【Abstract】ObjectiveTo evaluate the value of MR imaging with a contrast-enhanced multi-phasic isotropic volumetric interpolated breath-hold examination (VIBE) in diagnosis of primary liver carcinoma. MethodsThirty-two consecutive patients with surgical-pathologically confirmed 42 foci of primary carcinoma of liver underwent comprehensive MR examination of the upper abdomen, routine two-dimensional (2D) T1WI and T2WI images were acquired before administration of Gd-DTPA for contrast enhancement. Then, contrast-enhanced multi-phasic VIBE was acquired followed by 2D T1WI images. The lesion appearances on hepatic arterial, portal venous and equilibrium phases of VIBE sequence were carefully observed along with delineation of hepatic arterial and portal venous structures. The lesion detection rates and lesion characterization ability were compared among various MR sequences. Results33(78.6%), 30(71.4%), 38(90.5%) and 42(100%) foci were displayed respectively on T2WI, non-enhanced T1WI, enhanced T1WI and enhanced 3D-VIBE images (P＜0.05). The hepatic arterial anatomy of 30 patients （93.8%） and the portal venous structure of 31 patients （96.9%） were clearly depicted on enhanced 3D-VIBE images. Using MIP and MPR reconstruction techniques, the feeding arteries of 14 foci and draining vein of 12 foci were clearly displayed.ConclusionHigh-quality 3D-VIBE images are not only better than 2D images in lesion detection and characterization for primary liver carcinoma, but also able to provide much more information about hepatic vascular anatomy.
Objective To investigate the feasibility of establishing the visualization models of intraneural microvessels of sciatic nerves in Sprague Dawley (SD) rats by systemic infusion of Evan’s blue (EB) or lead oxide and to compare the advantages and disadvantages. Methods Fifteen healthy adult SD rats of either gender, weighing 200-250 g, were randomly divided into traditional group (group A, n=5), fluorescence group (group B, n=5), and radiography group (group C, n=5). Ink, EB, and lead oxide, all mixed with gelatin solution, were injected in groups A, B, and C, respectively. After 2 hours of cryopreservation under 4°C, all sciatic nerves were harvested and observed through stereomicroscope to make sure the filling condition. The two-dimentional (2D) images were then collected via reflexion fluorescent microscope in group B and via micro-CT scan in group C. All images were imported into computer to establish three-dimentional (3D) reconstruction models by Mimics 15.0. Results All groups could show the outline of intraneural microvessels of sciatic nerves under stereomicroscope. Diameters of them were measured under fluorescent microscope, ranging from 10 µm to 30 µm. Both groups B and C could establish 3D reconstruction models from 2D images. These models could clearly reproduce the structure of microvessels. Conclusion Both EB and lead oxide can be used to establish 3D reconstruction models to observe structure of the intraneural vessels. However, EB has some disadvantages, such as predisposition to infiltration, grainy 2D images and time-consuming procedure; it is not suitable for researches of large specimen. Though 2D pictures from lead oxide have lower resolution than EB, it is easier to be manipulated and appropriate for experiments of large specimen.
The geometric bone model of patients is an important basis for individualized biomechanical modeling and analysis, formulation of surgical planning, design of surgical guide plate, and customization of artificial joint. In this study, a rapid three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction method based on statistical shape model was proposed for femur. Combined with the patient plain X-ray film data, rapid 3D modeling of individualized patient femur geometry was realized. The average error of 3D reconstruction was 1.597–1.842 mm, and the root mean square error was 1.453–2.341 mm. The average errors of femoral head diameter, cervical shaft angle, offset distance and anteversion angle of the reconstructed model were 0.597 mm, 1.163°, 1.389 mm and 1.354°, respectively. Compared with traditional modeling methods, the new method could achieve rapid 3D reconstruction of femur more accurately in a shorter time. This paper provides a new technology for rapid 3D modeling of bone geometry, which is helpful to promote rapid biomechanical analysis for patients, and provides a new idea for the selection of orthopedic implants and the rapid research and development of customized implants.
