胸部多层螺旋CT扫描:机架旋转时间对图像质量的影响

目的 :前瞻性评价机架旋转时间对胸部图像 ,包括横断面及多平面重建图像质量的影响。方法 :60例患者分为两组 ,采用GELightSpeedUltra 8层螺旋CT扫描仪直接增强扫描 ,机架旋转时间分别选择 0 .8s和 0 .5s。按照制订的标准 ,对比两组图像的图像质量 ,进行统计学分析。结果 :0 .8s和 0 .5s组显示野和扫描范围相似 ,两组扫描时间分别为(2 4 .9± 3 .2 )s和 (1 5 .6± 1 .7)s,差异有极显著性意义 (W =465 .0 ,P <0 .0 0 1 )。两组CTDIW(CT剂量指数 )分别为1 7.56mGy和 1 0 .98mGy,DLP(剂量长度乘积 )分别为 (480 .4± 62 .5)mGy·cm和 (30 2 .1± 35 .5)mGy·cm ,差异有极显著性意义 (W =465 .0 ,P <0 .0 0 1 )。两组图像质量平均得分为 4 .0 7± 0 .42和 4 .1 6± 0 .35 ,差异无显著性意义 (W =851 .0 ,P =0 .342 )。两组重建图像质量平均得分为 2 .43± 0 .68和 2 .50± 0 .63 ,差异无显著性意义 (W =848.0 ,P =0 .32 0 )。结论 :机架旋转时间 0 .5s组胸部图像质量略好于 0 .8s组 (差异无显著性意义 ) ;患者接受的X线剂量则明显降低 ,平均降低了 37%。建议将机架旋转时间 0 .5s作为常规应用     

Thin-section CT of the lung: influence of 0.5-s gantry rotation and ECG triggering on image quality

The aim of this study was to determine if ECG triggering and a shorter acquisition time of 0.5-s rotation decrease cardiac motion artifacts of thin-section CT of the lung. In 25 patients referred for thin-section thoracic CT, 1-mm thin-section slices were performed with a scanning time of 0.5 s with ECG gating, 0.5 s and 1 s during the diastolic phase of the heart at five identical anatomical levels from the aortic arch to lung basis. At each anatomical level and for each lung, cardiac motion artifacts were graded independently on a four-point scale by three readers. Patients were divided into two groups according to their heart rate. A four-way analysis of variance was used to assess differences between the three modalities. Mean cardiac motion artifacts scores were rated 1.23+/-0.02, 1.47+/-0.02, and 1.79+/-0.02, at 0.5 s with ECG gating, 0.5 s without ECG gating, and 1 s, respectively (F=139, p<0.0001). At the four anatomical levels below the aortic arch, the left lung scores were greater than the right lung score for the three modalities. For the modality 0.5 s with ECG gating no difference of scores was found between patients grouped according to their cardiac frequency. The 0.5-s gantry rotation with or without ECG gating scans reduces cardiac motion artifacts on pulmonary thin-section CT images and is mainly beneficial for the lower part of the left lung.     

多层螺旋CT膝关节低剂量扫描对影像质量的影响

目的:探讨多层螺旋CT低剂量膝关节扫描的可行性及其对图像质量的影响。方法:收集2009年5月~10月,100例行膝关节CT扫描者根据扫描的管电压高低分为2组(其他扫描条件不变),每组50例,A组110kV和B组80kV(管电压选择110kV和80kV是依据分别观察10例在此条件下扫描的患者图像,应用80kV而不影响诊断)。测量膝关节髌骨上缘水平后方肌肉软组织固定ROI的CT值,以CT值的标准差(SD)作为图像噪声。通过CT机自动得到平均容积CT剂量指数(CTDIvol),再计算出剂量长度乘积(DLP)。获得的图像通过双盲法进行质量评分,对两组CTDIvol值、DLP值、图像噪声、及图像质量评分均值用t检验进行比较。结果:A组和B组的CTDIvol值分别为(5.29±0.23)和(2.08±0.15)mGy,DLP值分别为(61.26±11.64)和(24.21±4.64)mGy.cm,B组较A组下降约(60.68)%,两者之间差异均有统计学意义(t值分别为(82.4)和(20.91),P0.01,B组噪声均值略高于A组(分别为12.22±2.97和16.55±2.96),t=-7.299,P=0.000,但两组图像质量平均评分分别为(4.86±0.40)分和(4.82±0.44)分,差异无统计学意义(t=0.475,P0.05)。结论:16层螺旋CT应用低kV设置(80kV)扫描膝关节可大幅度降低辐射剂量且所得图像质量不影响诊断。     

