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Foley RA, Trentadue TP, Lopez C, Weber NM, Thoreson AR, Holmes DR, Murthy NS, Leng S, Kakar S, Zhao KD. Bilateral lunotriquetral coalition: a dynamic four-dimensional computed tomography technical case report. Skeletal Radiol 2024; 53:1423-1430. [PMID: 37943305 PMCID: PMC11078889 DOI: 10.1007/s00256-023-04490-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Revised: 10/15/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023]
Abstract
Lunotriquetral coalitions are the most common form of carpal coalition wherein the cartilage between the lunate and triquetrum ossification centers failed to undergo apoptosis. This technical case report examines the arthrokinematics of bilateral lunotriquetral coalitions with dissimilar Minnaar types in one participant with one asymptomatic wrist and one wrist with suspected distal radioulnar joint injury. Static and dynamic (four-dimensional) CT images during pronosupination were captured using a photon-counting detector CT scanner. Interosseous proximity distributions were calculated between the lunotriquetral coalition and adjacent bones in both wrists to quantify arthrokinematics. Interosseous proximity distributions at joints adjacent to the lunotriquetral coalition demonstrate differences in median and minimum interosseous proximities between the asymptomatic and injured wrists during resisted pronosupination. Altered kinematics from lunotriquetral coalitions may be a source of ulnar-sided wrist pain and discomfort, limiting the functional range of motion. This case report highlights potential alterations to wrist arthrokinematics in the setting of lunotriquetral coalitions and possible associations with ulnar-sided wrist pain, highlighting anatomy to examine in radiographic follow-up. Furthermore, this case report demonstrates the technical feasibility of four-dimensional CT using photon-counting detector technology in assessing arthrokinematics in the setting of variant wrist anatomy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert A Foley
- Assistive and Restorative Technology Laboratory, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Taylor P Trentadue
- Assistive and Restorative Technology Laboratory, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
- Mayo Clinic Medical Scientist Training Program, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
- Mayo Clinic Graduate Program in Biomedical Engineering and Physiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Cesar Lopez
- Assistive and Restorative Technology Laboratory, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Nikkole M Weber
- Computed Tomography Clinical Innovation Center, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Andrew R Thoreson
- Assistive and Restorative Technology Laboratory, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - David R Holmes
- Biomedical Imaging Resource Core Facility, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
- Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | | | - Shuai Leng
- Computed Tomography Clinical Innovation Center, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
- Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Sanjeev Kakar
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Kristin D Zhao
- Assistive and Restorative Technology Laboratory, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.
- Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.
- Rehabilitation Medicine Research Center, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Mayo Clinic, 200 First St. SW, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA.
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Trentadue TP, Thoreson AR, Lopez C, Breighner RE, An KN, Holmes DR, Moran SL, Kakar S, Murthy NS, Leng S, Zhao KD. Detection of scapholunate interosseous ligament injury using dynamic computed tomography-derived arthrokinematics: A prospective clinical trial. Med Eng Phys 2024; 128:104172. [PMID: 38789217 DOI: 10.1016/j.medengphy.2024.104172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2023] [Revised: 03/22/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024]
Abstract
Scapholunate interosseous ligament injuries are a major cause of wrist instability and can be difficult to diagnose radiographically. To improve early diagnosis of scapholunate ligament injuries, we compared injury detection between bilateral routine clinical radiographs, static CT, and dynamic four-dimensional CT (4DCT) during wrist flexion-extension and radioulnar deviation. Participants with unilateral scapholunate ligament injuries were recruited to a prospective clinical trial investigating the diagnostic utility of 4DCT imaging for ligamentous wrist injury. Twenty-one participants underwent arthroscopic surgery to confirm scapholunate ligament injury. Arthrokinematics, defined as distributions of interosseous proximities across radioscaphoid and scapholunate articular surfaces at different positions within the motion cycle, were used as CT-derived biomarkers. Preoperative radiographs, static CT, and extrema of 4DCT were compared between uninjured and injured wrists using Wilcoxon signed rank or Kolmogorov-Smirnov tests. Median interosseous proximities at the scapholunate interval were significantly greater in the injured versus the uninjured wrists at static-neutral and maximum flexion, extension, radial deviation, and ulnar deviation. Mean cumulative distribution functions at the radioscaphoid joint were not significantly different between wrists but were significantly shifted at the scapholunate interval towards increased interosseous proximities in injured versus uninjured wrists in all positions. Median and cumulative distribution scapholunate proximities from static-neutral and 4DCT-derived extrema reflect injury status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taylor P Trentadue
- Assistive and Restorative Technology Laboratory, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA; Mayo Clinic Medical Scientist Training Program, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA; Mayo Clinic Graduate Program in Biomedical Engineering and Physiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Andrew R Thoreson
- Assistive and Restorative Technology Laboratory, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Cesar Lopez
- Assistive and Restorative Technology Laboratory, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Ryan E Breighner
- Department of Radiology and Imaging, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, New York, USA
| | - Kai-Nan An
- Assistive and Restorative Technology Laboratory, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - David R Holmes
- Biomedical Imaging Resource Core Facility, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Steven L Moran
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Sanjeev Kakar
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Naveen S Murthy
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Shuai Leng
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA; Computed Tomography Clinical Innovation Center, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Kristin D Zhao
- Assistive and Restorative Technology Laboratory, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA; Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA.
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Serruys PW, Kageyama S, Pompilio G, Andreini D, Pontone G, Mushtaq S, La Meir M, De Mey J, Tanaka K, Doenst T, Teichgräber U, Schneider U, Puskas JD, Narula J, Gupta H, Agarwal V, Leipsic J, Masuda S, Kotoku N, Tsai TY, Garg S, Morel MA, Onuma Y. Coronary bypass surgery guided by computed tomography in a low-risk population. Eur Heart J 2024; 45:1804-1815. [PMID: 38583086 PMCID: PMC11129794 DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehae199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2023] [Revised: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/08/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS In patients with three-vessel disease and/or left main disease, selecting revascularization strategy based on coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) has a high level of virtual agreement with treatment decisions based on invasive coronary angiography (ICA). METHODS In this study, coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) procedures were planned based on CCTA without knowledge of ICA. The CABG strategy was recommended by a central core laboratory assessing the anatomy and functionality of the coronary circulation. The primary feasibility endpoint was the percentage of operations performed without access to the ICA. The primary safety endpoint was graft patency on 30-day follow-up CCTA. Secondary endpoints included topographical adequacy of grafting, major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular (MACCE), and major bleeding events at 30 days. The study was considered positive if the lower boundary of confidence intervals (CI) for feasibility was ≥75% (NCT04142021). RESULTS The study enrolled 114 patients with a mean (standard deviation) anatomical SYNTAX score and Society of Thoracic Surgery score of 43.6 (15.3) and 0.81 (0.63), respectively. Unblinding ICA was required in one case yielding a feasibility of 99.1% (95% CI 95.2%-100%). The concordance and agreement in revascularization planning between the ICA- and CCTA-Heart Teams was 82.9% with a moderate kappa of 0.58 (95% CI 0.50-0.66) and between the CCTA-Heart Team and actual treatment was 83.7% with a substantial kappa of 0.61 (95% CI 0.53-0.68). The 30-day follow-up CCTA in 102 patients (91.9%) showed an anastomosis patency rate of 92.6%, whilst MACCE was 7.2% and major bleeding 2.7%. CONCLUSIONS CABG guided by CCTA is feasible and has an acceptable safety profile in a selected population of complex coronary artery disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick W Serruys
- CORRIB Research Centre for Advanced Imaging and Core Lab, University of Galway, University Road, Galway H91 TK33, Ireland
| | - Shigetaka Kageyama
- CORRIB Research Centre for Advanced Imaging and Core Lab, University of Galway, University Road, Galway H91 TK33, Ireland
| | - Giulio Pompilio
- Centro Cardiologico Monzino, IRCCS, Monzino, Italy
- Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of Milan, Milano, Italy
| | - Daniele Andreini
- Division of Cardiology and Cardiac Imaging, IRCCS Galeazzi Sant’Ambrogio, Milan, Italy
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, University of Milan, Milano, Italy
| | | | | | - Mark La Meir
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, VUB, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Johan De Mey
- Department of Radiology, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, VUB, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Kaoru Tanaka
- Department of Radiology, University Hospital Brussels, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Torsten Doenst
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, University Hospital Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Ulf Teichgräber
- Department of Radiology, University Hospital Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Ulrich Schneider
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, University Hospital Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - John D Puskas
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Mount Sinai Morningside, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jagat Narula
- University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Himanshu Gupta
- Department of Radiology, The Valley Hospital, Ridgewood, NJ, USA
| | - Vikram Agarwal
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Mount Sinai Morningside, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jonathon Leipsic
- St. Paul’s Hospital, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Shinichiro Masuda
- CORRIB Research Centre for Advanced Imaging and Core Lab, University of Galway, University Road, Galway H91 TK33, Ireland
| | - Nozomi Kotoku
- CORRIB Research Centre for Advanced Imaging and Core Lab, University of Galway, University Road, Galway H91 TK33, Ireland
| | - Tsung-Ying Tsai
- CORRIB Research Centre for Advanced Imaging and Core Lab, University of Galway, University Road, Galway H91 TK33, Ireland
| | - Scot Garg
- Department of Cardiology, Royal Blackburn Hospital, Blackburn, UK
| | - Marie-Angele Morel
- CORRIB Research Centre for Advanced Imaging and Core Lab, University of Galway, University Road, Galway H91 TK33, Ireland
| | - Yoshinobu Onuma
- CORRIB Research Centre for Advanced Imaging and Core Lab, University of Galway, University Road, Galway H91 TK33, Ireland
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Bette S, Risch F, Becker J, Popp D, Decker JA, Kaufmann D, Friedrich L, Scheurig-Münkler C, Schwarz F, Kröncke TJ. Photon-counting detector CT - first experiences in the field of musculoskeletal radiology. ROFO-FORTSCHR RONTG 2024. [PMID: 38788741 DOI: 10.1055/a-2312-6914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/26/2024]
Abstract
The introduction of photon-counting detector CT (PCD-CT) marks a remarkable leap in innovation in CT imaging. The new detector technology allows X-rays to be converted directly into an electrical signal without an intermediate step via a scintillation layer and allows the energy of individual photons to be measured. Initial data show high spatial resolution, complete elimination of electronic noise, and steady availability of spectral image data sets. In particular, the new technology shows promise with respect to the imaging of osseous structures. Recently, PCD-CT was implemented in the clinical routine. The aim of this review was to summarize recent studies and to show our first experiences with photon-counting detector technology in the field of musculoskeletal radiology.We performed a literature search using Medline and included a total of 90 articles and reviews that covered recent experimental and clinical experiences with the new technology.In this review, we focus on (1) spatial resolution and delineation of fine anatomic structures, (2) reduction of radiation dose, (3) electronic noise, (4) techniques for metal artifact reduction, and (5) possibilities of spectral imaging. This article provides insight into our first experiences with photon-counting detector technology and shows results and images from experimental and clinical studies. · This review summarizes recent experimental and clinical studies in the field of photon-counting detector CT and musculoskeletal radiology.. · The potential of photon-counting detector technology in the field of musculoskeletal radiology includes improved spatial resolution, reduction in radiation dose, metal artifact reduction, and spectral imaging.. · PCD-CT enables imaging at lower radiation doses while maintaining or even enhancing spatial resolution, crucial for reducing patient exposure, especially in repeated or prolonged imaging scenarios.. · It offers promising results in reducing metal artifacts commonly encountered in orthopedic or dental implants, enhancing the interpretability of adjacent structures in postoperative and follow-up imaging.. · With its ability to routinely acquire spectral data, PCD-CT scans allow for material classification, such as detecting urate crystals in suspected gout or visualizing bone marrow edema, potentially reducing reliance on MRI in certain cases.. Bette S, Risch F, Becker J et al. Photon-counting detector CT - first experiences in the field of musculoskeletal radiology. Fortschr Röntgenstr 2024; DOI 10.1055/a-2312-6914.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie Bette
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Neuroradiology, University Hospital Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Franka Risch
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Neuroradiology, University Hospital Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Judith Becker
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Neuroradiology, University Hospital Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Daniel Popp
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Neuroradiology, University Hospital Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Josua A Decker
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Neuroradiology, University Hospital Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
| | - David Kaufmann
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Neuroradiology, University Hospital Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Lena Friedrich
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Neuroradiology, University Hospital Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Christian Scheurig-Münkler
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Neuroradiology, University Hospital Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Florian Schwarz
- Institute of Conventional and Interventional Radiology, Donauisar Hospital Deggendorf, Deggendorf, Germany
| | - Thomas J Kröncke
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Neuroradiology, University Hospital Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
- Centre for Advanced Analytics and Predictive Sciences (CAAPS), University of Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
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McDermott MC, Sartoretti T, Stammen L, Martens B, Jost G, Pietsch H, Gutjahr R, Schmidt B, Flohr TG, Alkadhi H, Wildberger JE. Countering Calcium Blooming With Personalized Contrast Media Injection Protocols: The 1-2-3 Rule for Photon-Counting Detector CCTA. Invest Radiol 2024:00004424-990000000-00217. [PMID: 38742928 DOI: 10.1097/rli.0000000000001078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Photon-counting detector computed tomography (PCD-CT) enables spectral data acquisition of CT angiographies allowing for reconstruction of virtual monoenergetic images (VMIs) in routine practice. Specifically, it has potential to reduce the blooming artifacts associated with densely calcified plaques. However, calcium blooming and iodine attenuation are inversely affected by energy level (keV) of the VMIs, creating a challenge for contrast media (CM) injection protocol optimization. A pragmatic and simple rule for calcium-dependent CM injection protocols is investigated and proposed for VMI-based coronary CT angiography with PCD-CT. MATERIALS AND METHODS A physiological circulation phantom with coronary vessels including calcified lesions (maximum CT value >700 HU) with a 50% diameter stenosis was injected into at iodine delivery rates (IDRs) of 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, and 3.0 g I/s. Images were acquired using a first-generation dual-source PCD-CT and reconstructed at various VMI levels (between 45 and 190 keV). Iodine attenuation in the coronaries was measured at each IDR for each keV, and blooming artifacts from the calcified lesions were assessed including stenosis grading error (as % overestimation vs true lumen). The IDR to achieve 300 HU at each VMI level was then calculated and compared with stenosis grading accuracy to establish a general rule for CM injection protocols. RESULTS Plaque blooming artifacts and intraluminal iodine attenuation decreased with increasing keV. Fixed windowing (representing absolute worst case) resulted in stenosis overestimation from 77% ± 4% at 45 keV to 5% ± 2% at 190 keV, whereas optimized windowing resulted in overestimation from 29% ± 3% at 45 keV to 4% ± 1% at 190 keV. The required IDR to achieve 300 HU showed a strong linear correlation to VMI energy (R2 = 0.98). Comparison of this linear plot versus stenosis grading error and blooming artifact demonstrated that multipliers of 1, 2, and 3 times the reference IDR for theoretical clinical regimes of no, moderate, and severe calcification density, respectively, can be proposed as a general rule. CONCLUSIONS This study provides a proof-of-concept in an anthropomorphic phantom for a simple pragmatic adaptation of CM injection protocols in coronary CT angiography with PCD-CT. The 1-2-3 rule demonstrates the potential for reducing the effects of calcium blooming artifacts on overall image quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael C McDermott
- From the Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, the Netherlands (M.C.M., T.S., L.S., B.M., T.G.F., J.E.W.); Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland (T.S., H.A.); Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands (M.C.M., T.S., L.S., B.M., J.E.W.); Bayer AG, Berlin, Germany (M.C.M., G.J., H.P.); and Computed Tomography Division, Siemens Healthineers AG, Forchheim, Germany (R.G., B.S., T.G.F.)
