scholarly journals Study of Spinal Cord Substructure Expansion Margin in Esophageal Cancer

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 ◽  
pp. 153303382110245
Author(s):  
Dingjie Li ◽  
Shengtao Wei ◽  
Tian Li ◽  
Yang Liu ◽  
Jing Cai ◽  
...  

Purpose: To analyze the setup errors and residual errors of different spinal cord parts in esophageal cancer patients and to explore the necessity of spinal cord segmental expansion. Methods and Materials: Sixty cases of esophageal cancer were included with 20 patients subdivided into the following groups: neck, chest and abdomen as per the treatment site. The patients underwent intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) between 2017 and 2019. Thermoplastic mask or vacuum bag were utilized for immobilization of different groups. CTVision (Siemens CT-On-Rail system) was used to acquire pre-treatment CT, and 20 consecutive pre-treatment CT datasets were collected for data analysis for each case. Images were exported to MIM (MIM Software Inc.) for processing and data analysis. Dice coefficient, maximum Hausdorff distance and centroid coordinate values between the spinal cord contours in the pre-treatment CTs and the planning CT were calculated and extracted. The contour expansion margin value is calculated as MPRV = 1.3 ∑ total + 0.5 σ total, where ∑ total and σ total are the systematic and random error, respectively. Results: For neck, chest, abdominal segments of the spinal cord, the mean Dice coefficients (± SD) are 0.73 ± 0.06, 0.80 ± 0.06, 0.82 ± 0.06, the maximum Hausdorff distance residual error (± SD) are 4.46 ± 0.55, 3.49 ± 0.53, 3.46 ± 0.69 mm, and the mean centroid coordinate residual error (± SD) are 2.40 ± 0.53, 1.66 ± 0.47, 2.14 ± 0.95 mm, respectively. The calculated margin using residual centroid method in medial-lateral (ML), anterior-posterior (AP), and cranial-caudal (CC) direction of spinal cord in neck, chest, abdominal segments are 3.86, 5.37, 6.36 mm, 3.45, 3.83, 4.51 mm, 4.05, 4.83, 7.06 mm, respectively, and the calculated margin using residual Hausdorff method are 3.10, 5.33 and 6.15 mm, 3.30, 3.77, 4.61 mm, 3.35, 4.76, 6.87 mm, respectively. Conclusion: The setup errors and residual errors are different in each segment of the spinal cord. Different margins expansion should be applied to different segment of spinal cord.

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
pp. 174830262110083
Author(s):  
Jialong Sun ◽  
Zhengyang Zhang ◽  
Chi Zhang ◽  
Jinlei Liu ◽  
Peng Zhang

The systematic residual errors present in multibeam echo-sounding data cause the areas of overlap between adjacent swaths to become distorted. A method is proposed in this paper to reduce the residual error of multibeam sounding data through empirical mode decomposition (EMD) based on cubic Bessel interpolation. Numerical experiments confirm that the discrepancy in the overlap between two swaths is significantly reduced after applying EMD improved by cubic Bessel interpolation compared with both the original water depth data and with data processed using conventional EMD based on cubic spline interpolation. The mean square error of the improved method is decreased by 67% and 29% compared with that of the original and conventional EMD cases, respectively. Therefore, EMD with cubic Bessel interpolation can efficiently reduce the residual error of multibeam echo-sounding data.


2016 ◽  
Vol 49 (2) ◽  
pp. 98-103 ◽  
Author(s):  
Taynná Vernalha Rocha Almeida ◽  
Arno Lotar Cordova Junior ◽  
Pedro Argolo Piedade ◽  
Cintia Mara da Silva ◽  
Priscila Marins ◽  
...  

