[en] Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD) are the most common neurodegenerative diseases in the elderly. Radiomics is based on its high-throughput extraction and analysis of disease features from MRI, it has been initially applied to the early diagnosis, progression assessment, and prognosis analysis of neurodegenerative diseases, such as AD, PD, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Texture analysis is a potential tool for identifying imaging biomarker for neurodegenerative diseases. This article reviews the origin, development, characteristics of radiomics and its research progress in evaluating several major neurodegenerative diseases. (authors)

[en] Objective: To analyze the accuracy, sensitivity and safety of multidetector CT angiography (MDCTA)and DSA; furthermore to explore the clinical value of MDCTA in studying the delayed cerebral vasospasm (DCVS). Methods: Delayed cerebral vasospasm was induced in 17 rabbits by injection of autologuous blood into the cisterna magna and followed by a second injection 24 hours later. MDCTA and DSA were carried out at the 7th day before and after the procedure in order to obtain the data of vascular diameter changes for comparative study. Results: The basilar artery diameters detected by MDCTA were shown preoperatively as (1.55 ± 0.14) mm and postoperatively as (0.95 ± 0.20) mm; and detected by DSA as (1.61 ± 0.19) mm and (1.00 ± 0.17) mm postoperatively; showing statistically equivalence between the two methods. Conclusions: MDCTA is recommended as a reliable, rapid, and minimally invasive diagnostic method, providing a new technique for the delayed cerebral vasospasm research. (authors)

[en] Objective: To explore the MRI appearances and diagnostic value of mitochondrial encephalomyopathy in children. Methods: MRI manifestations in 16 children patients with mitochondrial encephalomyopathy, confirmed by pathology and laboratory examination from January of 1996 to December of 2002, were retrospectively analyzed. Results: Cerebral foci of mitochondrial encephalomyopathy showed as multiple and symmetrical abnormal slight long T₁ and long T₂ signals in all 16 cases. Deep grey matter was only invaded in 9 of 16 cases, both cerebral cortex and deep grey matter were involved in 6 cases, and white matter was only invaded in 1 case, respectively. Their main clinical manifestations were progressive declination of the intelligence (n=12) and muscle force (n=10). The biopsy in the skeletal muscle showed ragged red fiber and abnormal mitochondria. Conclusion: Gradual declination of intelligence and muscle force is the common clinical manifestations of mitochondrial encephalomyopathy in children. The main MRI findings were multiple symmetrical abnormal signal intensities in the deep grey matter, and MRI is an important way to show the cerebral lesions and benefit to the diagnosis of mitochondrial encephalomyopathy. But the definite diagnosis of mitochondrial encephalomyopathy depends on skeletal muscle biopsy and gene examination

[en] Objective: To study the effects of two different methods of high-pressure injections on imaging quality of synchronous left axillary artery and vein by using volume CT. Methods: Forty seven patients who underwent left axillary vein and artery CTA examination study were analyzed retrospectively according to the contrast agent injection scheme and was divided into two groups A and B. Group A of 25 patients used protocol A, adopted clinical routine delay scanning method, via right elbow vein inject contrast medium. Group B of 22 patients used protocol B, adopted artery delayed imaging combined with vein direct imaging method, via right elbow vein, left radial vein inject contrast agent, respectively. Both values of CT and contrast to noise ratio (CNR) of two groups were compared, objective image quality was compared by two blinded readers. Mann Whiteny U test was used. Results: The median of CT values for left axillary artery in group A was 151.9 HU. The median of CNR values for left axillary artery in group A was 7.4. The median of CT values for left axillary vein in group A was 116.0 HU. The median of CNR values for left axillary vein in group A was 3.83. The median of CT values for left axillary artery in group B was 348.8 HU. The median of CNR values for left axillary artery in group B was 25.3. The median of CT values for left axillary vein in group B was 497.0 HU. The median of CNR values for left axillary vein in group B was 35.4. Both values of CT and CNR in two groups showed significant difference (Z = -5.735, -5.799, -5.863 and -5.863, P < 0.01). All of the median scores in group B were greater than in group A(P < 0.01). Conclusion: The enhancement effect of protocol B in the left axillary arteriovenous synchronous imaging is significantly higher than those of protocol A, and demonstrates clear image quality and clearer anatomic relationship. (authors)

[en] Objective: To evaluate the CT findings and classification of the Le Fort fracture. Methods: Sixty-two eases with Le Fort fractures were studied with thin-slice high-resolution CT scanning and analyzed with three-dimensional (3D) imaging reconstruction. Results: Of the 62 patients, 10 had Le Fort type I fracture, 9 had Le Fort type II fracture, 8 had Le Fort type III fracture, and 35 had various combinations of the three types of Le Fort fractures, including 18 Le Fort I + II fracture, 7 Le Fort I + II + III fracture and 10 Le Fort II + III fracture. Fifty-five cases had associated multiple fractures in the maxillofacial region. On 2D CT images, Le Fort fracture manifested as multiple and complex fractures. Though 2D image was better than 3D image in accurately defining tiny fractures and fractures of deep structures, the diagnosis of Le Fort fracture could not be correctly made solely on 2D image. 3D CT clearly and stereoscopically demonstrated the entire shape and orientation of Le Fort fracture, thus facilitating the correct classification of Le Fort fracture. Conclusion: 3D CT image is important in providing information about the space relationship of Le Fort fracture, thus very. valuable for the preoperative planning. (authors)