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Horst KK, Cao JY, McCollough CH, El-Ali A, Frush DP, Siegel MJ, Ramirez-Giraldo JC, O'Donnell T, Bach S, Yu L. Multi-institutional Protocol Guidance for Pediatric Photon-counting CT. Radiology 2024; 311:e231741. [PMID: 38771176 DOI: 10.1148/radiol.231741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
Performing CT in children comes with unique challenges such as greater degrees of patient motion, smaller and densely packed anatomy, and potential risks of radiation exposure. The technical advancements of photon-counting detector (PCD) CT enable decreased radiation dose and noise, as well as increased spatial and contrast resolution across all ages, compared with conventional energy-integrating detector CT. It is therefore valuable to review the relevant technical aspects and principles specific to protocol development on the new PCD CT platform to realize the potential benefits for this population. The purpose of this article, based on multi-institutional clinical and research experience from pediatric radiologists and medical physicists, is to provide protocol guidance for use of PCD CT in the imaging of pediatric patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly K Horst
- From the Department of Radiology, Division of Pediatric Radiology, Mayo Clinic, 200 1st St SW, Rochester, MN 55905 (K.K.H., C.H.M., L.Y.); Department of Radiology, Division of Pediatric Radiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC (J.Y.C., D.P.F., S.B.); Department of Radiology, Division of Pediatric Radiology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY (A.E.A.); Edward Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Mo (M.J.S.); and Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Malvern, Pa (J.C.R.G., T.O.)
| | - Joseph Y Cao
- From the Department of Radiology, Division of Pediatric Radiology, Mayo Clinic, 200 1st St SW, Rochester, MN 55905 (K.K.H., C.H.M., L.Y.); Department of Radiology, Division of Pediatric Radiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC (J.Y.C., D.P.F., S.B.); Department of Radiology, Division of Pediatric Radiology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY (A.E.A.); Edward Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Mo (M.J.S.); and Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Malvern, Pa (J.C.R.G., T.O.)
| | - Cynthia H McCollough
- From the Department of Radiology, Division of Pediatric Radiology, Mayo Clinic, 200 1st St SW, Rochester, MN 55905 (K.K.H., C.H.M., L.Y.); Department of Radiology, Division of Pediatric Radiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC (J.Y.C., D.P.F., S.B.); Department of Radiology, Division of Pediatric Radiology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY (A.E.A.); Edward Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Mo (M.J.S.); and Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Malvern, Pa (J.C.R.G., T.O.)
| | - Alex El-Ali
- From the Department of Radiology, Division of Pediatric Radiology, Mayo Clinic, 200 1st St SW, Rochester, MN 55905 (K.K.H., C.H.M., L.Y.); Department of Radiology, Division of Pediatric Radiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC (J.Y.C., D.P.F., S.B.); Department of Radiology, Division of Pediatric Radiology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY (A.E.A.); Edward Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Mo (M.J.S.); and Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Malvern, Pa (J.C.R.G., T.O.)
| | - Donald P Frush
- From the Department of Radiology, Division of Pediatric Radiology, Mayo Clinic, 200 1st St SW, Rochester, MN 55905 (K.K.H., C.H.M., L.Y.); Department of Radiology, Division of Pediatric Radiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC (J.Y.C., D.P.F., S.B.); Department of Radiology, Division of Pediatric Radiology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY (A.E.A.); Edward Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Mo (M.J.S.); and Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Malvern, Pa (J.C.R.G., T.O.)
| | - Marilyn J Siegel
- From the Department of Radiology, Division of Pediatric Radiology, Mayo Clinic, 200 1st St SW, Rochester, MN 55905 (K.K.H., C.H.M., L.Y.); Department of Radiology, Division of Pediatric Radiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC (J.Y.C., D.P.F., S.B.); Department of Radiology, Division of Pediatric Radiology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY (A.E.A.); Edward Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Mo (M.J.S.); and Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Malvern, Pa (J.C.R.G., T.O.)
| | - Juan Carlos Ramirez-Giraldo
- From the Department of Radiology, Division of Pediatric Radiology, Mayo Clinic, 200 1st St SW, Rochester, MN 55905 (K.K.H., C.H.M., L.Y.); Department of Radiology, Division of Pediatric Radiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC (J.Y.C., D.P.F., S.B.); Department of Radiology, Division of Pediatric Radiology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY (A.E.A.); Edward Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Mo (M.J.S.); and Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Malvern, Pa (J.C.R.G., T.O.)
| | - Tom O'Donnell
- From the Department of Radiology, Division of Pediatric Radiology, Mayo Clinic, 200 1st St SW, Rochester, MN 55905 (K.K.H., C.H.M., L.Y.); Department of Radiology, Division of Pediatric Radiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC (J.Y.C., D.P.F., S.B.); Department of Radiology, Division of Pediatric Radiology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY (A.E.A.); Edward Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Mo (M.J.S.); and Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Malvern, Pa (J.C.R.G., T.O.)
| | - Steve Bach
- From the Department of Radiology, Division of Pediatric Radiology, Mayo Clinic, 200 1st St SW, Rochester, MN 55905 (K.K.H., C.H.M., L.Y.); Department of Radiology, Division of Pediatric Radiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC (J.Y.C., D.P.F., S.B.); Department of Radiology, Division of Pediatric Radiology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY (A.E.A.); Edward Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Mo (M.J.S.); and Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Malvern, Pa (J.C.R.G., T.O.)
| | - Lifeng Yu
- From the Department of Radiology, Division of Pediatric Radiology, Mayo Clinic, 200 1st St SW, Rochester, MN 55905 (K.K.H., C.H.M., L.Y.); Department of Radiology, Division of Pediatric Radiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC (J.Y.C., D.P.F., S.B.); Department of Radiology, Division of Pediatric Radiology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY (A.E.A.); Edward Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Mo (M.J.S.); and Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Malvern, Pa (J.C.R.G., T.O.)
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Feldle P, Grunz JP, Huflage H, Kunz AS, Ergün S, Afat S, Gruschwitz P, Görtz L, Pennig L, Bley TA, Conrads N. Influence of helical pitch and gantry rotation time on image quality and file size in ultrahigh-resolution photon-counting detector CT. Sci Rep 2024; 14:9358. [PMID: 38653758 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-59729-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2023] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
The goal of this experimental study was to quantify the influence of helical pitch and gantry rotation time on image quality and file size in ultrahigh-resolution photon-counting CT (UHR-PCCT). Cervical and lumbar spine, pelvis, and upper legs of two fresh-frozen cadaveric specimens were subjected to nine dose-matched UHR-PCCT scan protocols employing a collimation of 120 × 0.2 mm with varying pitch (0.3/1.0/1.2) and rotation time (0.25/0.5/1.0 s). Image quality was analyzed independently by five radiologists and further substantiated by placing normed regions of interest to record mean signal attenuation and noise. Effective mAs, CT dose index (CTDIvol), size-specific dose estimate (SSDE), scan duration, and raw data file size were compared. Regardless of anatomical region, no significant difference was ascertained for CTDIvol (p ≥ 0.204) and SSDE (p ≥ 0.240) among protocols. While exam duration differed substantially (all p ≤ 0.016), the lowest scan time was recorded for high-pitch protocols (4.3 ± 1.0 s) and the highest for low-pitch protocols (43.6 ± 15.4 s). The combination of high helical pitch and short gantry rotation times produced the lowest perceived image quality (intraclass correlation coefficient 0.866; 95% confidence interval 0.807-0.910; p < 0.001) and highest noise. Raw data size increased with acquisition time (15.4 ± 5.0 to 235.0 ± 83.5 GByte; p ≤ 0.013). Rotation time and pitch factor have considerable influence on image quality in UHR-PCCT and must therefore be chosen deliberately for different musculoskeletal imaging tasks. In examinations with long acquisition times, raw data size increases considerably, consequently limiting clinical applicability for larger scan volumes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philipp Feldle
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Wuerzburg, Oberduerrbacher Straße 6, 97080, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Jan-Peter Grunz
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Wuerzburg, Oberduerrbacher Straße 6, 97080, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Henner Huflage
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Wuerzburg, Oberduerrbacher Straße 6, 97080, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Andreas Steven Kunz
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Wuerzburg, Oberduerrbacher Straße 6, 97080, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Süleyman Ergün
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Wuerzburg, Koellikerstraße 6, 97070, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Saif Afat
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Tuebingen, Hoppe-Seyler-Str 3, 72076, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Philipp Gruschwitz
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Wuerzburg, Oberduerrbacher Straße 6, 97080, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Lukas Görtz
- Institute for Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Kerpener Straße 62, 50937, Cologne, Germany
| | - Lenhard Pennig
- Institute for Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Kerpener Straße 62, 50937, Cologne, Germany
| | - Thorsten Alexander Bley
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Wuerzburg, Oberduerrbacher Straße 6, 97080, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Nora Conrads
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Wuerzburg, Oberduerrbacher Straße 6, 97080, Wuerzburg, Germany.
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Huflage H, Hendel R, Kunz AS, Ergün S, Afat S, Petri N, Hartung V, Gruschwitz P, Bley TA, Grunz JP. Investigating the Small Pixel Effect in Ultra-High Resolution Photon-Counting CT of the Lung. Invest Radiol 2024; 59:293-297. [PMID: 37552040 DOI: 10.1097/rli.0000000000001013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/09/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to investigate potential benefits of ultra-high resolution (UHR) over standard resolution scan mode in ultra-low dose photon-counting detector CT (PCD-CT) of the lung. MATERIALS AND METHODS Six cadaveric specimens were examined with 5 dose settings using tin prefiltration, each in UHR (120 × 0.2 mm) and standard mode (144 × 0.4 mm), on a first-generation PCD-CT scanner. Image quality was evaluated quantitatively by noise comparisons in the trachea and both main bronchi. In addition, 16 readers (14 radiologists and 2 internal medicine physicians) independently completed a browser-based pairwise forced-choice comparison task for assessment of subjective image quality. The Kendall rank coefficient ( W ) was calculated to assess interrater agreement, and Pearson's correlation coefficient ( r ) was used to analyze the relationship between noise measurements and image quality rankings. RESULTS Across all dose levels, image noise in UHR mode was lower than in standard mode for scan protocols matched by CTDI vol ( P < 0.001). UHR examinations exhibited noise levels comparable to the next higher dose setting in standard mode ( P ≥ 0.275). Subjective ranking of protocols based on 5760 pairwise tests showed high interrater agreement ( W = 0.99; P ≤ 0.001) with UHR images being preferred by readers in the majority of comparisons. Irrespective of scan mode, a substantial indirect correlation was observed between image noise and subjective image quality ranking ( r = -0.97; P ≤ 0.001). CONCLUSIONS In PCD-CT of the lung, UHR scan mode reduces image noise considerably over standard resolution acquisition. Originating from the smaller detector element size in fan direction, the small pixel effect allows for superior image quality in ultra-low dose examinations with considerable potential for radiation dose reduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henner Huflage
- From the Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany (H.H., R.H., A.S., V.H., P.G., T.A., J.-P.G.); Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany (S.E.); Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany (S.A.); and Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany (N.P.)
