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Masuda T, Kiguchi M, Fujioka C, Oku T, Ishibashi T, Katsunuma Y, Yoshitake T, Abe S, Awai K. Comparison of the equivalent doses of the eye lenses, thyroid, and mammary gland among three pediatric and one adult anthropomorphic phantom during the chest CT examinations using a 40 mm volume helical scan. RADIATION PROTECTION DOSIMETRY 2024:ncae165. [PMID: 38997113 DOI: 10.1093/rpd/ncae165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Revised: 06/04/2024] [Accepted: 07/02/2024] [Indexed: 07/14/2024]
Abstract
Equivalent doses for the eye lenses, thyroid, and mammary glands were measured and compared between one adult and three pediatric anthropomorphic phantoms during chest computed tomography (CT) using 40 mm volume helical scan on the Aquilion ONE GENESIS Edition CT equipment. Placing an optically stimulated luminescence dosemeter (OSLD) on the eye lenses, thyroid, and mammary gland, we measured and compared the equivalent dose of OSLD among different phantoms during chest CT using a helical scan. Compared with adults, the equivalent doses to the eye lens, thyroid, and mammary glands were ~81%, 77%, and 63% lower in newborns, 1-year-olds, and 5-year-olds using comparable image noise during chest CT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takanori Masuda
- Department of Radiological Technology, Faculty of Health Science and Technology, Kawasaki University of Medical Welfare, 288, Matsushima, Kurashiki, Okayama 701-0193, Japan
| | - Masao Kiguchi
- Department of Radiology, Hiroshima University, 2-3, Kasumi, Minami-ku, Hiroshima 734-0037, Japan
| | - Chikako Fujioka
- Department of Radiology, Hiroshima University, 2-3, Kasumi, Minami-ku, Hiroshima 734-0037, Japan
| | - Takayuki Oku
- Department of Radiological Technologist, Tsuchiya General Hospital, Nakajima-cho 3-30, Naka-ku, Hiroshima 730-8655, Japan
| | - Toru Ishibashi
- Department of Radiological Technologist, Tsuchiya General Hospital, Nakajima-cho 3-30, Naka-ku, Hiroshima 730-8655, Japan
| | - Yasushi Katsunuma
- Department of Radiological Technology, Tokai University Oiso Hospital, 143, Iseharashi, Naka-gun, Kanagawa 259-1193, Japan
| | | | - Shuji Abe
- Department of Radiological Technology, Osaka College of High Technology, Osaka, Japan
| | - Kazuo Awai
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Hiroshima University, 2-3, Kasumi, Minami-ku, Hiroshima 734-0037, Japan
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D'Angelo T, Mastrodicasa D, Lanzafame LRM, Yel I, Koch V, Gruenewald LD, Sharma SP, Ascenti V, Micari A, Blandino A, Vogl TJ, Mazziotti S, Budde RPJ, Booz C. Optimization of window settings for coronary arteries assessment using spectral CT-derived virtual monoenergetic imaging. LA RADIOLOGIA MEDICA 2024; 129:999-1007. [PMID: 38935247 PMCID: PMC11252218 DOI: 10.1007/s11547-024-01835-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE To determine the optimal window setting for virtual monoenergetic images (VMI) reconstructed from dual-layer spectral coronary computed tomography angiography (DE-CCTA) datasets. MATERIAL AND METHODS 50 patients (30 males; mean age 61.1 ± 12.4 years who underwent DE-CCTA from May 2021 to June 2022 for suspected coronary artery disease, were retrospectively included. Image quality assessment was performed on conventional images and VMI reconstructions at 70 and 40 keV. Objective image quality was assessed using contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR). Two independent observers manually identified the best window settings (B-W/L) for VMI 70 and VMI 40 visualization. B-W/L were then normalized with aortic attenuation using linear regression analysis to obtain the optimized W/L (O-W/L) settings. Additionally, subjective image quality was evaluated using a 5-point Likert scale, and vessel diameters were measured to examine any potential impact of different W/L settings. RESULTS VMI 40 demonstrated higher CNR values compared to conventional and VMI 70. B-W/L settings identified were 1180/280 HU for VMI 70 and 3290/900 HU for VMI 40. Subsequent linear regression analysis yielded O-W/L settings of 1155/270 HU for VMI 70 and 3230/880 HU for VMI 40. VMI 40 O-W/L received the highest scores for each parameter compared to conventional (all p < 0.0027). Using O-W/L settings for VMI 70 and VMI 40 did not result in significant differences in vessel measurements compared to conventional images. CONCLUSION Optimization of VMI requires adjustments in W/L settings. Our results recommend W/L settings of 1155/270 HU for VMI 70 and 3230/880 HU for VMI 40.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tommaso D'Angelo
- Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology Unit, BIOMORF Department, University Hospital "Policlinico G. Martino", Via Consolare Valeria 1, 98100, Messina, Italy.
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Erasmus MC, Doctor Molewaterplein 40, 3015 GD, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Domenico Mastrodicasa
- Department of Radiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, 453 Quarry Rd, MC 5659, Palo Alto, CA 94304-5659, USA
| | - Ludovica R M Lanzafame
- Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology Unit, BIOMORF Department, University Hospital "Policlinico G. Martino", Via Consolare Valeria 1, 98100, Messina, Italy
| | - Ibrahim Yel
- Division of Experimental Imaging, Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Vitali Koch
- Division of Experimental Imaging, Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Leon D Gruenewald
- Division of Experimental Imaging, Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Simran P Sharma
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Erasmus MC, Doctor Molewaterplein 40, 3015 GD, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Velio Ascenti
- Department of Radiology, Policlinico Universitario Ospedale Maggiore, Via Francesco Sforza 35, 20122, Milan, Italy
| | - Antonino Micari
- Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology Unit, BIOMORF Department, University Hospital "Policlinico G. Martino", Via Consolare Valeria 1, 98100, Messina, Italy
| | - Alfredo Blandino
- Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology Unit, BIOMORF Department, University Hospital "Policlinico G. Martino", Via Consolare Valeria 1, 98100, Messina, Italy
| | - Thomas J Vogl
- Division of Experimental Imaging, Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Silvio Mazziotti
- Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology Unit, BIOMORF Department, University Hospital "Policlinico G. Martino", Via Consolare Valeria 1, 98100, Messina, Italy
| | - Ricardo P J Budde
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Erasmus MC, Doctor Molewaterplein 40, 3015 GD, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Christian Booz
- Division of Experimental Imaging, Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590, Frankfurt, Germany
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Meloni A, Maffei E, Clemente A, De Gori C, Occhipinti M, Positano V, Berti S, La Grutta L, Saba L, Cau R, Bossone E, Mantini C, Cavaliere C, Punzo B, Celi S, Cademartiri F. Spectral Photon-Counting Computed Tomography: Technical Principles and Applications in the Assessment of Cardiovascular Diseases. J Clin Med 2024; 13:2359. [PMID: 38673632 PMCID: PMC11051476 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13082359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2024] [Revised: 04/15/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Spectral Photon-Counting Computed Tomography (SPCCT) represents a groundbreaking advancement in X-ray imaging technology. The core innovation of SPCCT lies in its photon-counting detectors, which can count the exact number of incoming x-ray photons and individually measure their energy. The first part of this review summarizes the key elements of SPCCT technology, such as energy binning, energy weighting, and material decomposition. Its energy-discriminating ability represents the key to the increase in the contrast between different tissues, the elimination of the electronic noise, and the correction of beam-hardening artifacts. Material decomposition provides valuable insights into specific elements' composition, concentration, and distribution. The capability of SPCCT to operate in three or more energy regimes allows for the differentiation of several contrast agents, facilitating quantitative assessments of elements with specific energy thresholds within the diagnostic energy range. The second part of this review provides a brief overview of the applications of SPCCT in the assessment of various cardiovascular disease processes. SPCCT can support the study of myocardial blood perfusion and enable enhanced tissue characterization and the identification of contrast agents, in a manner that was previously unattainable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonella Meloni
- Bioengineering Unit, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (A.M.); (V.P.)
- Department of Radiology, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (A.C.); (C.D.G.); (M.O.)
| | - Erica Maffei
- Department of Radiology, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico SYNLAB SDN, 80131 Naples, Italy; (E.M.); (C.C.); (B.P.)
| | - Alberto Clemente
- Department of Radiology, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (A.C.); (C.D.G.); (M.O.)
| | - Carmelo De Gori
- Department of Radiology, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (A.C.); (C.D.G.); (M.O.)
| | - Mariaelena Occhipinti
- Department of Radiology, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (A.C.); (C.D.G.); (M.O.)
| | - Vicenzo Positano
- Bioengineering Unit, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (A.M.); (V.P.)
- Department of Radiology, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (A.C.); (C.D.G.); (M.O.)
| | - Sergio Berti
- Diagnostic and Interventional Cardiology Department, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, 54100 Massa, Italy;
| | - Ludovico La Grutta
- Department of Radiology, University Hospital “P. Giaccone”, 90127 Palermo, Italy;
| | - Luca Saba
- Department of Radiology, University Hospital of Cagliari, 09042 Monserrato (CA), Italy; (L.S.); (R.C.)
| | - Riccardo Cau
- Department of Radiology, University Hospital of Cagliari, 09042 Monserrato (CA), Italy; (L.S.); (R.C.)
| | - Eduardo Bossone
- Department of Cardiology, Ospedale Cardarelli, 80131 Naples, Italy;
| | - Cesare Mantini
- Department of Radiology, “G. D’Annunzio” University, 66100 Chieti, Italy;
| | - Carlo Cavaliere
- Department of Radiology, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico SYNLAB SDN, 80131 Naples, Italy; (E.M.); (C.C.); (B.P.)
| | - Bruna Punzo
- Department of Radiology, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico SYNLAB SDN, 80131 Naples, Italy; (E.M.); (C.C.); (B.P.)
| | - Simona Celi
- BioCardioLab, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, 54100 Massa, Italy;
| | - Filippo Cademartiri
- Department of Radiology, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (A.C.); (C.D.G.); (M.O.)
