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The fourth edition of Implant Restorations: A Step-by-Step Guide provides a wealth of updated and expanded coverage on detailed procedures for restoring dental implants. Focusing on the most common treatment scenarios, it offers concise literature reviews for each chapter and easy-to-follow descriptions of the techniques, along with high-quality clinical photographs demonstrating each step.  Comprehensive throughout, this practical guide begins with introductory information on incorporating implant restorative dentistry in clinical practice. It covers diagnosis and treatment planning and digital dentistry, and addresses advances in cone beam computerized tomography (CBCT), treatment planning software, computer generated surgical guides, rapid prototype printing and impression-less implant restorative treatments, intra-oral scanning, laser sintering, and printing/milling polymer materials. Record-keeping, patient compliance, hygiene regimes, and follow-up are also covered.  * Provides an accessible step-by-step guide to commonly encountered treatment scenarios, describing procedures and techniques in an easy-to-follow, highly illustrated format * Offers new chapters on diagnosis and treatment planning and digital dentistry * Covers advances in cone beam computerized tomography (CBCT), computer generated surgical guides, intra-oral scanning, laser sintering, and more  An excellent and accessible guide on a burgeoning subject in modern dental practice by one of its most experienced clinicians, Implant Restorations: A Step-by-Step Guide, Fourth Edition will appeal to prosthodontists, general dentists, implant surgeons, dental students, dental assistants, hygienists, and dental laboratory technicians.

Nuclear medicine is defined as the diagnosis and the treatment of disease using radiolabeled compounds known as radiopharmaceuticals. Single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT) and positron emission tomography/computer tomography (PET/CT) based radiopharmaceuticals have proven reliable in diagnostic imaging in nuclear medicine and cancer treatment. One of the most critical cancers that also relies on an early diagnosis is gynecological cancer. Given that approximately 25% of all cancers in developing countries are a subset of gynecological cancer, investigating this cancer subtype is of significant clinical worth, particularly in light of its high rate of mortality. With accurate identification of high grade distant abdominal endometrial cancer as well as extra abdominal metastases, 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose ([18F]FDG) PET/CT imaging is considered a valuable step forward in the investigation of gynecological cancer. Considering these factors, [18F]FDG PET/CT imaging can assist in making management of patient therapy more feasible. In this literature review, we will provide a short overview of the role of nuclear medicine in the diagnosis of obstetric and gynecological cancers.

Timely diagnosis of brain death (BD) is critical as it prevents unethical and futile continuation of support of vital organ functions when the patient has passed. Furthermore, it helps with avoiding the unnecessary use of resources and provides early opportunity for precious organ donation. The diagnosis of BD is mainly based on careful neurological assessment of patients with an established underlying diagnosis of neurological catastrophe capable of causing BD. Ancillary testing, however, is tremendously helpful in situations when the presence of confounders prevents or delays comprehensive neurological assessment. Traditionally, four-vessel digital subtraction angiography and computed tomography angiography have been used for blood flow (BF) examinations of the brain. The lack of BF in the intracranial arteries constitutes conclusive evidence that the brain is dead. However, there is an apparent discrepancy between the BF and sufficient cerebral perfusion; several studies have shown that in 15% of patients with confirmed clinical diagnosis of BD, BF is still preserved. In these patients, cerebral perfusion is significantly impaired. Hence, measurement of cerebral perfusion rather than BF will provide a more precise assessment of the brain function. In this review article, we discuss a brief history of BD, our understanding of its complex pathophysiology, current Canadian guidelines for the clinical diagnosis of BD, and the ancillary tests-specifically CT perfusion of the brain that help us with the prompt and timely diagnosis of BD.

Neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus (NPSLE) is a major contributor to morbidity and mortality in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. To date no single clinical, laboratory or imaging test has proven accurate for NPSLE diagnosis which is a testament to the intricate and multifactorial pathophysiological mechanisms suspected to exist. Functional imaging with FDG PET-CT has shown promise in NPSLE diagnosis, detecting abnormalities prior to changes evident on anatomical imaging. Research indicates that NPSLE may be more aggressive in people of African descent with higher mortality rates, making rapid and correct diagnosis even more important in the African context. In this narrative review, we provide a thorough appraisal of the current literature on the role of FDG PET-CT in NPSLE. Large, well-known databases were searched using appropriate search terms. Manual searches of references of retrieved literature were also included. A total of 73 article abstracts were assessed, yielding 26 papers that were directly relevant to the topic of FDG PET-CT in NPSLE. Results suggest that FDG PET-CT is a sensitive imaging test for NPSLE diagnosis and may play a role in assessing treatment response. It is complementary to routine anatomical imaging, particularly in diffuse manifestations of the disease. Newer quantitative analyses are commonly used for interpretation and can detect even subtle abnormalities, missed on visual inspection. Findings of group-wise analyses of FDG PET-CT scans in NPSLE patients are important in furthering our understanding of the complicated pathophysiological mechanisms involved. Limitations of FDG PET-CT include its lack of specificity, high cost and poor access. FDG PET-CT is a sensitive test for NPSLE diagnosis but is hampered by lack of specificity. It is a valuable tool for clinicians managing SLE patients, particularly when anatomical imaging is negative. Its exact application will depend on the local context and clinical scenario. •FDG PET-CT can demonstrate metabolic brain impairment in the context of suspected NPSLE.•FDG PET-CT results should not be interpreted in isolation, but in conjunction with clinical and paraclinical findings.•Both hyper- and hypometabolism may be seen on FDG PET in NPSLE.•FDG PET-CT lacks specificity in the context of NPSLE diagnosis.•FDG PET-CT can further our understanding of NPSLE pathophysiology.

Objectives This study evaluates the effectiveness of spectral filtration—specifically Tin and SilverBeam filters—in achieving ultra‐low radiation doses in pediatric computed tomography (CT) imaging for craniosynostosis diagnosis. We investigate whether these filters can reduce radiation to levels comparable to or below those of standard four‐view skull x‐rays, while maintaining diagnostic accuracy. Unlike previous research focused broadly on dose reduction, this study highlights the potential of Tin and SilverBeam filtration as a promising solution. Methods CT images were acquired using a pediatric head fracture phantom, with sutures simulating craniosynostosis, on two scanners with different spectral filters. The CTDIvol was reduced by varying percentages from standard pediatric protocols using Tin and SilverBeam filters. Image quality and radiation dose were quantitatively assessed, while two radiologists performed qualitative evaluations. Results Dose comparisons showed that images with at least a 89.2% reduction in CTDIvol using the Tin filter and a 91.4% reduction when using the SilverBeam filter resulted in lower doses than a standard four‐view skull x‐ray (0.09 mSv). The greatest dose reduction (up to 161%) occurred with SilverBeam at a 99.9% reduction in CTDIvol. While significant pixel intensity changes were observed at the sutures, spatial resolution decreased at lower dose settings. Two pediatric radiologists observed clear skull and orbit outlines under clinical conditions, but coronal sutures became undetectable near 90% CTDIvol reduction. Conclusion Spectral filtration ultra‐low‐dose CT significantly reduces radiation exposure compared to four‐view skull x‐rays, showing promise for diagnosing craniosynostosis. Further patient‐based studies are needed to validate diagnostic efficacy. Advances in knowledge This study is the first to assess spectral filtration in ultra‐low‐dose pediatric head CT, highlighting significant dose reductions without compromising diagnostic quality, and stressing the need for further validation.

