Comparison of image quality between 70 kVp and 80 kVp: application to paediatric cardiac CT

Purpose

To evaluate noise level and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) with various kVp-mAs pairs producing the same computed tomography dose index (CTDI) value. The 80 kVp and new 70-kVp settings were compared.

Materials and methods

The noise was measured in 10 ovoid water phantoms with different diameters from 10 cm to 28 cm. Contrast was obtained from CTs of iodine-filled tubes. Spiral acquisition protocols at 70 kVp and 80 kVp, with the same CTDI, were applied. In the clinical study, two matched groups, each of 21 paediatric patients, underwent 70-kVp or 80-kVp ECG-gated iodinated-enhanced sequential CT.

Results

Noise was significantly higher with 70 kVp than 80-kVp settings for all phantom sizes. Estimated CNR with phantoms was higher at 70 kVp than 80 kVp, and the difference decreased from 17 % to 3 % as phantom size increased. The mean CNR in paediatric patients was 15.2 at 70 kVp and 14.3 at 80 kVp (ns). The CNR difference was significantly larger in the small-child subgroup.

Conclusion

Noise level is slightly higher at the 70-kVp than the 80-kVp setting, but the CNR is higher, particularly for small children. Therefore, 70 kVp may be appropriate for contrast-enhanced CT examinations and 80 kVp for non-enhanced CT in small children.

Key Points

? 70-kVp settings provide a slightly higher noise level compared to 80-kVp settings. ? The CNR is higher with 70-kVp than with 80-kVp settings. ? Without contrast, 80-kVp settings may be preferable over 70-kVp settings.     

Head and neck angiography at 70 kVp with a third-generation dual-source CT system in patients: comparison with 100 kVp

Purpose

This study was conducted in order to evaluate the image quality of 70 kVp and 25 mL contrast medium (CM) volume for head and neck computed tomographic angiography (CTA) and assess the diagnostic accuracy for arterial stenosis.

Methods

Fifty patients were prospectively divided into two groups randomly: group A (n = 25), 70 kVp with 25 mL CM, and group B (n = 25), 100 kVp with 40 mL CM. CT attenuation values, noise, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) of the shoulder, neck, and cerebral arteries were measured for objective image quality. Subjective image quality of the shoulder and cerebral arteries was also evaluated. For patients undergoing digital subtracted angiography (DSA), diagnostic accuracy of CTA was assessed with DSA as reference standard.

Results

The SNRs of the shoulder, neck, and cerebral arteries in group A were higher than those in group B (P < 0.05). The CNRs of the shoulder and neck arteries in group A were higher than those in group B (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in subjective image quality of arteries between group A and group B (P > 0.05). The accuracy was noted as 94.0% (156/166) in group A and 97.1% (134/138) in group B for ≥?50% stenosis. The accuracy of intracranial arterial stenosis was lower than that of extracranial arterial stenosis in group A. The radiation dose of group A was significantly decreased by 56% than that of group B.

Conclusion

Head and neck CTA at 70 kVp using 25 mL CM can obtain diagnostic image quality with lower radiation dose while maintaining high accuracy in detecting the arterial stenosis compared with the 100-kVp and 40-mL CM.

     

Cerebral bone subtraction CT angiography using 80 kVp and sinogram-affirmed iterative reconstruction: contrast medium and radiation dose reduction with improvement of image quality

Introduction

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of a contrast medium (CM), radiation dose reduction protocol for cerebral bone-subtraction CT angiography (BSCTA) using 80-kVp and sinogram-affirmed iterative reconstruction (SAFIRE).

Methods

Seventy-five patients who had undergone BSCTA under the 120- (n = 37) or the 80-kVp protocol (n = 38) were included. CM was 370 mgI/kg for the 120-kVp and 296 mgI/kg for the 80-kVp protocol; the 120- and the 80-kVp images were reconstructed with filtered back-projection (FBP) and SAFIRE, respectively. We compared effective dose (ED), CT attenuation, image noise, and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) of two protocols. We also scored arterial contrast, sharpness, depiction of small arteries, visibility near skull base/clip, and overall image quality on a four-point scale.