心率及重建相位窗对多层螺旋CT冠状动脉造影图像质量的影响

目的 探讨心率及重建相位窗对多层螺旋CT冠状动脉造影图像质量的影响。方法 80例健康体检者行16层螺旋CT回顾性心电门控条件下冠状动脉造影。结果 每位患者的4条冠状动脉分支(左冠状动脉主干、左前降支、左回旋支、右冠状动脉)分别用于图像质量分析。心率≤60次／min者，有82．1％(46／56支)的图像可用于诊断；心率61～70次／min者，有63．4％(104／164支)的图像可用于诊断；心率71～80次/min者，有41．20h，(28／68支)的图像可用于诊断；心率80次／min以上者有31．2％(10／32支)的图像可用于诊断。左冠状动脉前降支在60％～70％的重建相位窗时图像质量最佳，左冠状动脉回旋支在50％～60％时最佳，右冠状动脉重建相位窗为50％～70％较满意。结论心率及重建相位窗对多层螺旋CT冠状动脉造影图像质量有重要影响作用。     

Thoracic helical CT: influence of subsecond scan time and thin collimation on evaluation of peripheral pulmonary arteries

The objective of this study was to analyze the influence of collimation on the identification of peripheral pulmonary arteries on helical CT scans. Three hundred sixty of 370 consecutive helical CT angiograms of the pulmonary circulation obtained during an 18-month investigation period were considered as technically acceptable for the detection of acute pulmonary embolism and were retrospectively analyzed. Patients in group A (n = 274) underwent CT with 2-mm collimation and pitch of 2; those in group B (n = 86) underwent CT with 3-mm collimation and pitch 1.7; a 0.75-s rotation time was systematically used. A total of 2160 segmental (six arterial zones per patient) and 2160 subsegmental (six arterial zones per patient) arterial zones were assessed. Whereas the percentage of segmental arteries was not significantly different between group A (86 %) and group B (89 %), the percentage of analyzable subsegmental arteries was greater in group A (65 %) than in group B (43 %) (P < 0.001). The causes of inadequately depicted subsegmental arterial zones were partial-volume effects (group A, n = 302; 52 %; group B, n = 197; 67 %; P < 0.001), suboptimal enhancement (group A, n = 145; 25 %; group B, n = 43; 15 %; P < 0.05), motion artifacts (group A, n = 113; 20 %; group B, n = 30; 10 %), and unincluded arteries (group A, n = 20; 3 %; group B, n = 25; 8 %). Helical CT with 2-mm collimation at 0.75 s per revolution enables marked improvement in the analysis of subsegmental arteries in routine clinical practice. Received: 25 January 2000; Revised: 28 March 2000; Accepted: 30 March 2000     

Coronary arteries: assessment of image quality and optimal reconstruction window in retrospective ECG-gated multislice CT at 375-ms gantry rotation time

Our objective was to evaluate the image quality of a 16-slice CT system with a rotation time of 375 ms in the assessment of coronary arteries. One hundred patients underwent iodine-enhanced CT coronary angiography within a single breath hold. Images were reconstructed in diastole, 300, 350, 400, 450, 500 and 550 ms prior to the onset of the next R-wave using absolute reverse retrospective ECG gating. The 15 coronary segments of the AHA classification were consensually reviewed by two radiologists. On the whole, best quality imaging was obtained with reconstruction intervals of –350 ms and –400 ms in high percentages of each segment (P<0.0001). Only 6.2% of the arteries with a diameter greater than or equal to 1.5 mm were not assessable because of extensive calcifications (3.9%), cardiac motion artifacts (1.9%), lack of enhancement (0.2%) and stent artifacts (0.3%). In patients with a heart rate above 70 beats per minute, the percentage of assessable segments decreased to 88%, while at a lower heart rate it increased to 95%. In 61% of the patients, all segments were assessable. In conclusion, this generation of CT technique may allow visualization of coronary arteries with a low percentage of non-assessable segments.     

