16层螺旋CT不同剂量扫描对肺结节诊断价值及辐射度的影响

目的:探讨16层螺旋CT不同剂量扫描对肺结节诊断价值及辐射度的影响。方法:选取2017年9月至2018年10月期间在青岛市中心医院就诊的肺结节患者200例,所有患者均接受16层螺旋CT常规剂量扫描和低剂量扫描。比较常规剂量扫描和低剂量扫描的图像质量、CT征象检出情况(分叶征、毛刺征、胸膜凹陷征、血管集束征、支气管征)、肺结节定性诊断结果(肺癌、肺转移瘤、炎性结节、定性困难)、肺结节大小分布(≤5 mm、6-10 mm、10 mm)、辐射度。结果:常规剂量和低剂量的扫描图像质量整体比较差异无统计学意义(P0.05),常规剂量和低剂量的CT征象检出情况(分叶征、毛刺征、胸膜凹陷征、血管集束征、支气管征)比较差异无统计学意义(P0.05),常规剂量和低剂量的肺结节定性诊断结果(肺癌、肺转移瘤、炎性结节、定性困难)比较差异无统计学意义(P0.05),常规剂量和低剂量的肺结节大小分布(≤5 mm、6-10 mm、10 mm)比较差异无统计学意义(P0.05),低剂量的总管球剂量、有效管球剂量、CT容积剂量指数及剂量长度乘积均明显低于常规剂量,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:16层螺旋CT低剂量扫描对肺结节的诊断价值与常规剂量扫描相当,并可有效减少辐射度,值得临床推广应用。     

低剂量与常规剂量扫描在CT引导下经皮穿刺肺活检术中的临床应用价值对比研究

摘要 目的：比较低剂量与常规剂量扫描在CT引导下经皮穿刺肺活检术中的临床应用价值。方法：选择2018年1月至2019年12月我院行CT引导下经皮穿刺肺活检术的患者96例,采用随机数字表法分为低剂量组和常规剂量组,每组48例,两组分别在低剂量扫描、常规剂扫描下行CT引导下经皮穿刺肺活检术,比较两组扫描范围、X射线剂量、图像质量、穿刺成功率及并发症发生情况。结果：低剂量组CT吸收剂量加权指数（CTDIw）、平均剂量长度乘积（DLP）显著低于常规剂量组（P<0.05）,两组扫描范围比较无统计学差异（P>0.05）。低剂量组图像质量1级1例、2级1例、3级46例;常规剂量组1级0例、2级1例、3级47例,两组图像质量比较无统计学差异（P>0.05）。低剂量组穿刺成功率87.50%,常规剂量组穿刺成功率89.58%,两组穿刺成功率比较无统计学差异（P>0.05）。低剂量组并发症发生率为12.50%,常规剂量组并发症发生率为10.42%,两组并发症发生率比较差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）。结论：与常规剂量扫描相比,在CT引导下经皮穿刺肺活检术中应用低剂量扫描可以有效降低辐射剂量,但不影响图像质量和穿刺成功率,患者并发症发生率也未增加,具有较好的临床价值。     

低剂量胸部CT 自动管电流调节技术在超重体型患者检查中的 可行性研究

摘要目的：探讨16 层螺旋CT自动管电流调节技术（CARE Dose 4D）在超重体型患者检查中的可行性。方法：收集行胸部CT 检 查的超重体型患者（BMI值于24-27.9 之间）100 例,扫描分低剂量组（A 组）和常规剂量组（B 组）,其中A 组扫描运用CARE Dose 4D技术自动调节管电流;B 组扫描运用常规剂量管电流为70 mAs 扫描。扫描完成后记录加权CT 剂量指数(CTDlvol)、有效mAs 值、剂量长度乘积（DLP）,计算出有效剂量（ED）及剂量减低比值（DR）,并比较两组的剂量及图像质量。结果：与B 组相比,A 组常 规扫描辐射剂量显著降低,差异有显著统计学意义（P<0.01）,A 组剂量减低比值（DR）降低约20.84%,而图像质量无明显下降,不 影响诊断,在主动脉弓上4 cm（肺尖）层面A 组图像质量优于B 组,差异有统计学意义(X2=8.442,P=0.015)。结论：自动管电流调节 技术既可以减少患者的辐射剂量,对待超重体型患者个体化、人性化,又不影响影像诊断,是一项有价值的检查方法。     

