Positron emission tomography (PET) is a widely used molecular imaging modality,which offers quantitative information about many biochemical processes in vivo. In particular, the dynamic PET data provide physiologically meaningful parametricimages after the estimation of the parameters of a model that best describes thekinetic behaviour of the injected radiotracer. Spatiotemporal 4D image reconstructionalgorithms estimate these physiological parameters directly from the raw sinogramdata, where the noise distribution can be more accurately modelled and thus leading tostatistically more reliable parameter estimates. In this thesis a novel direct parametricimage reconstruction algorithm is introduced, which is based on the expectationmaximisation (EM) framework and is applicable to any spatiotemporal model. Themethod is evaluated for the spectral analysis model, which is a linear temporal modeland a two-tissue compartment model, which is a nonlinear temporal model. Inaddition, the method is evaluated for a linear spatial model and in particular the modelthat is normally used to describe the blurring components in image-based resolutionmodelling. Finally, the performance of gradient-based 3D reconstruction algorithmswas also assessed as an alternative to the well-established EM-based algorithms.

Introdução: as disostoses mandibulofaciais representam um grupo de condições geneticamente heterogêneas, caracterizado principalmente por hipoplasia de arco zigomático, hipoplasia mandibular e anomalias de orelhas. Objetivos: caracterizar a morfologia craniofacial de diferentes tipos de disostose mandibulofacial e investigar as alterações de mandíbula, maxila, arco zigomático e côndilo mandibular, meio de avaliação radiológica. Casuística e métodos: fizeram parte deste estudo 54 indivíduos (sendo 25 do sexo feminino e 13 do sexo masculino), com diagnóstico de disostose mandibulofacial definido por profissionais da Seção de Genética Clínica e Biologia Molecular do Hospital de Reabilitação de Anomalias Craniofaciais. Os indivíduos foram submetidos à atualização dos dados genético-clínicos e avaliação radiológica, por meio de tomografia computadorizada (helicoidal ou de feixe cônico). Para a análise morfológica, as imagens adquiridas foram reconstruídas em terceira dimensão e as estruturas craniofaciais segmentadas no software Mimics para auxiliar na descrição das alterações no arco zigomático, maxila e mandíbula A análise dos dados clínicos e morfológicos foi descritiva e em forma de tabela. Resultados: trinta e dois tinham diagnóstico genético-clínico de síndrome de Treacher-Collins, sete de disostose mandibulofacial tipo Bauru, quatro de disostose mandibulofacial tipo Guion-Almeida, um de disostose mandibulofacial com alopecia e dez de disostose mandibulofacial a esclarecer. A análise morfológica mostrou hipoplasia de osso e arco zigomático, maxila e mandíbula em todos os indivíduos avaliados e com alta variabilidade fenotípica. No entanto, os indivíduos com síndrome de Treacher Collins apresentaram um espectro fenotípico mais grave, foram observadas fissuras ósseas de Tessier número 6, 7 e 8, alterações nos côndilos mandibulares, processos coronoides, ramo e corpo mandibular. A disostose mandibulofacial com alopecia mostrou agenesia da porção temporal do arco zigomático, fissura óssea de Tessier número 8 (processo zigomático do osso temporal), mandíbula hipoplásica e assimétrica mandibular, os côndilos foram largos e os processos coronoides hipoplásicos. Na disostose mandibulofacial tipo Guion-Almeida foi observado fissura óssea de Tessier número 7, assimetria de face, hipoplasia mandibular com alterações de côndilo e anomalia de processo coronoide, a disostose mandibulofacial tipo Bauru apresentou uma hipoplasia de maxila bem acentuada com arco zigomático fino e hipoplásico, hipoplasia mandibular, côndilos hipoplásicos e alterações no processo coronoide e os casos com disostose mandibulofacial a esclarecer apresentaram hipoplasia de face média e mandíbula de grau variável e três casos apresentaram alterações esqueléticas, um caso sugere síndrome cerebrocostomandibular, um caso sobrepõe síndrome de Treacher Collins, dois casos sobrepõem os sinais clínicos de disostose mandibulofacial tipo Guion-Almeida e os outros três casos permanecem não esclarecidos. Conclusão: os achados na síndrome de Treacher Collins são mais graves dentro do grupo e os achados radiológicos da disostose mandibulofacial tipo Guion-Almeida sobrepõem aos observados na