Resistive gas sensors for the detection of NH3gas based on 2D WS2, WSe2, MoS2, and MoSe2: a review.

Transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) with a two-dimensional (2D) structure and semiconducting features are highly favorable for the production of NH3gas sensors. Among the TMD family, WS2, WSe2, MoS2, and MoSe2exhibit high conductivity and a high surface area, along with high availability, reasons for which they are favored in gas-sensing studies. In this review, we have discussed the structure, synthesis, and NH3sensing characteristics of pristine, decorated, doped, and composite-based WS2, WSe2, MoS2, and MoSe2gas sensors. Both experimental and theoretical studies are considered. Furthermore, both room temperature and higher temperature gas sensors are discussed. We also emphasized the gas-sensing mechanism. Thus, this review provides a reference for researchers working in the field of 2D TMD gas sensors.

Successful Endovascular Management of Pseudoaneurysm following Transarterial Chemoembolization: A Case Report.

Background and Objectives: Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is a widely accepted treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Regarding TACE, arterial injuries, such as hepatic artery spasm or dissection, can also occur, although pseudoaneurysms are rare. We report a case of pseudoaneurysm following TACE. Materials and Methods: A 78-year-old man had been undergoing TACE for HCC in segment 8 of the liver for the past 5 years, with the most recent TACE procedure performed approximately 1 month prior. He presented to the emergency department with melena that persisted for 5 days. Computed tomography revealed a pseudoaneurysm in the S8 hepatic artery with hemobilia. Results: the pseudoaneurysm was successfully treated by N-Butyl-cyanoacrylate glue embolization. Conclusions: In patients that have undergone TACE presenting with melena and hemobilia identified on CT, consideration of hepatic artery pseudoaneurysm is crucial. Such cases can be safely and effectively treated with endovascular managements.

Predicting the risk of early bleeding following endoscopic variceal ligation in cirrhotic patients with computed tomography.

BACKGROUND: Life-threatening bleeding following endoscopic variceal ligation (EVL) in patients with cirrhosis rarely can occur. The present study aimed to evaluate the performance of computed tomography (CT) in predicting the risk of early bleeding following EVL in cirrhotic patients. METHODS: We retrospectively investigated 285 cirrhotic patients who had undergone EVL. EVL was performed for prophylaxis or acute variceal bleeding. The patients were classified into 2 groups: early bleeding (< 14 days after EVL) and non-early bleeding. We compared baseline characteristics including CT findings between the patient groups. RESULTS: Among the 285 patients who underwent EVL treatment, 19 patients (6.7%) experienced early bleeding. On average, these bleeding occurred 9.3 ± 3.5 days after the EVL, with a range of 3 to 13 days. Patients who experience early bleeding had a higher six-week bleeding-related mortality rate compared to those in the non-early bleeding group (31.6% vs. 10.2%; p = 0.014). There was a correlation between the grade of esophageal varix observed during endoscopy and the diameter of esophageal varix observed on CT (p < 0.001). The diameter of esophageal varix on CT was identified as the only significant predictive factor for early bleeding (p = 0.005). CONCLUSION: A larger esophageal varix diameter observed on CT is associated with an increased risk of early bleeding after EVL treatment. Early identification of this high-risk group can provide a change of treatment strategies to improve patient outcomes.

Disrupted intestinal mucosal barrier mediated by alcohol consumption aggravates systemic microplastic accumulation.

Waste plastics are degraded into microplastics (MPs), which are easily accumulated in the human body through digestive tracts, via the food chain. Alcohol is a widely consumed chemical throughout the world with the ability to alter the intestinal barrier. For this reason, this study was aimed to investigate exact relevance between alcohol consumption and organ distributions of MPs in an ethanol feeding animal model characterized by disrupted intestinal mucosal barriers. In this study, C57BL/6 mice were separated into control, control + MP, ethanol (EtOH), and EtOH + MP groups. Mice in the EtOH group ingested a Lieber-DeCarli diet containing EtOH. Mice in the MP groups ingested 0.1 mg/kg fluorophore polymerized polystyrene microplastics via oral gavage polystyrene MPs via oral gavage. The EtOH + MP group showed higher MP accumulation in the liver than the control + MP group. The same pattern was observed in the intestines, spleen, and brain. This pattern was more prominent in the intestines, with the EtOH + MP group showing the most severe damage due to EtOH ingestion. This result suggests that the intestinal mucosa disruption caused by EtOH ingestion exacerbates MP accumulation in the organs. Moreover, hepatic steatosis was more severe in the EtOH + MP group than in the EtOH group, suggesting the secondary manifestation mediated by MP accumulation. This study reports a novel MP accumulation pattern in the body by providing novel insights into alcohol-induced gut permeability and microplastics toxicity from the perspective of gut-liver axis.

