迭代算法对超低剂量CT肺部扫描图像质量影响的体模研究

目的 探讨迭代算法对超低剂量CT肺部扫描图像质量的影响。方法 采用不同方案对胸部仿真体模行CT扫描。超低剂量方案：管电压分为80和100 kV组,每组分别采用10、15、20、25、30 mAs扫描。常规低剂量方案：120 kV、30 mAs。各方案均采用滤波反投影法（FBP组）和迭代算法重建（迭代组）。比较各方案的肺组织噪声和有效剂量（E）。结果 管电流和管电压一定时,迭代组的肺组织噪声均低于FBP组,差异均有统计学意义（t=1.102~8.070,P<0.05）。管电流一定时,80 kV时FBP组的肺组织噪声均高于100 kV时FBP组,80 kV时迭代组的肺组织噪声均低于100 kV时FBP组,差异均有统计学意义（t=-8.639~7.841,P<0.05）。与常规低剂量方案FBP组相比,各超低剂量方案FBP组的肺组织噪声明显增加,80 kV时10、15、20 mAs迭代组的肺组织噪声明显增加,100 kV时15、20、25、30 mAs迭代组的肺组织噪声明显降低,差异均有统计学意义（t=-8.140~23.028,P<0.05）。80 kV时25、30 mAs和100 kV时10 mAs迭代组的肺组织噪声与常规低剂量方案FBP组比较,差异均无统计学意义（P>0.05）。80 kV时25、30 mAs和100 kV时10、15、20、25、30 mAs的E较常规低剂量组分别降低了75.9%、71.0%、79.8%、70.4%、60.3%、50.2%、40.0%。结论 超低剂量方案（100 kV、10 mAs）迭代算法组的图像质量与常规低剂量方案FBP组相当,且辐射剂量明显降低。     

Diagnosis of pulmonary emboli and image quality at CT pulmonary angiography: influence of imaging direction with multidetector CT

AIM: To determine whether there was a significant difference in the prevalence of emboli detected when patients underwent computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) in a craniocaudal direction versus a caudocranial direction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a prospective study of 203 consecutive patients attending for CTPA for suspected pulmonary embolus. Imaging was performed on a multisection Siemens Volume Zoom CT machine, with bolus tracking centred on the main pulmonary artery after intravenous administration of contrast at 3 ml/s. Patients were examined in a single breath-hold, from the top of the aortic arch to the highest point of the diaphragm, in a randomly assigned cranio-caudal (group A), or caudo-cranial (group B) direction. Images were reviewed on a workstation in a cranio-caudal direction jointly by two radiologists unaware of the original imaging direction. The presence, number and position of arterial emboli were noted, and a subjective assessment of overall image quality and opacification of upper and lower lobe vessels (grade 1, 2, 3, or 4) was made. RESULTS: Emboli were detected in 46 patients. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of emboli detected in the two groups [group A craniocaudal direction n=22, group B caudocranial direction n=24 (p=0.76)]. Imaging direction did not significantly influence overall image quality (p=0.07), however, there was a significantly greater proportion of patients in group A with grade 1 opacification of the upper lobe arteries (p=0.02). CONCLUSION: Imaging direction does not significantly influence the diagnosis of pulmonary emboli but it does significantly improve the upper lobe pulmonary arterial enhancement with fewer non-diagnostic images, and on that basis we recommend that craniocaudal direction be used for CTPA studies.     

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。     

低管电压扫描对颈动脉CT血管成像图像质量及辐射剂量的影响

目的 探讨低管电压颈动脉CT血管造影检查对图像质量及辐射剂量的影响.方法 将60例需行颈动脉CT血管造影检查的患者依据扫描管电压的不同分为A(80 kV)、B(100 kV)、C(120 kV)3组,每组20例.分析比较3组图像的CT值、对比噪声比(CNR)、信号噪声比(SNR)及辐射剂量,并对重建图像质量、血管边缘形态及诊断信心进行评估分析.结果 A组容积CT剂量指数(CTDIvol)、剂量长度乘积(DLP)及有效剂量(ED)较C组分别降低63.97％、63.83％及63.79％,B组CTDIvol、DLP及ED较C组分别降低35.65％、34.00％及34.05％.图像质量评价结果:A、B2组颈动脉平均CT值较C组显著增加,且组间差异具有统计学意义(P值均＜0.05).A、B、C3组CNR、SNR值组间差异及两两比较均无显著统计学意义(P值均＞0.05);且A、B2组颈动脉重建图像质量、血管边缘形态及图像诊断信心评价整体满意,与C组无明显差别(P值均＞0.05).结论 低管电压颈动脉CTA扫描在不影响图像质量及诊断信心的前提下,能大幅度降低辐射剂量.因此,低管电压颈动脉CTA检查的临床应用价值较高,推荐常规使用.     

