Norbert Pásztor, D. Veréb, I. Király, Z. Kincses, András Palkó, Gábor Németh, Zoltán Bajory, Z. Fejes
To identify the most predictive ultrasound parameters for the assessment of male infertility by a multiparametric study.A total of 64 males were recruited in the study group and 14 men in the control group. At first, grey-scale and color and Power Doppler ultrasonographic imaging was used to analyze testicular morphological characteristics and detect intratesticular abnormalities. Various ultrasound parameters of B-mode US and strain-elastography were related to total sperm count (TSC).The prevalence of varicocele was not significant (P = 0.33), though presented a 2.53-fold odds ratio The strain ratios of both testes, the volume of the left testis and the size of the left appendix were most associated with the results of semen analysis according to a Variable Importance in the Projection (VIP) score of >1. The first latent variable from the PLS analysis explained a significant amount of variance in TSC, concentration, and motility parameters (P < 0.0002) and showed that bilateral strain ratio, the size of the testis, and the volume of left appendix were the most significant US predictors of the pathological semen and sperm cell features.Our results showed that B-mode US with strain elastography is among more sensitive US approaches in evaluating male fertility.
{"title":"Testicular ultrasound measurement of testicular volume and epididymis diameters: Prediction of semen quality in a prospective study","authors":"Norbert Pásztor, D. Veréb, I. Király, Z. Kincses, András Palkó, Gábor Németh, Zoltán Bajory, Z. Fejes","doi":"10.1556/1647.2024.00184","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1556/1647.2024.00184","url":null,"abstract":"To identify the most predictive ultrasound parameters for the assessment of male infertility by a multiparametric study.A total of 64 males were recruited in the study group and 14 men in the control group. At first, grey-scale and color and Power Doppler ultrasonographic imaging was used to analyze testicular morphological characteristics and detect intratesticular abnormalities. Various ultrasound parameters of B-mode US and strain-elastography were related to total sperm count (TSC).The prevalence of varicocele was not significant (P = 0.33), though presented a 2.53-fold odds ratio The strain ratios of both testes, the volume of the left testis and the size of the left appendix were most associated with the results of semen analysis according to a Variable Importance in the Projection (VIP) score of >1. The first latent variable from the PLS analysis explained a significant amount of variance in TSC, concentration, and motility parameters (P < 0.0002) and showed that bilateral strain ratio, the size of the testis, and the volume of left appendix were the most significant US predictors of the pathological semen and sperm cell features.Our results showed that B-mode US with strain elastography is among more sensitive US approaches in evaluating male fertility.","PeriodicalId":503851,"journal":{"name":"Imaging","volume":"61 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-06-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141269022","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Jens von Berg, Kenneth F. M. Hergaarden, Max Englmaier, Daniela Pfeiffer, N. Wieberneit, Sven Krönke-Hille, T. Harder, André Gooßen, Daniel Bystrov, Matthias Brueck, Stewart Young, Hildo. J. Lamb
Issues in patient positioning during chest X-ray (CXR) acquisition impair diagnostic quality and potentially increase radiation dose. Automated quality assessment was proposed to address this. Our objective is to determine thresholds on some quality control metrics following international guidelines, that represent expert knowledge and can be applied in a comprehensible and explainable AI approach for such an automatic quality assessment.An AI-method estimating collimation distance to the ribcage, balancing between both clavicle heads, and number of ribs above the diaphragm as metrics for collimation, rotation, and inhalation quality was applied on 64,315 posteroanterior CXR images from a public dataset (ChestX-ray8). From this set 920 CXR images were sampled and manually annotated to gain additional trusted reference metrics. Seven readers from different institutions then classified the acquisition quality of these images independently into okay, inadequate, or unacceptable following the criteria of international guidelines. Optimal thresholds on the metrics were determined to reproduce these classes using the metrics only.A fair to moderate agreement between the experts was found. When disregarding all inadequate rates a classification on the metrics was able to separate okay rated cases from unacceptable cases for collimation (AUC 0.97), rotation (AUC = 0.93) and inhalation (AUC = 0.97).Suitable thresholds were determined to reproduce expert opinions in the assessment of the most important quality criteria in CXR acquisition. These thresholds were finally applied on the AI-method's estimates to automatically classify image acquisition quality comprehensibly and according to the guidelines.