Results

ED was 62% lower at 80- than 120-kVp (0.59 ± 0.06 vs 1.56 ± 0.13 mSv, p < 0.01). CT attenuation of the internal carotid artery (ICA) and middle cerebral artery (MCA) was significantly higher on 80- than 120-kVp (ICA: 557.4 ± 105.7 vs 370.0 ± 59.3 Hounsfield units (HU), p < 0.01; MCA: 551.9 ± 107.9 vs 364.6 ± 62.2 HU, p < 0.01). The CNR was also significantly higher on 80- than 120-kVp (ICA: 46.2 ± 10.2 vs 36.9 ± 7.6, p < 0.01; MCA: 45.7 ± 10.0 vs 35.7 ± 9.0, p < 0.01). Visibility near skull base and clip was not significantly different (p = 0.45). The other subjective scores were higher with the 80- than the 120-kVp protocol (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

The 80-kVp acquisition with SAFIRE yields better image quality for BSCTA and substantial reduction in the radiation and CM dose compared to the 120-kVp with FBP protocol.

     

Low-tube-voltage (80 kVp) CT aortography using 320-row volume CT with adaptive iterative reconstruction: lower contrast medium and radiation dose

Objectives

To evaluate CT aortography at reduced tube voltage and contrast medium dose while maintaining image quality through iterative reconstruction (IR).

Methods

The Institutional Review Board approved a prospective study of 48 patients who underwent follow-up CT aortography. We performed intra-individual comparisons of arterial phase images using 120 kVp (standard tube voltage) and 80 kVp (low tube voltage). Low-tube-voltage imaging was performed on a 320-detector CT with IR following injection of 40 ml of contrast medium. We assessed aortic attenuation, aortic attenuation gradient, image noise, contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), volume CT dose index (CTDI_vol), and figure of merit (FOM) of image noise and CNR. Two readers assessed images for diagnostic quality, image noise, and artefacts.

Results

The low-tube-voltage protocol showed 23–31 % higher mean aortic attenuation and image noise (both P?<?0.01) than the standard-tube-voltage protocol, but no significant difference in the CNR and aortic attenuation gradients. The low-tube-voltage protocol showed a 48 % reduction in CTDI_vol and an 80 % increase in FOM of CNR. Subjective diagnostic quality was similar for both protocols, but low-tube-voltage images showed greater image noise (P?=?0.01).

Conclusions

Application of IR to an 80-kVp CT aortography protocol allows radiation dose and contrast medium reduction without affecting image quality.

Key Points

? CT aortography at 80 kVp allows a significant reduction in radiation dose. ? Addition of iterative reconstruction reduces image noise and improves image quality. ? The injected contrast medium dose can be substantially reduced at 80 kVp. ? Aortic enhancement is uniform despite a reduced volume of contrast medium.     

应用80kVp低管电压前瞻性冠状动脉CTA探讨

目的：探讨在低体重指数（BMI）患者前瞻性冠状动脉CTA中使用80kVp管电压的可行性。方法：对84例临床疑似冠心病的患者行前瞻性冠状动脉CTA检查。将84例患者按BMl分为80kVp（BMI≤22kg／m2）和100kVp（22kg／m2〈BMl≤25kg／m2）两组。脉冲曝光时间为200ms（心率≤65次／分）或380ms（心率〉65次／分）。分析直径≥1．5mm的冠状动脉节段的图像质量,比较各组的图像质量及辐射剂量。结果：两组患者的年龄、身高、心率的一致性较好（P值〉0．05）。80kVp、100kVp组的ED分别为（0．56±0．21）mSv、（1．43±0．58）mSv。两组的CT容积剂量指数（CTDIv01）、剂量长度乘积（DLP）、ED的差异均有统计学意义（P=0．000）。80kVp、100kVp组的合格图像分别为92．2％、91．8％。两组的图像质量评分、主动脉SNR及左、右冠状动脉主干CNR差异无统计学意义（P〉005）。结论：80kVp的超低管电压前瞻性冠状动脉cTA可以应用于低BMI患者,图像质量足以满足诊断需要,辐射剂量显著降低。     

64-Slice CT angiography of the abdominal aorta and abdominal arteries: comparison of the diagnostic efficacy of iobitridol 350 mgI/ml versus iomeprol 400 mgI/ml in a prospective, randomised, double-blind multi-centre trial

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to assess the influence of iodine concentration on diagnostic efficacy in multi-detector-row computed tomography (MDCT) angiography of the abdominal aorta and abdominal arteries.

