自适应统计迭代重建在儿童颞骨低剂量CT扫描中的应用研究

目的 对比宝石高分辨CT及64排容积CT扫描的辐射剂量,评价自适应统计迭代重建技术（ASiR）对儿童颞骨低剂量扫描的价值。方法 将60例因先天性耳聋的患儿按照性别、年龄及就诊顺序分为A组和B组,每组30例。A组采用Discovery HD CT 750行低剂量颞骨CT扫描,预设噪声指数（NI）为12,使用自适应流计迭代重建（ASiR）对原始图像进行后处理重建,ASiR权重值设为40％。B组采用Lightspeed VCT 64进行扫描,NI为8,使用滤波反向投影（FBP）对图像进行重建。分别记录各组CT扫描的最大电流、最小电流及容积CT剂量指数（CTDI_vol）,测量并记录有效剂量及临近颞骨密度相对较均匀的脑组织客观噪声,同时评价和记录图像的主观图像质量。使用SPSS 18.0统计软件对各组数据进行统计学分析。结果 A组的平均管电流和CTDI_vol值分别为（110.40±21.72） mA和（26.43±3.48） mGy,B组分别为（168.56±24.36） mA 和（39.66±4.17） mGy,两组比较差异有统计学意义（t=-9.76、-13.31, P < 0.05）。两组患儿临近颞骨密度相对较均匀的脑组织NI分别为：A组（33.13±2.68）、B组 （33.79±2.93）,两组间差异无统计学意义（P > 0.05）。A、B两组图像主观评分分别为 （4.06±0.03）和（4.05±0.03）;两组比较差异无统计学意义（P > 0.05）。 结论 在获得同样质量图像的前提下,与GE Lightspeed VCT 64的FBP方法相比,GE Discovery HD CT 750采用40％ASiR方法并提高4个单位NI值的扫描方案可有效减低儿童颞骨CT扫描的辐射剂量。     

不同重建算法对常规剂量CT腹部脏器图像质量的影响

目的 :探讨滤波反投影法(FBP)、自适应统计迭代重建(ASIR)与基于模型迭代重建(MBIR)3种重建算法对常规剂量CT腹部脏器图像质量的影响。方法:收集腹部扫描患者50例,行常规剂量CT腹部扫描,扫描后分别采用FBP、40%ASIR、MBIR重建0.625 mm图像,分别测量肝脏、脾脏、胰腺、双肾及同层面皮下脂肪CT值及标准差(SD)值,计算SNR、对比噪声比(CNR)和40%ASIR、MBIR的SD降低率和SNR、CNR增加率,并对图像进行双盲法主观评分。结果 :FBP、40%ASIR、MBIR 3组图像主观评分之间差异均有统计学意义(均P0.05)。MBIR图像肝脏、脾脏、胰腺、双肾实质的SD值均低于40%ASIR组和FBP组(均P0.05),MBIR图像肝脏、脾脏、胰腺、双肾SNR和CNR均较40%ASIR组和FBP组提高(均P0.05),且SD值、SNR、CNR在3组图像间差异均有统计学意义(均P0.05)。结论:与FBP重建方法相比,40%ASIR和MBIR不仅可有效降低图像噪声,还可提高图像质量,其中MBIR在降低图像噪声及提高图像质量方面效果最佳,有助于临床实现上腹部低辐射剂量CT检查。     