síndrome de Treacher Collins, os achados na disostose mandibulofacial tipo Bauru são mais leves que os outros grupos e a disostose mandibulofacial com alopecia apresenta um fenótipo peculiar e para os casos de disostose mandibulofacial não esclarecidos, a análise molecular é necessária para auxiliar no diagnóstico / Introduction: Mandibulofacial dysostoses are a genetically heterogeneous group of conditions characterized mainly by hypoplasia of the zygomatic arch, mandibular hypoplasia and ear anomalies. Purpose: Characterize the craniofacial morphology of different types of mandibulofacial dysostosis and investigate the anomalies in zygomatic arch, mandible, maxilla and mandibular condyle, by means of radiological evaluation. Methods: This study included 54 patients (with 25 female and 13 male) diagnosed with mandibulofacial dysostosis defined by professionals from Clinical Genetics Section and Molecular Biology by Hospital for Rehabilitation of Craniofacial Anomalies. The subjects underwent updating of clinical genetic and radiological evaluation by computed tomography (helical scan or cone beam). For morphological analysis, the acquired images were reconstructed in three dimensions and craniofacial structures were segmented in the Mimics software to assist in the description of the changes in the zygomatic arch, maxilla and mandible The analysis of clinical and morphological data was descriptive and in table form. Results: Thirty-two had genetic-clinical diagnosis of Treacher-Collins syndrome, 7 dysostosis mandibulofacial type Bauru, 4 dysostosis mandibulofacial Guion-Almeida type, 1 dysostosis mandibulofacial with alopecia and 10 with dysostosis mandibulofacial not defined.Morphological analysis showed hypoplasia of bone and zygomatic arch, maxilla and mandible in all evaluated individuals with high phenotypic variability. However, individuals with Treacher Collins syndrome presented in a more severe phenotype spectrum, Tessier cleft number were observed 6, 7 and 8, changes in mandibular condyles coronoides processes and mandibular ramus and body. The mandibulofacial dysostosis with alopecia showed agenesis of the temporal portion of the zygomatic arch, Tessier cleft number 8 (zygomatic process of the temporal bone), mandible hypoplastic and asymmetric, the condyles were broad and coronoides process hypoplastic. Mandibulofacial dysostosis Guion-Almeida type showed Tessier cleft number 7, facial asymmetry, mandibular hypoplasia with changes of condyle and coronoid process of anomaly, the mandibulofacial dysostosis type Bauru showed a well marked mandible hypoplasia with zygomatic arch hypoplastic and thin, mandibular hypoplasia, hypoplastic condyles and changes in the coronoid process and the cases with mandibulofacial dysostosis not defined had hypoplastic midface and varying degree of mandible and three cases showed skeletal changes, one case suggests cerebrocostomandibular syndrome, one case overlaps Treacher Collins syndrome, two cases overlapping clinical signs of dysostosis mandibulofacial Guion Almeida-type and the other three cases remain unclear. Conclusion: the radiological findings in Treacher Collins syndrome were more severe in the groups The radiological findings of mandibulofacial dysostosis Guion-Almeida type overlap those observed in Treacher Collins syndrome, the findings in mandibulofacial dysostosis Bauru type were lighter than the other groups and mandibulofacial dysostosis with alopecia presents a peculiar phenotype and for cases of dysostosis mandibulofacial not defined, molecular analysis is needed to aid in the diagnosis

Introdução: as disostoses mandibulofaciais representam um grupo de condições geneticamente heterogêneas, caracterizado principalmente por hipoplasia de arco zigomático, hipoplasia mandibular e anomalias de orelhas. Objetivos: caracterizar a morfologia craniofacial de diferentes tipos de disostose mandibulofacial e investigar as alterações de mandíbula, maxila, arco zigomático e côndilo mandibular, meio de avaliação radiológica. Casuística e métodos: fizeram parte deste estudo 54 indivíduos (sendo 25 do sexo feminino e 13 do sexo masculino), com diagnóstico de disostose mandibulofacial definido por profissionais da Seção de Genética Clínica e Biologia Molecular do Hospital de Reabilitação de Anomalias Craniofaciais. Os indivíduos foram submetidos à atualização dos dados genético-clínicos e avaliação radiológica, por meio de tomografia computadorizada (helicoidal ou de feixe cônico). Para a