应用反向滤过及迭代重建方法评估标准放射剂量与低剂量颈椎 CT图像质量的对比研究

目的：利用反向滤过重建（filtered back-projection,FBP）及迭代重建（iterative reconstruction,IR）方法评估标准剂量及低剂量 对颈椎CT 图像质量的影响。方法：40 例受检对象行颈椎CT 检查,将其随机分为两组：标准剂量组（SD,120 kVp, 275 mAs）及低 剂量组（LD,120 kVp,150 mAs）,随机选择管电流值,所有数据均行FBP 及IR 重建。测量C3 C4 及C6 C7 椎间盘水平椎间盘、脊 神经、脊髓、韧带以及周围软组织的图像噪声值（Image noise,IN）,信噪比（signal-to-noise,SNR）及对比信噪比（contrast-to-noise, CNR）。结果：在测量的各椎间盘水平,迭代重建的信噪比及对比噪声比要明显高于反向滤过重建方法,并有效的降低了图像噪 声。低剂量迭代重建图像与标准剂量反向滤过图像相比无明显统计学意义。排除剂量及扫描层面的影响,椎间盘、脊神经及韧带 的图像质量,迭代重建评分要明显高于反向滤过重建,结果具有统计学差异;而低剂量迭代重建图像质量评分与标准剂量反向滤 过重建相比无明显差异。软组织及椎体的图像质量,迭代重建图像质量评分要低于反向滤过重建方法,结果具有统计学差异;而 低剂量迭代重建图像质量评分与标准剂量反向滤过重建相比无明显差异。整体病例图像质量评分,迭代重建方法要高于反向滤 过重建方法,低剂量迭代重建方法要高于标准剂量反向滤过重建方法。结论：应用低剂量扫描方式以及迭代重建方法进行颈椎 CT 检查可以为临床提供较好的图像质量,对于椎间盘、脊神经、脊髓显示较好,对于周围软组织以及椎体来说,图像质量相对较 差,同时可以降低大约40%的放射剂量。     

256 层CT 冠状动脉造影低剂量技术联合应用的临床价值

目的:探讨前瞻性心电门控扫描、低管电压结合迭代重建算法在256层螺旋CT冠脉造影中的应用价值。方法:回顾性分析行256层螺旋CT冠状动脉成像(CCTA)、体质量指数正常的受检者130例。常规剂量组(A组)50例:应用回顾性心电门控扫描模式,管电压120 kv;低剂量组(B组)80例,心率70次/分者50例,心率≧70次/分者30例:应用前瞻性心电门控扫描模式,管电压100 kv。B组患者原始数据分别应用迭代算法(Idose3)重建及标准滤波反投影法(FBP)重建。比较A、B两组的有效辐射剂量,对各组客观图像质量及主观图像质量进行统计学分析。结果:A、B两组平均有效辐射剂量分别为(15.34±3.89)、(1.43±0.12)m Sv。B组患者应用迭代重建图像噪声降低,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。应用FBP重建,B组图像噪声高于A组,两者比较差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。各组主观图像质量评分差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:前瞻性心电门控低千伏扫描模式联合迭代重建算法在提供满足诊断的冠状动脉CTA图像的同时,辐射剂量降幅高达90.6%。心率70次/分-85次/分的患者也可行256层CT前门控扫描,降低管电压造成的图像噪声增加可以通过迭代重建弥补。     

