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Oechsner T, Soschynski M, Schlett CL, Krauss T, Schupppert C, Müller-Peltzer K, Vecsey-Nagy M, Kravchenko D, Varga-Szemes Á, Emrich T, Scheu R, Taron J, Bamberg F, Hagar MT. Feasibility of very low iodine dose aortoiliac CT angiography using dual-source photon-counting detector CT. Eur J Radiol 2025; 183:111919. [PMID: 39823660 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejrad.2025.111919] [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: 10/29/2024] [Revised: 12/13/2024] [Accepted: 01/02/2025] [Indexed: 01/19/2025]
Abstract
PURPOSE To evaluate the feasibility of aortoiliac CT-Angiography (CTA) using dual-source photon-counting detector (PCD)-CT with minimal iodine dose. METHODS This IRB-approved, single-center prospective study enrolled patients with indications for aortoiliac CTA from December 2022 to March 2023. All scans were performed using a first-generation dual-source PCD-CT. Images were acquired with fast pitch and full spectral capabilities (collimation 144 × 0.4 mm). The contrast protocol included a mixture of sodium chloride and iodinated contrast agent (Iopromide, total iodine dose: 9.5-9.8 g). Virtual monoenergetic images (VMIs) were reconstructed at 40, 50, 60, and 68 keV. Two blinded radiologists evaluated image quality on a 4-point scale. Attenuation was measured across eight regions in the aorta and iliac arteries, and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) was calculated. Statistical comparisons were performed using repeated measures ANOVA and Bonferroni post-hoc tests. RESULTS The final cohort consisted of 39 subjects (mean age: 69.6 ± 9.6 years; 30.8 % female). VMI at 40 keV provided significantly higher attenuation: 478 ± 114 HU, compared to 50 keV (331 ± 74 HU), 60 keV (241 ± 51 HU), and 68 keV (190 ± 48 HU) (p < 0.01). This translated in increased CNR for 40 keV reconstructions (11.8 ± 3.9), followed by 50 keV (9.1 ± 3.0), 60 keV (7.0 ± 2.3), and 68 keV (6.1 ± 1.9) (p < 0.01). Subjective image quality was rated excellent at 40 keV (4 [3,4]), though associated with highest noise (38 ± 7.4 HU, p = 0.02). CONCLUSION Aortoiliac CTA using dual-source PCD-CT at 40 keV achieved high attenuation and CNR, enabling effective imaging with only 9.8 g of iodine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tim Oechsner
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Martin Soschynski
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Christopher L Schlett
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Tobias Krauss
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Christopher Schupppert
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Katharina Müller-Peltzer
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Milán Vecsey-Nagy
- Division of Cardiovascular Imaging, Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, USA; Heart and Vascular Center, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Dmitrij Kravchenko
- Division of Cardiovascular Imaging, Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, USA; Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Ákos Varga-Szemes
- Division of Cardiovascular Imaging, Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, USA
| | - Tilman Emrich
- Division of Cardiovascular Imaging, Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, USA; Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Raphael Scheu
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Jana Taron
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Fabian Bamberg
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Muhammad Taha Hagar
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany; Division of Cardiovascular Imaging, Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, USA.
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Fontana F, Piacentino F, Gnesutta A, Macchi E, Coppola A, Saccomanno A, Gatta T, Recaldini C, Minenna M, Tamborini C, Dossi F, Ascenti V, Barbera S, Cicero G, Carcano G, Ascenti G, Castiglioni B, Venturini M. Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) Planning with Dual-Layer Spectral CT Using Virtual Monoenergetic Image (VMI) Reconstructions and 20 mL of Contrast Media. J Clin Med 2024; 13:524. [PMID: 38256659 PMCID: PMC10816911 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13020524] [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: 12/01/2023] [Revised: 01/13/2024] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is a less invasive alternative to surgical implantation and its implementation is progressively increasing worldwide. We routinely perform pre-procedural aortic angiography CT to assess aortic dimensions and vascular anatomy. This study aims to evaluate the image quality of CTA for TAVI planning using dual-layer spectral CT, with virtual monoenergetic image reconstructions at 40 keV. Thirty-one patients underwent a CTA protocol with the injection of 20 mL of contrast media. Image quality was assessed by measuring the mean density in Hounsfield Units (HU), the signal-to-noise ratio, and the contrast-to-noise ratio in VMI reconstructions. Additionally, a blinded subjective analysis was conducted by two observers. The results showed significant enhancement at all sampled vascular levels with a gradual decrease in HU from proximal to distal regions. Favourable subjective ratings were given for all parameters, with greater variability in the evaluation of iliac axes. A significant negative correlation (p < 0.05) was observed between BMI and CA at all vascular levels, indicating reduced contrast enhancement with increasing BMI. Spectral CT, along with reducing iodine load, allows for obtaining high-quality images without a significant increase in noise. The reduction in iodine load can have positive implications in clinical practice, improving patient safety and resource efficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federico Fontana
- Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology Unit, Circolo Hospital, ASST Sette Laghi, 21100 Varese, Italy; (F.F.); (A.G.); (E.M.); (A.S.); (T.G.); (C.R.); (M.V.)