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Li B, Ni J, Chen F, Lu F, Zhang L, Wu W, Zhang Z. Evaluation of three-dimensional dual-energy CT cholangiopancreatography image quality in patients with pancreatobiliary dilatation: Comparison with conventional single-energy CT. Eur J Radiol Open 2023; 11:100537. [PMID: 37942123 PMCID: PMC10628547 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejro.2023.100537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Revised: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective This study aimed to evaluate three-dimensional (3D) negative-contrast CT cholangiopancreatography (nCTCP) image quality using dual-energy CT (DECT) with iterative reconstruction (IR) technique in patients with pancreatobiliary dilatation compared with single-energy CT (SECT). Methods Of the patients, 67 and 56 underwent conventional SECT (SECT set) and DECT with IR technique (DECT set), respectively. All patients were retrospectively analyzed during the portal phase to compare objective image quality and other data including patient demographics, hepatic and pancreatic parenchymal enhancement, noise, and attenuation difference (AD) between dilated ducts and enhanced hepatic parenchyma, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), and CT volume dose index (CTDIvol). Two radiologists used the five-point Likert scale to evaluate the subjective image quality of 3D nCTCP regarding image noise, sharpness of dilated ducts, and overall image quality. Statistical analyses used the Mann-Whitney U test. Results No significant difference in patient demographics in either CT set was showed during objective evaluation (p > 0.05). However, higher hepatic and pancreatic parenchymal enhancement, AD, SNR, and CNR and lower hepatic and pancreatic noise (p < 0.005) as well as CTDIvol (p = 0.005) on DECT than on SECT were observed. Higher mean grades on DECT than on SECT were showed for image noise (4.65 vs 3.92), sharpness of dilated ducts (4.52 vs 3.94), and overall image quality (4.45 vs 3.91; p < 0.001), respectively during subjective evaluation. Conclusion A higher overall image quality and lower radiation dose on 3D nCTCP can be obtained by DECT with IR technique than with conventional SECT in patients with pancreatobiliary dilatation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Li
- Department of Radiology, Wuxi No.2 People’s Hospital, 68 Zhong shan Rd., Wuxi 214002, Jiangsu, PR China
| | - JianMing Ni
- Department of Radiology, Wuxi No.2 People’s Hospital, 68 Zhong shan Rd., Wuxi 214002, Jiangsu, PR China
| | - FangMing Chen
- Department of Radiology, Wuxi No.2 People’s Hospital, 68 Zhong shan Rd., Wuxi 214002, Jiangsu, PR China
| | - FengQi Lu
- Department of Radiology, Wuxi No.2 People’s Hospital, 68 Zhong shan Rd., Wuxi 214002, Jiangsu, PR China
| | - Lei Zhang
- Department of Radiology, Wuxi No.2 People’s Hospital, 68 Zhong shan Rd., Wuxi 214002, Jiangsu, PR China
| | - WenJuan Wu
- Department of Radiology, Wuxi No.2 People’s Hospital, 68 Zhong shan Rd., Wuxi 214002, Jiangsu, PR China
| | - ZhuiYang Zhang
- Department of Radiology, Wuxi No.2 People’s Hospital, 68 Zhong shan Rd., Wuxi 214002, Jiangsu, PR China
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Schade KA, Mergen V, Sartoretti T, Alkadhi H, Euler A. Pseudoenhancement in Cystic Renal Lesions - Impact of Virtual Monoenergetic Images of Photon-Counting Detector CT on Lesion Classification. Acad Radiol 2023; 30 Suppl 1:S305-S313. [PMID: 37150736 DOI: 10.1016/j.acra.2023.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Revised: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES To investigate the impact of virtual monoenergetic images (VMI) from photon-counting detector CT (PCD-CT) on the enhancement and classification of renal cysts. MATERIALS AND METHODS Adults with renal cysts (≥7 mm) who received a triphasic examination on a clinical PCD-CT (120 kVp; IQ level 68) between July 2021 and March 2022 were retrospectively identified. Only non-enhancing cysts (enhancement<10 HU between unenhanced and venous phase at 70 keV) were included. VMI from 40 to 190 keV with increments of 10 keV were reconstructed from the venous phase. Enhancement was measured to classify each lesion as non-enhancing (<10 HU), equivocally enhancing (10-19 HU), and definitely enhancing (≥20 HU). Classification changes as a function of VMI were assessed. Pearson correlation coefficient, the Kruskal-Wallis and the Chi-square test were used. RESULTS A total of 86 patients (mean age, 74 ± 9 years; 74 male) with 160 non-enhancing renal cysts (17.6 ± 10 mm) were included. CT attenuation of the cysts increased from higher to lower VMI levels with a mean attenuation of 4 ± 11 HU at 190 keV to 36 ± 17 HU at 40 keV. Mean attenuation of the renal parenchyma was 43 ± 4 HU at 190 keV and 414 ± 71 HU at 40 keV. No cyst exhibited enhancement from 70 keV to 190 keV. At 40, 50, and 60 keV, 35% (56/160), 29% (47/160) and 9% (15/160) of cysts showed equivocal and 46% (74/160), 10% (16/160), and 0% (0/160) definite enhancement, respectively. There was no significant influence of size (P=.13), cyst location (P=.9) and BMI (P=.19) on enhancement classification. CONCLUSION VMI has a relevant impact on enhancement and classification of renal cysts with misclassification in a large number of cases at energy levels below 70 keV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Alexandra Schade
- Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland (K.A.S., V.M., T.S., H.A., A.E.)
| | - Victor Mergen
- Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland (K.A.S., V.M., T.S., H.A., A.E.)
| | - Thomas Sartoretti
- Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland (K.A.S., V.M., T.S., H.A., A.E.)
| | - Hatem Alkadhi
- Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland (K.A.S., V.M., T.S., H.A., A.E.)
| | - André Euler
- Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland (K.A.S., V.M., T.S., H.A., A.E.); Institute of Radiology, Kantonsspital Baden, Baden, Switzerland (A.E.).
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Vrbaski S, Bache S, Rajagopal J, Samei E. Quantitative performance of photon-counting CT at low dose: Virtual monochromatic imaging and iodine quantification. Med Phys 2023; 50:5421-5433. [PMID: 37415402 PMCID: PMC10897956 DOI: 10.1002/mp.16583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Revised: 06/11/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Quantitative imaging techniques, such as virtual monochromatic imaging (VMI) and iodine quantification (IQ), have proven valuable diagnostic methods in several specific clinical tasks such as tumor and tissue differentiation. Recently, a new generation of computed tomography (CT) scanners equipped with photon-counting detectors (PCD) has reached clinical status. PURPOSE This work aimed to investigate the performance of a new photon-counting CT (PC-CT) in low-dose quantitative imaging tasks, comparing it to an earlier generation CT scanner with an energy-integrating detector dual-energy CT (DE-CT). The accuracy and precision of the quantification across size, dose, material types (including low and high iodine concentrations), displacement from iso-center, and solvent (tissue background) composition were explored. METHODS Quantitative analysis was performed on two clinical scanners, Siemens SOMATOM Force and NAEOTOM Alpha using a multi-energy phantom with plastic inserts mimicking different iodine concentrations and tissue types. The tube configurations in the dual-energy scanner were 80/150Sn kVp and 100/150Sn kVp, while for PC-CT both tube voltages were set to either 120 or 140 kVp with photon-counting energy thresholds set at 20/65 or 20/70 keV. The statistical significance of patient-related parameters in quantitative measurements was examined using ANOVA and pairwise comparison with the posthoc Tukey honest significance test. Scanner bias was assessed in both quantitative tasks for relevant patient-specific parameters. RESULTS The accuracy of IQ and VMI in the PC-CT was comparable between standard and low radiation doses (p < 0.01). The patient size and tissue type significantly affect the accuracy of both quantitative imaging tasks in both scanners. The PC-CT scanner outperforms the DE-CT scanner in the IQ task in all cases. Iodine quantification bias in the PC-CT (-0.9 ± 0.15 mg/mL) at low doses in our study was comparable to that of DE-CT (range -2.6 to 1.5 mg/mL, published elsewhere) at a 1.7× higher dose, but the dose reduction severely biased DE-CT (4.72 ± 0.22 mg/mL). The accuracy in Hounsfield units (HU) estimation was comparable for 70 and 100 keV virtual imaging between scanners, but PC-CT was significantly underestimating virtual 40 keV HU values of dense materials in the phantom representing the extremely obese population. CONCLUSIONS The statistical analysis of our measurements reveals better IQ at lower radiation doses using new PC-CT. Although VMI performance was mostly comparable between the scanners, the DE-CT scanner quantitatively outperformed PC-CT when estimating HU values in the specific case of very large phantoms and dense materials, benefiting from increased X-ray tube potentials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stevan Vrbaski
- Department of Radiology, Carl E. Ravin Advanced Imaging Laboratories, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Physics, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
- Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste, Basovizza, Trieste, Italy
| | - Steve Bache
- Clinical Imaging Physics Group, Department of Radiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Jayasai Rajagopal
- Department of Radiology, Carl E. Ravin Advanced Imaging Laboratories, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Radiology and Imaging Sciences,Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Ehsan Samei
- Department of Radiology, Carl E. Ravin Advanced Imaging Laboratories, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Clinical Imaging Physics Group, Department of Radiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
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D’Angelo T, Lanzafame LRM, Micari A, Blandino A, Yel I, Koch V, Gruenewald LD, Vogl TJ, Booz C, Bucolo GM, Cannizzaro MT, Ascenti G, Mazziotti S. Improved Coronary Artery Visualization Using Virtual Monoenergetic Imaging from Dual-Layer Spectral Detector CT Angiography. Diagnostics (Basel) 2023; 13:2675. [PMID: 37627934 PMCID: PMC10453590 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics13162675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Revised: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: To evaluate if coronary CT angiography (CCTA) monoenergetic reconstructions, obtained with a dual-layer spectral detector computed tomography (DLCT) system, offer improved image quality compared with 120 kVp conventional images without affecting the quantitative assessment of coronary stenoses. Methods: Fifty CCTA datasets (30 men; mean age: 61.6 ± 12.3 years) acquired with a DLCT system were reconstructed using virtual monoenergetic images (VMI) from 40 to 100 keV with 10 keV increment and compared with conventional images. An analysis of objective image quality was performed, evaluating the signal- and contrast-to-noise ratio. For the subjective assessment, two readers used a 5-point Likert scoring system to evaluate sharpness, noise, demarcation of coronary plaques, vascular contrast, and an overall score. Furthermore, coronary stenoses were analyzed for each vessel to describe the diagnostic agreement between monoenergetic images and conventional images. Results: The objective image analysis showed that all reconstructions from 70 keV to 40 keV show higher SNR (from 61.33 ± 12.46 to 154.22 ± 42.91, respectively) and CNR (from 51.45 ± 11.19 to 135.63 ± 39.38, respectively) compared with conventional images (all p < 0.001). The 40 keV monoenergetic images obtained the best average score for sharpness, vascular contrast, and for the overall impression (all with p < 0.001). The detection and grading of stenoses of the coronary arteries with conventional and monoenergetic images at 70 keV and 40 keV showed an overall excellent interobserver agreement (k= 0.81 [0.72-0.91]). Conclusions: The 40 keV virtual monoenergetic images obtained with a DLCT system allow the objective and subjective image quality of coronary CT angiography to be improved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tommaso D’Angelo
- Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology Unit, BIOMORF Department, University Hospital Messina, 98124 Messina, Italy; (L.R.M.L.); (A.B.); (G.M.B.); (G.A.); (S.M.)