análise morfológica, as imagens adquiridas foram reconstruídas em terceira dimensão e as estruturas craniofaciais segmentadas no software Mimics para auxiliar na descrição das alterações no arco zigomático, maxila e mandíbula A análise dos dados clínicos e morfológicos foi descritiva e em forma de tabela. Resultados: trinta e dois tinham diagnóstico genético-clínico de síndrome de Treacher-Collins, sete de disostose mandibulofacial tipo Bauru, quatro de disostose mandibulofacial tipo Guion-Almeida, um de disostose mandibulofacial com alopecia e dez de disostose mandibulofacial a esclarecer. A análise morfológica mostrou hipoplasia de osso e arco zigomático, maxila e mandíbula em todos os indivíduos avaliados e com alta variabilidade fenotípica. No entanto, os indivíduos com síndrome de Treacher Collins apresentaram um espectro fenotípico mais grave, foram observadas fissuras ósseas de Tessier número 6, 7 e 8, alterações nos côndilos mandibulares, processos coronoides, ramo e corpo mandibular. A disostose mandibulofacial com alopecia mostrou agenesia da porção temporal do arco zigomático, fissura óssea de Tessier número 8 (processo zigomático do osso temporal), mandíbula hipoplásica e assimétrica mandibular, os côndilos foram largos e os processos coronoides hipoplásicos. Na disostose mandibulofacial tipo Guion-Almeida foi observado fissura óssea de Tessier número 7, assimetria de face, hipoplasia mandibular com alterações de côndilo e anomalia de processo coronoide, a disostose mandibulofacial tipo Bauru apresentou uma hipoplasia de maxila bem acentuada com arco zigomático fino e hipoplásico, hipoplasia mandibular, côndilos hipoplásicos e alterações no processo coronoide e os casos com disostose mandibulofacial a esclarecer apresentaram hipoplasia de face média e mandíbula de grau variável e três casos apresentaram alterações esqueléticas, um caso sugere síndrome cerebrocostomandibular, um caso sobrepõe síndrome de Treacher Collins, dois casos sobrepõem os sinais clínicos de disostose mandibulofacial tipo Guion-Almeida e os outros três casos permanecem não esclarecidos. Conclusão: os achados na síndrome de Treacher Collins são mais graves dentro do grupo e os achados radiológicos da disostose mandibulofacial tipo Guion-Almeida sobrepõem aos observados na síndrome de Treacher Collins, os achados na disostose mandibulofacial tipo Bauru são mais leves que os outros grupos e a disostose mandibulofacial com alopecia apresenta um fenótipo peculiar e para os casos de disostose mandibulofacial não esclarecidos, a análise molecular é necessária para auxiliar no diagnóstico / Introduction: Mandibulofacial dysostoses are a genetically heterogeneous group of conditions characterized mainly by hypoplasia of the zygomatic arch, mandibular hypoplasia and ear anomalies. Purpose: Characterize the craniofacial morphology of different types of mandibulofacial dysostosis and investigate the anomalies in zygomatic arch, mandible, maxilla and mandibular condyle, by means of radiological evaluation. Methods: This study included 54 patients (with 25 female and 13 male) diagnosed with mandibulofacial dysostosis defined by professionals from Clinical Genetics Section and Molecular Biology by Hospital for Rehabilitation of Craniofacial Anomalies. The subjects underwent updating of clinical genetic and radiological evaluation by computed tomography (helical scan or cone beam). For morphological analysis, the acquired images were reconstructed in three dimensions and craniofacial structures were segmented in the Mimics software to assist in the description of the changes in the zygomatic arch, maxilla and mandible The analysis of clinical and morphological data was descriptive and in table form. Results: Thirty-two had genetic-clinical diagnosis of Treacher-Collins syndrome, 7 dysostosis mandibulofacial type Bauru, 4 dysostosis mandibulofacial Guion-Almeida type, 1 dysostosis mandibulofacial with alopecia and 10 with dysostosis mandibulofacial not defined.Morphological analysis showed hypoplasia of bone and zygomatic arch, maxilla and mandible in all evaluated individuals with high phenotypic variability. However, individuals with Treacher Collins syndrome presented in a more severe phenotype spectrum, Tessier cleft number were observed 6, 7 and 8, changes in mandibular condyles coronoides processes and mandibular ramus and body. The mandibulofacial dysostosis with alopecia showed agenesis of the temporal portion of the zygomatic arch, Tessier cleft number 8 (zygomatic process of the temporal bone), mandible hypoplastic and asymmetric, the condyles were broad and coronoides process hypoplastic. Mandibulofacial dysostosis Guion-Almeida type showed Tessier cleft number 7, facial asymmetry, mandibular hypoplasia with changes of condyle and coronoid process of anomaly, the mandibulofacial dysostosis type Bauru showed a well marked mandible hypoplasia with zygomatic arch hypoplastic and thin, mandibular hypoplasia, hypoplastic condyles and changes in the coronoid process and the cases with mandibulofacial dysostosis not defined had hypoplastic midface and varying degree of mandible and three cases showed skeletal changes, one case suggests cerebrocostomandibular syndrome, one case overlaps Treacher Collins syndrome, two cases overlapping clinical signs of dysostosis mandibulofacial Guion Almeida-type and the other three cases remain unclear. Conclusion: the radiological findings in Treacher Collins syndrome were more severe in the groups The radiological findings of mandibulofacial dysostosis Guion-Almeida type overlap those observed in Treacher Collins syndrome, the findings in mandibulofacial dysostosis Bauru type were lighter than the other groups and mandibulofacial dysostosis with alopecia presents a peculiar phenotype and for cases of dysostosis mandibulofacial not defined, molecular analysis is needed to aid in the diagnosis

Abstract Glaucoma is a progressive neuropathy of the optic nerve. It causes degeneration of ganglion cell axons resulting in defects in the retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) and characteristic changes in the optic nerve head (ONH). The Heidelberg Retina Tomograph (HRT) is a confocal scanning laser imaging device, which measures the topography of the ONH and the adjacent RNFL. To quantify the measurements of the ONH topography, various stereometric parameters are calculated. The change in the stereometric parameters of the HRT was studied in 34 eyes with glaucomatous progression in RNFL photographs and 34 eyes without progression. The change in only one stereometric parameter, the cup shape measure, showed a statistically significant correlation with the progression of the RNFL defect. An optimised change in the best three-parameter combination had 77% sensitivity and 79% specificity for progression. The change in the stereometric parameters was compared in 51 eyes with glaucomatous progression in stereoscopic ONH photographs and 425 eyes without progression. The parameters having the best correlation with progression include cup:disc area ratio, vertical cup:disc ratio, cup volume and rim area. The parameter with the largest area under the receiver operating characteristics curve (0.726) was the vertical cup:disc ratio. A change of 0.007 in the vertical cup:disc ratio had a sensitivity of 80% and a specificity of 65% for progression. The factors having the most significant effect on the sensitivity and specificity of the stereometric parameters for progression were the reference height difference and the mean topography standard deviation, indicating image quality. The change in image quality and age also showed a consistent, but variably significant influence on all parameters tested. Exercise was associated with an increase in variance in 17 of the 18 stereometric parameters. In conclusion, the change in the stereometric parameters provides useful information on ONH topography, especially when image quality is excellent. However, the evaluation of glaucomatous progression should not rely solely on the stereometric parameters of the HRT.

The aim of this thesis is measure the specimens placed in field of MR tomograph, the measured data to evaluace the process and measurement errors. The theoretical part is focused on describing basic parameters of magnetic field, commissioning some older methods of measurement and design methods for the measurement of samples not issuing MR signal. There is performed modeling for the proposed Metod and the 1D, 2D and 3D environments using COMSOL Multiphysics. The practical part is the measurements samples in the tomograph the Institute of Scientific Instruments Academy of Science in Brno. The measured data are processed in Marevisi and Matlab programs. The MATLAB program is written for processing, analysis and data evaluation, after which it is possible to determine the value of the magnetic susceptibility of the selected samples. In conclusion of the work is the quantification accuracy of measurements.

