95%confidence interval:0.886-1.000)in the training cohort and 0.958(0.877-1.000)in the test cohort and provided superior clinical benefit to either the clinical or radiomic models alone,as demonstrated by DCA.CONCLUSION These results indicate that the CTE-based radiomic-clinical nomogram is a promising imaging biomarker for MH and serves as a potential noninvasive alternative to enteroscopy for MH assessment in SBCD patients.
基金supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China(2022YFA1404400)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(62122072,12174368,61705216,62405306)+4 种基金Anhui Provincial Department of Science and Technology(202203a07020020,18030801138)Anhui Provincial Natural Science Foundation(2308085QA21,2408085QF187)the USTC Research Funds of the Double First-Class Initiative(YD2090002015)the Institute of Artificial Intelligence at Hefei Comprehensive National Science Center(23YGXT005)the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities(WK2090000083).
文摘Ultrasound computed tomography(USCT)is a noninvasive biomedical imaging modality that offers insights into acoustic properties such as the sound speed(SS)and acoustic attenuation(AA)of the human body,enhancing diagnostic accuracy and therapy planning.Full waveform inversion(FWI)is a promising USCT image reconstruction method that optimizes the parameter fields of a wave propagation model via gradient-based optimization.However,twodimensional FWI methods are limited by their inability to account for three-dimensional wave propagation in the elevation direction,resulting in image artifacts.To address this problem,we propose a three-dimensional time-domain full waveform inversion algorithm to reconstruct the SS and AA distributions on the basis of a fractional Laplacian wave equation,adjoint field formulation,and gradient descent optimization.Validated by two sets of simulations,the proposed algorithm has potential for generating high-resolution and quantitative SS and AA distributions.This approach holds promise for clinical USCT applications,assisting early disease detection,precise abnormality localization,and optimized treatment planning,thus contributing to better healthcare outcomes.
文摘Acute appendicitis remains one of the most common causes of emergency abdominal surgery globally.Imaging plays a pivotal role in confirming or excluding the diagnosis and identifying complications that influence management pathways.This narrative review synthesizes contemporary evidence and consensusbased imaging protocols for appendicitis,with a focus on computed tomography,magnetic resonance imaging,and ultrasound.The article explores advanced diagnostic criteria,interpretation challenges,imaging algorithms derived from professional society guidelines,and special considerations including pregnancy and pediatric populations.Clinical practice recommendations by the World Society of Emergency Surgery,European Association of Endoscopic Surgery,American College of Radiology,and Infectious Diseases Society of America are incorporated to frame best practices.
文摘Dual-energy CT(DECT)is an advancement in CT technology that allows for the acquisition of images at two different energy levels.Two main post-processing tools,which form the backbone of DECT,include material decomposition and virtual monoenergetic images.Material decomposition helps in the generation of virtual nonenhanced,iodine,pulmonary lung blood volume,lung vessel,automated bone removal,and renal stone characterization images.DECT offers a broad spectrum of clinical applications in pediatric imaging,including vascular,neurological,thoracic,abdominal,skeletal,and oncologic assessments.Additionally,it contributes to shorter scan times and enables the use of lower contrast media volumes while maintaining diagnostic image quality.This technique provides unique qualitative and quantitative information about the composition of the tissue,allowing differentiation of materials,including iodinated contrast agents.The radiation dose of DECT is equivalent to or lower than that of a singleenergy CT,adding to the advantages of DECT,especially in children who are more sensitive to the harmful effects of radiation.In this minireview we outlined the basic principles of the DECT technique and its post-processing techniques with emphasis on clinical applications in pediatric imaging.
文摘Photon-counting computed tomography(PCCT)represents a transformative advancement in neuroimaging,offering superior spatial resolution,spectral imaging capabilities,reduced radiation dose,and enhanced contrast-to-noise ratios.This review explores the technical foundations of PCCT,its advantages over conventional CT,and its growing applications in neuroimaging.PCCT has shown promise in improving neurovascular imaging,detecting small vessels,and reducing artifacts near metallic implants.It also enhances the visualization of spontaneous intracranial hypotension and cerebrospinal fluid leaks and provides superior diagnostic accuracy in acute ischemic stroke imaging.However,current limitations,including protocol complexity,high data volume,and the absence of integrated artificial intelligence noise reduction algorithms,pose challenges to widespread adoption.Future research should address these limitations and refine PCCT’s applications to unlock its full clinical potential.
