Results of collaboration between physicists and surgeons

Joint investigations of the employees of the Department of Colliding Beams (DCB) of the Laboratory of Nuclear Problems and the doctors of the Topper Centre for Vascular Surgery developed the basis of the monograph "Abdominal aortic aneurysms: pathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment", published by the Publishing House "Elby-SPB".

A group of DCB employees has been developing semiconductor detector systems for physical experiments for more than ten years. One of the key research areas is the investigation of the latest semiconductor pixel detectors from the Medipix family. These technologies have found application not only in fundamental science, but also in medicine, such as, in X-ray diagnostics.

For implementation of the investigations, DLNP has acquired a MARS microtomograph developed by New Zealand colleagues. This device that includes a Medipix3RX detector, allows one to study in detail the internal structure of various objects - from geological and archaeological samples to biological tissues. It was its capabilities that interested the doctors from the Topper Centre for Vascular Surgery of the FSBI " North-West District Scientific and Clinical Centre named after L.G.Sokolov of FMBA of Russia" professors V.S.Gurevich and A.V.Svetlikov that studied the development and treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysm (a dangerous disease related to the expansion and possible rupture of the vessel).

During investigations, the researchers analyzed 68 tissue samples from patients that had died from a ruptured aneurysm, as well as 18 samples obtained during schedule operations. With the help of a microtomograph, MARS was able to identify key changes in the vascular walls at different stages of the disease and to compare the results with data from conventional computed tomography. The data obtained became an important part of the doctoral thesis of A.V.Svetlikov and later, were included in the monograph "Abdominal aortic aneurysms: pathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment" written by him together with Academician G.G.Khubulava and Professor V.S.Gurevich. The monograph details current knowledge about the pathogenesis, examination techniques and monitoring of patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms. Focus was on the current instrumental and biological possibilities of predicting the increase and risk of rupture of aneurysms.

The investigation was carried out by the employees of DCB DLNP A.S.Zhemchugov, D.A.Kozhevnikov, P.I.Smolyansky and G.A.Shelkov. These investigations are a good example of how advanced physical technologies can be used in medicine, to help to better understand dangerous diseases and to improve their diagnosis.

As reported by the DLNP Scientific Communications Group