Dual-Source Computed Tomography of the Chest in Blunt Thoracic Trauma: Reduced Aortic Motion Using a Novel Temporal Resolution Optimization Method

The ultrafast, high-pitch turbo FLASH mode of third-generation dual-source CT: Effect of different pitch and corresponding SFOV on image quality in a phantom study

PURPOSE

To investigate the effect of different pitches and corresponding scan fields of view (SFOVs) on the image quality in the ultrafast, high-pitch turbo FLASH mode of the third-generation dual-source CT using an anthropomorphic phantom.

METHODS

The phantom was scanned using the ultrafast, high-pitch turbo FLASH protocols of the third-generation dual-source CT with the different pitches and corresponding SFOVs (pitches: 1.55 to 3.2 with increments of 0.1, SFOVs: 50 cm to 35.4 cm). The objective parameters such as the CT number, image noises, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), and artifacts index (AI), and image features from the head, chest, and abdomen were compared between the CT images with a pitch of 1.55 and SFOV of Ø 50 cm and a pitch of 3.2 and SFOV of Ø 35.4 cm. Then, the 18 series of CT images of the head, chest, and abdomen were evaluated by three radiologists independently.

RESULTS

The differences in the CT numbers were not statically significant between the CT images with a pitch of 1.55 and SFOV of Ø 50 cm and a pitch of 3.2 and SFOV of Ø 35.4 cm from most body parts and potential combinations (p > 0.05), Most of the image noises and the AI from the images with the pitch of 1.55 were significantly lower than those with the pitch of 3.2 (p < 0.05), and the SNR and CNR from the images with the pitch of 1.55 were higher than those with the pitch of 3.2. There were significant differences in the first-order features and texture features of the head (59.3%, 28.3%), chest (66%, 35.7%), and abdomen (71.6%, 64.7%) (p < 0.05). The subjective image quality was excellent when the pitch was less than 2.0 and gradually decreased with the increasing pitch. In addition, the image quality decreased significantly when the pitch was higher than 3.0 (all k≥0.69), especially in the head and chest.

CONCLUSIONS

In the ultrafast, high-pitch turbo FLASH mode of the third-generation DSCT, increasing the pitch and lowering the corresponding SFOV will change the image features and cause more artifacts degrading the image quality. Specific to the clinical needs, decreasing the pitch not only can expand the SFOV but also can improve the image quality.

Stenotic lesions of aorta: Imaging evaluation using multidetector computed tomography angiography

Aortic involvement can be secondary to various pathologic disease processes. These may result in stenotic or aneurysmal aortic lesions with a varied spectrum of imaging findings including intra-luminal, mural, and periaortic changes along with associated loco-regional or distal changes, depending on the etiology. Multidetector computer tomography with its recent advances has become the frontline imaging modality for the evaluation of aortic pathologies. Comprehensive evaluation of the aortic pathology with simultaneous evaluation of lungs, bones, and visceral organs is possible with a single multidetector computer tomography acquisition. It allows accurate primary diagnosis, identifies important anatomic landmarks and relationships, and identifies associated cardiovascular anomalies. Moreover, it serves as an adjunct in diagnosis of various complications, helps in treatment planning and detection of disease progression during follow-up.