Methods

IRB approval and informed consent were obtained. In this double-blind trial, patients were randomised to undergo MDCT angiography of the abdominal arteries during administration of iobitridol (350 mgI/ml) or iomeprol (400 mgI/ml). Each centre applied its own technique for delivery of contrast medium, regardless of iodine concentration. Diagnostic efficacy, image quality, visualisation of the arterial wall and arterial enhancement were evaluated. A total of 153 patients received iobitridol and 154 received iomeprol.

Results

The ability to reach a diagnosis was “satisfactory” to “totally satisfactory” in 152 (99.3%) and 153 (99.4%) patients respectively. Image quality was rated as being “good” to “excellent” in 94.7 and 94.8% segments respectively. Similar results were observed for image quality of arterial walls (84.3 vs. 83.2%). The mean relative changes in arterial enhancement between baseline and arterial phase images showed no statistically significant differences.

Conclusion

This study demonstrated the non-inferiority of the 350 versus 400 mgI/ml iodine concentration, in terms of diagnostic efficacy, in abdominal MDCT angiography. It also confirmed the high robustness and reliability of this technique across multi-national practices.     

80kVp、低浓度对比剂冠状动脉CTA检查的初步研究

目的:探讨64排螺旋CT采用ASIR技术、80kVp管电压及低浓度碘海醇(300mg I/mL)行冠状动脉CTA检查的可行性。方法:搜集在我院行冠状动脉CTA检查、BMI 20～25kg/m2的25例患者。扫描方案采用前门控扫描技术,管电压80kVp,对比剂为碘海醇(300mg I/mL,用量60mL),自动毫安,30%ASIR技术重建。将冠状动脉分为16个节段,分别对每例患者冠状动脉各节段的CT值进行测量,对图像质量进行评分,并记录每例患者接受的辐射剂量,对测量结果进行统计学分析。结果:冠状动脉各节段CT值均可达到临床诊断要求。冠状动脉各节段图像质量评分均为3分及以上。辐射剂量远低于常规后门控扫描技术(管电压120kVp,对比剂碘帕醇浓度370mg I/mL)。结论:64排螺旋CT80kVp条件下采用300mg I/mL碘海醇行冠状动脉CTA检查可获得较好的图像质量,能够满足临床诊断需要,同时大幅度降低患者所受辐射剂量。     

Application of a full model-based iterative reconstruction (MBIR) in 80 kVp ultra-low-dose paranasal sinus CT imaging of pediatric patients

Objective

To evaluate the clinical application of a full model-based iterative reconstruction (MBIR) algorithm in the ultra-low-dose paranasal sinus CT imaging of children.

Materials and methods

In the first phase, 16 low-dose CT dacryocystography (DCG) (80 kV/64 mAs) scans were reconstructed with MBIR and filtered back-projection (FBP) to demonstrate noise reduction capability of MBIR. MBIR images were also compared with the images of 21 standard-dose paranasal sinus patients reconstructed with adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction (ASIR) algorithm. In the second phase, 14 pediatric tumors patients (images with ASIR in the initial scan) who came for follow-up paranasal sinus CT scan were prospectively enrolled with reduced radiation and MBIR algorithm. In both study phases, image noise and the contrast noise ratio (CNR) of sphenoid was measured; and subjective image quality was evaluated. CTDIvol and DLP were recorded, and effective dose calculated.

