The Role of Medical Image Modalities and AI in the Early Detection, Diagnosis and Grading of Retinal Diseases: A Survey.

Traditional dilated ophthalmoscopy can reveal diseases, such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic retinopathy (DR), diabetic macular edema (DME), retinal tear, epiretinal membrane, macular hole, retinal detachment, retinitis pigmentosa, retinal vein occlusion (RVO), and retinal artery occlusion (RAO). Among these diseases, AMD and DR are the major causes of progressive vision loss, while the latter is recognized as a world-wide epidemic. Advances in retinal imaging have improved the diagnosis and management of DR and AMD. In this review article, we focus on the variable imaging modalities for accurate diagnosis, early detection, and staging of both AMD and DR. In addition, the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in providing automated detection, diagnosis, and staging of these diseases will be surveyed. Furthermore, current works are summarized and discussed. Finally, projected future trends are outlined. The work done on this survey indicates the effective role of AI in the early detection, diagnosis, and staging of DR and/or AMD. In the future, more AI solutions will be presented that hold promise for clinical applications

Accuracy of magnetic resonance studies in the detection of chondral and labral lesions in femoroacetabular impingement : systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: Several types of Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are commonly used in imaging of femoroacetabular impingement (FAI), however till now there are no clear protocols and recommendations for each type. The aim of this meta-analysis is to detect the accuracy of conventional magnetic resonance imaging (cMRI), direct magnetic resonance arthrography (dMRA) and indirect magnetic resonance arthrography (iMRA) in the diagnosis of chondral and labral lesions in femoroacetabular impingement (FAI). Methods: A literature search was finalized on the 17th of May 2016 to collect all studies identifying the accuracy of cMRI, dMRA and iMRA in diagnosing chondral and labral lesions associated with FAI using surgical results (arthroscopic or open) as a reference test. Pooled sensitivity and specificity with 95% confidence intervals using a random-effects meta-analysis for MRI, dMRA and iMRA were calculated also area under receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) was retrieved whenever possible where AUC is equivocal to diagnostic accuracy. Results: The search yielded 192 publications which were reviewed according inclusion and exclusion criteria then 21 studies fulfilled the eligibility criteria for the qualitative analysis with a total number of 828 cases, lastly 12 studies were included in the quantitative meta-analysis. Meta-analysis showed that as regard labral lesions the pooled sensitivity, specificity and AUC for cMRI were 0.864, 0.833 and 0.88 and for dMRA were 0.91, 0.58 and 0.92. While in chondral lesions the pooled sensitivity, specificity and AUC for cMRI were 0.76, 0.72 and 0.75 and for dMRA were 0.75, 0.79 and 0.83, while for iMRA were sensitivity of 0.722 and specificity of 0.917. Conclusions: The present meta-analysis showed that the diagnostic test accuracy was superior for dMRA when compared with cMRI for detection of labral and chondral lesions. The diagnostic test accuracy was superior for labral lesions when compared with chondral lesions in both cMRI and dMRA. Promising results are obtained concerning iMRA but further studies still needed to fully assess its diagnostic accuracy

Apical transportation associated with ProTaper® Universal F1, F2 and F3 instruments in curved canals prepared by undergraduate students

Objective: This study evaluated apical transportation associated with ProTaper® Universal F1, F2 and F3 rotary files in curved canals prepared by undergraduate students. Material and Methods: Twenty mesial roots of mandibular molars with curvatures ranging between 25° and 35° were selected. Mesiobuccal canals were instrumented by twenty students with the ProTaper® system (Dentsply-Maillefer, Ballaigues, Switzerland) according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Pre-flaring was performed with S1 and SX files. A #15 K-file was inserted into the root canal up to the working length (WL), and an initial digital radiograph was taken in a buccolingual direction (baseline). Afterwards, the S1, S2, F1, F2, and F3 files were employed up to the WL. Other radiographies were taken in the same orientation of the baseline after the use of the F1, F2, and F3 files, with each file inserted into the root canal. The radiographic images were overlapped, and the Image J software was used to measure the distance between the rotary files’ ends and the #15 K-file’s end, characterizing the apical transportation. Data were analyzed by Repeated Measure ANOVA and by the SNK post hoc test (P<0.05). Results: It was verified that file size affected apical transportation significantly (P<0.001). The F3 file showed higher apical transportation than F1 and F2, while between these last files there was no difference. Conclusion: The undergraduate students produced lower apical transportation in curved canals when they did not use the F3 rotary file

CT perfusion in evaluation of post therapy cervical lymphoma

Objective: Compare CT perfusion between responders and non-responders in patients with residual cervical nodes after lymphoma treatment. Subjects and methods: Twenty-seven patients with treated pathologically proved lymphoma were included in this prospective study, divided into two groups: responders (n. 15) and non-responders to treatment (n. 12). Blood flow (BF), blood volume (BV), mean transit time (MTT) and permeability (PS) were determined using CT perfusion. Lymph nodes sizes were measured (short axis). Results: BF, BV and PS were significantly higher in non-responders group [93.3 (65.3–111) ml/min/100 g, 6.3 (5.2–8) ml/100 g and 18.9 (14.5–25.1) ml/min/100 g respectively] as compared to responders group [54 (43.8–77.5) ml/min/100 g, 4.1 (2.2–4.8) ml/100 g and 9.4 (7.5–14.5) ml/min/100 g respectively], [p 0.019, 0.004 and 0.004 respectively]. MTT had a trend to be low in non-responders group, but did not reach statistical significance (p 0.305). Cutoff value for BF, BV and PS was 59.5 ml/min/100 g, 3.6 ml/100 g and 11.1 ml/min/100 g respectively, 92% sensitivity for the three parameters and specificity 67%, 47% and 73% respectively. Lymph node sizes had no relation to the perfusion parameter values. Conclusion: CT perfusion is a functional imaging tool with promising results in differentiating between responders and non-responders in treated lymphoma patients, using BF, BV and PS

Additional file 2: of Accuracy of magnetic resonance studies in the detection of chondral and labral lesions in femoroacetabular impingement: systematic review and meta-analysis

Meta-disc file for labral lesions in dMRA. Statistical file from Meta-disc program showing true positives, true negatives, false positives and false negatives results of direct magnetic resonance arthrography in detecting labral lesions. (DSC 80 kb

State of the Art: Lung Cancer Staging Using Updated Imaging Modalities

Lung cancer is among the most common mortality causes worldwide. This scientific article is a comprehensive review of current knowledge regarding screening, subtyping, imaging, staging, and management of treatment response for lung cancer. The traditional imaging modality for screening and initial lung cancer diagnosis is computed tomography (CT). Recently, a dual-energy CT was proven to enhance the categorization of variable pulmonary lesions. The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) recommends usage of fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG PET) in concert with CT to properly stage lung cancer and to prevent fruitless thoracotomies. Diffusion MR is an alternative to FDG PET/CT that is radiation-free and has a comparable diagnostic performance. For response evaluation after treatment, FDG PET/CT is a potent modality which predicts survival better than CT. Updated knowledge of lung cancer genomic abnormalities and treatment regimens helps to improve the radiologists’ skills. Incorporating the radiologic experience is crucial for precise diagnosis, therapy planning, and surveillance of lung cancer