Dose and image quality of electron-beam CT compared with spiral CT.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: To examine dose and image quality of electron-beam CT (EBCT) with continuous volume scan versus spiral CT. METHODS: An EBCT scanner was compared with a spiral CT (SCT) scanner. Three phantoms were used to measure low-contrast resolution, high-contrast resolution, slice width, and dose. RESULTS: The EBCT scans showed 30% lower high-contrast resolution for most settings. The dose was comparable to that of spiral CT with 3 mm collimation and 76%/106% higher with EBCT for 1.5 mm/6 mm collimation. Low-contrast resolution was comparable to that of spiral CT using 3 mm collimation, slightly worse for 1.5 mm, and bad for 6 mm EBCT collimation (four times higher dose to reach comparable contrast-to-noise ratio). CONCLUSIONS: Significant restrictions were found using EBCT with continuous volume scan. The authors found that 3 mm collimation can yield acceptable high-contrast resolution and good low-contrast resolution compared with spiral CT. The use of 6 mm or 1.5 mm collimation needs to be restricted to selected cases.     

Lung at thin-section CT: influence of multiple-segment reconstruction on image quality

PURPOSE: To evaluate multiple-segment reconstruction to reduce cardiac-motion artifacts on thin-section computed tomographic (CT) images in the lung. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty patients were enrolled in the study. All images were obtained with a scanner capable of 1-second revolution time. Routine lung thin-section CT examination was performed with images reconstructed with bone algorithm. Multiple-segment images reconstructed with lung algorithm were obtained for three levels in the left paracardiac region. Segment images were reconstructed retrospectively with data for 225 degrees rotation rather than the 360 degrees rotation used for a complete scan. To minimize differences resulting from reconstruction algorithms, additional nonsegmented reconstruction was performed with lung algorithm. Three radiologists reviewed each set of images and assigned a quality score. Multiway analysis of variance was performed to compare motion artifact reduction with 225 degrees and 360 degrees reconstructions. RESULTS: Differences were not significant (P >.05) between scores for images reconstructed with bone or lung algorithms. Differences were significant between scores for reconstructed images obtained with the combination of 360 degrees bone and 225 degrees segment algorithms (P <.001) and for those obtained with the combination of 360 degrees lung and 225 degrees segment algorithms (P <.001). CONCLUSION: Multiple-segment reconstruction of lung thin-section CT images is an effective technique for reducing cardiac-motion artifacts without increasing patient dose.     

Influence of different movement systems on image quality: comparison of the sliding gantry CT system and the sliding table CT system

The combination of angiography and CT angiography (CTA) is increasingly being used for the diagnosis and treatment of hepatic cancer. Recently, a CT system with sliding gantry was developed to optimize patient safety and to shorten transfer time between the angiography and CTA tables. As the CT gantry itself undergoes considerable movement in sliding over the patient table, it was considered necessary to evaluate this system regarding the precision of movement and any possible effect on image quality. Therefore, in this preliminary study, we compared image quality between the sliding gantry CT (SGCT) system and the sliding table CT (STCT) system. Comparative analysis revealed that there was no significant difference in image noise, low contrast resolution, modulation transfer function (MTF) , or precision in gantry or table movement. It was also noted that although the effective slice thickness for the SGCT system was 1-4% thinner than the STCT system it had no influence on image quality. It was thus concluded that the sliding movement of the gantry does not influence the quality of images obtained with this CT system.     

Compensation for influence on image deterioration occurring because of gantry inclination--compensation of image quality obtained by a newly devised phantom

The influence of gantry inclination on image quality was examined in the Y and Z directions and an increase in the volume of a scan part. FWHM (full width at half maximum) in the Y direction decreased at the rate of 2.53%, which was caused by leaving the center of the gantry, and spatial resolution was improved. FWHM (y) in the Z direction increased at a rate of y=2.4x (1/costheta)+0.91 which was caused by an increase in the gantry angle of inclination, and spatial resolution was declined. The relation between FWHM (y) and pitch (x) was y=0.19x+3.12. The increase in FWHM caused by the increase in the gantry angle of inclination was revised with pitch from two formulae, and it became constant. Noise was corrected in the same way, and it became constant. The increase in the noise that occurs due to the increase in the volume of the body caused by the gantry tilt angle was corrected with the tube current, and applied to AEC (automatic exposure control). The influence of gantry inclination on image quality was adjusted, and image quality was improved.     