Submitted by Fabio Sobreira Campos da Costa (fabio.sobreira@ufpe.br) on 2016-06-13T13:02:47Z No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 1232 bytes, checksum: 66e71c371cc565284e70f40736c94386 (MD5) Dissertação Erica Andrade Borges.pdf: 4139502 bytes, checksum: c80b9b1a5c5ba294663e2fd676cb075a (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-13T13:02:47Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 1232 bytes, checksum: 66e71c371cc565284e70f40736c94386 (MD5) Dissertação Erica Andrade Borges.pdf: 4139502 bytes, checksum: c80b9b1a5c5ba294663e2fd676cb075a (MD5) Previous issue date: 1201-02-11 / CAPEs / O objetivo deste estudo foi validar o uso da técnica da tomografia por coerência óptica através de experimento in vitro para avaliar a cimentação e a linha de união laminado-cimento-dente antes e depois da termociclagem, visando a aplicação clínica deste instrumento. Além de comparar diferentes modalidades de materiais e protocolos de cimentação. A técnica da tomografia por coerência óptica (TCO) é um método não invasivo, quantitativo e qualitativo, e foi utilizado para avaliação da qualidade póscimentação do laminado, minimizando possíveis erros, e proporcionando acompanhamento clínico sem exposição a radiação ou qualquer procedimento invasivo. Foram feitas imagens em 2D e 3D dos laminados e das superfícies dentais antes e depois da cimentação e do processo de ciclagem térmica. Os laminados (20) foram cimentados na superfície de esmalte bovino de acordo com uma distribuição aleatória em 4 grupos (n=05): FA – cimento resinoso dual com fotoativação prévia do adesivo; FC – cimento resinoso dual sem fotoativação prévia do adesivo; AF - cimento resinoso autocondicionante dual com fotoativação; AQ - cimento resinoso autocondicionante dual com polimerização química. Os laminados foram fabricados em porcelana modificada por dissilicato de lítio, na espessura de 0,5 mm. As análises foram feitas através de imagens 2D e 3D com o TCO. Os resultados mostraram claramente a presença de bolhas com dimensões típicas que variaram de 146 μm a 1427 μm, além de falhas como a presença de gap e até a desadaptação do laminado. Parte dessas falhas, já estavam presentes imediatamente após o processo de cimentação e após a ciclagem térmica mantiveram-se estáveis ou foram acentuadas. Os resultados indicam que um acompanhamento periódico de pacientes que utilizam laminados cerâmicos é de fundamental importância para garantia da manutenção da qualidade do procedimento, bem como evitar problemas na saúde bucal. Propomos então a técnica de TCO como padrão para este procedimento. / The aim of this study was to validate the use of optical coherence tomography (OCT) through in vitro experiment to evaluate the cementing and the union line of lumineer-cement-tooth before and after the thermal cycling. In addition to comparing different types of materials and cementation protocols. The technique of optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a noninvasive, quantitative and qualitative method, and was used to evaluate the postcementation quality of the lamina, minimizing potential errors, and providing clinical follow-up without exposure to radiation or any invasive procedure. Were made in both 2D and 3D imaging of tooth surfaces and the laminate before and after the cementing and the thermocycling process. 20 specimens of lumineers-teetth were prepared in bovine teeth and randomly allocated in 4 experimental groups (n=5) with two different cementation techniques and two different types of cementing agent: FA - dual resin cement with prior photo activation of the adhesive; FC - dual resin cement without curing the adhesive; AF - self-etching resin cement with photoactivation; AQ - selfetching resin cement with chemical polymerization. The lumineers were made of lithium disilicate and obtained using a vacuum injection technique, thickness of 0.5 mm. The analysis was performed by using 2D and 3D OCT images, obtained before and after the thermal cycling. The results showed the presence of bubbles with typical size ranging from 146 μm to 1427 μm, and faults as the presence of gap and laminate mismatch. Some of these faults were already present immediately after the process of cementing and after thermal cycling remained stable or were marked. The results indicate that regular monitoring of patients using lumineers is of fundamental importance for ensuring the maintenance of the quality of the procedure and how to avoid problems in oral health. Then we propose the OCT technical default for this in vivo to follow-up.