{"title":"What patient positioning in chest X-ray is still acceptable? – An empirical study on thresholding quality metrics","authors":"Jens von Berg, Kenneth F. M. Hergaarden, Max Englmaier, Daniela Pfeiffer, N. Wieberneit, Sven Krönke-Hille, T. Harder, André Gooßen, Daniel Bystrov, Matthias Brueck, Stewart Young, Hildo. J. Lamb","doi":"10.1556/1647.2024.00187","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1556/1647.2024.00187","url":null,"abstract":"Issues in patient positioning during chest X-ray (CXR) acquisition impair diagnostic quality and potentially increase radiation dose. Automated quality assessment was proposed to address this. Our objective is to determine thresholds on some quality control metrics following international guidelines, that represent expert knowledge and can be applied in a comprehensible and explainable AI approach for such an automatic quality assessment.An AI-method estimating collimation distance to the ribcage, balancing between both clavicle heads, and number of ribs above the diaphragm as metrics for collimation, rotation, and inhalation quality was applied on 64,315 posteroanterior CXR images from a public dataset (ChestX-ray8). From this set 920 CXR images were sampled and manually annotated to gain additional trusted reference metrics. Seven readers from different institutions then classified the acquisition quality of these images independently into okay, inadequate, or unacceptable following the criteria of international guidelines. Optimal thresholds on the metrics were determined to reproduce these classes using the metrics only.A fair to moderate agreement between the experts was found. When disregarding all inadequate rates a classification on the metrics was able to separate okay rated cases from unacceptable cases for collimation (AUC 0.97), rotation (AUC = 0.93) and inhalation (AUC = 0.97).Suitable thresholds were determined to reproduce expert opinions in the assessment of the most important quality criteria in CXR acquisition. These thresholds were finally applied on the AI-method's estimates to automatically classify image acquisition quality comprehensibly and according to the guidelines.","PeriodicalId":503851,"journal":{"name":"Imaging","volume":" 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-05-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141001277","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Sérgio Miravent, Cármen Jimenez, Manuel Lobo, Teresa Figueiredo, R. P. P. de Almeida
Screening ultrasound, including Point of Care Ultrasonography (POCUS), is widely utilized for rapid clinical guidance in diverse healthcare settings. In this case report, a 34-year-old male with recurrent biliary colic symptoms underwent a Basic Emergency Service ultrasound, revealing a 13 mm gallbladder calculus and signs of inflammation, and was promptly referred to the hospital for further evaluation and treatment. Medical specialist confirmation at the hospital underscored the significance of early detection through POCUS. Despite inconclusive laboratory results, the detailed ultrasound assessment provided a comprehensive understanding, emphasizing the tool's value in averting complications. Thus, screening ultrasound played a pivotal role in justifying the hospital referral, showcasing its vital role in healthcare, especially in resource-limited settings. The judicious use of POCUS can lead to superior outcomes, avoiding unnecessary referrals for non-emergent cases.
