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A template subtraction method for stimulus artifact removal in high-frequency deep brain stimulation.

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a neurosurgical technique that has been widely applied for the treatment of tremor or motor symptoms associated with advanced Parkinson's disease. Large stimulus artifacts, however, have hampered investigations of physiological mechanisms underlying DBS effects using extracellular recording techniques. We have developed an off-line procedure for removing stimulus artifacts from recorded neuronal signals (monopolar) and applied this method of artifact subtraction to DBS studies using extracellular recording techniques in a nonhuman primate. The procedure consists of developing a template of the artifact by averaging the artifact signals triggered by its onset. The template is then subtracted from the individual triggered signals. The experimental results indicate that this method is highly effective in removing the majority of the stimulus artifact, while leaving recorded neuronal activity intact. In fact, removal of stimulation artifact using this technique has revealed a short-latency neuronal response to stimulation that was previously obscured by the stimulus artifact. Thus, this technique may not only improve the quality of electrophysiological studies employing DBS techniques, but may also help to elucidate neuronal mechanisms underlying the effect of DBS.

Action Potentials↗

Ocular artifacts in children's EEG: selection is better than correction.

The electroencephalogram (EEG) during middle childhood may be highly distorted by the occurrence of eye and head movement artifacts. Between 5 and 12 years children display a great number of such artifacts. In the present study we studied different methods to assess EEG artifacts in children. Three artifact treatments were compared with the uncorrected EEG: one widely used method which corrected the EEG for electrooculogram (EOG) EEG transfer and two methods which selected artifact-free EEG segments. The most effective method should selectively reduce the spectral power in the lower frequency bands and at the frontal regions which are most susceptible to eye artifacts. The results demonstrated that the selection procedure, which combined two criteria for the selection of artifact-free EEG segments, was superior. The procedure that corrected the EEG for EOG-EEG transfer unselectively removed spectral power across the whole scalp and across all frequency bands. Furthermore, part of the maturational change in frontal Alpha power was filtered out by the correction procedure. It was concluded that for the background EEG in children, it is better to carefully select artifact-free EEG segments than to correct for EOG-EEG transfer.

Age Factors↗

Stepping stone sampling for retrieving artifact-free electroencephalogram during functional magnetic resonance imaging.

Ballistocardiogram and imaging artifacts cause major interference with simultaneous electroencephalogram (EEG) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) recording. In particular, the large amplitude of the imaging artifact precludes easy retrieval of EEG signals during fMRI scanning. Recording with 20,000-Hz digitization rate combined with 3000-Hz low-pass filter revealed the real waveform of the imaging artifact, in which it was elucidated that each artifact peak precisely corresponded to each gradient component and actually had differential waveforms of the original gradient pulses. Based on this finding, to retrieve EEG signal during fMRI acquisition, a blip-type echo planar sequence was modified so that EEG sampling might be performed at every 1000 micros (digitization rate 1000 Hz) exclusively in the period in which the artifact resided around the baseline level. This method, called "stepping stone sampling," substantially attenuated the amplitude of the imaging artifact. The remnant of the artifact was subtracted from the averaged artifact waveform. In human studies, alpha activity was successfully retrieved by inspection, and its attenuation/augmentation was observed during eyes open/closed periods. Fast Fourier transform analysis further revealed that even from DC up to 120 Hz, retrieved EEG data during scanning had very similar power distributions to the data retrieved during no scanning, implying the availability of the high-frequency band of the retrieved EEG signals, including even the gamma band.

Adult↗

Hypopharyngeal pH monitoring artifact in detection of laryngopharyngeal reflux.

Hypopharyngeal pH artifacts have been a concern in the detection of laryngopharyngeal reflux. Our purpose was to analyze and quantify artifacts from dual-sensor hypopharyngeal pH monitoring. In all, 42 hypopharyngeal and 58 esophageal pH studies were reviewed. Type 1 (out of range), type 2 (pH drift), and type 3 (isolated pH drop) artifacts were identified. The proportion of proximal-sensor pH drop to <4 that was artifactual was determined. The median number (range) of artifacts was 1 (0-17) and 2 (0-28) for hypopharyngeal and esophageal pH studies, respectively (P = NS). The median proportion of artifactual pH drop to <4 was 1% (0-84%) and 2% (0-74%) for hypopharyngeal and esophageal pH studies, respectively (P = NS). The diagnosis did not change in any patient after excluding pH artifacts. In all, 19% of the combined 2,432 hypopharyngeal pH drops of <4 were artifacts. In conclusion, hypopharyngeal pH artifacts per study were uncommon but can be prominent in a few patients. One can identify these artifacts and exclude them from analysis.