Room Temperature Chemiresistive Gas Sensors Based on 2D MXenes.

Owing to their large surface area, two-dimensional (2D) semiconducting nanomaterials have been extensively studied for gas-sensing applications in recent years. In particular, the possibility of operating at room temperature (RT) is desirable for 2D gas sensors because it significantly reduces the power consumption of the sensing device. Furthermore, RT gas sensors are among the first choices for the development of flexible and wearable devices. In this review, we focus on the 2D MXenes used for the realization of RT gas sensors. Hence, pristine, doped, decorated, and composites of MXenes with other semiconductors for gas sensing are discussed. Two-dimensional MXene nanomaterials are discussed, with greater emphasis on the sensing mechanism. MXenes with the ability to work at RT have great potential for practical applications such as flexible and/or wearable gas sensors.

Apocrine cystomatosis: From the aspect of epithelial-mesenchymal transition.

Apocrine cystomatosis, also called epitrichial sweat gland cystomatosis, is a non-neoplastic condition characterised by multiple dilated cysts of sweat gland origin. Histopathologically, these cysts comprise two layers of cells: an inner layer of glandular epithelial cells and an outer layer of myoepithelial cells. A case of apocrine cystomatosis was admitted to a local hospital. The microscopic investigation revealed that some enlarged cysts showed the transition of glandular epithelial cells into a spindle, mesenchymal cell-like morphology. The epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) has long been studied as a pathway for embryogenesis, organ development, and carcinogenesis. While various molecular factors, including cytokines and growth factors, are known to induce EMT, mechanical forces have also been proposed to initiate EMT. The present case describes a possible relationship between EMT occurring in a cystic condition and further pathological inspection.

Vitamin C Deficiency Inhibits Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Progression through Impaired de Novo Lipogenesis.

Despite the increasing clinical importance of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), little is known about its underlying pathogenesis or specific treatment. The senescence marker protein 30 (SMP30), which regulates the biosynthesis of vitamin C (VC) in many mammals, except primates and humans, was recently recognized as a gluconolactonase. However, the precise relation between VC and lipid metabolism in NAFLD is not completely understood. Therefore, this study aimed to clearly reveal the role of VC in NAFLD progression. SMP30 knockout (KO) mice were used as a VC-deficient mouse model. To investigate the precise role of VC on lipid metabolism, 13- to 15-week-old SMP30 KO mice and wild-type mice fed a 60% high-fat diet were exposed to tap water or VC-containing water (1.5 g/L) ad libitum for 11 weeks. Primary mouse hepatocytes isolated from the SMP30 KO and wild-type mice were used to demonstrate the relation between VC and lipid metabolism in hepatocytes. Long-term VC deficiency significantly suppressed the progression of simple steatosis. The high-fat diet-fed VC-deficient SMP30 KO mice exhibited impaired sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c activation because of excessive cholesterol accumulation in hepatocytes. Long-term VC deficiency inhibits de novo lipogenesis through impaired sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c activation.

Percutaneous N-Butyl-Cyanoacrylate Embolization for Treating Ruptured Pancreaticoduodenal Aneurysm: A Case Report.

Background and Objectives: Pancreaticoduodenal artery aneurysms are rare visceral artery aneurysms. Interventional treatments, including transcatheter embolization, have an acceptable success rate. We report a case of ruptured pancreaticoduodenal aneurysm that was successfully treated with percutaneous N-Butyl-cyanoacrylate (NBCA) embolization after failed transcatheter embolization. Materials and Methods: A 53-year-old man presented to the emergency department with abdominal pain. Computed tomography (CT) revealed a ruptured aneurysm in the inferior pancreaticoduodenal artery (IPDA) with retrohemoperitoneum. The patient underwent percutaneous NBCA embolization after transcatheter embolization failure. Results: On CT, the pancreaticoduodenal aneurysm was completely embolized. No additional bleeding events occurred. Conclusions: Percutaneous NBCA embolization is safe and effective for treating patients with ruptured pancreaticoduodenal aneurysms after failed transcatheter embolization.