基金Supported by the 2022 Provincial Quality Engineering Project for Higher Education Institutions,No.2022sx031the 2023 Provincial Quality Engineering Project for Higher Education Institutions,No.2023jyxm1071.
文摘BACKGROUND Inguinal hernias are common after surgery.Tension-free repair is widely accepted as the main method for managing inguinal hernias.Adequate exposure,coverage,and repair of the myopectineal orifice(MPO)are necessary.However,due to differences in race and sex,people’s body shapes vary.According to European guidelines,the patch should measure 10 cm×15 cm.If any part of the MPO is dissected,injury to the nerves,vascular network,or organs may occur during surgery,thereby leading to inguinal discomfort,pain,and seroma formation after surgery.Therefore,accurate localization and measurement of the boundary of the MPO are crucial for selecting the optimal patch for inguinal hernia repair.AIM To compare the size of the MPO measured on three-dimensional multislice spiral computed tomography(CT)with that measured via laparoscopy and explore the relevant factors influencing the size of the MPO.METHODS Clinical data from 74 patients who underwent laparoscopic tension-free inguinal hernia repair at the General Surgery Department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Science and Technology between September 2022 and July 2024 were collected and analyzed retrospectively.Transabdominal preperitoneal was performed.Sixty-four males and 10 females,with an average age of 58.30±12.32 years,were included.The clinical data of the patients were collected.The boundary of the MPO was measured on three-dimensional CT images before surgery and then again during transabdominal preperitoneal.All the preoperative and intraoperative data were analyzed via paired t-tests.A t-test was used for comparisons of age,body mass index,and sex between the groups.In the comparative analysis,a P value less than 0.05 indicated a significant difference.RESULTS The boundaries of the MPO on 3-dimensional CT images measured 7.05±0.47 cm and 6.27±0.61 cm,and the area of the MPO was 19.54±3.33 cm^(2).The boundaries of the MPO during surgery were 7.18±0.51 cm and 6.17±0.40 cm.The errors were not statistically significant.However,the intraoperative BD(the width of the MPO,P=0.024,P<0.05)and preoperative AC(the length of the MPO,P=0.045,P<0.05)significantly differed according to sex.The AC and BD measurements before and during surgery were not significantly different according to age,body mass index,hernia side or hernia type(P>0.05).CONCLUSION The application of this technology can aid in determining the most appropriate dissection range and patch size.
文摘Computed tomography(CT)can inspect the internal structure of concrete with high resolution,but improving the accuracy of measurements remains a key challenge due to the reliance on complex image processing and significant manual intervention.This study aims to optimize CT scanning parameters to enhance the accuracy of measuring crack widths and rebar volumes in reinforced concrete.Nine sets of specimens,each with varying rebar diameters and concrete cover thicknesses,were scanned before and after corrosion using an Optima CT scanner,followed by three-dimensional reconstructions using Avizo software.The effects of threshold values and“Erosion”coefficients on measurement accuracy were evaluated.The results demonstrated that an optimal lower threshold of 2950,combined with an‘Erosion’coefficient of 6,effectively limits the measurement error of rebar volumes to within 1%.The optimal threshold for measuring crack widths was influenced by the crack width,rebar diameter,and concrete cover thickness.Additionally,an optimized formula for determining crack measurement thresholds was proposed.This study significantly improves the accuracy of CT-based non-destructive testing(NDT)techniques,providing valuable insights for structural health monitoring(SHM).
基金Supported by Taiwan National Science and Technology Council,No.NSTC114-2221-E-035-036Taichung Veterans General Hospital/Feng Chia University Joint Research Program,No.TCVGH-FCU1148207.