Artifacts↗

Muscle artifacts in the sleep EEG: automated detection and effect on all-night EEG power spectra.

Owing to the use of scalp electrodes in human sleep recordings, cortical EEG signals are inevitably intermingled with the electrical activity of the muscle tissue on the skull. Muscle artifacts are characterized by surges in high frequency activity and are readily identified because of their outlying high values relative to the local background activity. To detect bursts of myogenic activity a simple algorithm is introduced that compares high frequency activity (26.25-32.0 Hz) in each 4-s epoch with the activity level in a local 3-min window. A 4-s value was considered artifactual if it exceeded the local background activity by a certain factor. Sensitivity and specificity of the artifact detection algorithm were empirically adjusted by applying different factors as artifact thresholds. In an analysis of sleep EEG signals recorded from 25 healthy young adults 2.3% (SEM: 0.16) of all 4-s epochs during sleep were identified as artifacts when a threshold factor of four was applied. Contamination of the EEG by muscle activity was more frequent towards the end of non-REM sleep episodes when EEG slow wave activity declined. Within and across REM sleep episodes muscle artifacts were evenly distributed. When the EEG signal was cleared of muscle artifacts, the all-night EEG power spectrum showed significant reductions in power density for all frequencies from 0.25-32.0 Hz. Between 15 and 32 Hz, muscle artifacts made up a substantial part (20-70%) of all-night EEG power density. It is concluded that elimination of short-lasting muscle artifacts reduces the confound between cortical and myogenic activity and is important in interpreting quantitative EEG data. Quantitative approaches in defining and detecting transient events in the EEG signal may help to determine which EEG phenomena constitute clinically significant arousals.

Adolescent↗

Positional artifacts in microarrays: experimental verification and construction of COP, an automated detection tool.

Microarray technology is currently one of the most widely-used technologies in biology. Many studies focus on inferring the function of an unknown gene from its co-expressed genes. Here, we are able to show that there are two types of positional artifacts in microarray data introducing spurious correlations between genes. First, we find that genes that are close on the microarray chips tend to have higher correlations between their expression profiles. We call this the 'chip artifact'. Our calculations suggest that the carry-over during the printing process is one of the major sources of this type of artifact, which is later confirmed by our experiments. Based on our experiments, the measured intensity of a microarray spot contains 0.1% (for fully-hybridized spots) to 93% (for un-hybridized ones) of noise resulting from this artifact. Secondly, we, for the first time, show that genes that are close on the microtiter plates in microarray experiments also tend to have higher correlations. We call this the 'plate artifact'. Both types of artifacts exist with different severity in all cDNA microarray experiments that we analyzed. Therefore, we develop an automated web tool-COP (COrrelations by Positional artifacts) to detect these artifacts in microarray experiments. COP has been integrated with the microarray data normalization tool, ExpressYourself, which is available at http://bioinfo.mbb.yale.edu/ExpressYourself/. Together, the two can eliminate most of the common noises in microarray data.

Animals↗

Artifact robustness, inter- and intraindividual baseline stability, and rational EEG parameter selection.