Absent or impaired rectoanal inhibitory reflex as a diagnostic factor for high-grade (grade III-V) rectal prolapse: a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Clinically diagnosing high-grade (III-V) rectal prolapse might be difficult, and the prolapse can often be overlooked. Even though defecography is the significant diagnostic tool for rectal prolapse, it is noticed that rectoanal inhibitory reflex (RAIR) can be associated with rectal prolapse. This study investigated whether RAIR can be used as a diagnostic factor for rectal prolapse. METHODS: In this retrospective study, we evaluated 107 patients who underwent both anorectal manometry and defecography between July 2012 and December 2019. Rectal prolapse was classified in accordance with the Oxford Rectal Prolapse Grading System. Patients in the high-grade (III-V) rectal prolapse (high-grade group, n = 30), and patients with no rectal prolapse or low-grade (I, II) rectal prolapse (low-grade group, n = 77) were analyzed. Clinical variables, including symptoms such as fecal incontinence, feeling of prolapse, and history were collected. Symptoms were assessed using yes/no surveys answered by the patients. The manometric results were also evaluated. RESULTS: Frequencies of fecal incontinence (p = 0.002) and feeling of prolapse (p < 0.001) were significantly higher in the high-grade group. The maximum resting (77.5 vs. 96 mmHg, p = 0.011) and squeezing (128.7 vs. 165 mmHg, p = 0.010) anal pressures were significantly lower in the high-grade group. The frequency of absent or impaired RAIR was significantly higher in the high-grade group (19 cases, 63% vs. 20 cases, 26%, p < 0.001). In a multivariate analysis, the feeling of prolapse (odds ratio [OR], 23.88; 95% confidence interval [CI], 4.43-128.78; p < 0.001) and absent or impaired RAIR (OR, 5.36; 95% CI, 1.91-15.04, p = 0.001) were independent factors of high-grade (III-V) rectal prolapse. In addition, the percentage of the absent or impaired RAIR significantly increased with grading increase of rectal prolapse (p < 0.001). The sensitivity of absent or impaired RAIR as a predictor of high-grade prolapse was 63.3% and specificity 74.0%. CONCLUSIONS: Absent or impaired RAIR was a meaningful diagnostic factor of high-grade (III-V) rectal prolapse. Furthermore, the absent or impaired reflex had a positive linear trend according to the increase of rectal prolapse grading.

Senescence Marker Protein 30 (SMP30): A Novel Pan-Species Diagnostic Marker for the Histopathological Diagnosis of Breast Cancer in Humans and Animals.

Senescence marker protein 30 (SMP30) is a cell survival factor playing an important role in vitamin C synthesis and antiapoptosis. Moreover, its cytoprotective role suggests a possibility to be related to cancer cell survival. Mammary carcinoma is a common cancer in both humans and animals. Because of its histopathological diversity, especially in the early stage, histopathological diagnosis may be complicated; therefore, a diagnostic marker is helpful for confirmation. The present study analyzed the expression pattern of SMP30 in mammary carcinoma in humans, dogs, and cats. Immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, and western blot analysis were used to investigate SMP30 expression patterns. The expression was specifically observed in neoplastic glandular epithelial cells. The expression increased with the malignancy of glandular epithelial cells with a highly proliferative status. However, SMP30 expression was low in normal mammary gland tissues or well-differentiated adenoma tissues. The patterns were consistently reproduced in canine primary mammary carcinoma cells and MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 human carcinoma cell lines. This study provides useful information to understand SMP30 expression in various stages of mammary carcinoma and to suggest its utility as a pan-species diagnostic marker, thereby helping to establish strategies for diagnosing mammary carcinoma in several species.

Modified CAIPIRINHA-VIBE without view-sharing on gadoxetic acid-enhanced multi-arterial phase MR imaging for diagnosing hepatocellular carcinoma: comparison with the CAIPIRINHA-Dixon-TWIST-VIBE.