自动管电流调制技术结合迭代重建算法在成人盆腔低剂量CT中的初步应用

目的 探讨成人盆腔低剂量CT成像中应用自动管电流调制技术（ATCM）结合适应性统计迭代重建（ASIR）算法降低辐射剂量的可行性。方法 将45例先后行常规剂量和低剂量盆腔CT检查患者的图像纳入研究,共获得3组图像：A组为常规剂量图像,采用机器默认的滤波反投影重建（FBP）;B组为低剂量图像,采用ASIR,并分别按不同ASIR权重值分为B₁组（ASIR 0）和 B₂组（ASIR 50%）。由两位放射专家对3组图像质量进行评价。结果 B组的容积CT剂量指数（CTDI_vol）、剂量长度乘积（DLP）和有效剂量（E）均显著低于A组（t=12.30、12.10、12.15,P<0.05）。与A、B₂组相比,B₁组的影像噪声（SD）值增加（t=9.14、8.95,P<0.05）,而主观图像质量评分、信噪比（SNR）和对比噪声比（CNR）显著降低（t=8.72、10.62、11.83和8.40、9.55、11.42,P<0.05）。A组与B₂组差异无统计学意义。结论 应用自动管电流调制技术和ASIR 50%重建进行成人盆腔CT扫描可以明显降低辐射剂量而不降低图像质量。     

深度学习重建算法在腹部CT成像中应用的体模研究

目的 探讨不同辐射剂量下深度学习图像重建算法（DLIR）相对于常规迭代重建算法（ASIR-V）对腹部体模CT图像质量的改善价值。方法 根据管电压设置100 kV组与120 kV组,每组按照容积剂量指数（CTDI_vol）不同（2、4、6、8、10、15 mGy）分为6组进行常规扫描,获得基于滤波反投影（FBP）算法的CT图像,并使用不同权重迭代重建算法（ASIR-V 50%、80%、100%）及不同等级深度学习重建算法（DLIR-L、DLIR-M、DLIR-H）进行图像重建,共获得84组图像。对比分析不同重建方式下各CTDI_vol组图像各部位CT值、噪声、信噪比（SNR）、对比噪声比（CNR）及主观评分的变化规律。图像质量主观评分比较采用Kruskal-Wallis H检验,客观指标和辐射剂量比较采用单因素方差分析及配对样本t检验。结果 同一管电压下,各CTDI_vol组不同重建条件下各部位的噪声、SNR、CNR差异均有统计学意义（F=415.39、315.30,P<0.001）,且ASIR-V 50%与DLIR-L图像的噪声、SNR、CNR差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）;主观评分之间差异均有统计学意义（100 kV组：H=13.47,P=0.036;120 kV组：H=12.99,P=0.043）,且两名医师的主观评分一致性较高（Kappa>0.70）,其中DLIR-H图像质量评分最高,DLIR-M与ASIR-V 50%图像质量主观评分基本一致;100 kV组图像质量主观评分整体较120 kV略高。以CTDI_vol为15 mGy组ASIR-V 50%图像作为参照,在满足诊断需求的前提下,低中高等级的DLIR可以分别降低辐射剂量超过30%、70%、85%。结论 DLIR算法不仅能够显著降低图像噪声、提高图像质量,而且可以在满足诊断需求的前提下有效降低辐射剂量;推荐临床应用100 kV结合中、高等级DLIR行腹部低剂量CT扫描。     

迭代重建在前列腺CT成像中的应用研究

目的:探讨迭代重建在前列腺CT检查中的临床应用价值。方法:接受腹部CT增强扫描的男性患者4例入组,对增强图像进行滤波反投影重建(FBP)、30%、50%、80%及100%自适应统计迭代重建(ASIR)和基于模型的迭代重建(MBIR),对这6种图像的噪声、图像质量、前列腺对比噪声比(CNR),使用方差分析进行统计学分析。结果:MBIR图像的噪声最低,主观评分最高,且前列腺外周带的CNR最高,与其它图像相比差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论:MBIR有提高前列腺图像质量、进一步显示更多解剖细节的潜在价值。     