[en] Objective: To examine the clinical manifestations and pulmonary radiological features in patients with triphosgene poisoning. Methods: Clinical manifestations, laboratory tests and CT scans were analyzed retrospectively in 17 patients with triphosgene poisoning. We focused on the severity, development and repair of pulmonary impairment. Results: Plain film and CT scans in five mild cases demonstrated bilateral scattered pulmonary patchy shadows. Of 12 cases with moderate to severe diseases, three showed bilateral multiple pulmonary patchy shadows and nodules with confluence of part of the lesions on plain film and CT scans; bilateral lungs were involved in nine cases with imaging findings of bilateral disseminated pulmonary round or ovary nodules with different size, ill-defined and partly-confluent patchy shadows and thickening of both interlobular septum and the wall of bronchus. Of clinical interests, imaging findings were closely correlated with clinical course and laboratory results. Conclusion: Radiological examinations with plain films and CT scans could reveal the severity, evolvement of pulmonary edema in patients with triphosgene poisoning, and these are of clinical benefit in the early management and prognostic evaluation of patients with triphosgene poisoning. (authors)

[en] Objective: To assess the influence on radiation dose and image quality of bronchial artery CT angiography for hemoptysis patients with high heart rate and free respiratory with single-cardiac dynamic volumetric scanning using 320-row CT. Methods: During October 2016 and May 2017, totally 151 hemoptysis patients with heart rate ≥ 65 bmp and free-breathing were scanned for bronchial artery imaging with prospective ECG-gating 320-detector row dynamic volume CT. The patients were randomly divided into two groups, group A (81 cases) and group B (70 cases). Default multi-cardiac cycle scanning style was used for group A to generate multi-sector images A1 which were reconstructed corresponding single-sector images A2. Single-cardiac periodic scanning was used to get single-sector images for group B. The effective doses (E) of two scanning types, the quantitative parameters of image quality [vascular CT value, image noise (SD), signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR)] and subjective scoring of group B and A1, A2 were compared. The detection accuracy of the systemic artery-pulmonary circulation shunts was evaluated by ROC curve against digital subtraction angiography (DSA). The measurement data was analyzed by independent sample t test while the grade data was tested by independent sample nonparametric test. Results: The median value of radiation dose in group B was significantly lower than that of group A (1.42 mSv vs. 3.06 mSv, Z = -8.724, P < 0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in quantitative parameters and subjective scoring points of image quality between group B and group A2 (P > 0.05). The median subjective scoring points of group B was 4, which was better than that of group A1 (Z = -10.584, P < 0.05). The differences of SD, SNR, CNR between group B and group A1 were statistically significant (t = -0.983, 7.898, 7.695, P < 0.05), and group B had higher SD, SNR and CNR. There was no significant difference in the mean CT values of the aorta and pulmonary artery between the two groups (P > 0.05). The detection accuracy of the systemic artery-pulmonary circulation shunts was moderately high in group B and group A2. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) was 0.891 and 0.864, respectively (Z = 7.210, 7.430, P < 0.05). The accuracy of group A1 was poor. The area under the ROC curve was 0.626 (Z = 2.434, P < 0.05). The sensitivity of group B and group A2 were 80% and 76.2%, respectively (P < 0.05), and 28.6% of group A1 (P < 0.05). Conclusions: The 320-row single-cardiac periodic dynamic volume CT can effectively improve the image quality and the detection accuracy of the systemic-pulmonary circulation on CT, and reduce the radiation dose of the bronchial artery CT angiography. (authors)

