To investigate the γ pass rate limit of plan verification equipment for volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) plan verification and its sensitivity on the opening and closing errors of multi-leaf collimator (MLC), 50 cases of nasopharyngeal carcinoma VMAT plan with clockwise and counterclockwise full arcs were randomly selected. Eight kinds of MLC opening and closing errors were introduced in 10 cases of them, and 80 plans with errors were generated. Firstly, the plan verification was conducted in the form of field-by-field measurement and true composite measurement. The γ analysis with the criteria of 3% dose difference, distance to agreement of 2 mm, 10% dose threshold, and absolute dose global normalized conditions were performed for these fields. Then gradient analysis was used to investigate the sensitivity of field-by-field measurement and true composite measurement on MLC opening and closing errors, and the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was used to investigate the optimal threshold of γ pass rate for identifying errors. Tolerance limits and action limits for γ pass rates were calculated using statistical process control (SPC) method for another 40 cases. The error identification ability using the tolerance limit calculated by SPC method and the universal tolerance limit (95%) were compared with using the optimal threshold of ROC. The results show that for the true composite measurement, the clockwise arc and the counterclockwise arc, the descent gradients of the γ passing rate with per millimeter MLC opening error are 10.61%, 7.62% and 6.66%, respectively, and the descent gradients with per millimeter MLC closing error are 9.75%, 7.36% and 6.37%, respectively. The optimal thresholds obtained by the ROC method are 99.35%, 97.95% and 98.25%, respectively, and the tolerance limits obtained by the SPC method are 98.98%, 97.74% and 98.62%, respectively. The tolerance limit calculated by SPC method is close to the optimal threshold of ROC, both of which could identify all errors of ±2 mm, while the universal tolerance limit can only partially identify them, indicating that the universal tolerance limit is not sensitive on some large errors. Therefore, considering the factors such as ease of use and accuracy, it is suggested to use the true composite measurement in clinical practice, and to formulate tolerance limits and action limits suitable for the actual process of the institution based on the SPC method. In conclusion, it is expected that the results of this study can provide some references for institutions to optimize the radiotherapy plan verification process, set appropriate pass rate limit, and promote the standardization of plan verification.
Objective To explore the correlation between liver volume variation of posthepatitic cirrhosis patients and the severity of the disease. Methods One hundred and eleven patients with normal livers and 74 posthepatitic cirrhosis patients underwent volume CT scan. The relation between normal liver volume and body height, body weight and body surface area was studied by linear regression and correlation method, the standard liver volume equation was deduced. The change ratio of liver volume in cirrhotic patients was calculated and compared with Child classification. Results The mean normal liver volume of Chinese adults was （1 225.15±216.23） cm3, there was a positive correlation between liver volume and body height, body weight 〔liver volume (cm3)=12.712×body weight (kg)+450.44〕 and body surface area 〔liver volume (cm3)=876.02×body surface area (m2)-297.17〕. The mean liver volume of Child A, B and C patients were （1 077.77±347.01） cm3, (1 016.35±348.60) cm3 and (805.73±208.85) cm3 respectively. The liver volume and liver volume index was significantly smaller in Child C patients than those in Child A and B patients (P＜0.05); while liver volume change ratio was higher in Child C patients (P＜0.05). Conclusion Liver volume variation of cirrhotic patients can be quantitatively assessed by 16 slices helical CT volume measurement and standard liver volume equation. The change of the liver volume is correlated with the severity of liver cirrhosis.
ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism of volume-related mitral regurgitation (MR) from the anatomy of mitral valve.MethodsA total of 32 patients with ventricular septal defect (VSD) combined MR meeting inclusion criteria in West China Hospital from September 2018 to November 2019 were enrolled in this study. The direction relative to the cardiac axis: the deviation of the MR bundle along the left atrial wall was eccentric, otherwises it was central. There were 23 patients of VSD and eccentric MR (EMR, a VSD-EMR group), including 10 males and 13 females aged 21 (10, 56) months, and 9 patients of VSD and central MR (CMR, a VSD-CMR group), including 4 males and 5 females aged 26 (12, 87) months. Besides, 9 healthy children were enrolled in a control group, including 4 males and 5 females aged 49 (15, 72) months. All patients underwent transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) examination at 2 weeks before surgery and 6 months after surgery, respectively, The MR degree, end-diastolic volume (EDV), end-systolic volume (ESV), stroke volume (SV), ejection fraction (EF), antero-posterior diameter (AP), annulus circumference (AC), commissural diameter (CD) were assessed.ResultsBefore operation, EDV, ESV, SV, AP, AC and CD in the VSD-EMR and VSD-CMR groups were significantly larger or longer than those in the control group (P<0.05); after operation, EDV, ESV, SV, AP and CD decreased compared with those before operation (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference compared with the control group (P>0.05). Compared with the control group, AC was slightly decreased (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in EF between and within groups before and after operation (P>0.05). The improvement rate of MR was 78.9% (15/19) in the VSD-EMR group and 100.0% (9/9) in the VSD-CMR group.ConclusionAfter unloading of volume, the valve structure is back to normal except AC. The improvement rate of MR in the VSD-EMR group is lower than that in the VSD-CMR group, which may indicate that the mechanism of VSD-EMR is more complicated.
Objective To compare the differences of flow and volume responses in patients with mild to very severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease（COPD） in bronchodilatation test. Methods The different changes of FEV1 and FVC in 217 patients with mild to very severe COPD（GOLD stage Ⅱ-Ⅳ） after inhaling salbutamol were analyzed retrospectively. Results FEV1 and FVC of the patients with COPD at stage Ⅱ-Ⅳ increased remarkably after inhaling β2 agonist，while there were significant differences between the changes of FEV1 and FVC. Increment of FEV1 and FVC (ΔFEV1 and ΔFVC)，representing flow and volume responses respectively，showed a normal distribution. The majority of patients fell in the range of ΔFEV1 from 0.00 to 0.04，0.05 to 0.09 and 0.10 to 0.14 liter，and ΔFVC from 0.00 to 0.09，0.10 to 0.19 and 0.20 to 0.29 liter. There was significant difference of ΔFEV1 among stage Ⅱ-Ⅳ patients with COPD （Plt;0.01），namely more severe the disease less ΔFEV1 got.In the other hand ΔFVC increased along with the progression of COPD，although no significant difference of ΔFVC among stage Ⅱ-Ⅳ patients with COPD was found. Though different changes of ΔFEV1 and ΔFVC were revealed，there was a positive correlation between ΔFEV1 and ΔFVC in patients at each GOLD stage and the correlation became more insignificant with the progression of COPD. Conclusions There are significant differences between post-bronchodilator flow and volume responses in patients with COPD.Flow response decreases remarkably along with the progression of COPD，whereas volume response increases along with the progression of COPD.
Objective To investigate the consistency of regions of interest (ROI) volume among different radiological treatment planning systems (TPS) for the same group of patient data, and analyze the tendency and degree of differences caused by data transfer. Methods Between October 2010 and December 2013, the data of 10 nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients treated in West China Hospital were transferred from Monaco TPS into various other treatment planning systems. Based on different ROI volumes, they were divided into 8 groups. We counted the volume differences between these TPS and Monaco TPS, and carried out the statistical analysis. Results For small ROI volume, the calculated difference reached up to 65% in our study. As a general trend, differences became less and less with the increasing of volumes. But for single ROI, the volume difference was likely to vary randomly. The percentage of ROI volumes which were smaller than that of Monaco TPS was 70% for Raystation TPS, 38.75% for Pinnacle TPS, 88.75% for Eclipse TPS, 97.5% for Masterplan TPS, and 83.13% for iPlan TPS. Conclusions ROI volume differences exist generally among different treatment planning systems when ROIs are transferred among them by DICOM protocol. The volume variations may be affected by multiple factors. The volume consistency should be evaluated before any direct comparison of dose volu me histogram parameters which are done between different systems.
