Dear Advanced Visualization Insider,
Sarcopenia has been reported in small studies in the literature to substantially affect patient outcomes after resection of liver cancer. Using software to quantitatively assess muscle mass on preoperative CT, researchers from Italy have confirmed in a prospective study that sarcopenia is indeed a risk factor for postsurgical morbidity.
After evaluating over 200 consecutive patients undergoing liver resection for malignant tumors, the researchers found that those with both reduced muscle mass and strength had significantly higher 90-day morbidity, mean hospital stay, and readmission rates than those who didn't have sarcopenia.
Meanwhile, researchers from Germany have shared their success in developing a deep-learning algorithm to provide automated analysis of body tissue composition on standard abdominal CT scans. They believe that their technique, which was found to be highly reliable on a small test set, could make these valuable biomarkers readily accessible from routine clinical imaging.
3D volume rendering may be a more useful 3D method than maximum intensity projection (MIP) for preoperative planning in patients with liver cancer. Researchers recently concluded that 3D volume rendering provides more detail and perspective than MIP on the liver structure and surrounding vessels on CT.
In other news, 3D-printed soft aortic root models with integrated electronic sensor arrays can improve the planning of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedures in patients with aortic stenosis, according to a recent study. These models -- which are produced via a customized 3D printing process and specialized inks -- can mimic soft tissue and the hard calcification on the valve flaps. What's more, the integrated 3D-printed sensors can help determine the size and placement of the valve device during the TAVR procedure, potentially decreasing the risk of complications.
Speaking of 3D printing, the U.K. Office for Product Safety and Standards has announced plans to focus on the safety of 3D printing technologies, according to a report by law firm Pinsent Masons. Also, researchers from the U.K. uncovered new secrets after using 3D micro-CT to perform a postmortem on three mummified animals from ancient Egypt.
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