PURPOSE: We evaluated the detection rate and degree of motion artifact of the modified CAIPIRINHA-VIBE (mC-VIBE) without view-sharing and compare them with the CAIPIRINHA-Dixon-TWIST-VIBE (CDT-VIBE) with view-sharing on multi-arterial gadoxetic acid-enhanced liver MRI in the assessment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). MATERIAL AND METHODS: We retrospectively identified 114 pathological-proven hepatic tumors in 114 patients with risk of HCC who underwent multi-arterial gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI between June 2016 and June 2018. All patients underwent triple arterial phase imaging using the mC-VIBE without view-sharing (54 patients; 49 HCCs and 5 non-HCCs) or the CDT-VIBE with view-sharing (60 patients; 55 HCCs and 5 non-HCCs). We compared the detection rate of two sequences for HCC, with reference to LI-RADS.V.2017. We also compared the mean motion scores and proportions of transient severe motion (TSM) in two sequences. RESULT: For the examination using the mC-VIBE, the HCC-detection rate was significantly higher, compared with that using CDT-VIBE (93.9% [46/49] vs 80.0% [44/55], respectively; p = 0.047). For the examination with the mC-VIBE, mean motion scores were significantly lower compared with those of CDT-VIBE for all multi-arterial phases (1.21, 1.19, and 1.15 vs. 1.82, 1.85, and 1.84, respectively; p < 0.001 for all three comparisons). The proportion of TSM in the CDT-VIBE was significantly higher than that in the mC-VIBE (15.0% [9/60] vs 0.0% [0/54], respectively; p = 0.003). CONCLUSION: In multi-arterial phase gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI, the mC-VIBE sequence without view-sharing has slightly higher HCC-detection rate and fewer motion artifacts compared with CDT-VIBE with view-sharing. KEY POINTS: • Multi-arterial phase using the mC-VIBE without view-sharing can overcome motion artifacts, resulting in providing optimal arterial phase imaging. • The HCC-detection rate is slightly higher with the mC-VIBE vs. CAIPIRINHA-Dixon-TWIST-VIBE with view-sharing (CDT-VIBE). • View-sharing of CDT-VIBE in the multi-arterial phase is associated with increased frequency of TSM.

Low-Dose CT With the Adaptive Statistical Iterative Reconstruction V Technique in Abdominal Organ Injury: Comparison With Routine-Dose CT With Filtered Back Projection.

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the diagnostic performance and image quality of low-dose CT performed with adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction (ASIR)-V with those of routine-dose CT with filtered back projection (FBP) in the evaluation of abdominal organ injury. MATERIALS AND METHODS. The study enrolled 197 patients with trauma who underwent multiphase abdominal CT, including routine-dose portal venous phase imaging with FBP and low-dose delayed phase imaging with 50% ASIR-V. The presence of abdominal organ injuries (liver, spleen, pancreas, kidney) was reviewed, and injuries were graded according to American Association for the Surgery of Trauma (AAST) scales. CT detection rates of organ injury and AAST grading with the two protocols were compared by McNemar test. Subjective analysis of image noise and artifacts and objective analysis of CT noise were performed by unpaired t test. RESULTS. Compared with the routine-dose protocol, the low-dose protocol enabled an mean dose reduction of 59.8%. The detection rates and diagnostic performance of AAST grading did not differ significantly between the two protocols (detection rate, p = 0.289; diagnostic performance, p > 0.999). Objective image noise was significantly less with the low-dose protocol than with the routine-dose protocol (p < 0.001). Subjective imaging artifacts were similar between the low-dose and routine-dose protocols (p = 0.539). CONCLUSION. Compared with routine-dose protocol with FBP, low-dose CT with ASIR-V was useful for assessing multiorgan abdominal injury without impairing image quality.

The Effect of Au/Ag Bimetallic Thin-Films on Surface Plasmon Resonance Properties Comparing with Those of Au and Ag Single Thin-Films.

The surface plasmon resonance (SPR) properties of Au/Ag bimetallic thin-film nanostructures were investigated to improve the chemical stability and the figure of merit (FOM) in the SPR sensors. The SPR characteristics such as resonance angle, extinction ratio, and full width half maximum (FWHM) were calculated by the simulation of the finite-difference time-domain method and were measured using the laser with a 632.8 nm wavelength in the Kretschmann-Raether configuration. The measured resonance angle, extinction ratio, FWHM of Au(20 nm)/Ag(20 nm) thin-film nanostructure were found to be 44°, 0.8, and 1.4°, respectively. The FOM values were determined to be 56.9 for Au/Ag bimetallic thin-film, 47.9 for Au(50 nm) single thin-film, and 89.1 for Ag(50 nm) single thin-film. Also the sensitivity values were about 53.5, 57.0, and 57.8°/RIU for Au(50 nm), Ag(50 nm), and Au(20 nm)/Ag(20 nm) thin-film nanostructures in the SPR sensors, respectively. The SPR properties of Au/Ag bimetallic thin-film nanostructures were compared with those of the Au and Ag single thin-film nanostructures.

Fabrication of Up-Conversion Phosphor Films on Flexible Substrates Using a Nanostructured Organo-Silicon.

