An image preprocessing method for kidney stone segmentation in CT scan images

Author(s):  
Nilar Thein ◽  
Hanung Adi Nugroho ◽  
Teguh Bharata Adji ◽  
Kazuhiko Hamamoto
2013 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 165-170 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katja Venborg Pedersen ◽  
Asbjørn Mohr Drewes ◽  
Ole Graumann ◽  
Susanne Sloth Osther ◽  
Anne Estrup Olesen ◽  
...  

AbstractBackground and purposeVisceral and somatic afferents activate the same neuronal structures in the central nervous system. Assessing somatosensory function and trophic changes in the referred pain area may therefore indirectly increase information on mechanisms involved in painful visceral diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the sensory and trophic changes in the flank corresponding to the referred pain area in patients with kidney stone disease.MethodsA total of 24 patients with unilateral pain-causing kidney stone disease were studied before and after endoscopic percutaneous kidney stone surgery. Trophic changes and sensitivity on the affected and on the contra-lateral side in the pain free period were investigated. For this purpose we used standardized experimental sensory testing including pressure stimulation and electrical (single and repeated) skin stimulation. Five repeated stimuli were used to investigate temporal summation (increased responses to repeated stimuli). To investigate trophic changes ultrasound as well as CT-scan was used, since the latter is considered more precise for exact tissue layer measurements.ResultsThe pain tolerance thresholds to pressure and pain thresholds to electrical stimulation were not significantly different on the two sides (all P>0.1). After surgery no significant alterations in sensitivity were detected, but there was a tendency to higher pain thresholds to electrical stimuli on the affected side (single stimuli P=0.06; repeated stimuli P=0.09). No trophic changes were observed (all P>0.3), and there were no relations between the pain thresholds or trophic findings and the number of colics (all P >0.08).ConclusionIn patients with unilateral pain-causing kidney stone disease the pain to experimental pressure and electrical stimuli were comparable on the affected and contra-lateral side. For the first time a CT-scan was used to evaluate tissue thickness in the referred pain area. No trophic changes were seen in the muscle or subcutaneous tissue at the affected side, and there were no correlations between the pain thresholds or trophic findings and the patients history of number of colics. After the operation no significant alterations in sensitivity were detected.ImplicationsThis study could not confirm previous studies showing referred hyperalgesia in the skin and trophic changes in the referred pain area to painful visceral disease. Differences in the pain intensity/duration between different diseases and hence the corresponding central neuronal changes may explain the negative findings in the present study.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth M Schoenfeld ◽  
Kye E Poronsky ◽  
Lauren M Westafer ◽  
Paul Visintainer ◽  
Brianna M DiFronzo ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Approximately 2 million patients present to Emergency Departments in the US annually with signs and symptoms of ureterolithiasis (or renal colic, the pain from an obstructing kidney stone). Both ultrasound and CT scan can be used for diagnosis, but the vast majority of patients receive a CT scan. Diagnostic pathways utilizing ultrasound have been shown to decrease radiation exposure to patients but are potentially less accurate. Because of these and other trade-offs, this decision has been proposed as appropriate for Shared Decision-Making (SDM), where clinicians and patients discuss clinical options and their consequences and arrive at a decision together. We developed a decision aid to facilitate SDM in this scenario. The objective of this study is to determine the effects of this decision aid, as compared to usual care, on patient knowledge, radiation exposure, engagement, safety, and healthcare utilization. Methods: This is the protocol for an adaptive randomized controlled trial to determine the effects of the intervention – a decision aid (“Kidney Stone Choice”) – on patient-centered outcomes, compared with usual care. Patients age 18-55 presenting to the Emergency Department with signs and symptoms consistent with acute uncomplicated ureterolithiasis will be consecutively enrolled and randomized. Participants will be blinded to group allocation. We will collect outcomes related to patient knowledge, radiation exposure, trust in physician, safety, and downstream healthcare utilization. Discussion: We hypothesize that this study will demonstrate that “Kidney Stone Choice,” the decision aid created for this scenario, improves patient knowledge and decreases exposure to ionizing radiation. The adaptive design of this study will allow us to identify issues with fidelity and feasibility and subsequently evaluate the intervention for efficacy. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov - NCT04234035https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04234035Registered January 21, 2020 – Retrospectively Registered


Urolithiasis ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 44 (5) ◽  
pp. 471-475 ◽  
Author(s):  
Linda Shavit ◽  
Daniela Girfoglio ◽  
Alex Kirkham ◽  
Darrell Allen ◽  
Pietro Manuel Ferraro ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gaoxiang Lu ◽  
Xinyi Chen ◽  
Danqiu Qiao ◽  
Junchen Song ◽  
Zhiwei Zhang

Trials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth M. Schoenfeld ◽  
Kye E. Poronsky ◽  
Lauren M. Westafer ◽  
Brianna M. DiFronzo ◽  
Paul Visintainer ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Approximately 2 million patients present to emergency departments in the USA annually with signs and symptoms of ureterolithiasis (or renal colic, the pain from an obstructing kidney stone). Both ultrasound and CT scan can be used for diagnosis, but the vast majority of patients receive a CT scan. Diagnostic pathways utilizing ultrasound have been shown to decrease radiation exposure to patients but are potentially less accurate. Because of these and other trade-offs, this decision has been proposed as appropriate for Shared Decision-Making (SDM), where clinicians and patients discuss clinical options and their consequences and arrive at a decision together. We developed a decision aid to facilitate SDM in this scenario. The objective of this study is to determine the effects of this decision aid, as compared to usual care, on patient knowledge, radiation exposure, engagement, safety, and healthcare utilization. Methods This is the protocol for an adaptive randomized controlled trial to determine the effects of the intervention—a decision aid (“Kidney Stone Choice”)—on patient-centered outcomes, compared with usual care. Patients age 18–55 presenting to the emergency department with signs and symptoms consistent with acute uncomplicated ureterolithiasis will be consecutively enrolled and randomized. Participants will be blinded to group allocation. We will collect outcomes related to patient knowledge, radiation exposure, trust in physician, safety, and downstream healthcare utilization. Discussion We hypothesize that this study will demonstrate that “Kidney Stone Choice,” the decision aid created for this scenario, improves patient knowledge and decreases exposure to ionizing radiation. The adaptive design of this study will allow us to identify issues with fidelity and feasibility and subsequently evaluate the intervention for efficacy. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04234035. Registered on 21 January 2020 – Retrospectively Registered


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document