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Purpose: To analyze the feasibility of the 2-point method for estimating ultrasound-derived quadriceps femoris cross-sectional area (QUADACSA). First, (1) the agreement between QUADACSA measured by panoramic ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was studied, and thereafter, we examined 2 approaches of the 2-point method in terms of (2) estimation errors and (3) test–retest repeatability. Methods: Both thighs of 16 young men were analyzed. Ultrasound-QUADACSA versus MRI-QUADACSA comparison was conducted at 6 thigh lengths (20%–70% of the thigh length). Thereafter, ultrasound-QUADACSA corresponding to 30% and 60% (2-point30%–60%) or 20% and 70% (2-point20%–70%) were used to estimate QUADACSA of the remaining regions. Estimated QUADACSA resulting from both 2-point approaches was compared with the measured one. Finally, the test–retest repeatability was examined by comparing the errors generated on 2 separate estimations. Statistics included the standard error of measurement (SEM) expressed in absolute (in square centimeters) and relative terms (in percentage) as a coefficient of variation (CV), as well as the intraclass correlation cofficient (ICC) and bias. Results: An excellent agreement (ICC ≥ 0.980) and reduced errors (SEM ≤ 2.43 cm2) resulted from the ultrasound-QUADACSA versus MRI-QUADACSA comparison. Although estimation errors found were reduced (CV ≤ 7.50%), they proved to be lower and less biased for the 2-point30%–60%, especially at the central regions (SEM ≤ 2.01 cm2; bias ≤ 0.89 cm2). Similarly, repeatability analysis revealed lower test–retest errors for the 2-point30%–60% (CV ≤ 1.9%) than for the 2-point20%–70% (CV ≤ 4.6%). Conclusion: The 2-point method, especially that implemented using the 30% and 60% regions, represents an accurate and repeatable strategy to evaluate QUADACSA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Abstract “Total-body” and ultra-extended field-of-view PET/CT scanners are now available commercially with great enthusiasm for their potential in both streamlining clinical practice and providing unique research opportunities. Accordingly, many groups are rushing to implement this technology. For early adopters, the challenges of these systems compared with more standard PET/CT systems have been significant. In this guide, aspects that need to be considered in planning installation of one of these scanners are discussed. These include financing, space, structural engineering, power supply, chilled water and environmental controls to manage heat loads, IT infrastructure and data storage, radiation safety and radiopharmaceutical procurement, staffing levels, patient handling logistics and imaging protocol redesign to leverage the superior sensitivity of these scanners, and marketing. It is a daunting but worthwhile endeavor in the author’s opinion but needs a great team and the ability to bring in the appropriate expertise at the appropriate time.

Background: CBCT imaging with field of views (FOVs) exceeding the size of scans acquired in the conventional imaging geometry, i.e. with opposing source and detector, is of high clinical importance for many medical fields. A novel approach for enlarged FOV scanning with one full‐scan (EnFOV360) or two short‐scans (EnFOV180) using an O‐arm system arises from non‐isocentric imaging based on independent source and detector rotations. Purpose: The presentation, description, and experimental validation of this novel approach and the novel scanning techniques EnFOV360 and EnFOV180 for an O‐arm system forms the scope of this work. Methods: We describe the EnFOV360, EnFOV180, and non‐isocentric imaging techniques for the acquisition of laterally extended FOVs. For their experimental validation, scans of dedicated quality assurance as well as anthropomorphic phantoms were acquired, with the phantoms being placed both within the tomographic plane and at the longitudinal FOV border with and without lateral shifts from the gantry center. Based on this, geometric accuracy, contrast‐noise‐ratio (CNR) of different materials, spatial resolution, noise characteristics, as well as CT number profiles were quantitatively assessed. Results were compared to scans performed with the conventional imaging geometry. Results: With EnFOV360 and EnFOV180, we increased the in‐plane size of acquired FOVs from 250 × 250 mm2 obtained for the conventional imaging geometry to up to 400 × 400 mm2 for the performed measurements. Geometric accuracy was very high for all scanning techniques with mean values ≤0.21 ± 0.11 mm. CNR and spatial resolution were comparable between isocentric and non‐isocentric full‐scans as well as EnFOV360, whereas substantial image quality deteriorations in this respect were observed for EnFOV180. Image