多层螺旋CT低剂量扫描在小儿胸部的应用探讨

目的:评价小儿胸部多层螺旋CT低剂量与常规剂量扫描的图像质量,探讨低剂量扫描在小儿胸部应用的可行性。材料与方法:(1)随机选择肺部感染的患儿30例,先常规剂量(150mAs)扫描,再在感染灶局部加作低剂量扫描,剂量为50,35及15mAs。其他参数为:120kV,床进28.8mm/圈,0.5s/圈,16×1.5mm准直,重建层厚及间隔均为3mm。分别记录不同剂量扫描时的CT权重剂量指数(CTDIw)及剂量长度乘积(DLP)。(2)由2位高年资医师按优、良、合格及不合格的等级盲法评价不同剂量的图像质量,结果进行统计学处理。结果:(1)小儿胸部35mAs和15mAs的CTDIw与常规剂量150mAs的比值分别为23.0%及10.0%,其DLP与常规剂量比值为23.3%和10.0%。(2)图像质量评价结果:150,50,35,15mAs的可诊断图像χ2检验,肺窗P>0.05,纵膈窗P<0.05,提示上述剂量肺窗图像差异无显著性意义,纵膈窗图像差异有显著性意义。用150,50,35mAs的可诊断图像进行χ2检验,P>0.05,提示其差异亦无显著性意义。结论:多层螺旋CT低剂量扫描适用于小儿胸部检查,在保证图像质量的前提下,采用35mAs左右的扫描条件较为适宜。     

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。     

能谱CT双低剂量在门静脉成像中的应用研究

目的:评估宝石能谱CT在低kV及低剂量对比剂的条件下,门静脉成像的图像质量及技术的可行性。方法:纳入临床建议行CT门静脉成像(CT Portal Venography,CTPV)检查且BMI28 kg/m~2的患者40例,分为试验组(采用低电压及低剂量对比剂)和对照组(采用常规电压及常规剂量对比剂)各20例。应用GE公司Discovery CT750HD宝石能谱CT进行扫描。试验组扫描参数:80 k V,300 m A,对比剂为威视派克(270 mg I/mL)60 mL,图像重建采用50%滤波反投影重建(FBP)+50%自适应统计迭代重建(ASIR);对照组扫描参数:120 kV,300 m A,对比剂为欧乃派克(350 mg I/mL)90 mL,图像重建采用100%滤波反投影重建(FBP)。评价图像质量采用目测5分法,记录扫描容积CT剂量指数(CTDIvol),剂量长度乘积(DLP),测量并计算图像噪声(Image Noise,IN)及肝内、外门静脉的对比噪声比(Contrast to Noise Ratio,CNR)。并应用独立样本t检验比较2组间图像质量评分、噪声值、对比噪声比(CNR)。结果:试验组和对照组图像质量评分分别为(4.0±0.5)、(4.1±0.5)分,差异无统汁学意义(t=0.805,P0.05)。试验组肝内噪声及肝外噪声分别为(21.2±2.1)HU、(21.6±2.3)HU,高于对照组(14.2±1.5)HU、(15.0±1.4)HU,差异有统计学意义(t值分别为11.993、11.091,P值均0.01);试验组肝内CNR及肝外CNR分别为3.6±0.9、5.1±0.8,低于对照组5.4±1.0、6.9±1.1,差异有统计学意义(t值分别为5.231、4.261,P值均0.01)。试验组所接受辐射剂量容积剂量指数CTDIvol(4.7±0.2)mGy和剂量长度乘积DLP(132.7±6.2)mGy·cm均低于对照组CTDIvol(13.7±0.3)mGy和DLP(395.2±22.1)mGy·cm,差异均有统计学意义(t值分别为102.781、51.089,P值均0.01)。结论:低剂量、等渗低浓度对比剂CTPV技术明显减少碘对比剂用量和射线暴露,并且满足临床诊断的需要。     