ObjectiveTo compare the dosimetric differences among flattening filter free intensity modulated radiotherapy (3FIMRT), flattening filter free volumetric modulated arc therapy (3FVMAT), filter free intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), and filter free volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) for hyperthyroidism exophthalmus patients.MethodsComputed tomography (CT) scans of 29 patients, who were diagnosed with hyperthyroidism exophthalmus and treated with radiation therapy between September 2016 and September 2017, were selected for study. Four treatment plans with the same dose prescription and objective constrains were designed for each patient based on their images, consisting of IMRT, VMAT, 3FIMRT, and 3FVMAT. The target dosimetric distribution, normal tissue radiation dose, monitor units, and treatment time of each plan were evaluated.ResultsFour types of plans were all able to satisfy the clinical treatment requirements, and there were no significant differences in maximum dose, mean dose (Dmean), homogeneity index of the targets (P>0.05). For the parameters minimum dose, V50%, conformity index (CI), gradient index of the targets, statistically significant differences were observed among the four kinds of technologies (F=10.920, 35.860, 11.320, 17.790; P<0.05). The CI of IMRT and 3FIMRT were superior to those of VMAT and 3FVMAT, but there was no significant difference between IMRT and 3FIMRT. In terms of Lens Dmean and Brain Dmean, statistically significant differences were observed among the four kinds of technologies (F=5.054, 83.780; P<0.05). For Lens Dmean and Brain Dmean, 3FVMAT achieved better sparing effects when compared with the other three plans. The total monitor units and treatment time did not significantly differ between 3FVMAT and VMAT. The mean monitor units of 3FVMAT were 65.07% and 70.22% less than that of IMRT and 3FIMRT respectively. The mean treatment time of 3FVMAT were 48.1% and 35.24% less than that of IMRT and 3FIMRT respectively.Conclusion3FVMAT can bring more dosimetric advantages for hyperthyroidism exophthalmus radiation therapy when compared with IMRT, 3FIMRT, and VMAT.
ObjectiveTo investigate the risk factors of cement leakage in percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) for osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture (OVCF). MethodsBetween March 2011 and March 2012, 98 patients with single level OVCF were treated by PVP, and the cl inical data were analyzed retrospectively. There were 13 males and 85 females, with a mean age of 77.2 years (range, 54-95 years). The mean disease duration was 43 days (range, 15-120 days), and the mean T score of bone mineral density (BMD) was-3.8 (range, -6.7--2.5). Bilateral transpedicular approach was used in all the patients. The patients were divided into cement leakage group and no cement leakage group by occurrence of cement leakage based on postoperative CT. Single factor analysis was used to analyze the difference between 2 groups in T score of BMD, operative level, preoperative anterior compression degree of operative vertebrae, preoperative middle compression degree of operative vertebrae, preoperative sagittal Cobb angle of operative vertebrae, preoperative vertebral body wall incompetence, cement volume, and volume ratio of intravertebral bone cement to vertebral body. All relevant factors were introduced to logistic regression analysis to analyze the risk factors of cement leakage. ResultsAll procedures were performed successfully. The mean operation time was 40 minutes (range, 30-50 minutes), and the mean volume ratio of intravertebral bone cement to vertebral body was 24.88% (range, 7.84%-38.99%). Back pain was alleviated significantly in all the patients postoperatively. All patients were followed up with a mean time of 8 months (range, 6-12 months). Cement leakage occurred in 49 patients. Single factor analysis showed that there were significant differences in the volume ratio of intravertebral bone cement to vertebral body and preoperative vertebral body wall incompetence between 2 groups (P < 0.05), while no significant difference in T score of BMD, operative level, preoperative anterior compression degree of operative vertebrae, preoperative middle compression degree of operative vertebrae, preoperative sagittal Cobb angle of operative vertebrae, and cement volume (P > 0.05). The logistic regression analysis showed that the volume ratio of intravertebral bone cement to vertebral body (P < 0.05) and vertebral body wall incompetence (P < 0.05) were the risk factors for occurrence of cement leakage. ConclusionThe volume ratio of intravertebral bone cement to vertebral body and vertebral body wall incompetence are risk factors of cement leakage in PVP for OVCF. Cement leakage is easy to occur in operative level with vertebral body wall incompetence and high volume ratio of intravertebral bone cement to vertebral body.