noise in the isocenter was lowest for conventional full‐scans with 13.4 ± 0.2 HU. For laterally shifted phantom positions, noise increased for conventional scans and EnFOV360, whereas noise reductions were observed for EnFOV180. Considering the anthropomorphic phantom scans, both EnFOV360 and EnFOV180 were comparable to conventional full‐scans. Conclusion: Both enlarged FOV techniques have high potential for imaging laterally extended FOVs. EnFOV360 revealed an image quality comparable to conventional full‐scans in general. EnFOV180 showed an inferior performance particularly regarding CNR and spatial resolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Measuring muscle quantity and quality is very important because the loss of muscle quantity and quality is associated with several adverse effects specifically in older people. Ultrasound is a method widely used to measure muscle quantity and quality. One problem with ultrasound is its limited field of view, which makes it impossible to measure the muscle quantity and quality of certain muscles. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the intra- and inter-rater reliability of extended-field-of-view (EFOV) ultrasound for the measurement of muscle quantity and quality in nine muscles of the limbs and trunk. Two examiners took two ultrasound EFOV images with a linear probe from each of the muscle sites. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was used, and the standard error of measurement and coefficient of variation were calculated. Intra-rater reliability was good to excellent (ICC = 0.2–1.00) for all muscle measurements. The inter-rater reliability for most of the muscle measurements was good to excellent (ICC = 0.82–0.98). Inter-rater reliability was moderate (0.58–0.72) for some muscle quantity measurements of the tibialis anterior, gastrocnemius, rectus femoris, biceps femoris and triceps brachii muscles. Muscle quantity and quality can be measured reliably using EFOV US. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

State-of-the-art lab-based X-ray nanotomography enables versatile and well-accessible three-dimensional imaging of samples with spatial resolutions comparable to synchrotron setups. By its nature, the technique brings a trade-off between high spatial resolution and accessible sample volume. A so-called 'stitching approach' can overcome this challenge by extending the accessible three-dimensional volume without compromising spatial resolution and is demonstrated in a state-of-the-art lab-based X-ray microscope on two porous, low-Z material systems: macroporous zeolite particles and supported catalytically active metal solutions. Fourier ring and shell correlation are utilized to calculate the achievable two- and three-dimensional resolution of the X-ray microscope and the tomographic reconstructions, respectively. The excellent performance of the stitching approach is evaluated by comparing three-dimensional reconstructions of identical sample volumes obtained with and without stitching at different magnifications. The influence of illumination time, depth of field and number of projections are investigated by comparing the spatial resolution of the experiments with theoretical resolution limits. [Display omitted] • Methods to extend 3D sample size without compromising resolution for lab-based CT. • Stitching approach applied on porous & low-Z materials in Zernike phase-contrast. • Qualitative comparison of low- and high-res 3D reconstructions of same volume. • Quantitative 2D & 3D resolution analysis using Fourier ring & shell correlation. • 3D resolution in enlarged reconstructions in high-res mode is maintained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract With the rapid emergence of extended Field-of-View PET-cameras several new applications for radiopharmaceuticals become within reach. Main reason is the significant increase of the sensitivity of the PET-camera so that much less radioactivity can be administered. Issues that that hampered development or use of PET-radiopharmaceuticals become realistic again. Molar activity requirements can become less strict. New low-yielding radiochemistry methods may become applicable. Carbon-11 labelled compounds can revive and potentially be shipped to nearby PET-facilities. PET-radiopharmaceuticals with slow kinetics in comparison to their half life can still be used. As additional infrastructure and equipment will likely remain unchanged and keep the same sensitivity therefore there will be issues with kinetic modelling requiring analysis of plasma or metabolites samples with lower count rate. Besides the potential revival of failed radiopharmaceuticals, novel challenges are ahead to develop novel radiochemistry based on thus far unsuitable (low yielding or time consuming) reactions.

