scholarly journals Bone Structure Analysis of the Radius Using Ultrahigh Field (7T) MRI: Relevance of Technical Parameters and Comparison with 3T MRI and Radiography

Diagnostics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 110
Author(s):  
Mohamed Jarraya ◽  
Rafael Heiss ◽  
Jeffrey Duryea ◽  
Armin M. Nagel ◽  
John A. Lynch ◽  
...  

Bone fractal signature analysis (FSA—also termed bone texture analysis) is a tool that assesses structural changes that may relate to clinical outcomes and functions. Our aim was to compare bone texture analysis of the distal radius in patients and volunteers using radiography and 3T and 7T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)—a patient group (n = 25) and a volunteer group (n = 25) were included. Participants in the patient group had a history of chronic wrist pain with suspected or confirmed osteoarthritis and/or ligament instability. All participants had 3T and 7T MRI including T1-weighted turbo spin echo (TSE) sequences. The 7T MRI examination included an additional high-resolution (HR) T1 TSE sequence. Radiographs of the wrist were acquired for the patient group. When comparing patients and volunteers (unadjusted for gender and age), we found a statistically significant difference of horizontal and vertical fractal dimensions (FDs) using 7T T1 TSE-HR images in low-resolution mode (horizontal: p = 0.04, vertical: p = 0.01). When comparing radiography to the different MRI sequences, we found a statistically significant difference for low- and high-resolution horizontal FDs between radiography and 3T T1 TSE and 7T T1 TSE-HR. Vertical FDs were significantly different only between radiographs and 3T T1 TSE in the high-resolution mode; FSA measures obtained from 3T and 7T MRI are highly dependent on the sequence and reconstruction resolution used, and thus are not easily comparable between MRI systems and applied sequences.

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Lowitz ◽  
O. Museyko ◽  
V. Bousson ◽  
W. A. Kalender ◽  
J.-D. Laredo ◽  
...  

The quantification of changes in the trabecular bone structure induced by musculoskeletal diseases like osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and others by means of a texture analysis is a valuable tool which is expected to improve the diagnosis and monitoring of a disease. The reaction of texture parameters on different alterations in the architecture of the fine trabecular network and inherent imaging factors such as spatial resolution or image noise has to be understood in detail to ensure an accurate and reliable determination of the current bone state. Therefore, a digital model for the quantitative analysis of cancellous bone structures was developed. Five parameters were used for texture analysis: entropy, global and local inhomogeneity, local anisotropy, and variogram slope. Various generic structural changes of cancellous bone were simulated for different spatial resolutions. Additionally, the dependence of the texture parameters on tissue mineralization and noise was investigated. The present work explains changes in texture parameter outcomes based on structural changes originating from structure modifications and reveals that a texture analysis could provide useful information for a trabecular bone analysis even at resolutions below the dimensions of single trabeculae.


2018 ◽  
Vol 27 (5) ◽  
pp. 443-450 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mokhtar Mars ◽  
Mouna Chelli ◽  
Zeineb Tbini ◽  
Fethi Ladeb ◽  
Souha Gharbi

Objective: This study aims to determine how magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) acquisition techniques and calculation methods affect T2 values of knee cartilage at 1.5 tesla and to identify sequences that can be used for high-resolution T2 mapping in short scanning times. Materials and Methods: This study was performed on phantom and 29 patients who underwent MRI of the knee joint at 1.5 tesla. The protocol includes T2 mapping sequences based on Single-Echo Spin Echo (SESE), Multi-Echo Spin Echo (MESE), Fast Spin Echo (FSE) and Turbo Gradient Spin Echo (TGSE). The T2 relaxation times were quantified and evaluated using three calculation methods (MapIt, Syngo Offline and mono-exponential fit). signal-to-noise ratios (SNR) were measured in all sequences. All statistical analyses were performed using the t-test. Results: The average T2 values in phantom were 41.7 ± 13.8 ms for SESE, 43.2 ± 14.4 ms for MESE, 42.4 ± 14.1 ms for FSE and 44 ± 14.5 ms for TGSE. In the patient study, the mean differences were 6.5 ± 8.2 ms, 7.8 ± 7.6 ms and 8.4 ± 14.2 ms for MESE, FSE and TGSE compared to SESE, respectively; these statistical results were not significantly different (p > 0.05). The comparison between the three calculation methods showed no significant difference (p > 0.05). The t-test showed no significant difference between SNR values for all sequences. Conclusion: T2 values depend not only on the sequence type but also on the calculation method. None of the sequences revealed significant differences compared to the SESE reference sequence. TGSE with its short scanning time can be used for high-resolution T2 mapping.