文摘BACKGROUND Esophageal cancer carries a poor prognosis with low 5-year survival rates and limited early detection options.The skeletal muscle index at the L3 vertebral level is a well-established prognostic marker in esophageal cancer,but most follow-up computed tomography(CT)scans do not extend to L3 and limiting its utility.Radiomics has emerged as a powerful tool for extracting prognostic information from medical images.AIM To evaluate the influential features for esophageal cancer prognosis by integrating radiomic and body compositionbased indices of skeletal muscle and adipose tissue at the T12 level from both pretreatment and follow-up CT images,in order to assess their value in predicting overall survival(OS).METHODS This retrospective study included 212 esophageal cancer patients who underwent concurrent chemoradiotherapy,with both pretreatment and follow-up chest CT scans available.Body organ analysis(BOA)and radiomic features were extracted from skeletal muscle and adipose tissue at the T12 level using automated tools.Four feature subsets(no-radiomics,pretreatment only,follow-up only,and combined inputs)were developed using logistic regression(LR)with least absolute shrinkage and selection operator for feature selection,followed by Cox regression.Prognostic models-including nomogram,support vector classifier,LR,and extra trees classifier-were constructed to predict 1-,2-,and 3-year OS.RESULTS The model integrating both BOA and radiomics from pretreatment and follow-up CT,combined with clinical data,achieved the best performance for 2-year OS prediction,with an area under the time-dependent receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.91,sensitivity of 0.81,and specificity of 0.88 using the LR model.The most predictive features included both clinical variables,body composition indices,and radiomic features,particularly from follow-up VAT.Follow-up imaging contributed significantly to model performance,reinforcing its value in treatment response evaluation.CONCLUSION This is the first study to demonstrate that BOA indices and their corresponding radiomics at the T12-level from both pretreatment and follow-up CT scans-combined with clinical data-can provide accurate prognostic information for esophageal cancer.This approach offers a practical alternative when L3-level imaging is unavailable and supports the clinical integration of automated T12-based imaging biomarkers.The integration of these imaging features with clinical parameters enhances the prediction of survival outcomes and contributes to non-invasive,personalized treatment planning.
基金Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.82303785and Medical Scientific Research Foundation of Guangdong Province,No.A2024096.
文摘BACKGROUND Accurate identification of tumor invasion depth and lymph node(LN)involve-ment in patients with colon cancer(CC)is critical for guiding treatment strategies.However,the preoperative prediction of tumor invasion depth and LN metastasis in CC remains challenging.As the intestinal tumor develops,the fat density in the mesentery increases.METHODS Patients,who were diagnosed with CC and underwent surgery,were included and divided into the training and validation cohorts.CT-T values of the mesen-tery were extracted from the CT images.Cutoff points were determined using the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve,and the area under the ROC curve was employed to assess the performance of the CT-T value for tumor invasion depth and LN status prediction.RESULTS Cutoff values of 11.83 and 17.17 were identified to discriminate T1/2 vs T3/4 and N0 vs N1/2,respectively.With a cutoff CT-T value of 11.83,the total diagnostic accuracy for T stage was 83.1%(81.5%for the training cohort and 86.2%for the validation cohort).With a cutoff CT-T value of 17.17,the total diagnostic accuracy for N stage was 77.3%(75.8%for the training cohort and 80.1%for the validation cohort),which was higher than that of CT-reported LN metastasis.CONCLUSION In this study,we explored an efficient method for predicting preoperative T and N stages using the tumor-contributed CT value of the mesentery in CC,which displayed superior predictive accuracy.
文摘BACKGROUND Gastric bezoars are masses of indigestible material that accumulate in the stomach,causing nausea,abdominal pain,and vomiting.Persimmon bezoars(diospyrobezoars),which comprise tannins and fibers from persimmons,are relatively rare but may cause significant gastric complications,including gastric outlet obstruction or ileus.Although computed tomography(CT)is a useful ima-ging tool,diagnosing bezoars can be challenging because their density is similar to that of food debris and gastric content.CASE SUMMARY Here,we report the case of a 72-year-old woman with a persimmon bezoar that was diagnosed using serial CT imaging and confirmed by endoscopy.CT perfor-med over several months revealed changes in the internal structure and density of the bezoar,suggesting progressive hardening.The patient had a history of a par-tial gastrectomy and excessive persimmon consumption,both of which are risk factors for bezoar formation.Endoscopic fragmentation of the bezoar successfully resolved symptoms.CONCLUSION Gastric bezoars,particularly persimmon bezoars,present diagnostic challenges because of their variable imaging characteristics.Serial CT can document tem-poral changes in bezoar density,potentially reflecting changes in hardness.Early diagnosis and endoscopic treatment are essential for effective management,particularly in patients with predisposing factors.This case underscores the im-portance of considering bezoars in the differential diagnosis of gastric masses,and highlights the value of CT for monitoring changes in bezoar characteristics over time.