The objective of the current study was to examine the validity and repeatability of panoramic ultrasound in evaluating the anatomical cross-sectional area (ACSA) of the pectoralis major. Specifically, we aimed to quantify the measurement errors generated during the image acquisition and analysis (repeatability), as well as when comparing with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (validity). Moreover, we aimed to analyze the influence of the operator's experience on these measurement errors. Both sides of the chest of 16 participants (n = 32) were included. Errors made by two operators (trained and novice) when measuring pectoralis major ACSA (50% of sternum-areola mammae distance) were examined. Acquisition errors included the comparison of two images acquired 5 min apart. Acquisition 1 was analyzed twice to quantify analysis errors. Thereafter, acquisition 1 was compared with MRI. Statistics include the standard error of measurement (SEM), expressed in absolute (cm2) and relative (%) terms as a coefficient of variation (CV), and the calculation of systematic bias. Errors made by the trained operator were lower than those made by the novice, especially during the image acquisition (SEM = 0.25 vs. 0.66 cm2, CV = 1.06 vs. 2.98%) and when compared with MRI (SEM = 0.27 vs. 1.90 cm2, CV = 1.13 vs. 8.16%). Furthermore, although both operators underestimated the ACSA, magnitude and variability [SD] of these errors were lower for the trained operator (bias = -0.19 [0.34] cm2) than for the novice (bias = -1.97 [2.59] cm2). Panoramic ultrasound is a valid and repeatable technique for measuring pectoralis major ACSA, especially when implemented by a trained operator. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the changes in fascicle length (Lf) of biceps femoris long head (BFlh) after 10 d of bed rest (BR) by comparing four different ultrasound (US) methods. Methods: Ten healthy men participated in 10-d BR. Before (BR0) and after (BR10) the BR period, BFlh Lf values were obtained using 1) extended-field-of-view (EFOV) technique, 2) the manual linear extrapolation (MLE) method, and 3) two trigonometric equations (equations A and B) from a single US image. Results: After BR10, decreased Lf values were observed by EFOV(P < 0.001; Hedges' g = 0.29) and MLE (P = 0.0082; g = 0.22) methods, but not with equations A and B. Differences between equation A and the other US methods were detected at both time points. The percentage of changes in Lf between BR0 and BR10 was influenced by the US methods applied, with difference detected between the changes measured by EFOVand the ones estimated by equation A (P = 0.04; g = 0.53). Bland--Altman analyses revealed relevant average absolute biases in Lf between EFOV and other methods at both time points (range BR0--BR10: MLE, 0.3-0.37 cm (3.4%-4.32%); equation B, 0.3-0.48 cm (3.24%-5.41%); equation A, 2.44-2.97 cm (24.05%-29.2%)). A significant correlation (r = 0.83) in percentage of change in Lf values was observed only between EFOV and MLE. Conclusions: We showed that four distinct US methods lead to different results in the assessment of BFlh Lf changes after a short-term period of unloading. The implementation of EFOV technique (or alternatively MLE) to assess Lf changes in BFlh during longitudinal studies is warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Modern computed tomography (CT) scanners have an extended field‐of‐view (eFoV) for reconstructing images up to the bore size, which is relevant for patients with higher BMI or non‐isocentric positioning due to fixation devices. However, the accuracy of the image reconstruction in eFoV is not well known since truncated data are used. This study introduces a new deep learning‐based algorithm for extended field‐of‐view reconstruction and evaluates the accuracy of the eFoV reconstruction focusing on aspects relevant for radiotherapy. Methods: A life‐size three‐dimensional (3D) printed thorax phantom, based on a patient CT for which eFoV was necessary, was manufactured and used as reference. The phantom has holes allowing the placement of tissue mimicking inserts used to evaluate the Hounsfield unit (HU) accuracy. CT images of the phantom were acquired using different configurations aiming to evaluate geometric and HU accuracy in the eFoV. Image reconstruction was performed using a state‐of‐the‐art reconstruction algorithm (HDFoV), commercially available, and the novel deep learning‐based approach (HDeepFoV). Five patient cases were selected to evaluate the performance of both algorithms on patient data. There is no ground truth for patients so the reconstructions were qualitatively evaluated by five physicians and five medical physicists. Results: The phantom geometry reconstructed with HDFoV showed boundary deviations from 1.0 to 2.5 cm depending on the volume of the phantom outside the regular scan field of view. HDeepFoV showed a superior performance