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Erasmus MC, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ludovica R. M. Lanzafame
- Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology Unit, BIOMORF Department, University Hospital Messina, 98124 Messina, Italy; (L.R.M.L.); (A.B.); (G.M.B.); (G.A.); (S.M.)
| | - Antonino Micari
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, DIMED, University Hospital Messina, 98124 Messina, Italy;
| | - Alfredo Blandino
- Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology Unit, BIOMORF Department, University Hospital Messina, 98124 Messina, Italy; (L.R.M.L.); (A.B.); (G.M.B.); (G.A.); (S.M.)
| | - Ibrahim Yel
- Division of Experimental Imaging, Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Frankfurt, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; (I.Y.); (V.K.); (L.D.G.); (T.J.V.); (C.B.)
| | - Vitali Koch
- Division of Experimental Imaging, Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Frankfurt, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; (I.Y.); (V.K.); (L.D.G.); (T.J.V.); (C.B.)
| | - Leon D. Gruenewald
- Division of Experimental Imaging, Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Frankfurt, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; (I.Y.); (V.K.); (L.D.G.); (T.J.V.); (C.B.)
| | - Thomas J. Vogl
- Division of Experimental Imaging, Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Frankfurt, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; (I.Y.); (V.K.); (L.D.G.); (T.J.V.); (C.B.)
| | - Christian Booz
- Division of Experimental Imaging, Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Frankfurt, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; (I.Y.); (V.K.); (L.D.G.); (T.J.V.); (C.B.)
| | - Giuseppe M. Bucolo
- Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology Unit, BIOMORF Department, University Hospital Messina, 98124 Messina, Italy; (L.R.M.L.); (A.B.); (G.M.B.); (G.A.); (S.M.)
| | - Maria Teresa Cannizzaro
- Radiology Unit (CAST), University Hospital Catania, “Policlinico G. Rodolico–San Marco”, 95123 Catania, Italy;
| | - Giorgio Ascenti
- Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology Unit, BIOMORF Department, University Hospital Messina, 98124 Messina, Italy; (L.R.M.L.); (A.B.); (G.M.B.); (G.A.); (S.M.)
| | - Silvio Mazziotti
- Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology Unit, BIOMORF Department, University Hospital Messina, 98124 Messina, Italy; (L.R.M.L.); (A.B.); (G.M.B.); (G.A.); (S.M.)
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Borges AP, Antunes C, Caseiro-Alves F. Spectral CT: Current Liver Applications. Diagnostics (Basel) 2023; 13:diagnostics13101673. [PMID: 37238163 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics13101673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2023] [Revised: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Using two different energy levels, dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) allows for material differentiation, improves image quality and iodine conspicuity, and allows researchers the opportunity to determine iodine contrast and radiation dose reduction. Several commercialized platforms with different acquisition techniques are constantly being improved. Furthermore, DECT clinical applications and advantages are continually being reported in a wide range of diseases. We aimed to review the current applications of and challenges in using DECT in the treatment of liver diseases. The greater contrast provided by low-energy reconstructed images and the capability of iodine quantification have been mostly valuable for lesion detection and characterization, accurate staging, treatment response assessment, and thrombi characterization. Material decomposition techniques allow for the non-invasive quantification of fat/iron deposition and fibrosis. Reduced image quality with larger body sizes, cross-vendor and scanner variability, and long reconstruction time are among the limitations of DECT. Promising techniques for improving image quality with lower radiation dose include the deep learning imaging reconstruction method and novel spectral photon-counting computed tomography.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana P Borges
- Medical Imaging Department, Coimbra University Hospitals, 3004-561 Coimbra, Portugal
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
- Academic and Clinical Centre of Coimbra, 3000-370 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Célia Antunes
- Medical Imaging Department, Coimbra University Hospitals, 3004-561 Coimbra, Portugal
- Academic and Clinical Centre of Coimbra, 3000-370 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Filipe Caseiro-Alves
- Medical Imaging Department, Coimbra University Hospitals, 3004-561 Coimbra, Portugal
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
- Academic and Clinical Centre of Coimbra, 3000-370 Coimbra, Portugal
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9
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Dillinger D, Overhoff D, Booz C, Kaatsch HL, Piechotka J, Hagen A, Froelich MF, Vogl TJ, Waldeck S. Impact of CT Photon-Counting Virtual Monoenergetic Imaging on Visualization of Abdominal Arterial Vessels. Diagnostics (Basel) 2023; 13:diagnostics13050938. [PMID: 36900082 PMCID: PMC10000913 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics13050938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2023] [Revised: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE The novel photon-counting detector (PCD) technique acquires spectral data for virtual monoenergetic imaging (VMI) in every examination. The aim of this study was the evaluation of the impact of VMI of abdominal arterial vessels on quantitative and qualitative subjective image parameters. METHODS A total of 20 patients that underwent an arterial phase computed tomography (CT) scan of the abdomen with a novel PCD CT (Siemens NAEOTOM alpha) were analyzed regarding attenuation at different energy levels in virtual monoenergetic imaging. Contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) were calculated and compared between the different virtual monoenergetic (VME) levels with correlation to vessel diameter. In addition, subjective image parameters (overall subjective image quality, subjective image noise and vessel contrast) were evaluated. RESULTS Our research showed decreasing attenuation levels with increasing energy levels in virtual monoenergetic imaging regardless of vessel diameter. CNR showed best overall results at 60 keV, and SNR at 70 keV with no significant difference to 60 keV (p = 0.294). Subjective image quality was rated best at 70 keV for overall image quality, vessel contrast and noise. CONCLUSIONS Our data suggest that VMI at 60-70 keV provides the best objective and subjective image quality concerning vessel contrast irrespective of vessel size.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Dillinger
- Department of Vascular Surgery and Endovascular Surgery, Bundeswehr Central Hospital, Rübenacher Straße 170, 56072 Koblenz, Germany
- Correspondence:
| | - Daniel Overhoff
- Department of Radiology and Neuroradiology, Bundeswehr Central Hospital, Rübenacher Straße 170, 56072 Koblenz, Germany
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University Medical Centre Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Theodor-Kutzer-Ufer 1-3, 68167 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Christian Booz
- Institute for Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Goethe-University, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Hanns L. Kaatsch
- Department of Radiology and Neuroradiology, Bundeswehr Central Hospital, Rübenacher Straße 170, 56072 Koblenz, Germany
| | - Joel Piechotka
- Department of Radiology and Neuroradiology, Bundeswehr Central Hospital, Rübenacher Straße 170, 56072 Koblenz, Germany
| | - Achim Hagen
- Department of Vascular Surgery and Endovascular Surgery, Bundeswehr Central Hospital, Rübenacher Straße 170, 56072 Koblenz, Germany
| | - Matthias F. Froelich
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University Medical Centre Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Theodor-Kutzer-Ufer 1-3, 68167 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Thomas J. Vogl
- Institute for Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Goethe-University, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Stephan Waldeck
- Department of Radiology and Neuroradiology, Bundeswehr Central Hospital, Rübenacher Straße 170, 56072 Koblenz, Germany
- Department of Neuroradiology, University Medical Center Mainz, Langenbeckstraße 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany
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10
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Xu JJ, Lönn L, Budtz-Jørgensen E, Jawad S, Ulriksen PS, Hansen KL. Evaluation of thin-slice abdominal DECT using deep-learning image reconstruction in 74 keV virtual monoenergetic images: an image quality comparison. Abdom Radiol (NY) 2023; 48:1536-1544. [PMID: 36810705 DOI: 10.1007/s00261-023-03845-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Revised: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/23/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To compare noise, contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and image quality using deep-learning image reconstruction (DLIR) vs. adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction (ASIR-V) in 0.625 and 2.5 mm slice thickness gray scale 74 keV virtual monoenergetic (VM) abdominal dual-energy CT (DECT). METHODS This retrospective study was approved by the institutional review board and regional ethics committee. We analysed 30 portal-venous phase abdominal fast kV-switching DECT (80/140kVp) scans. Data were reconstructed to ASIR-V 60% and DLIR-High at 74 keV in 0.625 and 2.5 mm slice thickness. Quantitative HU and noise assessment were measured within liver, aorta, adipose tissue and muscle. Two board-certified radiologists evaluated image noise, sharpness, texture and overall quality based on a five-point Likert scale. RESULTS DLIR significantly reduced image noise and increased CNR as well as SNR compared to ASIR-V, when slice thickness was maintained (p < 0.001). Slightly higher noise of 5.5-16.2% was measured (p < 0.01) in liver, aorta and muscle tissue at 0.625 mm DLIR compared to 2.5 mm ASIR-V, while noise in adipose tissue was 4.3% lower with 0.625 mm DLIR compared to 2.5 mm ASIR-V (p = 0.08). Qualitative assessments demonstrated significantly improved image quality for DLIR particularly in 0.625 mm images. CONCLUSIONS DLIR significantly reduced image noise, increased CNR and SNR and improved image quality in 0.625 mm slice images, when compared to ASIR-V. DLIR may facilitate thinner image slice reconstructions for routine contrast-enhanced abdominal DECT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jack J Xu
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark. .,Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Lars Lönn
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Esben Budtz-Jørgensen
- Section of Biostatistics, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Samir Jawad
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Peter S Ulriksen
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Kristoffer L Hansen
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark
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11
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Chen Z, Yi L, Peng Z, Zhou J, Zhang Z, Tao Y, Lin Z, He A, Jin M, Zuo M. Development and validation of a radiomic nomogram based on pretherapy dual-energy CT for distinguishing adenocarcinoma from squamous cell carcinoma of the lung. Front Oncol 2022; 12:949111. [PMID: 36505773 PMCID: PMC9727167 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.949111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective Based on pretherapy dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) images, we developed and validated a nomogram combined with clinical parameters and radiomic features to predict the pathologic subtypes of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) - adenocarcinoma (ADC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Methods A total of 129 pathologically confirmed NSCLC patients treated at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University from October 2017 to October 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were randomly divided in a ratio of 7:3 (n=90) into training and validation cohorts (n=39). Patients' pretherapy clinical parameters were recorded. Radiomics features of the primary lesion were extracted from two sets of monoenergetic images (40 keV and 100 keV) in arterial phases (AP) and venous phases (VP). Features were selected successively through the intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) and the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO). Multivariate logistic regression analysis was then performed to establish predictive models. The prediction performance between models was evaluated and compared using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, DeLong test, and Akaike information criterion (AIC). A nomogram was developed based on the model with the best predictive performance to evaluate its calibration and clinical utility. Results A total of 87 ADC and 42 SCC patients were enrolled in this study. Among the five constructed models, the integrative model (AUC: Model 4 = 0.92, Model 5 = 0.93) combining clinical parameters and radiomic features had a higher AUC than the individual clinical models or radiomic models (AUC: Model 1 = 0.84, Model 2 = 0.79, Model 3 = 0.84). The combined clinical-venous phase radiomics model had the best predictive performance, goodness of fit, and parsimony; the area under the ROC curve (AUC) of the training and validation cohorts was 0.93 and 0.90, respectively, and the AIC value was 60.16. Then, this model was visualized as a nomogram. The calibration curves demonstrated it's good calibration, and decision curve analysis (DCA) proved its clinical utility. Conclusion The combined clinical-radiomics model based on pretherapy DECT showed good performance in distinguishing ADC and SCC of the lung. The nomogram constructed based on the best-performing combined clinical-venous phase radiomics model provides a relatively accurate, convenient and noninvasive method for predicting the pathological subtypes of ADC and SCC in NSCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiyong Chen
- Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Li Yi
- Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Zhiwei Peng
- Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Jianzhong Zhou
- Department of Radiology, The Quzhou City People’s Hospital, Quzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Zhaotao Zhang
- Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Yahong Tao
- Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Ze Lin
- Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Anjing He
- Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Mengni Jin
- Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Minjing Zuo
- Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China,*Correspondence: Minjing Zuo,
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12
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Higashigaito K, Euler A, Eberhard M, Flohr TG, Schmidt B, Alkadhi H. Contrast-Enhanced Abdominal CT with Clinical Photon-Counting Detector CT: Assessment of Image Quality and Comparison with Energy-Integrating Detector CT. Acad Radiol 2022; 29:689-697. [PMID: 34389259 DOI: 10.1016/j.acra.2021.06.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2021] [Revised: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 06/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES To determine quantitative and qualitative image quality of contrast-enhanced abdominal photon-counting detector CT (PCD-CT) compared to energy-integrating detector CT (EID-CT) in the same patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS Thirty-nine patients (mean age 63 ± 10 years, 10 females, mean BMI 26.0 ± 5.7 kg/m2) were retrospectively included who underwent clinically indicated, contrast-enhanced abdominal CT in portal-venous phase with first-generation dual-source PCD-CT and who underwent previous abdominal CT with EID-CT. For both scan, same contrast media protocol was used. PCD-CT was performed in QuantumPlus mode (obtaining full spectral information) at 120kVp. EID-CT was performed using automated tube voltage selection (reference tube voltage 100kVp). In PCD-CT, virtual monoenergetic images (VMI) were reconstructed in 10keV intervals (40-90 keV). Tube current-time product in PCD-CT was modified in each patient to obtain same volume CT-dose-index (CTDIvol) as with EID-CT. Attenuation of organs and vascular structures were measured, noise quantified, and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) calculated. Two independent, blinded radiologists assessed subjective image quality using a 5-point Likert scale (overall image quality, image noise, contrast, and liver lesion conspicuity). RESULTS Median time interval between the scan was 12 months. BMI (p = 0.905) and CTDIvol (p = 0.984) were similar between scans. CNRparenchymal and CNRvascular of VMI from PCD-CT at 40 and 50keV were significantly higher than EID-CT (all, p < 0.05). Overall, inter-reader agreement for all subjective image quality readings was substantial (Krippendorff's alpha = 0.773). Overall image quality of VMI was rated similar at 50 and 60 keV compared to EID-CT (all, p > 0.05). Subjective image noise was significantly higher at 40-50 keV, contrast significantly higher at 40-60 keV (all, p < 0.05). Lesion conspicuity was rated similar on all images. CONCLUSION Our intra-individual analysis of abdominal PCD-CT indicates that VMI at 50 keV shows significantly higher CNR at similar subjective image quality as compared to EID-CT at identical radiation dose.