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9
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Liu LP, Shapira N, Halliburton SS, Meyer S, Perkins A, Litt HI, Kauczor HU, Leiner T, Stiller W, Noël PB. Spectral performance evaluation of a second-generation spectral detector CT. J Appl Clin Med Phys 2024; 25:e14300. [PMID: 38386967 PMCID: PMC11005977 DOI: 10.1002/acm2.14300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2023] [Revised: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE The aim of this study was to characterize a second-generation wide-detector dual-layer spectral computed tomography (CT) system for material quantification accuracy, acquisition parameter and patient size dependencies, and tissue characterization capabilities. METHODS A phantom with multiple tissue-mimicking and material-specific inserts was scanned with a dual-layer spectral detector CT using different tube voltages, collimation widths, radiation dose levels, and size configurations. Accuracy of iodine density maps and virtual monoenergetic images (MonoE) were investigated. Additionally, differences between conventional and MonoE 70 keV images were calculated to evaluate acquisition parameter and patient size dependencies. To demonstrate material quantification and differentiation, liver-mimicking inserts with adipose and iron were analyzed with a two-base decomposition utilizing MonoE 50 and 150 keV, and root mean square error (RMSE) for adipose and iron content was reported. RESULTS Measured inserts exhibited quantitative accuracy across a wide range of MonoE levels. MonoE 70 keV images demonstrated reduced dependence compared to conventional images for phantom size (1 vs. 27 HU) and acquisition parameters, particularly tube voltage (4 vs. 37 HU). Iodine density quantification was successful with errors ranging from -0.58 to 0.44 mg/mL. Similarly, inserts with different amounts of adipose and iron were differentiated, and the small deviation in values within inserts corresponded to a RMSE of 3.49 ± 1.76% and 1.67 ± 0.84 mg/mL for adipose and iron content, respectively. CONCLUSION The second-generation dual-layer CT enables acquisition of quantitatively accurate spectral data without compromises from differences in patient size and acquisition parameters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leening P. Liu
- Department of RadiologyPerelman School of MedicineUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPennsylvaniaUSA
- Department of BioengineeringUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPennsylvaniaUSA
| | - Nadav Shapira
- Department of RadiologyPerelman School of MedicineUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPennsylvaniaUSA
| | | | - Sebastian Meyer
- Department of RadiologyPerelman School of MedicineUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPennsylvaniaUSA
| | | | - Harold I. Litt
- Department of RadiologyPerelman School of MedicineUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPennsylvaniaUSA
| | - Hans Ulrich Kauczor
- Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology (DIR)Heidelberg University HospitalHeidelbergGermany
| | - Tim Leiner
- Department of RadiologyMayo ClinicRochesterMinnesotaUSA
| | - Wolfram Stiller
- Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology (DIR)Heidelberg University HospitalHeidelbergGermany
| | - Peter B. Noël
- Department of RadiologyPerelman School of MedicineUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPennsylvaniaUSA
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10
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Vattay B, Boussoussou M, Vecsey-Nagy M, Kolossváry M, Juhász D, Kerkovits N, Balogh H, Nagy N, Vértes M, Kiss M, Kubovje A, Merkely B, Maurovich Horvat P, Szilveszter B. Qualitative and quantitative image quality of coronary CT angiography using photon-counting computed tomography: Standard and Ultra-high resolution protocols. Eur J Radiol 2024; 175:111426. [PMID: 38493558 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejrad.2024.111426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2023] [Revised: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE We aimed to identify the optimal reconstruction settings based on qualitative and quantitative image quality parameters on standard and ultra-high resolution (UHR) images using photon-counting CT (PCCT). METHOD We analysed 45 patients, 29 with standard and 16 with UHR acquisition, applying both smoother and sharper kernel settings. Coronary CT angiography images were performed on a dual-source PCCT system using standard (0.4/0.6 mm slice thickness, Bv40/Bv44 kernels, QIR levels 0-4) or UHR acquisition (0.2/0.4 mm slice thickness, Bv44/Bv56 kernels, QIR levels 0-4). Qualitative image quality was assessed using a 4-point Likert scale. Image noise (SD), signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) were calculated in both the proximal and distal segments. RESULTS On standard resolution, larger slice thickness resulted in an average increase of 12.5 % in CNR, whereas sharper kernel led to an average 8.7 % decrease in CNR. Highest CNR was measured on 0.6 mm, Bv40, QIR4 images and lowest on 0.4 mm, Bv44, QIR0 images: 25.8 ± 4.1vs.8.3 ± 1.6 (p < 0.001). On UHR images, highest CNR was observed on 0.4 mm, Bv40, QIR4 and lowest on 0.2 mm, Bv56 and QIR0 images: 21.5 ± 3.9vs.3.6 ± 0.8 (p < 0.001). Highest qualitative image quality was found on images with Bv44 kernel and QIR level 3/4 with both slice thicknesses on standard reconstruction. Additionally, Bv56 with QIR4 on 0.2 mm slice thickness images showed highest subjective image quality. Preserved distal vessel visualization was detected using QIR 2-4, Bv56 and 0.2 mm slice thickness. CONCLUSIONS Photon-counting CT demonstrated high qualitative and quantitative image quality for the assessment of coronaries and stents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Borbála Vattay
- Heart and Vascular Center, Semmelweis University, 1122 Budapest, Városmajor Street 68., Hungary
| | - Melinda Boussoussou
- Heart and Vascular Center, Semmelweis University, 1122 Budapest, Városmajor Street 68., Hungary
| | - Milán Vecsey-Nagy
- Heart and Vascular Center, Semmelweis University, 1122 Budapest, Városmajor Street 68., Hungary
| | - Márton Kolossváry
- Gottsegen National Cardiovascular Center, 29 Haller Utca, 1096, Budapest, Hungary; Physiological Controls Research Center, University Research and Innovation Center, Óbuda University, Bécsi Ut 96/B, 1034, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Dénes Juhász
- Heart and Vascular Center, Semmelweis University, 1122 Budapest, Városmajor Street 68., Hungary
| | - Nóra Kerkovits
- Medical Imaging Center, Semmelweis University, 1082 Budapest, Korányi Sándor Street 2., Hungary
| | - Hanna Balogh
- Medical Imaging Center, Semmelweis University, 1082 Budapest, Korányi Sándor Street 2., Hungary
| | - Norbert Nagy
- Medical Imaging Center, Semmelweis University, 1082 Budapest, Korányi Sándor Street 2., Hungary
| | - Miklós Vértes
- Medical Imaging Center, Semmelweis University, 1082 Budapest, Korányi Sándor Street 2., Hungary
| | - Máté Kiss
- Siemens Healthcare GmbH, Forchheim, Germany
| | - Anikó Kubovje
- Medical Imaging Center, Semmelweis University, 1082 Budapest, Korányi Sándor Street 2., Hungary
| | - Béla Merkely
- Heart and Vascular Center, Semmelweis University, 1122 Budapest, Városmajor Street 68., Hungary
| | - Pál Maurovich Horvat
- Medical Imaging Center, Semmelweis University, 1082 Budapest, Korányi Sándor Street 2., Hungary
| | - Bálint Szilveszter
- Heart and Vascular Center, Semmelweis University, 1122 Budapest, Városmajor Street 68., Hungary.
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11
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Huflage H, Hendel R, Woznicki P, Conrads N, Feldle P, Patzer TS, Ergün S, Bley TA, Kunz AS, Grunz JP. The Small Pixel Effect in Ultra-High-Resolution Photon-Counting CT of the Lumbar Spine. Invest Radiol 2024:00004424-990000000-00197. [PMID: 38329822 DOI: 10.1097/rli.0000000000001069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Image acquisition in ultra-high-resolution (UHR) scan mode does not impose a dose penalty in photon-counting CT (PCCT). This study aims to investigate the dose saving potential of using UHR instead of standard-resolution PCCT for lumbar spine imaging. MATERIALS AND METHODS Eight cadaveric specimens were examined with 7 dose levels (5-35 mGy) each in UHR (120 × 0.2 mm) and standard-resolution acquisition mode (144 × 0.4 mm) on a first-generation PCCT scanner. The UHR images were reconstructed with 3 dedicated bone kernels (Br68 [spatial frequency at 10% of the modulation transfer function 14.5 line pairs/cm], Br76 [21.0], and Br84 [27.9]), standard-resolution images with Br68 and Br76. Using automatic segmentation, contrast-to-noise ratios (CNRs) were established for lumbar vertebrae and psoas muscle tissue. In addition, image quality was assessed subjectively by 19 independent readers (15 radiologists, 4 surgeons) using a browser-based forced choice comparison tool totaling 16,974 performed pairwise tests. Pearson's correlation coefficient ( r ) was used to analyze the relationship between CNR and subjective image quality rankings, and Kendall W was calculated to assess interrater agreement. RESULTS Irrespective of radiation exposure level, CNR was higher in UHR datasets than in standard-resolution images postprocessed with the same reconstruction parameters. The use of sharper convolution kernels entailed lower CNR but higher subjective image quality depending on radiation dose. Subjective assessment revealed high interrater agreement ( W = 0.86; P < 0.001) with UHR images being preferred by readers in the majority of comparisons on each dose level. Substantial correlation was ascertained between CNR and the subjective image quality ranking (all r 's ≥ 0.95; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS In PCCT of the lumbar spine, UHR mode's smaller pixel size facilitates a considerable CNR increase over standard-resolution imaging, which can either be used for dose reduction or higher spatial resolution depending on the selected convolution kernel.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henner Huflage
- From the Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany (H.H., R.H., P.W., N.C., P.F., T.S., T.A.B., A.S.K., J.-P.G.); and Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany (S.E.)
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12
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Pannenbecker P, Heidenreich JF, Grunz JP, Huflage H, Gruschwitz P, Patzer TS, Feldle P, Bley TA, Petritsch B. Image Quality and Radiation Dose of CTPA With Iodine Maps: A Prospective Randomized Study of High-Pitch Mode Photon-Counting Detector CT Versus Energy-Integrating Detector CT. AJR Am J Roentgenol 2024; 222:e2330154. [PMID: 37966036 DOI: 10.2214/ajr.23.30154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND. Dual-energy CT pulmonary angiography (CTPA) with energy-integrating detector (EID) technology is limited by the inability to use high-pitch technique. OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this study was to compare the image quality of anatomic images and iodine maps between high-pitch photon-counting detector (PCD) CTPA and dual-energy EID CTPA. METHODS. This prospective study included 117 patients (70 men and 47 women; median age, 65 years) who underwent CTPA to evaluate for pulmonary embolism between March 2022 and November 2022. Fifty-eight patients were randomized to undergo PCD CTPA (pitch, 2.0), and 59 were randomized to undergo EID CTPA (pitch, 0.55). For each examination, 120-kV polychromatic images, 60-keV virtual monogenetic images (VMIs), and iodine maps were reconstructed. One radiologist measured CNR and SNR. Three radiologists independently assessed subjective image quality (on a scale of 1-4, with a score of 1 denoting highest quality). Radiation dose was recorded. RESULTS. SNR and CNR were higher for PCD CTPA than for EID CTPA for polychromatic images and VMIs, for all assessed vessels other than the left upper lobe artery. For example, for PCD CTPA versus EID CTPA, the right lower lobe artery on polychromatic images had an SNR of 34.5 versus 28.0 (p = .003) and a CNR of 29.2 versus 24.4 (p = .001), and on VMIs it had an SNR of 43.2 versus 32.7 (p = .005) and a CNR of 37.4 versus 29.3 (p = .002). For both scanners for readers 1 and 2, the median image quality score for polychromatic images and VMIs was 1, although distributions indicated significantly better scores for PCD CTPA than for EID CTPA for polychromatic images for reader 1 (p = .02) and reader 2 (p = .005) and for VMIs for reader 1 (p = .001) and reader 2 (p = .006). The image quality of anatomic image sets was not different between PCD CTPA and EID CTPA for reader 3 (p > .05). The image quality of iodine maps was not different between PCD CTPA and EID CTPA for any reader (p > .05). For PCD CTPA versus EID CTPA, the CTDIvol was 3.9 versus 4.5 mGy (p = .03), and the DLP was 123.5 mGy × cm versus 157.0 mGy × cm (p < .001). CONCLUSION. High-pitch PCD CTPA provided anatomic images with better subjective and objective image quality versus dual-energy EID CTPA, with lower radiation dose. Iodine maps showed no significant difference in image quality between scanners. CLINICAL IMPACT. CTPA may benefit from the PCD CT technique.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pauline Pannenbecker
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Würzburg, Oberdürrbacherstrasse, 6, D-97080 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Julius F Heidenreich
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Würzburg, Oberdürrbacherstrasse, 6, D-97080 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Jan-Peter Grunz
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Würzburg, Oberdürrbacherstrasse, 6, D-97080 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Henner Huflage
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Würzburg, Oberdürrbacherstrasse, 6, D-97080 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Philipp Gruschwitz
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Würzburg, Oberdürrbacherstrasse, 6, D-97080 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Theresa S Patzer
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Würzburg, Oberdürrbacherstrasse, 6, D-97080 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Philipp Feldle
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Würzburg, Oberdürrbacherstrasse, 6, D-97080 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Thorsten A Bley
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Würzburg, Oberdürrbacherstrasse, 6, D-97080 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Bernhard Petritsch
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Würzburg, Oberdürrbacherstrasse, 6, D-97080 Würzburg, Germany
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13
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Yalon M, Sae-Kho T, Khanna A, Chang S, Andrist BR, Weber NM, Hoodeshenas S, Ferrero A, Glazebrook KN, McCollough CH, Baffour FI. Staging of breast cancer in the breast and regional lymph nodes using contrast-enhanced photon-counting detector CT: accuracy and potential impact on patient management. Br J Radiol 2024; 97:93-97. [PMID: 38263843 PMCID: PMC11027279 DOI: 10.1093/bjr/tqad042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To describe the feasibility and evaluate the performance of multiphasic photon-counting detector (PCD) CT for detecting breast cancer and nodal metastases with correlative dynamic breast MRI and digital mammography as the reference standard. METHODS Adult females with biopsy-proven breast cancer undergoing staging breast MRI were prospectively recruited to undergo a multiphasic PCD-CT using a 3-phase protocol: a non-contrast ultra-high-resolution (UHR) scan and 2 intravenous contrast-enhanced scans with 50 and 180 s delay. Three breast radiologists compared CT characteristics of the index malignancy, regional lymphadenopathy, and extramammary findings to MRI. RESULTS Thirteen patients underwent both an MRI and PCD-CT (mean age: 53 years, range: 36-75 years). Eleven of thirteen cases demonstrated suspicious mass or non-mass enhancement on PCD-CT when compared to MRI. All cases with metastatic lymphadenopathy (3/3 cases) demonstrated early avid enhancement similar to the index malignancy. All cases with multifocal or multicentric disease on MRI were also identified on PCD-CT (3/3 cases), including a 4 mm suspicious satellite lesion. Four of five patients with residual suspicious post-biopsy calcifications on mammograms were detected on the UHR PCD-CT scan. Owing to increased field-of-view at PCD-CT, a 5 mm thoracic vertebral metastasis was identified at PCD-CT and not with the breast MRI. CONCLUSIONS A 3-phase PCD-CT scan protocol shows initial promising results in characterizing breast cancer and regional lymphadenopathy similar to MRI and detects microcalcifications in 80% of cases. ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE UHR and spectral capabilities of PCD-CT may allow for comprehensive characterization of breast cancer and may represent an alternative to breast MRI in select cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Yalon