Results

The CTDIvol value for the DCG group was 63.9% lower than the standard-dose sinus group (1.09 ± 0.01 mGy vs. 3.02 ± 0.35 mGy). Compared with the ASIR reconstruction in the standard-dose sinus patient group, images with MBIR in the ultra-low-dose DCG group had 39.9% lower noise (9.5 ± 0.8HU vs. 15.8 ± 3.3HU) and 63.6% higher CNR (14.4 ± 4.7 vs. 8.8 ± 2.2), with similar subjective image quality score. For the tumor patients, 65.5% dose reduction was achieved. Subjective quality scores were similar between the initial and follow-up scans. Objective noise was significantly lower for the follow-up group.

Conclusion

MBIR provided equal or better image quality with significantly reduced radiation dose in paranasal sinus CT imaging of pediatric patients compared with standard-dose CT with ASIR algorithm.

     

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。     

400 mgI/ml和370 mgI/ml造影剂在脊髓血管CTA中的应用对比

目的：比较400mgI／ml与370mgI／ml非离子碘造影剂在脊髓血管CTA中能否提高脊髓前动脉、大根髓动脉的图像质量。方法：103例患者分为370mgI／ml组（51例）和400mgI／ml组（52例）,行多排CT脊髓血管CTA扫描,图像经颅脑CT算法及小视野二次重建,对比（1）降主动脉起始段CT值;（2）脊髓前动脉（ASA）和大根髓动脉（AA）显示率;（3）AA走行各段对比噪声比（CNR）;（4）ASA和AA图像质量评分。结果：370mgI／ml组和400mgI／ml组降主动脉起始段血管内密度分别为（305．5&#177;23．7）HU和（367．4&#177;19．8）HU,组间有统计学差异（t=2．23,P〈0．05）;370mgI／ml组和400mgI／ml组的ASA和AA的显示率均为100％;370mgI／ml组和400mgI／ml组AA各段的CNR分别为：（1）AA起源血管段（肋间动脉或腰动脉）：24．11&#177;4．43和27．88&#177;5．12,组间有统计学差异（t=3．998,P〈0．05）;（2）椎间孔段：7．23&#177;4．28和7．87&#177;4．72,组间无统计学差异（t=0．316,P〉0．05）;（3）椎管内段：6．08&#177;1．17和6．53&#177;1．52,组间无统计学差异（t=0．894,P〉0．05）;（4）汇入ASA动脉后：9．72&#177;1．91和9．49&#177;2．01,组间无统计学差异（t=0．564,P〉0．05）。ASA和AA的图像质量评分显示370mgI／ml组和400mgI／ml组组间没有统计学差异（Χ^2=0．317,P〉0．05;Χ^2=0．569,P〉0．05）。结论：多排CT脊髓CTA中,使用400mgI／ml非离子碘造影剂与370mgI／ml非离子碘造影剂相比可以增加血管强化,但并不能显著提高ASA和AA图像质量。     

Is body weight the most appropriate criterion to select patients eligible for low-dose pulmonary CT angiography? Analysis of objective and subjective image quality at 80 kVp in 100 patients

The objective of this retrospective study was to assess image quality with pulmonary CT angiography (CTA) using 80 kVp and to find anthropomorphic parameters other than body weight (BW) to serve as selection criteria for low-dose CTA. Attenuation in the pulmonary arteries, anteroposterior and lateral diameters, cross-sectional area and soft-tissue thickness of the chest were measured in 100 consecutive patients weighing less than 100 kg with 80 kVp pulmonary CTA. Body surface area (BSA) and contrast-to-noise ratios (CNR) were calculated. Three radiologists analyzed arterial enhancement, noise, and image quality. Image parameters between patients grouped by BW (group 1: 0–50 kg; groups 2–6: 51–100 kg, decadally increasing) were compared. CNR was higher in patients weighing less than 60 kg than in the BW groups 71–99 kg (P between 0.025 and <0.001). Subjective ranking of enhancement (P = 0.165–0.605), noise (P = 0.063), and image quality (P = 0.079) did not differ significantly across all patient groups. CNR correlated moderately strongly with weight (R = −0.585), BSA (R = −0.582), cross-sectional area (R = −0.544), and anteroposterior diameter of the chest (R = −0.457; P < 0.001 all parameters). We conclude that 80 kVp pulmonary CTA permits diagnostic image quality in patients weighing up to 100 kg. Body weight is a suitable criterion to select patients for low-dose pulmonary CTA.     

