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WE-DE-207B-08: Towards Standardization of X-Ray Filters in Digital Mammography-Enabled Breast Tomosynthesis Systems

Purpose: In digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) systems capable of digital mammography (DM), Al filters are used during DBT and K-edge filters during DM. The potential for standardizing the x-ray filters with Al, instead of K-edge filters, was investigated with intent to reduce exposure duration and to promote a simpler system design. Methods: Analytical computations of the half-value thickness (HVT) and the photon fluence per mAs (photons/mm2/mAs) for K-edge filters (50µm Rh; 50µm Ag) were compared with Al filters of varying thickness. Two strategies for matching the HVT from K-edge and Al filtered spectra were investigated: varying the kVp for fixed Al thickness, or varying the Al thickness at matched kVp. For both strategies, Al filters were an order of magnitude thicker than K-edge filters. Hence, Monte Carlo simulations were conducted with the GEANT4 toolkit to determine if the scatter-to-primary ratio (SPR) and the point spread function of scatter (scatter PSF) differed between Al and K-edge filters. Results: Results show the potential for replacing currently used Kedge filters with Al. For fixed Al thickness (700µm), ±1 kVp and +(1–3) kVp change, matched HVT of Rh and Ag filtered spectra. At matched kVp, Al thickness range (650,750)µm and (750,860)µm matched the HVT from Rh and Ag filtered spectra. Photon fluence/mAs with Al filters were 1.5–2.5 times higher, depending on kVp and Al thickness, compared to K-edge filters. Although Al thickness was an order higher than K-edge filters, neither the SPR nor the scatter PSF differed from K-edge filters. Conclusion: The use of Al filters for digital mammography is potentially feasible. The increased fluence/mAs with Al could decrease exposure duration for the combined DBT+DM exam and simplify system design. Effect of x-ray spectrum change due to Al filtration on radiation dose, signal, noise, contrast and related metrics are being investigated. Funding support: Supported in part by NIH R21CA176470 and R01CA195512. The contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not reflect the official views of the NIH or NCI.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

ENSEMBLE KALMAN FILTERS FOR RELIABILITY ESTIMATION IN PERFUSION INFERENCE

We consider the solution of inverse problems in dynamic contrast–enhanced imaging by means of ensemble Kalman filters. Our quantity of interest is blood perfusion, i.e., blood flow rates in tissue. While existing approaches to compute blood perfusion parameters for given time series of radiological measurements mainly rely on deterministic, deconvolution–based methods, we aim at recovering probabilistic solution information for given noisy measurements. To this end, we model radiological image capturing as a sequential data assimilation process and solve it by an ensemble Kalman filter. Thereby, we recover deterministic results as an ensemble–based mean and are able to compute reliability information such as probabilities for the perfusion to be in a given range. Our target application is the inference of blood perfusion parameters in the human brain. A numerical study shows promising results for artificial measurements generated by a digital perfusion phantom.

Engineering↗

Universal Number Library

This floating-point arithmetic library contains a software implementation of Universal Numbers (unums) as described by John Gustafson [1]. The unum format is a superset of IEEE 754 floating point with several advantages. Computing with unums provides more accurate answers without rounding errors, underflow or overflow. In contrast to fixed-sized IEEE numbers, a variable number of bits can be used to encode unums. This all allows number with only a few significant digits or with a small dynamic range to be represented more compactly.

Lloyd, G. Scott↗

Landscape-scale Characterization of Arctic Tundra Vegetation Composition, Structure, and Function with a Multi-sensor Unoccupied Aerial System: Supporting Data.