regardless of the volume of the phantom within eFOV with a maximum boundary deviation below 1.0 cm. The maximum HU (absolute) difference for soft issue inserts is below 79 and 41 HU for HDFoV and HDeepFoV, respectively. HDeepFoV has a maximum deviation of −18 HU for an inhaled lung insert while HDFoV reached a 229 HU difference. The qualitative evaluation of patient cases shows that the novel deep learning approach produces images that look more realistic and have fewer artifacts. Conclusion: To be able to reconstruct images outside the sFoV of the CT scanner there is no alternative than to use some kind of extrapolated data. In our study, we proposed and investigated a new deep learning‐based algorithm and compared it to a commercial solution for eFoV reconstruction. The deep learning‐based algorithm showed superior performance in quantitative evaluations based on phantom data and in qualitative assessments of patient data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The amount of experience with ultrasonography may influence measurement outcomes while images are acquired or analyzed. The purpose of this study was to identify the interrater reliability of ultrasound image acquisition and image analysis between experienced and novice sonographers and image analysts, respectively. Following a brief hands-on training session (2 h), the experienced and novice sonographers and analysts independently performed image acquisition and analyses on the biceps brachii, vastus lateralis, and medial gastrocnemius in a sample of healthy participants (n = 17). Test–retest reliability statistics were computed for muscle thickness (transverse and sagittal planes), muscle cross-sectional area, echo intensity and subcutaneous adipose tissue thickness. The results show that image analysis experience generally has a greater impact on measurement outcomes than image acquisition experience. Interrater reliability for measurements of muscle size during image acquisition was generally good–excellent (ICC2,1: 0.82–0.98), but poor–moderate for echo intensity (ICC2,1: 0.43–0.77). For image analyses, interrater reliability for measurements of muscle size for the vastus lateralis and biceps brachii was poor–moderate (ICC2,1: 0.48–0.70), but excellent for echo intensity (ICC2,1: 0.90–0.98). Our findings have important implications for laboratories and clinics where members possess varying levels of ultrasound experience.

Background: 18 F-FDG-PET/CT is a valuable tool in the staging and surveillance of cutaneous melanoma; however, recent studies prompt debate on the clinical significance of imaging patients below the lesser trochanter. This study explored two research questions. In patients with a known primary cutaneous melanoma within the standard field of view (SFOV, between the orbits and lesser trochanter), what is the prevalence of metastasis to sites solely within the lower extremities? and, In patients with a known primary cutaneous melanoma within the SFOV what demographic and clinical factors are associated with sole metastasis to the lower extremities?, Methods: A retrospective, multi-centered, observational study of consecutive case reports was conducted. Subjects included 619 patients who underwent extended field of view (EFOV) 18 F-FDG-PET/CT (from vertex to toes) for staging and/or follow-up of cutaneous melanoma. Data was collected at three primary healthcare centers in Canada (Nova Scotia, Alberta, and British Columbia). Inclusion criteria were patients >18 years of age, confirmed primary cutaneous melanoma, and a known location of the primary within the SFOV. Patients with primary cutaneous melanoma lesions in lower extremities and previous other cancers were excluded. To determine the prevalence of lesions located below the lesser trochanter, the proportion of such lesions were computed, and 95% confidence intervals ensured a precise estimation of the proportion., Results: 2512 patient charts were reviewed with 619 meeting the inclusion criteria, 298 of these were females. Six percent had metastases in both the lower extremities and sites within the SFOV. The number of subjects who had no metastasis within their SFOV was 361 (58.3%). The number of subjects who presented with confirmed metastasis in the lower extremities without concurrent metastasis in the SFOV region was one (0.58%). Despite a large initial study sample, the number of patients with metastasis in the lower extremities was insufficient to allow correlation of factors associated with risk of spread to the lower extremities., Conclusion: Lower extremity 18 F-FDG-PET/CT provided additional, relevant clinical data in a sole patient. This finding supports prior research suggesting the prevalence is rare. Future studies should seek to define demographic and clinical factors that predict such rare occurrences, where follow up would be warranted. This study highlights feasibility challenges associated with such