ObjectiveTo explore the value and role of post-processing techniques such as 3D reconstruction in the online education mode in neurosurgery undergraduate clinical probation teaching.MethodsA retrospective analysis method was used to collect 120 clinical 5-year medical students who were trained in neurosurgery at West China Hospital of Sichuan University from January 2019 to May 2020, including 40 students receiving traditional imaging materials offline (control group 1), 40 students being taught on image post-processing technology offline (control group 2), and 40 students being taught on-line image post-processing technology during the novel coronavirus epidemic (observational group). The students’ scores of departmental rotation examination and feedback survey results on teaching satisfaction were collected, and multiple comparison was conducted between the observational group and the two control groups respectively.ResultIn the control group 1, the control group 2, and the observational group, the theoretical test scores were 36.80±3.22, 38.17±2.61, and 38.97±2.79, respectively; the case analysis scores were 37.05±2.01, 38.40±2.62, and 39.25±2.88, respectively; the total scores were 73.85±5.06, 76.57±4.29, and 78.10±4.53, respectively; the scores of interest in teaching were 84.47±3.71, 86.05±2.87, and 86.82±2.60, respectively; the scores of mastery of knowledge were 82.85±4.39, 84.90±2.72, and 85.78±2.36, respectively; and the scores of overall satisfaction with teaching were 84.17±3.45, 85.97±2.64, and 86.37±2.59, respectively. The differences among the three groups were all statistically significant (P<0.05). The observational group differed significantly from the control group 1 in all the above scores (P<0.05), while did not differed from the control group 2 in any of the above scores (P>0.05).ConclusionsIn neurosurgery internship activities, the online application of image post-processing techniques such as 3D reconstruction will help students establish 3D spatial concepts, better understand the brain anatomy, and improve students’ academic performance and acceptance.
Objective To explore the guiding significance of preoperative 3D reconstruction for pulmonary nodule location and thoracoscopic surgical method selection in lung cancer patients. Methods The clinical data of the patients with preoperative 3D reconstruction in our China-Japan Friendship Hospital between January and November 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. Preoperative surgical planning was performed using 3D reconstruction. Different surgical procedure, including wedge resection, segmentectomy, lobectomy, or combined surgical procedure were performed based on tumor location, size and distance from the pleura. Results A total of 115 patients were included with 45 males and 70 females, at an average age of 25-84 (58.29±11.36) years and successfully completed the operation. Fifty-five (47.8%) patients' nodule diameter was tangent cross-section, among whom twenty-five (21.7%) patients of nodules crossed sections. There were 21 patients of wedge resection in the outer 1/3 nodules of CT, which had shorter operation time and less cost (P<0.001) and less intraoperative bleeding (P=0.019). For the crossing sections or edge crossing sections nodules of the middle and inner of CT, 6 patients were of simple pulmonary segmentectomy, 8 patients of combined with sub-segmentectomy, 7 patients of combined segmentectomy, 5 patients of lobectomy, and 3 patients of wedge resection. Conclusion The proportion of cross-segment pulmonary nodules is relatively high. For the outer 1/3 nodules of CT, compared with pulmonary segmental resection combined with adjacent lung tissue resection, wedge resection can also ensure sufficient surgical margin, and the middle and inner 1/3 nodules of CT need to be combined with adjacent pulmonary tissue resection to ensure the surgical edge.