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, 55905, United States
| | - Tiffany Sae-Kho
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, 55905, United States
| | - Akriti Khanna
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, 55905, United States
| | - Shaojie Chang
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, 55905, United States
| | - Boleyn R Andrist
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, 55905, United States
| | - Nikkole M Weber
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, 55905, United States
| | - Safa Hoodeshenas
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, 55905, United States
| | - Andrea Ferrero
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, 55905, United States
| | | | | | - Francis I Baffour
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, 55905, United States
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14
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Anam C, Naufal A, Dwihapsari Y, Fujibuchi T, Dougherty G. A Practical Method for Slice Spacing Measurement Using the American Association of Physicists in Medicine Computed Tomography Performance Phantom. J Med Phys 2024; 49:103-109. [PMID: 38828077 PMCID: PMC11141755 DOI: 10.4103/jmp.jmp_155_23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Revised: 01/14/2024] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The slice spacing has a crucial role in the accuracy of computed tomography (CT) images in sagittal and coronal planes. However, there is no practical method for measuring the accuracy of the slice spacing. Purpose This study proposes a novel method to automatically measure the slice spacing using the American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) CT performance phantom. Methods The AAPM CT performance phantom module 610-04 was used to measure slice spacing. The process of slice spacing measurement involves a pair of axial images of the module containing ramp aluminum objects located at adjacent slice positions. The middle aluminum plate of each image was automatically segmented. Next, the two segmented images were combined to produce one image with two stair objects. The centroid coordinates of two stair objects were automatically determined. Subsequently, the distance between these two centroids was measured to directly indicate the slice spacing. For comparison, the slice spacing was calculated by accessing the slice position attributes from the DICOM header of both images. The proposed method was tested on phantom images with variations in slice spacing and field of view (FOV). Results The results showed that the automatic measurement of slice spacing was quite accurate for all variations of slice spacing and FOV, with average differences of 9.0% and 9.3%, respectively. Conclusion A new automated method for measuring the slice spacing using the AAPM CT phantom was successfully demonstrated and tested for variations of slice spacing and FOV. Slice spacing measurement may be considered an additional parameter to be checked in addition to other established parameters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Choirul Anam
- Department of Physics, Faculty of Sciences and Mathematics, Diponegoro University, Tembalang, Semarang, Central Java, Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia
| | - Ariij Naufal
- Department of Physics, Faculty of Sciences and Mathematics, Diponegoro University, Tembalang, Semarang, Central Java, Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia
| | - Yanurita Dwihapsari
- Department of Physics, Faculty of Science and Data Analytics, Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology (ITS), Kampus ITS Sukolilo, Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia
| | - Toshioh Fujibuchi
- Department of Health Sciences, Division of Medical Quantum Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Geoff Dougherty
- Department of Applied Physics and Medical Imaging, California State University Channel Islands, Camarillo, CA, USA
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Rodesch PA, Si-Mohamed SA, Lesaint J, Douek PC, Rit S. Image quality improvement of a one-step spectral CT reconstruction on a prototype photon-counting scanner. Phys Med Biol 2023; 69:015005. [PMID: 38041870 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6560/ad11a3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/04/2023]
Abstract
Objective. X-ray spectral computed tomography (CT) allows for material decomposition (MD). This study compared a one-step material decomposition MD algorithm with a two-step reconstruction MD algorithm using acquisitions of a prototype CT scanner with a photon-counting detector (PCD).Approach. MD and CT reconstruction may be done in two successive steps, i.e. decompose the data in material sinograms which are then reconstructed in material CT images, or jointly in a one-step algorithm. The one-step algorithm reconstructed material CT images by maximizing their Poisson log-likelihood in the projection domain with a spatial regularization in the image domain. The two-step algorithm maximized first the Poisson log-likelihood without regularization to decompose the data in material sinograms. These sinograms were then reconstructed into material CT images by least squares minimization, with the same spatial regularization as the one step algorithm. A phantom simulating the CT angiography clinical task was scanned and the data used to measure noise and spatial resolution properties. Low dose carotid CT angiographies of 4 patients were also reconstructed with both algorithms and analyzed by a radiologist. The image quality and diagnostic clinical task were evaluated with a clinical score.Main results. The phantom data processing demonstrated that the one-step algorithm had a better spatial resolution at the same noise level or a decreased noise value at matching spatial resolution. Regularization parameters leading to a fair comparison were selected for the patient data reconstruction. On the patient images, the one-step images received higher scores compared to the two-step algorithm for image quality and diagnostic.Significance. Both phantom and patient data demonstrated how a one-step algorithm improves spectral CT image quality over the implemented two-step algorithm but requires a longer computation time. At a low radiation dose, the one-step algorithm presented good to excellent clinical scores for all the spectral CT images.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierre-Antoine Rodesch
- Univ. Lyon, INSA-Lyon, UCBLyon 1, UJM-Saint Etienne, CNRS, Inserm, CREATIS UMR5220, U1294, F-69373 Lyon, France
| | - Salim A Si-Mohamed
- Univ. Lyon, INSA-Lyon, UCBLyon 1, UJM-Saint Etienne, CNRS, Inserm, CREATIS UMR5220, U1294, F-69373 Lyon, France
- Department of Radiology, Louis Pradel Hospital, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Bron, France
| | - Jérôme Lesaint
- Univ. Lyon, INSA-Lyon, UCBLyon 1, UJM-Saint Etienne, CNRS, Inserm, CREATIS UMR5220, U1294, F-69373 Lyon, France
| | - Philippe C Douek
- Univ. Lyon, INSA-Lyon, UCBLyon 1, UJM-Saint Etienne, CNRS, Inserm, CREATIS UMR5220, U1294, F-69373 Lyon, France
- Department of Radiology, Louis Pradel Hospital, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Bron, France
| | - Simon Rit
- Univ. Lyon, INSA-Lyon, UCBLyon 1, UJM-Saint Etienne, CNRS, Inserm, CREATIS UMR5220, U1294, F-69373 Lyon, France
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Al-Haj Husain A, Stadlinger B, Winklhofer S, Bosshard FA, Schmidt V, Valdec S. Imaging in Third Molar Surgery: A Clinical Update. J Clin Med 2023; 12:7688. [PMID: 38137758 PMCID: PMC10744030 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12247688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2023] [Revised: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Third molar surgery is one of the most common surgical procedures performed in oral and maxillofacial surgery. Considering the patient's young age and the often-elective nature of the procedure, a comprehensive preoperative evaluation of the surgical site, relying heavily on preoperative imaging, is key to providing accurate diagnostic work-up, evidence-based clinical decision making, and, when appropriate, indication-specific surgical planning. Given the rapid developments of dental imaging in the field, the aim of this article is to provide a comprehensive, up-to-date clinical overview of various imaging techniques related to perioperative imaging in third molar surgery, ranging from panoramic radiography to emerging technologies, such as photon-counting computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. Each modality's advantages, limitations, and recent improvements are evaluated, highlighting their role in treatment planning, complication prevention, and postoperative follow-ups. The integration of recent technological advances, including artificial intelligence and machine learning in biomedical imaging, coupled with a thorough preoperative clinical evaluation, marks another step towards personalized dentistry in high-risk third molar surgery. This approach enables minimally invasive surgical approaches while reducing inefficiencies and risks by incorporating additional imaging modality- and patient-specific parameters, potentially facilitating and improving patient management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adib Al-Haj Husain
- Clinic of Cranio-Maxillofacial and Oral Surgery, Center of Dental Medicine, University of Zurich, 8032 Zurich, Switzerland; (A.A.-H.H.); (B.S.); (F.A.B.); (V.S.)
- Department of Neuroradiology, Clinical Neuroscience Center, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Bernd Stadlinger
- Clinic of Cranio-Maxillofacial and Oral Surgery, Center of Dental Medicine, University of Zurich, 8032 Zurich, Switzerland; (A.A.-H.H.); (B.S.); (F.A.B.); (V.S.)
| | | | - Fabienne A. Bosshard
- Clinic of Cranio-Maxillofacial and Oral Surgery, Center of Dental Medicine, University of Zurich, 8032 Zurich, Switzerland; (A.A.-H.H.); (B.S.); (F.A.B.); (V.S.)
| | - Valérie Schmidt
- Clinic of Cranio-Maxillofacial and Oral Surgery, Center of Dental Medicine, University of Zurich, 8032 Zurich, Switzerland; (A.A.-H.H.); (B.S.); (F.A.B.); (V.S.)
| | - Silvio Valdec
- Clinic of Cranio-Maxillofacial and Oral Surgery, Center of Dental Medicine, University of Zurich, 8032 Zurich, Switzerland; (A.A.-H.H.); (B.S.); (F.A.B.); (V.S.)
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Murphy DJ, Donnelly R. The Ground Truth Is Out There: Improved Coronary Artery Luminal Stenosis Evaluation with Photon-counting Detector CT. Radiology 2023; 309:e233066. [PMID: 38051189 DOI: 10.1148/radiol.233066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- David J Murphy
- From the Department of Radiology, St Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland; and University College Dublin School of Medicine, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Ryan Donnelly
- From the Department of Radiology, St Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland; and University College Dublin School of Medicine, Dublin, Ireland
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18
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McCollough CH, Rajiah P, Bois JP, Winfree TN, Carter RE, Rajendran K, Williamson EE, Thorne JE, Leng S. Comparison of Photon-counting Detector and Energy-integrating Detector CT for Visual Estimation of Coronary Percent Luminal Stenosis. Radiology 2023; 309:e230853. [PMID: 38051190 PMCID: PMC10741385 DOI: 10.1148/radiol.230853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Revised: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023]
Abstract
Background Compared with energy-integrating detector (EID) CT, the improved resolution of photon-counting detector (PCD) CT coupled with high-energy virtual monoenergetic images (VMIs) has been shown to decrease calcium blooming on images in phantoms and cadaveric specimens. Purpose To determine the impact of dual-source PCD CT on visual and quantitative estimation of percent diameter luminal stenosis compared with dual-source EID CT in patients. Materials and Methods This prospective study recruited consecutive adult patients from an outpatient facility between January and March 2022. Study participants underwent clinical dual-source EID coronary CT angiography followed by a research dual-source PCD CT examination. For PCD CT, multienergy data were used to create VMIs at 50 and 100 keV. Two readers independently reviewed EID CT images followed by PCD CT images after a washout period. Readers visually graded the most severe stenosis in terms of percent diameter luminal stenosis for the left main, left anterior descending, right, and circumflex coronary arteries, unblinded to scanner type. Quantitative measures of percent stenosis were made using commercial software. Visual and quantitative estimates of percent stenosis were compared between EID CT and PCD CT using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Results A total of 25 participants (median age, 59 years [range, 18-78 years]; 16 male participants) were enrolled. On EID CT images, readers 1 and 2 identified 39 and 32 luminal stenoses, respectively, with a percent diameter luminal stenosis greater than 0%. Visual estimates of percent stenosis were lower on PCD CT images than EID CT images (reader 1: median 20.6% [IQR, 8.8%-61.2%] vs 31.8% [IQR, 12.9%-69.7%], P < .001; reader 2: 6.5% [IQR, 0.4%-54.1%] vs 22.9% [IQR, 1.8%-67.4%], P = .002). No difference was observed between EID CT and PCD CT for quantitative measures of percent stenosis (median difference, -1.5% [95% CI: -3.0%, 2.5%]; P = .51). Conclusion Relative to using EID CT, using PCD CT led to decreases in visual estimates of percent stenosis. © RSNA, 2023 See also the editorial by Murphy and Donnelly in this issue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cynthia H. McCollough
- From the Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First St SW, Rochester, MN 55905 (C.H.M., P.R., J.P.B., T.N.W., K.R., E.E.W., J.E.T., S.L.); and Department of Health Science Research, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Fla (R.E.C.)
| | - Prabhakar Rajiah
- From the Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First St SW, Rochester, MN 55905 (C.H.M., P.R., J.P.B., T.N.W., K.R., E.E.W., J.E.T., S.L.); and Department of Health Science Research, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Fla (R.E.C.)
| | - John P. Bois
- From the Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First St SW, Rochester, MN 55905 (C.H.M., P.R., J.P.B., T.N.W., K.R., E.E.W., J.E.T., S.L.); and Department of Health Science Research, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Fla (R.E.C.)
| | - Tim N. Winfree
- From the Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First St SW, Rochester, MN 55905 (C.H.M., P.R., J.P.B., T.N.W., K.R., E.E.W., J.E.T., S.L.); and Department of Health Science Research, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Fla (R.E.C.)
| | - Rickey E. Carter
- From the Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First St SW, Rochester, MN 55905 (C.H.M., P.R., J.P.B., T.N.W., K.R., E.E.W., J.E.T., S.L.); and Department of Health Science Research, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Fla (R.E.C.)
| | - Kishore Rajendran
- From the Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First St SW, Rochester, MN 55905 (C.H.M., P.R., J.P.B., T.N.W., K.R., E.E.W., J.E.T., S.L.); and Department of Health Science Research, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Fla (R.E.C.)
| | - Eric E. Williamson
- From the Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First St SW, Rochester, MN 55905 (C.H.M., P.R., J.P.B., T.N.W., K.R., E.E.W., J.E.T., S.L.); and Department of Health Science Research, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Fla (R.E.C.)
| | - Jamison E. Thorne
- From the Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First St SW, Rochester, MN 55905 (C.H.M., P.R., J.P.B., T.N.W., K.R., E.E.W., J.E.T., S.L.); and Department of Health Science Research, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Fla (R.E.C.)
| | - Shuai Leng
- From the Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First St SW, Rochester, MN 55905 (C.H.M., P.R., J.P.B., T.N.W., K.R., E.E.W., J.E.T., S.L.); and Department of Health Science Research, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Fla (R.E.C.)