Feasibility of prospectively ECG-triggered high-pitch coronary CT angiography with 30 mL iodinated contrast agent at 70 kVp: initial experience

Objectives

To evaluate the feasibility, image quality and radiation dose of prospectively ECG-triggered high-pitch coronary CT angiography (CCTA) with 30 mL contrast agent at 70 kVp.

Methods

Fifty-eight patients with suspected coronary artery disease, a body mass index (BMI) of less than 25 kg/m², sinus rhythm and a heart rate (HR) of less than 70 beats per minute (bpm) were prospectively enrolled in this study. Thirty mL of 370 mg I/mL iodinated contrast agent was administrated at a flow rate of 5 mL/s. All patients underwent prospectively ECG-triggered high-pitch CCTA on a second-generation dual-source CT system at 70 kVp using automated tube current modulation.

Results

Fifty-six patients (96.6 %) had diagnostic CCTA images and two patients (3.4 %) had one vessel with poor image quality each rated as non-diagnostic. No significant effects of HR, HR variability and BMI on CCTA image quality were observed (all P?>?0.05). Effective dose was 0.17?±?0.02 mSv and the size-specific dose estimate was 1.03?±?0.13 mGy.

Conclusion

Prospectively ECG-triggered high-pitch CCTA at 70 kVp with 30 mL of contrast agent can provide diagnostic image quality at a radiation dose of less than 0.2 mSv in patients with a BMI of less than 25 kg/m² and an HR of less than 70 bpm.

Key points

? Prospectively ECG-triggered high-pitch CCTA at 70 kVp/30 mL contrast agent is feasible. ? Diagnostic image quality can be obtained at a radiation dose of less than 0.2 mSv. ? This protocol is suitable for normal-weight patients with slow heart rate.     

80kVp、低剂量对比剂结合ASIR重建在肺动脉CTA中的初步研究

目的探讨能谱CT采用80k Vp管电压、低剂量对比剂结合ASIR技术行CT肺动脉成像(CTPA)的可行性。方法 60例临床拟诊为肺动脉栓塞的患者,随机分成2组,每组30例,行CTPA检查。A组管电压为120k Vp,对比剂用量60ml,FBP技术重建。B组管电压为80k Vp,对比剂用量为20ml,50%ASIR技术重建。采用独立样本的t检验比较两组图像肺动脉CT值、图像背景噪声、信噪比(SNR)、对比噪声比(CNR)、CT剂量指数(CTDIvol)、剂量长度乘积(DLP)和有效剂量(ED)的差异。采用Mann-Whitney U检验比较两组图像主观评分差异。结果 B组肺动脉CT值、SNR、CNR均高于A组(P<0.05)。B组CTDIvol、DLP、ED均低于A组(P<0.05)。两组图像背景噪声、图像质量主观评分差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论 80k Vp、低剂量对比剂结合ASIR技术行CTPA检查可获得较好的图像质量,满足临床诊断要求,同时降低人体辐射剂量及对比剂用量。     

Usefulness of dual-energy CT scanning at 80?kVp for identifying hilar and mediastinal structures: evaluation of contrast enhancement of the pulmonary vessels and lymph nodes

Purpose  

We examined whether the 80-kVp CT images scanned at 100 s after contrast material injection using a dual-source scanner could be substituted for the conventional 120-kVp images obtained at an earlier timing of 30 s.     

