Illustrations cliniques en neurologie

The examples and clinical cases presented in this section are not intended to be considered as absolute models in terms of image quality or device parameter settings. They must initiate an individual analysis according to CT parameters and image quality. Nevertheless, they present practically different CT levels, which can be used according to the clinical context and the type of device.     

Illustrations cliniques en pédiatrie

The examples and clinical cases presented in this section are not intended to be considered as absolute models in terms of image quality or device parameter settings. They must initiate an individual analysis according to CT parameters and image quality. Nevertheless, they present practically different CT levels which can be used according to the clinical context and the type of device.     

Illustrations cliniques en ostéo-articulaire

The examples and clinical cases presented in this section are not intended to be considered as absolute models in terms of image quality or device parameter settings. They must initiate an individual analysis according to CT parameters and image quality. Nevertheless, they present practically different CT levels, which can be used according to the clinical context and the type of device.     

Illustrations cliniques en cardiologie

The examples and clinical cases presented in this section are not intended to be considered as absolute models in terms of image quality or device parameter settings. They must initiate an individual analysis according to CT parameters and image quality. Nevertheless, they present practically different CT levels which can be used according to the clinical context and the type of device.     

Illustrations cliniques en oncologie

The examples and clinical cases presented in this section are not intended to be considered as absolute models in terms of image quality or device parameter settings. They must initiate an individual analysis according to CT parameters and image quality. Nevertheless, they present practically different CT levels, which can be used according to the clinical context and the type of device.     

Illustrations cliniques en endocrinologie

The examples and clinical cases presented in this section are not intended to be considered as absolute models in terms of image quality or device parameter settings. They must initiate an individual analysis according to CT parameters and image quality. Nevertheless, they present practically different CT levels, which can be used according to the clinical context and the type of device.     

Ultra-low dose whole-body CT for attenuation correction in a dual tracer PET/CT protocol for multiple myeloma

PurposeTo investigate within phantoms the minimum CT dose allowed for accurate attenuation correction of PET data and to quantify the effective dose reduction when a CT for this purpose is incorporated in the clinical setting.MethodsThe NEMA image quality phantom was scanned within a large parallelepiped container. Twenty-one different CT images were acquired to correct attenuation of PET raw data. Radiation dose and image quality were evaluated.Thirty-one patients with proven multiple myeloma who underwent a dual tracer PET/CT scan were retrospectively reviewed. ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose PET/CT included a diagnostic whole-body low dose CT (WBLDCT: 120 kV-80mAs) and ¹¹C-Methionine PET/CT included a whole-body ultra-low dose CT (WBULDCT) for attenuation correction (100 kV-40mAs). Effective dose and image quality were analysed.ResultsOnly the two lowest radiation dose conditions (80 kV-20mAs and 80 kV-10mAs) produced artifacts in CT images that degraded corrected PET images. For all the other conditions (CTDI_vol ≥ 0.43 mGy), PET contrast recovery coefficients varied less than ± 1.2%.Patients received a median dose of 6.4 mSv from diagnostic CT and 2.1 mSv from the attenuation correction CT. Despite the worse image quality of this CT, 94.8% of bone lesions were identifiable.ConclusionPhantom experiments showed that an ultra-low dose CT can be implemented in PET/CT procedures without any noticeable degradation in the attenuation corrected PET scan. The replacement of the standard CT for this ultra-low dose CT in clinical PET/CT scans involves a significant radiation dose reduction.     

Small-animal imaging using clinical positron emission tomography/computed tomography and super-resolution

Considering the high cost of dedicated small-animal positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT), an acceptable alternative in many situations might be clinical PET/CT. However, spatial resolution and image quality are of concern. The utility of clinical PET/CT for small-animal research and image quality improvements from super-resolution (spatial subsampling) were investigated. National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) NU 4 phantom and mouse data were acquired with a clinical PET/CT scanner, as both conventional static and stepped scans. Static scans were reconstructed with and without point spread function (PSF) modeling. Stepped images were postprocessed with iterative deconvolution to produce super-resolution images. Image quality was markedly improved using the super-resolution technique, avoiding certain artifacts produced by PSF modeling. The 2 mm rod of the NU 4 phantom was visualized with high contrast, and the major structures of the mouse were well resolved. Although not a perfect substitute for a state-of-the-art small-animal PET/CT scanner, a clinical PET/CT scanner with super-resolution produces acceptable small-animal image quality for many preclinical research studies.     

