Computed tomography texture-based radiomics analysis in gallbladder cancer: initial experience

Aim of the study: To investigate computed tomography (CT) texture parameters in suspected gallbladder cancer (GBC) and assess its utility in predicting histopathological grade and overall survival. Material and methods: This retrospective pilot study included consecutive patients with clinically suspected GBC. CT images, clinical, and histological or cytological data were retrieved from the database. CT images were reviewed by two radiologists. A single axial CT section in the portal venous phase was selected for texture analysis. Radiomic feature extraction was done using commercially available research software. Results: Thirty-eight patients (31 females, mean age 53.1 years) were included. Malignancy was confirmed in 29 patients in histopathology or cytology analysis, and the rest had no features of malignancy. Exophytic gallbladder mass with associated gallbladder wall thickening was present in 22 (58%) patients. Lymph nodal, liver, and omental metastases were present in 10, 1, and 3 patients, respectively. The mean overall survival was 9.7 months. There were significant differences in mean and kurtosis at medium texture scales to differentiate moderately differentiated and poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma (p < 0.05). The only texture parameter that was significantly associated with survival was kurtosis (p = 0.020) at medium texture scales. In multivariate analysis, factors found to be significantly associated with length of overall survival were mean number of positive pixels (p = 0.02), skewness (p = -0.046), kurtosis (0.018), and standard deviation (p = 0.045). Conclusions: Our preliminary results highlight the potential utility of CT texture-based radiomics analysis in patients with GBC. Medium texture scale parameters including both mean and kurtosis, or kurtosis alone, may help predict the histological grade and survival, respectively

Gallbladder reporting and data system (GB-RADS) for risk stratification of gallbladder wall thickening on ultrasonography:an international expert consensus

The Gallbladder Reporting and Data System (GB-RADS) ultrasound (US) risk stratification is proposed to improve consistency in US interpretations, reporting, and assessment of risk of malignancy in gallbladder wall thickening in non-acute setting. It was developed based on a systematic review of the literature and the consensus of an international multidisciplinary committee comprising expert radiologists, gastroenterologists, gastrointestinal surgeons, surgical oncologists, medical oncologists, and pathologists using modified Delphi method. For risk stratification, the GB-RADS system recommends six categories (GB-RADS 0–5) of gallbladder wall thickening with gradually increasing risk of malignancy. GB-RADS is based on gallbladder wall features on US including symmetry and extent (focal vs. circumferential) of involvement, layered appearance, intramural features (including intramural cysts and echogenic foci), and interface with the liver. GB-RADS represents the first collaborative effort at risk stratifying the gallbladder wall thickening. This concept is in line with the other US-based risk stratification systems which have been shown to increase the accuracy of detection of malignant lesions and improve management. Graphical abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.]

Simultaneous Priority and Detection Based Carrier Sense Multiple Access Protocol

Carrier Sense Multiple Access (CSMA) protocol, along with collision detection in wired communication, helps in further increasing the efficiency of channel usage. It helps in terminating its transmission over the channel immediately once collision is detected, releasing the channel for other useful transmissions. Whereas in wireless communication, the packet collision cannot be detected until the completion of the entire transmission. To detect the collision immediately, the robust mechanism is requested. In this paper, we introduce Simultaneous Priority and Detection based Carrier Sense Multiple Access (SPD-CSMA) protocol to establish an efficient connection and immediate collision detection. The SPD-CSMA handles the situation using an additional antenna and a unique code message. SPD-CSMA is also supported with Shortest First (SF) algorithm for prioritizing the transmission. The proposed SPD-CSMA approach is validated by using NS3 on Ubuntu 13.10 operating system. The experimental results demonstrate that a reduced collision rate helps with improving the Quality of Service

Simultaneous Priority and Detection Based Carrier Sense Multiple Access Protocol

Carrier Sense Multiple Access (CSMA) protocol, along with collision detection in wired communication, helps in further increasing the efficiency of channel usage. It helps in terminating its transmission over the channel immediately once collision is detected, releasing the channel for other useful transmissions. Whereas in wireless communication, the packet collision cannot be detected until the completion of the entire transmission. To detect the collision immediately, the robust mechanism is requested. In this paper, we introduce Simultaneous Priority and Detection based Carrier Sense Multiple Access (SPD-CSMA) protocol to establish an efficient connection and immediate collision detection. The SPD-CSMA handles the situation using an additional antenna and a unique code message. SPD-CSMA is also supported with Shortest First (SF) algorithm for prioritizing the transmission. The proposed SPD-CSMA approach is validated by using NS3 on Ubuntu 13.10 operating system. The experimental results demonstrate that a reduced collision rate helps with improving the Quality of Service