能谱CT单能量成像联合自适应迭代重建技术对头颈部CT血管成像质量影响及应用价值研究

摘要 目的：探讨能谱CT单能量成像联合自适应迭代重建（ASiR）技术对头颈部CT血管成像（CTA）质量影响及应用价值研究。方法：收集2019年1月至2019年12月于本院接受头颈部CTA的120例患者的影像及临床资料;随机分为A组、B组及C组,每组40例,A组进行能谱CT（60keV）+ASiR（40%）,B组进行CT（60keV）+滤波反投影（FBP）,C组进行常规CT扫描+FBP。比较三组间动脉期右侧颈内动脉C₇段CT值、图像噪声值、信噪比、对比噪声比及图像质量主观评分,记录三种处理方法辐射剂量。结果：三组间右侧颈内动脉C₇段CT值、背景噪声（SD）、信噪比（SNR）、对比噪声比（CNR）及主观评分比较差异均有统计学意义（P<0.05）;进一步两两比较发现,右侧颈内动脉C₇段CT值A组>B组>C组,其中A组与B组间差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）,A组与C组、B组与C组间差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）;图像SD为A组0.05）;SNR与CNR均为A组>B组>C组,且A组与B组、A组与C组、B组与C组间两参数差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）;主观评分A组>B组>C组,且A组与B组、A组与C组、B组与C组间差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）。三组间容积CT剂量指数（CTDLvol）、总剂量长度乘积（DLP）、有效剂量（ED）比较差异均有统计学意义（P<0.05）;进一步两两比较发现,CTDLvol、DLP、ED均为A组0.05）,但A组与C组、B组与C组间各剂量参数间差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）。结论：能谱CT单能量成像联合ASiR可明显提高头颈部CTA图像质量且降低患者辐射剂量,推荐临床使用60keV联合40%ASiR图像。     

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。     

采用Evolution CDR补偿重建技术提高骨断层图像质量方法学研究

目的应用Evolution CDR补偿技术对骨断层图像质量的改善进行评价。方法随机选择32例骨断层显像,分别进行全时采集OSEM迭代处理,1／2时采集OSEM处理以及1／2时采集Evolution处理和全时采集Evolution处理。通过盲法读片,对三种不同图像采集处理技术获得图像进行图像质量评分。结果1／2时采集Evolution重建图像质量与全时采集OS-EM重建图像质量相当;而全时采集Evolution重建的图像质量明显优于全时采集OSEM重建。结论Evolution重建技术通过对CDR补偿,能降低图像噪声,明显改善图像质量,或者在得到与全时采集OSEM迭代重建相当的图像质量的情况下,可以大女降低采键时间．     

基于图像重建的CT三维重建提升腹部增强扫描图像质量的价值

摘要 目的：探讨基于图像重建的电子计算机断层扫描仪器(Computed Tomography,CT)三维成像提升腹部增强扫描图像质量的价值。方法：2019年11月到2020年10月选择在本院进行腹部CT增强扫描的患者76例作为研究对象,采用电脑随机数字法将研究对象分为对照组和重建组各38例,对照组给予常规扫描成像,重建组给予基于自适应统计迭代重建(adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction,ASIR)的CT三维成像,记录两组成像质量与噪声情况。结果：两名医师对重建组的图像主观质量评分都高于对照组(P<0.05)。重建组的图像相对细腻柔和,能清晰显示图像细小血管断面,末梢血管显示良好,血管壁光滑柔和。重建组的动脉期、门静脉期、平衡期的肝脏CT值高于对照组(P<0.05),动脉期、门静脉期、平衡期的肝脏、胰腺对比噪声比(contrast to noise ratio,CNR)值低于对照组(P<0.05)。重建组的容积剂量指数(volume CT dose index,CTDIvol)和剂量长度乘积(Dose-Length product,DLP)、有效剂量(effective dose,ED)值都低于对照组(P<0.05)。结论：基于图像重建的CT三维成像能提升腹部增强扫描主客观图像质量,降低图像噪声,更利于腹部疾病的显示,从而提高正确诊断率。     

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。     

Optimizing Radiation Dose Levels in Prospectively Electrocardiogram-Triggered Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography Using Iterative Reconstruction Techniques: A Phantom and Patient Study

Aim

To investigate the potential of reducing the radiation dose in prospectively electrocardiogram-triggered coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) while maintaining diagnostic image quality using an iterative reconstruction technique (IRT).