Background The presence of mediastinal lymph node metastasis is important because it is related to the treatment and prognosis of lung cancer. Although prevalently used, evaluation of lymph nodes is not always reliable. We introduced sphericity as a criterion for evaluating morphologic differences between metastatic and nonmetastatic nodes. Methods We reviewed the cases of 66 patients with N2 disease and of 68 patients with N0-1 disease who underwent lobectomy with mediastinal dissection between January 2012 and December 2021. The sphericity of the dissected station lymph nodes, which represents how close the node is to being a true sphere, was evaluated along with the diameter and volume. Each parameter was obtained and evaluated for ability to predict metastasis. Results Metastatic lymph nodes had a larger short-axis diameter (average: 8.2 mm vs. 5.4 mm, p < 0.001) and sphericity (average: 0.72 vs. 0.60, p < 0.001) than those of nonmetastatic lymph nodes. Short-axis diameter ≥ 6 mm and sphericity ≥ 0.60 identified metastasis with 76.2% sensitivity and 70.2% specificity (AUC = 0.78, p < 0.001) and 92.1% sensitivity and 53.9% specificity (AUC = 0.78, p < 0.001), respectively. For lymph nodes with a short-axis diameter ≥ 5 mm, sphericity ≥ 0.60 identified metastasis with 84.1% sensitivity and 89.3% specificity. Conclusion By using 3D-CT analysis to examine sphericity, we showed that metastatic lymph nodes became spherical. Our method for predicting lymph node metastasis based on sphericity of lymph nodes with a short-axis diameter ≥ 5 mm could do so with higher sensitivity than the conventional method, and with acceptable specificity.

Bony materials are biogenic composites of protein fibers and mineral that create hierarchical structures. In the case of teeth, dentin is the main component and similar to other bones, it contains porosity at multiple length scales. It is traversed by micron‐sized hollow channels known as dentinal tubules, essential for temperature and pain sensation. Tubule density and thus porosity vary throughout the macroscopic three‐dimensional (3D) structure, with porosity increasing toward the pulp. The different densities in teeth are easily revealed non‐destructively in 3D by X‐ray imaging using computer tomography (CT). Yet elemental composition analysis is more difficult to obtain from within the centimeter‐sized heterogeneous bulk material. We describe an approach of merging CT measurements of healthy, intact bovine teeth with micro‐X‐ray fluorescence (micro‐XRF) images of matching serially sectioned slices. Through the combination of multi‐resolution quantitative CT measurements with elemental mass fraction derivation, gradients in density and element distributions such as calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), and zinc (Zn) are revealed across entire teeth in 3D. While the main constituents (Ca and P) are homogeneously distributed in the matrix, Zn concentration increases significantly and exponentially toward the pulp. We find an inverse association between dentin tissue density and Zn concentration localizing this element in or around tubules. Our data serve as a quantitative reference for density and Zn mass fractions in healthy, neither carious nor hypermineralized dentin, as a basis for comparisons across species in health and disease states. The combination of calibrated micro‐CT and quantitative micro‐XRF measurement facilitates the correlation of density and composition in the 3D macro‐structure of teeth. Zn concentration in dentin increases by a factor of 10 toward the pulp. Incidentally, the overall density decreases, showing an association between Zn and the dentin tissue porosity.

BackgroundThe aim of the study was to assess the agreement between the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) values obtained with IQ-SPECT and those obtained with a conventional gamma camera equipped with low-energy high-resolution (LEHR), considered as the method of reference.MethodsGated-stress MPI using 99mTc-tetrofosmin was performed in 55 consecutive patients. The patients underwent two sequential acquisitions (Method A and B) performed on Symbia-IQ SPECT with different acquisition times and one (Method C) on a Ecam SPECT equipped with LEHR collimators. The values of the different datasets were compared using the Bland-Altman analysis method: the bias and the limits of agreement (LA) were estimated in a head-to-head comparison of the three protocols.ResultsIn the (Method A-Method C) comparison for LVEF, the bias was 3.8% and the LAs ranged from − 9.3% to 16.8%. The agreement was still lower between Method B and C, whilst only slightly improved when Methods A and B were compared.ConclusionsThe wide amplitude in LA intervals of about 30% indicates that IQ and LEHR GSPECT are not interchangeable. The values obtained with IQ-SPECT should only be used with caution when evaluating the functional state of the heart.