Up-conversion phosphors have attracted considerable attention because of their applications in solid-state lasers, optical communications, flat-panel displays, photovoltaic cells, and biological labels. Among them, NaYF4 is reported as one of the most efficient hosts for infrared to visible photon up-conversion of Yb3+ and Er3+ ions. However, a low-temperature method is required for industrial scale fabrication of photonic and optoelectronic devices on flexible organic substrates. In this study, hexagonal ß-NaYF4: 3 mol% Yb3+, 3 mol% Er3+ up-conversion phosphor using Ca2+ was prepared by chemical solution method. Then, we synthesized a nanostructured organo-silicon compound from methyl tri-methoxysilane and 3-glycidoxy-propyl-trimethoxy-silane. The transmittance of the organo-silicon compound was found to be over 90% in the wavelength range of 400~1500 nm. Then we prepared a fluoride-based phosphor paste by mixing the organo-silicon compound with Na(Ca)YF4:Yb3+, Er3+. Subsequently, this paste was coated on polyethylene terephthalate, followed by heat-treatment at 120 °C. The visible emission of the infrared detection card was found to be at 655 nm and 661 nm an excitation wavelength of 980 nm.

Optical Characteristics of Double Layered Plasmonic Structure Using Nanopatterning Process.

A double layered plasmonic device based on transferring technique with polystyrene nano-beads is analyzed and demonstrated to increase the sensing characteristics of plasmonic sensor system. The double layered plasmonic devices are calculated using the three-dimensional finite-difference time-domain method for the width and thickness of the nano-hole structures. The double layered plasmonic devices with different diameters of the Au nano-hole are fabricated by transferring method with commercially available chloromethyl latex with a diameter of 0.42 µm. The optimum sensing characteristic of the proposed plasmonic device is obtained with the film and the hole thickness of 15 and 15 nm in the 246 nm wide nano-hole size. The best sensitivity of the proposed plasmonic sensor is 67.7 degree/RIU when the sensitivity of the conventional plasmonic sensor is 42.2 degree/RIU.

Prognostic Value of Computed Tomography-Detected Extramural Venous Invasion to Predict Disease-Free Survival in Patients With Gastric Cancer.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate whether there is a correlation between the computed tomography-detected extramural venous invasion (ctEMVI) and disease-free survival (DFS) in patients with gastric cancer using pathologic lymphovascular invasion as a reference standard. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 153 patients with gastric cancer who underwent computed tomography during 1 year. Differences in pathological findings between the ctEMVI-positive and ctEMVI-negative groups were analyzed. Disease-free survival was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Factors affecting DFS were analyzed with the Cox proportional hazard model. RESULTS: The ctEMVI-positive group was correlated more with lymphovascular invasion (P = 0.008). The 1- and 2-year DFS rates were 92% and 80%, respectively, in the ctEMVI-negative group, but 77% and 54%, respectively, in the ctEMVI-positive group. A multivariate analysis revealed that tumor size, ctEMVI, and pathological stage remained associated with DFS (Ps = 0.037, 0.015, and 0.002, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The ctEMVI was an independent prognostic factor for worse DFS in patients with gastric cancer.

Efficacy and patency of primary stenting for hepatic venous outflow obstruction after living donor liver transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Hepatic venous outflow is important for graft survival in living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). If hepatic venous outflow obstruction occurs, hepatic vein stenting is considered to restore the patency. PURPOSE: To retrospectively evaluate the efficacy and patency of primary hepatic vein stenting for hepatic venous outflow obstruction (HVOO) after LDLT. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Percutaneous interventions, including hepatic vein stent placement with or without balloon angioplasty, were performed in 21 patients who had undergone LDLT and had HVOO confirmed through hepatic venography or manometry, including the patients who had a structural abnormality. Two stents each were inserted in four patients; therefore, the total number of treated anastomoses was 25. Technical success, patency rates, and pressure gradients between hepatic veins and the right atrium were evaluated in 19 patients each. RESULTS: Technical success was achieved in 25 of 26 vessels (96%). The mean interval between operation and stenting was 43 days. After the procedure, the follow-up period was a mean 530 days. The mean pressure gradient decreased from 8.5 mmHg to 2.1 mmHg after treatment (P < 0.01). The patency rates of the 25 vessels were 80% at 1, 2, and 3 years after stent placement. However, middle hepatic vein stenting revealed a low patency rate (all were 36%). Three of seven stents (43%) in the middle hepatic vein occluded during follow-up. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous primary hepatic vein stent replacement is an effective treatment for HVOO after LDLT.

