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Texture analysis of divers' brains using 99Tcm-HMPAO SPET
R T Staff1, H G Gemmell, P M Duff
1Department of Bio-Medical Physics and Bio-Engineering, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, UK.
Nuclear Medicine Communications
|June 1, 1995
Summary
Texture analysis of regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) SPET images revealed detectable changes in divers with decompression sickness (DCS). While differences were noted between DCS types and controls, individual case utility is limited.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Diving Medicine
- Radiochemistry
Background:
- Decompression sickness (DCS) affects divers, potentially causing neurological damage.
- Regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) imaging may detect physiological changes associated with DCS.
- Texture analysis offers a novel method for quantitative image assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the utility of 99Tcm-HMPAO SPET imaging with texture analysis in managing divers with DCS.
- To identify potential textural differences in brain images of divers with and without DCS history.
Main Methods:
- Fifty divers were imaged using single photon emission tomography (SPET) with 99Tcm-hexamethylpropyleneamine oxime (HMPAO).
- Divers were categorized into Type 1 DCS, Type 2 DCS, and control groups.
- First-order texture analysis based on grey level histogram was applied to pre-processed SPET images.
Main Results:
- Significant textural differences were observed between divers with Type 1 DCS and controls.
- Significant textural differences were also found between divers with Type 2 DCS and controls.
- No significant textural differences were detected between divers with Type 1 DCS and Type 2 DCS history.
Conclusions:
- 99Tcm-HMPAO SPET imaging combined with texture analysis can detect changes in rCBF associated with DCS.
- The approach shows potential for understanding DCS effects on cerebral blood flow.
- Limited segmentation suggests restricted utility for individual diagnosis but potential for group-level analysis of diving practices.