ASIR或MBIR算法重建颈肩部CT图像质量总是优于FBP吗？

目的 比较滤过反向投影（filtered back projection,FBP）,自适应迭代重建技术（adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction,ASIR）,基于模型的迭代重建（model-based iterative reconstruction,MBIR）三种算法重建颈肩部CT平扫和增强图像质量.方法 对20例患者颈肩部进行相对低剂量CT平扫及增强扫描,采用FBP,ASIR（权重50％）,MBIR三种算法重建出颈肩部CT图像,测量甲状腺,腋下脂肪、锁骨下动脉及周围肌肉的CT值,采用方差分析比较三种重建算法图像的对比噪声比（contrast noise ratio,CNR）及噪声指数（noise index,NI）.同时,两名医生对图像进行主观评价,采用卡方检验比较三种重建算法的主观评级.结果 颈肩部CT平扫和增强图像,MBIR和ASIR的CNR显著高于FBP,NI显著低于FBP. MBIR的CNR显著高于ASIR,NI显著低于ASIR.主观图像噪声和胸廓入口处射线硬化伪影,MBIR和ASIR显著优于FBP;主观图像对比,FBP显著优于MBIR和ASIR;小结构可视程度、主观视觉病灶可信度与诊断信心,三者不存在显著性差异.结论 在相对低剂量扫描条件下,MBIR和ASIR能够显著降低颈肩部的主观和客观图像噪声,显著提高CNR.但是由于图像面貌的改变导致的主观图像对比的下降,未能显著提高小结构可视程度,主观视觉病灶可信度与诊断信心.     

迭代重建算法在80kV低剂量儿童脊柱CT的应用

【摘要】目的：评价基于模型的迭代重建算法（MBIR）及自适应迭代重建算法（ASIR）是否可以在80 kV低剂量儿童脊柱CT扫描中获得符合诊断标准的图像,以减少放射线对患儿的损伤。方法：连续选取36例因脊柱病变需要复查脊柱CT的患儿行80kV,50mA低剂量扫描作为观察组,将所得的原始数据分别重建为0.625mm的MBIR图像、ASIR图像、FBP图像。所有患儿治疗前的脊柱CT检查为对照组,扫描管电压120kV,余扫描参数不变,图像重建为0.625mm的FBP图像。四组图像质量主观评价由2名医师分别采用1~4分制（3分合格,4分最好）评价图像主观噪声及椎体结构显示能力;图像质量客观评价为测量L1椎体以及同层面背侧肌肉的CT值及噪声值,并计算椎体的SNR及CNR。同时并记录两次检查剂量报告表中的CT容积剂量指数(CTDIvol)、剂量长度乘积（DLP）。结果：图像的主观评分结果显示：对照组图像以及观察组的MBIR图像可以满足诊断要求;客观噪声结果：观察组MBIR、ASIR、FBP以及对照组FBP图像分别为17.35±2.70、50.89±4.24、76.68±7.11、28.49±3.25,信噪比分别为5.75±1.05、2.74±0.41、1.90±0.28、4.19±0.43;对比噪声比分别为8.14±0.91、2.74±0.38、1.892±0.33、4.46±0.86;观察组放射剂量CTDIvol、DLP分别为（0.77±0.02）mGy,（51.28±11.67）mGy·cm,较对照组分别降低65.47%,64.76%。结论：应用80kV低剂量儿童脊柱CT结合MBIR可以得到满足诊断要求的图像,达到减少患儿放射损伤的目的。     

FBP、ASiR和VEO重建算法对腹部CT图像质量的影响

目的:探讨传统滤波反投影法(FBP),自适应统计迭代重建技术(ASiR)和基于模型的迭代重建(VEO)3种重建技术对常规剂量腹部薄层CT图像质量的影响。方法:采用GE Discovery CT750HD对35例患者进行腹部常规剂量CT扫描。分别采用FBP、50%ASiR和VEO重建技术对原始数据进行0.625mm薄层重建,并应用后处理台对图像进行质量评价分析。测量并比较肝脏、胰脏、脾脏、肾脏、髂内肌、子宫和前列腺等的噪声值、信噪比(SNR)、和对比噪声比(CNR)。重建图像的主观评价由3名有经验的影像医师采用盲法评价。结果:FBP、50%ASiR和VEO三组图像的肝脏噪声分别为30.76±5.79,21.89±4.21和12.01±1.79,50%ASiR和VEO组图像噪声分别较FBP组降低29%和61%(P均<0.01)。FBP、50%ASiR和VEO三组图像的肝脏组织的CNR分别为7.53±1.49,10.95±2.57和16.85±14.93,50%ASiR和VEO组图像CNR分别较FBP组提高46%和123%(P均<0.01)。FBP、50%ASiR和VEO三组图像的肝脏组织的SNR分别为2.56±0.79,3.70±1.23和4.85±1.91,50%ASiR和VEO组图像SNR分别较FBP组提高45%和89%(P均<0.01)。结论:与FBP重建算法比较,在相同剂量条件下,50%ASiR和VEO能显著降低腹部CT图像噪声并提高图像质量;其中VEO重建算法降噪及提高图像质量效果更为显著。     