Comparison of the image qualities of filtered back-projection, adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction, and model-based iterative reconstruction for CT venography at 80 kVp.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the subjective and objective qualities of computed tomography (CT) venography images at 80 kVp using model-based iterative reconstruction (MBIR) and to compare these with those of filtered back projection (FBP) and adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction (ASIR) using the same CT data sets. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-four patients (mean age: 56.1 ± 18.1) who underwent 80 kVp CT venography (CTV) for the evaluation of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) during 4 months were enrolled in this retrospective study. The same raw data were reconstructed using FBP, ASIR, and MBIR. Objective and subjective image analysis were performed at the inferior vena cava (IVC), femoral vein, and popliteal vein. RESULTS: The mean CNR of MBIR was significantly greater than those of FBP and ASIR and images reconstructed using MBIR had significantly lower objective image noise (p < .001). Subjective image quality and confidence of detecting DVT by MBIR group were significantly greater than those of FBP and ASIR (p < .005), and MBIR had the lowest score for subjective image noise (p < .001). CONCLUSION: CTV at 80 kVp with MBIR was superior to FBP and ASIR regarding subjective and objective image qualities. KEY POINTS: • MBIR provides superior image quality compared with FBP and ASIR • CTV at 80kVp with MBIR improves diagnostic confidence in diagnosing DVT • CTV at 80kVp with MBIR presents better image quality with low radiation.

Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging in the differentiation of endometriomas from hemorrhagic cysts in the ovary.

BACKGROUND: The classic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) feature of endometriomas is the shading sign, which is characterized by T2-shortening in ovarian cystic lesions that are hyperintense on T1-weighted images. The shading sign is infrequently observed in hemorrhagic ovarian cysts. PURPOSE: To investigate the value of MRI with diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) for distinguishing endometriomas from hemorrhagic cysts in the ovary. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This retrospective study included 91 patients with 98 ovarian endometriomas and 21 hemorrhagic ovarian cysts that were confirmed pathologically, who had undergone MRI with DWI. Two radiologists compared MRI features, including size, bilaterality, multilocularity, the shading sign, the ovarian lesion/muscle signal intensity ratio at T2-weighted images, and T2 dark spots, between endometriomas and hemorrhagic cysts. We also compared the mean ADC value between endometriomas and hemorrhagic cysts, and determined the optimal cutoff ADC value for differentiating endometriomas from hemorrhagic cysts. RESULTS: The size and mean ADC values were significantly different between endometriomas and hemorrhagic cysts. The mean ADC values of endometriomas and hemorrhagic cysts were 1.06 ± 0.38 × 10 (-3) mm(2)/s and 0.73 ± 0.29 × 10(-3) mm(2)/s, respectively (P < 0.002). The optimal cutoff ADC value for differentiating endometriomas from hemorrhagic cysts was 0.849 × 10(-3) mm(2)/s (sensitivity, 77.6%; specificity, 76.2%). CONCLUSION: The addition of DWI could help in differentiating endometriomas from hemorrhagic cysts in the ovary, when conventional MRI is challenging.

Diagnostic performance and radiation dose of lower extremity CT angiography using a 128-slice dual source CT at 80 kVp and high pitch.

BACKGROUND: Multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) angiography is now used for the diagnosing patients with peripheral arterial disease. The dose of radiation is related to variable factors, such as tube current, tube voltage, and helical pitch. PURPOSE: To assess the diagnostic performance and radiation dose of lower extremity CT angiography (CTA) using a 128-slice dual source CT at 80 kVp and high pitch in patients with critical limb ischemia (CLI). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty-eight patients (mean, 64.1 years; range, 39-80 years) with CLI were enrolled in this retrospective study and underwent CTA using a 128-slice dual source CT at 80 kVp and high pitch and subsequent intra-arterial digital subtraction angiography (DSA), which was used as a reference standard for assessing diagnostic performance. RESULTS: For arterial segments with significant disease (>50% stenosis), overall sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of lower extremity CTA were 94.8% (95% CI, 91.7-98.0%), 91.5% (95% CI, 87.7-95.2%), and 93.1% (95% CI, 90.6-95.6%), respectively, and its positive and negative predictive values were 91.0% (95% CI, 87.1-95.0%), and 95.1% (95% CI, 92.1-98.1%), respectively. Mean radiation dose delivered to lower extremities was 266.6 mGy.cm. CONCLUSION: Lower extremity CTA using a 128-slice dual source CT at 80 kVp and high pitch was found to have good diagnostic performance for the assessment of patients with CLI using an extremely low radiation dose.