BACKGROUND: Artifact robustness (i.e., size of deviation of an electroencephalographic parameter value from baseline caused by artifacts) and baseline stability (i.e., consistency of median baseline values) of electroencephalographic parameters profoundly influence electroencephalography-based pharmacodynamic parameter estimation and the usefulness of the processed electroencephalogram as measure of the arousal state of the central nervous system (depth of anesthesia). In this study, the authors compared the artifact robustness and the interindividual and intraindividual baseline stability of several univariate descriptors of the electroencephalogram (Shannon entropy, approximate entropy, spectral edge frequency 95, delta ratio, and canonical univariate parameter). METHODS: Electroencephalographic data of 16 healthy volunteers before and after administration of an intravenous bolus of propofol (2 mg/kg body weight) were analyzed. Each volunteer was studied twice. The baseline electroencephalogram was recorded for a median of 18 min before drug administration. For each electroencephalographic descriptor, the authors calculated the following: (1) baseline variability (= (median baseline - median effect) [i.e., signal]/SD baseline [i.e., noise]) without artifact rejection; (2) baseline variability with artifact rejection; and (3) baseline stability within and between individuals (= (median baseline - median effect) averaged over all volunteers/SD of all median baselines). RESULTS: Without artifact rejection, Shannon entropy and canonical univariate parameter displayed the highest signal-to-noise ratio. After artifact rejection, approximate entropy, Shannon entropy, and the canonical univariate parameter displayed the highest signal-to-noise ratio. Baseline stability within and between individuals was highest for approximate entropy. CONCLUSIONS: With regard to robustness against artifacts, the electroencephalographic entropy parameters and the canonical univariate parameter were superior to spectral edge frequency 95 and delta ratio. Electroencephalographic approximate entropy displayed the best interindividual and intraindividual baseline stability.

Adult↗

Computed tomography artifacts associated with craniofacial fixation devices: an experimental study.

This study compares the artifacts caused by eight different craniofacial fixation devices in computed tomography (CT) images. Using a Teflon CT phantom model, part I of this study involved the quantitative evaluation of the X-ray absorption properties of each fixation device. Part II utilized a human cadaveric model to determine the degree to which the artifact interfered with the visualization of anatomic structures. In part I, each fixation device was secured to the surface of the phantom and then scanned. All artifacts were compared on the basis of standard deviation in CT number. The severity of the artifact was related to the physical size of the fixation device and its composition. Vitallium devices generated a greater degree of CT artifacts than titanium devices of comparable size. In part II, fixation devices were secured to the orbital rims of human cadaveric heads and then scanned. Visualization of specified anatomic structures was graded independently. The results revealed that titanium fixation devices did not cause significant bone or soft-tissue image degradation, whereas all vitallium fixation devices, except micro mesh and micro (1.0 mm) straight plates, generated an artifact that resulted in some image degradation. The extent of image degradation was related to the fixation device size. Only the thickest vitallium fixation device, mini fragmentation (2.0 mm), resulted in bony image degradation. The degree of soft-tissue image degradation decreased as the size of vitallium fixation devices decreased such that micro fragmentation (0.8 mm) and pan fixation (1.3 mm) devices interfered with soft-tissue visualization only in the immediate vicinity of the plate. The results of this study confirm the previous work of Sullivan and colleagues and Fiala and associates. The data indicate that when postoperative imaging is an important clinical consideration: (1) the fewest number of internal fixation devices should be used to achieve rigid bony fixation, (2) the proximity of fixation devices to the regions of interest should be considered at the time of fixation, (3) titanium implants produce less artifacts than vitallium implants of comparable size, and (4) vitallium micro mesh and micro (1.0 mm) straight fixation devices do not produce artifacts resulting in significant image degradation.

Artifacts↗

Independent component analysis as a tool to eliminate artifacts in EEG: a quantitative study.

Independent component analysis (ICA) is a novel technique that calculates independent components from mixed signals. A hypothetical clinical application is to remove artifacts in EEG. The goal of this study was to apply ICA to standard EEG recordings to eliminate well-known artifacts, thus quantifying its efficacy in an objective way. Eighty samples of recordings with spikes and evident artifacts of electrocardiogram (EKG), eye movements, 50-Hz interference, muscle, or electrode artifact were studied. ICA components were calculated using the Joint Approximate Diagonalization of Eigen-matrices (JADE) algorithm. The signal was reconstructed excluding those components related to the artifacts. A normalized correlation coefficient was used as a measure of the changes caused by the suppression of these components. ICA produced an evident clearing-up of signals in all the samples. The morphology and the topography of the spike were very similar before and after the removal of the artifacts. The correlation coefficient showed that the rest of the signal did not change significantly. Two examiners independently looked at the samples to identify the changes in the morphology and location of the discharge and the artifacts. In conclusion, ICA proved to be a useful tool to clean artifacts in short EEG samples, without having the disadvantages associated with the digital filters. The distortion of the interictal activity measured by correlation analysis was minimal.