Objective To investigate the cl inical results of the flap pedicled with collateral branch of descendingrarus of lateral circumflex femoral artery with digital three-dimensional reconstruction technique for lower l imb soft tissue defects. Methods Between March 2009 and January 2010, 7 patients with lower l imb soft tissue defects were treated with free flap pedicled with collateral branch of descending rarus of lateral circumflex femoral artery. There were 6 males and 1 female with an age range from 6 to 51 years. They were injured by traffic accident (4 cases), or by object hit from height (3 cases). The locations were foot in 2 cases, ankle in 2 cases, and anterior tibia in 3 cases. The disease duration was 8 hours to 40 days (mean, 20 days). All the cases compl icated by exposure of tendons or bones. The areas of soft tissue defect ranged from 12 cm × 7 cm to 20 cm × 14 cm. Free flaps were transplanted at 4 to 16 days after symptomatic treatment. Before operation, all the flaps were designed with digital three-dimensional reconstruction technique. The size of flaps ranged from 15 cm × 9 cm to 22 cm × 16 cm The donor sites were closed directly in all cases. Results All the flaps survived. The wounds and incisions at donor sites healed by first intention. All the patients were followed up 6 to 12 months. The texture, appearance, and function of the flaps were satisfactory, and no compl ication occurred. All the flaps had protective sensation, which could meet the requirement of the daily l ife. The function of ankle was satisfactory with normal walk; the extension was 19-22° and the flexion was 30-36°. No obvious scar formed at donor sites. Conclusion The flap pedicled with collateral branch of descending rarus of lateral circumflex femoral artery has rel iable blood supply, easy operation, l ittle influence on the donor site, and high success rate with digital three-dimensional reconstruction technique. It is an excellent option for repairing lower l imb soft tissue defects.
ObjectiveTo further understand the anatomical characteristics and rules of left upper lingual pulmonary artery.MethodsCT data of 120 patients (82 males, 38 females, median age of 65 years ranging 36-78 years) with pulmonary nodules from December 2018 to August 2020 in our hospital were retrospectively analyzed. The anatomic characteristics of the lingual segment of the upper left lung were analyzed by three-dimensional reconstruction. ResultsMediastinal lingual artery appeared in 34 of the 120 patients, accounting for 28.4%. There were 26 patientsof mixed mediastinal/interlobar type, 8 patients of pure mediastinal lingual artery, and 92.3% (24/26) mixed mediastinal/interlobar type blood vessel contained A4b. Fifty-eight (58/120, 48.3%) patients had interlobar type A4+5 type, the rest were two-branches type. And 22 patients of A4 and A5 type accounted for the most two-branches type (22/28, 78.6%). The single-branch type was located at the distal end of A6 in 54 (54/58, 93.1%) patients, originated from the proximal end of A6 in 4 patients, and originated from the basilar artery in 6 patients. The two-branches type was at the distal end of A6 accounting for 50.0% (14/28).ConclusionMediastinal lingual artery is more common than expected, accounting for 28.4%, among which mixed lingual artery is more prevalent, usually located in the first pulmonary trunk, and mostly follows the principle of proximity to supply relevant lung tissues. The location of the interlobar branches in the pulmonary trunk can be at the distal or proximal end of A6, care should be taken to avoid damaging adjacent structures.
