Sven A Holcombe

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This study focused on finding a way to accurately measure fat buildup in the liver using advanced imaging techniques called post-contrast CT scans. The researchers found that by using automated tools, they could closely match liver fat measurements from traditional methods, showing a strong correlation (r > 0.96). This is important because it can help doctors detect and monitor liver fat disease more effectively, using scans that are already being performed for other reasons. Who this helps: This benefits patients with liver issues by improving early detection and treatment options.

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This study looked at the shapes of human ribs by analyzing chest scans from 240 men and women of different ages. Researchers found that, on average, male ribs are 20% to 36% larger than female ribs, and that both men and women experience a reduction in rib size as they age, with females losing up to 37% of the rib thickness by age 80. Understanding these variations is crucial for improving safety features in cars, as it can lead to better models that mimic real human anatomy and help prevent rib fractures in crashes. Who this helps: This benefits patients who suffer from rib injuries in accidents and the engineers designing safer vehicles.

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This study looked at how abdominal aortic calcification (AAC) relates to severe liver problems and death in veterans with chronic liver disease (CLD). The researchers found that higher levels of AAC were linked to a more than twofold increase in the risk of developing cirrhosis and liver-related death. Specifically, veterans with AAC had a 2.13 times higher chance of dying from liver issues and a 2.19 times higher risk of liver failure compared to those without significant AAC. These results show that AAC could be a useful indicator for doctors to assess the severity of liver disease in patients. Who this helps: This helps patients with liver disease and their doctors by providing important information about disease progression and risk.

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This study focused on creating a computer model that can generate realistic shapes of human ribs based on various factors like age, height, and weight. Researchers analyzed CT scans of 3,193 ribs and developed a system that predicts rib shapes, allowing for the creation of rib models tailored to different demographics, such as men and women or specific age groups. This is important because understanding rib shapes can help improve safety measures in medical treatments and injury prevention. Who this helps: This helps patients and doctors by providing better insights into rib injuries and treatments.

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This study examined how to accurately measure muscle mass in the spine using CT scans, specifically looking at various vertebrae from T10 to L5. Researchers found that the way muscle size is adjusted for a person's height affects assessments of sarcopenia (muscle loss), and they determined that using height alone is the best method for adjustment. They established reference values for muscle size and specific cut-off points for sarcopenia, which will help doctors better identify patients at risk for muscle loss. Who this helps: This helps doctors and researchers who are assessing muscle health in patients, especially older adults.

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This study developed a new deep learning method called AFSegNet to better identify and separate ankle and foot bones in CT scans, which is important for understanding bone shape and structure. The method achieved a high accuracy score of 0.953, meaning it correctly segmented the bones most of the time, and it reduced errors in measurement by up to 50%. This matters because accurate bone segmentation can lead to better treatment planning and outcomes for patients with foot and ankle problems. Who this helps: Patients with ankle and foot injuries or conditions.

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This study looked at the levels of calcium buildup in the aorta, a large blood vessel, and how it relates to heart disease risk as measured by the Framingham risk score, which predicts the likelihood of heart problems. They found that participants with more aortic calcification had higher Framingham risk scores, meaning they were at greater risk for cardiovascular issues. For example, females had an average of 6.34 mm of calcified area, while males had 6.23 mm; overall, those with higher calcification had significantly worse risk scores. Who this helps: This research benefits patients and doctors by providing more accurate ways to assess heart disease risk.

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This study looked at how well we can compare aortic calcification in CT scans done with and without a contrast dye. The researchers found that there’s a strong relationship between the two types of scans, with non-contrast scans showing a significant correlation (0.74 for percent calcification and 0.44 for area). This is important because it means we can more accurately assess heart disease risk using different types of scans, making it easier to monitor patients and conduct larger studies on cardiovascular health. Who this helps: This helps doctors and researchers working to assess cardiovascular risk in patients.