Algorithms↗

Extensive retraction artifact correlates with lymphatic invasion and nodal metastasis and predicts poor outcome in early stage breast carcinoma.

Retraction artifact resulting in clear spaces around tumor cell nests is frequently seen in histologic material and may present difficulty in their differentiation from lymphovascular invasion. We noticed that retraction artifact seemed to be more common around groups of breast cancer cells compared with benign acini, and when extensively present, metastasis to axillary lymph nodes was often seen. Thus, we performed a study of 304 cases of stage pT1 and pT2 breast carcinomas to test our hypothesis that extensive retraction artifact in tumors correlates with lymphatic spread and outcome. Tumors were evaluated to determine the presence and extent of retraction artifact around tumor cell nests and the presence of lymphatic invasion. Lymphatic invasion was confirmed by D2-40 immunostaining. The extent of retraction artifact in tumors was correlated with clinicopathologic tumor features and patient outcome. Variable degree of retraction artifact was present in 183 of 304 (60%) invasive carcinomas, with its extent ranging from 0% to 90% (median 5%). The extent of retraction artifact showed a significant correlation with tumor size, histologic type, histologic grade, presence of lymphovascular invasion, and nodal metastasis. Further, extensive retraction artifact was significantly associated with poor overall and disease-free survival in both univariate and multivariate analyses. We propose that the apparent retraction of the stroma from cells of invasive breast carcinoma on routine histologic sections is not a phenomenon merely due to inadequate fixation as currently believed. Rather, it likely signifies important biologic changes that alter tumor-stromal interactions and contribute to lymphatic spread and tumor progression.

Artifacts↗

Side lobes and grating lobes artifacts in ultrasound imaging.

Side lobes and grating lobes are both unwanted parts of the ultrasound beam emitted off axis that produce image artifacts due to error in positioning the returning echo. The purpose of this study was to reproduce artifacts associated with side lobes and grating lobes in vitro using different transducer types and recognize these artifacts in vivo. A phantom, composed of a water bath, a metallic wire, and a wooden tongue depressor, was imaged using a linear array, a curved linear a vector array, and a sector mechanical transducer. When imaging the metallic wire in a transverse plane, an echogenic artifact was constantly seen on each side of the wire, with a shape and intensity variable with the transducer type. The artifact was curvilinear and concave (linear and curved linear arrays), or curvilinear and convex (vector array and the mechanical transducer). When the tongue depressor was imaged in a longitudinal plane, the artifact was a straight line (linear array), a curved convex line (curved array), a series of convex curvilinear echo (vector array) or a small convex curvilinear echo (mechanical transducer). In vivo situations similar to the phantom experiment were investigated using clinical patients. Artifacts produced in vitro were recognized in vivo when a highly reflective object (urinary bladder wall) was imaged adjacent to an anechoic region (urine). These artifacts corresponded to the principle of secondary ultrasound lobes, and were therefore interpreted as such.

Abdomen↗

Twinkling artifact in small animal color-Doppler sonography.

Twinkling artifact is a recently described color-Doppler phenomenon that has not been studied in the veterinary field. Our purpose was to assess the grade of the artifact in vitro with varying urolith compositions, and to evaluate its potential role in clinical practice. Five canine and feline uroliths types of 100% mineral composition were studied in vitro with color-Doppler sonography, and a prospective study was performed in 41 patients with renal, bladder, gallbladder, or digestive focal hyperechogenicities. The images were analyzed for the presence and the grade of the artifact. Phantom study demonstrated the constant occurrence of the artifact regardless of the mineral composition of uroliths. Mottled and rough surfaced stones produced higher grades of twinkling artifact. High-grade, color-twinkling artifact generated by stones occured frequently in vivo. Bladder crystalluria was more frequently detected by artifact visualization than sample urinalysis performed by cystocentesis. In veterinary medicine, twinkling artifact may thus be considered an additional sonographic feature of urinary stones, and can lead to a more appropriate management of patients presenting gray-scale sonographic focal hyperechogenicities.