Objective To quantitatively evaluate the effect of 2 types of pressures induced injury by using threedimensional (3D) reconstruction of rats loaded tibial is anterior muscle from two-dimensional (2D) image of serial histological sections. Methods Twenty female or male Sprague Dawley rats, aged 10-12 weeks and weighing 280-300 g, were randomlydivided into experimental group (n=10) and control group (n=10). The random side of tibial is anterior muscle was givenintermittent gradient (8.0-21.3 kPa) and sustained (13.3 kPa) pressure in 0.12 cm2 area in experimental group and controlgroup, respectively; the experiment was terminated and the general condition of rats was observed after 3 cycles, and a single cycle included 2 hours of compression and 30 minutes of release. The general observations of pressed skin and tibial is anterior muscle were done after 24 hours of pressure rel ief, and the tibial is anterior muscle was harvested integrally from the loaded side, then made into interval 4 μm serial sections. After HE staining, 2D images were obtained. Necrosis and injury areas were distinguished by Image Pro Plus (IPP) 6.0 software and image registration was conducted by Photoshop 8.0.1 after 2D panorama images acquired by digital microscope (× 40) and IPP mosaic software. 3D reconstruction was establ ished via data processing using Mimics 10.1 software so as to get the volume, the surface area, and 3D images of the whole piece of tibial is anterior muscle and injury areas respectively. Results All rats of 2 groups survived till experiment terminated and no skin ulcers occurred after 24 hours. Edema and indentation were observed on press side skin and tibial is anterior muscles of 2 groups, fadeless maroon area was observed in control group. A total of 994 sl ices were obtained from 20 samples of tibial is anterior muscles. 3D images suggested that injury of control group was severe, which penetrated the whole piece of tibial is anterior muscle and expandedalong the tibia bony prominence. By contrast, injury of experimental group was less, but had similar width to the contact surface of indentor. There was no significant difference in the volume and the surface area of tibial is anterior muscle between 2 groups (P gt; 0.05), while the injury volume and the injury surface area were significantly smaller in experimental group than in control group (P lt; 0.05). Conclusion 3D reconstruction is an effective method to quantitatively evaluate pathological changes inside the integrity tissue and can provide the visual basis for the mechanical property distributed in the loaded muscle. Intermittent gradient pressure can reduce deep tissue injury.
Objective To review the research progress on the three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction and visual ization of peri pheral nerve. Methods Literature about the research on the 3D reconstruction and visual ization of peripheral nerve both at home and abroad were extensively reviewed and thoroughly analyzed. Results The appl ication of 3D reconstruction and visual ization technology was capable of not only reappearing the 3D outer contour and spatial adjacent relationship of peripheral nerve veritably but also displaying, rotating, zooming, dividing and real-time measuring their 3D internal structure and the del icate pathways in any direction either separately or totally. Prel iminary achievements were achievedin terms of brachial plexus, lumbosacral plexus, the functional cluster of nerve trunk, intramuscular nerve distribution pattern, peripheral nerve regeneration and the 3D reconstruction and visual ization research of complex tissue including peripheral nerve. However, the research on the visual ization of peripheral nerve was still in the initial stage since such problems as recognition, segmentation, registration and fusion of the peripheral nerve information were not resolved yet. Conclusion Researching 3D reconstruction and visual ization of the peripheral nerve is of great value for updating the diagnosis and treatment principle of peripheral nerve injury, improving its diagnosis and treatment method and launching a new way for the studying and teaching, which may be a new growing point for the peripheral nerve surgery.
Objective To assess the value of precise hepatectomy in treatment of primary hepatocellular carcinoma. Methods Three-dimensional (3D) models from MR image were reconstructed by 3D-Doctor software in 32 patients with primary hepatocellular carcinoma scheduled for liver resection between July 2007 and Sept 2009. From these 3D models, the vena cava, portal vein, hepatic vein, and short hepatic vein images were reconstructed, total liver volume, tumor volume, functional liver volume and ratio of functional liver volume to standard liver volume (SFLVR) were calculated. The patients were followed-up for 1-27 months, with an average of 12 months. Results The anatomic detail of liver veins and its relationship with the tumor could be displayed clearly in liver 3D models. By the 3D models, total liver volume was calculated as （1 353±419）ml, tumor volume as （287±248） ml, functional liver volume as （830±289） ml, and SFLVR as （71±22）%. Of 32 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma, right hemihepatectomy was performed in 8 cases, left hemihepatectomy in 2, and segmental or limited resection in 22. All operations were completed successfully. Postoperative complications included pulmonary infection in 1 case, bile leak in 1, moderate ascites (500-3 000 ml) in 8, and massive ascites (gt;3 000 ml) in 2 including one patient developed hepatic failure. Six and 12-month survival rates were 100% and 87%. Three, 6, and 12-month disease-free survival rates were 78%, 72%, and 72%. Conclusions Precise hepatectomy technique provides an accurate picture of liver veins anatomy and its relationship with the tumor， and allows the procedure to be simulated preoperatively for adequate and safe hepatectomy.