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Objective: To implement detailed EU cardiac computed tomography angiography (CCTA) quality criteria in the multicentre DISCHARGE trial (FP72007-2013, EC-GA 603266), we reviewed image quality and adherence to CCTA protocol and to the recommendations of invasive coronary angiography (ICA) in a pilot study. Materials and methods: From every clinical centre, imaging datasets of three patients per arm were assessed for adherence to the inclusion/exclusion criteria of the pilot study, predefined standards for the CCTA protocol and ICA recommendations, image quality and non-diagnostic (NDX) rate. These parameters were compared via multinomial regression and ANOVA. If a site did not reach the minimum quality level, additional datasets had to be sent before entering into the final accepted database (FADB). Results: We analysed 226 cases (150 CCTA/76 ICA). The inclusion/exclusion criteria were not met by 6 of the 226 (2.7%) datasets. The predefined standard was not met by 13 of 76 ICA datasets (17.1%). This percentage decreased between the initial CCTA database and the FADB (multinomial regression, 53 of 70 vs 17 of 75 [76%] vs [23%]). The signal-to-noise ratio and contrast-to-noise ratio of the FADB did not improve significantly (ANOVA, p = 0.20; p = 0.09). The CTA NDX rate was reduced, but not significantly (initial CCTA database 15 of 70 [21.4%]) and FADB 9 of 75 [12%]; p = 0.13). Conclusion: We were able to increase conformity to the inclusion/exclusion criteria and CCTA protocol, improve image quality and decrease the CCTA NDX rate by implementing EU CCTA quality criteria and ICA recommendations. Key Points: • Failure to meet protocol adherence in cardiac CTA was high in the pilot study (77.6%). • Image quality varies between sites and can be improved by feedback given by the core lab. • Conformance with new EU cardiac CT quality criteria might render cardiac CTA findings more consistent and comparable.

This article discusses a study performed with an aim to determine the usefulness of diffusion-weighted MRI in pre-treatment assessment and evaluation of chemotherapy response of mediastinal lesions of malignant lymphoma by analysing signal intensity, accumulation of contrast agent and changes in values of ADC. Comparing the results of PET/CT and DW-MRI was another goal of this study. We reviewed data of 21 patients that underwent treatment during years 2013-2014 at the Hospital of Lithuanian University of Health Sciences Kaunas Clinics and had DW-MRI and PET/CT scans carried out. For all patients the diagnosis of malignant lymphoma in mediastinal lymph nodes was confirmed histological. Whether the lymphoma was in active state was determined by PET/CT or histological data. In MRI scans, signal intensity and ADC values were evaluated, while in PET/CT maximum and average standardized uptake values were assessed. Patients underwent chemotherapy and follow up scans were performed to evaluate response. In total, 25 PET/CT and 50 DW-MRI scans were analysed. We found statistically significant difference of values of ADC in active and inactive states of malignant lymphoma of mediastinal lymph nodes. In follow up tests, performed during 2 years after treatment, a tendency of decreasing ADC values over time was seen when chemotherapy was successful and no relapse was observed. Among the reviewed cases, DW-MRI had slightly worse specificity than PET/CT in differentiation of malignant and benign changes in lymph nodes.