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This study looked at how measuring visceral fat using CT scans can vary based on factors like the use of contrast dye, the part of the spine being examined, and the specific method used to measure fat. Researchers examined scans from 1,677 healthy kidney donors and found that visceral fat measurements differ significantly between men and women, with peak visceral fat seen at the lower spine levels (L4 for women and L2 for men). Understanding these differences is important because it helps provide accurate reference values for assessing health risks related to fat accumulation. Who this helps: This research benefits doctors and healthcare professionals who interpret CT scans for assessing visceral fat in patients.

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This study looked at how costal cartilage (the cartilage in the rib area) becomes calcified as people age, revealing differences between men and women. Researchers created synthetic images of cartilage calcification for 379 people aged 6 to 90 and found that these images accurately reflected the patterns and progression of calcification over time. This is important because understanding how calcification develops can help improve models for how the chest wall changes with age, which can aid in better treatments and predictions for age-related issues. Who this helps: This benefits patients and doctors by providing insights into age-related cartilage changes and potential treatment strategies.

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This study looked at how the thickness of rib bones changes as people age and how it differs between men and women. Researchers examined 4,014 ribs from 240 adults aged 20 to 90 and found that rib bone thickness decreases with age. On average, women's ribs thin out faster than men's, especially in specific areas, losing about 0.035 to 0.043 mm per decade compared to 0.011 to 0.032 mm for men, which can impact the risk of rib fractures. Who this helps: This information benefits patients, particularly older adults and healthcare providers working to prevent and treat injuries related to osteoporosis.

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This study looked at how different types and amounts of contrast used in CT scans affect the visibility of calcium buildup in the aorta, which is important for diagnosing heart disease. The researchers found that women had significantly higher aorta attenuation (or brightness) than men, especially in certain phases of the scans, and using fixed measurement thresholds led to large errors in detecting plaque—up to 75% of plaques missed when using the highest threshold. By applying a method that adjusts the thresholds based on local aorta brightness, they reduced the number of false-positive and false-negative errors significantly, making it easier to accurately identify plaque. Who this helps: This research helps doctors and patients by improving the accuracy of heart disease diagnoses.

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This study looked at how accurately airway training manikins replicate human anatomy, using scans and measurements from both manikins and real patients. It found that 10 out of 27 measurements taken from the manikins were significantly different from those of actual humans, particularly noting that the airway space was too large in all three types of manikins tested. This matters because these inaccuracies can lead to poor training outcomes and unsafe practices when using airway devices. Who this helps: This benefits medical training programs and healthcare providers who rely on accurate simulations for teaching airway management.

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This study looked at how to better measure skeletal muscle size in the lower back, which is important for identifying sarcopenia—a condition of muscle loss as people age. Researchers analyzed CT scans from adults under and over 40 years old and found that using a specific formula that adjusts for height and BMI gives a clearer picture of muscle mass, especially in different sized individuals. Their new measurement method, called the M index, reduces the impact of body size and provides fair assessments for both men and women. Who this helps: This helps doctors accurately assess muscle loss in patients of all sizes.

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This study looked at how well certain computer models of human bodies match the actual shape and size of ribs found in the general population. The researchers found that for male models, 24% to 50% of rib shape measurements were significantly different from what would be expected, while for female models, this number was between 19% and 26%. These differences matter because they highlight inaccuracies in how these models predict rib fractures, which could be crucial for improving safety in situations like car crashes. Who this helps: This benefits researchers and safety engineers working on injury prevention.

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This study looked at how to accurately place central venous catheters in children by examining the distance from a body landmark known as the carina to the junction of the superior vena cava and right atrium (SVC-RA junction). Researchers analyzed 584 CT scans of children and found that the average distance was about 1.48 vertebral body units across different age groups. This information is important because it helps doctors safely and effectively place catheters, minimizing risks for young patients. Who this helps: This helps doctors and healthcare providers placing central venous catheters in children.