investigation., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Aims: To investigate the feasibility and accuracy of 3D-US extended field of view volumetric analyses acquired with mechanically-swept ultrasound probes with different measurement methods for large volume thyroid phantoms.Materials and Methods: Fifteen thyroid phantoms with different shapes (regular, nodular, thickened isthmus) and volumes (50-400 mL) were created. Two different mechanically-swept US probes were used for the separate scanning of the left and right lobes: convex and linear probe. After specific modifications, the 3D-US datasets were stitched together to an extended field of view using predefined landmarks. Volumetric analyses were performed by conventional ellipsoid model and manual tracing methods. The correspondence of measured and reference volumes was calculated using Pearson's correlation coefficients and limits of agreement according to Bland and Altman.Results: The C-probe proved feasible for the acquisition and processing of the three-dimensional ultrasound extended field of view images; very high levels of agreement (correlation coefficients for volume analyses: 0.9843-0.9992) were observed for all shapes and volumes investigated. The manual tracing method showed superior results in comparison to the ellipsoid model, but was more time consuming. The linear probe was only applicable for the 50 mL phantoms due to its limited field of view.Conclusions: The investigated mechanically-swept convex probe was suitable for the three-dimensional ultrasound extended field of view stitching of large volume thyroid phantoms. Accurate volume analyses could be carried out. The mechanically-swept linear probe is limited to a maximum of 50 m. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Osteomyelitis is a challenging diagnosis for clinicians, particularly in very young children. At our institution, the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) protocol in suspected osteomyelitis for children 5 years of age or younger includes a large field of imaging regardless of the clinical site of concern.Objective: To determine if extended field of view (FOV) MRI contributes important information in young children with suspected osteomyelitis.Materials and Methods: A retrospective study was performed including children 5 years of age or younger with suspected osteomyelitis from January 2011 to September 2015. All children underwent coronal fluid-sensitive MRI from neck to feet. Focused imaging was performed as necessary on abnormal sites depicted on survey imaging. Two radiologists reviewed the imaging findings, which were compared to the clinical outcome.Results: We studied 51 children with a mean age of 2.2 years (range: 21 days-5.5 years); 53% were boys. Osteomyelitis was depicted by MRI in 20 subjects (39.2%). Survey coronal fluid-sensitive imaging was accomplished by adding a single fluid-sensitive series in 1 child, 2 series in 31 children, 3 series in 16 children and 4 series in 3 children. Survey imaging added a median total time of 6:51 min to the examination (range: 2.29-20.54 min). Extended FOV imaging added important information in 11/51 subjects (21.6%), in 6 cases (11.8%) of infection and in 5 cases (9.8%) by suggesting alternative diagnoses.Conclusion: The addition of extended FOV MRI in young children with suspected osteomyelitis added important clinical information in 21.6% of patients while only adding a median of 6:51 min to the examination. It is our experience that in children ≤5 years of age with suspected osteomyelitis, extended FOV imaging adds important information and may result in changes in management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Wide bore CT scanners use extended field‐of‐view (eFOV) reconstruction algorithms to attempt to recreate tissue truncated due to large patient habitus. Radiation therapy planning systems rely on accurate CT numbers in order to correctly plan and calculate radiation dose. This study looks at the impact of eFOV reconstructions on CT numbers and radiation dose calculations in real patient geometries. Methods: A large modular phantom based on real patient geometries was created to surround a CIRS Model 062M phantom. The modular sections included a smooth patient surface, a skin fold in the patient surface, and the addition of arms for simulation of the patient in arms up or arms down position. This phantom was used to evaluate the accuracy of CT numbers for three extended FOV algorithms implemented on Siemens CT scanners: eFOV, HDFOV, and HDProFOV. Six different configurations of the phantoms were scanned and images were reconstructed for the three different extended FOV algorithms. The CIRS phantom inserts and overall phantom geometry were contoured in each image, and the Hounsfield units (HU) numbers were compared to an image of the phantom within the standard scan FOV (sFOV) without the modular sections. To