80kVp条件下低剂量对比剂分次团注双期CTU的应用研究

目的 研究80 kVp联合迭代重建技术的条件下,使用低剂量碘对比剂行分次团注双期CT尿路成像(CTU)检查的可行性.方法 60例血尿待查患者分为2组(80 kVp组、120 kVp组各30例),行全泌尿系平扫及分2次团注对比剂后行肾实质-分泌期CTU扫描.2次团注对比剂的方案为:80 kVp组35 mL和60 mL;120 kVp组50 mL和70 mL.2组CTU重建方法为:80 kVp组自适应统计迭代重建(30％ASiR);120 kVp组滤波反投影(FBP).2名读片者对CTU重建图像进行独立盲法读片,对图像质量进行主观评分,测量图像噪声、集合系统各段CT值,计算对比噪声比(CNR).记录、计算所有病例CTU有效剂量(ED)及体型特异性剂量评估值(SSDE).对2组图像质量主观评分、噪声、CT值、CNR、ED及SSDE使用非参数秩和检验进行比较,以P<0.05为差异有统计学意义.结果 80 kVp组与120 kVp组图像质量主观评分差异无统计学意义(Z=-1.791,P=0.073).80 kVp组图像噪声高于120 kVp组,差异有统计学意义(Z=-6.299,P<0.001).80 kVp组S6段(膀胱)CT值高于120 kVp组(Z=-2.466,P=0.014),余2组CTU各尿路分段CT值差异均无统计学意义(Z=-1.204～-0.163,P=0.228～0.871);2组CTU各尿路分段CNR差异均无统计学意义(Z=-1.818～-0.202,P=0.069～0.840).80 kVp组ED和SSDE低于120 kVp组,差异有统计学意义(Z=-6.655～-6.653,P<0.001).结论 80 kVp联合迭代重建技术的条件下,使用低剂量碘对比剂行分次团注双期CTU检查是可行的,可明显降低辐射剂量,且图像质量满足临床诊断要求.     

Tube potential can be lowered to 80 kVp in test bolus phase of CT coronary angiography (CTCA) and CT pulmonary angiography (CTPA) to save dose without compromising diagnostic quality

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to determine whether performing the test bolus (TB) of computed tomography coronary angiography (CTCA) and computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) at 80 kVp reduces dose without compromising diagnostic quality.

Methods

An 80 kVp TB protocol for CTCA and CTPA was retrospectively compared to standard TB protocol (non-obese: 100 kVp, obese: 120 kVp). CT angiogram parameters were unchanged between cohorts. Thirty-seven consecutive 80 kVp TB CTCA images were compared to 53 standard CTCA images. Fifty consecutive CTPAs from each protocol were analysed. Diagnostic quality of the CT angiogram was assessed by: mean attenuation, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) in the ascending aorta (AA) in CTCA and in the main pulmonary artery (MPA) in CTPA, diagnostic rate, and number of repeated monitoring scans. Mean effective dose was estimated using the dose-length product.

Results

Mean TB effective doses were significantly lower (P?Conclusions Routinely performing TB at 80 kVp, regardless of body habitus, in CTCA and CTPA results in a small but significant dose reduction, without compromising CT angiogram diagnostic quality.

Key Points

? CT coronary angiography is performed to exclude the presence of significant coronary atherosclerosis. ? CT pulmonary angiography is performed to diagnose pulmonary thromboembolism. ? This retrospective study showed dose reduction by performing test bolus at 80 kVp. ? Diagnosis can be made with reduced exposure to ionising radiation.     

管电压80kVp时不同浓度对比剂CTPA图像质量的自身对照实验研究

目的 探讨管电压80 kVp条件下保证兔CT肺动脉血管成像(CTPA)图像质量的最低碘对比剂浓度.方法 新西兰大白兔10只,每只间隔3d各行4次CTPA检查,碘对比剂浓度分别为350、300、270、250 mg I/mL.测量肺动脉主干及其同层面空气、左右肺动脉、上肺及下肺段以下肺动脉CT值,计算噪声(N)、对比噪声比(CNR)及信噪比(SNR),均以x-±s表示,采用单因素方差分析进行比较,多重比较采用Dunnettt检验.同时将肺动脉以段级肺动脉为界分为大血管和小血管,采用多个样本比较的Krskal-Wallis H检验,编秩后行LSD-t检验进行多重比较.不同观察者间及同一观察者不同次测量(间隔1月)肺动脉CT值采用配对t检验,血管评分采用配对样本比较的Wilcoxon符号秩检验.结果 不同对比剂浓度的CTPA均可显示6级肺动脉分支.270组肺动脉CT值[主肺动脉(687.17±167.83) HU]与最高的300组无明显差异[主肺动脉(848.68±185.03) HU](t =-161.52,P=0.097).270组CNR(6.3±1.30)及SNR(10.9±2.01)最高(t=-45.99,P=0.008;t=3.73,P=0.088),而N(62.84±6.05)最低(t=-11.09,P=0.016). 270组与其他3组间对于大血管评分无统计学差异(350～250组依次为3.91±0.35,3.90±0.38,3.90±0.42,3.86±0.42,H=6.588,P=0.086).270组对小血管评分低于350组及300组,但达到诊断要求(3.34±0.51).结论 管电压80 kVp时,兔CTPA检查采用270 mg I/mL碘对比剂较合适,可有效降低碘单位注射剂量.     

