O seio esfenoidal humano, embora sua morfologia seja mais regular quando comparada à dos demais seios paranasais, apresenta numerosas variações anatômicas que afetam sua relação com estruturas vizinhas. Diversos autores mostram a importância do conhecimento dessas variações anatômicas, baseadas tanto na forma quanto na sua presença, para uma correta e segura abordagem cirúrgica nos procedimentos via endoscópica transesfenoidais. Devido a isso, o frequente estudo deste segmento anatômico se torna preponderante e para isso a tomografia computadorizada helicoidal, mais recentemente com o desenvolvimento da aquisição multislice, é de grande importância para o conhecimento tridimensional dos seus aspectos anatômicos e suas estruturas vizinhas, sendo hoje o exame indicado. A tomografia computadorizada por feixe cônico, devido ao baixo custo dos equipamentos e principalmente a baixa dose de radiação, aliada à qualidade e fidelidade de suas imagens, têm ocupado um espaço importante no diagnóstico por imagem nas diferentes especialidades da Odontologia e mostra-se também relevante sua ampliação em outras áreas em função das vantagens já citadas. O objetivo desse estudo, a partir da análise das imagens de 300 pacientes, obtidas em equipamento de tomografia computadorizada por feixe cônico, é mostrar a viabilidade da obtenção das mesmas para a avaliação das variações anatômicas do seio esfenoidal humano, no que se refere à presença e o tipo de expansão basilar e de septos, em um tomógrafo que une qualidade e fidelidade de imagens com baixa dose de radiação. Os resultados mostraram ser viável a observação, por meio da tomografia computadorizada por feixe cônico, tanto da presença de expansão basilar quanto de septos no seio esfenoidal humano, onde 69% dos exames analisados apresentaram expansão basilar e 60% septos. A presença de expansões mostrou ser independente em relação ao gênero e a idade e 81% delas apresentaram-se como críticas. A presença de septos mostrou ser também independente em relação ao gênero, porém associada a pacientes acima de 40 anos, sendo que 36% apresentaram somente o septo principal, 6% septos acessórios e 18% ambos. / The human sinus, although their morphology is more regular when compared to the other paranasal sinuses, has numerous anatomical variations that affect their relationship with neighboring structures. Several authors show the importance of anatomical variations knowledge, based on its shape and occurrence, for a correct and safe surgical approach in the endoscopic transsphenoidal procedures. Due to this, the frequent anatomic study becomes important and the helical CT, most recently with the development of multislice acquisition, is of great importance to the knowledge of their three-dimensional anatomy and its neighboring structures, being nowadays the main indicated survey. The cone beam computed tomography due to the its low cost of equipment and especially the low dose of radiation, combined with quality and fidelity of images, have occupied an important position in diagnostic imaging in the different specialties of Dentistry and shows to be also relevant in others areas according to the advantages already mentioned. This study, based on the analysis of obtained images from 300 patients in cone beam computed tomography equipment, intents the viability of obtaining the evaluation of anatomic variations of sphenoid sinus, in regard to the presence and type of basilar expansion and internal septa, in a CT scanner that combines quality and fidelity of images with low radiation dose. By means of cone-beam computed tomography the results showed the observation to be viable. The presence of basilar sinus expansion and septa in human sphenoid sinus were found. 69% of the analyzed cases showed basilar expansion and 60% the presence of septa. The presence of expansion was independent when considered the gender and age and 81% presented themselves as critical. The presence of septa was independent of gender and associated with patients over 40 years, and 36% had only primary septum, 6% accessories septa and 18% both.

A cárie dentária continua sendo um grande desafio para os Cirurgiões-Dentistas pela dificuldade de diagnóstico, sobretudo em superfícies proximais. Muitos equipamentos se destinam a facilitar o exame do paciente, tendo como principal objetivo o diagnóstico de cáries incipientes. Dentre os exames mais utilizados está a radiografia interproximal associada ao exame clínico. O Sistema Internacional de Avaliação e Detecção de Cáries (ICDAS) vem sendo bem aceito tanto para o uso clínico como para pesquisas in vitro e in vivo, apresentando ótimos resultados. Além da técnica interproximal, a tomografia cone beam (CBCT) vem entrando no cotidiano da Odontologia, mas pouco se sabe sobre o seu desempenho para avaliação de cáries iniciais em superfícies proximais. A microtomografia (CT) é um novo método de avaliação destinado a pequenos espécimes e se assemelha a uma versão em miniatura da tomografia axial computadorizada, gerando imagens na ordem de micrômetros. Este método vem sendo utilização em pesquisas para se avaliar tecidos mineralizados, devido à sua habilidade de aferir com precisão o coeficiente de atenuação linear. O método padrão ouro que define com maior precisão os estágios da cárie é o histológico. Contudo, para sua avaliação