64层螺旋CT肺部高分辨率图像质量影响因素的体模研究

目的 分析影响肺部高分辨率CT(HRCT)图像质量的主要因素,探讨常规肺部容积扫描条件下获得HRCT图像质量的可行性.方法 应用64层CT对Catphan500模具进行连续、重复扫描.对比内容:扫描方式(轴面扫描、螺旋扫描)、kV值(140、120 kV)、层厚(1.25、5.00 mm,其中5.00 mm图像折分为1.25 mm)、重建算法(骨+算法、肺算法).评价内容:空间分辨率、密度分辨率、图像噪声.统计分析采用析因设计方差分析.结果 扫描方式在密度分辨率(轴面扫描:11.44±0.04;螺旋扫描:12.61±0.04)、图像噪声(轴面扫描:5.89±0.05;螺旋扫描:6.92±0.05)上差异均有统计学意义(F值分别为539.61、179.02,P值均＜0.01),轴面扫描密度分辨率高于螺旋扫描,图像噪声低于螺旋扫描;重建算法间在空间分辨率(骨+:9.90±0.09;肺:7.40±0.09)、密度分辨率(骨+:11.39±0.04;肺:12.65±0.04)、图像噪声(骨+:6.55±0.05;肺:6.28±0.05)上差异均具有统计学意义(F值分别为375.00、627.95、13.97,P值均＜0.05),骨+算法优于肺算法但噪声值略高.结论 容积扫描在密度分辨率、图像噪声控制上较传统HRCT稍差,但在空间分辨率上容积扫描骨+算法重建与HRCT图像质量相当,用于显示肺内细节时容积高分辨率CT可代替常规HRCT.     

Heart-rate-adapted image reconstruction in multidetector-row cardiac CT: influence of physiological and technical prerequisite on image quality

The purpose of this study was to develop strategies for optimal image reconstruction in multidetector-row cardiac CT and to discuss the results in the context of individual heart rate, cardiac physiology, and technical prerequisite. Sixty-four patients underwent multidetector-row cardiac CT. Depending on the heart rate either a single-segmental reconstruction (SSR) or an adaptive two-segmental reconstruction (ASR) was applied. Image reconstruction was done either antegrade (a) or retrograde (r) in relation to the R-peak. Reconstruction of all data sets was performed at multiple time points within the t-wave/p-wave interval, differing from each other by 50 ms. In addition, each reconstruction was assigned to one of six reconstruction intervals (A–F), each corresponding to a specific event in the cardiac cycle. While no significant time points were found for absolute values, the following interval/reconstruction technique combinations provided significant better image quality: F/r at HR <60 bpm for all coronary segments (p≤0.004) and at HR 60–65 bpm for segments 5–10 (p≤0.001); B/a at HR 60–65 bpm for segments 1–4 and 11–15 (p<0.001) and at HR >65 bpm for all segments (p≤0.002). The results show that in order to achieve optimal image quality, image reconstruction has to be adjusted to each patient's ECG curve and heart rate individually. The moment of reconstruction should be determined as absolute rather than as relative distance from the previous R-peak. Electronic Publication     

螺旋CT对塑料球并突起模型的成像观察

目的比较螺旋ＣＴ（ＳＣＴ）不同层厚及床速对塑料球及突起模型成像的还原准确性及多平面成像（ＭＰＲ）的影响。材料与方法自制塑料球（直径１５ｍｍ）上置２４根突起（长１、３、５ｍｍ，直径２ｍｍ），长短相间排列，并在其旁置不同走行方向的１ｍｍ和２．７ｍｍ导管若干根，模拟结节旁肺血管。层厚（ｍｍ）、每秒进床速度（ｍｍ／ｓ）、重建间隔（ｍｍ）分别以１０、１０、１ｍｍ，１０、１０、１ｍｍ，５、５、１ｍｍ，３、６、１ｍｍ，２、２、１ｍｍ，和高分辨率ＣＴ（ＨＲＣＴ）扫描，比较横断面及ＭＰＲ图像质量。结果各组扫描横断成像均能显示突起存在和数目，只是≤３、３、１ｍｍ时显示突起的位置和方向性及清晰度更优。床速≥５ｍｍ／ｓ时ＭＰＲ的球及突起明显拉长、模糊，不宜评价。螺距为０．５时采用１８０内插法（ｓｌｉｍ）对于提高ＭＰＲ质量是必要的。床速≥１０ｍｍ／ｓ时，横断面图像上紧邻突起、球或相互交叉的斜行导管可能被误解为有侵蚀。结论若要ＭＰＲ评价球灶、突起及周围导管更为精确，ＳＣＴ扫描参数应≤３、６、１ｍｍ，螺距＜１时重建内插算法务必采用１８０°内插算法。进床速为１０～２０ｍｍ／ｓ的ＳＣＴ可作为筛选病灶及初步定性的方法。     