- Postgraduate School of Radiology Technician, Insubria University, 21100 Varese, Italy;
| | - Filippo Piacentino
- Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology Unit, Circolo Hospital, ASST Sette Laghi, 21100 Varese, Italy; (F.F.); (A.G.); (E.M.); (A.S.); (T.G.); (C.R.); (M.V.)
| | - Aroa Gnesutta
- Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology Unit, Circolo Hospital, ASST Sette Laghi, 21100 Varese, Italy; (F.F.); (A.G.); (E.M.); (A.S.); (T.G.); (C.R.); (M.V.)
| | - Edoardo Macchi
- Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology Unit, Circolo Hospital, ASST Sette Laghi, 21100 Varese, Italy; (F.F.); (A.G.); (E.M.); (A.S.); (T.G.); (C.R.); (M.V.)
| | - Andrea Coppola
- Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology Unit, Circolo Hospital, ASST Sette Laghi, 21100 Varese, Italy; (F.F.); (A.G.); (E.M.); (A.S.); (T.G.); (C.R.); (M.V.)
| | - Angiola Saccomanno
- Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology Unit, Circolo Hospital, ASST Sette Laghi, 21100 Varese, Italy; (F.F.); (A.G.); (E.M.); (A.S.); (T.G.); (C.R.); (M.V.)
| | - Tonia Gatta
- Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology Unit, Circolo Hospital, ASST Sette Laghi, 21100 Varese, Italy; (F.F.); (A.G.); (E.M.); (A.S.); (T.G.); (C.R.); (M.V.)
| | - Chiara Recaldini
- Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology Unit, Circolo Hospital, ASST Sette Laghi, 21100 Varese, Italy; (F.F.); (A.G.); (E.M.); (A.S.); (T.G.); (C.R.); (M.V.)
| | - Manuela Minenna
- Postgraduate School of Radiology Technician, Insubria University, 21100 Varese, Italy;
| | - Claudio Tamborini
- Department of Cardiovascular Diseases, ASST Settelaghi, 21100 Varese, Italy; (C.T.); (F.D.); (B.C.)
| | - Filippo Dossi
- Department of Cardiovascular Diseases, ASST Settelaghi, 21100 Varese, Italy; (C.T.); (F.D.); (B.C.)
| | - Velio Ascenti
- Postgraduate School of Radiodiagnostics, Policlinico Universitario, University of Milan, 20133 Milano, Italy;
| | - Simone Barbera
- Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology Unit, Biomorf Department, University Hospital Messina, 98124 Messina, Italy; (S.B.); (G.C.); (G.A.)
| | - Giuseppe Cicero
- Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology Unit, Biomorf Department, University Hospital Messina, 98124 Messina, Italy; (S.B.); (G.C.); (G.A.)
| | - Giulio Carcano
- Department of Medicine and Technological Innovation, Insubria University, 21100 Varese, Italy;
| | - Giorgio Ascenti
- Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology Unit, Biomorf Department, University Hospital Messina, 98124 Messina, Italy; (S.B.); (G.C.); (G.A.)
| | - Battistina Castiglioni
- Department of Cardiovascular Diseases, ASST Settelaghi, 21100 Varese, Italy; (C.T.); (F.D.); (B.C.)
| | - Massimo Venturini
- Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology Unit, Circolo Hospital, ASST Sette Laghi, 21100 Varese, Italy; (F.F.); (A.G.); (E.M.); (A.S.); (T.G.); (C.R.); (M.V.)
- Department of Medicine and Technological Innovation, Insubria University, 21100 Varese, Italy;
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