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13
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Dual-energy CT of acute bowel ischemia. Abdom Radiol (NY) 2022; 47:1660-1683. [PMID: 34191075 DOI: 10.1007/s00261-021-03188-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2021] [Revised: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Acute bowel ischemia is a condition with high mortality and requires rapid intervention to avoid catastrophic outcomes. Swift and accurate imaging diagnosis is essential because clinical findings are commonly nonspecific. Conventional contrast enhanced CT of the abdomen has been the imaging modality of choice to evaluate suspected acute bowel ischemia. However, subtlety of image findings and lack of non-contrast or arterial phase images can make correct diagnosis challenging. Dual-energy CT provides valuable information toward assessing bowel ischemia. Dual-energy CT exploits the differential X-ray attenuation at two different photon energy levels to characterize the composition of tissues and reveal the presence or absence of faint intravenous iodinated contrast to improve reader confidence in detecting subtle bowel wall enhancement. With the same underlying technique, virtual non-contrast images can help to show non-enhancing hyperdense hemorrhage of the bowel wall in intravenous contrast-enhanced scans without the need to acquire actual non-contrast scans. Dual-energy CT derived low photon energy (keV) virtual monoenergetic images emphasize iodine contrast and provide CT angiography-like images from portal venous phase scans to better evaluate abdominal arterial patency. In Summary, dual-energy CT aids diagnosing acute bowel ischemia in multiple ways, including improving visualization of the bowel wall and mesenteric vasculature, revealing intramural hemorrhage in contrast enhanced scans, or possibly reducing intravenous contrast dose.
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14
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Bae K, Jeon KN, Kim JE, Park SE, Baek HJ, Moon JI, Ryu KH, Cho E. Abdominal CT in patients with arms down positioning: Effect of virtual monoenergetic reconstruction on diagnostic image quality. Abdom Radiol (NY) 2021; 46:5037-5046. [PMID: 34215901 DOI: 10.1007/s00261-021-03195-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2021] [Revised: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To evaluate effect of virtual monoenergetic reconstruction on contrast-enhanced abdominal CT obtained using a dual-layer detector CT (DLCT) in patients with arms-down positioning, in comparison with conventional 120-kVp image. METHODS A total of 162 consecutive patients who underwent abdominal CT scans using a DLCT with arms-down positioning were retrospectively enrolled. 120-kVp image and virtual monoenergetic images (VMIs) at 40-100 keV were compared for arm-induced artifact reduction capability and image quality through objective and subjective assessments. Diagnostic performance was compared between VMI with the best quality and 120-kVp image. RESULTS VMIs at 60-100 keV showed significantly lower (p < 0.001) artifact index than 120-kVp image. Subjective severity of arm-induced streak artifacts was significantly (p < 0.001) lower in VMIs at 70-100 keV than in 120-kVp image. CNRs measured in artifact and reference areas were superior (p < 0.05) in 40-70 keV to those in 120 kVp. Overall image quality was superior (p < 0.05) in 60-90 keV to 120 kVp. 70-keV VMI was chosen as the best image by two independent readers. In ROC analysis of lesion detection in the liver, spleen, and kidneys, the AUC was significantly higher for 70-keV VMI (reader 1, 0.962; p = 0.011; reader 2, 0.981; p = 0.012) than that for 120-kVp image (reader 1, 0.891; reader 2, 0.922). CONCLUSION The70-keV VMI from DLCT could improve abdominal CT images by reducing streak artifacts and increasing image contrast in patients who could not elevated their arms. The 70-keV VMI showed better diagnostic performance than the conventional 120 kVp image.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyungsoo Bae
- Department of Radiology, Institute of Health Sciences, Gyeongsang National University School of Medicine, Jinju, Korea
- Department of Radiology, Gyeongsang National University Changwon Hospital, 555 Samjeongja-dong, Seongsan-gu, Changwon, Korea
| | - Kyung Nyeo Jeon
- Department of Radiology, Institute of Health Sciences, Gyeongsang National University School of Medicine, Jinju, Korea.
- Department of Radiology, Gyeongsang National University Changwon Hospital, 555 Samjeongja-dong, Seongsan-gu, Changwon, Korea.
| | - Ji Eun Kim
- Department of Radiology, Institute of Health Sciences, Gyeongsang National University School of Medicine, Jinju, Korea
- Department of Radiology, Gyeongsang National University Hospital, Jinju, Korea
| | - Sung Eun Park
- Department of Radiology, Institute of Health Sciences, Gyeongsang National University School of Medicine, Jinju, Korea
- Department of Radiology, Gyeongsang National University Changwon Hospital, 555 Samjeongja-dong, Seongsan-gu, Changwon, Korea
| | - Hye Jin Baek
- Department of Radiology, Institute of Health Sciences, Gyeongsang National University School of Medicine, Jinju, Korea
- Department of Radiology, Gyeongsang National University Changwon Hospital, 555 Samjeongja-dong, Seongsan-gu, Changwon, Korea
| | - Jin Il Moon
- Department of Radiology, Institute of Health Sciences, Gyeongsang National University School of Medicine, Jinju, Korea
- Department of Radiology, Gyeongsang National University Changwon Hospital, 555 Samjeongja-dong, Seongsan-gu, Changwon, Korea
| | - Kung Hwa Ryu
- Department of Radiology, Institute of Health Sciences, Gyeongsang National University School of Medicine, Jinju, Korea
- Department of Radiology, Gyeongsang National University Changwon Hospital, 555 Samjeongja-dong, Seongsan-gu, Changwon, Korea
| | - Eun Cho
- Department of Radiology, Institute of Health Sciences, Gyeongsang National University School of Medicine, Jinju, Korea
- Department of Radiology, Gyeongsang National University Changwon Hospital, 555 Samjeongja-dong, Seongsan-gu, Changwon, Korea
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Robustness of dual-energy CT-derived radiomic features across three different scanner types. Eur Radiol 2021; 32:1959-1970. [PMID: 34542695 DOI: 10.1007/s00330-021-08249-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2021] [Revised: 07/13/2021] [Accepted: 08/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To investigate the robustness of radiomic features between three dual-energy CT (DECT) systems. METHODS An anthropomorphic body phantom was scanned on three different DECT scanners, a dual-source (dsDECT), a rapid kV-switching (rsDECT), and a dual-layer detector DECT (dlDECT). Twenty-four patients who underwent abdominal DECT examinations on each of the scanner types during clinical follow-up were retrospectively included (n = 72 examinations). Radiomic features were extracted after standardized image processing, following ROI placement in phantom tissues and healthy appearing hepatic, splenic and muscular tissue of patients using virtual monoenergetic images at 65 keV (VMI65keV) and virtual unenhanced images (VUE). In total, 774 radiomic features were extracted including 86 original features and 8 wavelet transformations hereof. Concordance correlation coefficients (CCC) and analysis of variances (ANOVA) were calculated to determine inter-scanner robustness of radiomic features with a CCC of ≥ 0.9 deeming a feature robust. RESULTS None of the phantom-derived features attained the threshold for high feature robustness for any inter-scanner comparison. The proportion of robust features obtained from patients scanned on all three scanners was low both in VMI65keV (dsDECT vs. rsDECT:16.1% (125/774), dlDECT vs. rsDECT:2.5% (19/774), dsDECT vs. dlDECT:2.6% (20/774)) and VUE (dsDECT vs. rsDECT:11.1% (86/774), dlDECT vs. rsDECT:2.8% (22/774), dsDECT vs. dlDECT:2.7% (21/774)). The proportion of features without significant differences as per ANOVA was higher both in patients (51.4-71.1%) and in the phantom (60.6-73.4%). CONCLUSIONS The robustness of radiomic features across different DECT scanners in patients was low and the few robust patient-derived features were not reflected in the phantom experiment. Future efforts should aim to improve the cross-platform generalizability of DECT-derived radiomics. KEY POINTS • Inter-scanner robustness of dual-energy CT-derived radiomic features was on a low level in patients who underwent clinical examinations on three DECT platforms. • The few robust patient-derived features were not confirmed in our phantom experiment. • Limited inter-scanner robustness of dual-energy CT derived radiomic features may impact the generalizability of models built with features from one particular dual-energy CT scanner type.
