Three-Dimensional Imaging of the Hypopharynx and Larynx by Means of Helical (Spiral) Computed Tomography

A new computed tomography (CT) technology, helical (spiral) CT, allows the entire neck to be imaged in only 30 seconds. Although multiplanar and three-dimensional (3-D) imaging could be performed with conventional CT, the volumetric acquisition provided by helical (spiral) CT allows significantly improved quality and easier reconstruction for more applications. These 3-D models show an airway appearance similar to that obtained with laryngography. Independent review of the 3-D images in 12 patients with lesions by two radiologists and one otolaryngologist was performed to assess 1) image quality, 2) ability to judge lesion extent, and 3) assistance in understanding the lesion compared to that provided by routine axial scans. Rating scores of 1 to 5 were assigned, with 5 representing the best quality or greatest value. The results showed that both groups scored image quality equally: 4.7. Lesion extent for the radiologists was 2.6, while the otolaryngologist's ranking was 3.7 (p < .01). In assisting understanding of lesions versus axial scans, radiologists ranked 3-D images 2.1, while the otolaryngologist ranked them 3.1 (p < .01). In summary, 3-D models provide a complementary imaging technique in understanding upper airway disease.

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Helical (spiral) CT of the upper airway with three-dimensional imaging: technique and clinical assessment.

American Journal of Roentgenology ◽

10.2214/ajr.166.2.8553933 ◽

1996 ◽

Vol 166 (2) ◽

pp. 293-299 ◽

Cited By ~ 53

Author(s):

A S Zeiberg ◽

P M Silverman ◽

R B Sessions ◽

T R Troost ◽

W J Davros ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Clinical Assessment ◽

Imaging Technique ◽

Three Dimensional ◽

Upper Airway ◽

Spiral Ct ◽

Three Dimensional Imaging

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X-ray microtomography

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s0424820100107058 ◽

1988 ◽

Vol 46 ◽

pp. 998-999

Author(s):

H.W. Deckman ◽

B.F. Flannery ◽

J.H. Dunsmuir ◽

K.D' Amico

Keyword(s):

Computed Tomography ◽

Internal Structure ◽

Imaging Technique ◽

Three Dimensional ◽

Tissue Structure ◽

Individual Element ◽

X Ray ◽

Non Invasive ◽

Panoramic Imaging ◽

Three Dimensional Images

We have developed a new X-ray microscope which produces complete three dimensional images of samples. The microscope operates by performing X-ray tomography with unprecedented resolution. Tomography is a non-invasive imaging technique that creates maps of the internal structure of samples from measurement of the attenuation of penetrating radiation. As conventionally practiced in medical Computed Tomography (CT), radiologists produce maps of bone and tissue structure in several planar sections that reveal features with 1mm resolution and 1% contrast. Microtomography extends the capability of CT in several ways. First, the resolution which approaches one micron, is one thousand times higher than that of the medical CT. Second, our approach acquires and analyses the data in a panoramic imaging format that directly produces three-dimensional maps in a series of contiguous stacked planes. Typical maps available today consist of three hundred planar sections each containing 512x512 pixels. Finally, and perhaps of most import scientifically, microtomography using a synchrotron X-ray source, allows us to generate maps of individual element.

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Low-Dose Computed Tomography for the Optimization of Radiation Dose Exposure in Patients with Crohn’s Disease

Gastroenterology Research and Practice ◽

10.1155/2018/1768716 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 2018 ◽

pp. 1-10 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Richard G. Kavanagh ◽

John O’Grady ◽

Brian W. Carey ◽

Patrick D. McLaughlin ◽

Siobhan B. O’Neill ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Computed Tomography ◽

Crohn’S Disease ◽

Image Quality ◽

Crohn's Disease ◽

Radiation Dose ◽

Ionizing Radiation ◽

Low Dose ◽

Radiation Doses ◽

Radiation Dose Exposure ◽

Ct Technology

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the mainstay method for the radiological imaging of the small bowel in patients with inflammatory bowel disease without the use of ionizing radiation. There are circumstances where imaging using ionizing radiation is required, particularly in the acute setting. This usually takes the form of computed tomography (CT). There has been a significant increase in the utilization of computed tomography (CT) for patients with Crohn’s disease as patients are frequently diagnosed at a relatively young age and require repeated imaging. Between seven and eleven percent of patients with IBD are exposed to high cumulative effective radiation doses (CEDs) (>35–75 mSv), mostly patients with Crohn’s disease (Newnham E 2007, Levi Z 2009, Hou JK 2014, Estay C 2015). This is primarily due to the more widespread and repeated use of CT, which accounts for 77% of radiation dose exposure amongst patients with Crohn’s disease (Desmond et al., 2008). Reports of the projected cancer risks from the increasing CT use (Berrington et al., 2007) have led to increased patient awareness regarding the potential health risks from ionizing radiation (Coakley et al., 2011). Our responsibilities as physicians caring for these patients include education regarding radiation risk and, when an investigation that utilizes ionizing radiation is required, to keep radiation doses as low as reasonably achievable: the “ALARA” principle. Recent advances in CT technology have facilitated substantial radiation dose reductions in many clinical settings, and several studies have demonstrated significantly decreased radiation doses in Crohn’s disease patients while maintaining diagnostic image quality. However, there is a balance to be struck between reducing radiation exposure and maintaining satisfactory image quality; if radiation dose is reduced excessively, the resulting CT images can be of poor quality and may be nondiagnostic. In this paper, we summarize the available evidence related to imaging of Crohn’s disease, radiation exposure, and risk, and we report recent advances in low-dose CT technology that have particular relevance.

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Computed tomography for cardiac morphology, function, and valve disease

ESC CardioMed ◽

10.1093/med/9780198784906.003.0117 ◽

2018 ◽

pp. 560-565

Author(s):

Victoria Delgado

Keyword(s):

Computed Tomography ◽

Heart Disease ◽

Valvular Heart Disease ◽

Imaging Technique ◽

Three Dimensional ◽

Structural Heart Disease ◽

Patient Specific ◽

Cardiac Morphology ◽

Imaging Tool ◽

Transcatheter Interventions

Computed tomography (CT) has become an important imaging tool to evaluate cardiac anatomy. This three-dimensional, isotropic imaging technique provides volumetric datasets with submillimetre tissue resolution that can be post-processed to define the cardiac structures. CT has become the mainstay imaging technique for selection of patients for, and planning of, transcatheter interventions for structural heart disease. Electrocardiographic-gated CT permits acquisition of cardiac datasets along the cardiac cycle enabling assessment of left and right ventricular function and valvular heart disease. In addition, the advent of three-dimensional printing technologies, which use three-dimensional patient-specific models frequently obtained from CT datasets, has opened a myriad of possibilities in terms of development of anatomical teaching tools, functional models to assess vessel and valve function, planning surgical or transcatheter interventions, and designing of transcatheter cardiac devices. This chapter reviews the role of CT in assessing cardiac morphology and function and valvular heart disease.

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