evaluate the effect on dose calculations, six radiotherapy patients previously treated at our institution (three head and neck and three chest/pelvis) whose body circumferences extended past the 50 cm sFOV in the treatment planning CT were used. Images acquired on a Siemens Sensation Open scanner were reconstructed using sFOV, eFOV and HDFOV algorithms. A physician and dosimetrist identified the radiation target, critical organs, and external patient contour. A benchmark CT was created for each patient, consisting of an average of the 3 CT reconstructions with a density override applied to regions containing truncation artifacts. The benchmark CT was used to create an optimal radiation treatment plan. The plan was copied onto each CT reconstruction without density override and dose was recalculated. Results: Tissue extending past the sFOV impacts the HU numbers for tissues inside and outside the sFOV when using extended FOV reconstructions. On average, the HU for all CIRS density inserts in the arms up (arms down) position varied by 43 HU (67 HU), 39 HU (73 HU), and 18 HU (51 HU) for the eFOV, HDFOV, and HDProFOV scans, respectively. In the patient dose calculations, patients with a smooth patient contour had the least deviation from the benchmark in the HDFOV (0.1–0.5%) compared to eFOV (0.4–1.8%) reconstructions. In cases with large amounts of tissue and irregular skin folds, the eFOV deviated the least from the benchmark (range 0.2–0.6% dose difference) compared to HDFOV (range 1.3–1.8% dose difference). Conclusions: All reconstruction algorithms demonstrated good CT number accuracy in the center of the image. Larger artifacts are seen near and extending outside the scan FOV, however, dose calculations performed using typical beam arrangements using the extended FOV reconstructions were still mostly within 2.5% of best estimated reference values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Thyroid volume has to be measured in goiters prior to radioiodine treatment to calculate the needed amount of radioactivity. Modern clinical equipment for ultrasonography shows the trend to smaller probes, so that larger goiters do not fit any longer into the probe's field of view. This study evaluated the feasibility and accuracy of stitching procedures applied to thyroid volumetric analysis performed using three-dimensional ultrasound (3D-US).Material and Methods: Ad hoc thyroid phantoms of different shapes (regular, nodular, thickened isthmus) and volumes (ranging between 50 and 400 mL) were developed. In 15 such phantoms the left and right lobes were separately scanned, and the 3D-US datasets were then assembled (stitched) using predefined landmarks and dedicated software. Volumetric analysis was then assessed via a conventional ellipsoid model (em) and manual tracing (mt). The correlation of measured and reference volumes was determined using Pearson's correlation coefficients and Bland and Altman limits of agreement.Results: The results showed a high level of agreement (with correlation coefficients ranging from 0.974 to 0.999) for all shapes and volumes tested, including the largest volume of 400 mL. The mt method, although more time consuming, proved superior to the em.Conclusions: Stitching-mediated thyroid volumetric analysis is accurate, and its clinical performance should be investigated in future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study compared test–retest reliability and sensitivity to change for muscle size and echo intensity (EI) measurements from single transverse (EI ST ) versus panoramic (EI P ) ultrasound (US) images of the biceps brachii. Forearm flexor muscle thickness and EI ST and biceps brachii muscle cross-sectional area and EI P were quantified from single transverse and panoramic US images in 14 men (age = 21.8 ± 2.5 y [mean ± standard deviation]) on two separate days. The intra-class correlation coefficients, coefficients of variation, and minimum differences for muscle thickness, EI ST , muscle cross-sectional area and EIP ranged from 0.78 to 0.99, from 2.26% to 3.29%, and from 6.26% to 9.12%, respectively. These findings suggested that single transverse imaging and panoramic US imaging are comparable, reliable techniques for quantifying muscle size and EI of the biceps brachii. Single transverse images may be simpler to obtain; thus, future studies may choose to quantify muscle size and EI from a single transverse US image in the biceps brachii. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although wide bore computed tomography (CT) scanners provide increased space for patients, the scan field of view (sFOV) remains considerably smaller than the bore size. Consequently, patient anatomy which spans beyond the sFOV is truncated and the information is lost. As a solution, some manufacturers provide the capacity to reconstruct CT images from a partial dataset at an extended field of view (eFOV). To assess spatial distortion within this eFOV three phantoms were considered a 30 × 30 × 20 cm slab of solid water, the Gammex electron density CT phantom and a female anthropomorphic phantom. For each phantom, scans were taken centrally within the sFOV as a reference image and with the phantom edge extended at 1 cm intervals from 0 to 5 cm beyond the sFOV into the eFOV. To assess CT number accuracy various tissue equivalent materials were scanned in the eFOV and resulting CT numbers were compared to inserts scanned within the sFOV. For all phantom geometries, objects within the eFOV were geometrically overestimated with elongation of phantom shapes into the eFOV. The percentage increase in size ranged from 0.22 to 15.94 % over all phantoms considered. The difference between eFOV and sFOV CT numbers was dependent upon insert density. The eFOV underestimated CT numbers in the range of −127 to −230 HU for soft tissue densities and −278 to −640 for bone densities. This trend reversed for low tissue densities with the CT numbers in the eFOV being overestimated by 100-130 HU for lung equivalent inserts. Initial correlation between eFOV and sFOV CT numbers was seen and a correction function was successfully applied to better estimate the CT number representative of that seen within the sFOV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The purpose of the present study was to examine test-retest reliability and minimal detectable change (MDC) values for Achilles tendon (AT) length determined using panoramic ultrasound (US) imaging. Seventeen men (age = 21.0 ± 2.3 y) visited the laboratory on two separate days, where AT length was examined along the mid-longitudinal axis of the right lower leg with a portable B-mode panoramic US device. These measures were found to have acceptable reliability with intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) and standard error of measurement (SEM) values of 0.954 and 4.43 mm (SEM% of the mean = 2.37%), respectively. In addition, the MDC for the panoramic US assessment of AT length was 12.27 mm (MDC% of the mean = 6.57%). These findings suggest that panoramic US imaging is a reliable technique for detection of clinically relevant changes in AT length and may therefore be a practical and time-efficient clinical tool for future studies examining AT length in vivo. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The use of ultrasound imaging for guidance of cardiac interventional procedures is limited by the small field of view of the ultrasound volume. A larger view can be created by image-based registration of several partially overlapping volumes, but automatic registration is likely to fail unless the registration is initialized close to the volumes'' correct alignment. In this article, we use X-ray images to track a transesophageal ultrasound probe and thereby provide initial position information for the registration of the ultrasound volumes. The tracking is possible using multiple X-rays or just a single X-ray for each probe position. We test the method in a phantom experiment and find that with at least 50% overlap, 88% of volume pairs are correctly registered when tracked using three X-rays and 86% when using single X-rays. Excluding failed registrations with errors greater than 10 mm, the average registration accuracy is 2.92 mm between ultrasound volumes and 4.75 mm for locating an ultrasound volume in X-ray space. We conclude that the accuracy and robustness of the registrations are sufficient to provide useful images for interventional guidance. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The rectus abdominis (RA) muscle is related to abdominal muscle contraction and is divided into three sub-sections. In this study, changes in each section according to the curl-up angles were measured using ultrasound with an extended field of view (EFOV) scan and compared with the conventional scan. The results showed that the locations of the measurement position center were consistently detected only with the EFOV scan and that the change ratios in thickness and length between sections at the same angles were not significantly different, suggesting that each section was selectively activated. Furthermore, the ratios of the thickness and length changes in each section were significantly different between the rest position and curl-up angles. Specifically, in the section 2 there was a significant difference in the thickness and length changes between different angles, reflecting the characteristics of RA during contraction, and their variations were less than in the section 3. Therefore, the results suggest that changes in only a section of RA cannot be representative of overall RA activation, EFOV scan method can be useful for investigating the structural characteristics of RA in detail, and the proposed method can obtain various information about muscle contraction for efficient muscle treatment and muscle strengthening.