ObjectiveTo study the model to predict thymus volume with two-dimensional section diameters among fetuses. MethodsFrom September 2010 to March 2012, 210 singleton pregnant women suspected with fetal abnormality by prenatal ultrasonic testing were confirmed using MRI technology. Three two-dimensional section diameters of thymus were measured and the volume was calculated. No abnormal fetuses regarded as the standard, theoretical normal volume of fetal thymus was calculated. Paired t-test was used to compare the actual thymus volume with its corresponding theoretical normal value, and thus the fetuses were divided into two groups of normal and dysplasia so as to establish predictive model respectively. With two-dimensional section diameters as independent variables and thymus volume as dependent variable, the linear regression model was established. According to the model, the thymus volume was predicted and the error rate was calculated by formula: error rate=(predicted value-actual value) /actual value×100%. The Pearson correlation coefficient of error rate and fetal gestational age was calculated. ResultsThe models of normal and dysplasia groups to predict thymus volume were lnV=0.016d1+0.030d2+0.086d3+5.707+ε (R2=0.510) and lnV=0.048d1+0.036d2+0.016d3+6.011+ε (R2=0.447). The average absolute values of predicted error rate were 4.34% and 5.34% and decreased with fetal gestational age (normal r=-0.264, P=0.007; dysplasia r=-0.182, P=0.060). ConclusionThe prediction effects of above models are not so good and the model accuracy increases with fetal gestational age. Normal fetuses' model of different gestational age should be established to predict thymus volume by conducting large sample size study in the future. The modeling approach has certain practicability and clinical value and can be applied in ultrasonic technique.
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of pressure control ventilation-volume guaranteed (PCV-VG) for patients undergoing da Vinci robotic-assisted pulmonary lobotomy. MethodA total of 40 patients undergoing Da Vinci robotic-assisted pulmonary lobotomy were randomly divided into two groups:a PCV-VG group (G group) and a volume-controlled ventilation (VCV) group (V group). There were 20 patients in each group with 13 males and 7 females at age of 49.0±5.5 years in the G group, 16 males and 4 females at age of 51.0±3.9 years in the V group. Haemodynamics indexes and oxygenation parameters were recorded at different times and compared between the two groups. ResultsDuring one-lung ventilation (OLV) period, the peak inspiratory pressure (Ppeak), respiratory index (RI) and arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2) in the G group were statistically lower than those in the V group (P<0.05). While the Cdyn and inspired oxygen fraction(OI) were higher in the G group than those in the V group (P<0.05). ConclusionCompared with the traditional VCV ventilation mode, the PCV-VG ventilation mode improves Ppeak, Cdyn, OI, and RI of the patients undergoing da Vinci robotic-assisted pulmonary lobotomy.
ObjectiveTo investigate the role of amygdala volume index(AVI) in surgcial evaluation in patients with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (mTLE), including clinical features, etiologies and surgical outcome. MethodsThirty six patients were diagnosed as mTLE after surgical evaluation including clinical manifestations, video-electroencephalogram (VEEG) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University between March 2013 and March 2016. Bilateral amygdala AVI was then calculated from amygdala volumes on MRI, which were measured with region of interest (ROI) analysis. All patients were treated surgically. Etiologies of mTLE were further confirmed by the histopathology of the resected tissue. ResultsAmong the 35 patients, there is a strong correlation between AVI on the lesion side and age of onset (R =-0.389, P = 0.019) as well as age of surgery (R =-0.357, P = 0.032). No obvious relation can be seen between AVI and gender, history of febrile convulsion, duration of epilepsy, secondary generalized seizure, side of lesion, presurgical seizure frequency and electrode implantation. There is no significant difference in AVI among the five etiologies. At follow-up, thirty patients (80.5%) reached seizure-free, AVI on the lesion side is nota predictor of surgical failure (P > 0.05). ConclusionAVI plays a role in etiology evaluation in patients with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy. Moreover, a larger AVI on the lesion side is correlated with an earlier age of onset. There is limited value of amygdala volume insurgical outcome prediction of patients with mTLE.