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Evripidou N, Antoniou A, Georgiou L, Ioannides C, Spanoudes K, Damianou C. MRI compatibility testing of commercial high intensity focused ultrasound transducers. Phys Med 2024; 117:103194. [PMID: 38048730 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmp.2023.103194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/06/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE The study aimed to compare the performance of eight commercially available single-element High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) transducers in terms of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) compatibility. METHODS Imaging of an agar-based MRI phantom was performed in a 3 T MRI scanner utilizing T2-Weighted Fast Spin Echo (FSE) and Fast low angle shot (FLASH) sequences, which are typically employed for high resolution anatomical imaging and thermometry, respectively. Reference magnitude and phase images of the phantom were compared with images acquired in the presence of each transducer in terms of the signal to noise ratio (SNR), introduced artifacts, and overall image quality. RESULTS The degree of observed artifacts highly differed among the various transducers. The transducer whose backing material included magnetic impurities showed poor performance in the MRI, introducing significant susceptibility artifacts such as geometric distortions and signal void bands. Additionally, it caused the most significant SNR drop. Other transducers were shown to exhibit high level of MRI compatibility as the resulting images closely resembled the reference images with minimal to no apparent artifacts and comparable SNR values. CONCLUSIONS The study findings may facilitate researchers to select the most suitable transducer for their research, simultaneously avoiding unnecessary testing. The study further provides useful design considerations for MRI compatible transducers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikolas Evripidou
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, and Informatics, Cyprus University of Technology, Limassol, Cyprus
| | - Anastasia Antoniou
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, and Informatics, Cyprus University of Technology, Limassol, Cyprus
| | - Leonidas Georgiou
- Department of Interventional Radiology, German Oncology Center, Limassol, Cyprus
| | - Cleanthis Ioannides
- Department of Interventional Radiology, German Oncology Center, Limassol, Cyprus
| | | | - Christakis Damianou
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, and Informatics, Cyprus University of Technology, Limassol, Cyprus.
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Antoniou A, Evripidou N, Georgiou L, Chrysanthou A, Ioannides C, Damianou C. Tumor phantom model for MRI-guided focused ultrasound ablation studies. Med Phys 2023; 50:5956-5968. [PMID: 37226334 DOI: 10.1002/mp.16480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Revised: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The persistent development of focused ultrasound (FUS) thermal therapy in the context of oncology creates the need for tissue-mimicking tumor phantom models for early-stage experimentation and evaluation of relevant systems and protocols. PURPOSE This study presents the development and evaluation of a tumor-bearing tissue phantom model for testing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-guided FUS (MRgFUS) ablation protocols and equipment based on MR thermometry. METHODS Normal tissue was mimicked by a pure agar gel, while the tumor simulator was differentiated from the surrounding material by including silicon dioxide. The phantom was characterized in terms of acoustic, thermal, and MRI properties. US, MRI, and computed tomography (CT) images of the phantom were acquired to assess the contrast between the two compartments. The phantom's response to thermal heating was investigated by performing high power sonications with a 2.4 MHz single element spherically focused ultrasonic transducer in a 3T MRI scanner. RESULTS The estimated phantom properties fall within the range of literature-reported values of soft tissues. The inclusion of silicon dioxide in the tumor material offered excellent tumor visualization in US, MRI, and CT. MR thermometry revealed temperature elevations in the phantom to ablation levels and clear evidence of larger heat accumulation within the tumor owing to the inclusion of silicon dioxide. CONCLUSION Overall, the study findings suggest that the proposed tumor phantom model constitutes a simple and inexpensive tool for preclinical MRgFUS ablation studies, and potentially other image-guided thermal ablation applications upon minimal modifications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasia Antoniou
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, and Informatics, Cyprus University of Technology, Limassol, Cyprus
| | - Nikolas Evripidou
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, and Informatics, Cyprus University of Technology, Limassol, Cyprus
| | - Leonidas Georgiou
- Department of Interventional Radiology, German Oncology Center, Limassol, Cyprus
| | - Antreas Chrysanthou
- Department of Interventional Radiology, German Oncology Center, Limassol, Cyprus
| | - Cleanthis Ioannides
- Department of Interventional Radiology, German Oncology Center, Limassol, Cyprus
| | - Christakis Damianou
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, and Informatics, Cyprus University of Technology, Limassol, Cyprus