Animals↗

Artifacts and pitfalls in MR imaging of the orbit: a clinical review.

High-resolution magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of the orbit has become widely accepted as a valuable diagnostic technique. However, there are a number of artifacts and pitfalls associated with orbital MR imaging. Chemical shift artifacts may be induced by orbital fat or silicone oil used to treat retinal detachment. Motion artifacts are caused primarily by unavoidable globe motion during imaging. Artifacts due to a nonuniform magnetic field are particularly noticeable at air-tissue interfaces but may also be caused by incomplete fat saturation or highly magnetic materials near the orbit. Protocol errors may cause artifacts such as saturation, phase wraparound, truncation, shading, and partial-volume artifacts. This information can be used to improve orbital image quality and avoid misinterpretation of image artifacts. Use of fat saturation, silicone saturation, and careful patient screening for metal near the eyes and instruction to reduce motion can help reduce the occurrence of artifacts. In addition, optimal imaging technique is essential and should include use of proper surface coils, plane of section, and pulse sequences.

Artifacts↗

Multi-detector row CT artifacts that mimic disease.

PURPOSE: To determine retrospectively the frequency of two artifact patterns that mimic pathologic lesions on computed tomographic (CT) head images acquired in the axial scanning mode with two different multi-detector row CT systems at the same institution. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The institutional review board approved this Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act-compliant study and waived informed consent. The study involved two groups of consecutive patients, a group of 22 (nine men, 13 women; mean age, 56 years; age range, 27-85 years) examined with one multi-detector row CT system with four detector rows, and another group of 13 (seven men, six women; mean age, 69 years; age range, 53-81 years) examined with a different four-detector row CT system. Examinations in each group took place in a 4-week period. CT images were retrospectively evaluated by a neuroradiologist and a physicist for presence, appearance, location (within the image set and on individual images), and size of artifacts. Elimination of artifacts was verified by scanning a water phantom after scanner service and repair. RESULTS: A pseudolesion, or artifact, was identified in scans of four of 22 patients examined with the first scanner and eight of 13 patients examined with the second scanner. The artifact on images obtained on the first scanner, an approximately 2-cm-diameter faintly hyperattenuating and nonenhancing area with hypoattenuating collar, was found at gantry isocenter on every fourth image. A different pattern was found on images obtained on the second scanner: a 1.1-cm-diameter circular area of hypoattenuation with a faintly attenuating rim, that mimicked a cyst. This artifact was observed also at the CT scanner gantry isocenter on every fourth image. Artifacts disappeared after recalibration (first scanner) or collimator cleaning (second scanner). CONCLUSION: CT scanning in the axial mode can produce a regularly repeating artifact when data from one detector row of a multi-detector row CT scanner are compromised. Because of the risk of misinterpreting such patterns, routine assessment of each detector element is recommended for multi-detector row CT scanners that are routinely used in the axial scanning mode.

Adult↗

Quantitative analysis of magnetic resonance imaging susceptibility artifacts caused by neurosurgical biomaterials: comparison of 0.5, 1.5, and 3.0 Tesla magnetic fields.

Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is an important diagnostic tool for neurosurgical diseases but susceptibility artifacts caused by biomaterial instrumentation frequently causes difficulty in visualizing postoperative changes. The susceptibility artifacts caused by neurosurgical biomaterials were compared quantitatively by 0.5, 1.5, and 3.0 Tesla MR imaging. MR imaging of uniform size and shape of pieces ceramic (zirconia), pure titanium, titanium alloy, and cobalt-based alloy was performed at 0.5, 1.5, and 3.0 Tesla. A linear region of interest was defined across the center of the biomaterial in the transverse direction, and the susceptibility artifact diameter was calculated. Susceptibility artifacts developed around all biomaterials at all magnetic field strengths. The artifact diameters caused by pure titanium, titanium alloy, and cobalt-based alloy increased in the order of 0.5, 1.5, to 3.0 Tesla magnetic fields. The artifact diameter of ceramic was not influenced by magnetic field strength, and was the smallest of all biomaterials at all magnetic field strengths. The artifacts caused by biomaterials except ceramic increase with the magnetic field strength. Ceramic instrumentation will minimize artifacts in all magnetic fields.