About half of million deaths caused by colorectal cancer (CRC) has been reported worldwide every year. Programmes for early diagnosis of CRC has reduced mortality due to this disease, as the cancer is diagnosed in earlier stages which can be treated more successfully. Programme for early CRC diagnosis in Lithuania has been based on the faeces occult blood test (FOBT). If positive FOBT result is obtained, patients should be referred for colonoscopy (CS) examination. Based on the data from the National Health Fund, during the first three years CS examination was carried out for a little bit more than half of the patients participating in the programme and presenting with positive FOBT result. Aiming to improve accuracy of CRC diagnostics we have suggested alternative CS examination – computed tomography colonography (CTC). The aim of our study was to establish diagnostic value of CTC examination in the identification of neoplastic alterations in the patients with positive FOBT result and to specify factors having influence on the examination quality. CTC examinations were carried out and their results were compared with the findings of CS. We discovered that CTC is of high diagnostic value for detection of lesions sized ≥ 6 mm and of very high diagnostic value for detection of large ( ≥ 10 mm) polyps in a colon. We found out that the length of colon had no influence on how patients tolerated this examination and on patients well-being during CTC procedure, and colon cleaning... [to full text], Pasaulyje kasmet nuo storosios žarnos vėžio (SŽV) miršta apie pusė milijono žmonių. SŽV ankstyvosios diagnostikos programos sumažina mirtingumą nuo šios ligos, nes vėžys tada yra aptinkamas anksčiau ir galima jį lengviau išgydyti. Lietuvoje SŽV ankstyvosios diagnostikos programa yra paremta slapto kraujo išmatose nustatymo testu (FOBT). Po teigiamo FOBT atsakymo pacientai yra nukreipiami kolonoskopijai (KS). Valstybinės ligonių kasos duomenimis per pirmuosius trejus metus iš pacientų, dalyvavusių programoje, kuriems nustatytas teigiamas FOBT, iš jų tik kiek daugiau nei pusei pacientų atlikta KS. Norint dažniau diagnozuoti SŽV, pasiūlėme alternatyvų KS tyrimą - kompiuterinės tomografijos kolonografiją (KTK). Taikydami KTK ir lygindami jos rezultatus su KS, norėjome išsiaiškinti KTK tyrimo diagnostinę vertę nustatant neoplastinius pakitimus pacientams su teigiamu FOBT bei nustatyti tyrimo kokybei darančius įtaką faktorius. Nustatėme, kad KTK pasižymi didele diagnostine verte nustatant ≥6 mm dydžio pakitimus bei labai didele diagnostine verte nustatant didelius (≥10 mm) polipus, storojoje žarnoje. Nustatėme, kad storosios žarnos ilgis neturi įtakos KTK tyrimo tolerancijai ir paciento savijautai KTK metu, o žarnos išsivalymo kokybė prieš KTK tyrimą nepriklauso nuo anatominių storosios žarnos savybių – tokių, kaip ilgis. Išsiaiškinome, kad KTK tyrimas yra jautrus nustatant storosios žarnos neoplastines adenomas ir vėžį, bet nesiekia KS tyrimo jautrumo, todėl KTK taikyti... [toliau žr. visą tekstą]

About half of million deaths caused by colorectal cancer (CRC) has been reported worldwide every year. Programmes for early diagnosis of CRC has reduced mortality due to this disease, as the cancer is diagnosed in earlier stages which can be treated more successfully. Programme for early CRC diagnosis in Lithuania has been based on the faeces occult blood test (FOBT). If positive FOBT result is obtained, patients should be referred for colonoscopy (CS) examination. Based on the data from the National Health Fund, during the first three years CS examination was carried out for a little bit more than half of the patients participating in the programme and presenting with positive FOBT result. Aiming to improve accuracy of CRC diagnostics we have suggested alternative CS examination – computed tomography colonography (CTC). The aim of our study was to establish diagnostic value of CTC examination in the identification of neoplastic alterations in the patients with positive FOBT result and to specify