Airborne remote sensing data collected using the Brookhaven National Laboratory's (BNL) heavy-lift unoccupied aerial system (UAS) octocopter platform, the Osprey, operated by the Terrestrial Ecosystem Science and Technology (TEST) group (https://www.bnl.gov/testgroup). This package includes data from three flights flown over the NGEE-Arctic Council, Kougarok and Teller sites in July, 2018. The Osprey is a multi-sensor UAS platform that simultaneously measures very high spatial resolution optical red/green/blue (RGB) and thermal infrared (TIR) surface 'skin' temperature imagery, as well as surface reflectance at 1 nm intervals in the visible to near-infrared spectral range 350 - 1000 nm measured at regular intervals along each flight path. Derived image products include ortho-mosaiced RGB and TIR images, an RGB-based digital surface model (DSM) using the structure from motion (SfM) technique, digital terrain model (DTM), and a canopy height model (CHM). In addition, a VNIR surface reflectance file is provided for the trigger locations collected during each flight campaign. Ancillary aircraft data, flight mission parameters, and general flight conditions provided by the onboard flight and data collection computers are also included. Unprocessed and processed data products are included in this package (processing levels 0-3). Data and metadata are provided as text (*.txt, *.json, *.kml, *hdr, *.enp), tabular (*.dat, *.csv, *.waypoint, ENVI format (no extension)), point cloud (*.laz) and image (*.jpg, *.tif, *png) formats. This metadata document contains flight campaign, instrument and file metadata, along with a description of data processing levels, data products and file naming scheme.The Next-Generation Ecosystem Experiments: Arctic (NGEE Arctic), a research effort to reduce uncertainty in Earth System Models by developing a predictive understanding of carbon-rich Arctic ecosystems and feedbacks to climate. NGEE Arctic was supported by the Department of Energy?s Office of Biological and Environmental Research.The NGEE Arctic project had two field research sites: 1) located within the Arctic polygonal tundra coastal region on the Barrow Environmental Observatory (BEO) and the North Slope near Utqiagvik (Barrow), Alaska and 2) multiple areas on the discontinuous permafrost region of the Seward Peninsula north of Nome, Alaska.Through observations, experiments, and synthesis with existing datasets, NGEE Arctic provided an enhanced knowledge base for multi-scale modeling and contributed to improved process representation at global pan-Arctic scales within the Department of Energy's Earth system Model (the Energy Exascale Earth System Model, or E3SM), and specifically within the E3SM Land Model component (ELM).

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Clustering of CODEX clusters

The clustering of galaxy clusters links the spatial nonuniformity of dark matter halos to the growth of the primordial spectrum of perturbations. The amplitude of the clustering signal is widely used to estimate the halo mass of astrophysical objects. The advent of cluster mass calibrations enables using clustering in cosmological studies. Aims. We analyze the autocorrelation function of a large contiguous sample of galaxy clusters, the Constrain Dark Energy with X-ray (CODEX) sample, in which we take particular care of cluster definition. These clusters were X-ray selected using the ROentgen SATellite All-Sky Survey and then identified as galaxy clusters using the code redMaPPer run on the photometry of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey. We develop methods for precisely accounting for the sample selection effects on the clustering and demonstrate their robustness using numerical simulations. Methods. Using the clean CODEX sample, which was obtained by applying a redshift-dependent richness selection, we computed the two-point autocorrelation function of galaxy clusters in the 0.1 < z < 0.3 and 0.3 < z < 0.5 redshift bins. We compared the bias in the measured correlation function with values obtained in numerical simulations using a similar cluster mass range. Results. By fitting a power law, we measured a correlation length r 0 = 18.7 ± 1.1 and slope γ = 1.98 ± 0.14 for the correlation function in the full redshift range. By fixing the other cosmological parameters to their nine-year Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe values, we reproduced the observed shape of the correlation function under the following cosmological conditions: Ω m0 = $0.22_{-0.03}^{+0.04}$ and S 8 = σ 8 (Ω m0 /0.3)0.5 = $0.85_{-0.08}^{+0.10}$ with estimated additional systematic errors of σ Ω m0 = 0.02 and σS 8 = 0.20. We illustrate the complementarity of clustering constraints by combining them with CODEX cosmological constraints based on the X-ray luminosity function, deriving Ωm = 0.25 ± 0.01 and σ 8 = $0.81_{-0.02}^{+0.01}$ with an estimated additional systematic error of σ Ω m0 = 0.07 and σ σ8 = 0.04. The mass calibration and statistical quality of the mass tracers are the dominant source of uncertainty.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