This thesis describes a series of investigations into the use of optic nerve head (ONH) imaging in primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), and its relation to visual function. Accurate diagnosis is a key issue in POAG, particularly the difficult task of separating those with early disease from those healthy individuals who display signs of POAG. The purpose of this work is to improve diagnostic methods in glaucoma through use of ONH imaging and its relationship with visual field (VF) loss. First, the performance of a group of expert clinicians evaluating ONH photographs for glaucomatous damage was investigated. The results showed that even when their assessments are combined discrimination between eyes with and without POAG (based on VF loss) is far from perfect, highlighting the need for improvements in diagnosis. The possibility of combining structural and functional data to aid diagnosis was then considered. This requires VF loss and ONH damage to be strongly topographically related. The strength of this relationship was evaluated in 185 patients with POAG. 10,000 computer-generated maps between the ONH and VF were tested and the topographic relationship measured with each of these was compared to that using a published structure-based map. The weak topographic relationships found suggest that the application of these maps to individual patients is limited with current measures. The next chapter describes how a multispectral imaging (MSI, also called hyperspectral imaging) system was set-up for spatial evaluation of ONH oxygenation using a Beer-Lambert law model. Test-retest repeatability was tested and found to be acceptable for the purposes of the following studies. The MSI system was then used for an investigation of the relationship between ONH oxygenation and VF loss. 33 eyes of 18 patients underwent VF testing, MSI and HRT3 imaging. Superior-inferior asymmetries in VF sensitivity were compared to superior-inferior asymmetries in ONH oxygenation measured by MSI and in neuroretinal rim (NRR) area measured by HRT3. This way we take advantage of the typical progression of POAG and each eye acts as its own reference, negating the effect of a wide normal range and overlap between health and disease. This study found, for the first time, a strong association between ONH oxygenation and VF sensitivity. A re-analysis of the 33 ONH oxygenation maps was then performed to assess oxygenation only in the area of the NRR as defined by the HRT. Superior-inferior asymmetries in NRR oxygenation were then compared to superior-inferior asymmetries in VF loss, and the associations found were similarly strong. This study shows that MSI is capable of detecting areas of NRR deemed healthy tissue by structural imaging techniques, which are in fact poorly oxygenated and associated with VF defects. These findings show that NRR oxygenation measured by MSI is strongly related to VF loss. This important information complements existing technologies and may aid in the future diagnosis and management of patients with POAG.

The objective of my thesis is to measure magnetic field gradient decay in an MR tomograph, process and evaluate the data measured and analyse the issue. The theoretical section focuses on the reasons for the gradient distortion which has a negative impact on NMR measuring techniques and it also describes options to eliminate the negative effects, focusing mainly on pre-emphasis filtration. It also lists methods of gradient magnetic field measuring. The practical section contains results of magnetic field decay measurements taken with the tomograph in the Institute of scientific instruments of the Academy of sciences in Brno using the method of instantaneous frequency with and without pre-emphasis compensation. The data are processed with MAREVISI and MATLAB programmes. MATLAB is used to develop a modern method of filtration to eliminate noise in useful signal leading to more accurate measurements of MR magnetic fields. This filtration uses a method of time-dependent variable thresholds and two-channel filter banks. MATLAB is also used to design a programme for approximation of the measured gradient magnetic field decay. The decay must be approximated in order to obtain time constants and the degree of exponential decay, which serve to set up the pre-emphasis compensation.

O presente trabalho descreve o desenvolvimento de um sistema de tomografia por Ressonância Magnética, para uso em diagnósticos médicos. Ele foi baseado em subsistemas disponíveis comercialmente, tais como os utilizados em equipamentos de imagens de RM comerciais. As principais contribuições deste projeto foram: o desenvolvimento de circuitos eletrônicos complementares e \"software\", necessários para tomar o \"hardware\" adquirido em um Tomógrafo de Ressonância Magnética para diagnósticos médicos. Isso não inclui somente o projeto de complexos programas necessários para gerar os pulsos de RF, formas de onda dos gradientes, sistema de aquisição de dados e as seqüências de pulsos necessárias para o completo sincronismo, mas também o desenvolvimento de uma interface amigável para realizar: a entrada de informações do paciente; a seleção das técnicas de imagem e o \"software\" interativo para visualização e seleção de planos. Um novo algoritmo de compressão de dados, para reduzir o armazenamento necessário de dados de imagens de RM, sem perda de informação foi também apresentado e implementado. Uma comparação com outras implementações de compressão de uso geral foi apresentada para mostrar uma performance superior na taxa de compressão e tempo de execução. / The present work describes the development of a Magnetic Resonance Tomography system to be used for medical diagnostics. It is based on commercially available subsystems such as used as in commercial MRI equipments. The main contributions to the project were: the development of fill up electronics and software needed to turn the acquired hardware into a MR Tomography for medical diagnostics. This includes not only the design of complex software needed to generate the used RF pulses, gradient waveforms, data acquisition system and the desired pulse sequences to synchronize all, but also the development of a user friendly interface to do: the entrance of patient\'s information; the selection of MR imaging techniques and interactive software for image viewing and planes selection. A new data compression algorithm to reduce the storage requirement of raw MR image data without information losses is also presented and implemented. A comparison with others general purpose compression implementations is presented to show the superior performance in the compression rate and execution time.