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Heinrich A, Schenkl S, Buckreus D, Güttler FV, Teichgräber UKM. CT-based thermometry with virtual monoenergetic images by dual-energy of fat, muscle and bone using FBP, iterative and deep learning-based reconstruction. Eur Radiol 2021; 32:424-431. [PMID: 34327575 PMCID: PMC8660750 DOI: 10.1007/s00330-021-08206-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Objectives The aim of this study was to evaluate the sensitivity of CT-based thermometry for clinical applications regarding a three-component tissue phantom of fat, muscle and bone. Virtual monoenergetic images (VMI) by dual-energy measurements and conventional polychromatic 120-kVp images with modern reconstruction algorithms adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction-Volume (ASIR-V) and deep learning image reconstruction (DLIR) were compared. Methods A temperature-regulating water circuit system was developed for the systematic evaluation of the correlation between temperature and Hounsfield units (HU). The measurements were performed on a Revolution CT with gemstone spectral imaging technology (GSI). Complementary measurements were performed without GSI (voltage 120 kVp, current 130–545 mA). The measured object was a tissue equivalent phantom in a temperature range of 18 to 50°C. The evaluation was carried out for VMI at 40 to 140 keV and polychromatic 120-kVp images. Results The regression analysis showed a significant inverse linear dependency between temperature and average HU regardless of ASIR-V and DLIR. VMI show a higher temperature sensitivity compared to polychromatic images. The temperature sensitivities were 1.25 HU/°C (120 kVp) and 1.35 HU/°C (VMI at 140 keV) for fat, 0.38 HU/°C (120 kVp) and 0.47 HU/°C (VMI at 40 keV) for muscle and 1.15 HU/°C (120 kVp) and 3.58 HU/°C (VMI at 50 keV) for bone. Conclusions Dual-energy with VMI enables a higher temperature sensitivity for fat, muscle and bone. The reconstruction with ASIR-V and DLIR has no significant influence on CT-based thermometry, which opens up the potential of drastic dose reductions. Key Points • Virtual monoenergetic images (VMI) enable a higher temperature sensitivity for fat (8%), muscle (24%) and bone (211%) compared to conventional polychromatic 120-kVp images. • With VMI, there are parameters, e.g. monoenergy and reconstruction kernel, to modulate the temperature sensitivity. In contrast, there are no parameters to influence the temperature sensitivity for conventional polychromatic 120-kVp images. • The application of adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction-Volume (ASIR-V) and deep learning–based image reconstruction (DLIR) has no effect on CT-based thermometry, opening up the potential of drastic dose reductions in clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Heinrich
- Department of Radiology, Jena University Hospital - Friedrich Schiller University, Am Klinikum 1, 07747, Jena, Germany.
| | - Sebastian Schenkl
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, Jena University Hospital - Friedrich Schiller University, Am Klinikum 1, 07747, Jena, Germany
| | - David Buckreus
- Department of Radiology, Jena University Hospital - Friedrich Schiller University, Am Klinikum 1, 07747, Jena, Germany
| | - Felix V Güttler
- Department of Radiology, Jena University Hospital - Friedrich Schiller University, Am Klinikum 1, 07747, Jena, Germany
| | - Ulf K-M Teichgräber
- Department of Radiology, Jena University Hospital - Friedrich Schiller University, Am Klinikum 1, 07747, Jena, Germany
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Majeed NF, Braschi Amirfarzan M, Wald C, Wortman JR. Spectral detector CT applications in advanced liver imaging. Br J Radiol 2021; 94:20201290. [PMID: 34048285 PMCID: PMC8248211 DOI: 10.1259/bjr.20201290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Revised: 04/16/2021] [Accepted: 05/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Spectral detector CT (SDCT) has many applications in advanced liver imaging. If appropriately utilized, this technology has the potential to improve image quality, provide new diagnostic information, and allow for decreased radiation dose. The purpose of this review is to familiarize radiologists with the uses of SDCT in liver imaging. CONCLUSION SDCT has a variety of post-processing techniques, which can be used in advanced liver imaging and can significantly add value in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noor Fatima Majeed
- Department of Radiology, Lahey Hospital and Medical Center, 41 Burlington Mall Road, Burlington, United States
| | - Marta Braschi Amirfarzan
- Department of Radiology, Lahey Hospital and Medical Center, 41 Burlington Mall Road, Burlington, United States
| | - Christoph Wald
- Department of Radiology, Lahey Hospital and Medical Center, 41 Burlington Mall Road, Burlington, United States
| | - Jeremy R Wortman
- Department of Radiology, Lahey Hospital and Medical Center, 41 Burlington Mall Road, Burlington, United States
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Wen Q, Yue Y, Shang J, Lu X, Gao L, Hou Y. The application of dual-layer spectral detector computed tomography in solitary pulmonary nodule identification. Quant Imaging Med Surg 2021; 11:521-532. [PMID: 33532253 DOI: 10.21037/qims-20-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Background Differentiating between malignant solitary pulmonary nodules (SPNs) and other lung diseases remains a substantial challenge. The latest generation of dual-energy computed tomography (CT), which realizes dual-energy technology at the detector level, has clinical potential for distinguishing lung cancer from other benign SPNs. This study aimed to evaluate the performance of dual-layer spectral detector CT (SDCT) for the differentiation of SPNs. Methods Spectral images of 135 SPNs confirmed by pathology were retrospectively analyzed in both the arterial phase (AP) and the venous phase (VP). Patients were classified into two groups [the malignant group (n=93) and the benign group (n=42)], with the malignant group further divided into small cell lung cancer (SCLC, n=30) and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC, n=63) subtypes. The slope of the spectral Hounsfield Unit (HU) curve (λHU), normalized iodine concentration (NIC), CT values of 40 keV monochromatic images (CT40keV), and normalized arterial enhancement fraction (NAEF) in contrast-enhanced images were calculated and compared between the benign and malignant groups, as well as between the SCLC and NSCLC subgroups. ROC curve analysis was performed to assess the diagnostic performance of the above parameters. Seventy cases were randomly selected and independently measured by two radiologists, and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Bland-Altman analyses were performed to calculate the reliability of the measurements. Results Except for NAEF (P=0.23), the values of the parameters were higher in the malignant group than in the benign group (all P<0.05). NIC, λHU, and CT40keV performed better in the VP (NICVP, λVPHU, and CTVP40keV) (P<0.001), with an area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.93, 0.89, and 0.89 respectively. With respective cutoffs of 0.31, 1.83, and 141.00 HU, the accuracy of NICVP, λVPHU, and CTVP40keV was 91.11%, 85.19%, and 88.15%, respectively. In the subgroup differentiating NSCLC and SCLC, the diagnostic performances of NICAP (AUC =0.89) were greater than other parameters. NICAP had an accuracy of 86.02% when the cutoff was 0.14. ICC and Bland-Altman analyses indicated that the measurement of SDCT has great reproducibility. Conclusions Quantitative measures from SDCT can help to differentiate benign from malignant SPNs and may help with the further subclassification of malignant cancer into SCLC and NSCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingyun Wen
- Department of Radiology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Yong Yue
- Department of Radiology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Jin Shang
- Department of Radiology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Xiaomei Lu
- CT Clinical Science, Philips Healthcare, Shenyang, China
| | - Lu Gao
- Department of Radiology, Liaoning Cancer Hospital, Shenyang, China
| | - Yang Hou
- Department of Radiology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
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Rajiah P, Parakh A, Kay F, Baruah D, Kambadakone AR, Leng S. Update on Multienergy CT: Physics, Principles, and Applications. Radiographics 2020; 40:1284-1308. [DOI: 10.1148/rg.2020200038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Prabhakar Rajiah
- From the Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First St SW, Rochester, MN 55905 (P.R., S.L.); Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Mass (A.P., A.R.K.); Department of Radiology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Tex (F.K.); and Department of Radiology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC (D.B.)
| | - Anushri Parakh
- From the Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First St SW, Rochester, MN 55905 (P.R., S.L.); Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Mass (A.P., A.R.K.); Department of Radiology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Tex (F.K.); and Department of Radiology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC (D.B.)
| | - Fernando Kay
- From the Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First St SW, Rochester, MN 55905 (P.R., S.L.); Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Mass (A.P., A.R.K.); Department of Radiology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Tex (F.K.); and Department of Radiology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC (D.B.)
| | - Dhiraj Baruah
- From the Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First St SW, Rochester, MN 55905 (P.R., S.L.); Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Mass (A.P., A.R.K.); Department of Radiology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Tex (F.K.); and Department of Radiology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC (D.B.)
| | - Avinash R. Kambadakone
- From the Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First St SW, Rochester, MN 55905 (P.R., S.L.); Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Mass (A.P., A.R.K.); Department of Radiology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Tex (F.K.); and Department of Radiology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC (D.B.)
| | - Shuai Leng
- From the Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First St SW, Rochester, MN 55905 (P.R., S.L.); Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Mass (A.P., A.R.K.); Department of Radiology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Tex (F.K.); and Department of Radiology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC (D.B.)
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Choi B, Choi IY, Cha SH, Yeom SK, Chung HH, Lee SH, Cha J, Lee JH. Feasibility of computed tomography texture analysis of hepatic fibrosis using dual-energy spectral detector computed tomography. Jpn J Radiol 2020; 38:1179-1189. [PMID: 32666182 DOI: 10.1007/s11604-020-01020-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2020] [Accepted: 07/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To evaluate feasibility of computer tomography texture analysis (CTTA) at different energy level using dual-energy spectral detector CT for liver fibrosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS Eighty-seven patients who underwent a spectral CT examination and had a reference standard of liver fibrosis (histopathologic findings, n = 61, or clinical findings for normal, n = 26) were included. Mean gray-level intensity, mean number of positive pixels (MPP), entropy, skewness, and kurtosis using commercially available software (TexRAD) were compared at different energy levels. Optimal CTTA parameter cutoffs to diagnose liver fibrosis were evaluated. CTTA parameters at different energy levels correlated with liver fibrosis. The association of CTTA parameters with energy level was evaluated. RESULTS Mean gray-level intensity, skewness, kurtosis, and entropy showed significant differences between patients with and without clinically significant hepatic fibrosis (P < 0.05). Mean gray-level intensity at 50 keV was significantly positively correlated with liver fibrosis (ρ = 0.502, P < 0.001). To diagnose stages F2-F4, entropy and mean gray-level intensity at low keV level showed the largest area under the curve (AUC; 0.79 and 0.79). Estimated marginal means (EMMs) of mean gray-level intensity showed prominent differences at low energy levels. CONCLUSION CTTA parameters from different keV levels demonstrated meaningful accuracy for diagnosis of liver fibrosis or clinically significant hepatic fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- ByukGyung Choi
- Department of Radiology, Korea University College of Medicine, 123 Jeokgeum-ro, Danwon-gu, Ansan, 15355, Republic of Korea
| | - In Young Choi
- Department of Radiology, Korea University College of Medicine, 123 Jeokgeum-ro, Danwon-gu, Ansan, 15355, Republic of Korea.
