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CONRAD--a software framework for cone-beam imaging in radiology.

ABSTRACT: In the community of x-ray imaging, there is a multitude of tools and applications that are used in scientific practice. Many of these tools are proprietary and can only be used within a certain lab. Often the same algorithm is implemented multiple times by different groups in order to enable comparison. In an effort to tackle this problem, the authors created CONRAD, a software framework that provides many of the tools that are required to simulate basic processes in x-ray imaging and perform image reconstruction with consideration of nonlinear physical effects.CONRAD is a Java-based state-of-the-art software platform with extensive documentation. It is based on platform-independent technologies. Special libraries offer access to hardware acceleration such as OpenCL. There is an easy-to-use interface for parallel processing. The software package includes different simulation tools that are able to generate up to 4D projection and volume data and respective vector motion fields. Well known reconstruction algorithms such as FBP, DBP, and ART are included. All algorithms in the package are referenced to a scientific source.A total of 13 different phantoms and 30 processing steps have already been integrated into the platform at the time of writing. The platform comprises 74.000 nonblank lines of code out of which 19% are used for documentation. The software package is available for download at http://conrad.stanford.edu. To demonstrate the use of the package, the authors reconstructed images from two different scanners, a table top system and a clinical C-arm system. Runtimes were evaluated using the RabbitCT platform and demonstrate state-of-the-art runtimes with 2.5 s for the 256 problem size and 12.4 s for the 512 problem size.As a common software framework, CONRAD enables the medical physics community to share algorithms and develop new ideas. In particular this offers new opportunities for scientific collaboration and quantitative performance comparison between the methods of different groups.

SUBMITTER: Maier A

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3820625 | biostudies-other | 2013 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-other

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Project description:BackgroundMinimally invasive surgery (MIS) for evacuation of spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) has shown promise but there remains a need for intraoperative performance assessment considering the wide range of evacuation effectiveness. In this feasibility study, we analyzed the benefit of intraoperative 3-dimensional imaging during navigated endoscopy-assisted ICH evacuation by mechanical clot fragmentation and aspiration.Methods18 patients with superficial or deep supratentorial ICH underwent MIS for clot evacuation followed by intraoperative computerized tomography (iCT) or cone-beam CT (CBCT) imaging. Eligibility for MIS required (a) availability of intraoperative iCT or CBCT, (b) spontaneous lobar or deep ICH without vascular pathology, (c) a stable ICH volume (20-90 ml), (d) a reduced level of consciousness (GCS 5-14), and (e) a premorbid mRS ≤ 1. Demographic, clinical, and radiographic patient data were analyzed by two independent observers.ResultsNine female and 9 male patients with a median age of 76 years (42-85) presented with an ICH score of 3 (1-4), GCS of 10 (5-14) and ICH volume of 54 ± 26 ml. Clot fragmentation and aspiration was feasible in all cases and intraoperative imaging determined an overall evacuation rate of 80 ± 19% (residual hematoma volume: 13 ± 17 ml; p < 0.0001 vs. Pre-OP). Based on the intraoperative imaging results, 1/3rd of all patients underwent an immediate re-aspiration attempt. No patient experienced hemorrhagic complications or required conversion to open craniotomy. However, routine postoperative CT imaging revealed early hematoma re-expansion with an adjusted evacuation rate of 59 ± 30% (residual hematoma volume: 26 ± 37 ml; p < 0.001 vs. Pre-OP).ConclusionsRoutine utilization of iCT or CBCT imaging in MIS for ICH permits direct surgical performance assessment and the chance for immediate re-aspiration, which may optimize targeting of an ideal residual hematoma volume and reduce secondary revision rates.

Project description:PurposeEvaluation of skin organ doses in six different cone-beam computed tomography scanners (CBCT) dedicated to dentomaxillofacial imaging. Our hypothesis is that the dose varies between different devices, protocols and skin areas.Materials and methodsAn anthropomorphic adult head and neck phantom was used to which a dosimeter (Waterproof Farmer® Chamber, PTW, Freiburg, Germany) was attached to anatomic landmarks of both parotid glands, both ocular lenses, the thyroid gland and the neurocranium. CBCT examinations were performed on six different CBCT devices dedicated to dentomaxillofacial imaging with standard settings and, if available, also in high dose settings. Measurements were repeated five times each.ResultsThe measured mean skin doses ranged from 0.48 to 2.21 mGy. The comparison of the region based dose evaluation showed a high correlation between the single measurements. Furthermore, the distribution of doses between regions was similar in all devices, except that four devices showed side differences for the dose of the parotid region and one device showed side differences for the lens region. The directly exposed regions, such as the parotid glands, showed significant higher values than the more distant regions like the neurocranium. When comparing examination protocols, a significant difference between the standard dose and the high dose acquisitions could be detected. But also a significant dose difference between the different CBCTs could be shown. 3D Accuitomo 170 (Morita, Osaka, Japan) showed the highest absorbed mean dose value for standard settings with 2.21 mGy, especially at the directly exposed regions and their adjacent organs. The lowest mean value for standard settings was achieved with VGi evo (NewTom, Verona, Italy) with 0.48 mGy.ConclusionRepeated measurements of skin organ doses in six different CBCT scanners using a surface dosimeter showed side differences in distribution of dose in five devices for the parotid and lens region. Additionally, significant dose differences between the devices could be detected. Further studies should be performed to confirm these results.

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CONRAD--a software framework for cone-beam imaging in radiology.

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