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Antoniou A, Georgiou L, Evripidou N, Ioannides C, Damianou C. Challenges regarding MR compatibility of an MRgFUS robotic system. J Magn Reson 2022; 344:107317. [PMID: 36279604 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmr.2022.107317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2022] [Revised: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Numerous challenges are faced when employing Magnetic Resonance guided Focused Ultrasound (MRgFUS) hardware in the Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) setting. The current study aimed to provide insights on this topic through a series of experiments performed in the framework of evaluating the MRI compatibility of an MRgFUS robotic device. All experiments were performed in a 1.5 T MRI scanner. The main metric for MRI compatibility assessment was the signal to noise ratio (SNR). Measurements were carried out in a tissue mimicking phantom and freshly excised pork tissue under various activation states of the system. In the effort to minimize magnetic interference and image distortion, various set-up parameters were examined. Significant SNR degradation and image distortion occurred when the FUS transducer was activated mainly owing to FUS-induced target and coil vibrations and was getting worse as the output power was increased. Proper design and stable positioning of the imaged phantom play a critical role in reducing these vibrations. Moreover, isolation of the phantom from the imaging coil was proven essential for avoiding FUS-induced vibrations from being transferred to the coil during sonication and resulted in a more than 3-fold increase in SNR. The use of a multi-channel coil increased the SNR by up to 50 % compared to a single-channel coil. Placement of the electronics outside the coil detection area increased the SNR by about 65 %. A similar SNR improvement was observed when the encoders' counting pulses were deactivated. Overall, this study raises awareness about major challenges regarding operation of an MRgFUS system in the MRI environment and proposes simple measures that could mitigate the impact of noise sources so that the monitoring value of MR imaging in FUS applications is not compromised.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasia Antoniou
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, and Informatics, Cyprus University of Technology, Limassol, Cyprus.
| | - Leonidas Georgiou
- German Oncology Center, Department of Interventional Radiology, Limassol, Cyprus.
| | - Nikolas Evripidou
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, and Informatics, Cyprus University of Technology, Limassol, Cyprus.
| | - Cleanthis Ioannides
- German Oncology Center, Department of Interventional Radiology, Limassol, Cyprus.
| | - Christakis Damianou
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, and Informatics, Cyprus University of Technology, Limassol, Cyprus.
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Antoniou A, Georgiou L, Christodoulou T, Panayiotou N, Ioannides C, Zamboglou N, Damianou C. MR relaxation times of agar-based tissue-mimicking phantoms. J Appl Clin Med Phys 2022; 23:e13533. [PMID: 35415875 PMCID: PMC9121050 DOI: 10.1002/acm2.13533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Agar gels were previously proven capable of accurately replicating the acoustical and thermal properties of real tissue and widely used for the construction of tissue-mimicking phantoms (TMPs) for focused ultrasound (FUS) applications. Given the current popularity of magnetic resonance-guided FUS (MRgFUS), we have investigated the MR relaxation times T1 and T2 of different mixtures of agar-based phantoms. Nine TMPs were constructed containing agar as the gelling agent and various concentrations of silicon dioxide and evaporated milk. An agar-based phantom doped with wood powder was also evaluated. A series of MR images were acquired in a 1.5 T scanner for T1 and T2 mapping. T2 was predominantly affected by varying agar concentrations. A trend toward decreasing T1 with an increasing concentration of evaporated milk was observed. The addition of silicon dioxide decreased both relaxation times of pure agar gels. The proposed phantoms have great potential for use with the continuously emerging MRgFUS technology. The MR relaxation times of several body tissues can be mimicked by adjusting the concentration of ingredients, thus enabling more accurate and realistic MRgFUS studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasia Antoniou
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, and Informatics, Cyprus University of Technology, Limassol, Cyprus
| | - Leonidas Georgiou
- Department of Interventional Radiology, German Oncology Center, Limassol, Cyprus
| | | | - Natalie Panayiotou
- Department of Interventional Radiology, German Oncology Center, Limassol, Cyprus
| | - Cleanthis Ioannides
- Department of Interventional Radiology, German Oncology Center, Limassol, Cyprus
| | - Nikolaos Zamboglou
- Department of Interventional Radiology, German Oncology Center, Limassol, Cyprus
| | - Christakis Damianou
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, and Informatics, Cyprus University of Technology, Limassol, Cyprus
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Georgiou L, Echeverría A, Georgiou A, Kuhn B. Ca + activity maps of astrocytes tagged by axoastrocytic AAV transfer. Sci Adv 2022; 8:eabe5371. [PMID: 35138891 PMCID: PMC8827655 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abe5371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2020] [Accepted: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Astrocytes exhibit localized Ca2+ microdomain (MD) activity thought to be actively involved in information processing in the brain. However, functional organization of Ca2+ MDs in space and time in relationship to behavior and neuronal activity is poorly understood. Here, we first show that adeno-associated virus (AAV) particles transfer anterogradely from axons to astrocytes. Then, we use this axoastrocytic AAV transfer to express genetically encoded Ca2+ indicators at high-contrast circuit specifically. In combination with two-photon microscopy and unbiased, event-based analysis, we investigated cortical astrocytes embedded in the vibrissal thalamocortical circuit. We found a wide range of Ca2+ MD signals, some of which were ultrafast (≤300 ms). Frequency and size of signals were extensively increased by locomotion but only subtly with sensory stimulation. The overlay of these signals resulted in behavior-dependent maps with characteristic Ca2+ activity hotspots, maybe representing memory engrams. These functional subdomains are stable over days, suggesting subcellular specialization.