| | - Sang Hoon Cha
- Department of Radiology, Korea University College of Medicine, 123 Jeokgeum-ro, Danwon-gu, Ansan, 15355, Republic of Korea
| | - Suk Keu Yeom
- Department of Radiology, Korea University College of Medicine, 123 Jeokgeum-ro, Danwon-gu, Ansan, 15355, Republic of Korea
| | - Hwan Hoon Chung
- Department of Radiology, Korea University College of Medicine, 123 Jeokgeum-ro, Danwon-gu, Ansan, 15355, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung Hwa Lee
- Department of Radiology, Korea University College of Medicine, 123 Jeokgeum-ro, Danwon-gu, Ansan, 15355, Republic of Korea
| | - Jaehyung Cha
- Department of Biostatistics, Korea University College of Medicine, 123 Jeokgeum-ro, Danwon-gu, Ansan, 15355, Republic of Korea
| | - Ju-Han Lee
- Department of Pathology, Korea University Ansan Hospital, Korea University College of Medicine, 123 Jeokgeum-ro, Danwon-gu, Ansan, 15355, Republic of Korea
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21
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Bedayat A, Hassani C, Prosper AE, Chalian H, Khoshpouri P, Ruehm SG. Recent Innovations in Renal Vascular Imaging. Radiol Clin North Am 2020; 58:781-796. [DOI: 10.1016/j.rcl.2020.02.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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22
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Kim TM, Kim SY, Cho JY, Kim SH, Moon MH. Utilization of virtual low-keV monoenergetic images generated using dual-layer spectral detector computed tomography for the assessment of peritoneal seeding from ovarian cancer. Medicine (Baltimore) 2020; 99:e20444. [PMID: 32501991 PMCID: PMC7306341 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000020444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2020] [Revised: 04/25/2020] [Accepted: 04/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to compare the quality of virtual low-keV monoenergetic images vs conventional images reconstructed from dual-layer spectral detector computed tomography (SDCT) for the detection of peritoneal implants of ovarian cancer.Fifty ovarian cancer patients who underwent abdominopelvic SDCT scans were included in this retrospective study. Virtual monoenergetic images at 40 (VMI40) and 50 keV (VMI50), and two conventional images were reconstructed using filtered back projection (FBP) and iterative model reconstruction (IMR) protocols. The mean attenuation of the peritoneal implant, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), contrast-to-noise ratio relative to ascites (CNRA) and adjacent reference tissues (e.g., bowel wall, hepatic, or splenic parenchyma [CNRB]) were calculated and compared using paired t tests. Qualitative image analysis regarding overall image quality, image noise, image blurring, lesion conspicuity, was performed by two radiologists. A subgroup analysis according to the peritoneal implant region was also conducted.VMI40 yielded significantly higher mean attenuation (183.35) of SNR and CNR values (SNR 11.69, CNRA 7.39, CNRB 2.68), compared to VMI50, IR, and FBP images (P < .001). The mean attenuation (129.65), SNR and CNR values (SNR 9.37, CNRA 5.72, CNRB 2.02) of VMI50 were also significantly higher than those of IR and FBP images (P < .001). In the subgroup analysis, all values were significantly higher on VMI40 regardless of the peritoneal implant region (P < .05). In both readers, overall image quality and image blurring showed highest score in VMI50, while image noise and lesion conspicuity showed best score in IMR and VMI40 respectively. Inter-reader agreements are moderate to almost perfect in every parameter.The low-keV VMIs improved both quantitative assessment and lesion conspicuity of peritoneal implants from ovarian cancer compared to conventional images.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taek Min Kim
- Department of Radiology, Seoul National University Hospital
- Department of Radiology, Seoul National University College of Medicine
| | - Sang Youn Kim
- Department of Radiology, Seoul National University Hospital
- Department of Radiology, Seoul National University College of Medicine
| | - Jeong Yeon Cho
- Department of Radiology, Seoul National University Hospital
- Department of Radiology, Seoul National University College of Medicine
- Institute of Radiation Medicine and Kidney Research Institute, Seoul National University Medical Research Center
| | - Seung Hyup Kim
- Department of Radiology, Seoul National University Hospital
- Department of Radiology, Seoul National University College of Medicine
- Institute of Radiation Medicine and Kidney Research Institute, Seoul National University Medical Research Center
| | - Min Hoan Moon
- Department of Radiology, SMG-SNU Boramae Medical Center, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
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23
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Liu JJ, Liu W, Jin ZY, Xue HD, Wang YN, Yu SH, Chen J, Wang Y, Yu JC. Improved Visualization of Gastric Cancer and Increased Diagnostic Performance in Lesion Depiction and Depth Identification Using Monoenergetic Reconstructions from a Novel Dual-Layer Spectral Detector CT. Acad Radiol 2020; 27:e140-e147. [PMID: 31582193 DOI: 10.1016/j.acra.2019.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2019] [Revised: 08/20/2019] [Accepted: 09/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES To determine the optimal keV for the visualization of gastric cancer and to investigate its value in depicting lesions and in identifying depth invasion using virtual monoenergetic images (VMIs) on a novel dual-layer spectral detector CT. MATERIALS AND METHODS Eighty-two gastric cancer patients were retrospectively enrolled, and 41 patients who did not undergo surgery were evaluated for image quality in VMIs at different keVs (40 keV-70 keV with 10 keV increments) and in conventional 120 kVp polyenergetic images (PEIs) reconstructed from the portal venous phase. Objective image quality was assessed by the contrast-to-noise ratio of the gastric cancer, while subjective performance was compared using a 5-point Likert scale. Another 41 patients who underwent surgery were examined to compare the diagnostic performance of the VMIs taken at the optimal keV and that of the 120 kVp-PEIs. RESULTS The contrast-to-noise ratio of gastric cancer at 40 keV (10.4 ± 4.6) was the highest among all the VMIs and was significantly superior to that of the 120 kVp-PEIs (3.5 ± 1.5, p < 0.001). Gastric-specific image quality was rated highest for the 40 keV-VMIs (4.92 ± 0.26), which was significantly superior to that of the 120 kVp-PEIs (4.15 ± 0.82, p < 0.001). In the diagnostic group, there were 13 pT1, 10 pT2, 9 pT3, and 9 pT4 gastric cancer patients. Compared with the 120 kVp-PEIs, the VMIs at 40 keV tended to have a higher detection rate of gastric cancer (82.9% vs. 92.7%, respectively, p = 0.125) and a significantly improved diagnostic accuracy in the T stage (from 41.5% to 78.11%, respectively) (p < 0.001), particularly in pT1 patients, whose diagnostic accuracy was improved by 53.8% (7.7% vs. 61.5%, respectively, p = 0.016). CONCLUSION VMIs at 40 keV performed the best, both objectively and subjectively, for gastric cancer, leading to improved lesion depiction and higher T stage accuracy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing-Juan Liu
- Department of Radiology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Shuaifuyuan No. 1, Dongcheng District, 100730, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Liu
- Department of Radiology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Shuaifuyuan No. 1, Dongcheng District, 100730, Beijing, China.
| | - Zheng-Yu Jin
- Department of Radiology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Shuaifuyuan No. 1, Dongcheng District, 100730, Beijing, China.
| | - Hua-Dan Xue
- Department of Radiology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Shuaifuyuan No. 1, Dongcheng District, 100730, Beijing, China
| | - Yi-Ning Wang
- Department of Radiology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Shuaifuyuan No. 1, Dongcheng District, 100730, Beijing, China
| | - Sheng-Hui Yu
- Philips (China) Investment Co., Ltd, No. 16 Tianze Road, Chaoyang District, 100600, Beijing, China
| | - Jin Chen
- Department of Radiology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Shuaifuyuan No. 1, Dongcheng District, 100730, Beijing, China
| | - Yun Wang
- Department of Radiology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Shuaifuyuan No. 1, Dongcheng District, 100730, Beijing, China
| | - Jian-Chun Yu
- Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Shuaifuyuan No. 1, Dongcheng Distric, 100730, Beijing, China
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24
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Abstract
Computed tomography angiography (CTA) has become a mainstay for the imaging of vascular diseases, because of high accuracy, availability, and rapid turnaround time. High-quality CTA images can now be routinely obtained with high isotropic spatial resolution and temporal resolution. Advances in CTA have focused on improving the image quality, increasing the acquisition speed, eliminating artifacts, and reducing the doses of radiation and iodinated contrast media. Dual-energy computed tomography provides material composition capabilities that can be used for characterizing lesions, optimizing contrast, decreasing artifact, and reducing radiation dose. Deep learning techniques can be used for classification, segmentation, quantification, and image enhancement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prabhakar Rajiah
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, 200 1st Street SW, Rochester, MN 55904, USA.
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25
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Al-Baldawi Y, Große Hokamp N, Haneder S, Steinhauser S, Püsken M, Persigehl T, Maintz D, Wybranski C. Virtual mono-energetic images and iterative image reconstruction: abdominal vessel imaging in the era of spectral detector CT. Clin Radiol 2020; 75:641.e9-641.e18. [PMID: 32362502 DOI: 10.1016/j.crad.2020.03.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2019] [Accepted: 03/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
AIM To compare the quality of virtual mono-energetic (VMI) and polychromatic images reconstructed with hybrid iterative (PCIHIR) or model-based reconstruction (PCIMBR) derived from dual-layer spectral detector computed tomography (SDCT) in arterial phase images to visualise the aorta and abdominal main branches. MATERIAL AND METHODS A retrospective review of 50 patients with abdominal arterial phase scans was undertaken. Attenuation, intraluminal noise, and signal-/contrast-to-noise ratio (S-/CNR) were assessed in the PCIHIR, PCIMBR and VMI40keV, VMI70keV, and VMI100keV images. Contrast, noise, and visualization of soft-plaque, and macro-/micro-calcifications were scored in a blinded reading by two radiologists. RESULTS VMI40keV yielded highest S-/CNR (p≤0.001). VMI70keV and PCIMBR showed comparable SNR (p≥0.999) and yielded higher SNR than PCIHIR. VMI70keV yielded higher CNR than PCIHIR (p<0.001) and PCIMBR (p<0.045). VMI100keV yielded lowest CNR (p≤0.001) and SNR (p≥0.104). In the subjective analysis, VMI40keV outperformed PCIMBR for contrast and noise, PCIMBR scored better than VMI70keV, and the latter scored better than PCIHIR for these categories (all p<0.001). PCIMBR was superior for depiction of soft-plaque and micro-calcifications (p<0.001). VMI100keV visualized micro-calcifications second best (p<0.001) and matched PCIMBR for the depiction of macro-calcifications (p>0.999), while VMI40keV scored second best for depiction of soft-plaque (p<0.020). CONCLUSIONS VMI40keV and VMI70keV yield better S-/CNR than PCIHIR and PCIMBR; however, PCIMBR visualized arteriosclerotic plaques best, followed by VMI40keV for depiction of soft-plaque and VMI100keV for macro- and micro-calcification. Based on the present findings, PCIMBR on conventional CT and VMI40keV supplemented by VMI100keV on SDCT are recommended for the diagnostic assessment of abdominal arteries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Al-Baldawi
- University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Cologne, Germany.
| | - N Große Hokamp
- University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Cologne, Germany
| | - S Haneder
- University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Cologne, Germany
| | - S Steinhauser
- University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Institute for Medical Statistics and Computational Biology, Cologne, Germany
| | - M Püsken
- University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Cologne, Germany
| | - T Persigehl
- University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Cologne, Germany
| | - D Maintz
- University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Cologne, Germany
| | - C Wybranski
- University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Cologne, Germany
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Abstract
Dual-energy CT (DECT) has been available for clinical use in the United States for close to 15 years. Although multiple applications in all areas of the body have been described that are only possible with DECT, the adoption into clinical practice has been slow. This paper will attempt to address many of the impediments the author has encountered from his discussions with radiologists across the country. A hopeful outcome would result in more practices adopting more DECT into their CT practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alec J Megibow
- Department of Radiology, NYU-Langone Health, 550 1st Ave, Rm HCC 232, New York, NY, 10016, USA.