Methods and Materials

Prospectively-gated CCTA were first performed on a phantom using 256-slice multi-detector CT scanner at 120 kVp, with the tube output gradually reduced from 210 mAs (Group A) to 125, 105, 84, and 63 mAs (Group B–E). All scans were reconstructed using filtered back projection (FBP) algorithm and five IRT levels (L2-6), image quality (IQ) assessment was performed. Based on the IQ assessment, Group D(120 kVp, 84 mAs) reconstructed with L5 was found to provide IQ comparable to that of Group A with FBP. In the patient study, 21 patients underwent CCTA using 120 kV, 210 mAs with FBP reconstruction (Group 1) followed by 36 patients scanned with 120 kV, 84 mAs with IRT L5 (Group 2). Subjective and objective IQ and effective radiation dose were compared between two groups.

Results

In the phantom scans, there were no significant differences in image noise, contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) and modulation transfer function (MTF) curves between Group A and the 84 mAs, 63 mAs groups (Groups D and E). Group D (120 kV, 84 mAs and L5) provided an optimum balance, producing equivalent image quality to Group A, at the lowest possible radiation dose. In the patient study, there were no significant difference in image noise, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and CNR between Group 1 and Group 2 (p = 0.71, 0.31, 0.5, respectively). The effective radiation dose in Group 2 was 1.21±0.14 mSv compared to 3.20±0.58 mSv (Group 1), reflecting dose savings of 62.5% (p<0.05).

Conclusion

iterative reconstruction technique used in prospectively ECG-triggered 256-slice coronary CTA can provide radiation dose reductions of up to 62.5% with acceptable image quality.     

Pilot Study on Image Quality and Radiation Dose of CT Colonography with Adaptive Iterative Dose Reduction Three-Dimensional

Objective

To investigate image quality and radiation dose of CT colonography (CTC) with adaptive iterative dose reduction three-dimensional (AIDR3D).

Methods

Ten segments of porcine colon phantom were collected, and 30 pedunculate polyps with diameters ranging from 1 to 15 mm were simulated on each segment. Image data were acquired with tube voltage of 120 kVp, and current doses of 10 mAs, 20 mAs, 30 mAs, 40 mAs, 50 mAs, respectively. CTC images were reconstructed using filtered back projection (FBP) and AIDR3D. Two radiologists blindly evaluated image quality. Quantitative evaluation of image quality included image noise, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR). Qualitative image quality was evaluated with a five-score scale. Radiation dose was calculated based on dose-length product. Ten volunteers were examined supine 50 mAs with FBP and prone 20 mAs with AIDR3D, and image qualities were assessed. Paired t test was performed for statistical analysis.

Results

For 20 mAs with AIDR3D and 50 mAs with FBP, image noise, SNRs and CNRs were (16.4 ± 1.6) HU vs. (16.8 ± 2.6) HU, 1.9 ± 0.2 vs. 1.9 ± 0.4, and 62.3 ± 6.8 vs. 62.0 ± 6.2, respectively; qualitative image quality scores were 4.1 and 4.3, respectively; their differences were all not statistically significant. Compared with 50 mAs with FBP, radiation dose (1.62 mSv) of 20 mAs with AIDR3D was decreased by 60.0%. There was no statistically significant difference in image noise, SNRs, CNRs and qualitative image quality scores between prone 20 mAs with AIDR3D and supine 50 mAs with FBP in 10 volunteers, the former reduced radiation dose by 61.1%.

Conclusion

Image quality of CTC using 20 mAs with AIDR3D could be comparable to standard 50 mAs with FBP, radiation dose of the former reduced by about 60.0% and was only 1.62 mSv.     