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Roussakis Y, Nikolaou M, Georgiou L, Antorkas G, Doolan P, Ferentinos K, Anagnostopoulos G. Pre-treatment QA results of stereotactic plans against target volume and plan complexity. Phys Med 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/s1120-1797(22)00420-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022] Open
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Paskali F, Fechter T, Zambgolou C, Strouthos I, Georgiou L, Baltas D. Automatic segmentation of prostate on TRUS images using convolutional neural networks. Phys Med 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/s1120-1797(22)00423-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022] Open
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Stevens W, Farrow IM, Georgiou L, Hanby AM, Perren TJ, Windel LM, Wilson DJ, Sharma N, Dodwell D, Hughes TA, Dall BJG, Buckley DL. Breast tumour volume and blood flow measured by MRI after one cycle of epirubicin and cyclophosphamide-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy as predictors of pathological response. Br J Radiol 2021; 94:20201396. [PMID: 34106751 PMCID: PMC8248209 DOI: 10.1259/bjr.20201396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2020] [Revised: 05/04/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Better markers of early response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) in patients with breast cancer are required to enable the timely identification of non-responders and reduce unnecessary treatment side-effects. Early functional imaging may better predict response to treatment than conventional measures of tumour size. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that the change in tumour blood flow after one cycle of NACT would predict pathological response. METHODS In this prospective cohort study, dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI was performed in 35 females with breast cancer before and after one cycle of epirubicin and cyclophosphamide-based NACT (EC90). Estimates of tumour blood flow and tumour volume were compared with pathological response obtained at surgery following completion of NACT. RESULTS Tumour blood flow at baseline (mean ± SD; 0.32 ± 0.17 ml/min/ml) reduced slightly after one cycle of NACT (0.28 ± 0.18 ml/min/ml). Following treatment 15 patients were identified as pathological responders and 20 as non-responders. There were no relationships found between tumour blood flow and pathological response. Conversely, tumour volume was found to be a good predictor of pathological response (smaller tumours did better) at both baseline (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve 0.80) and after one cycle of NACT (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve 0.81). CONCLUSION & ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE The change in breast tumour blood flow following one cycle of EC90 did not predict pathological response. Tumour volume may be a better early marker of response with such agents.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Daniel J Wilson
- Dept of Medical Physics and Engineering, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds, UK
| | - Nisha Sharma
- Department of Radiology, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds, UK
| | | | | | - Barbara JG Dall
- Department of Radiology, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds, UK
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Antoniou A, Drakos T, Giannakou M, Evripidou N, Georgiou L, Christodoulou T, Panayiotou N, Ioannides C, Zamboglou N, Damianou C. Simple methods to test the accuracy of MRgFUS robotic systems. Int J Med Robot 2021; 17:e2287. [PMID: 34021694 PMCID: PMC8365756 DOI: 10.1002/rcs.2287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2021] [Revised: 05/21/2021] [Accepted: 05/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Background Robotic‐assisted diagnostic and therapeutic modalities require a highly accurate performance to be certified for clinical application. In this paper, three simple methods for assessing the accuracy of motion of magnetic resonance‐guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) robotic systems are presented. Methods The accuracy of motion of a 4 degrees of freedom robotic system intended for preclinical use of MRgFUS was evaluated by calliper‐based and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) methods, as well as visually by performing multiple ablations on a plastic film. Results The benchtop results confirmed a highly accurate motion in all axes of operation. The spatial positioning errors estimated by MRI evaluation were defined by the size of the imaging pixels. Lesions arrangement in discrete and overlapping patterns confirmed satisfactory alignment of motion trajectories. Conclusions We believe the methods presented here should serve as a standard for evaluating the accuracy of motion of MRgFUS robotic systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasia Antoniou
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, and Informatics, Cyprus University of Technology, Limassol, Cyprus
| | | | | | - Nikolas Evripidou
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, and Informatics, Cyprus University of Technology, Limassol, Cyprus