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19
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Xu N, Ding H, Tang R, Li X, Zhang Z, Lv H, Dai C, Qiu X, Huang Y, Han X, Wang GP, Liu Y, Gong S, Yang Z, Wang Z, Zhao P. Comparative study of the sensitivity of ultra-high-resolution CT and high-resolution CT in the diagnosis of isolated fenestral otosclerosis. Insights Imaging 2023; 14:211. [PMID: 38015307 PMCID: PMC10684447 DOI: 10.1186/s13244-023-01562-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 11/05/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To compare the diagnostic sensitivity of ultra-high-resolution computed tomography (U-HRCT) and HRCT in isolated fenestral otosclerosis (IFO). METHODS A retrospective analysis was conducted on 85 patients (85 ears) diagnosed with IFO between October 2020 and November 2022. U-HRCT (0.1 mm thickness) was performed for 20 ears, HRCT (0.67 mm thickness) for 45 ears, and both for 20 ears. The images were evaluated by general radiologists and neuroradiologists who were blinded to the diagnosis and surgical information. The diagnostic sensitivity of U-HRCT and HRCT for detecting IFO was compared between the two groups. RESULTS Excellent inter-observer agreement existed between the two neuroradiologists (Cohen's κ coefficient 0.806, 95% CI 0.692-0.920), with good agreement between the general radiologists (Cohen's κ coefficient 0.680, 95% CI 0.417-0.943). U-HRCT had a sensitivity of 100% (40/40 ears) for neuroradiologists and 87.5% (35/40 ears) for general radiologists, significantly higher than HRCT (89.2% [58/65 ears] for neuroradiologists; 41.5% [27/65 ears] for general radiologists) (p = 0.042, p' < 0.000). General radiologists' sensitivity with HRCT was significantly lower compared to neuroradiologists (p < 0.000), but no significant difference was observed when general radiologists switched to U-HRCT (p = 0.152). Among the 20 ears that underwent both examinations, U-HRCT detected lesions smaller than 1 mm in 5 ears, whereas HRCT's sensitivity for neuroradiologists was 40% (2/5 ears), significantly lower than for lesions larger than 1 mm (93.3%, 14/15 ears, p = 0.032). CONCLUSION U-HRCT exhibits higher sensitivity than HRCT in diagnosing IFO, suggesting its potential as a screening tool for suspected otosclerosis patients. CRITICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT Ultra-high-resolution computed tomography has the potential to become a screening tool in patients with suspected otosclerosis and to bridge the diagnostic accuracy gap between general radiologists and neuroradiologists. KEY POINTS • U-HRCT exhibits higher sensitivity than HRCT in the diagnosis of IFO. • U-HRCT has a significant advantage in the detection of less than 1 mm IFO. • U-HRCT has the potential to be used for screening of patients with suspected otosclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ning Xu
- Department of Radiology, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, No. 95, Yongan Road, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Heyu Ding
- Department of Radiology, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, No. 95, Yongan Road, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Ruowei Tang
- Department of Radiology, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, No. 95, Yongan Road, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Xiaoshuai Li
- Department of Radiology, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, No. 95, Yongan Road, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Zhengyu Zhang
- Department of Radiology, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, No. 95, Yongan Road, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Han Lv
- Department of Radiology, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, No. 95, Yongan Road, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Chihang Dai
- Department of Radiology, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, No. 95, Yongan Road, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Xiaoyu Qiu
- Department of Radiology, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, No. 95, Yongan Road, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Yan Huang
- Department of Radiology, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, No. 95, Yongan Road, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Xu Han
- Department of Radiology, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, No. 95, Yongan Road, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Guo-Peng Wang
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, No. 95, Yongan Road, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Yuhe Liu
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, No. 95, Yongan Road, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Shusheng Gong
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, No. 95, Yongan Road, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Zhenghan Yang
- Department of Radiology, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, No. 95, Yongan Road, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Zhenchang Wang
- Department of Radiology, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, No. 95, Yongan Road, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100050, China.
| | - Pengfei Zhao
- Department of Radiology, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, No. 95, Yongan Road, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100050, China.
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20
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Björkman AS, Malusek A, Gauffin H, Persson A, Koskinen SK. Spectral photon-counting CT: Image quality evaluation using a metal-containing bovine bone specimen. Eur J Radiol 2023; 168:111110. [PMID: 37788519 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejrad.2023.111110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Revised: 09/10/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To find the optimal imaging parameters for a photon-counting detector CT (PCD-CT) and to compare it to an energy-integrating detector CT (EID-CT) in terms of image quality and metal artefact severity using a metal-containing bovine knee specimen. METHODS A bovine knee with a stainless-steel plate and screws was imaged in a whole-body research PCD-CT at 120 kV and 140 kV and in an EID dual-source CT (DSCT) at Sn150 kV and 80/Sn150 kV. PCD-CT virtual monoenergetic 72 and 150 keV images and EID-CT images processed with and without metal artefact reduction algorithms (iMAR) were compared. Four radiologists rated the visualisation of bony structures and metal artefact severity. The Friedman test and Wilcoxon signed-rank test with Bonferroni's correction were used. P-values of ≤ 0.0001 were considered statistically significant. Distributions of HU values of regions of interest (ROIs) in artefact-affected areas were analysed. RESULTS PCD-CT 140 kV 150 keV images received the highest scores and were significantly better than EID-CT Sn150 kV images. PCD-CT 72 keV images were rated significantly lower than all the others. HU-value variation was larger in the 120 kV and the 72 keV images. The ROI analysis revealed no large difference between scanners regarding artefact severity. CONCLUSION PCD-CT 140 kV 150 keV images of a metal-containing bovine knee specimen provided the best image quality. They were superior to, or as good as, the best EID-CT images; even without the presumed advantage of tin filter and metal artefact reduction algorithms. PCD-CT is a promising method for reducing metal artefacts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ann-Sofi Björkman
- Center for Medical Image Science and Visualization (CMIV), Linköping University, SE-581 85 Linköping, Sweden; Department of Radiology in Linköping, Center for Diagnostics, Röntgenkliniken, Universitetssjukhuset, SE-581 85 Linköping, Sweden; Department of Health, Medicine and Caring Sciences, Linköping University, SE-581 85 Linköping, Sweden.
| | - Alexandr Malusek
- Center for Medical Image Science and Visualization (CMIV), Linköping University, SE-581 85 Linköping, Sweden; Department of Health, Medicine and Caring Sciences, Linköping University, SE-581 85 Linköping, Sweden.
| | - Håkan Gauffin
- Center for Medical Image Science and Visualization (CMIV), Linköping University, SE-581 85 Linköping, Sweden; Department of Orthopedics, Linköping University, Universitetssjukhuset, SE-581 85 Linköping, Sweden; Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, SE-581 85 Linköping, Sweden.
| | - Anders Persson
- Center for Medical Image Science and Visualization (CMIV), Linköping University, SE-581 85 Linköping, Sweden; Department of Radiology in Linköping, Center for Diagnostics, Röntgenkliniken, Universitetssjukhuset, SE-581 85 Linköping, Sweden; Department of Health, Medicine and Caring Sciences, Linköping University, SE-581 85 Linköping, Sweden.
| | - Seppo K Koskinen
- Center for Medical Image Science and Visualization (CMIV), Linköping University, SE-581 85 Linköping, Sweden; Terveystalo Inc., Jaakonkatu 3, 00100 Helsinki, Finland; Department of Clinical Science, Intervention, and Technology, Division for Radiology, Karolinska Institutet, SE-141 86 Stockholm, Sweden.
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21
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Rau A, Neubauer J, Taleb L, Stein T, Schuermann T, Rau S, Faby S, Wenger S, Engelhardt M, Bamberg F, Weiss J. Impact of Photon-Counting Detector Computed Tomography on Image Quality and Radiation Dose in Patients With Multiple Myeloma. Korean J Radiol 2023; 24:1006-1016. [PMID: 37724589 PMCID: PMC10550734 DOI: 10.3348/kjr.2023.0211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Revised: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Computed tomography (CT) is an established method for the diagnosis, staging, and treatment of multiple myeloma. Here, we investigated the potential of photon-counting detector computed tomography (PCD-CT) in terms of image quality, diagnostic confidence, and radiation dose compared with energy-integrating detector CT (EID-CT). MATERIALS AND METHODS In this prospective study, patients with known multiple myeloma underwent clinically indicated whole-body PCD-CT. The image quality of PCD-CT was assessed qualitatively by three independent radiologists for overall image quality, edge sharpness, image noise, lesion conspicuity, and diagnostic confidence using a 5-point Likert scale (5 = excellent), and quantitatively for signal homogeneity using the coefficient of variation (CV) of Hounsfield Units (HU) values and modulation transfer function (MTF) via the full width at half maximum (FWHM) in the frequency space. The results were compared with those of the current clinical standard EID-CT protocols as controls. Additionally, the radiation dose (CTDIvol) was determined. RESULTS We enrolled 35 patients with multiple myeloma (mean age 69.8 ± 9.1 years; 18 [51%] males). Qualitative image analysis revealed superior scores (median [interquartile range]) for PCD-CT regarding overall image quality (4.0 [4.0-5.0] vs. 4.0 [3.0-4.0]), edge sharpness (4.0 [4.0-5.0] vs. 4.0 [3.0-4.0]), image noise (4.0 [4.0-4.0] vs. 3.0 [3.0-4.0]), lesion conspicuity (4.0 [4.0-5.0] vs. 4.0 [3.0-4.0]), and diagnostic confidence (4.0 [4.0-5.0] vs. 4.0 [3.0-4.0]) compared with EID-CT (P ≤ 0.004). In quantitative image analyses, PCD-CT compared with EID-CT revealed a substantially lower FWHM (2.89 vs. 25.68 cy/pixel) and a significantly more homogeneous signal (mean CV ± standard deviation [SD], 0.99 ± 0.65 vs. 1.66 ± 0.5; P < 0.001) at a significantly lower radiation dose (mean CTDIvol ± SD, 3.33 ± 0.82 vs. 7.19 ± 3.57 mGy; P < 0.001). CONCLUSION Whole-body PCD-CT provides significantly higher subjective and objective image quality at significantly reduced radiation doses than the current clinical standard EID-CT protocols, along with readily available multi-spectral data, facilitating the potential for further advanced post-processing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Rau
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.
| | - Jakob Neubauer
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Laetitia Taleb
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Thomas Stein
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Till Schuermann
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Stephan Rau
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | | | - Sina Wenger
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Interdisciplinary Cancer Center, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Monika Engelhardt
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Interdisciplinary Cancer Center, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Fabian Bamberg
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Jakob Weiss
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
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Zhan X, Zhang R, Niu X, Hein I, Budden B, Wu S, Markov N, Clarke C, Qiang Y, Taguchi H, Nomura K, Muramatsu Y, Yu Z, Kobayashi T, Thompson R, Miyazaki H, Nakai H. Comprehensive evaluations of a prototype full field-of-view photon counting CT system through phantom studies. Phys Med Biol 2023; 68:175007. [PMID: 37506710 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6560/acebb3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
Objective. Photon counting CT (PCCT) has been a research focus in the last two decades. Recent studies and advancements have demonstrated that systems using semiconductor-based photon counting detectors (PCDs) have the potential to provide better contrast, noise and spatial resolution performance compared to conventional scintillator-based systems. With multi-energy threshold detection, PCD can simultaneously provide the photon energy measurement and enable material decomposition for spectral imaging. In this work, we report a performance evaluation of our first CdZnTe-based prototype full-size PCCT system through various phantom imaging studies.Approach.This prototype system supports a 500 mm scan field-of-view and 10 mmz-coverage at isocenter. Phantom scans were acquired using 120 kVp from 50 to 400 mAs to assess the imaging performance on: CT number accuracy, uniformity, noise, spatial resolution, material differentiation and quantification.Main results.Both qualitative and quantitative evaluations show that PCCT, under the tested conditions, has superior imaging performance with lower noise and improved spatial resolution compared to conventional energy integrating detector (EID)-CT. Using projection domain material decomposition approach with multiple energy bin measurements, PCCT virtual monoenergetic images have lower noise, and good accuracy in quantifying iodine and calcium concentrations. These results lead to increased contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) for both high and low contrast study objects compared to EID-CT at matched dose and spatial resolution. PCCT can also generate super-high resolution images using much smaller detector pixel size than EID-CT and greatly improve image spatial resolution.Significance.Improved spatial resolution and quantification accuracy with reduced image noise of the PCCT images can potentially lead to better diagnosis at reduced radiation dose compared to conventional EID-CT. Increased CNR achieved by PCCT suggests potential reduction in iodine contrast media load, resulting in better patient safety and reduced cost.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohui Zhan
- Canon Medical Research USA, Inc., 706 Deerpath Drive, Vernon Hills, IL 60061, United States of America
| | - Ruoqiao Zhang
- Canon Medical Research USA, Inc., 706 Deerpath Drive, Vernon Hills, IL 60061, United States of America
| | - Xiaofeng Niu
- Canon Medical Research USA, Inc., 706 Deerpath Drive, Vernon Hills, IL 60061, United States of America
| | - Ilmar Hein
- Canon Medical Research USA, Inc., 706 Deerpath Drive, Vernon Hills, IL 60061, United States of America
| | - Brent Budden
- Canon Medical Research USA, Inc., 706 Deerpath Drive, Vernon Hills, IL 60061, United States of America
| | - Shuoxing Wu
- Canon Medical Research USA, Inc., 706 Deerpath Drive, Vernon Hills, IL 60061, United States of America
| | - Nicolay Markov
- Canon Medical Research USA, Inc., 706 Deerpath Drive, Vernon Hills, IL 60061, United States of America
| | - Cameron Clarke
- Canon Medical Research USA, Inc., 706 Deerpath Drive, Vernon Hills, IL 60061, United States of America
| | - Yi Qiang
- Canon Medical Research USA, Inc., 706 Deerpath Drive, Vernon Hills, IL 60061, United States of America
| | - Hiroki Taguchi
- Canon Medical System Corporation, Otawara, Tochigi, Japan
| | - Keiichi Nomura
- National Cancer Centre Hospital East, 6-5-1 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Japan
| | | | - Zhou Yu
- Canon Medical Research USA, Inc., 706 Deerpath Drive, Vernon Hills, IL 60061, United States of America
| | | | - Richard Thompson
- Canon Medical Research USA, Inc., 706 Deerpath Drive, Vernon Hills, IL 60061, United States of America
| | | | - Hiroaki Nakai
- Canon Medical System Corporation, Otawara, Tochigi, Japan
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23
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McCollough CH, Rajendran K, Baffour FI, Diehn FE, Ferrero A, Glazebrook KN, Horst KK, Johnson TF, Leng S, Mileto A, Rajiah PS, Schmidt B, Yu L, Flohr TG, Fletcher JG. Clinical applications of photon counting detector CT. Eur Radiol 2023; 33:5309-5320. [PMID: 37020069 PMCID: PMC10330165 DOI: 10.1007/s00330-023-09596-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Revised: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/07/2023]
Abstract
The X-ray detector is a fundamental component of a CT system that determines the image quality and dose efficiency. Until the approval of the first clinical photon-counting-detector (PCD) system in 2021, all clinical CT scanners used scintillating detectors, which do not capture information about individual photons in the two-step detection process. In contrast, PCDs use a one-step process whereby X-ray energy is converted directly into an electrical signal. This preserves information about individual photons such that the numbers of X-ray in different energy ranges can be counted. Primary advantages of PCDs include the absence of electronic noise, improved radiation dose efficiency, increased iodine signal and the ability to use lower doses of iodinated contrast material, and better spatial resolution. PCDs with more than one energy threshold can sort the detected photons into two or more energy bins, making energy-resolved information available for all acquisitions. This allows for material classification or quantitation tasks to be performed in conjunction with high spatial resolution, and in the case of dual-source CT, high pitch, or high temporal resolution acquisitions. Some of the most promising applications of PCD-CT involve imaging of anatomy where exquisite spatial resolution adds clinical value. These include imaging of the inner ear, bones, small blood vessels, heart, and lung. This review describes the clinical benefits observed to date and future directions for this technical advance in CT imaging. KEY POINTS: • Beneficial characteristics of photon-counting detectors include the absence of electronic noise, increased iodine signal-to-noise ratio, improved spatial resolution, and full-time multi-energy imaging. • Promising applications of PCD-CT involve imaging of anatomy where exquisite spatial resolution adds clinical value and applications requiring multi-energy data simultaneous with high spatial and/or temporal resolution. • Future applications of PCD-CT technology may include extremely high spatial resolution tasks, such as the detection of breast micro-calcifications, and quantitative imaging of native tissue types and novel contrast agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cynthia H McCollough
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA.
