Purpose The purpose of this research is an assessment of whether the noninvasive method of computed tomography angiography of liver preoperatively before liver transplantation does provide sufficient details for the surgeons. At the same time, by comparing the images reconstructed from scanners equipped with and without 64 slices, we can appreciate the limits of each scanner and set up an acceptable standard for each scanner. Methods In a retrospective study from May, 2005 to March, 2007, 52 patients receiving liver transplantation underwent 104 computed tomography studies for evaluation of intra-hepatic arterial anatomy provided by the radiology department in a southern medical center. The reconstructed CT angiograms were compared to see if they were compatible to the conventional digital subtracted angiograms for the demonstration of the anatomy details. The CT images exported from different mutislice count scanner¡]MSCT¡^were reevaluated for the limits and variance of the quality. Results Multi-slices CT with its obvious advantage of the faster speed and thinner scan slices, can distinguish 100¢M(104/104) of the 3rd grade of arteries of liver (segmental branches ), 61.5¢M(64/104) for 4th grade of arteries (sub-segmental branches ), 100¢M (104/104) of the portal vein and 93¢M(97/104) of hepatic vein. The images of the 52 patients provide sufficient quality of intra-hepatic arterial details for liver transplantation.

Magister Scientiae Dentium - MSc(Dent) / Purpose: To assess the value of postoperative CT scans in the management of severe cervicofacial infections or deep neck abscesses. Patients and Methods: Thirteen patients underwent post-operative contrast enhanced CT scans after initial incision and drainage followed by a tracheostomy. As per surgical protocol, the CT scans were taken with radiopaque surgical drains in situ from the brain down to the mediastinum and chest/lungs. Data were collected on the presence of abscesses, their location, the location of surgical drains and presence of other pathology. Results: The most common initially affected space was the submandibular space (69%), followed by the submental space (62%). Almost half of the cases studied had two spaces affected and slightly less than a third had three spaces affected. Slightly more than half (54%) of the patients were in good health generally. More than a third (38.5%) of the patients were HIV positive, and thus immuno-compromised. The mean time lapse between the CT and surgery was 2.61 days (SD = 1.56). In the majority (69.23%) of post-operative scans a residual pus collection was found. In just over a quarter (30.8 %) of the patients no residual pus collection was detected on the postoperative CT scan, while in seven patients (53.8%) affected fascial spaces were missed by the surgeon. These spaces included the submasseteric, anteriormediastinum and parotid spaces. Almost half (44.15%) of the patients required a repeatincision and drainage. Conclusion: This study demonstrates clinical value of post-operative CT scans in severe cervicofacial infections. This study also advances the argument for acquisition of preoperative CECT scans for all patients with severe cervicofacial infection.

Tree acoustic tomography is one of the most widely used instrumental methods for tree stability assesment. This thesis compares the results of the three most used devices for acoustic tomography of standing trees (ARBOTOMâ, ARBORSONICâ a PICUSâ ) on selected individuals of Quercus robur L. in Brno, Brno-Soběšice, Czech Republic. According to the analysis of variance, there is a significant statistical difference between the values measured by the PICUS acoustic tomograph and the values measured by ARBOTOM and ARBORSONIC tomographs. Based on the measured data, it can be stated that PICUS measured velocities are considerably lower than those recorded by the other acoustic tomographs (ARBOTOM and ARBORSONIC). Image reconstructions (tomograms) from the three acoustic tomographs differ significantly from each other. According to the statistical correlation, it was found that there is no significant connection between sound velocity, density and humidity of wood.