é necessário destruir os espécimes. Este trabalho teve por objetivo avaliar o desempenho do método ICDAS, de radiografias digitais pela técnica interproximal, da CBCT e da CT para lesões precoces de cárie, com relação à histologia. Houve correlação entre os dados obtidos com o sistema ICDAS para superfícies proximais e as imagens da CT, no que diz respeito à classificação quanto à profundidade das lesões. A CT tem correlação positiva com a histologia tanto na classificação das lesões como na profundidade, contudo esta relação poderia ser maior se uma melhor resolução fosse conseguida. As radiografias digitais pela técnica interproximal tiveram o melhor desempenho com relação à CT e à histologia, sendo este desempenho muito semelhante ao método clínico ICDAS. A CBCT obteve o pior desempenho, contudo ainda assim houve correlação positiva com a histologia e com a CT. A associação do método clínico ICDAS e as radiografias interproximais digitais tiveram o melhor desempenho com relação à histologia. A grande vantagem da microtomografia quando comparada a outros métodos de avaliação da doença cárie, é a manutenção da integridade dos espécimes, a informação tridimensional e isotrópica, possibilitando o uso dos espécimes em outro momento, sem a perda de eventuais características presentes nos mesmos. / Dental caries is still a great challenge to dentists, manly in proximal surfaces due to its difficult diagnosis. Many types of equipment have been designed to minimize this problem, specially aiming early caries detection. Among all, one of the most used by clinicians is the interproximal radiograph. The International Caries Assessment System (ICDAS) is a clinical evaluation method that is well accepted and used having a good performance not only for in vivo but also for in vitro studies. Cone beam CT (CBCT) is also being assessed in the overall Dentistry, but its performance on early caries detection has not extensively being evaluated. Microtomography (CT) is a new assessment method which is addressed to small specimens and is similar to a miniature version of axial computed tomography, producing images with micrometrical definition. CT is being assessed in dental research to evaluate mineral content of hard tissues, due to its ability to measure precisely the linear attenuation coefficient. The gold standard method to measure early caries lesions is histological method. However, to perform it, its necessary to cut the specimen. This study had the aim to evaluate the ICDAS, digital X-rays with the interproximal technique, CBCT and CT performance for early caries lesions, when compared to histology. ICDAS for proximal surfaces and CT had a positive correlation through the lesions depth. CT had a positive correlation with histology when analyzing lesions depth and the classification relating to the severity of the lesion, although this relation could be better if a better resolution could be achieved. Digital bite-wing radiographs had the best performance among all exams when comparing to CT and histology, similar to what we notice with the ICDAS results. CBCT had the worst results when comparing to CT and histology, but it was still considered a good relation. The best performance was achieved with the association of ICDAS and digital bite-wing radiographs when comparing to histology. The great advantage of CT when compared to other validating methods to evaluate dental caries is that it doesnt destroy the specimens, it gives tridimensional and isotropic information, making possible to use the specimens again, without losing inner properties.

Die Radiologie fungiert als wesentliches Instrument in der Diagnostik und Nachsorge fibro-ossärer Läsionen (FOL). Hierbei gewinnen überlagerungsfreie, dreidimensionale Aufnahmen aufgrund der im Kopf-Halsbereich vorhandenen hohen Dichte und Vielfalt anatomischer Strukturen und der damit einhergehenden Fülle von Differentialdiagnosen an Bedeutung. Anhand der Studie wurden die röntgenologischen Charakteristika von ossären Dysplasien (OD) und ossifizierenden Fibromen (OF) im dentalen Volumentomogramm herausgestellt, sowie diagnostische und therapeutische Vorteile der dentalen Volumentomographie (DVT) im Vergleich zur Orthopantomographie (OPG) und Computertomographie (CT) ermittelt und gegenübergestellt. Zu diesem Zwecke wurden anhand eines Fragebogens 18 Röntgenbildpaare (OPG-DVT) von FOL durch zehn Betrachter auf (A) deren röntgenologische Eigenschaften sowie Metallartefakte befundet und (B) deren Abbildungsqualität von sehr gut (1) bis schlecht (5) bzw. nicht beurteilbar bewertet. Insgesamt wurden 360 Analysebögen ausgewertet. Entitäts- und röntgentechnikspezifische Unterschiede wurden statistisch ermittelt. Die Abbildungsqualitäten der DVT und CT wurden auf Grundlage einer intensiven Literaturrecherche verglichen. Die Ergebnisse dieser Studie stellten signifikante Unterschiede in den röntgenologischen Eigenschaften von OD und OF heraus. Acht von zehn Strukturen zeigten in den DVT-Aufnahmen eine signifikant bessere Abbildungsqualität im Vergleich zu den OPG-Aufnahmen. Die teilweise gravierenderen Befunde in den DVT-Aufnahmen deuteten auf eine Unterinterpretation dieser Befunde im OPG hin. Die Literaturrecherche zu Gegenüberstellungen der Abbildungsqualitäten in CT und DVT wies nahezu ausnahmslos auf eine Überlegenheit der DVT hin.