Purpose The application value of 18F‐FDG PET‐CT combined with MRI in the radiotherapy of esophageal carcinoma was discussed by comparing the differences in position, volume, and the length of GTVs delineated on the end‐expiration (EE) phase of 4DCT, 18F‐FDG PET‐CT, and T2W‐MRI. Methods A total of 26 patients with thoracic esophageal cancer sequentially performed 3DCT, 4DCT, 18F‐FDG PET‐CT, and MRI simulation for thoracic localization. All images were fused with the 3DCT images by deformable registration. GTVCT and GTV50% were delineated on 3DCT and the EE phase of 4DCT images, respectively. The GTV based on PET‐CT images was determined by thresholds of SUV ≥ 2.5 and designated as GTVPET2.5. The images of T2‐weighted sequence and diffusion‐weighted sequence were referred as GTVMRI and GTVDWI, respectively. The length of the abnormality seen on the 4DCT, PET‐CT, and DWI was compared. Results GTVPET2.5 was significantly larger than GTV50% and GTVMRI (P = .000 and 0.008, respectively), and the volume of GTVMRI was similar to that of GTV50% (P = .439). Significant differences were observed between the CI of GTVMRI to GTV50% and GTVPET2.5 to GTV50% (P = .004). The CI of GTVMRI to GTVCT and GTVPET2.5 to GTVCT were statistically significant (P = .039). The CI of GTVMRI to GTVPET2.5 was significantly lower than that of GTVMRI to GTV50%, GTVMRI to GTVCT, GTVPET2.5 to GTV50%, and GTVPET2.5 to GTVCT (P = .000‐0.021). Tumor length measurements by endoscopy were similar to the tumor length as measured by PET and DWI scan (P > .05), and there was no significant difference between the longitudinal length of GTVPET2.5 and GTVDWI (P = .072). Conclusion The volumes of GTVMRI and GTV50% were similar. However, GTVMRI has different volumes and poor spatial matching compared with GTVPET2.5.The MRI imaging could not include entire respiration. It may be a good choice to guide target delineation and construction of esophageal carcinoma by combining 4DCT with MRI imaging. Utilization of DWI in treatment planning for esophageal cancer may provide further information to assist with target delineation. Further studies are needed to determine if this technology will translate into meaningful differences in clinical outcome. Target volume delineation guided by multimodality images has become the key technology for precise radiotherapy of esophageal cancer. It may be a good choice to guide target delineation and construction of esophageal carcinoma by combining 4DCT with MRI imaging. There are significant differences for the GTVs in size and spatial position derived from T2W‐MRI and FDG‐PET/CT. Whereas, DW‐MRI could be used to replace PET‐CT for determining the upper and lower boundaries of esophageal carcinoma.

The introduction of a camera-based dose-reduction strategy in myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) clinical setting entails the definition of objective and reproducible criteria for establishing the amount of activity to be injected. The aim is to evaluate the impact of count statistics on the estimation of summed-scores (SS), end-diastolic volume (EDV), end-systolic volume (ESV), and ejection fraction (EF). Data rest/stress ECG-gated SPECT (2-day protocol and 8 MBq·kg−1) were acquired with Bright View gamma camera and Astonish algorithm for 40 normal-weight and 40 overweight patients. Assuming that count statistics of shorter acquisition time may simulate that of lower injected activity, three simultaneous scans (full-time, half-time, and quarter-time scans) were started at the same time but with different acquisition time/projection (30, 15 and 8 seconds). A significant difference between SS values of half-time and quarter-time stress scans was found for overweight group (P = .006). Post hoc test showed significant differences for ESV (P < .05), EDV (P < .01) and EF (P < .05) between half-time and quarter-time scans for both patient groups. The reduction of the count-statistics to a quarter of the MPI reference influenced negatively the quantification in overweight patients. The decrease of radiopharmaceutical activity to 25% of the reference seems practicable for normal-weight patients, while it is more appropriate an activity reduction limited to 50% for overweight and obese patients.