Biomedical subjects

Stefan Wesarg

Publications and source records attributed to Stefan Wesarg.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Facilitating coronary artery evaluation in MDCT using a 3D automatic vessel segmentation tool.

The purpose of this study was to investigate a 3D coronary artery segmentation algorithm using 16-row MDCT data sets. Fifty patients underwent cardiac CT (Sensation 16, Siemens) and coronary angiography. Automatic and manual detection of coronary artery stenosis was performed. A 3D coronary artery segmentation algorithm (Fraunhofer Institute for Computer Graphics, Darmstadt) was used for automatic evaluation. All significant stenoses (>50%) in vessels >1.5 mm in diameter were protocoled. Each detection tool was used by one reader who was blinded to the results of the other detection method and the results of coronary angiography. Sensitivity and specificity were determined for automatic and manual detection as well as was the time for both CT-based evaluation methods. The overall sensitivity and specificity of the automatic and manual approach were 93.1 vs. 95.83% and 86.1 vs. 81.9%. The time required for automatic evaluation was significantly shorter than with the manual approach, i.e., 246.04+/-43.17 s for the automatic approach and 526.88+/-45.71 s for the manual approach (P<0.0001). In 94% of the coronary artery branches, automatic detection required less time than the manual approach. Automatic coronary vessel evaluation is feasible. It reduces the time required for cardiac CT evaluation with similar sensitivity and specificity as well as facilitates the evaluation of MDCT coronary angiography in a standardized fashion.

Aged↗

PubMed2006

Localizing calcifications in cardiac CT data sets using a new vessel segmentation approach.

The new generation of multislice computed tomography (CT) scanners allows for the acquisition of high-resolution images of the heart. Based on that image data, the heart can be analyzed in a noninvasive way-improving the diagnosis of cardiovascular malfunctions on one hand, and the planning of an eventually necessary intervention on the other. One important parameter for the evaluation of the severity of a coronary artery disease is the number and localization of calcifications (hard plaques). This work presents a method for localizing these calcifications by employing a newly developed vessel segmentation approach. This extraction technique has been developed for, and tested with, contrast-enhanced CT data sets of the heart. The algorithm provides enough information to compute the vessel diameter along the extracted segment. An approach for automatically detecting calcified regions that combines diameter information and gray value analysis is presented. In addition, specially adapted methods for the visualization of these analysis results are described.

Algorithms↗

PubMed2006

Navigation-based needle puncture of a cadaver using a hybrid tracking navigational system.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the puncture accuracy of a navigational system, Medarpa, in a soft tissue environment using augmented overlay imaging. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Medarpa is an optical electromagnetic tracking system, which allows tracking of instruments, the radiologist's head position, and the transparent display. The display superimposes a computed tomography scan of a cadaver chest on a human cadaver in real time. In group A, needle puncture was performed using the Medarpa system. Three targets located inside the cadaver chest were selected. In group B, the same targets were used to perform standard computed tomography-guided puncture using a single-slice technique. A total of 42 punctures were performed in each group. Postpuncture computed tomography scans were made to verify needle tip positions. RESULTS: Mean deviation from targets was 8.42 mm +/- 1.78 mm for group A and 8.90 mm +/- 1.71 mm for group B. No significant difference was found between group A and B in any target (P > 0.05). No significant difference was found between the targets of the same group (P > 0.05). Procedural time for 42 punctures was 160 minutes in group A versus 289 minutes in group B (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Needle puncture in a soft tissue environment using the navigational system Medarpa can be reliably performed and matches the accuracy achieved by a computed tomography-guided puncture technique.

Biopsy, Needle↗

PubMed2005

Accuracy of biopsy needle navigation using the Medarpa system--computed tomography reality superimposed on the site of intervention.

The aim of this work was to determine the accuracy of a new navigational system, Medarpa, with a transparent display superimposing computed tomography (CT) reality on the site of intervention. Medarpa uses an optical and an electromagnetic tracking system which allows tracking of instruments, the radiologist and the transparent display. The display superimposes a CT view of a phantom chest on a phantom chest model, in real time. In group A, needle positioning was performed using the Medarpa system. Three targets (diameter 1.5 mm) located inside the phantom were punctured. In group B, the same targets were used to perform standard CT-guided puncturing using the single-slice technique. The same needles were used in both groups (15 G, 15 cm). A total of 42 punctures were performed in each group. Post puncture, CT scans were made to verify needle tip positions. The mean deviation from the needle tip to the targets was 6.65+/-1.61 mm for group A (range 3.54-9.51 mm) and 7.05+/-1.33 mm for group B (range 4.10-9.45 mm). No significant difference was found between group A and group B for any target (p>0.05). No significant difference was found between the targets of the same group (p>0.05). The accuracy in needle puncturing using the augmented reality system, Medarpa, matches the accuracy achieved by CT-guided puncturing technique.

Biopsy, Needle↗

PubMed2002

Parker weights revisited.

The short-scan case in fan-beam computed tomography requires the introduction of a weighting function to handle redundant data. Parker introduced such a weighting function for a scan over pi plus the opening angle of the fan. In this article we derive a general class of weighting functions for arbitrary scan angles between pi plus fan angle and 2pi (over-scan). These weighting functions lead to mathematically exact reconstructions in the continuous case. Parker weights are a special case of a weighting function that belongs to this class. It will be shown that Parker weights are not generally the best choice in terms of noise reduction, especially when there is considerable over-scan. We derive a new weighting function that has a value of 0.5 for most of the redundant data and is smooth at the boundaries.

Algorithms↗