O seio esfenoidal humano, embora sua morfologia seja mais regular quando comparada à dos demais seios paranasais, apresenta numerosas variações anatômicas que afetam sua relação com estruturas vizinhas. Diversos autores mostram a importância do conhecimento dessas variações anatômicas, baseadas tanto na forma quanto na sua presença, para uma correta e segura abordagem cirúrgica nos procedimentos via endoscópica transesfenoidais. Devido a isso, o frequente estudo deste segmento anatômico se torna preponderante e para isso a tomografia computadorizada helicoidal, mais recentemente com o desenvolvimento da aquisição multislice, é de grande importância para o conhecimento tridimensional dos seus aspectos anatômicos e suas estruturas vizinhas, sendo hoje o exame indicado. A tomografia computadorizada por feixe cônico, devido ao baixo custo dos equipamentos e principalmente a baixa dose de radiação, aliada à qualidade e fidelidade de suas imagens, têm ocupado um espaço importante no diagnóstico por imagem nas diferentes especialidades da Odontologia e mostra-se também relevante sua ampliação em outras áreas em função das vantagens já citadas. O objetivo desse estudo, a partir da análise das imagens de 300 pacientes, obtidas em equipamento de tomografia computadorizada por feixe cônico, é mostrar a viabilidade da obtenção das mesmas para a avaliação das variações anatômicas do seio esfenoidal humano, no que se refere à presença e o tipo de expansão basilar e de septos, em um tomógrafo que une qualidade e fidelidade de imagens com baixa dose de radiação. Os resultados mostraram ser viável a observação, por meio da tomografia computadorizada por feixe cônico, tanto da presença de expansão basilar quanto de septos no seio esfenoidal humano, onde 69% dos exames analisados apresentaram expansão basilar e 60% septos. A presença de expansões mostrou ser independente em relação ao gênero e a idade e 81% delas apresentaram-se como críticas. A presença de septos mostrou ser também independente em relação ao gênero, porém associada a pacientes acima de 40 anos, sendo que 36% apresentaram somente o septo principal, 6% septos acessórios e 18% ambos. / The human sinus, although their morphology is more regular when compared to the other paranasal sinuses, has numerous anatomical variations that affect their relationship with neighboring structures. Several authors show the importance of anatomical variations knowledge, based on its shape and occurrence, for a correct and safe surgical approach in the endoscopic transsphenoidal procedures. Due to this, the frequent anatomic study becomes important and the helical CT, most recently with the development of multislice acquisition, is of great importance to the knowledge of their three-dimensional anatomy and its neighboring structures, being nowadays the main indicated survey. The cone beam computed tomography due to the its low cost of equipment and especially the low dose of radiation, combined with quality and fidelity of images, have occupied an important position in diagnostic imaging in the different specialties of Dentistry and shows to be also relevant in others areas according to the advantages already mentioned. This study, based on the analysis of obtained images from 300 patients in cone beam computed tomography equipment, intents the viability of obtaining the evaluation of anatomic variations of sphenoid sinus, in regard to the presence and type of basilar expansion and internal septa, in a CT scanner that combines quality and fidelity of images with low radiation dose. By means of cone-beam computed tomography the results showed the observation to be viable. The presence of basilar sinus expansion and septa in human sphenoid sinus were found. 69% of the analyzed cases showed basilar expansion and 60% the presence of septa. The presence of expansion was independent when considered the gender and age and 81% presented themselves as critical. The presence of septa was independent of gender and associated with patients over 40 years, and 36% had only primary septum, 6% accessories septa and 18% both.

L'imagerie cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) est une méthodologie de contrôle non destructif permettant l'obtention d'images volumiques d'un objet. Le système d'acquisition se compose d'un tube à rayons X et d'un détecteur plan numérique. La recherche développée dans ce manuscrit se déroule dans le contexte industriel. L'objet est placé sur une platine de rotation et une séquence d'images 2D est acquise. Un algorithme de reconstruction procure des données volumiques de l'atténuation de l'objet. Ces informations permettent de réaliser une étude métrologique et de valider ou non la conformité de la pièce imagée. La qualité de l'image 3D est dégradée par différents artefacts inhérents à la plateforme d'acquisition. L'objectif de cette thèse est de mettre au point une méthode de correction adaptée à une plateforme de micro-tomographie par rayons X d'objets manufacturés poly-matériaux. Le premier chapitre décrit les bases de la physique et de l'algorithmie propres à la technique d'imagerie CBCT par rayons X ainsi que les différents artefacts nuisant à la qualité de l'image finale. Le travail présenté ici se concentre sur deux types d'artefacts en particulier: les rayonnements secondaires issus de l'objet et du détecteur et le durcissement de faisceau. Le second chapitre