Abstract:CT scanners have been more complex both with respect to scanner design and reconstruction techniques. Fast scan times and large coverage enables new types of CT-examinations like cardiac CT, organ perfusion and CT colonography, causing an increase in performed numbers of CT scans. In radiology, CT scans are associated with high patient doses. According to the Norwegian radiation protection authority there has been an increase in the total population radiation exposure in Norway related to CT examinations from 65% in 2002 to 80% in 2008. The benefit of an accurate diagnosis must be balanced against radiation risk. Optimization of CT examinations with respect to diagnostic performance and radiation dose is a legal requirement in Norway. In this study, the impact of both adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction (ASIR) and image postprocessing filters like SharpView on diagnostic performance and the reliability of using absolute HU for diagnostic purposes were evaluated. The results showed that dose reduction of 30-50% for CT liver examinations was possible with new reconstruction techniques, and a substantial interscanner variations in HU were demonstrated.  Our results indicated that the use of absolute HU should be used with caution for diagnostic purposes, and  new reconstruction- and post-processing filter may be useful tools in improving the diagnostic performance and at the same time reducing the radiation dose from CT.

Abstract: In a clinical setting compromized blood perfusion or inflammation in single organ systems may threaten organ function and thereby the whole organism. Occult bleeding from internal organs may be difficult to diagnose by global monitoring. Much because of lack of reliable intraorgan measure methods deaths because of ischemia from different reasons like trauma, postoperative bleeding from insufficient vascular annastomoses or other causes , thromboses, hypovolemia, hypoxia or infection are major problems in daily intensive care medicine. Patients undergoing organ transplantation are in addition threatened by graft rejection, which may be difficult to diagnose in time.
In an experimental study on hemorrhagic shock in pigs significant differencies in distribution of flow to the different organs were revealed. In evaluating intraorgan monitoring of different metabolic parameteres and tissue gases, we found that partial pressure of carbon dioxide (pCO2) can be used as a marker of tissue hypoperfusion both under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. Compared to other metabolic markers it gives an earlier warning of hypoperfusion and increases early at the onset of tissue anaerobiosis.

The use of microdialysis was evaluated as a means to measure metabolic parameters but also relevant inflammatory mediators after liver transplantation. Recovery of different inflammmatory components including cytokines and complement activation factors were shown in an in vitro study. By using intraorgan monitoring with microdialysis catheters in patients undergoing liver transplantation both thrombosis of the liver artery and acute rejection were detected several days before standard monitoring methods.These findings have later been confirmed in a larger study by or group.
Microdialysis may be used in virtually any organ system, and may become a valuable tool in monitoring after orthopedic replantation surgery, surgery on internal organs and in patients with cerebral thromboses or bleeding.

The 3rd Norwegian PhD Conference in Medical Imaging

This is a follow-up of the recent and highly successful PhD conference in Bergen, with more than 160 participants. About half of these were PhD candidates presenting their work through posters and presentations.
MedIm - Norwegian Research School in Medical Imaging will cover the conference fee as well as the travel and accommodation costs for PhD candidates and a number of post doctoral fellows participating in the event. More information on the registration page.

Prizes will be given for best poster and best oral presentation (NOK 5000 and NOK 10 000)

Our aim is to provide a meeting place for PhD candidates, established scientists, and health professionals for scientific exchange and the establishment of new contacts in the field of medical imaging.

EviCare

Secondary objectives are to enable and ensure:

• Computerized guideline-based care and collaboration
• Practical and usable guideline interfaces – both to healthcare providers and to patients
• Patient-understandable care process documentation
• National and local maintenance and administration of guidelines

Project contributions:
The main technological contributions of the EVICARE project will be in area 4 of the VERDIKT program (Social, economic and cultural challenges and opportunities), since advanced information technology that supports clinical work in hospitals has the potential to have a substantial impact on the quality of health services. The project will also give major, direct contributions to area 1 (User interfaces, information and software technology), and indirectly to areas 2 (Communication technology and infrastructure) and 3 (Security, privacy and vulnerability).
R&D challenges: Towards evidence-based clinical practice
EviCare is a Norwegian innovation and research program. The aim of the program is to develop valid tools, and to produce high-quality research, within the field of clinical decision support.
Objectives
The main objective of this project is to develop methods and technology for providing “Evidence-Based Medicine” (EBM) at the point of care, integrated with an electronic health record (EHR) or other health information systems directly involved in the clinical process, resulting in higher quality of care and a more detailed, transparent documentation of care processes.
Secondary objectives are to enable and ensure:

• Computerized guideline-based care and collaboration
• Practical and usable guideline interfaces – both to healthcare providers and to patients
• Patient-understandable care process documentation
• National and local maintenance and administration of guidelines

Project contributions:
The main technological contributions of the EVICARE project will be in area 4 of the VERDIKT program (Social, economic and cultural challenges and opportunities), since advanced information technology that supports clinical work in hospitals has the potential to have a substantial impact on the quality of health services. The project will also give major, direct contributions to area 1 (User interfaces, information and software technology), and indirectly to areas 2 (Communication technology and infrastructure) and 3 (Security, privacy and vulnerability).