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Christakis Damianou
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, and Informatics, Cyprus University of Technology, Limassol, Cyprus
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Georgiou L, Wilson DJ, Sharma N, Perren TJ, Buckley DL. A functional form for a representative individual arterial input function measured from a population using high temporal resolution DCE MRI. Magn Reson Med 2018; 81:1955-1963. [PMID: 30257053 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.27524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2018] [Revised: 08/17/2018] [Accepted: 08/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To measure the arterial input function (AIF), an essential component of tracer kinetic analysis, in a population of patients using an optimized dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) imaging sequence and to estimate inter- and intrapatient variability. From these data, a representative AIF that may be used for realistic simulation studies can be extracted. METHODS Thirty-nine female patients were imaged on multiple visits before and during a course of neoadjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer. A total of 97 T1 -weighted DCE studies were analyzed including bookend estimates of T1 and model-fitting to each individual AIF. Area under the curve and cardiac output were estimated from each first pass peak, and these data were used to assess inter- and intrapatient variability of the AIF. RESULTS Interpatient variability exceeded intrapatient variability of the AIF. There was no change in cardiac output as a function of MR visit (mean value 5.6 ± 1.1 L/min) but baseline blood T1 increased significantly following the start of chemotherapy (which was accompanied by a decrease in hematocrit). CONCLUSION The AIF in an individual patient can be measured reproducibly but the variability of AIFs between patients suggests that use of a population AIF will decrease the precision of tracer kinetic analysis performed in cross-patient comparison studies. A representative AIF is presented that is typical of the population but retains the characteristics of an individually measured AIF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonidas Georgiou
- Biomedical Imaging, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom.,Department of Medical Physics, German Oncology Center, Limassol, Cyprus
| | - Daniel J Wilson
- Department of Medical Physics and Engineering, Leeds Teaching Hospital NHS Trust, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Nisha Sharma
- Department of Radiology, Leeds Teaching Hospital NHS Trust, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Timothy J Perren
- Leeds Institute of Cancer and Pathology, St. James's University Hospital, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - David L Buckley
- Biomedical Imaging, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
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Georgiou L, Sharma N, Broadbent DA, Wilson DJ, Dall BJ, Gangi A, Buckley DL. Estimating breast tumor blood flow during neoadjuvant chemotherapy using interleaved high temporal and high spatial resolution MRI. Magn Reson Med 2017; 79:317-326. [PMID: 28370289 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.26684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2016] [Revised: 01/25/2017] [Accepted: 03/02/2017] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To evaluate an interleaved MRI sampling strategy that acquires both high temporal resolution (HTR) dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) data for quantifying breast tumor blood flow (TBF) and high spatial resolution (HSR) DCE data for clinical reporting, following a single standard injection of contrast agent. METHODS A simulation study was used to evaluate the performance of the interleaved technique under different conditions. In a prospective clinical study, 18 patients with primary breast cancer, who were due to undergo neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT), were examined using interleaved HTR and HSR DCE-MRI at 1.5 Tesla. Tumor regions of interest were analyzed with a two-compartment tracer kinetic model. Paired parameters (n = 10) from the data acquired before and post-cycle 2 of NACT were compared using the nonparametric Wilcoxon signed-rank test. RESULTS Simulations demonstrated that TBF was reliably estimated using the proposed strategy. The region of interest analysis revealed significant changes in TBF (0.81-0.43 mL/min/mL; P = 0.002) following two cycles of NACT. The HSR data were reported in the normal way and enabled the assessment of tumor volume, which decreased by 53% following NACT (P = 0.065). CONCLUSIONS TBF can be measured reliably using the proposed strategy without compromising a standard clinical protocol. Furthermore, in our feasibility study, TBF decreased significantly following NACT, whereas capillary permeability surface-area product did not. Magn Reson Med 79:317-326, 2018. © 2017 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonidas Georgiou
- Division of Biomedical Imaging, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Nisha Sharma