Abstract Objective: To evaluate three-dimensional translational setup errors and residual errors in image-guided radiosurgery, comparing frameless and frame-based techniques, using an anthropomorphic phantom. Materials and Methods: We initially used specific phantoms for the calibration and quality control of the image-guided system. For the hidden target test, we used an Alderson Radiation Therapy (ART)-210 anthropomorphic head phantom, into which we inserted four 5mm metal balls to simulate target treatment volumes. Computed tomography images were the taken with the head phantom properly positioned for frameless and frame-based radiosurgery. Results: For the frameless technique, the mean error magnitude was 0.22 ± 0.04 mm for setup errors and 0.14 ± 0.02 mm for residual errors, the combined uncertainty being 0.28 mm and 0.16 mm, respectively. For the frame-based technique, the mean error magnitude was 0.73 ± 0.14 mm for setup errors and 0.31 ± 0.04 mm for residual errors, the combined uncertainty being 1.15 mm and 0.63 mm, respectively. Conclusion: The mean values, standard deviations, and combined uncertainties showed no evidence of a significant differences between the two techniques when the head phantom ART-210 was used.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kuan-Heng Lin ◽  
Chen-Xiong Hsu ◽  
Shan-Ying Wang ◽  
Greta S. P. Mok ◽  
Chiu-Han Chang ◽  
...  

AbstractThis study aims to develop a volume-based algorithm (VBA) that can rapidly optimize rotating gantry arc angles and predict the lung V5 preceding the treatment planning. This phantom study was performed in the dynamic arc therapy planning systems for an esophageal cancer model. The angle of rotation of the gantry around the isocenter as defined as arc angle (θA), ranging from 360° to 80° with an interval of 20°, resulting in 15 different θA of treatment plans. The corresponding predicted lung V5 was calculated by the VBA, the mean lung dose, lung V5, lung V20, mean heart dose, heart V30, the spinal cord maximum dose and conformity index were assessed from dose–volume histogram in the treatment plan. Correlations between the predicted lung V5 and the dosimetric indices were evaluated using Pearson’s correlation coefficient. The results showed that the predicted lung V5 and the lung V5 in the treatment plan were positively correlated (r = 0.996, p < 0.001). As the θA decreased, lung V5, lung V20, and the mean lung dose decreased while the mean heart dose, V30 and the spinal cord maximum dose increased. The V20 and the mean lung dose also showed high correlations with the predicted lung V5 (r = 0.974, 0.999, p < 0.001). This study successfully developed an efficient VBA to rapidly calculate the θA to predict the lung V5 and reduce the lung dose, with potentials to improve the current clinical practice of dynamic arc radiotherapy.


Author(s):  
Diah Fauzi Ningtyas ◽  
Lidiman Sinaga

This study concerns on improving students’ achievement in writing procedure texts through word webbing technique. The research was conducted by using Classroom Action Research (CAR). The population was the 2012-2013 nine grade students of SMP Negeri 1 Batang Kuis. The number of students was 36, consisting of 21 females and 15 males. The procedure of the research was administrated into two cycles where each cycle consisted of three meetings. Each meeting included four steps namely: planning, action, observation, and reflection. There were two kinds of data collected during the study, qualitative and quantitative data. The instrument for collecting the quantitative data was the writing of procedure texts test while the qualitative data were gathered by using interview, diary notes and observation sheet. Based on the data analysis, the mean of students’ score in Test I was 53,47, for the Test II was 63,05, and for the Test III was 75 The qualitative data showed that the students were interested in the applying of Word webbing Technique. The conclusion is that Word Webbing Technique in writing Procedure Texts improves the students’ achievement in writing procedure texts. Keywords: Students’ achievement, writing, procedure text, word webbing


Biometrika ◽  
2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhenhua Lin ◽  
Jane-Ling Wang ◽  
Qixian Zhong

Summary Estimation of mean and covariance functions is fundamental for functional data analysis. While this topic has been studied extensively in the literature, a key assumption is that there are enough data in the domain of interest to estimate both the mean and covariance functions. In this paper, we investigate mean and covariance estimation for functional snippets in which observations from a subject are available only in an interval of length strictly (and often much) shorter than the length of the whole interval of interest. For such a sampling plan, no data is available for direct estimation of the off-diagonal region of the covariance function. We tackle this challenge via a basis representation of the covariance function. The proposed estimator enjoys a convergence rate that is adaptive to the smoothness of the underlying covariance function, and has superior finite-sample performance in simulation studies.


2015 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 400-411 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claudio E. Tatsui ◽  
R. Jason Stafford ◽  
Jing Li ◽  
Jonathan N. Sellin ◽  
Behrang Amini ◽  
...  