多层螺旋CT低剂量扫描技术在胸部的应用价值

目的研究多层螺旋CT低剂量扫描技术对肺部疾病的诊断价值。方法将51例胸部CT检查者在同一时间分别行常规剂量（200mAs）与低剂量（25mAs）扫描。评定2种剂量对肺部CT常见征象的显示能力。结果在肺部CT常见征象的显示中,除病灶内结节的显示率低剂量扫描较常规剂量低外,其余征象如：钙化、毛刺、支气管征、形态和边缘等二者均无显著差异。结论胸部低剂量扫描技术能作为健康体检或肺部疾病治疗后复查的首选方法。     

个体化低剂量CT 尿路造影在诊断输尿管结石中的应用

目的:评价低剂量的个体化在输尿管结石疾病中的应用价值。方法:收集160例疑有输尿管结石的病例,随机分为常规组和低剂量组,其中低剂量组分3组,每组患者按体重指数(BMI)分层,常规组给予160 mAs管电流进行扫描,低剂量组分别给予120mAs、100 mAs、80 mAs管电流进行扫描。常规剂量组与低剂量各亚组进行剂量及图像评估及真实性和收益评价进行比较。结果:在其它扫描参数默认设置条件下,将管电流由常规160mAs,降至80-120 mAs时,辐射剂量均有不同程度降低,差异有统计学意义(P<0.01),肾盂、输尿管、膀胱显影强度无明显差异(P>0.05),而图像质量无明显下降,不影响诊断。同时按BMI分类各组内分层间辐射剂量、显影强度及图像质量间均无显著差异(P>0.05)。结论:个体化低剂量CTU,既可以减少患者辐射剂量,对待病人个体化、人性化,又不影响影像诊断,是一项有价值的检查方法。     

不同剂量多排螺旋CT扫描对儿童肺结核的诊断价值比较研究

目的:探讨不同剂量多排螺旋CT扫描对儿童肺结核(PTB)的诊断价值。方法:以我院于2016年5月～2018年11月收治的156例PTB患儿为研究对象,根据患儿年龄分为A组52例(0～5岁)、B组52例(6～9岁)、C组52例(10～14岁)。三组患儿均进行低剂量64排螺旋CT扫描,其中A组剂量为20 MA,B组剂量为30 MA,C组剂量为40 MA,2 d后,三组患儿均进行常规剂量64排螺旋CT扫描,其中A组剂量为100 MA,B组和C组剂量均为150 MA。分别对比A组、B组、C组患儿低剂量与常规剂量CT扫描的扫描效果、图像优良率及辐射剂量。结果:A组、B组、C组患儿低剂量与常规剂量CT扫描对病灶数量、结节、空洞、胸膜粘连、钙化灶的显像率比较差异无统计学意义(P0.05),但A组、B组、C组患儿低剂量CT扫描对毛刺、磨玻璃影的显像率明显低于常规剂量CT扫描(P0.05);A组、B组、C组患儿低剂量与常规剂量CT扫描的图像优良率比较差异无统计学意义(P0.05);与常规剂量CT扫描相比,A组、B组、C组患儿低剂量CT扫描的剂量长度乘积(DLP)、CT剂量指数(CTDIvoI)、CT加权剂量指数(CTDIw)、放射剂量明显更低(P0.05)。结论:使用常规剂量多排螺旋CT扫描对PTB儿童毛刺、磨玻璃影的显像效果较好,但是使用低剂量多排螺旋CT扫描同样能够确保图像的质量,达到诊断要求,并且能够降低对患儿的辐射剂量,在考虑人体健康的前提下,建议使用低剂量多排螺旋CT扫描。     

