利用同源双能CT (SF-DECT)提高儿童腹部图像质量的可行性研究

目的评估在儿童腹部检查中, 同源双能CT(SF-DECT)是否能在低剂量条件下提高图像质量。方法采用儿童体模进行初步研究, 并于2020年6月至12月期间前瞻性招募20名4～6岁的儿童进行临床验证。分别采用常规单能CT (SECT)和SF-DECT扫描体模和儿童的的腹部区域, 比较SF-DECT和SECT在各剂量下(1、2、3和4 mGy)CT值、图像噪声、对比噪声比(CNR)和图像主观评分。结果在体模研究中, 3和4 mGy剂量条件下, 与SECT相比, SF-DECT的图像噪声分别降低了18.9%和23.6%, 肝脏和肾脏CNR分别最多增加了12.8%和31.9% (Z= 3.00、5.17, P<0.001)。在儿童SF-DECT扫描中, 随着扫描剂量的增加, 图像噪声降低(Z=4.64, P<0.001), 肝脏和肾脏CNR增加(Z=3.78、3.39, P<0.001)。在体模研究和患者研究中, SF-DECT扫描图像的主观评分均优于SECT(Z=1.96～3.80, P<0.05)。结论与SECT相比, SF-DECT能够提高儿童腹部扫描图像质量。该...

Feasibility of improving the quality of children's abdominal images using split-filter dual-energy CT

Objective To evaluate the effects of split-filter dual-energy CT (SF-DECT) in improving image quality at low doses in the process of abdominal examinations for children.Methods A preliminary study was conducted using child phantoms. Furthermore, 20 children aged 4-6 years were recruited prospectively for clinical validation from June 2020 to December 2020. Conventional single-energy CT (SECT) and SF-DECT were employed to scan the abdominal areas of the phantoms and children. Then, the CT values, image noise, contrast to noise ratios (CNRs), and image subjective scores of SF-DECT and SECT were compared under various doses (1, 2, 3, and 4 mGy).Results For the phantoms under doses of 3 and 4 mGy, SF-DECT decreased the image noise by 18.9% and 23.6%, respectively, and increased the liver and kidney CNRs (CNR_liv and CNR_kid) by 12.8% and 31.9% at most, respectively, compared to SECT (Z=3.00, 5.17, P < 0.001). For children, SF-DECT decreased image noise (Z=4.64, P < 0.001) and increased CNR_liv and CNR_kid (Z=3.78, 3.39, P < 0.001). For both the phantoms and the children, the subjective scores of images scanned using the SF-DECT were higher than those scanned using the SECT (Z=1.96-3.80, P < 0.05).Conclusions Compared with SECT, SF-DECT can improve the quality of children''s abdominal images. This technique has a certain prospect of optimizing abdominal CT for children. However, it is necessary to conduct in-depth clinical research to verify the result.