Adaptive Tensor-Based Principal Component Analysis for Low-Dose CT Image Denoising

Computed tomography (CT) has a revolutionized diagnostic radiology but involves large radiation doses that directly impact image quality. In this paper, we propose adaptive tensor-based principal component analysis (AT-PCA) algorithm for low-dose CT image denoising. Pixels in the image are presented by their nearby neighbors, and are modeled as a patch. Adaptive searching windows are calculated to find similar patches as training groups for further processing. Tensor-based PCA is used to obtain transformation matrices, and coefficients are sequentially shrunk by the linear minimum mean square error. Reconstructed patches are obtained, and a denoised image is finally achieved by aggregating all of these patches. The experimental results of the standard test image show that the best results are obtained with two denoising rounds according to six quantitative measures. For the experiment on the clinical images, the proposed AT-PCA method can suppress the noise, enhance the edge, and improve the image quality more effectively than NLM and KSVD denoising methods.     

Artificial intelligence in image reconstruction: The change is here

Innovations in CT have been impressive among imaging and medical technologies in both the hardware and software domain. The range and speed of CT scanning improved from the introduction of multidetector-row CT scanners with wide-array detectors and faster gantry rotation speeds. To tackle concerns over rising radiation doses from its increasing use and to improve image quality, CT reconstruction techniques evolved from filtered back projection to commercial release of iterative reconstruction techniques, and recently, of deep learning (DL)-based image reconstruction. These newer reconstruction techniques enable improved or retained image quality versus filtered back projection at lower radiation doses. DL can aid in image reconstruction with training data without total reliance on the physical model of the imaging process, unique artifacts of PCD-CT due to charge sharing, K-escape, fluorescence x-ray emission, and pulse pileups can be handled in the data-driven fashion. With sufficiently reconstructed images, a well-designed network can be trained to upgrade image quality over a practical/clinical threshold or define new/killer applications. Besides, the much smaller detector pixel for PCD-CT can lead to huge computational costs with traditional model-based iterative reconstruction methods whereas deep networks can be much faster with training and validation. In this review, we present techniques, applications, uses, and limitations of deep learning-based image reconstruction methods in CT.     

Illustrations pratiques — Pièges et artefacts/Trucs et astuces

Artifacts result from discrepancy between the estimated density values coming from the reconstructed CT image and the real value. They may come from many reasons (patient, device, algorithm, RX physical) and lead to deterioration of image quality and bad attenuation correction for SPECT or PET.     

256层螺旋CT前瞻性心电门控冠状动脉成像的临床应用价值及其对比剂浓度研究

目的:探讨256层螺旋CT前瞻性心电门控冠状动脉成像的临床应用价值及不同浓度对比剂对其成像质量、碘用量以及有效辐射剂量的影响。方法:对120例疑似冠心病患者行256层螺旋CT成像扫描,将患者随机分为前瞻性心电门控组和回顾性心电门控组;出院前再将前瞻性心电门控组患者按数表法随机分为低浓度对比剂组、中浓度对比剂组和高浓度对比剂组。比较各组成像质量、碘用量、有效辐射剂量。结果:前瞻性心电门控组与回顾性心电门控组图像质量主观评分分布、可评价节段率、优良率、有效碘用量、信噪比(SNR)、载噪比(CNR)、主动脉CT值(CT主)、主动脉噪声值(SD主)比较无统计学差异(P0.05)。前瞻性心电门控组有效辐射剂量显著低于回顾性心电门控组(P0.05)。高浓度对比剂组可评价节段率、优良率、有效碘用量、SNR、CNR、CT主显著高于低浓度对比剂组和中浓度对比剂组(P0.05),中浓度对比剂组CNR显著高于低浓度对比剂组(P0.05)。结论:前瞻性心电门控技术用于冠心病诊断的图像质量与回顾性心电门控技术无明显差异,但是前瞻性心电门控技术辐射剂量更低。前瞻性心电门控使用低浓度对比剂可以获得满足临床诊断需要的图像质量,且碘用量更少。     

Apport du TDM en imagerie multimodalité : le point de vue du physicien médical

The recent introduction of hybrid systems SPECT/CT and PET/CT in nuclear medicine, greatly improved the diagnostic accuracy for particular clinical indications, due to the possible attenuation correction of functional images and the availability of helpful anatomic information. The introduction of CT in the nuclear diagnostic process results in a significant increase of the patient dose. This increase should be justified and optimized considering both the clinical question and the CT settings available on these systems. The choice of CT settings directly affects the effective dose. It varies basically as the square of the tube voltage, linearly with the length of the scan and the product of the current by the rotation time of the tube. It is also inversely proportional to the pitch. For attenuation correction, the literature shows that it is possible to use a low CT tube current without significant effect on tumor FDG uptake or lesion size. Conversely low CT voltage must be used with caution, depending on the algorithm implemented in the CT hybrid device to transform CT Hounsfield units to the attenuation map at the appropriate energy. The radiation dose for anatomic correlation can be substantially lower than for diagnostic-quality CT. It is possible to reduce the patient's radiation dose by a factor of 2 or 3 by acquiring a low-dose PET/CT scan for anatomic correlation of adequate image quality if compared with diagnostic ¹⁸FDG PET/CT. Using specific CT settings, the effective dose can range 7.3–11.3 mSv depending on the patient weight and age.     