présente un état de l'art des méthodes visant à corriger le rayonnement secondaire. Afin de quantifier le rayonnement secondaire, un outil de simulation basé sur des techniques de Monte Carlo hybride est développé. Il permet de caractériser le système d'acquisition installé au laboratoire de façon réaliste. Le troisième chapitre détaille la mise en place et la validation de cet outil. Les calculs Monte Carlo étant particulièrement prohibitifs en terme de temps de calcul, des techniques d'optimisation et d'accélération sont décrites. Le comportement du détecteur est étudié avec attention et il s'avère qu'une représentation 2D suffit pour modéliser le rayonnement secondaire. Le modèle de simulation permet une reproduction fidèle des projections acquises avec le système réel. Enfin, le dernier chapitre présente la méthodologie de correction que nous proposons. Une première reconstruction bruitée de l'objet imagé est segmentée afin d'obtenir un modèle voxélisé en densités et en matériaux. L'environnement de simulation fournit alors les projections associées à ce volume. Le volume est corrigé de façon itérative. Des résultats de correction d'images tomographiques expérimentales sont présentés dans le cas d'un objet mono-matériaux et d'un objet poly-matériaux. Notre routine de correction réduit les artefacts de cupping et améliore la description du volume reconstruit. / Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) is a standard nondestructive imaging technique related to the acquisition of three-dimensional data. This methodology interests a wide range of applications. An industrial CBCT system comprises an X-ray source and a flat-panel detector. Radiographic images are acquired during a rotation of the object of interest. A reconstruction algorithm leads to a volumic representation of the object and a post-processing routine assesses its validity. Accurate quantitative reconstruction is needed to perform an efficient diagsnotic. However, it is challenged by the presence of different artefacts coming from the acquisition itself. This thesis aims at analyzing and correcting those artefacts in a context of industrial micro-tomography. After an introduction to the physical and algorithmic background of CBCT, the artefacts are presented. Our study adresses two major artefacts: beam hardening and scatter radiations coming from the object and the detector. The second chapter reports on the state of the art in secondary radiation correction. A simulation model of the CBCT imaging chain is developed in a Monte Carlo environment. This model is designed to be realistic in order to get an accurate insight on the processes contributing to the final image formation. The third chapter focuses on the built and validation of the simulation tool. Monte Carlo methods are exact but prohibitively slow. Consequently, acceleration and optimization techniques are used to speed-up the calculations without loss of accuracy. A layer model of the flat-panel detector gives some insight on its secondary radiation behavior. More specifically, we demonstrate that a 2D description of the detector would be sufficient to compute its contribution. Our projection tool fits well with the real system. Finally, the last chapter describes our iterative correction method. The noisy initial reconstruction is segmented into different materials and densities and fed to the simulation framework. Beam hardening and secondary radiations are corrected via the volume reconstructed from the difference between acquired and simulated projections. This correction method is shown to be effective on both mono-material and poly-material objects.

Die Radiologie fungiert als wesentliches Instrument in der Diagnostik und Nachsorge fibro-ossärer Läsionen (FOL). Hierbei gewinnen überlagerungsfreie, dreidimensionale Aufnahmen aufgrund der im Kopf-Halsbereich vorhandenen hohen Dichte und Vielfalt anatomischer Strukturen und der damit einhergehenden Fülle von Differentialdiagnosen an Bedeutung. Anhand der Studie wurden die röntgenologischen Charakteristika von ossären Dysplasien (OD) und ossifizierenden Fibromen (OF) im dentalen Volumentomogramm herausgestellt, sowie diagnostische und therapeutische Vorteile der dentalen Volumentomographie (DVT) im Vergleich zur Orthopantomographie (OPG) und Computertomographie (CT) ermittelt und gegenübergestellt. Zu diesem Zwecke wurden anhand eines Fragebogens 18 Röntgenbildpaare (OPG-DVT) von FOL durch zehn Betrachter auf (A) deren röntgenologische Eigenschaften sowie Metallartefakte befundet und (B) deren Abbildungsqualität von sehr gut (1) bis schlecht (5) bzw. nicht beurteilbar bewertet. Insgesamt wurden 360 Analysebögen ausgewertet. Entitäts- und röntgentechnikspezifische Unterschiede wurden statistisch ermittelt. Die Abbildungsqualitäten der DVT und CT wurden auf Grundlage einer intensiven Literaturrecherche verglichen. Die Ergebnisse dieser Studie stellten signifikante Unterschiede in den röntgenologischen Eigenschaften von OD und OF heraus. Acht von zehn Strukturen zeigten in den DVT-Aufnahmen eine signifikant bessere Abbildungsqualität im Vergleich zu den OPG-Aufnahmen. Die teilweise gravierenderen Befunde in den DVT-Aufnahmen deuteten auf eine Unterinterpretation dieser Befunde im OPG hin. Die Literaturrecherche zu Gegenüberstellungen der Abbildungsqualitäten in CT und DVT wies nahezu ausnahmslos auf eine Überlegenheit der DVT hin.