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This study looked at the thickness and shape of the bone in adult ribs by examining CT scans from 33 people aged 24 to 99 years. Researchers found that rib thickness varied across different areas, with the thickest section measuring about 2.6 mm and the thinnest around 0.7 mm. This information is important because it can improve how we model the human body and help validate measurements from clinical scans that lack direct comparison methods. Who this helps: This helps doctors and researchers working on treatments involving bone health and rib injuries.

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This study focused on improving a medical procedure called REBOA, which is used to control severe bleeding in trauma patients. Researchers analyzed CT scans from 1,789 trauma patients to determine the best lengths for catheter insertion in different parts of the body. They found that the ideal insertion length for the aorta in the upper body (zone I) is about 48 cm, while for the lower body (zone III), it is around 28 cm. This information could lead to more effective treatment during emergencies, reducing risks associated with incorrect catheter placement. Who this helps: This helps trauma patients and doctors working in emergency situations.

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This study looked at two ways to measure arm size in patients with swelling caused by lymphedema. Researchers found that both the traditional tape measure and a new method called Analytic Morphomics provided similar results, with an average difference of just 1.60 cm above the elbow and 0.57 cm below. This matters because using Analytic Morphomics can offer more precise measurements, helping doctors better assess and plan treatment for lymphedema. Who this helps: Patients with upper extremity lymphedema and their healthcare providers.

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This study looked at whether having more body fat helps protect children in car crashes, similar to what has been suggested for adults. Researchers examined 119 children aged 1 to 18 who were in frontal crashes and found that 16.8% had abdominal injuries, but the amount of body fat didn't show a significant relationship with these injuries. This matters because it suggests that being overweight might not offer the same protection for children as it does for adults, highlighting the need for better safety designs in vehicles for young passengers. Who this helps: This helps children and their families by informing vehicle safety measures.

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This study looked at how well different types of CT scans can measure the thickness of rib bones and their structural properties. Researchers found that using high-resolution and standard clinical CT scans gave very accurate results, with measurement errors as low as 0.03 mm for bone thickness and a correlation above 0.96 for various other bone characteristics. This is important because it allows for a better understanding of rib structure, which can help in assessing rib injuries and personalizing patient care. Who this helps: Patients with rib injuries and doctors treating them.

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This study looked at how to diagnose sarcopenia, which is the loss of muscle mass and strength as people age, using measurements from different levels of the spine. Researchers measured muscle across several vertebrae in healthy young adults and found that if the standard measurement at the third lumbar vertebra (L3) isn’t available, other vertebrae like L2 and L4 can still be used effectively. The study provides new reference values that help doctors assess muscle health accurately in clinical settings, especially when L3 measurements are not possible. Who this helps: This benefits patients undergoing CT scans, especially older adults at risk for sarcopenia.

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This study examined how obesity affects the risk of spine fractures in car crashes, focusing on data from severe accidents. It found that obese individuals had a higher chance of suffering specific types of spinal fractures, particularly transverse process fractures in the lumbar region, compared to non-obese individuals. For obese occupants, these fractures were more likely when the crash involved significant vehicle intrusion and higher force. Who this helps: This research benefits patients who are obese, as well as doctors and safety engineers working on vehicle safety.

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This study looked at how children's growth patterns can be better understood by analyzing their body measurements in three dimensions, using a method called analytic morphomics. Researchers examined 2,591 CT scans of boys and girls aged 1 to 20, creating growth charts for various body features like muscle area and fat. They found that muscle area increases until late adolescence, while bone density changes during this period, and fat area increases with age, which helps doctors identify what is considered "normal" growth for children. Who this helps: This benefits doctors and healthcare providers who treat children by giving them better tools to assess growth and health risks.

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This study looked at how the shape of the chest bones in older women differs from younger women, which is important because older females are at a higher risk of injury in car crashes. Researchers used CT scans from women aged 20-35 and 65-99 and found that older women have a different spinal curvature and rib structure that can lead to an 18-mm difference in the position of the breastbone compared to younger women. This information is crucial for improving safety models in vehicles and understanding how aging affects women’s vulnerability in accidents. Who this helps: This benefits both patients, particularly older women, and safety professionals working on car safety designs.