The number of eccentric contractions is a factor affecting the magnitude of muscle damage; however, it is unknown whether set-repetition configurations for the same total number of eccentric contractions affect the muscle damage. The present study investigated whether different set-repetition configurations would result in different force output during eccentric exercise and different magnitude of muscle damage following the first and second exercise bouts. Ten non-resistance-trained men (26.1 ± 4.1 years) performed two bouts of eccentric exercise of the elbow flexors of each arm (4 bouts in total). One arm performed 3 sets of 10 maximal eccentric contractions (3 × 10) and the contralateral arm performed 10 sets of 3 maximal eccentric contractions (10 × 3), and each arm performed 20 sets of 3 maximal eccentric contractions (20 × 3) 4 weeks after the first bout. The order of the exercise (3 × 10, 10 × 3) and the use of arm (dominant, non-dominant) were counterbalanced amongst subjects. The torque produced over 30 eccentric contractions was similar between 3 × 10 and 10 × 3, and the changes in torque during 20 × 3 were similar between arms. Maximal voluntary contraction strength, range of motion, biceps brachii cross-sectional area and muscle soreness changed significantly ( P < 0.05) following the exercise without significant differences between 3 × 10 and 10 × 3, and changes in the measures following 20 × 3 were similar between arms, except for range of motion (ROM). No significant difference in the changes in any measures except ROM was evident when compared between the first and second bouts. These results showed that changing the set-repetition configuration had little effect on muscle damage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Significant intra- and interobserver variation has been reported for estimating the dimensions and the volume of the thyroid gland by conventional sonography in adults. This study aimed to assess the role of extended field-of-view (EFOV) sonography for evaluating the size of the thyroid gland. The mediolateral, anteroposterior, and craniocaudal diameters of both thyroid lobes as well as total thyroid volumes of 30 female patients with the clinical diagnosis of goiter were measured three times by three radiologists with the EFOV sonography technique. Based on these findings, the correlation between the measurements of different operators and different measurements of the same operator was investigated. The interobserver variations for craniocaudal diameters of the right and left thyroid lobes were 3.3% ± 1.9% (mean ± SD) and 2.8% ± 1.3% (mean ± SD), respectively (P = .012), which were lower than the variations calculated for transverse and mediolateral diameters. The interobserver variation for the calculation of the total glandular volume was 6.3% ± 3.8% (mean ± SD). The intraobserver variations for the three radiologists assessing the total thyroid volume were 4.9% ± 3.0%, 4.2% ± 2.4%, and 4.5% ± 1.7% (all mean ± SD), respectively (P = .521). EFOV sonography should be considered as an alternative technique for the dimension measurements of the thyroid gland, particularly in cases with goiter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This study was undertaken to investigate and compare the accuracy and reliability of dual image and extended field-of-view (EFOV) ultrasound (US) techniques in distance measurements using acoustic phantoms. Ten tissue phantoms were constructed and were scanned twice with an interval of 3 days by two operators. Measurements of various known distance (ranging from 4.6 to 7.2 cm) in the phantoms were made with dual image and EFOV US. Results showed that both dual image and EFOV US have a high accuracy and reliability in distance measurements, with the EFOV US (r = 0.997 to 0.998, reproducibility = 99.8%, repeatability = 98.2 to 99.8%) being slightly more accurate and reliable than dual image US (r = 0.948 to 0.981, reproducibility = 94.6%, repeatability = 89.6 to 97.9%). EFOV US has a higher accuracy and reliability than dual image US in distance measurements. However, the dual image US is a useful alternative with a high accuracy and reliability when EFOV US is not available. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]