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27
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Lee KYG, Cheng HMJ, Chu CY, Tam CWA, Kan WK. Metal artifact reduction by monoenergetic extrapolation of dual-energy CT in patients with metallic implants. J Orthop Surg (Hong Kong) 2020; 27:2309499019851176. [PMID: 31138022 DOI: 10.1177/2309499019851176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE The objective of this study is to assess artifact reduction and image quality using dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) and metal artifact reduction techniques in patients with metallic implants. METHODS Forty patients with metallic implants, who had targeted CT performed by DECT during March to September 2018, were prospectively recruited. Post-processing with monoenergetic extrapolation at 70 and 150 keV was performed. Forty matched controls with metallic implants with single-energy CT (SECT) performed were selected. Attenuation value, noise, and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) at the site of maximal artifact were measured at muscle and fat areas. Image quality of three sets of images (70 keV, 150 keV, and SECT) was assessed by two independent reviewers using a 5-point Likert-type scale. Statistical analysis of measured values, Likert-type scales, and radiation doses (volume CT dose index (CTDIvol)) of DECT and SECT were performed with Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS As compared to SECT, high keV reconstruction of DECT show (1) significantly higher values within muscle and fat surrounding the implant (DECT vs. SECT-muscle: -96 Hounsfield units (HU) vs. -405 HU, fat: -115 HU vs. -301 HU; p < 0.001), (2) significantly lower mean image noise (75 HU vs. 129 HU; p = 0.02), and (3) higher SNR (-0.8 vs. -4.3; p < 0.001). In addition, image quality of high keV reconstruction was rated superior to the other two groups on Likert-type scales ( p < 0.001). The mean radiation doses (CTDIvol) were comparable between DECT and SECT (14.2 mGy vs. 19.3 mGy; p = 0.08). CONCLUSION For patients with metallic implants, monoenergetic extrapolation of DECT at high keV can reduce metal artifacts, increase SNR, and improve qualitative image quality at comparable radiation dose.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ka Yin Gregory Lee
- 1 Department of Radiology, Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital, Chai Wan, Hong Kong
| | - Hei Man Joyce Cheng
- 1 Department of Radiology, Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital, Chai Wan, Hong Kong
| | - Chi Yeung Chu
- 1 Department of Radiology, Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital, Chai Wan, Hong Kong
| | - Chi Wai Annie Tam
- 1 Department of Radiology, Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital, Chai Wan, Hong Kong
| | - Wai Kuen Kan
- 1 Department of Radiology, Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital, Chai Wan, Hong Kong
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Huang X, Gao S, Ma Y, Lu X, Jia Z, Hou Y. The optimal monoenergetic spectral image level of coronary computed tomography (CT) angiography on a dual-layer spectral detector CT with half-dose contrast media. Quant Imaging Med Surg 2020; 10:592-603. [PMID: 32269920 DOI: 10.21037/qims.2020.02.17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Background To investigate the optimal monoenergetic level of spectral reconstructions in coronary computed tomography angiography (coronary CTA) on a dual-layer spectral detector computed tomography (SDCT) with half-dose contrast media. Methods Two hundred patients with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD) were enrolled in this prospective coronary CTA study and randomly divided into a routine-dose contrast media group and a half-dose contrast media group (each n=100). Coronary CTA was performed using SDCT with prospective electrocardiogram (ECG)-gated mode. A tube voltage of 120 kVp was used, along with an automated tube current modulation. A dose of iodixanol 270 mgI/mL of 0.8 and 0.4 mL/kg was administered to the routine and half-dose groups, respectively. For the routine-dose group, 120 kVp polychromatic images with a model-based iterative reconstruction (IMR) (Group A) were reconstructed. For the half-dose group, three monoenergetic levels of images were reconstructed (Group B, 45 keV; Group C, 50 keV; and Group D, 55 keV). Objective indicators [mean CT values; noise; signal-to-noise ratio (SNR); and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR)] and subjective indicators (contrast, sharpness, subjective noise, and acceptability) in each group were compared. Results There were no significant differences in demographics or radiation dose (1.83±0.51 vs. 1.80±0.53 mSv, P=0.78) between the routine- and half-dose groups. The average iodine loads were 15.33±2.26 and 7.48±1.14 g, respectively. Mean CT values, SNR, CNR, and subjective contrast in Group C were higher than those in Group A (P<0.05), and there were no significant differences in other indicators between Group C and Group A (P>0.05). The objective and subjective noise in Group B were worse than those in Group A (P<0.05). The contrast, sharpness, and acceptability of Group D were all worse than those of Group A (P<0.05). Conclusions Compared to routine polychromatic images, 50 keV monoenergetic images can provide equivalent or improved coronary image quality in coronary CTA performed on SDCT with half the amount of contrast media.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Huang
- Department of Radiology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110004, China
| | - Sizhe Gao
- Department of Radiology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110004, China
| | - Yue Ma
- Department of Radiology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110004, China
| | - Xiaomei Lu
- CT Clinical Science, Philips Healthcare, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Zheng Jia
- CT Clinical Science, Philips Healthcare, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Yang Hou
- Department of Radiology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110004, China
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Impact of Patient Size and Radiation Dose on Accuracy and Precision of Iodine Quantification and Virtual Noncontrast Values in Dual-layer Detector CT-A Phantom Study. Acad Radiol 2020; 27:409-420. [PMID: 30987872 DOI: 10.1016/j.acra.2019.02.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2018] [Revised: 01/26/2019] [Accepted: 02/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES Iodine quantification (IQ) and virtual noncontrast (VNC) images produced by dual-energy CT (DECT) can be used for various clinical applications. We investigate the performance of dual-layer DECT (DLDECT) in different phantom sizes and varying radiation doses and tube voltages, including a low-dose pediatric setting. MATERIALS AND METHODS Three phantom sizes (simulating a 10-year-old child, an average, and a large-sized adult) were scanned with iodine solution inserts with concentrations ranging 0-32 mg/ml, using the DLDECT. Each phantom size was scanned with CTDIvol 2-15 mGy at 120 and 140 kVp. The smallest phantom underwent additional scans with CTDIvol 0.9-1.8 mGy. All scans were repeated 3 times. Each iodine insert was analyzed using VNC and IQ images for accuracy and precision, by comparison to known values. RESULTS For scans from 2 to 15 mGy mean VNC attenuation and IQ error in the iodine inserts in the small, medium, and large phantoms was 1.2 HU ± 3.2, -1.2 HU ± 14.9, 2.6 HU ± 23.6; and +0.1 mg/cc ± 0.4, -0.9 mg/cc ± 0.9, and -1.8 mg/cc ± 1.8, respectively. In this dose range, there were no significant differences (p ≥ 0.05) in mean VNC attenuation or IQ accuracy in each phantom size, while IQ was significantly less precise in the small phantom at 2 mGy and 10 mGy (p < 0.05). Scans with CTDIvol 0.9-1.8 mGy in the small phantom showed a limited, but statistically significantly lower VNC attenuation precision and IQ accuracy (-0.5 HU ± 5.3 and -0.3 mg/cc ± 0.5, respectively) compared to higher dose scans in the same phantom size. CONCLUSION Performance of iodine quantification and subtraction by VNC images in DLDECT is largely dose independent, with the primary factor being patient size. Low-dose pediatric scan protocols have a significant, but limited impact on IQ and VNC attenuation values.
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Atwi NE, Sabottke CF, Pitre DM, Smith DL, Danrad R, Dharaiya E, Kambadakone A, Pandharipande PV, Toshav AM. Follow-up Recommendation Rates Associated With Spectral Detector Dual-Energy CT of the Abdomen and Pelvis: A Retrospective Comparison to Single-Energy CT. J Am Coll Radiol 2020; 17:940-950. [PMID: 32032553 DOI: 10.1016/j.jacr.2019.12.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2019] [Revised: 12/28/2019] [Accepted: 12/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dual-energy CT image sets have many applications in abdominopelvic imaging but no demonstrated clinical effect. PURPOSE To determine the effect of dual-energy CT iodine maps on abdominopelvic imaging follow-up recommendation rates. MATERIALS AND METHODS Retrospective study of abdominopelvic CTs acquired from April 2017 through June 2018. CT reports were analyzed for radiologic follow-up recommendation and follow-up recommendation reason. Follow-up MRI reports were analyzed for benign or nonbenign diagnosis. CT scans with iodine maps (CTIMs) and conventional CT scans (CCTs) subgroups were compared using χ2 testing. RESULTS In all, 3,221 abdominopelvic CT scans of 2,401 patients (1,326 men, 1,075 women, mean age 54.1 years) were analyzed; 1,423 were CTIMs and 1,798 were CCTs. Follow-up recommendation rates were not significantly different for CTIMs and CCTs (19.5% and 21.4%, respectively, P = .19). Follow-up recommendations because of incomplete diagnosis were significantly lower in CTIMs (9.1%) than in CCTs (11.9%, P = .01). Follow-up recommendations for MRI and PET/CT were significantly lower in CTIMs (9.6%) than CCTs (13.0%, P = .003). Follow-up MRI outcomes (n = 111) were not different between CTIMs (61.2% benign) and CCTs (59.6%, P = .87). CONCLUSION Dual-energy CT iodine maps are associated with decreased follow-up examinations because of incomplete diagnosis and decreased recommendations for follow-up MRI, suggesting that abdominopelvic iodine maps may benefit patient care and decrease institutional cost.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noah E Atwi
- Department of Radiology, LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans, New Orleans, Louisiana
| | - Carl F Sabottke
- School of Medicine, LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans, New Orleans, Louisiana
| | - David M Pitre
- School of Medicine, LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans, New Orleans, Louisiana
| | - David L Smith
- Department of Radiology, LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans, New Orleans, Louisiana
| | - Raman Danrad
- Clinical Director of MRI, Academic Director of Cardiac Imaging, Department of Radiology, LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans, New Orleans, Louisiana
| | - Ekta Dharaiya
- Head of CT Clinical Marketing, Philips Healthcare, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Avinash Kambadakone
- Medical Director, Martha's Vineyard Hospital Imaging, Chief of CT, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Pari V Pandharipande
- Director, MGH Institute for Technology Assessment; Associate Chair, Integrated Imaging & Imaging Sciences, MGH Radiology; Executive Director, Clinical Enterprise Integration, Mass General Brigham (MGB) Radiology; Associate Professor of Radiology Harvard Medical School; Radiologist, Abdominal Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Aran M Toshav
- Program Director of the diagnostic residency, Department of Radiology, LSU Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, Louisiana.
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Shapira N, Fokuhl J, Schultheiß M, Beck S, Kopp FK, Pfeiffer D, Dangelmaier J, Pahn G, Sauter AP, Renger B, Fingerle AA, Rummeny EJ, Albarqouni S, Navab N, Noël PB. Liver lesion localisation and classification with convolutional neural networks: a comparison between conventional and spectral computed tomography. Biomed Phys Eng Express 2020; 6:015038. [DOI: 10.1088/2057-1976/ab6e18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
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Objective and subjective comparison of virtual monoenergetic vs. polychromatic images in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Eur Radiol 2019; 29:3617-3625. [PMID: 30888484 PMCID: PMC6554239 DOI: 10.1007/s00330-019-06116-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2018] [Revised: 01/15/2019] [Accepted: 02/15/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to assess the objective and subjective image characteristics of monoenergetic images (MEI[+]), using a noise-optimized algorithm at different kiloelectron volts (keV) compared to polyenergetic images (PEI), in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). METHODS This retrospective, institutional review board-approved study included 45 patients (18 male, 27 female; mean age 66 years; range, 42-96 years) with PDAC who had undergone a dual-energy CT (DECT) of the abdomen for staging. One standard polyenergetic image (PEI) and five MEI(+) images in 10-keV intervals, ranging from 40 to 80 keV, were reconstructed. Line-density profile analysis, as well as the contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) of the tumor, the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the regular pancreas parenchyma and the tumor, and the CNR of the three main peripancreatic vessels, was calculated. For subjective quality assessment, two readers independently assessed the images using a 5-point Likert scale. Reader reliability was evaluated using an intraclass correlation coefficient. RESULTS Line-density profile analysis revealed the largest gradient in attenuation between PDAC and regular tissue in MEI(+) at 40 keV. Low-keV MEI(+)reconstructions at 40 and 50 keV increased CNR and SNR compared to PEI (40 keV: CNR 46.8 vs. 7.5; SNRPankreas 32.5 vs. 15.7; SNRLesion 13.5 vs. 8.6; p < 0.001). MEI(+) at 40 keV and 50 keV were consistently preferred by the observers (p < 0.05), showing a high intra-observer 0.937 (0.92-0.95) and inter-observer 0.911 (0.89-0.93) agreement. CONCLUSION MEI(+) reconstructions at 40 keV and 50 keV provide better objective and subjective image quality compared to conventional PEI of DECT in patients with PDAC. KEY POINTS • Low-keV MEI(+) reconstructions at 40 and 50 keV increase tumor-to-pancreas contrast compared to PEI. • Low-keV MEI(+) reconstructions improve objective and subjective image quality parameters compared to PEI. • Dual-energy post-processing might be a valuable tool in the diagnostic workup of patients with PDAC.