[en] Objective: To evaluate l-week and l-year outcomes of carotid artery stenting (CAS) using cerebral perfusion CT (PCT). Methods: The clinical database of 20 patients with unilateral carotid artery stenosis( ≥ 60%) who underwent CAS were retrospectively reviewed. Relative cerebral blood volume (rCBV), relative cerebral blood flow (rCBF) and relative mean transit time (rMTT) were measured by using cerebral PCT within one week before CAS and at one week and at one year after CAS. Cerebral MRI was performed within one week before CAS. The noncontrast CT was performed within one week before CAS and immediately after CAS. The arteriography was performed at one year after CAS. The variance analysis was performed to determine whether there were significant differences of rCBV, rCBF, rMTT in anterior cerebral artery area (ACA area), middle cerebral artery area (MCA area), posterior cerebral artery area (PCA area), basal ganglia area, front and back cortical watershed area (CWS area) and internal watershed area (IWS area) among the different time points. Results: In the three measures, there was no significant difference of' rCBV in all areas among the three time points (P>0.05), and there was no significant difference of rCBF and rMTT in PCA area (P>0.05), but there were significant differences of rCBF and rMTT in all other areas among the three time points (P<0.01). In one week before CAS, at one week and at one year after CAS, rCBF of 20 patients is 0.86±0.06, 0.95±0.04, 0.98±0.07 in ACA area, 0.81±0.04, 1.06± 0.04, 1.03±0.07 in MCA area, 0.84±0.06, 0.97±0.04, 0.96±0.04 in basal ganglia, 0.78±0.03, 0.97±0.03, 0.96±0.02 in front CWS area, 0.77±0.03, 1.00±0.02, 0.98±0.03 in back CWS area, and 0.80±0.04, 0.94±0.03, 0.93±0.04 in IWS area (F=18.95, 146.41, 63.03, 540.85, 415.97, 164.19, P<0.01). rMTT is 1.17±0.05, 1.04±0.04, 1.01±0.06 in ACA area, 1.41±0.06, 1.08± 0.04, 1.07±0.04 in MCA area, 1.20±0.06, 1.06±0.04, 1.05±0.04 in basal ganglia, 1.41±0.05, 1.10±0.05, 1.09±0.04 in front CWS area, 1.43±0.10, 1.07±0.06, 1.08±0.06 in back CWS area, 1.29±0.10, 1.09±0.05, 1.11±0.07 in IWS area (F=51.74, 248.89, 70.08, 381.689, 288.94, 41.53, P<0.01). There were significant differences of rCBF and rMTT between those measured one week before CAS and one week or one year after CAS (P<0.01), but there were no significant differences of rCBF or rMTT in any area measured between those at 1 week after CAS and those measured at 1 year after CAS (P>0.05). Conclusions: Hemodynamic outcome at one year after CAS is good in the absence of contralateral carotid artery steno-occlusive disease. In addition, the coherence of results between 1-week and 1-year indicates that the outcome of one week after CAS could predict long-term hemodynamic outcome. (authors)

[en] Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic value of multi-slice three-dimensional computed tomographic angiography (MS 3D-CTA) for vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia (VBD). Methods: MS 3 D-CTA of 10 patients with VBD were retrospectively analysed. Source images were got by GE Lightspeed pro scanner. Volume rendering(VR) and maximum intensity project (MIP) were adopted to reconstruct 3D images in all cases. Twenty patients were selected as the control group by suspected cerebral vascular diseases and underwent MS 3D-CTA at the same period. Enumeration data between the patient group and the control group was assessed by Wilcoxon test. Results: There were 2 types of 10 cases with VBD, including simple type (n=4) and saddle type (n=6). Compared with the control group of the length of the basilar artery (B₁, 25.60 mm),the deviant degree (B_c, 1.20 mm), the height (B_h, 1.90 mm), the length of the vertebral artery (V₁, 17.55 mm), the deviant degree (V_c, 2.05 mm), and the diameter of BA and/or VA (B_w/V_w, 3.05 mm), there is significant difference in the B₁ 30.20 mm, B_c 7.10 mm, B_h 8.80 mm, V₁ 23.00 mm, V_c 5.95 mm, and B_w/V_w 5.05 mm (P<0.01, all). Conclusion: The clinical performances of VBD is different, MS 3 D-CTA is a very effective method for the diagnosis of VBD. (authors)

[en] Objective To evaluate multi-slice three-dimensional CT angiography (MS 3D-CTA) for the follow-up of intracranial aneurysm clipping. Methods: MS 3D-CTA of 16 patients with intracranial aneurysm clipping were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were scanned on a 16-slice spiral CT (GE Lightspeed pro). Volume rendering(VR), thin maximum intensity projection(thin MIP) and multi-planar reconstruction (MPR) were employed in image postprocessing in all cases. Results: There were 17 clips in the 16 patients with aneurysm clipping. Six clips were located at the posterior communicating artery, 5 at the anterior communicating artery, 4 at the middle cerebral artery, and the remaining 2 clips were located at the pericallosal artery, in 1 patient. There were no abnormalities found in the aneurysm clipping region in 7 cases by MS 3D- CTA. There were residual aneurysm in 2 cases, parent artery stenosis in 4 cases, and artery spasm in 3 eases. There was no parent artery occlusion and clip displacement in all cases. VR showed excellent 3D spacial relations between the clip and parent artery in 12 cases, and showed good relations in 3 cases. The 1 case with 2 clips in the pericallosal artery showed heavy beam-hardening artifacts. The size and shape of aneurysm clips were clearly depicted by MPR and thin MIP, while 3D spacial relation of aneurysm clip and parent artery were poorly showed. Conclusion: MS 3D-CTA is a safe and efficient method for the follow-up of intracranialaneurysm clipping. Combined VR with MPR or thin MIP can well reveal postoperative changes after aneurysm clipping. (authors)