factors having influence on the examination quality. CTC examinations were carried out and their results were compared with the findings of CS. We discovered that CTC is of high diagnostic value for detection of lesions sized ≥ 6 mm and of very high diagnostic value for detection of large ( ≥ 10 mm) polyps in a colon. We found out that the length of colon had no influence on how patients tolerated this examination and on patients well-being during CTC procedure, and colon cleaning... [to full text], Pasaulyje kasmet nuo storosios žarnos vėžio (SŽV) miršta apie pusė milijono žmonių. SŽV ankstyvosios diagnostikos programos sumažina mirtingumą nuo šios ligos, nes vėžys tada yra aptinkamas anksčiau ir galima jį lengviau išgydyti. Lietuvoje SŽV ankstyvosios diagnostikos programa yra paremta slapto kraujo išmatose nustatymo testu (FOBT). Po teigiamo FOBT atsakymo pacientai yra nukreipiami kolonoskopijai (KS). Valstybinės ligonių kasos duomenimis per pirmuosius trejus metus iš pacientų, dalyvavusių programoje, kuriems nustatytas teigiamas FOBT, iš jų tik kiek daugiau nei pusei pacientų atlikta KS. Norint dažniau diagnozuoti SŽV, pasiūlėme alternatyvų KS tyrimą - kompiuterinės tomografijos kolonografiją (KTK). Taikydami KTK ir lygindami jos rezultatus su KS, norėjome išsiaiškinti KTK tyrimo diagnostinę vertę nustatant neoplastinius pakitimus pacientams su teigiamu FOBT bei nustatyti tyrimo kokybei darančius įtaką faktorius. Nustatėme, kad KTK pasižymi didele diagnostine verte nustatant ≥6 mm dydžio pakitimus bei labai didele diagnostine verte nustatant didelius (≥10 mm) polipus, storojoje žarnoje. Nustatėme, kad storosios žarnos ilgis neturi įtakos KTK tyrimo tolerancijai ir paciento savijautai KTK metu, o žarnos išsivalymo kokybė prieš KTK tyrimą nepriklauso nuo anatominių storosios žarnos savybių – tokių, kaip ilgis. Išsiaiškinome, kad KTK tyrimas yra jautrus nustatant storosios žarnos neoplastines adenomas ir vėžį, bet nesiekia KS tyrimo jautrumo, todėl KTK taikyti... [toliau žr. visą tekstą]

About half of million deaths caused by colorectal cancer (CRC) has been reported worldwide every year. Programmes for early diagnosis of CRC has reduced mortality due to this disease, as the cancer is diagnosed in earlier stages which can be treated more successfully. Programme for early CRC diagnosis in Lithuania has been based on the faeces occult blood test (FOBT). If positive FOBT result is obtained, patients should be referred for colonoscopy (CS) examination. Based on the data from the National Health Fund, during the first three years CS examination was carried out for a little bit more than half of the patients participating in the programme and presenting with positive FOBT result. Aiming to improve accuracy of CRC diagnostics we have suggested alternative CS examination – computed tomography colonography (CTC). The aim of our study was to establish diagnostic value of CTC examination in the identification of neoplastic alterations in the patients with positive FOBT result and to specify factors having influence on the examination quality. CTC examinations were carried out and their results were compared with the findings of CS. We discovered that CTC is of high diagnostic value for detection of lesions sized ≥ 6 mm and of very high diagnostic value for detection of large ( ≥ 10 mm) polyps in a colon. We found out that the length of colon had no influence on how patients tolerated this examination and on patients well-being during CTC procedure, and colon cleaning... [to full text], Pasaulyje kasmet nuo storosios žarnos vėžio (SŽV) miršta apie pusė milijono žmonių. SŽV ankstyvosios diagnostikos programos sumažina mirtingumą nuo šios ligos, nes vėžys tada yra aptinkamas anksčiau ir galima jį lengviau išgydyti. Lietuvoje SŽV ankstyvosios diagnostikos programa yra paremta slapto kraujo išmatose nustatymo testu (FOBT). Po teigiamo FOBT atsakymo pacientai yra nukreipiami kolonoskopijai (KS). Valstybinės ligonių kasos duomenimis per pirmuosius trejus metus iš pacientų, dalyvavusių