迭代重建算法在双源CT三低方案冠状动脉血管成像中的应用价值

目的 探讨迭代重建（SAFIRE）算法在双源CT三低方案（低管电压、低剂量对比剂、低流速注射）冠状动脉血管造影（CCTA）中的应用价值。方法 连续选取120例体质量指数（BMI）18.6~24.9 kg/m² 和心率<65次/min的患者,均使用对比剂碘海醇350 mgI/ml,其中包括滤波反投影技术（FBP）组和SAFIRE组,每组60例。FBP组采用120 kV管电压、对比剂剂量0.9 ml/kg、注射流速5.0 ml/s,进行前瞻性心电门控扫描,图像重建采用FBP;SAFIRE组采用80 kV管电压、对比剂剂量0.7 ml/kg、注射速率3.5 ml/s,进行前瞻性心电门控大螺距扫描,图像重建采用SAFIRE。测量两组动脉管腔内及左心室底部肌肉的CT强化值和噪声,计算信噪比（SNR）及对比噪声比（CNR）。采用双盲法对冠状动脉节段以4分法进行评价,其中1分为不可诊断图像。记录每一个患者的平均容积CT剂量指数（CTDI_vol）和剂量长度乘积（DLP）,并计算有效剂量。结果 两组动脉管腔内CT值、图像噪声、SNR、CNR,差异均无统计学意义（P>0.05）;SAFIRE组有效剂量（0.39±0.02）mSv较FBP组显著降低（4.99±1.36）mSv,差异有统计学意义（t=26.31,P<0.05）。结论 在BMI为18.6~24.9 kg/m ²、心率<65次/min的患者中,应用双源CT前瞻性心电触发大螺距三低方案联合迭代重建算法冠状动脉血管成像,能得到满意的图像,又降低了辐射剂量。     

迭代重建技术对低剂量CT图像质量和肺磨玻璃密度结节体积测量准确性的影响

目的 应用胸部模型评价3种CT迭代重建技术对低剂量CT图像质量及肺磨玻璃密度(GGO)结节体积测量准确性的影响.方法 应用2台多层螺旋CT(HDCT和iCT)扫描含有GGO结节的胸部模型,应用30％自适应统计迭代重建算法(ASIR)、基于模型的迭代重建(MBIR)算法和iDose4 L3、L6算法进行重建,由2名放射科医师测量重建图像上ROI的CT值,计算平均噪声和对比噪声比(CNR).并应用肺结节评估软件测量GGO结节的体积,计算CT测量结节体积的绝对百分误差(APE).不同重建方法下平均噪声值及对比噪声值之间的差异应用重复测量方差分析,比较不同重建方法对结节体积测量的差异时应用Kruskal-WallisH秩和检验.结果 HDCT在有效剂量(ED)为0.36 mSv时,标准的滤波反投影(FBP)、30％ ASIR和MBIR算法重建图像的平均噪声值分别为40.38±4.49、30.06±20.17和10.55±1.56,CNR值分别为5.00±2.36、8.43±3.89和20.27±7.35,MBIR与FBP、30％ ASIR算法图像比较,图像噪声值分别下降了73.9％和64.9％,CNR值分别提高了75.3％和58.4％,差异有统计学意义(F值分别为13.053、9.459,P值均＜0.01);iCT在ED为0.64 mSv时,iDose L6与FBP算法比较,图像噪声值降低了36.5％,CNR值提高了78.4％.不同重建算法、不同NI和管电流在肺结节体积测量的APE上差异均无统计学意义(P值均＞0.05).结论 3种迭代重建算法均能够降低较低剂量图像的平均噪声,提高图像质量.     