CRADA: Data Acquisition and Tomographic Software Development

Dr. Raymond R. Raylman, Professor and Vice Chair for Research, Radiology Department at WVU was the Principal Investigator for the project. The Jefferson Lab partner on this project was the Radiation Detector and Imaging Group in the Physics Division, led by Dr. Drew Weisenberger who was the coordinator of the project execution and the chief contact with WVU. The responsibility of Jefferson Lab was to facilitate optimization of data acquisition software, conversion of JLab Fortran iterative positron emission mammography computer code to C++ and to act as a computer code repository. During the two year project interactions and exchange of information was directed by Dr. Raylman and Dr. Wesienberger. WVU provided the expertise that allowed JLab to continue development of the current JLab data acquisition software referred to as JDAQ. JDAQ is a highly flexible Java language based data acquisition tool that helps to minimize software induced dead-time while maintaining the highest possible data rates from a JLab built FPGA based analog-to-digital convertor (ADC). JDAQ interfaces directly with the FPGA based multi-channel ADCs. Using JDAQ it is possible process data from a number of different detector types such as the PET systems at WVU. Because of the inherent flexibility of our processing software, we are also able adjust detector readout parameters during operation to provide the best possible data presentation and calibration parameters. To accommodate the high rate nature of PET detector systems JDAQ was designed to be scalable across an Ethernet network as well as for multi-cpu computer systems, and it also has the capability to synchronize many ADCs connected to multiple computers. During the project WVU will provided iterative reconstruction algorithm expertise and Fortran programming assistance to facilitate the conversion to C++ of a JLab developed Fortran positron emission mammography (PEM) reconstruction code. Also WVU provided acceptance testing of the new C++ based PEM reconstruction code. The PEM code is a maximization (MLEM) image reconstruction program that created images from the list-mode data acquired from the PET system.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Towards Software Bill of Materials in the Nuclear Industry

Large, modern industrial facilities often incorporate thousands of digital assets in their operational technology. Regulated facilities, such as nuclear power plants (NPPs), maintain robust cybersecurity and configuration management programs that often use bills of materials (BOMs) for these assets, including make, model, and version of hardware, firmware, and software. However, these BOMs typically capture only first- or second-tier information provided by the original equipment manufacturer (OEM). Unfortunately, as indicated by the increasing number and sophistication of software supply chain attacks, this level of detail is insufficient for identifying all the potential vulnerabilities and risks in software applications. Software BOMs (SBOMs) provide detailed enumeration of components and dependencies within the product or devices, including firmware. SBOMs can be combined with vulnerability data sources and vendor vulnerability attestations to improve vulnerability management and enable rapid identification of affected components when new software vulnerabilities are discovered. Ideally, SBOMs are created by the OEM prior to installation. However, since this practice is not yet commonplace and since NPPs are typically slow to adopt new technology, most NPPs do not incorporate SBOMs into their asset or configuration management programs. Fortunately, SBOMs can be generated by NPPs on existing digital assets to provide further insight into risk management decisions. This report provides an overview of the current SBOM ecosystem and recommends guidance on how to get started in a “crawl, walk, run” manner to develop and implement a sustainable SBOM program for digital assets in an NPP.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

Unified Software Architecture for Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Technologies Data Management and Processing: FY 2023 Multidimensional Data Correlation Platform

This report details the various digital manufacturing activities ongoing at ORNL as part of the Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Technologies (AMMT) program. The AMMT program is exploring a data-driven approach to demonstrate the use of AM for the fabrication of components for nuclear applications, with the goal of providing a greater understanding of manufacturing quality outcomes that would pave the way toward the development of standards for certification and qualification. The objective of this work package is to establish a digital manufacturing discipline common to all participants of the AMMT program to improve the performance, reliability, and lifetime of nuclear components. As part of this effort, we will develop a unified software architecture for AMMT data management and processing, deploy the digital platform across AMMT participants’ facilities, and generate pedigreed datasets in a common format across multiple labs and facilities. To this end, the MDDC work package has focused on three activities during FY23. First, the MDF Digital Tool was overhauled to better serve the needs of the AMMT program. Next, multiple laser powder bed fusion (L-PBF) systems at the MDF were upgraded to a common sensor package for collecting comparable in situ data across machines. Finally, various improvements relevant to the AMMT program were implemented in the ORNL-developed software tool, Peregrine. This report marks the completion of FY23 milestone M3CR-22OR0403051: Report Describing the Architecture of the Digital Platform to Support AMMT Activities.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

A Full Accounting of the Visible Mass in SDSS MaNGA Disk Galaxies

We present a study of the ratio of visible mass to total mass in spiral galaxies to better understand the relative amount of dark matter present in galaxies of different masses and evolutionary stages. Using the velocities of the Hα emission line measured in spectroscopic observations from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) MaNGA Data Release 17 (DR 17), we evaluate the rotational velocity of over 5500 disk galaxies at their 90% elliptical Petrosian radii, R 90 . We compare this to the velocity expected from the total visible mass, which we compute from the stellar, H i, H 2 , and heavy metals and dust masses. H 2 mass measurements are available for only a small subset of galaxies observed in SDSS MaNGA DR17, so we derive a parameterization of the H 2 mass as a function of absolute magnitude in the r band using galaxies observed as part of SDSS DR7. With these parameterizations, we calculate the fraction of visible mass within R 90 that corresponds to the observed velocity. Based on statistically analyzing the likelihood of this fraction, we conclude that the null hypothesis (no dark matter) cannot be excluded at a confidence level better than 95% within the visible extent of the disk galaxies. We also find that when all mass components are included, the ratio of visible to total mass within the visible extent of star-forming disk galaxies increases with galaxy luminosity.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Common Cause Failure Mitigation Experience on Digital I and C System in NPP