<p>The developments of highly conformal and precise radiation therapy techniques promote the necessity of more accurate treatment target localization and tracking. On-board imaging techniques, especially the x-ray based techniques, have found a great popularity nowadays for on-board target localization and tracking. With an objective to improve the accuracy of on-board imaging for lung cancer patients, the dissertation work focuses on the investigations of using limited-angle on-board x-ray projections for image guidance. The limited-angle acquisition enables scan time and imaging dose reduction and improves the mechanical clearance of imaging.</p><p>First of all, the dissertation developed a phase-matched digital tomosynthesis (DTS) technique using limited-angle (<=30 deg) projections for lung tumor localization. This technique acquires the same traditional motion-blurred on-board DTS image as the 3D-DTS technique, but uses the planning 4D computed tomography (CT) to synthesize a phase-matched reference DTS to register with the on-board DTS for tumor localization. Of the 324 different scenarios simulated using the extended cardiac torso (XCAT) digital phantom, the phase-matched DTS technique localizes the 3D target position with an localization error of 1.07 mm (± 0.57 mm) (average ± standard deviation (S.D.)). Similarly, for the total 60 scenarios evaluated using the computerized imaging reference system (CIRS) 008A physical phantom, the phase-matched DTS technique localizes the 3D target position with an average localization error of 1.24 mm (± 0.87 mm). In addition to the phantom studies, preliminary clinical cases were also studied using imaging data from three lung cancer patients. Using the localization results of 4D cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) as `gold-standard', the phase-matched DTS techniques localized the tumor to an average localization error of 1.5 mm (± 0.5 mm). </p><p>The phantom and patient study results show that the phase-matched DTS technique substantially improved the accuracy of moving lung target localization, as compared to the 3D-DTS technique. The phase-matched DTS technique can provide accurate lung target localizations like 4D-DTS, but with much reduced imaging dose and scan time. The phase-matched DTS technique is also found more robust, being minimally affected by variations of respiratory cycle lengths, fractions of respiration cycle contained within the DTS scan and the scan directions, which potentially enables quasi-instantaneous (within a sub-breathing cycle) moving target verification during radiation therapy, preferably arc therapy.</p><p>Though the phase-matched DTS technique can provide accurate target localization under normal scenarios, its accuracy is limited when the patient on-board breathing experiences large variations in motion amplitudes. In addition, the limited-angle based acquisition leads to severe structural distortions in DTS images reconstructed by the current clinical gold-standard Feldkamp-Davis-Kress (FDK) reconstruction algorithm, which prohibit accurate target deformation tracking, delineation and dose calculation. </p><p>To solve the above issues, the dissertation further developed a prior knowledge based image estimation technique to fundamentally change the landscape of limited-angle based imaging. The developed motion modeling and free-form deformation (MM-FD) method estimates high quality on-board 4D-CBCT images through applying deformation field maps to existing prior planning 4D-CT images. The deformation field maps are solved using two steps: first, a principal component analysis based motion model is built using the planning 4D-CT (motion modeling). The deformation field map is constructed as an optimized linear combination of the extracted motion modes. Second, with the coarse deformation field maps obtained from motion modeling, a further fine-tuning process called free-form deformation is applied to further correct the residual errors from motion modeling. Using the XCAT phantom, a lung patient with a 30 mm diameter tumor was simulated to have various anatomical and respirational variations from the planning 4D-CT to on-board 4D-CBCTs, including respiration amplitude variations, tumor size variations, tumor average position variations, and phase shift between tumor and body respiratory cycles. The tumors were contoured in both the estimated and the `ground-truth' on-board 4D-CBCTs for comparison. 3D volume percentage error (VPE) and center-of-mass error (COME) were calculated to evaluate the estimation accuracy of the MM-FD technique. For all simulated patient scenarios, the average (± S.D.) VPE / COME of the tumor in the prior image without image estimation was 136.11% (± 42.76%) / 15.5 mm (± 3.9 mm). Using orthogonal-view 30 deg scan angle, the average VPE/COME of the tumors in the MM-FD estimated on-board images was substantially reduced to 5.22% (± 2.12%) / 0.5 mm (± 0.4 mm). </p><p>In addition to XCAT simulation, CIRS phantom measurements and actual patient studies were also performed. For these clinical studies, we used the normalized cross-correlation (NCC) as a new similarity metric and developed an updated MMFD-NCC method, to improve the robustness of the image estimation technique to the intensity mismatches between CT and CBCT imaging systems. Using 4D-CBCT reconstructed from fully-sampled on-board projections as `gold-standard', for the CIRS phantom study, the average (± S.D.) VPE / COME of the tumor in the prior image and the tumors in the MMFD-NCC estimated images was 257.1% (± 60.2%) / 10.1 mm (± 4.5 mm) and 7.7% (± 1.2%) / 1.2 mm (± 0.2mm), respectively. For three patient cases, the average (± S.D.) VPE / COME of