A phantom study of the performance of model-based iterative reconstruction in low-dose chest and abdominal CT: When are benefits maximized?

IntroductionThe aim of this study was to assess and compare the effects of CT image reconstruction techniques on low-dose CT image quality using phantoms.MethodsAnthropomorphic torso and spatial/contrast-resolution phantoms were scanned at decreasing tube currents between 400 and 10 mA. CT thorax and abdomen/pelvis series were reconstructed with filtered back projection (FBP) alone, combined 40% adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction & FBP (ASIR40), and model-based iterative reconstruction (MBIR) [(resolution-preference 05 (RP05) and RP20 in the thorax and RP05 and noise-reduction 05 (NR05) in the abdomen)]. Two readers rated image quality quantitatively and qualitatively.ResultsIn thoracic CT, objective image noise on MBIR RP05 data sets outperformed FBP at 200, 100, 50 and 10 mA and outperformed ASIR40 at 50 and 10 mA (p < 0.001). MBIR RP20 outperformed FBP at 50 and 10 mA and outperformed ASIR40 at 10 mA (p < 0.001). Compared with both FBP and ASIR40, MBIR RP05 demonstrated significantly better signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) at 10 mA. In abdomino-pelvic CT, MBIR RP05 and NR05 outperformed FBP and ASIR at all tube current levels for objective image noise. NR05 demonstrated greater SNR at 200, 100, 50 and 10 mA and RP05 demonstrated greater SNR at 50 and 10 mA compared with both FBP and ASIR. MBIR images demonstrated better subjective image quality scores. Spatial resolution, low-contrast detectability and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) were comparable between image reconstruction techniques.ConclusionCTs reconstructed with MBIR have lower image noise and improved image quality compared with FBP and ASIR. These effects increase with reduced radiation exposure confirming optimal use for low-dose CT imaging.     

迭代重建技术在肥胖患者肾上腺CT成像中的应用

目的? 将自适应迭代重建技术（ASiR）用于肥胖病人的肾上腺CT成像,旨在评价ASiR在降低辐射剂量和提高影像质量中的应用价值。方法? 收集200例肥胖病人并行肾上腺CT扫描,男112例,女88例,年龄17~78岁,平均（５４．２２±１８．６３）岁,分为2组,各100例。A组行常规剂量的滤过反投影（ＦＢＰ）重建,B组为降低剂量的ASiR?4个等级（未降低,分别降低30%、50%、100%）重建,所有重建图像传送至AW4.6工作站,分别由3名CT诊断医师采用双盲法对两组影像质量进行评价。采用t检验对比两组辐射剂量,单因素方差分析比较影像质量的客观指标（噪声、SNR、CNR）及主观评分,组间多重比较采用LSD-t检验。采用Kappa检验评价3名医师主观评分一致性。结果? A组与B组4个不同迭代等级的重建影像进行比较,B组中各重建的肾上腺噪声、肌肉噪声及脂肪噪声均随迭代等级升高而下降,SNR及CNR随迭代等级的升高而升高（P＜0.05）。其中,ASiR50%时各部位噪声、肾上腺SNR与FBP重建相近（P＞0.05）。3名医师主观评分为一致性较好（Kappa=0.76）。影像质量显示能力评分由高到低依次为ASiR100%、A组FBP、?ASiR50%、ASiR30%、ASiRNone（P＜0.05）。结论? ?在肥胖病人肾上腺CT成像中应用ASiR技术显著降低了辐射剂量,ASiR（50%~100%）所得影像质量近似或优于传统FBP。     

Coronary artery plaques: cardiac CT with model-based and adaptive-statistical iterative reconstruction technique

Objectives

To compare image quality of coronary artery plaque visualization at CT angiography with images reconstructed with filtered back projection (FBP), adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction (ASIR), and model based iterative reconstruction (MBIR) techniques.

Methods

The coronary arteries of three ex vivo human hearts were imaged by CT and reconstructed with FBP, ASIR and MBIR. Coronary cross-sectional images were co-registered between the different reconstruction techniques and assessed for qualitative and quantitative image quality parameters. Readers were blinded to the reconstruction algorithm.