低辐射剂量肝脏CT增强扫描：80kVp结合迭代重建技术的初步研究

目的：探讨80 kVp管电压结合迭代重建技术（SAFIRE）在正常体重人群肝脏CT增强扫描中应用的可行性。方法：前瞻性地对身体质量指数（BMI）18～24 kg／m2、临床怀疑肝脏疾病的46例患者采用低辐射剂量（80 kVp、420 mAs）进行CT增强扫描,对比剂注射采用个性化方案。以滤波反投影法（FBP）和5种强度SAFIRE（1～5）方法分别进行图像重建。图像质量的客观评估指标：图像噪声、对比噪声比（CNR）、品质指数（FOM）。图像质量的主观评估：对图像噪声、血管显示、伪影及图像整体质量进行主观评分,并对动脉晚期的期相进行评估。结果：图像质量客观评估结果：SAFIRE-5图像的噪声最小,CNR及 FOM 值最高,与其余5组图像间差异均有统计学意义（P＜0．05）。图像质量主观评估结果：SAFIRE-5图像的噪声、血管显示情况及硬化伪影的评估结果均优于其它5组,但“蜡样”伪影的评分明显低于其它各组,使其图像整体评分受到影响;SAFIRE-3图像的整体评分最高,与其它各组间差异有统计学意义;95．6％（44／46）的动脉晚期图像质量合格。结论：正常体型人群行肝脏CT增强扫描时,使用80kVp结合迭代重建技术及个性化对比剂注射方案,能得到较好的图像质量;此种条件下,建议使用SAFIRE-3进行图像重建。     

100kVp冠状动脉CTA检查的可行性研究

目的:探讨100kVp冠状动脉成像的可行性。方法:将临床拟诊为冠心病、体重<80kg的101例病例分别纳入100kVp组(n=65)和120kVp组(n=36),均在64排螺旋CT上进行回顾性心电门控扫描。100kVp组管电压为100kVp,心电图自动管电流调制(峰值400mA);120kVp组管电压为120kVp,心电图自动管电流调制(峰值500mA),对比剂流率及用量均采用个性化给药方案。两组均使用自适应统计迭代重建技术(30%ASIR)。记录有效辐射剂量(ED)值及体型特异性剂量评估(SSDE)值。评估主动脉根部及冠状动脉主要分支(左主干、左前降支、左回降支、右冠支及后降支)的强化效果和图像质量(噪声、CNR及SNR),同时对图像质量进行主观评价。结果:100kVp组目标血管CT值均明显高于120kVp组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05),且100kVp组(5.65mSv)有效辐射剂量明显低于120kVp组(12.66mSv),差异有统计学意义(P<0.05),100kVp组较120kVp组辐射剂量降低约55.34%;100kVp组(29.68mGy)的SSDE值较120kVp组(70.34mGy)降低57.8%,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。120kVp组的图像噪声高于100kVp组(P<0.05),SNR及CNR低于120kVp组(P<0.05),两组之间的图像质量评分差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论:对于体重<80kg的患者,采用100kVp的低剂量扫描模式行冠状动脉成像,可以在大幅降低辐射剂量的同时获得满足临床诊断需要的图像。