低剂量胸部CT自动管电流调节技术在超重体型患者检查中的可行性研究

目的：探讨16层螺旋CT自动管电流调节技术（CAREDose4D）在超重体型患者检查中的可行性。方法：收集行胸部CT检查的超重体型患者（BMI值于24-27．9之间）100例,扫描分低剂量组（A组）和常规剂量组（B组）,其中A组扫描运用CAREDose4D技术自动调节管电流;B组扫描运用常规剂量管电流为70mAs扫描。扫描完成后记录加权CT剂量指数（CTDlvol）、有效mAs值、剂量长度乘积（DLP）,计算出有效剂量（ED）及剂量减低比值（DR）,并比较两组的剂量及图像质量。结果：与B组相比,A组常规扫描辐射剂量显著降低,差异有显著统计学意义（P〈0．01）,A组剂量减低比值（DR）降低约20．84％,而图像质量无明显下降,不影响诊断,在主动脉弓上4cm（肺尖）层面A组图像质量优于B组,差异有统计学意义（x^2=8．442,P=0．015）。结论：自动管电流调节技术既可以减少患者的辐射剂量,对待超重体型患者个体化、人性化,又不影响影像诊断,是一项有价值的检查方法。     

64层螺旋CT不同剂量扫描对活动性继发性肺结核患者诊断价值、图像质量和辐射剂量的影响

目的:研究64层螺旋CT不同剂量扫描对活动性继发性肺结核患者诊断价值、图像质量和辐射剂量的影响,旨在为临床活动性继发性肺结核患者提供更为安全有效的检查方案。方法:将我院从2018年1月2020年1月收治的100例活动性继发性肺结核患者纳入研究。对所有患者分别进行低剂量(40 m A)以及常规剂量(120 m A)扫描和薄层重建。比较不同剂量扫描的诊断准确率、影像学表现、图像质量以及辐射参数、患者满意度。结果:64层螺旋CT低剂量扫描与常规剂量扫描诊断活动性继发性肺结核的准确率分别为92.00%、93.00%,两者比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。低剂量扫描及常规剂量扫描在空洞、钙化灶、实变、磨玻璃密度影及树芽征发生率方面对比差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05)。低剂量扫描及常规剂量扫描在扫描图像质量、薄层重建图像质量方面对比差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05)。低剂量扫描各项扫描辐射参数均低于常规剂量扫描,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。低剂量扫描的患者满意度高于常规剂量扫描的患者(P<0.05)。结论:64层螺旋CT不同剂量扫描对活动性继发性肺结核患者的诊断价值及生成的图像质量相近,但低剂量扫描可有效降低辐射剂量,从而在一定程度上增加扫描的安全性,使患者满意度提升。     

大鼠活体胸部扫描中减少图像呼吸心跳伪影序列方案的探讨

目的开发256层螺旋CT大鼠活体胸部CT扫描中减少图像呼吸、心跳伪影的序列。方法采用飞利浦Brilliance-iCT对10只SD大鼠进行胸部CT成像。每只大鼠均采用A、B两种扫描方式, A方式为常规胸部CT扫描序列,为非心电门控螺旋扫描模式,B方式为非心电门控轴扫模式。两组均在120 kV条件下扫描,扫描长度为8 cm。对所得CT数据进行横断位与冠状位肺窗与软组织窗重建,观察图像并进行测量,比较两组图像的平均CT值、图像噪声、信噪比(SNR)、和主观图像质量评分的差异,并对不同观察者间主观图像质量评分的一致性进行检验。结果分析10例大鼠胸部CT扫描数据。A、B两种扫描序列的剂量长度乘积(dose length product,DLP)值分别为144.7 mGy/cm与72.2 mGy/cm。两组间肺组织CT值与肝组织CT值差异无显著性(t值分别为-0.205、0.545,P0.05),两组图像噪声差异无显著性(t值为-0.865,P0.05),两组图像肺组织的SNR差异无显著性(t值为0.903,P0.05),但肝组织的SNR值B组高于A组,差异有显著性(t值为-2.885,P0.05)。两位医师的评分结果的相关系数为0.763,诊断结果一致性良好。A、B两种扫描方式的图像主观质量评分为(2.5±0.53)分、(4.3±0.67)分,差异有显著性(χ~2值为14.76,P0.05)。结论大鼠胸部CT扫描采用非心电门控轴扫模式可获得与胸部常规CT扫描(非心电门控螺旋扫描模式)大致相当的CT值与噪声、信噪比,但采用非心电门控轴扫模式可以有效减少大鼠胸部图像的呼吸心跳伪影,降低辐射剂量,提高图像质量,提高观察者的诊断信心。     

