The main goal of the thesis was the development of a registration method able to match images containing both rigid and non-rigid structures for neck images acquired during the process of radiotherapy. We were interested in developing a volumetric registration method for multimodal images. Specifically we developped an articulated transformation we embedded in the current registration framework. We used physics-based material equations of elasticity to propagate the resulting deformations. This registration method has been used to register articulated structures and was applied to vertebral columns. We have also developed non-rigid registration methods with Mathieu De Craene. The first method is a volumetric and multimodal non-rigid algorithm taking into account the elasticity of the different bodies in the images to register. We used the elastic theory to regularize a deformation maximizing a mutual information criterion. A second method, equivalent of the optical flow but developed for multi-modal images is also described. This method has fewer parameters to adjust but does not take into account the stiffness of the tissues to match. These non-rigid methods have been applied to prostate images, histological sections and to finalize the registration initialized with the articulated registration in the neck area. To assign physical properties, we had to create meshes with good quality elements. We have implemented mesh generators to create the meshes needed to represent the objects to be registered.

Thesis (M. Phil.)--University of Hong Kong, 2001. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 83-102).

Thesis (M. Phil.)--University of Hong Kong, 2001. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 103-124).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hong Kong, 2002. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 182-211).

published_or_final_version / Surgery / Master / Master of Medical Sciences

Neck pain is an increasing problem in industrialized societies. Research is necessary to find ways to objectively measure neck dysfunction. The purpose of this Master's project was to examine the test-retest properties of a dynamometric system for neck force measurements and to obtain reference measures on isometric cervical strength in a healthy population. Twenty-eight healthy subjects participated in this study; 16 males and 12 females. Cervical strength was measured using the MCU(TM) Multi-Cervical Unit (BTE Technologies(c)) in six directions: flexion, extension, protraction, retraction and right and left lateral flexion. The test-retest reliability was good to excellent (≥ 0.85) for all directions. Males were on average 58% stronger than females, with the greatest difference in t1exion. The standard error of measurement and minimal detectable change values were found to be much smaller than the average strength measures. Studies are needed to address the implementation of the MCU in clinical settings.

The purpose of this Master's project was to investigate the effects of a l2-week Pilates training program on neck-shoulder posture and motion, core strength and neck-shoulder kinematics and muscles activity associated with a shoulder flexion task performed under six different conditions. After the training, scapula anterior tilt and upper and lower thoracic extension were reduced and there was increased activity of the rectus abdominis, serratus anterior and rhomboid muscles during the shoulder flexion task; passive shoulder range of motion increased in flexion and internal rotation; static thoracic kyphosis was smaller and abdominal strength was greater. Theses results suggest that Pilates is effective in improving core strength, thoracic static and dynamic posture, and shoulder flexibility as well as in stabilizing core posture as limb movements are performed. Our results support the use of the Pilates method in the rehabilitation, and possibly in the prevention, of neck-shoulder disorders.

Colposuspension is an effective treatment for genuine stress incontinence. Continence is restored by positioning the bladder neck in a fixed and elevated retro-pubic position. Despite a high success rate of up to 90%, post-operative complications occur which may have an adverse effect on quality of life. Voiding difficulties develop in 0-43% of patients and detrusor instability in 2- 25%. This considerable variability is due to differences in definition, the timing of assessment, patient selection, and probably also in surgical technique. The natural history of these complications is not clearly known due to the lack of prospective follow-up studies. There is also general uncertainty with regards to their causes. While retrospective studies have attempted to identify pre-operative risk factors, there are no prospective studies which attempt to correlate the anatomical and functional changes caused by surgery with the development of voiding dysfunction and detrusor instability. This study has investigated prospectively 77 women undergoing the operation of colposuspension in relation to the incidence, natural history and causes of post-operative voiding dysfunction and detrusor instability. The complications were identified and followed-up objectively by means of serial urodynamic studies. Patients were also assessed clinically and using quality of life measures. The development of complications were correlated to a number of anatomical and functional changes caused by surgery. Anatomical changes were identified mainly by imaging the bladder neck with Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Functional changes were identified using urodynamic studies. Voiding dysfunction after colposuspension was common, with 69% of women requiring a catheter for more than seven days, and 28% for longer than 14 days. Improvement occurred gradually in most cases, with only 7. 7% and 2.5% of them needing catheterization at three months and one year respectively. De novo detrusor instability occurred in 21% of women at three months follow-up, and was symptomatic in 66% of these cases. Objective and subjective resolution was seen in 50% of these at one year follow-up. Quality of life after colposuspension improved in most cases despite the development of these complications, probably due to the resolution of their incontinence. Voiding dysfunction and detrusor instability after colposuspension were found to be multifactorial, due to patient related factors (age and detrusor contractility for voiding dysfunction, and age and a past history of bladder neck surgery for detrusor instability), and to operative factors (amount of bladder neck elevation and urethral compression). These findings might lead to the development of preventative measures.

Thesis (MApp Sc in Physiotherapy)--University of South Australia, 1995

Thesis (M. Sc.)--University of Canterbury, 2007. / Typescript (photocopy). "Year: 2005-2007." Includes bibliographical references (leaves 130-132). Also available via the World Wide Web.