- Department of Radiology, Leeds Teaching Hospital NHS Trust, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - David A Broadbent
- Division of Biomedical Imaging, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom.,Department of Medical Physics and Engineering, Leeds Teaching Hospital NHS Trust, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Daniel J Wilson
- Department of Medical Physics and Engineering, Leeds Teaching Hospital NHS Trust, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Barbara J Dall
- Department of Radiology, Leeds Teaching Hospital NHS Trust, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Anmol Gangi
- Division of Biomedical Imaging, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom.,Western General Hospital, NHS Lothian, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - David L Buckley
- Division of Biomedical Imaging, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
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Stallard P, Phillips R, Montgomery AA, Spears M, Anderson R, Taylor J, Araya R, Lewis G, Ukoumunne OC, Millings A, Georgiou L, Cook E, Sayal K. A cluster randomised controlled trial to determine the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of classroom-based cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) in reducing symptoms of depression in high-risk adolescents. Health Technol Assess 2014; 17:vii-xvii, 1-109. [PMID: 24172024 DOI: 10.3310/hta17470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Depression in adolescents is a significant problem that impairs everyday functioning and increases the risk of severe mental health disorders in adulthood. Although this is a major problem, relatively few adolescents with, or at risk of developing, depression are identified and referred for treatment. This suggests the need to investigate alternative approaches whereby preventative interventions are made widely available in schools. OBJECTIVE To investigate the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of classroom-based cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) in reducing symptoms of depression in high-risk adolescents. DESIGN Cluster randomised controlled trial. Year groups ( n = 28) randomly allocated on a 1 : 1 : 1 basis to one of three trial arms once all schools were recruited and balanced for number of classes, number of students, Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE) lesson frequency, and scheduling of PSHE. SETTING Year groups 8 to 11 (ages 12-16 years) in mixed-sex secondary schools in the UK. Data were collected between 2009 and 2011. PARTICIPANTS Young people who attended PSHE at participating schools were eligible ( n = 5503). Of the 5030 who agreed to participate, 1064 (21.2%) were classified as 'high risk': 392 in the classroom-based CBT arm, 374 in the attention control PSHE arm and 298 in the usual PSHE arm. Primary outcome data on the high-risk group at 12 months were available for classroom-based CBT ( n = 296), attention control PSHE ( n = 308) and usual PSHE ( n = 242). INTERVENTIONS The Resourceful Adolescent Programme (RAP) is a focused CBT-based intervention adapted for the UK (RAP-UK) and delivered by two facilitators external to the school. Control groups were usual PSHE (usual school curriculum delivered by teachers) and attention control (usual school PSHE with additional support from two facilitators). Interventions were delivered universally to whole classes. PRIMARY OUTCOMES Clinical effectiveness: symptoms of depression [Short Mood and Feelings Questionnaire (SMFQ)] in adolescents at high risk of depression 12 months from baseline. Cost-effectiveness: incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) based on SMFQ score and quality-adjusted life-years (from European Quality of Life-5 Dimensions scores) between baseline and 12 months. Process evaluation: reach, attrition and qualitative feedback from service recipients and providers. RESULTS SMFQ scores had decreased for high-risk adolescents in all trial arms at 12 months, but there was no difference between arms [classroom-based CBT vs. usual PSHE adjusted difference in means 0.97, 95% confidence interval (CI) -0.34 to 2.28; classroom-based CBT vs. attention control PSHE -0.63, 95% CI -1.99 to 0.73]. Costs of interventions per child were estimated at £41.96 for classroom-based CBT and £34.45 for attention control PSHE. Fieller's method was used to obtain a parametric estimate of the 95% CI for the ICERs and construct the cost-effectiveness acceptability curve, confirming that classroom-based CBT was not cost-effective relative to the controls. Reach of classroom-based CBT was good and attrition was low (median 80% attending ≥ 60% of sessions), but feedback indicated some difficulties with acceptability and sustainability. CONCLUSIONS Classroom-based CBT, attention control PSHE and usual PSHE produced similar outcomes. Classroom-based CBT may result in increased self-awareness and reporting of depressive symptoms. Classroom-based CBT was not shown to be cost-effective. While schools are a convenient way of reaching a wide range of young people, implementing classroom-based CBT within schools is challenging, particularly with regard to fitting programmes into a