2016 ◽  
Vol 58 (2) ◽  
pp. 190-196 ◽  
Author(s):  
Young Han Lee ◽  
Seok Hahn ◽  
Daekeon Lim ◽  
Jin-Suck Suh

Background Conventionally, two-dimensional (2D) fast spin-echo (FSE) sequences have been widely used for clinical cartilage imaging as well as gradient (GRE) sequences. Recently, three-dimensional (3D) volumetric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been introduced with one 3D volumetric scan, and this is replacing slice-by-slice 2D MR scans. Purpose To evaluate the image quality and diagnostic performance of two 3D sequences for abnormalities of knee cartilage: fat-suppressed (FS) FSE-based 3D volume isotropic turbo spin-echo acquisition (VISTA) and GRE-based 3D T1 high-resolution isovolumetric examination (THRIVE). Material and Methods The institutional review board approved the protocol of this retrospective review. This study enrolled 40 patients (41 knees) with arthroscopically confirmed abnormalities of cartilage. All patients underwent isovoxel 3D-VISTA and 3D-THRIVE MR sequences on 3T MRI. We assessed the cartilage grade on the two 3D sequences using arthroscopy as a gold standard. Inter-observer agreement for each technique was evaluated with the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Differences in the area under the curve (AUC) were compared between the 3D-THRIVE and 3D-VISTA. Results Although inter-observer agreement for both sequences was excellent, the inter-observer agreement for 3D-VISTA was higher than for 3D-THRIVE for cartilage grading in all regions of the knee. There was no significant difference in the diagnostic performance ( P > 0.05) between the two sequences for detecting cartilage grade. Conclusion FSE-based 3D-VISTA images had good diagnostic performance that was comparable to GRE-based 3D-THRIVE images in the evaluation of knee cartilage, and can be used in routine knee MR protocols for the evaluation of cartilage.


2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (5) ◽  
pp. 585-592 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicola Montemurro ◽  
Paolo Perrini ◽  
Vittoriano Mangini ◽  
Massimo Galli ◽  
Andrea Papini

OBJECTIVEOdontoid process fractures are very common in both young and geriatric patients. The axial trabecular architecture of the dens appears to be crucial for physiological and biomechanical function of the C1–2 joint. The aim of this study is to demonstrate the presence of a Y-shaped trabecular structure of the dens on axial CT and to describe its anatomical and biomechanical implications.METHODSFifty-four C2 odontoid processes in healthy subjects were prospectively examined for the presence of a Y-shaped trabecular structure at the odontocentral synchondrosis level with a dental cone beam CT scan. Length, width, and axial area of the odontoid process were measured in all subjects. In addition, measurements of the one-third right anterior area of the Y-shaped structure were taken.RESULTSThe Y-shaped trabecular structure was found in 79.6% of cases. Length and width of the odontoid process were 13.5 ± 0.6 mm and 11.2 ± 0.9 mm, respectively. The mean area of the odontoid process at the odontocentral synchondrosis was 93.5 ± 4.3 mm2, whereas the mean one-third right anterior area of the odontoid process at the same level was 29.3 ± 2.5 mm2. The mean area of the odontoid process and its length and width were similar in men and women (p > 0.05). No significant difference was found in the mean area of the odontoid process in people older than 65 years (94 ± 4.2 mm2) compared to people younger than 65 years (93.3 ± 4.4 mm2; p > 0.05).CONCLUSIONSThe authors identified a new anatomical entity, named the Y-shaped trabecular structure of the odontoid process, on axial CT scans. This structure appears to be the result of bone transformation induced by the elevated dynamic loading at the C1–2 level. The presence of the Y-shaped structure provides new insights into biomechanical responses of C2 under physiological loading and traumatic conditions.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (15) ◽  
pp. 7118
Author(s):  
Ermina Hadzic ◽  
Garth Blackler ◽  
Holly Dupuis ◽  
Stephen James Renaud ◽  
Christopher Thomas Appleton ◽  
...  