Dose optimization in cardiac CT

Rapid progress in the field of Cardiac CT is fostered by the advances in CT scanner technology as well as multiple clinical trials demonstrating its role in coronary artery disease and other indications like congenital heart disease, pulmonary vein assessment and pre transcatheter aortic valve replacement. The cardiovascular imager today is responsible for delivering diagnostic image quality while striking a balance with optimized radiation dose. Radiation dose is the result of multiple scanner and patient related factors. Achieving a justifiable radiation dose according to the ALARA principle requires an adept understanding of the factors affecting radiation dose. We review different scan factors and their effect on radiation dose and present strategies for radiation dose optimization in cardiac CT.     

Evaluation of automatic image quality assessment in chest CT – A human cadaver study

PurposeThe evaluation of clinical image quality (IQ) is important to optimize CT protocols and to keep patient doses as low as reasonably achievable. Considering the significant amount of effort needed for human observer studies, automatic IQ tools are a promising alternative. The purpose of this study was to evaluate automatic IQ assessment in chest CT using Thiel embalmed cadavers.MethodsChest CT’s of Thiel embalmed cadavers were acquired at different exposures. Clinical IQ was determined by performing a visual grading analysis. Physical-technical IQ (noise, contrast-to-noise and contrast-detail) was assessed in a Catphan phantom. Soft and sharp reconstructions were made with filtered back projection and two strengths of iterative reconstruction. In addition to the classical IQ metrics, an automatic algorithm was used to calculate image quality scores (IQs). To be able to compare datasets reconstructed with different kernels, the IQs values were normalized.ResultsGood correlations were found between IQs and the measured physical-technical image quality: noise (ρ = −1.00), contrast-to-noise (ρ = 1.00) and contrast-detail (ρ = 0.96). The correlation coefficients between IQs and the observed clinical image quality of soft and sharp reconstructions were 0.88 and 0.93, respectively.ConclusionsThe automatic scoring algorithm is a promising tool for the evaluation of thoracic CT scans in daily clinical practice. It allows monitoring of the image quality of a chest protocol over time, without human intervention. Different reconstruction kernels can be compared after normalization of the IQs.     

Dosimetric characterization of carbon fiber stabilization devices for post-operative particle therapy

PurposeThe aim of this study was to evaluate the dosimetric impact caused by recently introduced carbon fiber reinforced polyetheretherketone (CF/PEEK) stabilization devices, in comparison with conventional titanium (Ti) implants, for post-operative particle therapy (PT).MethodsAs a first step, protons and carbon ions Spread-Out Bragg Peaks (SOBPs) were delivered to CF/PEEK and Ti screws. Transversal dose profiles were acquired with EBT3 films to evaluate beam perturbation. Effects on image quality and reconstruction artifacts were then investigated. CT scans of CF/PEEK and Ti implants were acquired according to our clinical protocol and Hounsfield Unit (HU) mean values were evaluated in three regions of interest. Implants and artifacts were then contoured in the sample CT scans, together with a target volume to simulate a spine tumor. Dose calculation accuracy was assessed by comparing optimized dose distributions with Monte Carlo simulations. In the end, the treatment plans of nine real patients (seven with CF/PEEK and two with Ti stabilization devices) were retrospectively analyzed to evaluate the dosimetric impact potentially occurring if improper management of the spine implant was carried out.ResultsAs expected, CF/PEEK screw caused a very slight beam perturbation in comparison with Ti ones, leading to a lower degree of dose degradation in case of contouring and/or set-up uncertainties. Furthermore, CF/PEEK devices did not determine appreciable HU artifacts on CT images thus improving image quality and, as a final result, dose calculation accuracy.ConclusionsCF/PEEK spinal fixation devices resulted dosimetrically more suitable than commonly-used Ti implants for post-operative PT.     