{"title":"Pre-hospital ultrasonography screening for biliary disease in remote settings","authors":"Sérgio Miravent, Cármen Jimenez, Manuel Lobo, Teresa Figueiredo, R. P. P. de Almeida","doi":"10.1556/1647.2024.00181","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1556/1647.2024.00181","url":null,"abstract":"Screening ultrasound, including Point of Care Ultrasonography (POCUS), is widely utilized for rapid clinical guidance in diverse healthcare settings. In this case report, a 34-year-old male with recurrent biliary colic symptoms underwent a Basic Emergency Service ultrasound, revealing a 13 mm gallbladder calculus and signs of inflammation, and was promptly referred to the hospital for further evaluation and treatment. Medical specialist confirmation at the hospital underscored the significance of early detection through POCUS. Despite inconclusive laboratory results, the detailed ultrasound assessment provided a comprehensive understanding, emphasizing the tool's value in averting complications. Thus, screening ultrasound played a pivotal role in justifying the hospital referral, showcasing its vital role in healthcare, especially in resource-limited settings. The judicious use of POCUS can lead to superior outcomes, avoiding unnecessary referrals for non-emergent cases.","PeriodicalId":503851,"journal":{"name":"Imaging","volume":"99 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-03-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140250552","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Slot-scanning EOS radiography is increasingly utilised in skeletal imaging. It has been shown that EOS often reveals significant incidental findings including cardiopulmonary abnormalities. Furthermore, the slot-scanning image acquisition of EOS can substantially influence depiction of cardiac morphology, which can be confusing for those unfamiliar with the technique.We aimed to explore the relationship between the depicted cardiac anatomy EOS and chest x-ray, by analysis of the differences in the measurements of the cardiothoracic ratio in 52 patients who had an erect, postero-anterior chest radiograph in deep inspiration, with less than a year difference to the EOS spine radiograph. Internal chest and cardiac diameter were measured, and the cardiothoracic ratio (CTR) was calculated as a surrogate marker for gross cardiac size.We have found that EOS consistently yields a lower internal chest diameter, and as a result higher CTR (P < 0.0001). However CTR measured on EOS and plain radiograph show strong correlation (P < 0.0001). Bland-Altman plots also revealed a consistently higher CTR on EOS, and a high intra-individual variability of cardiac and chest diameters on EOS vs. x-ray. CTR measured on EOS showed correlation with age (P < 0.05).We show that the CTR on EOS radiographs is consistently higher compared to the chest radiography, and while cardiac diameter shows only minimal difference, chest diameter measured on EOS is markedly lower. This should be considered by those reporting spine EOS imaging to avoid overcalling incidental cardiomegaly.
狭缝扫描 EOS 放射摄影越来越多地用于骨骼成像。研究表明,EOS 经常能发现包括心肺异常在内的重大偶然发现。此外,EOS 的槽扫描图像采集会严重影响心脏形态的描述,这可能会让不熟悉该技术的人感到困惑。我们的目的是通过分析 52 名患者在深吸气时直立、后正位胸部 X 光片与 EOS 脊柱 X 光片之间心胸比例测量值的差异,来探讨 EOS 和胸部 X 光片所描述的心脏解剖结构之间的关系。我们发现,EOS 所测得的胸腔内径较小,因此心胸比也较高(P < 0.0001)。然而,EOS 和普通 X 光片测量的 CTR 显示出很强的相关性(P < 0.0001)。Bland-Altman 图还显示,EOS 的 CTR 始终较高,而 EOS 与 X 光片相比,心脏和胸部直径的个体内变异性较高。我们的研究表明,EOS X 光片上的 CTR 始终比胸部 X 光片上的高,虽然心脏直径显示的差异很小,但 EOS X 光片上测量的胸部直径却明显较低。报告脊柱 EOS 成像的人员应考虑到这一点,以避免过度报告偶然的心脏肿大。