Multi-detector row CT coronary angiography: influence of reconstruction technique and heart rate on image quality

PURPOSE: To prospectively evaluate to what extent image quality in 16-detector row computed tomographic (CT) coronary angiography is a function of the heart rate and the image reconstruction technique used. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 70 patients (49 men, 21 women; mean age, 59.1 years +/- 5.8 [standard deviation]) consecutively underwent multi-detector row CT coronary angiography; 49 patients additionally underwent coronary angiography. Image reconstruction was based on both relative and absolute timing. A total of 20 equidistant relative and absolute image reconstructed intervals were assessed by applying a four-step grading scale. Cluster and discrimination analysis, Spearman correlation analysis, and Wilcoxon and chi2 tests were used for statistical analysis. Institutional review board approval and written informed consent were obtained. RESULTS: Though significantly (P < .001) better image quality was observed for image reconstruction based on absolute timing and in patients with lower heart rates, influence on diagnostic accuracy was not significant. Irrespective of the reconstruction technique used, best image quality was observed in patients with a low heart rate for middiastolic reconstruction intervals (starting points: 61% of R-R interval [range, 40%-75%] and 599.3 msec after R [range, 450-840 msec]) and in patients with a high heart rate for end-systolic or early-diastolic intervals (starting points: 27.3% of R-R interval [range, 10%-45%] and 202.3 msec after R [range, 82-336 msec]). With regard to the vessel section and reconstruction technique, cutoff heart rates of the intervals were 64.0-68.5 beats per minute. Patients with stenoses of more than 50% were identified with 86% sensitivity and specificity, and there was no significant difference between relative and absolute timing (P = .99). CONCLUSION: In multi-detector row CT coronary angiography, image quality depends on the choice of a suited reconstruction interval. In patients with high heart rates, the best image quality can be obtained with end-systolic and early-diastolic intervals; in patients with low heart rates, the best results are achieved with middiastolic intervals.     

CT coronary angiography: influence of different cardiac reconstruction intervals on image quality and diagnostic accuracy

PURPOSE: To prospectively analyze image quality and diagnostic accuracy of different reconstruction intervals of coronary angiography using multislice computed tomography (MSCT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: For each of 47 patients, 10 ECG-gated MSCT reconstructions were generated throughout the RR interval from 0 to 90%, resulting in altogether 470 datasets. These datasets were randomly analyzed for image quality and accuracy and compared with conventional angiography. Statistical comparison of intervals was performed using nonparametric analysis for repeated measurements to account for clustering of arteries within patients. RESULTS: Image reconstruction intervals centered at 80, 70, and 40% of the RR interval resulted (in that order) in the best overall image quality for all four main coronary vessels. Eighty percent reconstructions also yielded the highest diagnostic accuracy of all intervals. The combination of the three best intervals (80, 70, and 40%) significantly reduced the nondiagnostic rate as compared with 80% alone (p=0.005). However, the optimal reconstruction interval combination achieved significantly improved specificities and nondiagnostic rates (p<0.05). The optimal combination consisted of 1.7+/-0.9 reconstruction intervals on average. In approximately half of the patients (49%, 23/47) a single reconstruction was optimal. In 18 (38%), 3 (6%), and 3 (6%) patients one, two, and three additional reconstruction intervals were required, respectively, to achieve optimal quality. In 28% of the patients the optimal combination consisted of reconstructions other than the three best intervals (80, 70, and 40%). CONCLUSION: Multiple image reconstruction intervals are essential to ensure high image quality and accuracy of CT coronary angiography.     

低管电压结合自动毫安技术对降低头颈部数字减影CTA辐射剂量的可行性研究

目的:探讨低管电压结合自动毫安调制技术降低头颈部数字减影CT血管成像(DSCTA)辐射剂量的可行性.方法:将36例患者分为3组进行头颈部DSCTA检查.A组:平扫管电压80 kV,增强扫描管电压120 kV,管电流固定为400 mA;B组:平扫管电压80 kV、增强扫描管电压120 kV,使用管电流调制技术,实际管电流为150～400 mA;C组:平扫管电压80 kV、增强扫描管电压100 kV,使用管电流调制技术,范围为150～400 mA.记录3组的辐射剂量,包括容积CT剂量指数(CTDIvol)、剂量长度乘积(DLP)及有效吸收剂量.对图像质量进行客观及主观分析,客观分析包括测量颈总动脉分叉部及基底动脉中段的CT值、信噪比,主观分析包括对血管进行容积再现、最大密度投影、曲面重组并结合横轴面图像进行评分.结果:三组间CTDIvol、DLP及ED的差异均具有统计学意义(P＞0.05),且各指标值均为A组＞B组＞C组.对DSCTA图像质量的客观评价结果显示,三组间双侧颈总动脉及基底动脉的强化值、图像噪声及信噪比的差异均无统计学意义(P＞0.05).三组图像质量的主观评分比较,差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).结论:采用低管电压蒙片结合自动毫安技术能明显降低头颈部DSCTA检查的辐射剂量,并能保证图像质量.     

Impact of patient weight and emission scan duration on PET/CT image quality and lesion detectability.