CCF is failures of redundant or separate structures, systems, or components due to a shared root cause. The CCF includes those are resulted from severe environments, design errors, calibration and maintenance errors, and consequential failures. In addition, digital I and C systems can be vulnerable to CCF caused by software errors or software developed logic, which could defeat the redundancy achieved by the hardware architecture. Therefore, diversity and defense in-depth (D3) has become an important issue to overcome the CCF of the safety I and C system. The U.S. NRC has established regulatory guidance addressing a method for assessing D3 provided by the safety I and C system architecture at a NPP. This method enables determination of whether vulnerabilities to CCF have been adequately addressed. The guidance is included in BTP 7-19 and Chapter 7 of NUREG-0800. The regulatory guidance provides a methodology for designing diversity. APR1400 establishes the mitigating strategies that consider the characteristics of digital I and C system that contribute to the potential for CCF. The diversity strategies consist of a combination of diversity attributes and associated criteria to address potential CCF vulnerabilities in digital safety I and C system. (authors)

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

Networked HIL Simulation System for Modeling Large-scale Power Systems

This paper presents a networked hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) simulation system for modeling large-scale power systems. Researchers have developed many HIL test systems for power systems in recent years. Those test systems can model both microsecond-level dynamic responses of power electronic systems and millisecond-level transients of transmission and distribution grids. By integrating individual HIL test systems into a network of HIL test systems, we can create large-scale power grid digital twins with flexible structures at required modeling resolution that fits for a wide range of system operating conditions. This will not only significantly reduce the need for field tests when developing new technologies but also greatly shorten the model development cycle. In this paper, we present a networked OPAL-RT based HIL test system for developing transmission-distribution coordinative Volt-VAr regulation technologies as an example to illustrate system setups, communication requirements among different HIL simulation systems, and system connection mechanisms. Impacts of communication delays, information exchange cycles, and computing delays are illustrated. Simulation results show that the performance of a networked HIL test system is satisfactory.

Xie, Fuhong↗

Automated Classification of Vehicle Movements at Signalized Intersections Using Vehicle Trajectories

Accurate vehicle movement classification through signalized intersections is of paramount importance to the analysis of intersection performance and the optimization of traffic control strategies. Conventional techniques for tracking vehicle turning movements depend on infrastructure-based strategies like human counts, loop detectors, and video analytics, all of which are costly, prone to errors, and spatially constrained. High-frequency trajectory data can be utilized to determine vehicle movement patterns in a scalable and infrastructure-independent method due to the adoption of connected vehicles (CVs). In recent years, several studies have utilized connected vehicle data to generate performance measures. Most of the trajectory-based performance measures approaches, however, require map matching-i.e., extracting geospatial references from maps to identify the movements that individual vehicles make at a signalized intersection. These approaches are often time-consuming and hinder scalability since geographic features need to be provided for an analysis to be conducted. Map matching methods are prone to errors as different map versions change these geographic features. This research presents a novel automatic classification pipeline that uses CV trajectory data to classify vehicle movements at signalized crossings, specifically pass-through left-turn and right-turn maneuvers. The process starts by filtering trips that cross a spatial bounding box that has been defined at the target intersection. Approach and departure headings for each trajectory crossing the boundary are computed and are clustered together to identify dominant movements. The proposed algorithm is used to classify the movement of vehicles at 10 intersections in the state of California, and the results indicate that the algorithm can classify movements at these intersections with varying traffic volumes and road network configurations, all in a map-less framework with no need for conflation of vehicle trajectories to a digital base map.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

Characterization of Peripheral Neurophotonic Systems for High-Performance Human-Computer Interfaces (CRADA Final Report)

