Enhancing the Accuracy of Vascular Embolism Volumetry Using Medical Imaging Software

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Detecting and accurate determining of vascular embolism dimensions are considered as a challenging issue in CT imaging. Present study aimed to enhance the accuracy of vascular embolism volumetry in managing a proper diagnosis and treatment of the disease. METHODS: In this non experimental quantitative study, firstly we simulated coronary and aorta arteries with normal dimensions in a 4D extended NURBS based cardiac-torso phantom in a matrix sizes of 512×512 with slice thickness of 0.116 mm. Then, twenty five venous thromboembolisms with the diameters ranged 0.1-5 and 5-20 mm were created in the coronary arteries and aorta of the Phantom, respectively. The Medical Imaging Interaction Toolkit was used for localization and volume measurement of the produced venous thromboembolisms on the CT images. Finally, Accuracy of the measured data was compared with the simulated measures in the phantom. FINDINGS: The difference on measures with the software was obtained 0.03±0.021 for embolies less than 4.64 mm (0.1 ml), (r=0.67, p=0.02), and 0.02±0.008 mm for embolies greater than 4.64 mm (r=0.99, p<0.001). CONCLUSION: According to the acceptable volumetry accuracy of Medical Imaging Interaction Toolkit especially for volumes greater than 0.1 ml, may be used for an accurate thromboembolism and pulmonary embolism measurements.

Keywords

• embolism
• volumetry
• medical diagnosis
• coronary vessels
• aorta.