{"title":"Evaluation of the cardiopulmonary size on slot-scanning full-spine radiographs","authors":"Pershalia Naidoo, B. Botz","doi":"10.1556/1647.2024.00180","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1556/1647.2024.00180","url":null,"abstract":"Slot-scanning EOS radiography is increasingly utilised in skeletal imaging. It has been shown that EOS often reveals significant incidental findings including cardiopulmonary abnormalities. Furthermore, the slot-scanning image acquisition of EOS can substantially influence depiction of cardiac morphology, which can be confusing for those unfamiliar with the technique.We aimed to explore the relationship between the depicted cardiac anatomy EOS and chest x-ray, by analysis of the differences in the measurements of the cardiothoracic ratio in 52 patients who had an erect, postero-anterior chest radiograph in deep inspiration, with less than a year difference to the EOS spine radiograph. Internal chest and cardiac diameter were measured, and the cardiothoracic ratio (CTR) was calculated as a surrogate marker for gross cardiac size.We have found that EOS consistently yields a lower internal chest diameter, and as a result higher CTR (P < 0.0001). However CTR measured on EOS and plain radiograph show strong correlation (P < 0.0001). Bland-Altman plots also revealed a consistently higher CTR on EOS, and a high intra-individual variability of cardiac and chest diameters on EOS vs. x-ray. CTR measured on EOS showed correlation with age (P < 0.05).We show that the CTR on EOS radiographs is consistently higher compared to the chest radiography, and while cardiac diameter shows only minimal difference, chest diameter measured on EOS is markedly lower. This should be considered by those reporting spine EOS imaging to avoid overcalling incidental cardiomegaly.","PeriodicalId":503851,"journal":{"name":"Imaging","volume":"21 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-03-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140261136","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
The primary purpose of this study was to assess the interreader reliability of a grading system for UIP based on the quantification of normal lung. This grading system considers each of the following lung regions: right upper and middle lobes, right lower lobe, left upper lobe, and left lower lobe. Each is assigned a grade based on the following: 0: 0% normal lung; 1: 1–49% normal lung; 2: 50–74% normal lung; 3: 75–89% normal lung; 4: 90–99% normal lung; 5: 100% normal lung. The secondary purpose was to compare the grades rendered by non-cardiothoracic subspecialty trained radiologists to grades established by cardiothoracic radiologists, which were considered the gold standard.Chest CT images of patients were obtained by searching the radiology record system for the terms “usual interstitial pneumonia” and “UIP”. Each case was confirmed by radiologist review; pathology was not assessed given the small fraction of cases that underwent biopsy due to the high risk of complications in patients with fibrotic lung disease. Two cardiothoracic radiologists evaluated each CT and reached a consensus grade. Two different radiologists who were not subspecialty trained in cardiothoracic radiology independently graded each case. Spearman correlation analysis was performed to compare the two reader's grades as well as each reader's grade independently to the gold standard score.Our analysis demonstrated a strongly positive statistically significant interreader correlation coefficient (RS) = 0.7062, P < 0.001. Our analysis of each reader compared to the gold standard demonstrated an Rs = 0.77559, P < 0.001 and an RS = 0.69958, P < 0.001 for readers 1 and 2, respectively, both representing statistically significant strongly positive correlations.These results demonstrate strong interreader reproducibility and show that radiologists without subspecialty training in cardiothoracic radiology render grades that correlate strongly with those given by cardiothoracic radiologists. These findings support the use of this grading system for UIP both to monitor clinical progression and as a surrogate endpoint for antifibrotic drug trials.