As part of the Cyclotron Road program, Morphosis Inc. sought to investigate a non-invasive neuromuscular sensing approach for use as an intuitive and secure human–computer interface. These highly miniaturized, wearable neural interfaces were completely non-invasive and maintained stable, high-bandwidth, long-term access to a user’s actions, intent, and identity, while offering an exceptionally high signal-to-noise ratio compared to contemporary neural recording technologies. The widespread adoption of neural interfaces had the potential to reshape how people interact with technology, with profound societal impacts. Millions worldwide suffered from movement and/or speech disabilities, and these tools had the potential to democratize access to technology to enhance autonomy and quality of life. More broadly, interfaces capable of accurately conveying intentions and safeguarding identities could serve as a cornerstone for privacy, trust, and personal authenticity in digital environments. The use of thought-driven control of digitally enabled devices and governance of digital identities had the potential to revolutionize relationships with technology, transforming how people learn, communicate, and interact with the world.

42 ENGINEERING↗

TH-A-12A-01: Medical Physicist's Role in Digital Information Security: Threats, Vulnerabilities and Best Practices

I. Information Security Background (Speaker = Kevin McDonald) Evolution of Medical Devices Living and Working in a Hostile Environment Attack Motivations Attack Vectors Simple Safety Strategies Medical Device Security in the News Medical Devices and Vendors Summary II. Keeping Radiation Oncology IT Systems Secure (Speaker = Bruce Curran) Hardware Security Double-lock Requirements “Foreign” computer systems Portable Device Encryption Patient Data Storage System Requirements Network Configuration Isolating Critical Devices Isolating Clinical Networks Remote Access Considerations Software Applications / Configuration Passwords / Screen Savers Restricted Services / access Software Configuration Restriction Use of DNS to restrict accesse. Patches / Upgrades Awareness Intrusion Prevention Intrusion Detection Threat Risk Analysis Conclusion Learning Objectives: Understanding how Hospital IT Requirements affect Radiation Oncology IT Systems. Illustrating sample practices for hardware, network, and software security. Discussing implementation of good IT security practices in radiation oncology. Understand overall risk and threats scenario in a networked environment.

98 NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT, SAFEGUARDS, AND PHYSICAL P↗

A Lyapunov Function Based Remedial Action Screening Tool Using Real-Time Data

This report summarizes the outcome of a research project that comprised the development of a Lyapunov function based remedial action screening tool using real-time data (L-RAS). The L-RAS is an advanced computational tool that is intended to assist system operators in making real-time redispatch decisions to preserve power grid stability. The tool relies on screening contingencies using a homotopy method based on Lyapunov functions to avoid, to the extent possible, the use of time domain simulations. This enables transient stability evaluation at real-time speed without the use of massively parallel computational resources. The project combined the following components. 1. Development of a methodology for contingency screening using a homotopy method based on Lyapunov functions and real-time data. 2. Development of a methodology for recommending remedial actions based on the screening results. 3. Development of a visualization and operator interaction interface. 4. Testing of screening tool, validation of control actions, and demonstration of project outcomes on a representative real system simulated on a Real-Time Digital Simulator (RTDS) cluster. The project was led by Michigan State University (MSU), where the theoretical models including homotopy-based screening, trajectory correction using real-time data, and remedial action were developed and implemented in the form of research-grade software. Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) contributed to the development of energy margin sensitivity dynamics, which constituted a part of the remedial action portfolio. Florida State University (FSU) and Southern California Edison (SCE) developed a model of the SCE system that was implemented on FSU's RTDS cluster to simulate real-time data that was streamed over the internet to MSU where the L-RAS tool was executed and remedial actions were communicated back to FSU to execute stabilizing controls on the simulated system. LCG Consulting developed the visualization and operator interaction interface, based on specifications provided by MSU. The project was performed from October 2012 to December 2016, at the end of which the L-RAS tool, as described above, was completed and demonstrated. The project resulted in the following innovations and contributions: (a) the L-RAS software prototype, tested on a simulated system, vetted by utility personnel, and potentially ready for wider testing and commercialization; (b) an RTDS-based test bed that can be used for future research in the field; (c) a suite of breakthrough theoretical contributions to the field of power system stability and control; and (d) a new tool for visualization of power system stability margins. While detailed descriptions of the development and implementation of the various project components have been provided in the quarterly reports, this final report provides an overview of the complete project, and is demonstrated using public domain test systems commonly used in the literature. The SCE system, and demonstrations thereon, are not included in this report due to Critical Energy Infrastructure Information (CEII) restrictions.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

Scattering wave packets of hadrons in gauge theories: Preparation on a quantum computer