OBJECT High-grade malignant spinal cord compression is commonly managed with a combination of surgery aimed at removing the epidural tumor, followed by spinal stereotactic radiosurgery (SSRS) aimed at local tumor control. The authors here introduce the use of spinal laser interstitial thermotherapy (SLITT) as an alternative to surgery prior to SSRS. METHODS Patients with a high degree of epidural malignant compression due to radioresistant tumors were selected for study. Visual analog scale (VAS) scores for pain and quality of life were obtained before and within 30 and 60 days after treatment. A laser probe was percutaneously placed in the epidural space. Real-time thermal MRI was used to monitor tissue damage in the region of interest. All patients received postoperative SSRS. The maximum thickness of the epidural tumor was measured, and the degree of epidural spinal cord compression (ESCC) was scored in pre- and postprocedure MRI. RESULTS In the 11 patients eligible for study, the mean VAS score for pain decreased from 6.18 in the preoperative period to 4.27 within 30 days and 2.8 within 60 days after the procedure. A similar VAS interrogating the percentage of quality of life demonstrated improvement from 60% preoperatively to 70% within both 30 and 60 days after treatment. Imaging follow-up 2 months after the procedure demonstrated a significant reduction in the mean thickness of the epidural tumor from 8.82 mm (95% CI 7.38–10.25) before treatment to 6.36 mm (95% CI 4.65–8.07) after SLITT and SSRS (p = 0.0001). The median preoperative ESCC Grade 2 was scored as 4, which was significantly higher than the score of 2 for Grade 1b (p = 0.04) on imaging follow-up 2 months after the procedure. CONCLUTIONS The authors present the first report on an innovative minimally invasive alternative to surgery in the management of spinal metastasis. In their early experience, SLITT has provided local control with low morbidity and improvement in both pain and the quality of life of patients.


Author(s):  
D. Furey ◽  
P. Atsavapranee ◽  
K. Cipolla

Stereo Particle Image velocimetry data was collected over high aspect ratio flexible cylinders (L/a = 1.5 to 3 × 105) to evaluate the axial development of the turbulent boundary layer where the boundary layer thickness becomes significantly larger than the cylinder diameter (δ/a&gt;&gt;1). The flexible cylinders are approximately neutrally buoyant and have an initial length of 152 m and radii of 0.45 mm and 1.25 mm. The cylinders were towed at speeds ranging from 3.8 to 15.4 m/sec in the David Taylor Model Basin. The analysis of the SPIV data required a several step procedure to evaluate the cylinder boundary flow. First, the characterization of the flow field from the towing strut is required. This evaluation provides the residual mean velocities and turbulence levels caused by the towing hardware at each speed and axial location. These values, called tare values, are necessary for comparing to the cylinder flow results. Second, the cylinder flow fields are averaged together and the averaged tare fields are subtracted out to remove strut-induced ambient flow effects. Prior to averaging, the cylinder flow fields are shifted to collocate the cylinder within the field. Since the boundary layer develops slowly, all planes of data occurring within each 10 meter increment of the cylinder length are averaged together to produce the mean boundary layer flow. Corresponding fields from multiple runs executed using the same experimental parameters are also averaged. This flow is analyzed to evaluate the level of axisymmetry in the data and determine if small changes in cylinder angle affect the mean flow development. With axisymmetry verified, the boundary flow is further averaged azimuthally around the cylinder to produce mean boundary layer profiles. Finally, the fluctuating velocity levels are evaluated for the flow with the cylinder and compared to the fluctuating velocity levels in the tare data. This paper will first discuss the data analysis techniques for the tare data and the averaging methods implemented. Second, the data analysis considerations will be presented for the cylinder data and the averaging and cylinder tracking techniques. These results are used to extract relevant boundary layer parameters including δ, δ* and θ. Combining these results with wall shear and momentum thickness values extracted from averaged cylinder drag data, the boundary layer can be well characterized.