High-Pitch,Low-Voltage and Low-Iodine-Concentration CT Angiography of Aorta: Assessment of Image Quality and Radiation Dose with Iterative Reconstruction

ObjectiveTo assess the image quality of aorta obtained by dual-source computed tomography angiography (DSCTA), performed with high pitch, low tube voltage, and low iodine concentration contrast medium (CM) with images reconstructed using iterative reconstruction (IR).MethodsOne hundred patients randomly allocated to receive one of two types of CM underwent DSCTA with the electrocardiogram-triggered Flash protocol. In the low-iodine group, 50 patients received CM containing 270 mg I/mL and were scanned at low tube voltage (100 kVp). In the high-iodine CM group, 50 patients received CM containing 370 mg I/mL and were scanned at the tube voltage (120 kVp). The filtered back projection (FBP) algorithm was used for reconstruction in both groups. In addition, the IR algorithm was used in the low-iodine group. Image quality of the aorta was analyzed subjectively by a 3-point grading scale and objectively by measuring the CT attenuation in terms of the signal- and contrast-to-noise ratios (SNR and CNR, respectively). Radiation and CM doses were compared.ResultsThe CT attenuation, subjective image quality assessment, SNR, and CNR of various aortic regions of interest did not differ significantly between two groups. In the low-iodine group, images reconstructed by FBP and IR demonstrated significant differences in image noise, SNR, and CNR (p<0.05). The low-iodine group resulted in 34.3% less radiation (4.4 ± 0.5 mSv) than the high-iodine group (6.7 ± 0.6 mSv), and 27.3% less iodine weight (20.36 ± 2.65 g) than the high-iodine group (28 ± 1.98 g). Observers exhibited excellent agreement on the aortic image quality scores (κ = 0.904).ConclusionsCT images of aorta could be obtained within 2 s by using a DSCT Flash protocol with low tube voltage, IR, and low-iodine-concentration CM. Appropriate contrast enhancement was achieved while maintaining good image quality and decreasing the radiation and iodine doses.     

Reduced Radiation Exposure for Face Transplant Surgical Planning Computed Tomography Angiography

Objective

To test the hypothesis that wide area detector face transplant surgical planning CT angiograms with simulated lower radiation dose and iterative reconstruction (AIDR3D) are comparable in image quality to those with standard tube current and filtered back projection (FBP) reconstruction.

Materials and Methods

The sinograms from 320-detector row CT angiography of four clinical candidates for face transplantation were processed utilizing standard FBP, FBP with simulated 75, 62, and 50% tube current, and AIDR3D with corresponding dose reduction. Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) were measured at muscle, fat, artery, and vein. Image quality for each reconstruction strategy was assessed by two independent readers using a 4-point scale.

Results

Compared to FBP, the median SNR and CNR for AIDR3D images were higher at all sites for all 4 different tube currents. The AIDR3D with simulated 50% tube current achieved comparable SNR and CNR to FBP with standard dose (median muscle SNR: 5.77 vs. 6.23; fat SNR: 6.40 vs. 5.75; artery SNR: 43.8 vs. 45.0; vein SNR: 54.9 vs. 55.7; artery CNR: 38.1 vs. 38.6; vein CNR: 49.0 vs. 48.7; all p-values >0.19). The interobserver agreement in the image quality score was good (weighted κ = 0.7). The overall score and the scores for smaller arteries were significantly lower when FBP with 50% dose reduction was used. The AIDR3D reconstruction images with 4 different simulated doses achieved a mean score ranging from 3.68 to 3.82 that were comparable to the scores from images reconstructed using FBP with original dose (3.68–3.77).

Conclusions

Simulated radiation dose reduction applied to clinical CT angiography for face transplant planning suggests that AIDR3D allows for a 50% reduction in radiation dose, as compared to FBP, while preserving image quality.     

Feasibility Study of Using Gemstone Spectral Imaging (GSI) and Adaptive Statistical Iterative Reconstruction (ASIR) for Reducing Radiation and Iodine Contrast Dose in Abdominal CT Patients with High BMI Values

Purpose

To prospectively investigate the effect of using Gemstone Spectral Imaging (GSI) and adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction (ASIR) for reducing radiation and iodine contrast dose in abdominal CT patients with high BMI values.