{"title":"Inter-reader reproducibility of a radiographic grading system for usual interstitial pneumonitis validates its use as a surrogate endpoint in clinical trials","authors":"K. Capaccione, Hong Ma, L. Luk, Mary M. Salvatore","doi":"10.1556/1647.2024.00190","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1556/1647.2024.00190","url":null,"abstract":"The primary purpose of this study was to assess the interreader reliability of a grading system for UIP based on the quantification of normal lung. This grading system considers each of the following lung regions: right upper and middle lobes, right lower lobe, left upper lobe, and left lower lobe. Each is assigned a grade based on the following: 0: 0% normal lung; 1: 1–49% normal lung; 2: 50–74% normal lung; 3: 75–89% normal lung; 4: 90–99% normal lung; 5: 100% normal lung. The secondary purpose was to compare the grades rendered by non-cardiothoracic subspecialty trained radiologists to grades established by cardiothoracic radiologists, which were considered the gold standard.Chest CT images of patients were obtained by searching the radiology record system for the terms “usual interstitial pneumonia” and “UIP”. Each case was confirmed by radiologist review; pathology was not assessed given the small fraction of cases that underwent biopsy due to the high risk of complications in patients with fibrotic lung disease. Two cardiothoracic radiologists evaluated each CT and reached a consensus grade. Two different radiologists who were not subspecialty trained in cardiothoracic radiology independently graded each case. Spearman correlation analysis was performed to compare the two reader's grades as well as each reader's grade independently to the gold standard score.Our analysis demonstrated a strongly positive statistically significant interreader correlation coefficient (RS) = 0.7062, P < 0.001. Our analysis of each reader compared to the gold standard demonstrated an Rs = 0.77559, P < 0.001 and an RS = 0.69958, P < 0.001 for readers 1 and 2, respectively, both representing statistically significant strongly positive correlations.These results demonstrate strong interreader reproducibility and show that radiologists without subspecialty training in cardiothoracic radiology render grades that correlate strongly with those given by cardiothoracic radiologists. These findings support the use of this grading system for UIP both to monitor clinical progression and as a surrogate endpoint for antifibrotic drug trials.","PeriodicalId":503851,"journal":{"name":"Imaging","volume":"31 16","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-03-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140262802","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
The biceps is one of the most important muscles of the flexor compartment of the arm. Recently there has been an increase in the global reported incidence of biceps tendon rupture worldwide. Generally, tears are seen in the elderly population and are precipitated due to underlying risk factors. Diagnosis is done with a combination of clinical findings and ultrasonography. We report a case of a 60-year-old female without any underlying risk factors who presented with nontraumatic spontaneous rupture of the right biceps tendon.
{"title":"Spontaneous nontraumatic rupture of the biceps tendon","authors":"Uddalok Das","doi":"10.1556/1647.2024.00185","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1556/1647.2024.00185","url":null,"abstract":"The biceps is one of the most important muscles of the flexor compartment of the arm. Recently there has been an increase in the global reported incidence of biceps tendon rupture worldwide. Generally, tears are seen in the elderly population and are precipitated due to underlying risk factors. Diagnosis is done with a combination of clinical findings and ultrasonography. We report a case of a 60-year-old female without any underlying risk factors who presented with nontraumatic spontaneous rupture of the right biceps tendon.","PeriodicalId":503851,"journal":{"name":"Imaging","volume":"51 12","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-02-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140445805","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, artificial intelligence (AI) based software on chest computed tomography (CT) imaging has proven to have a valuable role in accelerating diagnosis and screening. The proposed AI-based tools proved to be rapid and reproducible techniques to guide patient management and treatment protocols. Although no specific guidelines exist, CT-imaging and clinical features are used for patient staging. To shed light on the role of AI techniques that have been developed in fighting COVID-19, in this review, studies investigating the usage of commonly used AI models on chest CT imaging for disease quantification and prognostication are collected.
{"title":"Artificial intelligence-based quantification of COVID-19 pneumonia burden using chest CT","authors":"C. Nardocci, Judit Simon, B. Budai","doi":"10.1556/1647.2024.00167","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1556/1647.2024.00167","url":null,"abstract":"During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, artificial intelligence (AI) based software on chest computed tomography (CT) imaging has proven to have a valuable role in accelerating diagnosis and screening. The proposed AI-based tools proved to be rapid and reproducible techniques to guide patient management and treatment protocols. Although no specific guidelines exist, CT-imaging and clinical features are used for patient staging. To shed light on the role of AI techniques that have been developed in fighting COVID-19, in this review, studies investigating the usage of commonly used AI models on chest CT imaging for disease quantification and prognostication are collected.","PeriodicalId":503851,"journal":{"name":"Imaging","volume":"128 ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-02-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140447059","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}