No abstract

There are many potential applications of three-dimensional (3D) image registration in MR-guided radiofrequency (RF) thermal ablation of tumors. For example, after registration of image volumes obtained before and after thermal ablation, a variety of quantitative and visual assessments of therapy were performed. For liver tumors, the accuracy of rigid body, manual registration on 19 pairs of image volumes was evaluated, almost all of which were obtained during thermal treatment sessions. Registration error was estimated as a distance between anatomical landmarks, including both internal vascular structures as well as the surface of the liver. Over all image pairs and throughout a large portion of the liver, the registration error was 3.1 mm (mean + 1 SD). From the bottom to the top of the liver, error increased on the order of 13%, probably because of liver motion and deformation resulting from respiration. Although probably insufficient for blind guidance of therapy, registration accuracy was undoubtedly sufficient for interesting applications in the planning, assessment, and optimization of interventional MR-guided thermal treatment of liver tumors.

With increasing subtended angles, variation of the normal RV appearance is substantially higher on axial views compared with HLA views.

The aim of the present study was to predict paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) in acute ischemic stroke patients with presumed cryptogenic embolic etiology. Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, demographics, blood tests, data of neuroimaging studies such as non-contrast computed tomography (NCCT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), standard 12lead electrocardigraphy (ECG), 24-hour Holter ECG, echocardiography was collected. The diagnostic work-up to detect atrial fibrillation (AF) was either medical history of the patient or 12-lead ECG or 24-hour Holter ECG or continuous ECG monitoring. Score for the targeting of atrial fibrillation (STAF) was calculated for all patients. Cryptogenic ischemic stroke (CS) patients with and without documented AF were recorded. Results: Between July 2014 and December 2015, a total of 133 of the 258 patients with CS were included in this study. Overall, 133 patients were enrolled and AF was detected in 30 (22.6%) patients. In univariate analysis gender (p<0.001), age (p=0.001), smoking habit (p=0.004), aortic and mitral valve insufficiency (p=0.014 and p=0.021), left ventricular systolic dysfunction (p=0.04), and left atrial dilatation (p=0.03) were predictors of AF but multivariate analysis showed that only gender and age were independent predictors of AF in patients with presumed cryptogenic ischemic stroke. According to ROC analysis, area under the curve was 70% and the sensitivity and specificity of STAF score of ≥5 was 86% and 71% respectively. Conclusion: STAF score predicted with fair accuracy, and has a limited use for the risk of PAF in stroke patients.