| | - Kishore Rajendran
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA
| | - Francis I Baffour
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA
| | - Felix E Diehn
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA
| | - Andrea Ferrero
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA
| | - Katrina N Glazebrook
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA
| | - Kelly K Horst
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA
| | - Tucker F Johnson
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA
| | - Shuai Leng
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA
| | - Achille Mileto
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA
| | | | - Bernhard Schmidt
- Computed Tomography, Siemens Healthineers, Siemensstrasse 3, Forchheim, 91301, Germany
| | - Lifeng Yu
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA
| | - Thomas G Flohr
- Computed Tomography, Siemens Healthineers, Siemensstrasse 3, Forchheim, 91301, Germany
| | - Joel G Fletcher
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA
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Stein T, Rau A, Russe MF, Arnold P, Faby S, Ulzheimer S, Weis M, Froelich MF, Overhoff D, Horger M, Hagen F, Bongers M, Nikolaou K, Schönberg SO, Bamberg F, Weiß J. Photon-Counting Computed Tomography - Basic Principles, Potenzial Benefits, and Initial Clinical Experience. ROFO-FORTSCHR RONTG 2023; 195:691-698. [PMID: 36863367 DOI: 10.1055/a-2018-3396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Photon-counting computed tomography (PCCT) is a promising new technology with the potential to fundamentally change today's workflows in the daily routine and to provide new quantitative imaging information to improve clinical decision-making and patient management. METHOD The content of this review is based on an unrestricted literature search on PubMed and Google Scholar using the search terms "Photon-Counting CT", "Photon-Counting detector", "spectral CT", "Computed Tomography" as well as on the authors' experience. RESULTS The fundamental difference with respect to the currently established energy-integrating CT detectors is that PCCT allows counting of every single photon at the detector level. Based on the identified literature, PCCT phantom measurements and initial clinical studies have demonstrated that the new technology allows improved spatial resolution, reduced image noise, and new possibilities for advanced quantitative image postprocessing. CONCLUSION For clinical practice, the potential benefits include fewer beam hardening artifacts, radiation dose reduction, and the use of new contrast agents. In this review, we will discuss basic technical principles and potential clinical benefits and demonstrate first clinical use cases. KEY POINTS · Photon-counting computed tomography (PCCT) has been implemented in the clinical routine. · Compared to energy-integrating detector CT, PCCT allows the reduction of electronic image noise. · PCCT provides increased spatial resolution and a higher contrast-to-noise ratio. · The novel detector technology allows the quantification of spectral information. CITATION FORMAT · Stein T, Rau A, Russe MF et al. Photon-Counting Computed Tomography - Basic Principles, Potenzial Benefits, and Initial Clinical Experience. Fortschr Röntgenstr 2023; 195: 691 - 698.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Stein
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Germany
| | - Alexander Rau
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Germany
| | - Maximilian Frederik Russe
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Germany
| | - Philipp Arnold
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Germany
| | - Sebastian Faby
- Computed Tomography, Siemens Healthcare GmbH, Forchheim, Germany
| | - Stefan Ulzheimer
- Computed Tomography, Siemens Healthcare GmbH, Forchheim, Germany
| | - Meike Weis
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University Medical Centre Mannheim, Germany
| | - Matthias F Froelich
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University Medical Centre Mannheim, Germany
| | - Daniel Overhoff
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University Medical Centre Mannheim, Germany
| | - Marius Horger
- Department of Radiology, University Hospitals Tübingen, Germany
| | - Florian Hagen
- Department of Radiology, University Hospitals Tübingen, Germany
| | - Malte Bongers
- Department of Radiology, University Hospitals Tübingen, Germany
| | | | - Stefan O Schönberg
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University Medical Centre Mannheim, Germany
| | - Fabian Bamberg
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Germany
| | - Jakob Weiß
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Germany
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25
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Demehri S, Baffour FI, Klein JG, Ghotbi E, Ibad HA, Moradi K, Taguchi K, Fritz J, Carrino JA, Guermazi A, Fishman EK, Zbijewski WB. Musculoskeletal CT Imaging: State-of-the-Art Advancements and Future Directions. Radiology 2023; 308:e230344. [PMID: 37606571 PMCID: PMC10477515 DOI: 10.1148/radiol.230344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Revised: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 08/23/2023]
Abstract
CT is one of the most widely used modalities for musculoskeletal imaging. Recent advancements in the field include the introduction of four-dimensional CT, which captures a CT image during motion; cone-beam CT, which uses flat-panel detectors to capture the lower extremities in weight-bearing mode; and dual-energy CT, which operates at two different x-ray potentials to improve the contrast resolution to facilitate the assessment of tissue material compositions such as tophaceous gout deposits and bone marrow edema. Most recently, photon-counting CT (PCCT) has been introduced. PCCT is a technique that uses photon-counting detectors to produce an image with higher spatial and contrast resolution than conventional multidetector CT systems. In addition, postprocessing techniques such as three-dimensional printing and cinematic rendering have used CT data to improve the generation of both physical and digital anatomic models. Last, advancements in the application of artificial intelligence to CT imaging have enabled the automatic evaluation of musculoskeletal pathologies. In this review, the authors discuss the current state of the above CT technologies, their respective advantages and disadvantages, and their projected future directions for various musculoskeletal applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shadpour Demehri
- From the Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological
Science (S.D., J.G.K., E.G., H.A.I., K.M., K.T., E.K.F.) and Department of
Biomedical Engineering (W.B.Z.), Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine,
601 N Carolina St, Baltimore, MD 21287; Division of Musculoskeletal Imaging,
Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn (F.I.B.); Department of
Radiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY (J.F.);
Department of Radiology and Imaging, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, NY
(J.A.C.); and Department of Radiology, Quantitative Imaging Center, Boston
University School of Medicine, Boston, Mass (A.G.)
| | - Francis I. Baffour
- From the Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological
Science (S.D., J.G.K., E.G., H.A.I., K.M., K.T., E.K.F.) and Department of
Biomedical Engineering (W.B.Z.), Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine,
601 N Carolina St, Baltimore, MD 21287; Division of Musculoskeletal Imaging,
Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn (F.I.B.); Department of
Radiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY (J.F.);
Department of Radiology and Imaging, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, NY
(J.A.C.); and Department of Radiology, Quantitative Imaging Center, Boston
University School of Medicine, Boston, Mass (A.G.)
| | - Joshua G. Klein
- From the Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological
Science (S.D., J.G.K., E.G., H.A.I., K.M., K.T., E.K.F.) and Department of
Biomedical Engineering (W.B.Z.), Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine,
601 N Carolina St, Baltimore, MD 21287; Division of Musculoskeletal Imaging,
Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn (F.I.B.); Department of
Radiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY (J.F.);
Department of Radiology and Imaging, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, NY
(J.A.C.); and Department of Radiology, Quantitative Imaging Center, Boston
University School of Medicine, Boston, Mass (A.G.)
| | - Elena Ghotbi
- From the Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological
Science (S.D., J.G.K., E.G., H.A.I., K.M., K.T., E.K.F.) and Department of
Biomedical Engineering (W.B.Z.), Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine,
601 N Carolina St, Baltimore, MD 21287; Division of Musculoskeletal Imaging,
Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn (F.I.B.); Department of
Radiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY (J.F.);
Department of Radiology and Imaging, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, NY
(J.A.C.); and Department of Radiology, Quantitative Imaging Center, Boston
University School of Medicine, Boston, Mass (A.G.)
| | - Hamza Ahmed Ibad
- From the Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological
Science (S.D., J.G.K., E.G., H.A.I., K.M., K.T., E.K.F.) and Department of
Biomedical Engineering (W.B.Z.), Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine,
601 N Carolina St, Baltimore, MD 21287; Division of Musculoskeletal Imaging,
Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn (F.I.B.); Department of
Radiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY (J.F.);
Department of Radiology and Imaging, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, NY
(J.A.C.); and Department of Radiology, Quantitative Imaging Center, Boston
University School of Medicine, Boston, Mass (A.G.)
| | - Kamyar Moradi
- From the Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological
Science (S.D., J.G.K., E.G., H.A.I., K.M., K.T., E.K.F.) and Department of
Biomedical Engineering (W.B.Z.), Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine,
601 N Carolina St, Baltimore, MD 21287; Division of Musculoskeletal Imaging,
Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn (F.I.B.); Department of
Radiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY (J.F.);
Department of Radiology and Imaging, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, NY
(J.A.C.); and Department of Radiology, Quantitative Imaging Center, Boston
University School of Medicine, Boston, Mass (A.G.)
| | - Katsuyuki Taguchi
- From the Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological
Science (S.D., J.G.K., E.G., H.A.I., K.M., K.T., E.K.F.) and Department of
Biomedical Engineering (W.B.Z.), Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine,
601 N Carolina St, Baltimore, MD 21287; Division of Musculoskeletal Imaging,
Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn (F.I.B.); Department of
Radiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY (J.F.);
Department of Radiology and Imaging, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, NY
(J.A.C.); and Department of Radiology, Quantitative Imaging Center, Boston
University School of Medicine, Boston, Mass (A.G.)
| | - Jan Fritz
- From the Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological
Science (S.D., J.G.K., E.G., H.A.I., K.M., K.T., E.K.F.) and Department of
Biomedical Engineering (W.B.Z.), Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine,
601 N Carolina St, Baltimore, MD 21287; Division of Musculoskeletal Imaging,
Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn (F.I.B.); Department of
Radiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY (J.F.);
Department of Radiology and Imaging, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, NY
(J.A.C.); and Department of Radiology, Quantitative Imaging Center, Boston
University School of Medicine, Boston, Mass (A.G.)
| | - John A. Carrino
- From the Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological
Science (S.D., J.G.K., E.G., H.A.I., K.M., K.T., E.K.F.) and Department of
Biomedical Engineering (W.B.Z.), Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine,
601 N Carolina St, Baltimore, MD 21287; Division of Musculoskeletal Imaging,
Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn (F.I.B.); Department of
Radiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY (J.F.);
Department of Radiology and Imaging, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, NY
(J.A.C.); and Department of Radiology, Quantitative Imaging Center, Boston
University School of Medicine, Boston, Mass (A.G.)
| | - Ali Guermazi
- From the Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological
Science (S.D., J.G.K., E.G., H.A.I., K.M., K.T., E.K.F.) and Department of
Biomedical Engineering (W.B.Z.), Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine,
601 N Carolina St, Baltimore, MD 21287; Division of Musculoskeletal Imaging,
Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn (F.I.B.); Department of
Radiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY (J.F.);
Department of Radiology and Imaging, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, NY
(J.A.C.); and Department of Radiology, Quantitative Imaging Center, Boston
University School of Medicine, Boston, Mass (A.G.)
| | - Elliot K. Fishman
- From the Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological
Science (S.D., J.G.K., E.G., H.A.I., K.M., K.T., E.K.F.) and Department of
Biomedical Engineering (W.B.Z.), Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine,
601 N Carolina St, Baltimore, MD 21287; Division of Musculoskeletal Imaging,
Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn (F.I.B.); Department of
Radiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY (J.F.);
Department of Radiology and Imaging, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, NY
(J.A.C.); and Department of Radiology, Quantitative Imaging Center, Boston
University School of Medicine, Boston, Mass (A.G.)
| | - Wojciech B. Zbijewski
- From the Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological
Science (S.D., J.G.K., E.G., H.A.I., K.M., K.T., E.K.F.) and Department of
Biomedical Engineering (W.B.Z.), Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine,
601 N Carolina St, Baltimore, MD 21287; Division of Musculoskeletal Imaging,
Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn (F.I.B.); Department of
Radiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY (J.F.);
Department of Radiology and Imaging, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, NY
(J.A.C.); and Department of Radiology, Quantitative Imaging Center, Boston
University School of Medicine, Boston, Mass (A.G.)
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26
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Hermans R, Boomgaert L, Cockmartin L, Binst J, De Stefanis R, Bosmans H. Photon-counting CT allows better visualization of temporal bone structures in comparison with current generation multi-detector CT. Insights Imaging 2023; 14:112. [PMID: 37395919 DOI: 10.1186/s13244-023-01467-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To compare photon-counting CT (PCCT) and multi-detector CT (MDCT) for visualization of temporal bone anatomic structures. METHODS Thirty-six exams of temporal bones without pathology were collected from consecutive patients on a MDCT, and another 35 exams on a PCCT scanner. Two radiologists independently scored visibility of 14 structures for the MDCT and PCCT dataset, using a 5-point Likert scale, with a 2-month wash-out period. For MDCT, the acquisition parameters were: 110 kV, 64 × 0.6 mm (slice thickness reconstructed to 0.4 mm), pitch 0.85, quality ref. mAs 150, and 1 s rotation time; for PCCT: 120 kV, 144 × 0.2 mm, pitch 0.35, IQ level 75, and 0.5 s rotation time. Patient doses were reported as dose length product values (DLP). Statistical analysis was done using the Mann-Whitney U test, visual grading characteristic (VGC) analysis, and ordinal regression. RESULTS Substantial agreement was found between readers (intraclass correlation coefficient 0.63 and 0.52 for MDCT and PCCT, resp.). All structures were scored higher for PCCT (p < 0.0001), except for Arnold's canal (p = 0.12). The area under the VGC curve was 0.76 (95% CI, 0.73-0.79), indicating a significantly better visualization on PCCT. Ordinal regression showed the odds for better visualization are 354 times higher (95% CI, 75-1673) in PCCT (p < 0.0001). Average (range) of DLP was 95 (79-127) mGy*cm for MDCT and 74 (50-95) mGy*cm for PCCT (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION PCCT provides a better depiction of temporal bone anatomy than MDCT, at a lower radiation dose. CRITICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT PCCT provides a better depiction of temporal bone anatomy than MDCT, at a lower radiation dose. KEY POINTS 1. PCCT allows high-resolution imaging of temporal bone structures. 2. Compared to MDCT, the visibility of normal temporal bone structures is scored better with PCCT. 3. PCCT allows to obtain high-quality CT images of the temporal bones at lower radiation doses than MDCT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Hermans
- Department of Radiology, University Hospitals Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium.
