A number of iterative image reconstruction algorithms were integrated into one formula characterizing each algorithm by only two parameters: overrelaxation and number of subsets. From the formula it follows that the o...
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A number of iterative image reconstruction algorithms were integrated into one formula characterizing each algorithm by only two parameters: overrelaxation and number of subsets. From the formula it follows that the ordered-subsets iteration (OS-EM) is equivalent to iteration with overrelaxation, where the OS level corresponds to the overrelaxation parameter. Algorithms represented by the formula were studied with respect to speed of convergence and image characteristics. In particular, OS-EM was compared with a single-projection iteration procedure using an optimized sequence of overrelaxation parameters (HOSP) which combines rapid convergence with reduced storage requirements. As a result, OS-FM with a constant number of subsets either needed more iteration steps than HOSP or provoked additional noise, depending on the number of subsets used during iteration. OS-FM can be improved by using decreasing OS levels, imitating the decreasing overrelaxation parameters used for HOSP. The resulting OS-FM may be slightly more rapid than HOSP, due to the increasing number of projections used simultaneously.
Converging collimation increases the geometric efficiency for imaging small organs, such as the heart, but also increases the difficulty of correcting far the physical effects of attenuation, geometric response and sc...
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Converging collimation increases the geometric efficiency for imaging small organs, such as the heart, but also increases the difficulty of correcting far the physical effects of attenuation, geometric response and scatter in SPECT. In this paper, 3D first-order Compton scatter in non-uniform scattering media is modelled by using an efficient slice-by-slice incremental blurring technique in both parallel and converging beam SPECT. The scatter projections are generated by first forming an effective scatter source image (ESSI), then forward-projecting the ESSI. The Compton scatter cross section described by the Klein-Nishina formula is used to obtain spatial scatter response functions (SSRFs) of scattering slices which are parallel to the detector surface. Two SSRFs of neighbouring scattering slices are used to compute two small orthogonal 1D blurring kernels used for the incremental blurring from the slice which is further from the detector surface to the slice which is closer to the detector surface. First-order Compton scatter point response functions (SPRFs) obtained using the proposed model agree well with those of Monte Carlo (MC) simulations for both parallel and fan beam SPECT. Image reconstruction in fan beam SPECT MC simulation studies shows increased left ventricle myocardium-to-chamber contrast (LV contrast) and slightly improved image resolution when performing scatter compensation using the proposed model. Physical torso phantom fan beam SPECT experiments show increased myocardial uniformity and image resolution as well as increased LV contrast. The proposed method efficiently models the 3D first-order Compton scatter effect in parallel and converging beam SPECT.
Misclassification of exposure can lead to biased results in the epidemiologic research. Available methods accounting for misclassification often require the use of a gold standard or assume non-differential misclassif...
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Misclassification of exposure can lead to biased results in the epidemiologic research. Available methods accounting for misclassification often require the use of a gold standard or assume non-differential misclassification of exposure. We present a regression approach which can detect and account for different types of misclassification when estimating the exposure and disease relationship. This approach uses two imperfect measures of a dichotomous exposure and does not require a gold standard. Standard statistical packages with a logistic regression module can be used for estimation of parameters through the EM algorithm process. Two examples are used to illustrate the methodology. Copyright (C) 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
OBJECTIVES The study was done to test the ability to predict the extent of angiographically determined coronary artery disease (CAD) by quantification of coronary calcium using electron-beam computed tomography (EBCT)...
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OBJECTIVES The study was done to test the ability to predict the extent of angiographically determined coronary artery disease (CAD) by quantification of coronary calcium using electron-beam computed tomography (EBCT) and to compare it with more conventional parameters for delineating the angiographic extent of CAD, that is, cardiovascular risk factors and radionuclide single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). BACKGROUND The angiographic extent of CAD is a powerful predictor of subsequent events. Use of EBCT may be able to define it by virtue of its ability to determine plaque burden. METHODS We examined 308 patients presenting with suspected but not previously known CAD who underwent selective coronary angiography. As measures of the angiographic extent of CAD, coronary artery greater even 20 (CAGE greater than or equal to 20) and CAGE greater than or equal to 50 scores represented the total number of coronary segments with greater than or equal to 20% or greater than or equal to 50% stenoses, respectively. The EBCT derived total calcium scores were obtained in 291 patients, risk factors as defined by the National Cholesterol Education Program in 239 patients, and SPECT scans in 136 patients. RESULTS Using multiple linear regression analysis, total calcium scores were better independent predictors of both CAGE greater than or equal to 20 and CAGE greater than or equal to 50 scores than either a SPECT-derived radionuclide perfusion score or the risk factors age, male gender and ratio of total/high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. The association between EBCT and angiographic scores remained highly significant after excluding the influence of all interrelated risk factors and SPECT variables (r = 0.65;p < 0.001 for CAGE greater than or equal to 20 scores, r = 0.50;p < 0.001 for CAGE greater than or equal to 50 scores). CONCLUSIONS Coronary calcium predicts the angiographic extent of CAD in symptomatic patients and provides independent and incremental
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