tumors in the prior images and tumors in the MMFD-NCC estimated images was 55.6% (± 45.9%) / 3.8 mm (± 1.9 mm) and 9.6% (± 6.1%) / 1.1 mm (± 0.5 mm), respectively. With the combined benefits of motion modeling and free-form deformation, the MMFD-NCC method has achieved highly accurate image estimation under different scenarios. </p><p>Another potential benefit of on-board 4D-CBCT imaging is the on-board dose calculation and verification. Since the MMFD-NCC estimates the on-board 4D-CBCT through deforming prior 4D-CT images, the 4D-CBCT inherently has the same image quality and Hounsfield unit (HU) accuracy as 4D-CT and therefore can potentially improve the accuracy of on-board dose verification. Both XCAT and CIRS phantom studies were performed for the dosimetric study. Various inter-fractional variations featuring patient motion pattern change, tumor size change and tumor average position change were simulated from planning CT to on-board images. The doses calculated on the on-board CBCTs estimated by MMFD-NCC (MMFD-NCC doses) were compared to the doses calculated on the `gold-standard' on-board images (gold-standard doses). The absolute deviations of minimum dose (DDmin), maximum dose (DDmax), mean dose (DDmean) and prescription dose coverage (DV100%) of the planning target volume (PTV) were evaluated. In addition, 4D on-board treatment dose accumulations were performed using 4D-CBCT images estimated by MMFD-NCC in the CIRS phantom study. The accumulated doses were compared to those measured using optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) detectors and radiochromic films. </p><p>The MMFD-NCC doses matched very well with the gold-standard doses. For the XCAT phantom study, the average (± S.D.) DDmin, DDmax, DDmean and DV100% (values normalized by the prescription dose or the total PTV volume) between the MMFD-NCC PTV doses and the gold-standard PTV doses were 0.3% (± 0.2%), 0.9% (± 0.6%), 0.6% (± 0.4%) and 1.0% (± 0.8%), respectively. Similarly, for the CIRS phantom study, the corresponding values between the MMFD-NCC PTV doses and the gold-standard PTV doses were 0.4% (± 0.8%), 0.8% (± 1.0%), 0.5% (± 0.4%) and 0.8% (± 0.8%), respectively. For the 4D dose accumulation study, the average (± S.D.) absolute dose deviation (normalized by local doses) between the accumulated doses and the OSL measured doses was 3.0% (± 2.4%). The average gamma index (3%/3mm) between the accumulated doses and the radiochromic film measured doses was 96.1%. The MMFD-NCC estimated 4D-CBCT enables accurate on-board dose calculation and accumulation for lung radiation therapy under different scenarios. It can potentially be valuable for treatment quality assessment and adaptive radiation therapy.</p><p>However, a major limitation of the estimated 4D-CBCTs above is that they can only capture inter-fractional patient variations as they were acquired prior to each treatment. The intra-treatment patient variations cannot be captured, which can also affect the treatment accuracy. In light of this issue, an aggregated kilo-voltage (kV) and mega-voltage (MV) imaging scheme was developed to enable intra-treatment imaging. Through using the simultaneously acquired kV and MV projections during the treatment, the MMFD-NCC method enabled 4D-CBCT estimation using combined kV and MV projections. </p><p>For all XCAT-simulated patient scenarios, the average (± S.D.) VPE / COME of the tumor in the prior image and tumors in the MMFD-NCC estimated images (using kV + open field MV) was 136.11% (± 42.76%) / 15.5 mm (± 3.9 mm) and 4.5% (± 1.9%) / 0.3 mm (± 0.4 mm), respectively. In contrast, the MMFD-NCC estimation using kV + beam's eye view (BEV) MV projections yielded results of 4.3% (± 1.5%) / 0.3 mm (± 0.3 mm). The kV + BEV MV aggregation can estimate the target as accurately as the kV + open field MV aggregation. The impact of this study is threefold: 1. the kV and MV projections can be acquired at the same time. The imaging time will be cut to half as compared to the cases which use kV projections only. 2. The kV and MV aggregation enables intra-treatment imaging and target tracking, since the MV projections can be the side products of the treatment beams (BEV MV). 3. As the BEV MV projections originate from the treatment beams, there will be no extra MV imaging dose to the patient.</p><p>The above introduced 4D-CBCT estimation techniques were all based on limited-angle acquisition. Though limited-angle acquisition enables substantial scan time and dose reduction as compared to the full-angle scan, it is still not real-time and cannot provide `cine' imaging, which refers to the instantaneous imaging with negligible scan time and imaging dose. Cine imaging is important in image guided radiation therapy practice, considering the respirational variations may occur quickly and frequently during the treatment. For instance, the patient may experience a breathing baseline shift after every respiratory cycle. The limited-angle 4D-CBCT approach still requires a scan time of multiple respiratory cycles, which will not be able to capture the baseline shift in a timely manner. </p><p>In light of this issue, based on the previously developed MMFD-NCC method, an AI-FD-NCC method was further developed to enable quasi-cine CBCT imaging using extremely limited-angle (<=6 deg) projections. Using pre-treatment 4D-CBCTs acquired just before the treatment as prior information, AI-FD-NCC enforces an additional prior adaptive constraint to estimate high quality `quasi-cine' CBCT images. Two on-board patient scenarios: tumor baseline shift and continuous motion amplitude change were simulated through the XCAT phantom. Using orthogonal-view 6 deg projections, for the baseline shift scenario, the average (± S.D.) VPE / COME of the tumors in the AI-FD-NCC estimated images was 1.3% (± 0.5%) / 0.4 mm (± 0.1 mm). For the amplitude variation scenario, the average (± S.D.) VPE / COME of the tumors in the AI-FD-NCC estimated images was 1.9% (± 1.1%) / 0.5 mm (± 0.2 mm). The impact of this study is three-fold: first, the quasi-cine CBCT technique enables actual real-time volumetric tracking of tumor and normal tissues. Second, the method enables real-time tumor and normal tissues dose calculation and accumulation. Third, the high-quality volumetric images obtained can potentially be used for real-time adaptive radiation therapy.