Post-traumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA) is a degenerative joint disease, leading to articular cartilage breakdown, osteophyte formation, and synovitis, caused by an initial joint trauma. Pro-inflammatory cytokines increase catabolic activity and may perpetuate inflammation following joint trauma. Interleukin-15 (IL-15), a pro-inflammatory cytokine, is increased in OA patients, although its roles in PTOA pathophysiology are not well characterized. Here, we utilized Il15 deficient rats to examine the role of IL-15 in PTOA pathogenesis in an injury-induced model. OA was surgically induced in Il15 deficient Holtzman Sprague-Dawley rats and control wild-type rats to compare PTOA progression. Semi-quantitative scoring of the articular cartilage, subchondral bone, osteophyte size, and synovium was performed by two blinded observers. There was no significant difference between Il15 deficient rats and wild-type rats following PTOA-induction across articular cartilage damage, subchondral bone damage, and osteophyte scoring. Similarly, synovitis scoring across six parameters found no significant difference between genetic variants. Overall, IL-15 does not appear to play a key role in the development of structural changes in this surgically-induced rat model of PTOA.


2021 ◽  
Vol 80 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 1078.1-1079
Author(s):  
I. Yoshii

Background:Patient’s global assessment (PGA) is one important component of Boolean composite criteria for remission in treat with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, PGA no more than 10mm is sometimes obstacle to attain clinical remission. In recent few years, one opinion that PGA no more than 20mm may be comparable as no more than 10mm.Objectives:The aim of this study is to analyze how difference of these PGA level affect disease activity and daily activities in living, and evaluate which is optimal for the remission with Boolean remission criteria from real world setting.Methods:RA patients who were followed up for more than three years in the institute were picked up in the study. Each patient was monitored with tenderness joint count (TJC), swollen joint count (SJC), PGA, evaluator’s global assessment (EGA), serum C-reactive protein level (CRP), calculated disease activity score with simplified disease activity index(SDAI), Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index (HAQ-DI), and pain score using visual analog scale (PS-VAS) every consulted time from the first encounter (Baseline). Patients were classified according to achievement of Boolean remission criteria. Group 1: a patient group who attained Boolean remission wih TJC≦1, SJC≦1, CRP≦1mg/dl, and PGA≦1 (G-1), Group 2: a patient group who could not attained the Boolean remission used in the G-1 evaluation, but could attained another Boolean remission with TJC≦1, SJC≦1, CRP≦1mg/dl, and PGA≦2 (G-2), and Group 3: a patient group who could not attain Boolean remission for neither criterion.Mean values of measured parameters at Baseline and after the Baseline were compared statistically with Student T-test. Mean values of the same parameters in the G-1 and G-2 at the time of attain Boolean remission for each criteria, mean values of each of these parameters thereafter, and changes of these parameters were compared statistically with Student T-test.Results:A total of 438 patients 385 in the G-1 group, 16 in the G-2 group, and 37 in the G-3 group, were recruited. In parameters at Baseline, level of TJC, SJC, PGA, EGA, SDAI, and HAQ-DI in the G-1 was significantly lower than in the G-3, whereas no significant differences in any parameters demonstrated between in the G-2 and G-3. Level of HAQ-DI, and PS-VAS after Baseline in the G-1 was lower than in the G-3, whereas no significant difference of these parameters after Baseline demonstrated between in the G-2 and G-3. TJC, SJC, PGA, and EGA demonstrated significant less level in the G-1 than in the other two groups. The mean SDAI score at the time of first achievement of Boolean remission in the G-1 and G-2 were 1.08 and 2.57, respectively. The mean value of SDAI score after remission in the G-1 and G-2 were 3.35 and 6.44, respectively. These values and PS-VAS including change of the SDAI score demonstrated significant difference between the two groups (p<0.01), whereas HAQ-DI in the two groups demonstrated no significant difference.Conclusion:These results suggested that setting PGA as no more than 10mm should be reasonable for the evaluation of clinical remission with the Boolean criteria.Disclosure of Interests:None declared


Diagnostics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 439
Author(s):  
Donato Lacedonia ◽  
Giulia Scioscia ◽  
Angelamaria Giardinelli ◽  
Carla Maria Irene Quarato ◽  
Ennio Vincenzo Sassani ◽  
...  