Materials and Methods

26 patients (weight > 65kg and BMI ≥ 22) underwent abdominal CT using GSI mode with 300mgI/kg contrast material as study group (group A). Another 21 patients (weight ≤ 65kg and BMI ≥ 22) were scanned with a conventional 120 kVp tube voltage for noise index (NI) of 11 with 450mgI/kg contrast material as control group (group B). GSI images were reconstructed at 60keV with 50%ASIR and the conventional 120kVp images were reconstructed with FBP reconstruction. The CT values, standard deviation (SD), signal-noise-ratio (SNR), contrast-noise-ratio (CNR) of 26 landmarks were quantitatively measured and image quality qualitatively assessed using statistical analysis.

Results

As for the quantitative analysis, the difference of CNR between groups A and B was all significant except for the mesenteric vein. The SNR in group A was higher than B except the mesenteric artery and splenic artery. As for the qualitative analysis, all images had diagnostic quality and the agreement for image quality assessment between the reviewers was substantial (kappa = 0.684). CT dose index (CTDI) values for non-enhanced, arterial phase and portal phase in group A were decreased by 49.04%, 40.51% and 40.54% compared with group B (P = 0.000), respectively. The total dose and the injection rate for the contrast material were reduced by 14.40% and 14.95% in A compared with B.

Conclusion

The use of GSI and ASIR provides similar enhancement in vessels and image quality with reduced radiation dose and contrast dose, compared with the use of conventional scan protocol.     

Biomechanical implications of lumbar spinal ligament transection

Many lumbar spine surgeries either intentionally or inadvertently damage or transect spinal ligaments. The purpose of this work was to quantify the previously unknown biomechanical consequences of isolated spinal ligament transection on the remaining spinal ligaments (stress transfer), vertebrae (bone remodelling stimulus) and intervertebral discs (disc pressure) of the lumbar spine. A finite element model of the full lumbar spine was developed and validated against experimental data and tested in the primary modes of spinal motion in the intact condition. Once a ligament was removed, stress increased in the remaining spinal ligaments and changes occurred in vertebral strain energy, but disc pressure remained similar. All major biomechanical changes occurred at the same spinal level as the transected ligament, with minor changes at adjacent levels. This work demonstrates that iatrogenic damage to spinal ligaments disturbs the load sharing within the spinal ligament network and may induce significant clinically relevant changes in the spinal motion segment.     

CT dose reduction using Automatic Exposure Control and iterative reconstruction: A chest paediatric phantoms study

PurposeTo evaluate the impact of Automatic Exposure Control (AEC) on radiation dose and image quality in paediatric chest scans (MDCT), with or without iterative reconstruction (IR).MethodsThree anthropomorphic phantoms representing children aged one, five and 10-year-old were explored using AEC system (CARE Dose 4D) with five modulation strength options. For each phantom, six acquisitions were carried out: one with fixed mAs (without AEC) and five each with different modulation strength. Raw data were reconstructed with Filtered Back Projection (FBP) and with two distinct levels of IR using soft and strong kernels. Dose reduction and image quality indices (Noise, SNR, CNR) were measured in lung and soft tissues. Noise Power Spectrum (NPS) was evaluated with a Catphan 600 phantom.ResultsThe use of AEC produced a significant dose reduction (p < 0.01) for all anthropomorphic sizes employed. According to the modulation strength applied, dose delivered was reduced from 43% to 91%. This pattern led to significantly increased noise (p < 0.01) and reduced SNR and CNR (p < 0.01). However, IR was able to improve these indices. The use of AEC/IR preserved image quality indices with a lower dose delivered. Doses were reduced from 39% to 58% for the one-year-old phantom, from 46% to 63% for the five-year-old phantom, and from 58% to 74% for the 10-year-old phantom. In addition, AEC/IR changed the patterns of NPS curves in amplitude and in spatial frequency.ConclusionsIn chest paediatric MDCT, the use of AEC with IR allows one to obtain a significant dose reduction while maintaining constant image quality indices.     