Quantum simulation holds promise of enabling a complete description of high-energy scattering processes rooted in gauge theories of the Standard Model. A first step in such simulations is preparation of interacting hadronic wave packets. To create the wave packets, one typically resorts to adiabatic evolution to bridge between wave packets in the free theory and those in the interacting theory, rendering the simulation resource intensive. In this work, we construct a wave-packet creation operator directly in the interacting theory to circumvent adiabatic evolution, taking advantage of resource-efficient schemes for ground-state preparation, such as variational quantum eigensolvers. By means of an ansatz for bound mesonic excitations in confining gauge theories, which is subsequently optimized using classical or quantum methods, we show that interacting mesonic wave packets can be created efficiently and accurately using digital quantum algorithms that we develop. Specifically, we obtain high-fidelity mesonic wave packets in the Z 2 and U(1) lattice gauge theories coupled to fermionic matter in 1+1 dimensions. Our method is applicable to both perturbative and non-perturbative regimes of couplings. The wave-packet creation circuit for the case of the Z 2 lattice gauge theory is built and implemented on the Quantinuum H1-1 trapped-ion quantum computer using 13 qubits and up to 308 entangling gates. The fidelities agree well with classical benchmark calculations after employing a simple symmetry-based noise-mitigation technique. This work serves as a step toward quantum computing scattering processes in quantum chromodynamics.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Compression-based integral curve data reuse framework for flow visualization

Currently, by default, integral curves are repeatedly re-computed in different flow visualization applications, such as FTLE field computation, source-destination queries, etc., leading to unnecessary resource cost. We present a compression-based data reuse framework for integral curves, to greatly reduce their retrieval cost, especially in a resource-limited environment. In our design, a hierarchical and hybrid compression scheme is proposed to balance three objectives, including high compression ratio, controllable error, and low decompression cost. Specifically, we use and combine digitized curve sparse representation, floating-point data compression, and octree space partitioning to adaptively achieve the objectives. Results have shown that our data reuse framework could acquire tens of times acceleration in the resource-limited environment compared to on-the-fly particle tracing, and keep controllable information loss. Moreover, our method could provide fast integral curve retrieval for more complex data, such as unstructured mesh data.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Dense Accumulation of Lipiodol Emulsion in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Nodule during Selective Balloon-occluded Transarterial Chemoembolization: Measurement of Balloon-occluded Arterial Stump Pressure

Purpose. To reveal the mechanism of dense accumulation of lipiodol emulsion (LE) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) during selective balloon-occluded transarterial chemoembolization (B-TACE). Methods. Balloon-occluded arterial stump pressure (BOASP) at the embolization portion was measured during selective B-TACE for 43 nodules in 42 patients. Fluoroscopy and digital subtraction angiography were prospectively observed during selective B-TACE to note whether dense LE accumulation in HCC occurred. The LE concentration ratio of HCC to embolized liver parenchyma (LECHL ratio) was also calculated for each treatment on the basis of the computed tomographic scan obtained immediately after selective B-TACE. The relationships between degree of LE accumulation and the BOASP, as well as the LECHL ratio, were analyzed. Results. Arterial flow beyond the catheter tip was maintained even after balloon inflation. In 39 of 43 treatments, LE inflow into the nontumorous liver parenchyma ceased immediately after LE droplets were filled in arteries of the nontumorous liver parenchyma while LE inflow into the HCC nodule continued (group 1). More dense LE accumulation in HCC nodule was obtained in these 39 treatments. In four treatments, LE inflow both into the nontumorous liver parenchyma and into the HCC nodule continued, and no dense LE accumulation in HCC nodule was observed (group 2). In these four treatments, thick anastomotic vessels with collateral artery were noted. The BOASP in group 1 was (mean {+-} SD) 33.8 {+-} 12.8 mmHg (range 13-64 mmHg) and that in group 2 was 92.3 {+-} 7.4 mmHg (range 83-100 mmHg). There was a statistically significant difference in BOASP between groups (p = 0.00004, Welch's t test). The LECHL ratio in group 1 was 18.3 {+-} 13.9 (range 2.9-54.2) and that in group 2 was 2.6 {+-} 1.1 (range 1.7-4.2). There was a statistically significant difference in the LECHL ratio between the groups (p = 0.000034, Welch's t test). Conclusion. Selective B-TACE induced dense LE accumulation in HCC nodules in 39 (91 %) of 43 treatments in which BOASP was 64 mmHg or less.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