文摘BACKGROUND Lower abdominal pain presents as a common complaint with diverse etiologies ranging from benign conditions to surgical emergencies.Computed tomography(CT)imaging has become instrumental in accurate diagnosis and management planning,though clinicians must carefully balance its benefits against radiation exposure concerns and resource allocation constraints.AIM To comprehensively evaluate the diagnostic accuracy,utility and clinical implications of CT in patients with acute lower abdominal pain,emphasizing rare anatomical variations,pregnancy-related issues,and practical limitations of other imaging modalities in emergency settings in Japan.METHODS This retrospective review included 230 patients who underwent CT scans for acute lower abdominal pain at Juntendo University Shizuoka Hospital throughout 2014.CT findings were systematically correlated with the final clinical diagnoses.Cases with diagnostic uncertain underwent independent reviewed by two experienced radiologists.The CT protocols included portal venous-phase imaging with selective arterial-phase acquisition when clinically indicated.RESULTS Idiopathic pain was the most common diagnosis(104 cases,45.2%),followed by appendicitis(46 cases,20.0%)and diverticulitis(27 cases,11.7%).Right lower quadrant pain predominantly revealed appendicitis(20.2%),whereas left lower quadrant pain frequently indicated diverticulitis(12.1%).Nonspecific pain cases have diverse etiologies.Rare conditions included situs inversus(one case)and intestinal malrotation(one case).Pregnancy-related diagnoses included acute appendicitis and uterine fibroid degeneration.CONCLUSION CT significantly aids in the diagnosis of lower abdominal pain,especially given limited access to ultrasonography and MRI during emergency hours in Japan.Awareness of the anatomical variations and pregnancy-related constraints is crucial.Diagnosis-specific protocols for CT based on pain location can optimize clinical management and resource utilization.
基金Supported by National Natural Science foundation of China,No.82202135,No.82371919,No.82372017,and No.82171925China Postdoctoral Science Foundation,No.2023M741808+4 种基金Young Elite Scientists Sponsorship Program by China Association of Chinese Medicine,No.2024-QNRC2-B16Jiangsu Provincial Key Research and Development Program,No.BE2023789Young Elite Scientists Sponsorship Program by Jiangsu Association for Science and Technology,No.JSTJ-2023-WJ027Project funded by Nanjing Postdoctoral Science Foundation,Natural Science Foundation of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine,No.XZR2023036Foundation of Excellent Young Doctor of Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine,No.2023QB0112.
文摘BACKGROUND Lymph node metastasis(LNM)is a key prognostic factor in pancreatic cancer(PC).Accurate preoperative prediction of LNM remains challenging.Radiomics offers a noninvasive method to extract quantitative imaging features that may aid in predicting LNM.AIM To investigate the potential value of a computed tomography(CT)-based radiomics model in prediction of LNM in PC.METHODS A retrospective analysis was performed on 168 pathologically confirmed PC patients who underwent contrast-enhanced-CT.Among them,107 cases had no LNM,while 61 cases had confirmed LNM.These patients were randomly divided into a training cohort(n=135)and a validation cohort(n=33).A total of 792 radiomics features were extracted,comprising 396 features from the arterial phase and another 396 from the portal venous phase.The Minimum Redundancy Maximum Relevance and Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator methods were used for feature selection and Radiomics model construction.The receiver operating characteristic curve was employed to assess the diagnostic potential of the model,and DeLong test was used to compare the area under the curve(AUC)values of the model.RESULTS Six radiomics features from the arterial phase and nine from the portal venous phase were selected.The Radscore model demonstrated strong predictive performance for LNM in both the training and test cohorts,with AUC values ranging from 0.86 to 0.94,sensitivity between 66.7% and 91.7%,specificity from 71.4% to 100.0%,accuracy between 78.8%and 91.1%,PPV ranging from 64.7% to 100.0%,and negative predictive value between 84.0% and 93.8%.No significant differences in AUC values were observed between the arterial and portal venous phases in either the training or test set.CONCLUSION The preoperative CT-based radiomics model exhibited robust predictive capability for identifying LNM in PC.
基金Supported by Shandong Province Medical and Health Science and Technology Development Plan Project,No.202203030713Science and Technology Program of Yantai Affiliated Hospital of Binzhou Medical University,No.YTFY2022KYQD06.
文摘Colorectal cancer(CRC)is one of the most prevalent cancers globally,with a high recurrence rate following curative surgery,especially within the first 3 to 5 years.Post-surgical follow-up plays a vital role in detecting local and distant recurrences,significantly influencing survival rates.However,despite established guidelines recommending surveillance strategies,discrepancies persist regarding the optimal surveillance modality and patient adherence to follow protocols.Sala-Miquel et al’s study emphasize the superiority of computed tomography in detecting metastasis and recurrence,while also shedding light on the critical role of adherence to surveillance protocols in improving patient outcomes.This editorial discusses the implications of these findings for clinical practice,providing a comprehensive overview of the current landscape of CRC surveillance and the path forward for improving patient outcomes.