busy timetable, the lack of value placed on PSHE, and difficulties engaging with teachers and young people. Wider use of classroom-based depression prevention programmes should not be undertaken without further research. If universal preventative approaches are to be pursued, their clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness with younger children (aged 10-11 years), before the incidence of depression increases, should be investigated. Alternatively, the clinical effectiveness of indicated school-based programmes targeting those already displaying symptoms of depression should be investigated. TRIAL REGISTRATION Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN19083628. FUNDING This project was funded by the NIHR Health Technology Assessment programme and will be published in full in Health Technology Assessment; Vol. 17, No. 47. See the HTA programme website for further project information.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Stallard
- Department for Health, University of Bath, Bath, UK
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Kremastinou F, Veneti V, Kouroukli I, Panaretou V, Tsirtsiridou V, Kostopoulou F, Georgiou L. 380 DEPRESSION DISORDERS AND FUNCTIONAL IMPAIRMENT IN PATIENTS WITH PERSISTENT HEADACHES. Eur J Pain 2006. [DOI: 10.1016/s1090-3801(06)60383-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Skalistira M, Kouroukli I, Panaretou V, Kyriakoulakos S, Georgiou L. 784 COMPARISON OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF TWO DIFFERENT SYMPATHETIC BLOCKADE TECHNIQUES FOR SIMULTANEOUS TREATMENT OF BILATERAL CRPS OF THE ARMS. Eur J Pain 2006. [DOI: 10.1016/s1090-3801(06)60787-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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Kouroukli I, Xadjilia S, Zobolas V, Papavassilopoulou T, Papadima A, Kostopoulou F, Tsirtsiridou V, Georgiou L. 579 GREAT OCCIPITAL NERVE BLOCKADE (GONB) - INFILTRATION OF TRIGGER POINTS (TPS) OF CERVICAL MUSCLES IN PATIENTS (PTS) WITH OCCIPITAL NEURALGIA (ON). Eur J Pain 2006. [DOI: 10.1016/s1090-3801(06)60582-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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Lagoudianakis E, Papadima A, Antonakis P, Tsekouras D, Genetzakis M, Pattas M, Manouras A, Georgiou L. 746 INTRAPERITONEAL LEVOBUPIVACAINE REDUCES PAIN AFTER LAPAROSCOPIC CHOLECYSTECTOMY. Eur J Pain 2006. [DOI: 10.1016/s1090-3801(06)60749-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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Papadima A, Lagoudianakis EE, Antonakis PT, Pattas M, Kremastinou F, Katergiannakis V, Manouras A, Georgiou L. Parecoxib vs. lornoxicam in the treatment of postoperative pain after laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a prospective randomized placebo-controlled trial. Eur J Anaesthesiol 2006; 24:154-8. [PMID: 16938157 DOI: 10.1017/s0265021506001293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/31/2006] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are considered as an effective treatment of postoperative pain after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. COX-2 inhibitors are newer drugs having less adverse effects. Data supporting their efficacy postoperatively in comparison to older non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are scarce. Our study is a prospective, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial comparing the efficacy of lornoxicam vs. parecoxib for the management of pain after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS We enrolled 76 patients, ASA I and II, scheduled for elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The patients were randomized to receive before induction parecoxib 40 mg i.v., lornoxicam 8 mg i.v. or placebo. Pain at rest and on movement was assessed using a visual analogue scale at 0, 6, 12 h postoperatively. Total meperidine consumption and adverse effects were also recorded. RESULTS At 12 h, visual analogue scale scores at rest and on movement were significantly lower with parecoxib and lornoxicam compared with control ( P = 0.047). The percentage of patients needing meperidine and the average dose of meperidine administered was significantly lower with parecoxib and lornoxicam compared with control (P < 0.001 and P = 0.018). There was no difference between parecoxib and lornoxicam. One patient receiving lornoxicam vomited. CONCLUSIONS Parecoxib 40 mg i.v. and lornoxicam 8 mg i.v. were equianalgesic and both were more efficacious than placebo for the management of pain after laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Papadima
- Department of Anesthesiology, Hippocrateion Hospital, Athens Medical School, Q. Sophia 114, 11527 Athens, Greece
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Tsamis I, Giatromanolaki A, Tamiolakis D, Georgiou L, Manavis J, Alexiadis G, Thomaidis V, Sivridis E. Fine needle aspiration cytology in ameloblastoma of the mandible. Cytopathology 2002; 13:375-8. [PMID: 12485174 DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2303.2002.00427.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- I Tsamis
- Department of Maxillofacial Surgery, Regional Hospital of Alexandroupolis and Democritus University of Thrace, Greece.