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This study looked at how age and other factors affect the shape of ribs in adults. Researchers analyzed rib shapes from CT scans of over 1,000 people and found that as people age, their ribs tend to become longer and flatter, with age accounting for up to 20% of the differences in rib shape. Understanding these changes is important because it can help doctors better assess and treat rib injuries and deformities in older patients. Who this helps: This helps doctors and healthcare providers in treating older patients with rib-related issues.

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This study looked at the muscle mass of healthy young adults using CT scans to establish standard measurements for muscle loss, known as sarcopenia, which commonly occurs with aging. Researchers found specific muscle area cutoff values: for example, the average total psoas area for healthy males was 23.5 cm², while for females it was 14.3 cm². These reference values are important as they will help doctors better assess muscle loss in patients and track changes over time. Who this helps: This benefits patients and doctors by providing clear standards for evaluating muscle health.

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Surgeons replacing knee joints need to position the artificial femur (thighbone component) at the correct angle for it to work well and last long, but they currently use a one-size-fits-all approach that doesn't account for natural differences between people's bones. Researchers measured the actual bone angles in over 1,200 patients' CT scans and found that while most people's bones angle about 3 degrees, some groups—particularly about 11% of Asian patients—have significantly different angles that the standard surgical method misses. Surgeons should develop better ways to customize femur component positioning rather than using the same angle for everyone, especially for patients with unusual bone shapes.

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This study developed a new way to model the shape of human ribs by using mathematical spirals, improving accuracy by reducing errors by 34%. Researchers analyzed the rib shapes of 100 adults aged 20 to 70 and found that there are significant differences in rib size and shape between males and females. This model can help understand how rib shapes change with aging and disease, which is important for medical assessments and treatments. Who this helps: This benefits doctors and researchers working on rib-related health issues.

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This study looked at how the shape of ribs affects their stiffness under different types of pressure. By analyzing 19,500 ribs from nearly 1,000 CT scans, researchers found that rib shape accounts for almost all the differences in stiffness – up to 99% in certain scenarios. This finding is important because understanding rib stiffness can help improve assessments of rib injuries and develop better treatment strategies. Who this helps: This helps doctors and researchers studying rib health and injuries in patients.

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This study looked at whether the thickness of fat under the skin is a better predictor of infection risk after spine surgery than the more commonly used measurement, body mass index (BMI). Researchers examined 149 patients and found that 15 of them (about 10%) developed infections after their surgery. They discovered that for every additional millimeter of fat thickness, the chance of infection increased by 6%, and patients with fat thickness over 50 mm had four times the risk of infection compared to those with less fat. Who this helps: This information is useful for doctors and healthcare providers to assess patient risk before spinal surgery.

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This study looked at the sizes and shapes of children's abdominal organs and rib cage to understand the risk of injury in car accidents. Researchers analyzed CT scans from 215 children and found that as kids grow older, their liver, spleen, and kidneys get bigger, but the proportion of those organs in relation to their overall size can decrease, which may make them more vulnerable in crashes. Understanding these differences in children's anatomy can help improve car safety designs to better protect young passengers. Who this helps: This benefits children and the design of safety equipment used in vehicles.

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This study examined how the structure of the sacrum (the triangular bone at the base of the spine) affects the safe placement of screws used in pelvis surgeries. Researchers looked at 526 CT scans and found that safe zones for placing screws vary based on gender and anatomical variations; for example, 17% of certain sacral types were unsafe for screw placement in the first section of the sacrum, while this increased to 27% in the second section. This is important because it helps surgeons know where it's safe to place screws, minimizing the risk of complications during surgery. Who this helps: Patients undergoing pelvic surgery.

