3D target localization of modified 3D MUSIC for a triple-channel K-band radar

In this paper, a modified 3D multiple signal classification (MUSIC) algorithm is proposed for joint estimation of range, azimuth, and elevation angles of K-band radar with a small 2 × 2 horn antenna array. Three channels of the 2 × 2 horn antenna array are utilized as receiving channels, and the other one is a transmitting antenna. The proposed modified 3D MUSIC is designed to make use of a stacked autocorrelation matrix, whose element matrices are related to each other in the spatial domain. An augmented 2D steering vector based on the stacked autocorrelation matrix is proposed for the modified 3D MUSIC, instead of the conventional 3D steering vector. The effectiveness of the proposed modified 3D MUSIC is verified through implementation with a K-band frequency-modulated continuous-wave (FMCW) radar with the 2 × 2 horn antenna array through a variety of experiments in a chamber. © 2018 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.1

Usefulness of fusion images of unenhanced and contrast-enhanced arterial phase cone-beam CT in the detection of viable hepatocellular carcinoma during transarterial chemoembolization

PURPOSE:We aimed to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of fusion imaging of unenhanced and arterial phase contrast-enhanced cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) by comparing with multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) in detection of viable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients who have been previously treated with transarterial chemoembolization (TACE).METHODS:In this retrospective study, a total of 173 tumors in 33 known HCC patients (21 men, 12 women; mean age, 64±7.6 years; mean tumor size, 2.15±1.70 cm) who had been previously treated with TACE and underwent additional session of TACE were included. The sensitivity and positive predictive values of preprocedural MDCT and fusion CBCT for detection of viable tumor were analyzed with follow-up MDCT images performed 3-4 weeks after TACE, as reference standard.RESULTS:A total of 141 remote and 32 marginal viable tumors were included. The sensitivities for detection of remote, marginal, and total viable tumors were 80.9%, 68.8%, and 78.6% for MDCT and 96.5%, 96.9%, and 96.5% for fusion CBCT, respectively. The positive predictive values for detection of remote, marginal, and total viable tumors were 95.0%, 78.6%, and 95.8% for MDCT, and 97.1%, 88.6%, and 97.7% for fusion CBCT, respectively. Fusion CBCT showed statistically higher sensitivity and positive predictive value for detection of viable tumors (P < 0.001).CONCLUSION:The diagnostic performance of fusion imaging of unenhanced and contrast-enhanced arterial phase CBCT was superior to MDCT for detection of viable HCCs

Selective arterial embolization of renal angiomyolipoma: comparing ethanol–lipiodol emulsion and polyvinyl alcohol particles as embolic agents

PURPOSETo examine the effectiveness and safety of two embolic agents, an ethanol–lipiodol emulsion and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) particles, for selective arterial embolization (SAE) of renal angiomyolipoma (AML).METHODSRetrospectively, we reviewed the medical records and imaging data of renal AML patients who received SAE in our hospitals between July 2007 and January 2018. Among those eligible for analysis were patients with complete medical information, preoperative and postoperative contrast-enhanced computed tomography scans, and follow-up data. An ethanol–lipiodol emulsion was used to embolize 15 AMLs, and PVA particles were used to embolize 16 AMLs. We compared the tumor responses and adverse events between the two embolization-agent groups.RESULTSAfter embolization, no significant differences were observed in the shrinkage rates: 34.2% ± 3.4% for the ethanol–lipiodol emulsion group and 26.3% ± 3.0% for the PVA particles group (P = 0.090). Minor post-embolization complications were also similar between the groups, and there were no severe adverse events. The length of hospital stay after SAE was 2.5 ± 0.5 days for the ethanol–lipiodol emulsion group and 1.9 ± 0.5 days for the PVA particles group and was not significantly different (P = 0.425).CONCLUSIONThe results showed that SAE with ethanol–lipiodol emulsion or PVA particles was safe and efficient in decreasing tumor size and controlling renal AML hemorrhage