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Sivridis E, Giatromanolaki A, Koukourakis MI, Georgiou L, Anastasiadis P. Patterns of episialin/MUC1 expression in endometrial carcinomas and prognostic relevance. Histopathology 2002; 40:92-100. [PMID: 11903603 DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2559.2002.01316.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
AIMS To investigate episialin/MUC1 expression in the normal, hyperplastic and neoplastic endometrium, and relate patterns of tumour MUC1 reactivity with histopathological characteristics, oestrogen and progesterone receptor (ER and PR) status, bcl-2 and p53 oncoproteins and with clinical behaviour. METHODS AND RESULTS We studied 42 normally cycling endometria, 45 endometrial hyperplasias of various forms, and 111 endometrial carcinomas of endometrioid and non-endometrioid cell types with specific monoclonal antibodies employing standard immunohistochemical techniques. The follow-up period ranged from 34 to 182 months with a median of 86 months. Epithelial mucin episialin/MUC1 was consistently expressed in the normal endometrium, following a cyclical pattern: "apical membrane staining" in early and mid-proliferative endometrium; "purely cytoplasmic staining" in late proliferative endometrium; and "cytoplasmic staining with intraluminal secretions" in secretory endometrium. Immunostaining patterns in simple and complex hyperplasia were similar to late proliferative endometrium, while atypical hyperplasias and endometrial carcinomas either simulated patterns of proliferative endometrium or lacked MUC1 reactivity. Membranous MUC1 positivity was statistically more frequent in endometrioid carcinomas compared with carcinomas of non-endometrioid type (P = 0.006). Cytoplasmic MUC1 positivity was significantly associated with poor prognosis, while MUC1-negative carcinomas were associated with PR expression and an improved survival (P=0.04). There was no association of MUC1 patterns with bcl-2 and p53 immunoreactivity or with other histopathological variables. CONCLUSIONS Episialin/MUC1 is an integral component of the normal premenopausal endometrium and is probably hormonally regulated. It is frequently expressed in endometrial hyperplasias and carcinomas. The loss of MUC1 expression from endometrial carcinomas is associated with a favourable prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Sivridis
- Department of Pathology, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis 681 00, PO Box 128, Greece.
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Georgiou L, Bousoula M, Spetsaki M. Combined thoracic epidural and general anaesthesia with laryngeal mask airway for laparoscopic cholecystectomy in a patient with myasthenia gravis. Anaesthesia 2000; 55:821-2. [PMID: 10947722 DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2044.2000.01629-24.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Georgiou L, Louizos A, Sklavou C, Manolopoulos L, Yiotakis I, Adamopoulos G. Cervical versus thoracic epidural morphine for the treatment of head and neck cancer pain. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 2000; 109:676-8. [PMID: 10903050 DOI: 10.1177/000348940010900711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
We studied 29 patients in the final stage of head or neck cancer who were suffering pain that was not relieved by oral morphine. Cervical or thoracic epidural morphine was administered to relieve the pain. The quality of analgesia was equally good for both techniques. However, cervical epidural administration appeared to be superior, because much smaller doses of morphine were required in order to induce more rapid and longer analgesia.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Georgiou
- Department of Anesthesiology, Hippokration General Hospital, Athens, Greece
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Leandros E, Kymionis GD, Konstadoulakis MM, Loizos A, Georgiou L, Bonatsos G, Androulakis G. Haemodynamic and acid-base changes during laparoscopic and open cholecystectomy: An experimental study. MINIM INVASIV THER 1999. [DOI: 10.3109/13645709909153186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
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