低剂量和常规剂量螺旋CT动态扫描对慢性阻塞性肺疾病患者辐射剂量、成像质量及满意度的影响

摘要 目的：探讨低剂量和常规剂量螺旋CT动态扫描对慢性阻塞性肺疾病（COPD）患者辐射剂量、成像质量及满意度的影响。方法：选取我院于2019年1月~2020年1月收治的初步诊断为COPD的患者88例。将患者采用单双号分组法分为低剂量组和常规组,各44例。低剂量组采用低剂量螺旋CT动态扫描,常规组采用常规剂量螺旋CT动态扫描。比较两组的辐射剂量、成像质量以及COPD的诊断结果。比较两组满意度评分。结果：低剂量组CT剂量加权指数（CTDIw）、剂量长度乘积（DLP）以及有效辐射剂量（ED）均明显低于常规组,差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）。常规组成像质量的优秀率明显高于低剂量组（P<0.05）,但两组成像质量的优良率对比无明显差异（P>0.05）。低剂量组灵敏度、特异度与常规组比较差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）。低剂量组患者满意度评分明显高于常规组（P<0.05）。结论：低剂量螺旋CT动态扫描对于COPD的诊断价值与常规剂量CT动态扫描相当,且可以保证成像质量,同时其能明显降低辐射剂量、提高COPD患者满意度,具有一定的临床应用价值。     

Validation of a Low Dose Simulation Technique for Computed Tomography Images

Purpose

Evaluation of a new software tool for generation of simulated low-dose computed tomography (CT) images from an original higher dose scan.

Materials and Methods

Original CT scan data (100 mAs, 80 mAs, 60 mAs, 40 mAs, 20 mAs, 10 mAs; 100 kV) of a swine were acquired (approved by the regional governmental commission for animal protection). Simulations of CT acquisition with a lower dose (simulated 10–80 mAs) were calculated using a low-dose simulation algorithm. The simulations were compared to the originals of the same dose level with regard to density values and image noise. Four radiologists assessed the realistic visual appearance of the simulated images.

Results

Image characteristics of simulated low dose scans were similar to the originals. Mean overall discrepancy of image noise and CT values was −1.2% (range −9% to 3.2%) and −0.2% (range −8.2% to 3.2%), respectively, p>0.05. Confidence intervals of discrepancies ranged between 0.9–10.2 HU (noise) and 1.9–13.4 HU (CT values), without significant differences (p>0.05). Subjective observer evaluation of image appearance showed no visually detectable difference.

Conclusion

Simulated low dose images showed excellent agreement with the originals concerning image noise, CT density values, and subjective assessment of the visual appearance of the simulated images. An authentic low-dose simulation opens up opportunity with regard to staff education, protocol optimization and introduction of new techniques.     

Investigating centering,scan length,and arm position impact on radiation dose across 4 countries from 4 continents during pandemic: Mitigating key radioprotection issues

PurposeOptimization of CT scan practices can help achieve and maintain optimal radiation protection. The aim was to assess centering, scan length, and positioning of patients undergoing chest CT for suspected or known COVID-19 pneumonia and to investigate their effect on associated radiation doses.MethodsWith respective approvals from institutional review boards, we compiled CT imaging and radiation dose data from four hospitals belonging to four countries (Brazil, Iran, Italy, and USA) on 400 adult patients who underwent chest CT for suspected or known COVID-19 pneumonia between April 2020 and August 2020. We recorded patient demographics and volume CT dose index (CTDI_vol) and dose length product (DLP). From thin-section CT images of each patient, we estimated the scan length and recorded the first and last vertebral bodies at the scan start and end locations. Patient mis-centering and arm position were recorded. Data were analyzed with analysis of variance (ANOVA).ResultsThe extent and frequency of patient mis-centering did not differ across the four CT facilities (>0.09). The frequency of patients scanned with arms by their side (11–40% relative to those with arms up) had greater mis-centering and higher CTDI_vol and DLP at 2/4 facilities (p = 0.027–0.05). Despite lack of variations in effective diameters (p = 0.14), there were significantly variations in scan lengths, CTDI_vol and DLP across the four facilities (p < 0.001).ConclusionsMis-centering, over-scanning, and arms by the side are frequent issues with use of chest CT in COVID-19 pneumonia and are associated with higher radiation doses.     

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。     

Optimal Dose Levels in Screening Chest CT for Unimpaired Detection and Volumetry of Lung Nodules,with and without Computer Assisted Detection at Minimal Patient Radiation

Objectives

The aim of this phantom study was to minimize the radiation dose by finding the best combination of low tube current and low voltage that would result in accurate volume measurements when compared to standard CT imaging without significantly decreasing the sensitivity of detecting lung nodules both with and without the assistance of CAD.