The Impact of Different Levels of Adaptive Iterative Dose Reduction 3D on Image Quality of 320-Row Coronary CT Angiography: A Clinical Trial

Purpose

The aim of this study was the systematic image quality evaluation of coronary CT angiography (CTA), reconstructed with the 3 different levels of adaptive iterative dose reduction (AIDR 3D) and compared to filtered back projection (FBP) with quantum denoising software (QDS).

Methods

Standard-dose CTA raw data of 30 patients with mean radiation dose of 3.2 ± 2.6 mSv were reconstructed using AIDR 3D mild, standard, strong and compared to FBP/QDS. Objective image quality comparison (signal, noise, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), contour sharpness) was performed using 21 measurement points per patient, including measurements in each coronary artery from proximal to distal.

Results

Objective image quality parameters improved with increasing levels of AIDR 3D. Noise was lowest in AIDR 3D strong (p≤0.001 at 20/21 measurement points; compared with FBP/QDS). Signal and contour sharpness analysis showed no significant difference between the reconstruction algorithms for most measurement points. Best coronary SNR and CNR were achieved with AIDR 3D strong. No loss of SNR or CNR in distal segments was seen with AIDR 3D as compared to FBP.

Conclusions

On standard-dose coronary CTA images, AIDR 3D strong showed higher objective image quality than FBP/QDS without reducing contour sharpness.

Trial Registration

Clinicaltrials.gov NCT00967876     

Image Quality and Radiation Dose of CT Coronary Angiography with Automatic Tube Current Modulation and Strong Adaptive Iterative Dose Reduction Three-Dimensional (AIDR3D)

Purpose

To investigate image quality and radiation dose of CT coronary angiography (CTCA) scanned using automatic tube current modulation (ATCM) and reconstructed by strong adaptive iterative dose reduction three-dimensional (AIDR3D).

Methods

Eighty-four consecutive CTCA patients were collected for the study. All patients were scanned using ATCM and reconstructed with strong AIDR3D, standard AIDR3D and filtered back-projection (FBP) respectively. Two radiologists who were blinded to the patients'' clinical data and reconstruction methods evaluated image quality. Quantitative image quality evaluation included image noise, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR). To evaluate image quality qualitatively, coronary artery is classified into 15 segments based on the modified guidelines of the American Heart Association. Qualitative image quality was evaluated using a 4-point scale. Radiation dose was calculated based on dose-length product.

Results

Compared with standard AIDR3D, strong AIDR3D had lower image noise, higher SNR and CNR, their differences were all statistically significant (P<0.05); compared with FBP, strong AIDR3D decreased image noise by 46.1%, increased SNR by 84.7%, and improved CNR by 82.2%, their differences were all statistically significant (P<0.05 or 0.001). Segments with diagnostic image quality for strong AIDR3D were 336 (100.0%), 486 (96.4%), and 394 (93.8%) in proximal, middle, and distal part respectively; whereas those for standard AIDR3D were 332 (98.8%), 472 (93.7%), 378 (90.0%), respectively; those for FBP were 217 (64.6%), 173 (34.3%), 114 (27.1%), respectively; total segments with diagnostic image quality in strong AIDR3D (1216, 96.5%) were higher than those of standard AIDR3D (1182, 93.8%) and FBP (504, 40.0%); the differences between strong AIDR3D and standard AIDR3D, strong AIDR3D and FBP were all statistically significant (P<0.05 or 0.001). The mean effective radiation dose was (2.55±1.21) mSv.

Conclusion

Compared with standard AIDR3D and FBP, CTCA with ATCM and strong AIDR3D could significantly improve both quantitative and qualitative image quality.