Status of 48Ca double beta decay search in CANDLES

We study a strategy to reduce veto-time in the search for neutrino-less double-beta decay (0υββ) with CANDLES-III system. We develop a new likelihood analysis and apply it to our new Run010 data. We show that we can increase the un-vetoed live-time by 11.8%. Thanks to this improvements, We expect to increase a limit on the life-time of 0υββ by a factor of three by analyzing both Run009 and Run010 data

PREOPERATIVE EMBOLIZATION FOR SPINAL TUMORS USING GELATIN SPONGE PARTICLES WITH OR WITHOUT LIPIODOL

Purpose : To present our methods of performing preoperative embolization for spinal tumors using gelatin sponge particles with or without lipiodol. Materials and Methods : Twenty-one patients (median age, 70 years) with spinal tumors underwent preoperative embolization.　We injected embolus through a microcatheter placed proximally in the segmental arteries supplying the tumors.　Surgical decompression was performed within 24 hours after embolization.　We recorded tumor vascularity (classified into mild or increased), embolic agents used, complications related to the embolization, and intraoperative blood loss. Results : We successfully performed embolization with the particles for 63 of 69 (91%) segmental arteries supplying tumors.　Complete embolization was achieved in 16 patients (76.2%).　We injected lipiodol (median total dose, 1.5 ml) in 13 patients followed by gelatin sponge particles.　 Twelve of the 13 patients had increased tumor vascularity.　Median blood loss was 532 ml in the 14 patients with increased vascularity of tumor and 238 ml in the 7 with mild vascularity.　One patient experienced transient sensory disturbance after embolization. Conclusion : This study revealed that efficacy of particle injection from the proximal portion of the segmental artery and feasibility of using lipiodol for embolization in hypervascular tumors

POST-CONTRAST ACUTE KIDNEY INJURY AFTER CATHETER ANGIOGRAPHY AND EVALUATION OF RISK FACTORS

Purpose : The present study aimed to determine the rate of post-contrast acute kidney injury (PC-AKI) after catheter angiography other than cardiac angiography (CAG), and identify relevant risk factors.Materials and methods : This retrospective study analyzed data from 314 patients who underwent angiography between October 2013 and September 2018. We investigated the incidence of PC-AKI, defined as a ≥50% increase or ≥0.3 mg/dL increase in serum creatinine (SCr) values 1-3 days after angiography according to the European Society of Urogenital Radiology guidelines on contrast media, version 10.0. The effects of patient- and procedure-related factors on the incidence of PC-AKI were evaluated. Data were analyzed using chi-squared and Mann-Whitney U tests, and multivariate logistic regression analysis.Results : PC-AKI developed in 16/314 patients (5.1%). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed a correlation of incidence of PC-AKI with advanced age, decreased estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), shock symptoms, and high-dose contrast media within 24 hours. In all patients with PC-AKI, SCr values returned to baseline within 2 weeks.Conclusions : PC-AKI after angiographic examinations developed in 5.1% of patients, and the increase in SCr was reversible. Advanced age, decreased eGFR, shock symptoms, and highdose contrast media within 24 hours are possible risk factors

COMPARISON OF VIRTUAL UNENHANCED AND TRUE UNENHANCED ATTENUATION VALUES BY DUAL-ENERGY CT FOR DETECTING INDISTINCT LIVER METASTASES ON CONTRAST-ENHANCED CT

Purpose : We aimed to evaluate the differences between true unenhanced (TUE) and virtual unenhanced (VUE) computed tomography (CT) performed by contrast-enhanced CT with dualenergy CT in the assessment of liver metastases that were difficult to visually identify with contrast- enhanced CT. Materials and methods : Between April 2018 and September 2019, we identified 266 patients with liver metastases who underwent unenhanced and contrast-enhanced CT with dual-energy CT at our institution, and enrolled 43 liver metastases in 19 patients (7.1%) that were indistinct on contrast-enhanced CT.　Mean CT attenuation values for liver metastases and liver parenchyma were measured, and differences between the CT attenuation values for liver metastases and liver parenchyma were analyzed using VUE CT and TUE CT. Results : The mean CT attenuation values for liver metastases and liver parenchyma in VUE CT versus TUE CT were 51.0 vs. 41.0 HU (p<0.001) and 58.2 HU vs. 61.2 HU (p=0.027), respectively.　The differences in CT attenuation values between liver metastases and liver parenchyma were 10.1 HU on VUE CT vs. 19.3 HU on TUE CT (p<0.001). Conclusion : The contrast between lesions and liver parenchyma on VUE CT was significantly lower than that on TUE CT.　VUE CT cannot currently replace TUE CT

ACUTE MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION SUSPECTED ON CONTRASTENHANCED COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY : A CASE REPORT

A 69-year-old man with severe chest pain was admitted to our hospital. No evidence of acutemyocardial infarction (AMI) was seen on laboratory data, electrocardiogram (ECG), and ultrasonicechocardiography (UCG). Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) was performed torole out aortic dissection and pulmonary embolism (PE). CECT images showed the hypoenhancementof posterior wall in the left ventricle. AMI was suspected based on the symptomsand CECT imaging. Coronary angiography (CAG) was performed, and the left coronary angiogramshowed total occlusion of segment 13. Percutaneous cardiac intervention (PCI) was immediatelyperformed, and the patient was discharged 15 days after admission with nocomplications. It is important to check the myocardial enhancement when we interpret CTimages of patients with chest pain