Results

A total of 375 triplets of coronary cross-sectional images were co-registered. Using MBIR, 26% of the images were rated as having excellent overall image quality, which was significantly better as compared to ASIR and FBP (4% and 13%, respectively, all p < 0.001). Qualitative assessment of image noise demonstrated a noise reduction by using ASIR as compared to FBP (p < 0.01) and further noise reduction by using MBIR (p < 0.001). The contrast-to-noise-ratio (CNR) using MBIR was better as compared to ASIR and FBP (44 ± 19, 29 ± 15, 26 ± 9, respectively; all p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Using MBIR improved image quality, reduced image noise and increased CNR as compared to the other available reconstruction techniques. This may further improve the visualization of coronary artery plaque and allow radiation reduction.     

Superior objective and subjective image quality of deep learning reconstruction for low-dose abdominal CT imaging in comparison with model-based iterative reconstruction and filtered back projection

Objective:This study aimed to conduct objective and subjective comparisons of image quality among abdominal computed tomography (CT) reconstructions with deep learning reconstruction (DLR) algorithms, model-based iterative reconstruction (MBIR), and filtered back projection (FBP).Methods:Datasets from consecutive patients who underwent low-dose liver CT were retrospectively identified. Images were reconstructed using DLR, MBIR, and FBP. Mean image noise and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) were calculated, and noise, artifacts, sharpness, and overall image quality were subjectively assessed. Dunnett’s test was used for statistical comparisons.Results:Ninety patients (67 ± 12.7 years; 63 males; mean body mass index [BMI], 25.5 kg/m²) were included. The mean noise in the abdominal aorta and hepatic parenchyma of DLR was lower than that in FBP and MBIR (p < .001). For FBP and MBIR, image noise was significantly higher for obese patients than for those with normal BMI. The CNR for the abdominal aorta and hepatic parenchyma was higher for DLR than for FBP and MBIR (p < .001). MBIR images were subjectively rated as superior to FBP images in terms of noise, artifacts, sharpness, and overall quality (p < .001). DLR images were rated as superior to MBIR images in terms of noise (p < .001) and overall quality (p = .03).Conclusions:Based on objective and subjective comparisons, the image quality of DLR was found to be superior to that of MBIR and FBP on low-dose abdominal CT. DLR was the only method for which image noise was not higher for obese patients than for those with a normal BMI.Advances in knowledge:This study provides previously unavailable information on the properties of DLR systems and their clinical utility.     

100kVp条件下碘克沙醇(270mgI/mL)应用于冠状动脉CTA检查的可行性研究

目的：探讨100kVp条件下碘克沙醇（270mgI／mL）应用于冠状动脉CTA（CCTA）检查的可行性,比较不同比例自适应统计迭代重建（AsiR）的图像质量。方法：前瞻性收集临床疑诊冠状动脉病变、身体质量指数（BMI）20～25kg／m。的患者资料。所有患者行64排cCTA检查,采用前瞻性心电触发扫描模式,管电压100kVp,管电流600mA。使用对比剂碘克沙醇（270mgI／mL）,共60mL。采用滤波反投影（FBP）算法及30％～40％、60％、80％、100％ASiR算法对原始数据进行重建,每位患者得到5组重建图像。由1名有经验的影像科医师分别对5组冠状动脉图像进行主观评分,并行统计学分析。测量冠状动脉各节段CT值和图像噪声,计算5组图像的信噪声比（SNR）和对比噪声比（cNR）,并行统计学分析。结果：共45例受试者入组。冠状动脉各节段图像符合诊断要求的比例为95．6％（172／180）。60％和80％ASiR图像质量评分均高于100％ASiR,差异具有统计学意义（P〈0．05）,其余FBP及ASiR图像质量评分之间差异均无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。所有冠脉节段平均cT值均〉300HU。ASiR重建的图像噪声低于FBP重建,且AsiR重建比例越高,噪声越低。ASiR重建图像中血管的SNR和CNR均显著高于FBP重建者（P〈0．001）,且ASiR重建比例越高,SNR和CNR越高。结论：100kVp条件下碘克沙醇（270mgI／mL）应用于CCTA检查可以满足临床诊断需要,迭代重建能够提高图像质量,本组条件下推荐使用30％～40％ASiR进行重建。     

