Feasibility of gadolinium-enhanced dual energy CT pulmonary angiography: a pilot study in rabbits

Rodent models of pulmonary embolism and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension

Pulmonary embolism (PE) is the third most prevalent cardiovascular disease. It is associated with high in-hospital mortality and the development of acute and chronic complications. New approaches aimed at improving the prognosis of patients with PE are largely dependent on reliable animal models. Mice, rats, hamsters, and rabbits, are currently most commonly used for PE modeling because of their ethical acceptability and economic feasibility. This article provides an overview of the main approaches to PE modeling, and the advantages and disadvantages of each method. Special attention is paid to experimental endpoints, including morphological, functional, and molecular endpoints. All approaches to PE modeling can be broadly divided into three main groups: 1) induction of thromboembolism, either by thrombus formation in vivo or by injection of in vitro prepared blood clots; 2) introduction of particles of non-thrombotic origin; and 3) surgical procedures. The choice of a specific model and animal species is determined based on the objectives of the study. Rodent models of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH), which is the most devastating complication of PE, are also described. CTEPH models are especially challenging because of insufficient knowledge about the pathogenesis and high fibrinolytic activity of rodent plasma. The CTEPH model should demonstrate a persistent increase in pulmonary artery pressure and stable reduction of the vascular bed due to recurrent embolism. Based on the analysis of available evidence, one might conclude that currently, there is no single optimal method for modeling PE and CTEPH.

Feasibility and accuracy of dual-layer spectral detector computed tomography for quantification of gadolinium: a phantom study

Objectives

The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and accuracy of dual-layer spectral detector CT (SDCT) for the quantification of clinically encountered gadolinium concentrations.

Methods

The cardiac chamber of an anthropomorphic thoracic phantom was equipped with 14 tubular inserts containing different gadolinium concentrations, ranging from 0 to 26.3 mg/mL (0.0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.4, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 4.0, 5.1, 10.6, 15.7, 20.7 and 26.3 mg/mL). Images were acquired using a novel 64-detector row SDCT system at 120 and 140 kVp. Acquisitions were repeated five times to assess reproducibility. Regions of interest (ROIs) were drawn on three slices per insert. A spectral plot was extracted for every ROI and mean attenuation profiles were fitted to known attenuation profiles of water and pure gadolinium using in-house-developed software to calculate gadolinium concentrations.

Results

At both 120 and 140 kVp, excellent correlations between scan repetitions and true and measured gadolinium concentrations were found (R > 0.99, P < 0.001; ICCs > 0.99, CI 0.99–1.00). Relative mean measurement errors stayed below 10% down to 2.0 mg/mL true gadolinium concentration at 120 kVp and below 5% down to 1.0 mg/mL true gadolinium concentration at 140 kVp.

Conclusion

SDCT allows for accurate quantification of gadolinium at both 120 and 140 kVp. Lowest measurement errors were found for 140 kVp acquisitions.

Key Points

• Gadolinium quantification may be useful in patients with contraindication to iodine.

• Dual-layer spectral detector CT allows for overall accurate quantification of gadolinium.

• Interscan variability of gadolinium quantification using SDCT material decomposition is excellent.

Cardiac CT Imaging of Plaque Vulnerability: Hype or Hope?

Advances in cardiovascular computed tomography (CT) have resulted in an excellent ability to exclude coronary heart disease (CHD). Anatomical information, functional information, and spectral information can already be obtained with current CT technologies. Moreover, novel developments such as targeted nanoparticle contrast agents, photon-counting CT, and phase contrast CT will further enhance the diagnostic value of cardiovascular CT. This review provides an overview of current state of the art and future cardiovascular CT imaging.

New horizons in cardiac CT

Until recently, cardiovascular computed tomography angiography (CCTA) was associated with considerable radiation doses. The introduction of tube current modulation and automatic tube potential selection as well as high-pitch prospective ECG-triggering and iterative reconstruction offer the ability to decrease dose with approximately one order of magnitude, often to sub-millisievert dose levels. In parallel, advancements in computational technology have enabled the measurement of fractional flow reserve (FFR) from CCTA data (FFRCT). This technique shows potential to replace invasively measured FFR to select patients in need of coronary intervention. Furthermore, developments in scanner hardware have led to the introduction of dual-energy and photon-counting CT, which offer the possibility of material decomposition imaging. Dual-energy CT reduces beam hardening, which enables CCTA in patients with a high calcium burden and more robust myocardial CT perfusion imaging. Future-generation CT systems will be capable of counting individual X-ray photons. Photon-counting CT is promising and may result in a substantial further radiation dose reduction, vastly increased spatial resolution, and the introduction of a whole new class of contrast agents.

Applications of dual-energy CT in emergency radiology

OBJECTIVE

Recent technologic advances in MDCT have led to the introduction of dual-energy CT (DECT). The basic principle of DECT is to acquire images at two different energy levels simultaneously and to use the attenuation differences at these different energy levels for deriving additional information, such as virtual monochromatic images, artifact suppression, and material composition of various tissues.

CONCLUSION

A variety of image reconstruction and postprocessing techniques are available for better demonstration and characterization of pathologic abnormalities. DECT can provide both anatomic and functional information of different organ systems. This article focuses on the main applications of DECT in emergency radiology.

Dual-energy CT imaging of thoracic malignancies

Computed tomography (CT) plays a pivotal role in the detection, characterization, and staging of lung cancer and other thoracic malignancies. Since the introduction of clinically viable dual-energy CT techniques, substantial evidence has accumulated on the use of this modality for imaging chest malignancies. This article describes the principles of dual-energy CT along with suitable image acquisition, reconstruction, and postprocessing strategies for oncologic applications in the chest. The potential of dual-energy CT techniques for the detection, characterization, staging, and surveillance of chest malignancy, as well as the limitations of this modality are discussed.