</p><p>In summary, the dissertation work uses limited-angle on-board x-ray projections to reconstruct/estimate volumetric images for lung tumor localization, delineation and dose calculation. Limited-angle acquisition reduces imaging dose, scan time and improves imaging mechanical clearance. Using limited-angle projections enables continuous, sub respiratory-cycle tumor localization, as validated in the phase-matched DTS study. The combination of prior information, motion modeling, free-form deformation and limited-angle on-board projections enables high-quality on-board 4D-CBCT estimation, as validated by the MM-FD / MMFD-NCC techniques. The high-quality 4D-CBCT not only can be applied for accurate target localization and delineation, but also can be used for accurate treatment dose verification, as validated in the dosimetric study. Through aggregating the kV and MV projections for image estimation, intra-treatment 4D-CBCT imaging was also proposed and validated for its feasibility. At last, the introduction of more accurate prior information and additional adaptive prior knowledge constraints also enables quasi-cine CBCT imaging using extremely-limited angle projections. The dissertation work contributes to lung on-board imaging in many aspects with various approaches, which can be beneficial to the future lung image guided radiation therapy practice.</p> / Dissertation

A região da mandíbula compreendida entre os forames mentuais é determinante no contorno facial e considerada pelos cirurgiões como uma região segura, tanto sob o aspecto anatômico, quanto à quantidade óssea remanescente do processo de reab-sorção. Desse modo, é considerada doadora de enxertos ósseos, receptora de implantes e é manipulada nos casos de remodelamento facial através de distrações ósseas e mentoplastias. Apesar da região interforame mentual ter fácil acesso cirúrgico, existem estruturas anatômicas importantes que devem ser avaliadas, sendo que o risco de complicações cirúrgicas neurosensoriais é de: 73% em mentoplastias, 30% em enxertos ósseos realizados em pacientes dentados, 57% em pacientes desdentados e de 10% em instalações de implantes na região. Sob o aspecto vascular, há vasos que penetram na face interna da mandíbula que, uma vez rompidos, causam hemorragias intensas nos espaços sublingual e submandibular, podendo levar à obstrução da via aérea superior e até a morte. Objetivou-se avaliar os detalhes anatômicos da região interforame mentual da mandíbula (RIFM) através de estudo topográfico, estrutural e tomográfico em mandíbulas dentadas (GDen) e desdentadas (GDes). A microscopia eletrônica de varredura evidenciou: um forame lingual (FL) de calibre acentuado no plano sagital mediano, forames acessórios espalhados na face interna da RIFM, o trajeto do canal lingual dentro da compacta óssea lingual, o canal incisivo (CI) e a alça mentual (AM) e, através da criofratura, a disposição difusa de canais ósseos na sínfise. A avaliação histológica constatou a presença do CI, AM, FM e FL na RIFM, inclusive com os constituintes vasculo-nervosos. O CI não apresentou contorno ósseo completo em todas as secções sagitais realizadas e a injeção de Red Mercox evidenciou o CI mais delimitado em GDes. A avaliação tomográfica da RIFM revelou a prevalência de densidade D2 e a presença de Fóvea Sublingual em 86 (44,1%) dos pacientes, com diferença estatisticamente significante entre GDen (2,06&#177;0,66mm) e GDes (1,49&#177;0,28mm) do lado esquerdo. Foi detectada diferença estatística significante entre os gêneros tanto para o lado D (p&#61;0,032) como para o lado E (p&#61;0,007) para a espessura vestibular nas regiões posteriores. A espessura da Cortical óssea Vestibular Anterior (região de sínfise) foi diferente entre GDen F (1,90&#177;0,48 mm) e GDen M (2,60&#177;0,59 mm) e entre GDes F (2,62&#177;0,92 mm). A AM D esteve presente em 107 (54,9%) e em 113 (57,9%) pacientes do lado E, independe do Grupo e do Gênero. O comprimento anterior médio da AM E foi de 1,61 (&#177;0,71) mm. O CI está presente em 86 (44,1%) pacientes e na região de sínfise só foi visualizado em 12 (6%) pacientes, 10 (10%) em GDen e 2 (2,1%) em GDes. Ao menos um Forame Lingual (FL) esteve presente em 134 (68,7%) pacientes. Encontrou-se 10 (7,5%) pacientes que apresentaram forame lingual em iGen, 86 (64,2%) pacientes em sGen e 38 (28,4%) em FLim e FLsm concomitantemente. A comparação entre os FL avaliados em tomografias e em mandíbulas secas através de lupa constatou maior presença de FL em Mandíbulas secas 198 (99%) do que em tomografias 134 (68,7%), independente dos Grupos (p&lt;0,001). Respeitados os detalhes anatômicos, a RIFM pode ser abordada cirurgicamente com segurança, considerando-se as possíveis variações apresentadas por cada paciente / The mental interforaminal region (MIFR) is determinant in facial contouring and considered a safe region by surgeons, from aspects of anatomy and bone quantity and quality. It is considered a bone graft donor, implant receptor region and is manipulated in bone distractions and mentoplasties. However, important