80kVp条件下碘克沙醇(270mgI/mL)应用于冠状动脉CTA检查的可行性研究

目的：探讨在80kVp条件下应用碘克沙醇（270mgI／mL）行冠状动脉CTA检查的可行性,并评估自适应统计迭代重建（ASiR）的应用价值。方法：招募47例受试者行冠状动脉cTA检查。采用前瞻性心电触发扫描模式行冠状动脉CTA扫描,管电压80kVp,管电流600mA。对比剂为碘克沙醇（270mgI／mL）,总量60mL。对原始图像的重建采用滤波反投影（FBP）、30％～40％、60％、80％及100％ASiR算法。记录所有患者接受的辐射剂量。由2名心血管系统影像诊断医师分别对冠脉4段主要分支、5组重建图像的诊断信息（冠脉边缘锐利度、斑块与冠脉管腔对比度、图像主观噪声、诊断信心）按5分法进行主观评定,并行统计学分析。将冠脉分为16个节段,测量其CT值及图像背景噪声,并计算图像对比噪声比（CNR）及信噪比（sNR）,并进行统计学分析。结果：共37例受试者入组。分析4个血管节段,冠脉图像质量均可达到临床诊断要求,60％及80％ASiR组的诊断信心高于其它各组,且60％ASiR组冠脉边缘锐利度优于80％ASiR组,并在其它细节评估方面不低于其它各组。共分析16个血管节段,冠脉各节段CT值均〉250HU。随AsIR比例的增加,噪声值逐渐下降,CNR、SNR逐渐增高,且各组间差异均有统计学意义。结论：在80kVp条件下应用碘克沙醇270mgI／mL行冠状动脉CTA检查,获得的图像可满足临床需求,推荐使用60％ASiR重建。     

Adaptive Iterative Dose Reduction Algorithm in CT: Effect on Image Quality Compared with Filtered Back Projection in Body Phantoms of Different Sizes

Objective

To evaluate the impact of the adaptive iterative dose reduction (AIDR) three-dimensional (3D) algorithm in CT on noise reduction and the image quality compared to the filtered back projection (FBP) algorithm and to compare the effectiveness of AIDR 3D on noise reduction according to the body habitus using phantoms with different sizes.

Materials and Methods

Three different-sized phantoms with diameters of 24 cm, 30 cm, and 40 cm were built up using the American College of Radiology CT accreditation phantom and layers of pork belly fat. Each phantom was scanned eight times using different mAs. Images were reconstructed using the FBP and three different strengths of the AIDR 3D. The image noise, the contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) and the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the phantom were assessed. Two radiologists assessed the image quality of the 4 image sets in consensus. The effectiveness of AIDR 3D on noise reduction compared with FBP were also compared according to the phantom sizes.

Results

Adaptive iterative dose reduction 3D significantly reduced the image noise compared with FBP and enhanced the SNR and CNR (p < 0.05) with improved image quality (p < 0.05). When a stronger reconstruction algorithm was used, greater increase of SNR and CNR as well as noise reduction was achieved (p < 0.05). The noise reduction effect of AIDR 3D was significantly greater in the 40-cm phantom than in the 24-cm or 30-cm phantoms (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

The AIDR 3D algorithm is effective to reduce the image noise as well as to improve the image-quality parameters compared by FBP algorithm, and its effectiveness may increase as the phantom size increases.     