Methods

An anthropomorphic chest phantom containing artificial solid and ground glass nodules (GGNs, 5–12 mm) was examined with a 64-row multi-detector CT scanner with three tube currents of 100, 50 and 25 mAs in combination with three tube voltages of 120, 100 and 80 kVp. This resulted in eight different protocols that were then compared to standard CT sensitivity (100 mAs/120 kVp). For each protocol, at least 127 different nodules were scanned in 21–25 phantoms. The nodules were analyzed in two separate sessions by three independent, blinded radiologists and computer-aided detection (CAD) software.

Results

The mean sensitivity of the radiologists for identifying solid lung nodules on a standard CT was 89.7%±4.9%. The sensitivity was not significantly impaired when the tube and current voltage were lowered at the same time, except at the lowest exposure level of 25 mAs/80 kVp [80.6%±4.3% (p = 0.031)]. Compared to the standard CT, the sensitivity for detecting GGNs was significantly lower at all dose levels when the voltage was 80 kVp; this result was independent of the tube current. The CAD significantly increased the radiologists’ sensitivity for detecting solid nodules at all dose levels (5–11%). No significant volume measurement errors (VMEs) were documented for the radiologists or the CAD software at any dose level.

Conclusions

Our results suggest a CT protocol with 25 mAs and 100 kVp is optimal for detecting solid and ground glass nodules in lung cancer screening. The use of CAD software is highly recommended at all dose levels.     

Infant Cardiac CT Angiography with 64-Slice and 256-Slice CT: Comparison of Radiation Dose and Image Quality Using a Pediatric Phantom

Background

The aims of this study were to investigate the image quality and radiation exposure of pediatric protocols for cardiac CT angiography (CTA) in infants under one year of age.

Methodology/Principal Findings

Cardiac CTA examinations were performed using an anthropomorphic phantom representing a 1-year-old child scanned with non-electrocardiogram-gated (NG), retrospectively electrocardiogram-gated helical (RGH) and prospectively electrocardiogram-gated axial (PGA) techniques in 64-slice and 256-slice CT scanners. The thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLD) were used for direct organ dose measurement, while dose-length product and effective mAs were also used to estimate the patient dose. For image quality, noise and signal-to-noise-ratio (SNR) were assessed based on regions-of-interest drawn on the reconstructed CT images, and were compared with the proposed cardiac image quantum index (CIQI). Estimated dose results were in accordant to the measured doses. The NG scan showed the best image quality in terms of noise and SNR. The PGA scan had better image quality than the RGH scan with 83.70% dose reduction. Noise and SNR were also corresponded to the proposed CIQI.

Conclusions/Significance

The PGA scan protocol was a good choice in balancing radiation exposure and image quality for infant cardiac CTA. We also suggested that the effective mAs and the CIQI were suitable in assessing the tradeoffs between radiation dose and image quality for cardiac CTA in infants. These results are useful for future implementation of dose reduction strategies in pediatric cardiac CTA protocols.     

Association between subjective evaluation and physical parameters for radiographic images optimization

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to develop a methodology to optimize computed radiographic techniques to image the skull, chest, and pelvis of a standard patient.MethodsOptimization was performed by varying exposure levels with different tube voltages to generate images of an anthropomorphic phantom. Image quality was evaluated using visual grading analysis and measuring objective parameters such as the effective detective quantum efficiency and the contrast-to-noise ratio. Objective and subjective evaluations were compared to obtain an optimized technique for each anatomic region.ResultsGold standard techniques provided a significant reduction in X-ray doses compared to the techniques used in our radiology service, without compromising diagnostic accuracy. They were chosen as follows 102 kVp/1.6 mAs for skull; 81 kVp/4.5 mAs for pelvis and 90 kVp/3.2 mAs for chest.ConclusionThere is a range of acceptable techniques that produce adequate images for diagnosis in computed radiography systems. This aspect allows the optimization process to be focused on the patient dose without compromising diagnostic capabilities. This process should be performed through association of quantitative and qualitative parameters, such as effective detective quantum efficiency, contrast-to-noise ratio, and visual grading analysis.