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This study looked at the shape and orientation of hip sockets (acetabula) in men and women to see if there are differences that could lead to hip problems like femoroacetabular impingement (FAI). Researchers analyzed data from 878 patients and found that women had a mean acetabular version of 22.2 degrees, while men had a mean of 19.1 degrees, indicating that overall, women have a different hip socket shape. Importantly, they also found that true acetabular retroversion was similar in both genders, which challenges the idea that women are more likely to have hip deformities leading to impingement. Who this helps: This research benefits doctors and healthcare providers as they assess and treat hip conditions in both men and women.

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This study looked at how body measurements derived from CT scans can predict the risk of infection after surgery for ventral hernias, a common abdominal issue. Researchers examined 93 patients and found that 31% developed infections after surgery. They discovered that factors like subcutaneous fat area and body circumference better predicted infection risk than body mass index (BMI), showing that these measurements can help doctors identify at-risk patients more accurately. Who this helps: This helps doctors understand which patients are more likely to get infections after hernia surgery, allowing for better risk management.

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This study looked at how calcification in the abdominal aorta affects surgery outcomes for patients who don’t have any known heart disease risk factors. Researchers examined 1,180 patients undergoing major surgery and found that those with significant aortic calcification were 35% more likely to face complications after surgery, even when they didn’t have traditional heart disease risk factors. Understanding this relationship could help doctors better assess surgical risks and choose appropriate patients for major procedures. Who this helps: This helps patients undergoing major surgery, especially those without known heart disease risk factors.

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This study looked at how the size of core muscles affects survival rates in patients who had surgery for esophageal cancer. Researchers analyzed body scans of 230 patients who underwent surgery and found that those with larger muscle sizes had better chances of living longer and staying cancer-free after the surgery. Specifically, larger muscle size was linked to a survival rate improvement of about 17% (P = 0.017) and disease-free survival improved by about 38% (P = 0.038). This matters because it indicates that muscle size can be an important factor to assess before surgery, helping doctors better predict patient outcomes based on objective measurements. Who this helps: This helps patients undergoing esophagectomy and their doctors in understanding risk factors for successful recovery.

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This study looked at how a new way of assessing patients' body shapes and sizes, called morphometric age, can help doctors predict surgery risks better than just using a patient's actual age and health conditions. They found that older morphometric age patients had a significantly higher chance of dying after surgery (2.42 times more likely) and stayed in the hospital about 4.6 days longer than those with a middle morphometric age. This matters because using morphometric age can give doctors better insights into a patient's surgical risks, leading to improved patient care. Who this helps: Patients undergoing major surgery.

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This study looked at the size of lean core muscles in patients who were about to undergo major surgery and how it affected their surgical outcomes. Researchers found that patients with smaller core muscle areas (specifically, a decrease of 1000 mm²) had a 45% higher risk of dying and significantly higher chances of complications, with survival rates dropping from 95% to 87% within the first year for the smallest muscle size group. Understanding core muscle size could help doctors better assess patient risks and improve surgical care. Who this helps: This helps patients and doctors make better-informed decisions about surgical procedures.

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This study looked at how body fat, specifically the thickness of fat under the skin in the abdomen, affects the risk of surgical site infections (SSI) in patients who had abdominal surgery. They analyzed data from 655 patients and found that 12.5% developed an infection after surgery. Patients with more subcutaneous fat had a 76% higher chance of getting a surface infection for every 10% increase in fat, indicating that measuring this fat is a better predictor of infection risk than traditional methods like BMI. Who this helps: This research benefits patients undergoing abdominal surgery by identifying those at higher risk for infections.

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This study looked at how the size of a specific muscle (the psoas muscle) can affect survival rates after liver transplantation in 163 patients. The research found that patients with smaller psoas muscles had a much higher risk of dying after the surgery; for every 1,000 square millimeters decrease in muscle size, the risk of death increased significantly. For instance, just 49.7% of patients in the smallest muscle group survived for a year compared to 87.0% in the largest group; this trend continued over three years. Who this helps: This information helps doctors evaluate which patients are better suited for liver transplants, potentially leading to better outcomes.