programoje, kuriems nustatytas teigiamas FOBT, iš jų tik kiek daugiau nei pusei pacientų atlikta KS. Norint dažniau diagnozuoti SŽV, pasiūlėme alternatyvų KS tyrimą - kompiuterinės tomografijos kolonografiją (KTK). Taikydami KTK ir lygindami jos rezultatus su KS, norėjome išsiaiškinti KTK tyrimo diagnostinę vertę nustatant neoplastinius pakitimus pacientams su teigiamu FOBT bei nustatyti tyrimo kokybei darančius įtaką faktorius. Nustatėme, kad KTK pasižymi didele diagnostine verte nustatant ≥6 mm dydžio pakitimus bei labai didele diagnostine verte nustatant didelius (≥10 mm) polipus, storojoje žarnoje. Nustatėme, kad storosios žarnos ilgis neturi įtakos KTK tyrimo tolerancijai ir paciento savijautai KTK metu, o žarnos išsivalymo kokybė prieš KTK tyrimą nepriklauso nuo anatominių storosios žarnos savybių – tokių, kaip ilgis. Išsiaiškinome, kad KTK tyrimas yra jautrus nustatant storosios žarnos neoplastines adenomas ir vėžį, bet nesiekia KS tyrimo jautrumo, todėl KTK taikyti... [toliau žr. visą tekstą]

Aim of the study is to examine mandibular bone mineral density using panoramic radiography, to evaluate its effect on the number of remaining teeth and the mandibular body height, and to determine the relationship of the panoramic radiomorphometric indices of the mandible with calcaneal bone mineral density in post–menopausal women. Objectives of the study: 1.To analyze the relationship between the panoramic radiomorphometric indices of the mandible indicating mandibular bone mineral density, the optical density of the mandibular bone in panoramic radiography images, and bone mineral density of the calcaneus. 2.To use panoramic radiomorphometric indices of the mandible and densitometry examination to calculate mandibular bone mineral density, to determine its relationship with the number of remaining teeth and the mandibular body height, and to evaluate diagnostic effectiveness of panoramic radiomorphometric indices. 3.To evaluate the effect of changes in mandibular bone mineral density on periodontal tissues. 4.To determine the effect of calcaneal (the general skeletal) bone mineral density on the number of remaining teeth and mandibular body height. 5.To evaluate the relationship of age and the post–menopausal period with bone mineral density in the calcaneus and the mandible, mandibular body height, and the number of remaining teeth. 6.To perform in vitro morphometric analysis of the mandibular cortical bone, and to evaluate the reliability of panoramic radiography in... [to full text], Darbo tikslas yra panoraminės radiografijos metodu ištirti apatinio žandikaulio kaulų mineralų tankį, jo įtaką išlikusių dantų skaičiui, bendram apatinio žandikaulio kūno aukščiui ir nustatyti ryšį tarp apatinio žandikaulio panoraminių radiomorfometrinių indeksų ir kulnakaulio kaulų mineralų tankio pomenopauzinio amžiaus moterims. Uždaviniai: 1) ištirti ryšį tarp apatinio žandikaulio panoraminių radiomorfometrinių indeksų, rodančių apatinio žandikaulio kaulų mineralų tankį, apatinio žandikaulio panoraminėse radiogramose išmatuoto optinio tankio ir kulnakaulio kaulų mineralų tankio; 2) pagal apatinio žandikaulio panoraminius radiomorfometrinius indeksus ir densitometrinį tyrimą apskaičiuoti apatinio žandikaulio kaulų mineralų tankį, nustatyti jo ryšį su išlikusių dantų skaičiumi, bendru apatinio žandikaulio kūno aukščiu, įvertinti radiomorfometrinių indeksų diagnostinį efektyvumą; 3) išanalizuoti apatinio žandikaulio kaulų mineralų tankio pokyčių įtaką priedančio audiniams; 4) įvertinti kulnakaulio kaulų mineralų tankio (bendro skeleto) sąsajas su išlikusių dantų skaičiumi ir bendru apatinio žandikaulio kūno aukščiu; 5) nustatyti amžiaus ir pomenopauzinio periodo sąsają tarp kulnakaulio ir apatinio žandikaulio kaulų mineralų tankio, bendro apatinio žandikaulio kūno aukščio, išlikusių dantų skaičiaus; 6) atlikti apatinių žandikaulių tankiosios kaulinės medžiagos morfometrinę analizę in vitro ir įvertinti panoraminio radiografinio tyrimo patikimumą tiriant pamato tankiąją... [toliau žr. visą tekstą]