低管电流联合多模型迭代重建技术对腰椎定量CT准确度的应用价值

目的 通过模型研究,探讨低mA联合多模型迭代重建对腰椎骨密度（BMD）准确度的可行性。方法 应用GE Revolution原型机,在5种不同的剂量水平（管电压120 kV,管电流40、60、80、100和120 mA）,对欧洲腰椎体模（ESP）进行扫描,并分别进行多模型数据迭代重建（ASiR-V）（权重0、20%、40%、60%、80%和100%）。分别在L1、L2和L3正中间置感兴趣区（ROI）,测量其CT值、噪声,并计算其对比噪声比（CNR）。采用单因素方差分析比较在不同剂量水平和不同迭代权重比例条件下的骨密度值。结果 容积CT剂量指数（CTDI_vol）和剂量长度乘积（DLP）与管电流呈正相关关系（r=1）。在不同辐射剂量、同一迭代权重下,ESP （L1,L2和L3）的BMD差异均无统计学意义（P>0.05）;在相同辐射剂量、不同的迭代权重条件下,ESP （L1,L2和L3）的BMD差异均无统计学意义（P>0.05）。腰椎BMD准确度误差均在6%以内。结论 ESP腰椎BMD进行重复性测量,120 kV、40 mA低剂量条件下,不影响BMD准确度,实现腰椎定量CT （QCT）的准确测量,并显著降低辐射剂量;同时,可以适当增加ASiR-V权重比例,降低图像噪声,提高图像质量。     

Comparison of the image qualities of filtered back-projection,adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction,and model-based iterative reconstruction for CT venography at 80 kVp

Purpose

To evaluate the subjective and objective qualities of computed tomography (CT) venography images at 80 kVp using model-based iterative reconstruction (MBIR) and to compare these with those of filtered back projection (FBP) and adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction (ASIR) using the same CT data sets.

Materials and methods

Forty-four patients (mean age: 56.1?±?18.1) who underwent 80 kVp CT venography (CTV) for the evaluation of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) during 4 months were enrolled in this retrospective study. The same raw data were reconstructed using FBP, ASIR, and MBIR. Objective and subjective image analysis were performed at the inferior vena cava (IVC), femoral vein, and popliteal vein.

Results

The mean CNR of MBIR was significantly greater than those of FBP and ASIR and images reconstructed using MBIR had significantly lower objective image noise (p?<?.001). Subjective image quality and confidence of detecting DVT by MBIR group were significantly greater than those of FBP and ASIR (p?<?.005), and MBIR had the lowest score for subjective image noise (p?<?.001).

Conclusion

CTV at 80 kVp with MBIR was superior to FBP and ASIR regarding subjective and objective image qualities.

Key Points

? MBIR provides superior image quality compared with FBP and ASIR ? CTV at 80kVp with MBIR improves diagnostic confidence in diagnosing DVT ? CTV at 80kVp with MBIR presents better image quality with low radiation

     

Radiation dose optimization for the bolus tracking technique in abdominal computed tomography: usefulness of real-time iterative reconstruction for monitoring scan

The purpose of this study was to optimize the monitoring dose, obtained using the conventional filtered back projection (FBP) method and iterative reconstruction algorithms, for the bolus tracking technique. A phantom study was performed to assess the effect of the scan start time in patients grouped according to different body weights. An oval torso phantom was used for simulating the time enhancement curve of the bolus tracking technique. To reproduce image noise levels in the two body weight groups, the phantom diameter was adjusted with a water-equivalent material. The tube currents were 10, 20, 30, and 50 mA. The monitoring scan was performed with the conventional FBP method and real-time adaptive iterative dose reduction by three-dimensional processing (AIDR 3D). The results at different doses were compared with those at 50 mA. The volume computed tomography dose index was 1.31, 2.65, 3.93, and 6.56 mGy at tube currents of 10, 20, 30, and 50 mA, respectively. The scan start time, reconstructed using FBP, was significantly faster at 10 and 20 mA in group A (50–59 kg) and at 20 mA in group B (≥80 kg). The CT values in the region of interest could not be measured at 10 mA because of artifacts. With real-time AIDR 3D, both groups showed no significant differences between the measurements obtained at 30 or 20 mA and those obtained at 50 mA. Our study demonstrated that the real-time AIDR 3D algorithm improved the accuracy of the CT measurements with the bolus tracking technique.