anatomic structures in the region must be evaluated, because the risk of neurosensory surgical complications is: 73% in mentoplasties; 30% in bone grafts in dentate, and 57% in edentulous patients; 10% in implant placements. Accidental rupture of blood vessels that penetrate into the internal mandibular surface will cause intense hemorrhages in sublingual and submandibular spaces, capable of inducing upper airway obstruction and/or death. The aim was to evaluate anatomic details of the MIFR, from a surgical approach, by topographic, structural and tomographic study of dentate (GDent) and edentulous (GEdent) mandibles. Scanning electron microscopy showed: large caliber lingual foramen (LF) in the median plane; scattered accessory foramina on internal surface of MIFR; intraosseous trajectory of lingual canal; incisive canal (IC); mental loop (ML), and cryofracture showed diffuse disposition of bony canals in the symphysis. Histologically, the authors visualized the ML; IC, with incomplete bone contour in sagittal sections of GDent; LF and neurovascular components of MIFR. Tomography showed the Right ML in 107 (54.9%) and Left ML in 113 (57.9%) patients. Mean anterior length of Left ML was 1.61 (&#177;0.71) mm. The authors found IC in 86 (44.1%) patients; in the symphysis, IC was only visualized in 12 (6%) patients, 10 (10%) in GDent and 2 (2.1%) in GEdent. At least one LF was present in 134 (68.7%) patients. Dry mandibles showed higher prevalence of LF, 198 (99%) than tomographs, 134 (68.7%) (p&lt;0.001). Respected the anatomical details, the MIFR can be safely surgically approached, considering possible changes of each patient

O exame radiográfico é um componente de diagnóstico essencial no plano de tratamento de problemas de origem endodôntica. Apesar do desenvolvimento técnico-científico da endodontia, o número de retratamentos endodônticos continua elevado. Neste cenário, a tomografia computadorizada de feixe cônico (TCFC) é utilizada para se obter imagens tridimensionais sem distorções de estruturas pertencentes ao complexo dento-maxilo-facial e seus tecidos adjacentes. Frente aos fatos, este estudo teve como objetivos comparar a incidência de retratamento endodôntico nos anos de 1997, 2001 e 2007 de pacientes atendidos nas clínicas de endodontia da FOB. Foi analisado e quantificado o total de casos de retratamento de canais, os grupos de dentes mais envolvidos, sua distribuição segundo o gênero, relacionando-se também os possíveis motivos dessa ocorrência; comparar dois métodos de diagnóstico por imagem em odontologia, a tomografia computadorizada de feixe cônico e a radiografia periapical. A comparação foi realizada por dois EXAMINADORES, um endodontista e outro radiologista, os quais analisaram as 102 imagens geradas dos exames de 41 pacientes com a necessidade de retramento endodôntico. Não houve aumento na incidência nos três períodos estudados; houve predomínio para o sexo feminino; o retratamento ocorreu em maior número para o dente incisivo central superior e como motivo para sua realização, a maior incidência foi para obturação endodôntica aquém do limite CDC. Quanto à comparação dos exames por imagem, a TCFC revelou-se o procedimento de maior concordância de diagnóstico entre os profissionais, fato que aponta tal método relevante na concretização do diagnóstico, localização e reconstrução de imagens de ótima resolução, contribuindo com os profissionais no planejamento e no sucesso terapêutico, diminuindo a possibilidade de falhas e o consequente insucesso do tratamento endodôntico. / The radiographic test is an essential diagnosis component in the treatment of problems of endodontic origin. Despite the technical and scientific developments in endodontics, the number of endodontic retreatment continues high. In this scenario, Computerized Beam Cone Tomography (CBCT) is used to obtain three-dimensional images without distortions of structures belonging to the dentomaxillofacial complex and its adjacent tissues. The CBCT allows a precocious detection of the dimension and extension of periapical and resorptive diseases, even before they appear in periapical radiographs. In face of such facts, this study aimed at comparing the incidence of endodontic retreatment in 1997, 2001 and 2007 in patients assisted at FOBs endodontic clinics. For this end, all cases of root canal retreatment were analyzed and quantified, as well as the group of teeth with higher incidence, the distribution according to gender, including a survey of the possible reasons for such occurrence, compare two methods of diagnosis by image in endodontics, the Computerized Beam Cone Tomography and the periapical radiograph. Such comparison was performed by two examiners, an endodontist and a radiologist, who analyzed the 102 images obtained from 41 cases of endodontic retreatment assisted at FOB between 2008 and 2009. For this comparison, a questionnaire about the main findings detected in the images was used. There was no increase in incidence in the three periods on focus and a higher incidence among females; the tooth with higher incidence for retreatment was the maxillary central incisor. The main reason for retreatment was endodontic restoration beneath cement-dentin-root canal limit. As for the comparison of tests by image, CBCT showed to be the procedure of higher concordance of diagnosis among the professionals, what indicates that this method is relevant in the diagnosis, localization and reconstruction of images of fairly good resolution, helping professionals with therapeutic planning and success, reducing the possibility of errors and the consequent failure of the endodontic treatment.

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