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van Ommen F, de Jong H, Dankbaar J, Bennink E, Leiner T, Schilham A. Dose of CT protocols acquired in clinical routine using a dual-layer detector CT scanner: A preliminary report. Eur J Radiol 2019; 112:65-71. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejrad.2019.01.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2018] [Revised: 01/03/2019] [Accepted: 01/12/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Patino M, Parakh A, Lo GC, Agrawal M, Kambadakone AR, Oliveira GR, Sahani DV. Virtual Monochromatic Dual-Energy Aortoiliac CT Angiography With Reduced Iodine Dose: A Prospective Randomized Study. AJR Am J Roentgenol 2019; 212:467-474. [DOI: 10.2214/ajr.18.19935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/30/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Manuel Patino
- Department of Radiology, Division of Abdominal Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 55 Fruit St, Boston, MA 02114
| | - Anushri Parakh
- Department of Radiology, Division of Abdominal Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 55 Fruit St, Boston, MA 02114
| | - Grace C. Lo
- Department of Radiology, Division of Abdominal Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 55 Fruit St, Boston, MA 02114
| | - Mukta Agrawal
- Department of Radiology, Division of Abdominal Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 55 Fruit St, Boston, MA 02114
| | - Avinash R. Kambadakone
- Department of Radiology, Division of Abdominal Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 55 Fruit St, Boston, MA 02114
| | - George R. Oliveira
- Department of Radiology, Division of Abdominal Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 55 Fruit St, Boston, MA 02114
| | - Dushyant V. Sahani
- Department of Radiology, Division of Abdominal Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 55 Fruit St, Boston, MA 02114
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Atwi NE, Smith DL, Flores CD, Dharaiya E, Danrad R, Kambadakone A, Toshav AM. Dual-energy CT in the obese: a preliminary retrospective review to evaluate quality and feasibility of the single-source dual-detector implementation. Abdom Radiol (NY) 2019; 44:783-789. [PMID: 30229423 DOI: 10.1007/s00261-018-1774-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To determine the feasibility of performing dual-energy CT with a single-source spectral detector system in obese patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS Retrospective, IRB-approved review of 28 patients weighing ≥ 270 lbs (122 kg) who underwent CT of the abdomen on a single-source spectral detector system was performed. Two blinded, independent radiologists rated relative preference between conventional CT images taken at 120 kVp (CCT120) and monoenergetic 70 keV equivalent (MonoE70) as well as iodine map image quality in the spleen, pancreas, kidneys, and liver. Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) were compared between conventional CT and MonoE70 images and correlated with body habitus markers of weight, height, and abdominal diameter. RESULTS MonoE70 images were preferred by radiologists 100% of the time (1-sample t test, p < 0.0001) over conventional CCT120 images. Noise was significantly lower; SNR and CNR were significantly higher in MonoE70 images than in CCT120 images (paired t tests, p < 0.0001). Mean iodine map rating (scale 1-5) was 4.54 ± 0.58, denoting near homogenous and complete iodine mapping through the spleen, pancreas, kidneys, and liver for the majority of patients. Body habitus markers were not significantly correlated with image preference score; noise; MonoE70 SNR; MonoE70 CNR; change in noise, SNR, or CNR from CCT120 to MonoE70, or iodine map quality; ordinal and linear regression, p = 0.2547, p = 0.6837, p = 0.1888, p = 0.5489, p = 0.9830, p = 0.8849, p = 0.8741, p = 0.1522, respectively. CONCLUSION The single-source spectral detector implementation of dual-energy CT provides viable, high-quality imaging for obese patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noah E Atwi
- Department of Radiology, LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans, 1542 Tulane Avenue, New Orleans, LA, 70112, USA
| | - David L Smith
- Department of Radiology, LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans, 1542 Tulane Avenue, New Orleans, LA, 70112, USA
| | - Carson D Flores
- School of Medicine, LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans, 1542 Tulane Avenue, New Orleans, LA, 70112, USA
| | - Ekta Dharaiya
- Philips Healthcare, 595 Miner Road, Highland Heights, OH, 44143, USA
| | - Raman Danrad
- Department of Radiology, LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans, 1542 Tulane Avenue, New Orleans, LA, 70112, USA
| | - Avinash Kambadakone
- Division of Abdominal Imaging and Intervention, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
| | - Aran M Toshav
- Department of Radiology, LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans, 1542 Tulane Avenue, New Orleans, LA, 70112, USA.
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Metal Artifact Reduction in Routine Chest and Abdominal Examinations Using Virtual Monoenergetic Images From Spectral Detector Computed Tomography. J Comput Assist Tomogr 2019; 43:713-717. [DOI: 10.1097/rct.0000000000000901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Precision and reliability of liver iodine quantification from spectral detector CT: evidence from phantom and patient data. Eur Radiol 2018; 29:2098-2106. [DOI: 10.1007/s00330-018-5744-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2018] [Revised: 08/14/2018] [Accepted: 09/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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Megibow AJ, Kambadakone A, Ananthakrishnan L. Dual-Energy Computed Tomography. Radiol Clin North Am 2018; 56:507-520. [DOI: 10.1016/j.rcl.2018.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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Comparison of Iodine Density Measurement Among Dual-Energy Computed Tomography Scanners From 3 Vendors. Invest Radiol 2018; 53:321-327. [DOI: 10.1097/rli.0000000000000446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
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Improved Opacification of a Suboptimally Enhanced Pulmonary Artery in Chest CT: Experience Using a Dual-Layer Detector Spectral CT. AJR Am J Roentgenol 2018; 210:734-741. [PMID: 29446668 DOI: 10.2214/ajr.17.18537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The objective of our study was to evaluate the quality of virtual monoenergetic imaging (VMI) from dual-layer detector spectral CT and the effect of virtual monoenergetic images obtained at low energies on the detection of pulmonary embolism (PE) in patients with a suboptimally enhanced pulmonary artery on chest CT. MATERIALS AND METHODS Of 1552 consecutive chest CT examinations performed with dual-layer detector spectral CT using a routine protocol with a tube voltage of 120 kVp, 79 examinations with suboptimal enhancement of the pulmonary artery (i.e., mean attenuation of pulmonary artery ≤ 180 HU) were included. The mean attenuation of the pulmonary artery, noise, contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of virtual monoenergetic images obtained at 40-200 keV were compared with those of the conventional 120-kVp images. The virtual monoenergetic images with the best CNR were compared with the 120-kVp images with regard to subjective image quality and diagnostic accuracy for detecting PE. RESULTS Sufficient attenuation of the pulmonary artery (> 180 HU) was obtained using VMI for 78 of the 79 examinations. The noise levels of the virtual monoenergetic images were gradually increased with decreasing energy level (i.e., kiloelectron volt setting). The CNR and SNR of virtual monoenergetic images at 40-65 keV were significantly higher (both, p < 0.001) than the CNR and SNR of the 120-kVp images. The CNR was the highest at 40 keV for all cases. Diagnostic accuracy for detecting PE was significantly higher for 40-keV images (reader 1: AUC = 0.992, p = 0.033; reader 2: AUC = 0.986, p = 0.043) than for 120-kVp images (reader 1, AUC = 0.911; reader 2, AUC = 0.933). The subjective quality was not different between these two images. CONCLUSION In chest CT examinations in which the pulmonary artery is suboptimally enhanced, obtaining virtual monoenergetic images at a low energy setting using dual-layer detector spectral CT allows sufficient attenuation of the pulmonary artery to be achieved while preserving image quality and increasing diagnostic performance for detecting PE.
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Rassouli N, Etesami M, Dhanantwari A, Rajiah P. Detector-based spectral CT with a novel dual-layer technology: principles and applications. Insights Imaging 2017; 8:589-598. [PMID: 28986761 PMCID: PMC5707218 DOI: 10.1007/s13244-017-0571-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 135] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2017] [Revised: 08/22/2017] [Accepted: 08/24/2017] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Detector-based spectral computed tomography is a novel dual-energy CT technology that employs two layers of detectors to simultaneously collect low- and high-energy data in all patients using standard CT protocols. In addition to the conventional polyenergetic images created for each patient, projection-space decomposition is used to generate spectral basis images (photoelectric and Compton scatter) for creating multiple spectral images, including material decomposition (iodine-only, virtual non-contrast, effective atomic number) and virtual monoenergetic images, on-demand according to clinical need. These images are useful in multiple clinical applications, including- improving vascular contrast, improving lesion conspicuity, decreasing artefacts, material characterisation and reducing radiation dose. In this article, we discuss the principles of this novel technology and also illustrate the common clinical applications. Teaching points • The top and bottom layers of dual-layer CT absorb low- and high-energy photons, respectively. • Multiple spectral images are generated by projection-space decomposition. • Spectral images can be generated in all patients scanned in this scanner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Negin Rassouli
- Department of Radiology, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Maryam Etesami
- Department of Radiology, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, USA.,Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | | | - Prabhakar Rajiah
- Department of Radiology, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, USA. .,Cardiothoracic Imaging, Department of Radiology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Boulevard, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA.
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Fulton N, Rajiah P. Abdominal Applications of a Novel Detector-Based Spectral CT. Curr Probl Diagn Radiol 2017; 47:110-118. [PMID: 28673603 DOI: 10.1067/j.cpradiol.2017.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2017] [Accepted: 05/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Detector-based spectral computed tomography (SDCT) is a recently introduced technology that uses a single x-ray tube and 2 layers of detectors to simultaneously collect low- and high-energy data. In this article, we provide an overview of this novel SDCT technology in abdominal imaging. Several applications of SDCT in abdominal imaging are discussed and illustrated, along with a brief description of current literature on the status of dual-energy computed tomography in these applications. This includes urinary calculus composition, characterization of masses (renal, adrenal, hepatic, and others), tumor perfusion, improving vascular contrast, improving lesion conspicuity, decreasing artifacts, and reducing radiation dose.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas Fulton
- Department of Radiology, University Hospital Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OH
| | - Prabhakar Rajiah
- Cardiothoracic Imaging, Department of Radiology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390.
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