Transthoracic ultrasound (TUS) is a readily available imaging tool that can provide a quick real-time evaluation. The aim of this preliminary study was to establish a complementary role for this imaging method in the approach of interstitial lung diseases (ILDs). TUS examination was performed in 43 consecutive patients with pulmonary fibrosis and TUS findings were compared with the corresponding high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) scans. All patients showed a thickened hyperechoic pleural line, despite no difference between dominant HRCT patterns (ground glass, honeycombing, mixed pattern) being recorded (p > 0.05). However, pleural lines’ thickening showed a significant difference between different HRCT degree of fibrosis (p < 0.001) and a negative correlation with functional parameters. The presence of >3 B-lines and subpleural nodules was also assessed in a large number of patients, although they did not demonstrate any particular association with a specific HRCT finding or fibrotic degree. Results allow us to suggest a complementary role for TUS in facilitating an early diagnosis of ILD or helping to detect a possible disease progression or eventual complications during routine clinical practice (with pleural line measurements and subpleural nodules), although HRCT remains the gold standard in the definition of ILD pattern, disease extent and follow-up.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (12) ◽  
pp. 2239
Author(s):  
Ying Quan ◽  
Mingze Li ◽  
Yuanshuo Hao ◽  
Bin Wang

As a common form of light detection and ranging (LiDAR) in forestry applications, the canopy height model (CHM) provides the elevation distribution of aboveground vegetation. A CHM is traditionally generated by interpolating all the first LiDAR echoes. However, the first echo cannot accurately represent the canopy surface, and the resulting large amount of noise (data pits) also reduce the CHM quality. Although previous studies concentrate on many pit-filling methods, the applicability of these methods in high-resolution unmanned aerial vehicle laser scanning (UAVLS)-derived CHMs has not been revealed. This study selected eight widely used, recently developed, representative pit-filling methods, namely first-echo interpolation, smooth filtering (mean, medium and Gaussian), highest point interpolation, pit-free algorithm, spike-free algorithm and graph-based progressive morphological filtering (GPMF). A comprehensive evaluation framework was implemented, including a quantitative evaluation using simulation data and an additional application evaluation using UAVLS data. The results indicated that the spike-free algorithm and GPMF had excellent visual performances and were closest to the real canopy surface (root mean square error (RMSE) of simulated data were 0.1578 m and 0.1093 m, respectively; RMSE of UAVLS data were 0.3179 m and 0.4379 m, respectively). Compared with the first-echo method, the accuracies of the spike-free algorithm and GPMF improved by approximately 23% and 22%, respectively. The pit-free algorithm and highest point interpolation method also have advantages in high-resolution CHM generation. The global smooth filter method based on the first-echo CHM reduced the average canopy height by approximately 7.73%. Coniferous forests require more pit-filling than broad-leaved forests and mixed forests. Although the results of individual tree applications indicated that there was no significant difference between these methods except the median filter method, pit-filling is still of great significance for generating high-resolution CHMs. This study provides guidance for using high-resolution UAVLS in forestry applications.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ádám László Nagy ◽  
Zsolt Tóth ◽  
Tamás Tarjányi ◽  
Nándor Tamás Práger ◽  
Zoltán Lajos Baráth

Abstract Background In this research the biomechanical properties of a bone model was examined. Porcine ribs are used as experimental model. The objective of this research was to investigate and compare the biomechanical properties of the bone model before and after implant placement. Methods The bone samples were divided in three groups, Group 1 where ALL-ON-FOUR protocol was used during pre-drilling and placing the implants, Group 2 where ALL-ON-FOUR protocol was used during pre-drilling, and implants were not placed, and Group 3 consisting of intact bones served as a control group. Static and dynamic loading was applied for examining the model samples. Kruskal–Wallis statistical test and as a post-hoc test Mann–Whitney U test was performed to analyze experimental results. Results According to the results of the static loading, there was no significant difference between the implanted and original ribs, however, the toughness values of the bones decreased largely on account of predrilling the bones. The analysis of dynamic fatigue measurements by Kruskal–Wallis test showed significant differences between the intact and predrilled bones. Conclusion The pre-drilled bone was much weaker in both static and dynamic tests than the natural or implanted specimens. According to the results of the dynamic tests and after a certain loading cycle the implanted samples behaved the same way as the control samples, which suggests that implantation have stabilized the skeletal bone structure.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document