Ryu JK, Kim KH, Otgonbaatar C, Kim DS, Shim H, Seo JW. Improved stent sharpness evaluation with super-resolution deep learning reconstruction in coronary CT angiography.
Br J Radiol 2024;
97:1286-1294. [PMID:
38733576 PMCID:
PMC11186566 DOI:
10.1093/bjr/tqae094]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Revised: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 05/04/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES
This study aimed to assess the impact of super-resolution deep learning reconstruction (SR-DLR) on coronary CT angiography (CCTA) image quality and blooming artifacts from coronary artery stents in comparison to conventional methods, including hybrid iterative reconstruction (HIR) and deep learning-based reconstruction (DLR).
METHODS
A retrospective analysis included 66 CCTA patients from July to November 2022. Major coronary arteries were evaluated for image noise, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR). Stent sharpness was quantified using 10%-90% edge rise slope (ERS) and 10%-90% edge rise distance (ERD). Qualitative analysis employed a 5-point scoring system to assess overall image quality, image noise, vessel wall, and stent structure.
RESULTS
SR-DLR demonstrated significantly lower image noise compared to HIR and DLR. SNR and CNR were notably higher in SR-DLR. Stent ERS was significantly improved in SR-DLR, with mean ERD values of 0.70 ± 0.20 mm for SR-DLR, 1.13 ± 0.28 mm for HIR, and 0.85 ± 0.26 mm for DLR. Qualitatively, SR-DLR scored higher in all categories.
CONCLUSIONS
SR-DLR produces images with lower image noise, leading to improved overall image quality, compared with HIR and DLR. SR-DLR is a valuable image reconstruction algorithm for enhancing the spatial resolution and sharpness of coronary artery stents without being constrained by hardware limitations.
ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE
The overall image quality was significantly higher in SR-DLR, resulting in sharper coronary artery stents compared to HIR and DLR.
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