16层CT心电图调制电流对有心率波动的心脏CT扫描曝光剂量及图像质量影响

目的 利用心脏体模评估16层螺旋CT心脏扫描时,不同的心率波动对心电图调制技术降低曝光剂最能力的影响,以及不同的心电图调制电流参数对曝光剂量和图像质量的影响.方法 将跳动的心脏模具设定为60次/min(bpm)基础心率,并根据不同的心率波动情况分为6组,关闭心电图调制电流对心脏模具进行心脏扫描.扫描同时记录各扫描序列的曝光剂量,在采集到的图像中进行冠状面重建后选取中心层而测量球囊图像信噪比的标准差(SD)值,然后根据二维及三维图像质量情况进行分级分析;随后开启心电图调制电流,分4组采用不同的心电图调制电流参数进行心脏CT扫描,分别重复上述扫描并记录曝光剂量,对采集到的图像进行相同测量和记录.将5次扫描所测得的数据进行统计分析,对图像信噪比分别进行方差分析,F检验及两样本比较的秩和检验.结果 采用宽期相(69%～99%)高mA输出,高心率波动(≥7.5 bpm)和低心率波动图像的图像信噪比SD值(分别为27.78与26.30),差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05),二维图像及三维图像质量经检验证明其差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05);仪在85%期相选择高mA输出,高心率波动(≥7.5 bpm)和低心率波动图像的图像信噪比SD值(分别为26.78与29.90)差异1竽在统计学意义(P＜0.01).在心率波动情况下,心电图调制开启时(0.47～0.79 mSv)比关闭时曝光剂昔(0.85 mSv)有明显减低,曝光剂量最多可减少44.7%,并且不同设置的心电图调制电流在曝光剂量的比较中差异也有统计学意义(P＜0.01).模具实验的散点图显示,心电图调制电流开启时,心率波动≤12.5 bpm时,曝光剂量随心率波动改变不明显(变化为0.1～1.1 mSy),但是当心率波动＞12.5 bpm时,曝光剂量将明显增加(达到0.6～1.7 mSv).结论 16层螺旋CT心脏扫描时,即使心率存在一定的波动,开启心电图调制电流技术仍能够有效降低曝光剂量,同时对图像质量无明显影响.     

Dose reduction in subsecond multislice spiral CT examination of children by online tube current modulation

The potential of online tube current modulation in subsecond multislice spiral CT (MSCT) examinations of children to reduce the dose without a loss in image quality is investigated in a controlled patient study. The dose can be reduced for oval patient sectional view without an increase in noise if the tube current is reduced where the patient diameter and, consequently, attenuation are small. We investigated a product version of an online control for tube current in a SOMATOM Sensation 4 (Siemens, Forchheim). We evaluated image quality, noise and dose reduction for examinations with online tube current modulation in 30 MSCT of thorax/abdomen and abdomen and compared mA s for tube current modulation to the mA s in standard weight-adapted children protocols. Image quality was rated as very good, good, diagnostic and poor in a consensus by three radiologists. Noise was assessed in comparison to 24 MSCT examinations without tube current modulation measured as SD in ROIs. The dose was reduced from 26 to 43% (mean 36%), depending on the patients geometry and weight. In general, no loss of image quality was observed. Measured noise showed a decrease up to 26% and an increase up to 36%, although there was no decrease of image quality. Online tube current modulation is now used as a standard in MSCT at our institution. Dose in MSCT examinations of children can be reduced substantially in routine examinations by online tube current modulation without a loss of image quality.     

螺旋CT图像噪声的评价

目的 :评价螺旋CT中内插方式、螺距以及重建间隔对噪声的影响。方法 :采用SomatomPlus 4螺旋CT机。在相同条件下扫描直径为 2 0cm的水模 ,测得水模图像中心 40cm2 兴趣区的CT值标准差作为评价噪声水平的指标。结果 :3 60°线性内插的噪声减少 (t =3 4.87,P <0 .0 0 1) ,180°线性内插的噪声增加 (t =18.78,P <0 .0 0 1)。螺距大于 1.0或小于 1.0与螺距为 1.0时噪声水平的差异无显著性意义 (P >0 .0 5 )。随着重建间隔改变 ,相应噪声水平的差异无显著性意义 (P >0 .0 5 )。结论 :与常规扫描相比 ,螺旋CT内插方式对噪声有一定影响 ,而螺距与重建间隔对噪声水平影响不明显。