This study was performed to prospectively evaluate fast PET/CT imaging protocols using lutetium oxyorthosilicate (LSO) detector technology and 3-dimensional (3D) image-acquisition protocols. METHODS: Fifty-seven consecutive patients (30 male, 27 female; mean age, 58.6 +/- 15.7 y) were enrolled in the study. After intravenous injection of 7.77 MBq (0.21 mCi) of (18)F-FDG per kilogram, a standard whole-body CT study (80-110 s) and PET emission scan were acquired for 4 min/bed position in 49 patients and 3 min/bed position in 8 patients. One-minute-per-bed-position data were then extracted from the 3- or 4-min/bed position scans to reconstruct single-minute/bed position scans for each patient. Patients were subgrouped according to weight as follows: <59 kg (<130 lb; n = 15), 59-81 kg (130-179 lb; n = 33), and >or=82 kg (>or=180 lb; n = 9). Three experienced observers recorded numbers and locations of lesion by consensus and independently rated image quality as good, moderate, poor, or nondiagnostic. RESULTS: The observers analyzed 220 reconstructed whole-body PET images from 57 patients. They identified 114 lesions ranging in size from 0.7 to 7.0 cm on the 3- (n = 8) and 4-min/bed position images (n = 49). Of these, only 4 were missed on the 1-min/bed position scans, and all lesions were identified on the corresponding 2-min/bed position images. One- and 2-min/bed position image quality differed significantly from the 4-min/bed position image reference (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: LSO PET detector technology permits fast 3D imaging protocols whereby weight-based emission scan durations ranging from 1 to 3 min/bed position provide similar lesion detectability when compared with 4-min/bed position images.     

Technique factors and image quality as functions of patient weight at abdominal CT

PURPOSE: To investigate how changes in kilovolt peak and milliampere second settings, and patient weight affect transmitted x-ray energy fluence and the image contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) at abdominal computed tomography (CT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cylinders of water were used as patient models, and x-ray spectra, including x-ray tube potentials of 80-140 kVp, were investigated. The mean photon energy and energy fluence transmitted through water cylinders with varying diameters and the image contrast for fat, muscle, bone, and iodine relative to water were determined. The effect of changing the x-ray tube potential on CNR also was investigated. RESULTS: At a constant kVp, increasing patient weight from 10 kg to 120 kg reduced the transmitted energy fluence by two orders of magnitude. Changing the x-ray tube potential from 80 kVp to 140 kVp increased the mean photon energy from approximately 52 keV to approximately 72 keV and thus reduced the image contrast relative to water by 12% for muscle, 21% for fat, 39% for bone, and 50% for iodine (approximate reduction values). Increasing the x-ray tube potential from 80 kVp to 140 kVp increased the CNR by a factor of 2.6 for muscle and by a factor of 1. 4 for iodine. CONCLUSION: With changes in patient weight at abdominal CT, x-ray tube potentials must be varied to maintain a constant detector energy fluence. Increasing the x-ray tube potential generally improves CNR.     

Accelerating image acquisition in 64-MDCT: the influence of scan parameters on image resolution and quality in a phantom study

Computed tomographic (CT) image resolution and quality were evaluated utilizing varying scan protocols with accelerated image acquisition. A resolution phantom with hole diameters from 0.2 to 1.0 mm was scanned in axial, coronal, and sagittal plane using a 64-slice multidetector CT with varying scan parameters. No relevant differences in image resolution and quality were detected between the fastest scan protocol, with the shortest rotation time and highest pitch, and the slowest protocol. Accelerated CT protocols resulted in diagnostic images with adequate resolution and quality.     

Reduction of patient motion artifacts in digital subtraction angiography: evaluation of a fast and fully automatic technique

The performance of an automatic technique for the reduction of patient motion artifacts in digital subtraction angiography was evaluated. Four observers assessed the quality of 104 cerebral digital subtraction angiographic images that were processed by means of both the automatic technique and manual pixel shifting. The automatic technique resulted in better image quality and was considerably less time-consuming.     

CT, MRI, and angiography of venous angiomas: a comparative study

Seventeen venous angiomas in 16 patients were evaluated radiologically at the Montreal Neurological Hospital. Radiologic investigations included contrast-enhanced computed tomograms (CECT) in 15 patients, cerebral angiograms with a long venous phase study in 15, and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging with a spin-echo pulse sequence technique in six. CECT revealed abnormalities including six nodular nonspecific enhancing lesions and nine enhanced draining veins, whereas plain CT revealed intracerebral hemorrhages in four patients and calcification in one. All the angiograms showed the characteristic pattern of venous angiomas consisting of medullary veins converging to a large draining vein during the late venous phase. All six patients examined by MR showed abnormal vascular structures; parenchymal hemorrhages were present in two patients. In five patients with venous angiomas, medullary veins converging to a large draining vein were demonstrated as echo-void curvilinear structures. In two patients, the increased signal from medullary veins in long echo delay sequences was suggestive of a slow venous flow rate. Demonstration of the venous nature of the malformation may, in the future, obviate the need for angiography.