Assessment of the variation in CT scanner performance (image quality and Hounsfield units) with scan parameters,for image optimisation in radiotherapy treatment planning

PurposeTo define a method and investigate how the adjustment of scan parameters affected the image quality and Hounsfield units (HUs) on a CT scanner used for radiotherapy treatment planning. A lack of similar investigations in the literature may be a contributing factor in the apparent reluctance to optimise radiotherapy CT protocols.MethodA Catphan phantom was used to assess how image quality on a Toshiba Aquilion LB scanner changed with scan parameters. Acquisition and reconstruction field-of-view (FOV), collimation, image slice thickness, effective mAs per rotation and reconstruction algorithm were varied. Changes were assessed for HUs of different materials, high contrast spatial resolution (HCSR), contrast-noise ratio (CNR), HU uniformity, scan direction low contrast and CT dose-index.ResultsCNR and HCSR varied most with reconstruction algorithm, reconstruction FOV and effective mAs. Collimation, but not image slice width, had a significant effect on CT dose-index with narrower collimation giving higher doses. Dose increased with effective mAs. Highest HU differences were seen when changing reconstruction algorithm: 56 HU for densities close to water and 117 HU for bone-like materials. Acquisition FOV affected the HUs but reconstruction FOV and effective mAs did not.ConclusionsAll the scan parameters investigated affected the image quality metrics. Reconstruction algorithm, reconstruction FOV, collimation and effective mAs were most important. Reconstruction algorithm and acquisition FOV had significant effect on HU. The methodology is applicable to radiotherapy CT scanners when investigating image quality optimisation, prior to assessing the impact of scan protocol changes on clinical CT images and treatment plans.     

宝石能谱CT GSI成像和常规成像在上腹部应用价值的对比研究

目的:探讨宝石能谱CT GSI扫描模式在上腹部检查中降低辐射剂量和优化图像质量的可行性及应用价值。方法:选择2016年9月至2016年12月期间我院40例拟行上腹部三期增强的患者,根据扫描模式将患者分为A组和B组,每组20例。A组患者采用宝石能谱CT常规扫描模式行螺旋扫描,管电压120 Kvp及自动毫安管电流,确定NI值为10。B组患者采用GSI模式行三期增强扫描收集门脉期图像。回顾性自适应统计迭代重建(ASIR)70kev单能量图像,应用ASIR Review工具收集0到100%ASIR的CT值、噪声值,计算图像信号噪声比(SNR)。记录各组剂量报告中CT剂量容积指数(CTDI vol)及剂量长度乘积(DLP),并计算有效剂量(ED),采用图像质量主观评分对图像进行评价。结果:B组CT值、噪声值及SNR均高于A组(P0.05),B组CTDIvol、DLP和ED均显著低于A组(P0.05);随着ASIR升高,SNR升高,但是图像质量主观评分先升高后降低。当ASIR为50%时,图像质量最高,不同ASIR的CT值、噪声值之间的差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:宝石能谱CT GSI扫描模式的效果明显优于螺旋扫描,同时在降低图像噪声的前提下选择50%ASIR,可保障图像质量。     

Image quality for radiotherapy CT simulators with different scanner bore size

PurposeWe compare image quality parameters derived from phantom images taken on three commercially available radiotherapy CT simulators. To make an unbiased evaluation, we assured images were obtained with the same surface dose measured using XR-QA2 model GafChromic™ film placed at the imaging phantom surface for all three CT-simulators.MethodsRadiotherapy CT simulators GE LS 16, Philips Brilliance Big Bore, and Toshiba Aquilion LB were compared in terms of spatial resolution, low contrast detectability, image uniformity, and contrast to noise ratio using CATPHAN-504 phantom, scanned with Head and Pelvis protocols. Dose was measured at phantom surface, with CT scans repeated until doses on all scanners were within 2%.ResultsIn terms of spatial resolution, the GE simulator appears slightly better, while Philips CT images are superior in terms of SNR for both scanning protocols. The CNR results show that Philips CT images appear to be better, except for high Z material, while Toshiba appears to fit in between the two simulators.ConclusionsWhile the image quality parameters for three RT CT simulators show comparable results, the scanner bore size is of vital importance in various radiotherapy applications. Since the image quality is a function of a large number of confounding parameters, any loss in image quality due to scanner bore size could be compensated by the appropriate choice of scanning parameters, including the exposure and by balancing between the additional imaging dose to the patient and high image quality required in highly conformal RT techniques.     

不同剂量64排CT增强扫描结合三维重建在胃癌应用中的图像质量研究

目的:研究不同剂量64排CT增强扫描结合三维重建在胃癌应用中的图像质量。方法:90例胃癌行胃部64层螺旋CT三期增强扫描患者后根据管电压设置分成A、B、C三组:A组120KV、B组100KV、C组80KV。通过轴位图像结合三维重建(VR、MPR和MIP等)分析不同剂量下螺旋CT扫描结合三维重建图像诊断质量。结果:A、B两组的图像清晰度的差异无统计学意义(P0.05),A、B组剂量加权指数降低率的差异具有统计学意义,A、C两组间图像清晰度及剂量加权指数降低率的差异具有统计学意义(P0.05),B、C组两项差异具有统计学意义。结论:适当调整MSCT的剂量,可以获得与常规MSCT剂量完全相同的图像而且可以降低辐射。