Image Distortion in Biplanar Slot Scanning: Part 2 Technology-specific Factors

Study on the value of multi-dimensional conformal radiotherapy and functional imaging in tumor bioimaging

BACKGROUND

To explore the diagnostic and therapeutic effects of multi-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (MD-CRT) combined with functional imaging in tumor bioimaging.

METHODS

A total of 150 cases of patients with brain metastases in First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University between December 2020 and December 2021 were retrospectively selected as the research cohort. Participants underwent whole brain imaging guided by MD-CRT combined with volume assessment to assess the patient's recent treatment effect, statistically acceptable dose irradiation treatment, and the incidence of adverse reactions. All patients were followed up to evaluate the long-term efficacy.

RESULTS

Among the 150 patients, 24 cases were in complete remission, 72 cases were in partial remission, 36 cases were in a stable condition, 18 cases were in deterioration, and the treatment of 96 cases (64.00%) was deemed effective. All participants were followed up, the mean survival was (62.37±1.24) months, 96 cases (64.00%) survived, and 54 cases (36.00%) had died. The average dose was (62.09±3.94) Gy. In terms of adverse reactions: brain edema occurred in 57 patients, accounting for 38.00%.

CONCLUSIONS

The MD-CRT and functional imaging techniques for patients with metastatic tumor have high therapeutic accuracy, are associated with improved local control rate, prolonged survival, and cause little damage to normal tissues, with significant therapeutic effect, and can be widely used in clinical practice.

Systematic Review of Reciprocal Changes after Spinal Reconstruction Surgery : Do Not Miss the Forest for the Trees

The purpose of this review was to synthesize the research on global spinal alignment and reciprocal changes following cervical or thoracolumbar reconstruction surgery. We carried out a search of PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library for studies through May 2020, and ultimately included 11 articles. The optimal goal of a truly balanced spine is to maintain the head over the femoral heads. When spinal imbalance occurs, the human body reacts through various compensatory mechanisms to maintain the head over the pelvis and to retain a horizontal gaze. Historically, deformity correction has focused on correcting scoliosis and preventing scoliotic curve progression. Following substantial correction of a spinal deformity, reciprocal changes take place in the flexible segments proximal and distal to the area of correction. Restoration of lumbar lordosis following surgery to correct a thoracolumbar deformity induces reciprocal changes in T1 slope, cervical lordosis, pelvic shift, and lower extremity parameters. Patients with cervical kyphosis exhibit different patterns of reciprocal changes depending on whether they have head-balanced or trunk-balanced kyphosis. These reciprocal changes should be considered to in order to prevent secondary spine disorders. We emphasize the importance of evaluating the global spinal alignment to assess postoperative changes.

Inter- and intrarater reliability of measuring lengthening of magnetically controlled growing rods on digital radiographs

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to determine inter- and intraobserver reliability of delta rod extension, and total rod length measured on digital x-rays in patients with early onset scoliosis (EOS) treated with magnetically controlled growing rods (MCGR). For the last decade, patients with EOS have been treated with MCGR. Replacement of MCGR relies heavily on the measurement done at every lengthening session. Only a few studies have looked at inter- and intraobserver reliability of rod lengthening, and none have used the delta extension before.

METHODS

202 radiographs presented in random order were rated and measured twice with at least a 14-day interval and differing order of the radiographs. The measuring was done at both rods. All x-rays came from 15 patients diagnosed with EOS and treated with MCGR from 2009 until 2019. The total extension length and the delta extension (the difference in total extension length between two lengthening in succession) were measured, and the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) calculated for both measurements RESULTS: Intrarater ICC scores varied from moderate to good, but non-significantly. Interrater reliability increased significantly from moderate (ICC 0.72 [0.68; 0.76] and 0.73 [0.69; 0.77] to excellent (ICC 0.91 [0.88; 0.93] and 0.97 [0.96: 0.98]), when examining delta extension every sixth instead of every second month.

CONCLUSION

Measuring rod lengthening on x-rays can be done every 6 months, with an ample reliability. The ICC's for the delta extension with 2-3 months interval were only moderately precise, compared to the near perfect ICC's for the total extension length.