Artifacts↗

Characterization of urinary calculi: in vitro study of "twinkling artifact" revealed by color-flow sonography.

OBJECTIVE: The "twinkling artifact" is a color-flow sonographic artifact described behind calcifications and presenting as a random color encoding in the region where shadowing would be expected on gray-scale images. Our purpose was to study the relationship between this twinkling artifact seen behind urinary stones on color-flow sonography and the morphology or biochemical composition of these urinary stones. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-seven urinary stones were studied in vitro with color-flow sonography. Transmit frequency, color gain, velocity range, color filters, focal depth, and depth of field were changed during scanning. The twinkling artifact was graded 0 when absent, 1 when present but occupying a portion of acoustic shadowing, and 2 when occupying the entire acoustic shadowing. Stones were studied under a binocular magnifying glass to characterize the surface, and infrared spectrophotometry was used to determine the chemical composition. RESULTS: Calculi of calcium oxalate dihydrate and calcium phosphate always produced a grade 1 or grade 2 twinkling artifact. Absence of artifact was noted only for calcium oxalate monohydrate and urate stones. In 100% of grade 0 calcium oxalate stones, the monohydrate compound was predominant (>93%). In 100% of grade 2 calcium oxalate stones, the dihydrate compound was predominant (>75%). For calcium oxalate stones, the surface pattern was correlated with their composition. Sensitivity and specificity for absence of artifact, as indicative of calcium oxalate monohydrate, were 60% and 83%, respectively, for all stones and 56% and 100%, respectively, only for radiopaque stones. CONCLUSION: An in vitro relationship exists between the twinkling artifact and the morphology of urinary stones. Color-flow sonography could play a role in detecting dense calcium oxalate monohydrate calculi, which in turn may help predict fragmentability.

Artifacts↗

Quantification of susceptibility artifacts produced on high-field magnetic resonance images by various biomaterials used for neurosurgical implants. Technical note.

Although various biomaterials such as ceramics or titanium alloy are widely used in neurosurgery, the susceptibility artifacts that appear around these materials cause problems when a magnetic resonance (MR) imager is used to assess lesions after surgery. The purpose of the present study was to quantify the susceptibility artifacts produced by various biomaterials used for neurosurgical implants. Using a 3-tesla MR imaging unit, we obtained MR images of various biomaterials, including six types of ceramics, a cobalt-based alloy (Elgiloy), pure titanium, a titanium alloy, and stainless steel. All implants shared a uniform size and shape. In each image, a linear region of interest was defined across the center of the biomaterial in the transverse direction, and the diameter of the susceptibility artifact was calculated. The ceramics produced a considerably smaller artifact diameter than those produced by other biomaterials. Among the types of ceramics, zirconia was found to produce the smallest artifact diameter. Among the remaining biomaterials, the diameters of the artifacts decreased in order from that associated with stainless steel to those associated with cobalt-based alloys, pure titanium, and titanium alloy. Little difference was observed between the artifact diameters associated with pure titanium and titanium alloy. Ceramics are the most suitable biomaterials for minimizing artifacts in high-field MR imaging.

Artifacts↗

Magnetic resonance imaging artifacts and the magnetic attachment system.

The use of a rare earth magnetic attachment system as a means of retaining dentures or maxillofacial prostheses results in artifacts, when magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is used as a diagnostic tool. In such cases, the artifact is not caused by the magnet itself, but by the ferromagnetic stainless steel keeper that is placed in the body. This report evaluates such ferromagnetic stainless steel devices with respect to magnetic resonance imaging artifacts. A grid phantom and a 0.2 Tesla superconducting system were used to assess the imaging artifacts. The magnetic properties, shape, composition and size of ferromagnetic stainless steel devices were analyzed to study the relation MRI artifacts and ferromagnetic materials. The higher the magnetic permeability was, the greater the artifact produced. The size and volume of the material directly influence the artifact produced. The artifact size can be attenuated by the sequence used to obtain the images.

Adult↗