Introdução: Alterações pulmonares estruturais e funcionais podem ocorrer na dermatomiosite juvenil (DMJ). O objetivo foi avaliar a função pulmonar de pacientes com DMJ e analisar correlações entre os valores encontrados e os escores: tomográfico, de atividade e dano cumulativo da doença e qualidade de vida. Métodos: Estudo prospectivo, transversal, com 20 pacientes com DMJ entre 6 e 18 anos. Realizados testes de espirometria, pletismografia, difusão de monóxido de carbono (DLCO), teste de caminhada de 6 minutos (TCam6min) e tomografia de tórax (TC). Avaliados também: escores de atividade da doença (DAS), força muscular (CMAS e MMT), dano cumulativo (MDI) e qualidade de vida (PedsQL). Resultados: Vinte pacientes foram incluídos (média de 11,6 anos). Houve obstrução leve ou moderada em 35% dos pacientes, redução da difusão em 20%. Anormalidades espirométricas e/ou da difusão em 45% dos pacientes. Na pletismografia: CPT reduzida em 25% dos pacientes, condutância em 50% e relação VR/CPT em 35%. Treze pacientes realizaram TC sendo 8 alteradas com padrão intersticial(n=6) e misto(n=2). As correlações significativas (p < 0,05) foram: VEF1/CV versus DAS, PedsQL, CMAS e TC; condutância versus DAS, MDI e PedsQl; TCam6Min versus CMAS; DLCO versus MDI e CMAS; TC versus MDI, FEF 25%-75%, condutância, CMAS, PedsQL e DAS. Conclusão: A pletismografia, DLCO e o TCam6min são testes complementares na detecção de distúrbios funcionais em pacientes com DMJ. A existência de correlações significativas entre os parâmetros funcionais, estruturais e de dano cumulativo demonstram que as anormalidades da função pulmonar podem ter relação com o controle, gravidade e atividade da doença e influenciar na qualidade de vida desses pacientes. O distúrbio funcional obstrutivo, por doença inflamatória das vias aéreas, pode ser uma alteração precoce da doença pulmonar na DMJ / Background: Structural and functional pulmonary changes may occur in juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM). The objective of this study was to assess the pulmonary function of patients with JDM and the correlations between pulmonary function and scores for chest tomography, disease activity, cumulative damage, and quality of life. Methods: This prospective, cross-sectional study evaluated 20 patients with JDM aged between 6 and 18 years. Spirometry, plethysmography, diffusing capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide (DLCO), 6-minute walk test (6MWT), and chest tomography (CT) examinations were performed. Disease Activity (DAS), muscle strength (CMAS and MMT), cumulative damage (MDI), and quality of life (PedsQL) scores were also evaluated. Results: Twenty patients were included in the study (mean age of 11.6 years). Mild or moderate pulmonary obstruction was observed in 35% of patients, and decreased pulmonary diffusion was observed in 20% of patients. Spirometric and/or diffusion abnormalities occurred in 45% of patients. With regard to the plethysmography results: total lung capacity (TLC) decreased in 25% of patients, conductance decreased in 50% of patients, and the residual volume (RV)/TLC ratio decreased in 35% of patients. Thirteen patients underwent CT; of these, 8 cases involved interstitial changes (n=6) and mixed disorders (n=2). The significant correlations (p < 0.05) were: forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1)/vital capacity (VC) versus DAS, PedsQL, CMAS, and CT; conductance versus DAS, MDI, and PedsQL; 6MWT versus CMAS; DLCO versus MDI and CMAS; CT versus MDI, forced expiratory flow between 25% and 75% of vital capacity (FEF25-75%), conductance, CMAS, PedsQL, and DAS. Conclusion: Plethysmography, DLCO, and 6MWT can be used as complementary tests for the detection of functional disorders in patients with JDM. The significant correlations between functional, structural, and cumulative damage parameters indicate that pulmonary function abnormalities may be associated with disease control, severity, and activity and can influence the quality of life of these patients. Obstructive functional disorder due to inflammatory disease of the airways may constitute an early change in lung disease in JDM