1998 ◽  
Vol 88 (1) ◽  
pp. 57-65 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yusuf Ersşahin ◽  
Saffet Mutluer ◽  
Sevgül Kocaman ◽  
Eren Demirtasş

Object. The authors reviewed and analyzed information on 74 patients with split spinal cord malformations (SSCMs) treated between January 1, 1980 and December 31, 1996 at their institution with the aim of defining and classifying the malformations according to the method of Pang, et al. Methods. Computerized tomography myelography was superior to other radiological tools in defining the type of SSCM. There were 46 girls (62%) and 28 boys (38%) ranging in age from less than 1 day to 12 years (mean 33.08 months). The mean age (43.2 months) of the patients who exhibited neurological deficits and orthopedic deformities was significantly older than those (8.2 months) without deficits (p = 0.003). Fifty-two patients had a single Type I and 18 patients a single Type II SSCM; four patients had composite SSCMs. Sixty-two patients had at least one associated spinal lesion that could lead to spinal cord tethering. After surgery, the majority of the patients remained stable and clinical improvement was observed in 18 patients. Conclusions. The classification of SSCMs proposed by Pang, et al., will eliminate the current chaos in terminology. In all SSCMs, either a rigid or a fibrous septum was found to transfix the spinal cord. There was at least one unrelated lesion that caused tethering of the spinal cord in 85% of the patients. The risk of neurological deficits resulting from SSCMs increases with the age of the patient; therefore, all patients should be surgically treated when diagnosed, especially before the development of orthopedic and neurological manifestations.


2015 ◽  
Vol 49 (1) ◽  
pp. 86-90 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dirk Rades ◽  
Stefan Huttenlocher ◽  
Amira Bajrovic ◽  
Johann H. Karstens ◽  
Tobias Bartscht

Abstract Background. This study was initiated to create a predictive instrument for estimating the survival of patients with metastatic epidural spinal cord compression (MESCC) from esophageal cancer. Methods. In 27 patients irradiated for MESCC from esophageal cancer, the following nine characteristics were evaluated for potential impact on survival: age, gender, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance score, histology, number of involved vertebrae, ambulatory status before irradiation, further bone metastases, visceral metastases, and dynamic of developing motor deficits before irradiation. In addition, the impact of the radiation regimen was investigated. According to Bonferroni correction, p-values of < 0.006 were significant representing an alpha level of < 0.05. Results. ECOG performance score (p < 0.001), number of involved vertebrae (p = 0.005), and visceral metastases (p = 0.004) had a significant impact on survival and were included in the predictive instrument. Scoring points for each characteristic were calculated by dividing the 6-months survival rates (in %) by 10. The prognostic score for each patient was obtained by adding the scoring points of the three characteristics. The prognostic scores were 4, 9, 10, 14 or 20 points. Three prognostic groups were formed, 4 points (n = 11), 9-14 points (n = 12) and 20 points (n = 4). The corresponding 6-months survival rates were 0%, 33% and 100%, respectively (p < 0.001). Median survival times were 1 month, 5 months and 16.5 months, respectively. Conclusions. This new instrument allows the physician estimate the 6-months survival probability of an individual patient presenting with MESCC from esophageal cancer. This is important to know for optimally personalizing the treatment of these patients.


1998 ◽  
Vol 66 (2) ◽  
pp. 383-387 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Khalid ◽  
W. Haresign ◽  
D. G. Bradley

AbstractThis study consisted of two experiments. In experiment 1, stress responses of sheep which were restrained either in a laparoscopy cradle or a roll-over cradle were compared. The results of this experiment indicated that restraint in roll-over cradle is less (P < 0·05) stressful than that in a laparoscopy cradle when assessed in terms of the elevation and duration of both the mean heart rate and plasma cortisol responses. Experiment 2 compared the stress responses of sheep subjected to restraint in a laparoscopy cradle, restraint in a laparoscopy cradle with intrauterine artificial insemination (AI) by laparoscopy, minimal restraint with cervical AI or restraint in a roll-over cradle plus foot-trimming. All treatments resulted in significant elevations in both heart rate and plasma cortisol concentrations (F < 0·001). The peak heart rate was significantly (P < 0·05) higher in ewes subjected to cervical AI than in those subjected to intrauterine insemination, with other treatments intermediate. The peak cortisol response did not differ among different treatments. The duration over which both the mean heart rate and -plasma cortisol concentrations remained significantly elevated above pre-treatment concentrations did not differ among treatment groups. The results of this study suggest that while restraint using a laparoscopy cradle is more stressful than that using a rollover cradle, the stress inflicted by intrauterine insemination by laparoscopy itself is no greater than that due to restraint using the laparoscopy cradle alone, cervical AI or the management practice offoot-trimming using a rollover cradle.


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