- Department of Imaging and Pathology, KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Lukas Boomgaert
- Department of Radiology, University Hospitals Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lesley Cockmartin
- Department of Radiology, University Hospitals Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Joke Binst
- Department of Radiology, University Hospitals Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Rashèl De Stefanis
- Department of Radiology, University Hospitals Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Hilde Bosmans
- Department of Radiology, University Hospitals Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Imaging and Pathology, KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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27
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Dunning CAS, Rajendran K, Inoue A, Rajiah P, Weber N, Fletcher JG, McCollough CH, Leng S. Optimal Virtual Monoenergetic Photon Energy (keV) for Photon-Counting-Detector Computed Tomography Angiography. J Comput Assist Tomogr 2023; 47:569-575. [PMID: 36790898 PMCID: PMC10349687 DOI: 10.1097/rct.0000000000001450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/16/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aimed to determine the optimal photon energy for virtual monoenergetic images (VMI) in computed tomography angiography (CTA) using photon-counting-detector (PCD) CT. METHODS Under institutional review board approval, 10 patients (abdominal, n = 4; lower extremity, n = 3; head and neck, n = 3) were scanned on an investigational PCD-CT (Count Plus, Siemens Healthcare) at 120 or 140 kV. All images were iteratively reconstructed with Bv48 kernel and 2-mm slice thickness. Axial and coronal VMI maximum-intensity projections were created in the range 40 to 65 keV (5-keV steps). Contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) was calculated for major arteries in each VMI series. Two radiologists blindly ranked each VMI series for overall image quality and visualization of small vessels and pathology. The median and SD of scores for each photon energy were calculated. In addition, readers identified any VMIs that distinguished itself from others in terms of vessel/pathology visualization or artifacts. RESULTS Mean iodine CNR was highest in 40-keV VMIs for all evaluated arteries. Across readers, the 50-keV VMI had the highest combined score (2.00 ± 1.11). Among different body parts, the 45-keV VMI was ranked highest for the head-and-neck (1.75 ± 0.68) and lower extremity (2.00 ± 1.41) CTA. Meanwhile, 50- and 55-keV VMIs were ranked highest for abdominal (2.50 ± 1.35 and 2.50 ± 1.56) CTA. The 40-keV VMI received the highest score for iodine visualization in vessels, and the 65-keV VMI for reduced metal/calcium-blooming artifacts. CONCLUSIONS Quantitatively, VMIs at 40 keV had the highest CNR in major arterial vasculature using PCD-CTA. Based on radiologists' preference, the 45- and 50-keV VMIs were optimal for small body parts (eg, head and neck and lower extremity) and large body parts (eg, abdomen), respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Shuai Leng
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
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28
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Remy-Jardin M, Hutt A, Flohr T, Faivre JB, Felloni P, Khung S, Remy J. Ultra-High-Resolution Photon-Counting CT Imaging of the Chest: A New Era for Morphology and Function. Invest Radiol 2023; 58:482-487. [PMID: 36897831 DOI: 10.1097/rli.0000000000000968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/11/2023]
Abstract
ABSTRACT After a decade of preclinical testing, photon-counting computed tomography (PCCT) has now entered daily routine, enabling radiologists to start investigating thoracic disorders in unprecedented conditions. The improved spatial resolution of the ultra-high-resolution (UHR) scanning mode is a major step for the analysis of bronchopulmonary disorders, making abnormalities at the level of small anatomical structures such as secondary pulmonary lobules accessible to radiologists. Distal divisions of pulmonary and systemic vessels also benefit from UHR protocols as alterations of lung microcirculation were previously excluded from confident analysis with energy-integrating detector CT. Although noncontrast chest CT examinations were the initial target of UHR protocols, the clinical value of this mode is also applicable to chest CT angiographic examinations with improved morphological evaluation and higher-quality lung perfusion imaging. The clinical benefits of UHR have been evaluated in initial studies, allowing radiologists to foresee the field of future applications, all combining high diagnostic value and radiation dose reduction. The purpose of this article is to highlight the technological information relevant to daily practice and to review the current clinical applications in the field of chest imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Antoine Hutt
- From the Department of Thoracic Imaging, Heart and Lung Institute, University Hospital Center of Lille
| | - Thomas Flohr
- Department of Computed Tomography Research and Development, Siemens Healthineers, Forchheim, Germany
| | - Jean-Baptiste Faivre
- From the Department of Thoracic Imaging, Heart and Lung Institute, University Hospital Center of Lille
| | - Paul Felloni
- From the Department of Thoracic Imaging, Heart and Lung Institute, University Hospital Center of Lille
| | - Suonita Khung
- From the Department of Thoracic Imaging, Heart and Lung Institute, University Hospital Center of Lille
| | - Jacques Remy
- From the Department of Thoracic Imaging, Heart and Lung Institute, University Hospital Center of Lille
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Abel F, Schubert T, Winklhofer S. Advanced Neuroimaging With Photon-Counting Detector CT. Invest Radiol 2023; 58:472-481. [PMID: 37158466 DOI: 10.1097/rli.0000000000000984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Photon-counting detector computed tomography (PCD-CT) is an emerging technology and promises the next step in CT evolution. Photon-counting detectors count the number of individual incoming photons and assess the energy level of each of them. These mechanisms differ substantially from conventional energy-integrating detectors. The new technique has several advantages, including lower radiation exposure, higher spatial resolution, reconstruction of images with less beam-hardening artifacts, and advanced opportunities for spectral imaging. Research PCD-CT systems have already demonstrated promising results, and recently, the first whole-body full field-of-view PCD-CT scanners became clinically available. Based on published studies of preclinical systems and the first experience with clinically approved scanners, the performance can be translated to valuable neuroimaging applications, including brain imaging, intracranial and extracranial CT angiographies, or head and neck imaging with detailed assessment of the temporal bone. In this review, we will provide an overview of the current status in neuroimaging with upcoming and potential clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frederik Abel
- From the Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology
| | - Tilman Schubert
- Department of Neuroradiology, Clinical Neuroscience Center, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Sebastian Winklhofer
- Department of Neuroradiology, Clinical Neuroscience Center, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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30
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Patzer TS, Kunz AS, Huflage H, Conrads N, Luetkens KS, Pannenbecker P, Paul MM, Ergün S, Bley TA, Grunz JP. Ultrahigh-Resolution Photon-Counting CT in Cadaveric Fracture Models: Spatial Frequency Is Not Everything. Diagnostics (Basel) 2023; 13:diagnostics13101677. [PMID: 37238160 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics13101677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Revised: 05/07/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
In this study, the impact of reconstruction sharpness on the visualization of the appendicular skeleton in ultrahigh-resolution (UHR) photon-counting detector (PCD) CT was investigated. Sixteen cadaveric extremities (eight fractured) were examined with a standardized 120 kVp scan protocol (CTDIvol 10 mGy). Images were reconstructed with the sharpest non-UHR kernel (Br76) and all available UHR kernels (Br80 to Br96). Seven radiologists evaluated image quality and fracture assessability. Interrater agreement was assessed with the intraclass correlation coefficient. For quantitative comparisons, signal-to-noise-ratios (SNRs) were calculated. Subjective image quality was best for Br84 (median 1, interquartile range 1-3; p ≤ 0.003). Regarding fracture assessability, no significant difference was ascertained between Br76, Br80 and Br84 (p > 0.999), with inferior ratings for all sharper kernels (p < 0.001). Interrater agreement for image quality (0.795, 0.732-0.848; p < 0.001) and fracture assessability (0.880; 0.842-0.911; p < 0.001) was good. SNR was highest for Br76 (3.4, 3.0-3.9) with no significant difference to Br80 and Br84 (p > 0.999). Br76 and Br80 produced higher SNRs than all kernels sharper than Br84 (p ≤ 0.026). In conclusion, PCD-CT reconstructions with a moderate UHR kernel offer superior image quality for visualizing the appendicular skeleton. Fracture assessability benefits from sharp non-UHR and moderate UHR kernels, while ultra-sharp reconstructions incur augmented image noise.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theresa Sophie Patzer
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Würzburg, Oberdürrbacher Straße 6, 97080 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Andreas Steven Kunz
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Würzburg, Oberdürrbacher Straße 6, 97080 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Henner Huflage
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Würzburg, Oberdürrbacher Straße 6, 97080 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Nora Conrads
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Würzburg, Oberdürrbacher Straße 6, 97080 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Karsten Sebastian Luetkens
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Würzburg, Oberdürrbacher Straße 6, 97080 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Pauline Pannenbecker
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Würzburg, Oberdürrbacher Straße 6, 97080 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Mila Marie Paul
- Department of Orthopedic Trauma, Hand, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University Hospital Würzburg, Oberdürrbacherstraße 6, 97080 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Süleyman Ergün
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Würzburg, Koellikerstraße 6, 97070 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Thorsten Alexander Bley
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Würzburg, Oberdürrbacher Straße 6, 97080 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Jan-Peter Grunz
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Würzburg, Oberdürrbacher Straße 6, 97080 Würzburg, Germany
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Fontenele RC, Picoli FF, Pinto JC, Coudyzer W, de Faria Vasconcelos K, Farias Gomes A, Binst J, Jacobs R. Feasibility of photon-counting computed tomography as a novel imaging modality for challenging endodontic diagnostic tasks. Sci Rep 2023; 13:6266. [PMID: 37069172 PMCID: PMC10110619 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-33322-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 04/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Photon-counting computed tomography (PCCT) is an innovative technological advancement in relation to x-ray detectors which offers ultra-high-resolution images. The current study aimed to evaluate the visualization ability of PCCT compared to cone-beam computed tomographic (CBCT) devices for challenging endodontic diagnostic tasks. A reference image of an anthropomorphic phantom was acquired using an industrial micro-CT device. Thereafter, the phantom was scanned with three imaging devices, which included PCCT scanner (NAEOTOM Alpha) and two CBCT devices (3D Accuitomo 170 and NewTom VGi evo) having standard and high-resolution acquisition protocols. The diagnostic tasks involved visualizing fine endodontic structures (apical delta, narrow canal, and isthmus) and root cracks. Three experienced examiners assessed the images and were blinded to the PCCT and CBCT devices. Each image was rated according to a three-grade scale (appropriate, acceptable, or inappropriate) for the diagnostic tasks. In relation to fine endodontic structures grouped together, PCCT showed similar diagnostic performance compared to the reference image (p > 0.05). As for the CBCT devices, an excellent performance was only observed with the 3D Accuitomo 170 device at a high-resolution acquisition mode (p > 0.05). The visualization of root cracks was also better with 3D Accuitomo 170 compared to other devices (p < 0.05). Overall, PCCT and 3D Accuitomo 170 at a high-resolution setting showed similar performance for visualizing fine endodontic structures. In addition, the high-resolution CBCT protocol was superior for visualizing root cracks compared to both PCCT and other standard- and high-resolution CBCT protocols.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rocharles Cavalcante Fontenele
- OMFS IMPATH Research Group, Department of Imaging and Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Leuven, KU Leuven, Kapucijnenvoer 7, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, University Hospitals Leuven, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Oral Diagnosis, Division of Oral Radiology, Piracicaba Dental School, University of Campinas, Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Fernando Fortes Picoli
- OMFS IMPATH Research Group, Department of Imaging and Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Leuven, KU Leuven, Kapucijnenvoer 7, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, University Hospitals Leuven, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brazil
| | - Jader Camilo Pinto
- OMFS IMPATH Research Group, Department of Imaging and Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Leuven, KU Leuven, Kapucijnenvoer 7, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, University Hospitals Leuven, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Restorative Dentistry, School of Dentistry, São Paulo State University, Araraquara, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Karla de Faria Vasconcelos
- OMFS IMPATH Research Group, Department of Imaging and Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Leuven, KU Leuven, Kapucijnenvoer 7, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, University Hospitals Leuven, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Amanda Farias Gomes
- Department of Oral Diagnosis, Division of Oral Radiology, Piracicaba Dental School, University of Campinas, Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Joke Binst
- Department of Radiology, UZ Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Reinhilde Jacobs
- OMFS IMPATH Research Group, Department of Imaging and Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Leuven, KU Leuven, Kapucijnenvoer 7, 3000, Leuven, Belgium.
- Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, University Hospitals Leuven, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
- Department of Dental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
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Cao J, Bache S, Schwartz FR, Frush D. Pediatric Applications of Photon-Counting Detector CT. AJR Am J Roentgenol 2023; 220:580-589. [PMID: 36287620 DOI: 10.2214/ajr.22.28391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Photon-counting detector (PCD) CT represents the most recent generational advance in CT technology. PCD CT has the potential to reduce image noise, improve spatial resolution and contrast resolution, and provide multispectral capability, all of which may be achieved with an overall decrease in the radiation dose. These effects may be used to reduce the iodinated contrast media dose and potentially obtain multiphase images through a single-acquisition technique. The benefits of PCD CT have previously been shown primarily in phantoms and adult patients. This article describes the application of PCD CT in children, as illustrated by clinical examples from a commercially available PCD CT system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Cao
- Department of Radiology, Division of Pediatric Radiology, Duke University Medical Center, 2301 Erwin Rd, Durham, NC 27705
| | - Steve Bache
- Department of Radiology, Clinical Imaging Physics Group, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC
| | | | - Donald Frush
- Department of Radiology, Division of Pediatric Radiology, Medical Physics Graduate Program, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC
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van der Bie J, Sharma SP, van Straten M, Bos D, Hirsch A, Dijkshoorn ML, Adrichem R, van Mieghem NMDA, Budde RPJ. Photon-counting Detector CT in Patients Pre- and Post-Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement. Radiol Cardiothorac Imaging 2023; 5:e220318. [PMID: 37124634 PMCID: PMC10141309 DOI: 10.1148/ryct.220318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Revised: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
Photon-counting detector CT (PCD CT) has increasingly garnered interest in cardiothoracic imaging due to its high spatial resolution and ability to perform spectral imaging. CT plays an important role in the planning and postprocedural assessment of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). Limitations of current CT technology resulting in blooming and metal artifacts may be addressed with PCD CT. This case series demonstrates the potential advantages of PCD CT in patients prior to and post-TAVR. In TAVR planning, PCD CT allowed for a detailed depiction of the aortic valve, aortic root, coronary arteries, and potential vascular access routes. The high-spatial-resolution reconstructions enabled assessment of hypoattenuating leaflet thickening and periprosthetic leakage for prosthetic valves. This study shows promising initial results, but further research is needed to determine the clinical impact of PCD CT in patients prior to and post-TAVR. Keywords: Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement, Cardiac, Coronary Arteries, Heart, Valves, Photon-counting Detector CT © RSNA, 2023 An earlier incorrect version appeared online. This article was corrected on October 27, 2023.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Marcel van Straten
- From the Departments of Radiology & Nuclear Medicine
(J.v.d.B., S.P.S., M.v.S., D.B., A.H., M.L.D., R.P.J.B.), Cardiology (S.P.S.,
A.H., R.A., N.M.D.A.v.M.), and Epidemiology (D.B.), Erasmus MC, University
Medical Center Rotterdam, PO Box 2040, Dr. Molewaterplein 40, 3015 GD Rotterdam,
the Netherlands
| | - Daniel Bos
- From the Departments of Radiology & Nuclear Medicine
(J.v.d.B., S.P.S., M.v.S., D.B., A.H., M.L.D., R.P.J.B.), Cardiology (S.P.S.,
A.H., R.A., N.M.D.A.v.M.), and Epidemiology (D.B.), Erasmus MC, University
Medical Center Rotterdam, PO Box 2040, Dr. Molewaterplein 40, 3015 GD Rotterdam,
the Netherlands
| | - Alexander Hirsch
- From the Departments of Radiology & Nuclear Medicine
(J.v.d.B., S.P.S., M.v.S., D.B., A.H., M.L.D., R.P.J.B.), Cardiology (S.P.S.,
A.H., R.A., N.M.D.A.v.M.), and Epidemiology (D.B.), Erasmus MC, University
Medical Center Rotterdam, PO Box 2040, Dr. Molewaterplein 40, 3015 GD Rotterdam,
the Netherlands
| | - Marcel L. Dijkshoorn
- From the Departments of Radiology & Nuclear Medicine
(J.v.d.B., S.P.S., M.v.S., D.B., A.H., M.L.D., R.P.J.B.), Cardiology (S.P.S.,
A.H., R.A., N.M.D.A.v.M.), and Epidemiology (D.B.), Erasmus MC, University
Medical Center Rotterdam, PO Box 2040, Dr. Molewaterplein 40, 3015 GD Rotterdam,
the Netherlands
| | - Rik Adrichem
- From the Departments of Radiology & Nuclear Medicine
(J.v.d.B., S.P.S., M.v.S., D.B., A.H., M.L.D., R.P.J.B.), Cardiology (S.P.S.,
A.H., R.A., N.M.D.A.v.M.), and Epidemiology (D.B.), Erasmus MC, University
Medical Center Rotterdam, PO Box 2040, Dr. Molewaterplein 40, 3015 GD Rotterdam,
the Netherlands
| | - Nicolas M. D. A. van Mieghem
- From the Departments of Radiology & Nuclear Medicine
(J.v.d.B., S.P.S., M.v.S., D.B., A.H., M.L.D., R.P.J.B.), Cardiology (S.P.S.,
A.H., R.A., N.M.D.A.v.M.), and Epidemiology (D.B.), Erasmus MC, University
Medical Center Rotterdam, PO Box 2040, Dr. Molewaterplein 40, 3015 GD Rotterdam,
the Netherlands
| | - Ricardo P. J. Budde
- From the Departments of Radiology & Nuclear Medicine
(J.v.d.B., S.P.S., M.v.S., D.B., A.H., M.L.D., R.P.J.B.), Cardiology (S.P.S.,
A.H., R.A., N.M.D.A.v.M.), and Epidemiology (D.B.), Erasmus MC, University
Medical Center Rotterdam, PO Box 2040, Dr. Molewaterplein 40, 3015 GD Rotterdam,
the Netherlands
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Myeloma bone disease imaging on a 1st-generation clinical photon-counting detector CT vs. 2nd-generation dual-source dual-energy CT. Eur Radiol 2023; 33:2415-2425. [PMID: 36350390 PMCID: PMC10017628 DOI: 10.1007/s00330-022-09225-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2022] [Revised: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Subjective and objective image quality comparison of bone microstructure and disease-related abnormalities in multiple myeloma patients using a 1st-generation dual-source photon-counting detector CT(DS-PCD-CT) and a 2nd-generation dual-source dual-energy (energy-integrating detector) CT (DS-EID-CT). METHODS Fifty multiple myeloma patients (mean age 67.7 ± 10.9 years,16 females) were prospectively enrolled. Unenhanced whole-body CTs were clinically indicated and performed on DS-EID-CT and DS-PCD-CT (median time difference: 12 months). DS-PCD-CT was performed in Quantumplus UHR mode and DS-EID-CT was performed using dual-energy mode. DS-PCD-CT kernel was set at Br64 with Quantum iterative reconstruction strength Q1; for DS-EID-CT a comparable I70f kernel with SAFIRE iterative reconstruction strength 1 was used. Two independent radiologists assessed image quality subjectively using a 5-point Likert scale considering delineation and sharpness of trabecular bone and lytic bone lesions in the spine and pelvic bones. Additionally, ImageJ was used for quantification of bony septa inside the cancellous bone and through or the edges of osteolysis. RESULTS Overall quality as well as detectability and sharpness in the delineation of lytic bone lesions were superior for DS-PCD-CT compared with DS-EID-CT (p < 0.0001). The inter-reader agreement for subjective image quality readings showed excellent consistency(α = 94.2-98.8). CTDI and DLP mean values for DS-PCD-CT and DS-EID-CT were 1107.4 ± 247.6 mGy*cm and 8.2 ± 1.8 mGy vs. 1344.3 ± 204.6 mGy*cm and 10.1 ± 1.9 mGy. The quantitative metric for bone microstructure in the femoral head showed significantly better visualization of trabeculae in DS-PCD-CT compared with DS-EID-CT (p < 0.0001). Quantitative analyses of edge sharpness of osteolysis showed significant steeper edges for DS-PCD-CT (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION DS-PCD-CT significantly improves spatial resolution of bony microstructure and lytic bone lesions compared to DS-EID-CT. KEY POINTS • Application of photon-counting detector CT is superior to dual-source dual-energy integrating detector in clinical workup of multiple myeloma patients. • Compared to energy integrating detectors, photon-counting detectors significantly increase the spatial resolution of bone microstructure including disease-related lytic bone lesions in patients with multiple myeloma.
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Zsarnoczay E, Fink N, Schoepf UJ, O'Doherty J, Allmendinger T, Hagenauer J, Wolf EV, Griffith JP, Maurovich-Horvat P, Varga-Szemes A, Emrich T. Ultra-high resolution photon-counting coronary CT angiography improves coronary stenosis quantification over a wide range of heart rates - A dynamic phantom study. Eur J Radiol 2023; 161:110746. [PMID: 36821957 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejrad.2023.110746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Revised: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To investigate the effect of using photon-counting detector (PCD)-CT with ultra-high resolution (UHR) on stenosis quantification accuracy and blooming artifacts from low to high heart rates in a dynamic motion phantom. METHOD Two vessel phantoms (diameter: 4 mm) containing solid calcified lesions (25%, 50% stenoses), filled with different concentrations of iodine, inside an anthropomorphic thorax phantom attached to a coronary motion simulator were used. Scanning was performed on a PCD-CT system using an ECG-gated mode at UHR and standard resolution (SR) (0.2, 0.6 mm slice thickness, respectively). Images were reconstructed at 60, 80 and 100 beats per minute (bpm) (UHR: Bv56 kernel, quantum iterative reconstruction (QIR) level 3; SR: 55 keV, Bv40 kernel, QIR3). Percent diameter stenosis (PDS) and blooming artifacts were measured by two readers. RESULTS PDS measurements derived from UHR were more accurate than SR for both lesions at every heart rate (p ≤ 0.005 for all, e.g. 50% lesion SR vs. UHR: at 60 bpm 57.1% [55.2-59.2] vs. 50.0% [48.5-51.2], at 100 bpm 61.0% [58.6-64.3] vs. 52.4% [51.3-54.3]). Overall mean difference across heart rates and lesions compared to the nominal stenoses was 9.2% (Limit of Agreement (LoA), 2.4%/16.0%) for SR vs. 2.4% (LoA, -2.8%/7.5%) for UHR. Blooming artifacts decreased with UHR compared to SR for both lesions at every heart rate (p < 0.001 for all, e.g. 50% lesion SR vs. UHR: at 60 bpm 63.8% [60.6-69.5] vs. 52.5% [50.0-57.5], at 100 bpm 70.2% [64.8-78.1] vs. 56.1% [51.2-60.8]). CONCLUSIONS This motion phantom study demonstrates improved stenosis quantification accuracy and reduced blooming artifacts with UHR-PCD-CT compared to SR, independent of heart rate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emese Zsarnoczay
- Division of Cardiovascular Imaging, Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Medical University of South Carolina, 25 Courtenay Dr, Charleston, SC 29425, United States; MTA-SE Cardiovascular Imaging Research Group, Medical Imaging Center, Semmelweis University, Korányi Sándor utca 2, Budapest 1083, Hungary.
| | - Nicola Fink
- Division of Cardiovascular Imaging, Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Medical University of South Carolina, 25 Courtenay Dr, Charleston, SC 29425, United States; Department of Radiology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Marchioninistraße 15, Munich 81377, Germany.
| | - U Joseph Schoepf
- Division of Cardiovascular Imaging, Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Medical University of South Carolina, 25 Courtenay Dr, Charleston, SC 29425, United States.
| | - Jim O'Doherty
- Division of Cardiovascular Imaging, Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Medical University of South Carolina, 25 Courtenay Dr, Charleston, SC 29425, United States; Siemens Medical Solutions USA Inc, 40 Liberty Boulevard, Malvern, PA 19355, United States.
| | | | - Junia Hagenauer
- Siemens Healthcare GmbH, Siemensstraße 1, Forchheim 91301, Germany; Faculty of Medicine, Friedrich Alexander University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Krankenhausstraße 12, Erlangen 91054, Germany.
| | - Elias V Wolf
- Division of Cardiovascular Imaging, Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Medical University of South Carolina, 25 Courtenay Dr, Charleston, SC 29425, United States; Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University, Langenbeckstraße 1, Mainz 55131, Germany.
| | - Joseph P Griffith
- Division of Cardiovascular Imaging, Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Medical University of South Carolina, 25 Courtenay Dr, Charleston, SC 29425, United States.
| | - Pál Maurovich-Horvat
- MTA-SE Cardiovascular Imaging Research Group, Medical Imaging Center, Semmelweis University, Korányi Sándor utca 2, Budapest 1083, Hungary.
| | - Akos Varga-Szemes
- Division of Cardiovascular Imaging, Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Medical University of South Carolina, 25 Courtenay Dr, Charleston, SC 29425, United States.
| | - Tilman Emrich
- Division of Cardiovascular Imaging, Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Medical University of South Carolina, 25 Courtenay Dr, Charleston, SC 29425, United States; Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University, Langenbeckstraße 1, Mainz 55131, Germany; German Centre for Cardiovascular Research, Partner Site Rhine-Main, Mainz 55131, Germany.
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Sonnow L, Salimova N, Behrendt L, Wacker FK, Örgel M, Plagge J, Weidemann F. Photon-counting CT of elbow joint fractures: image quality in a simulated post-trauma setting with off-center positioning. Eur Radiol Exp 2023; 7:15. [PMID: 36967394 PMCID: PMC10040392 DOI: 10.1186/s41747-023-00329-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 03/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Photon-counting detector computed tomography (PCD-CT) has the potential to provide superior image quality compared to energy-integrating detector computed tomography (EID-CT). We compared the two systems for elbow imaging in off-center arm positioning, 90° flexion, and cast fixation in a simulated post-trauma setting. METHODS The institutional review board approved the study protocol. In a cadaver study, an olecranon fracture was artificially created in ten whole arm specimens. Two different scanning positions were evaluated: (a) arm overhead; and (b) arm on top of the abdomen of a whole-body phantom. The ultra-high resolution mode with three dose protocols and two reconstruction kernels was applied. Two blinded radiologists independently evaluated fracture and trabecular bone delineation. Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), and cortical sharpness measurements were performed. Cohen κ correlations, Mann-Whitney U and Wilcoxon signed rank tests were used. A p value lower than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS Dose-equivalent PCD-CT scans were rated better for fracture and trabecular bone evaluation (p < 0.001). SNR, CNR, and cortical sharpness were higher for all diagnostic (Br76) PCD-CT images (p < 0.001). The arm position had less effect on image quality in the PCD-CT compared to the EID-CT. The use of a sharp bone kernel (Br89) improved image quality ratings for PCD-CT. In the low-dose scan mode, PCD-CT resulted in more diagnostic scans (75%) compared to EID-CT (19%). CONCLUSIONS PCD-CT provided superior objective and subjective image quality for fracture and trabecular bone structures delineation of the elbow compared to EID-CT in a typical post-trauma setting. KEY POINTS • Photon-counting detector computed tomography (PCD-CT) preserved high image quality in elbow imaging with off-center positions. • PCD-CT was advantageous for bone evaluation in trauma elbows. • PCD-CT ultra-high-resolution mode and very sharp reconstruction kernels facilitated higher image quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lena Sonnow
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.
| | - Nigar Salimova
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Lea Behrendt
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Frank K Wacker
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Marcus Örgel
- Department of Trauma Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Jochen Plagge
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Hannover Medical School at Diakovere Annastift, Hannover, Germany
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Sartoretti T, McDermott M, Mergen V, Euler A, Schmidt B, Jost G, Wildberger JE, Alkadhi H. Photon-counting detector coronary CT angiography: impact of virtual monoenergetic imaging and iterative reconstruction on image quality. Br J Radiol 2023; 96:20220466. [PMID: 36633005 PMCID: PMC9975359 DOI: 10.1259/bjr.20220466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2022] [Revised: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To assess the impact of low kilo-electronvolt (keV) virtual monoenergetic image (VMI) energies and iterative reconstruction on image quality of clinical photon-counting detector coronary CT angiography (CCTA). METHODS CCTA with PCD-CT (prospective ECG-triggering, 120 kVp, automatic tube current modulation) was performed in a high-end cardiovascular phantom with dynamic flow, pulsatile heart motion, and including different calcified plaques with various stenosis grades and in 10 consecutive patients. VMI at 40,50,60 and 70 keV were reconstructed without (QIR-off) and with all quantum iterative reconstruction (QIR) levels (QIR-1 to 4). In the phantom, noise power spectrum, vessel attenuation, contrast-to-noise-ratio (CNR), and vessel sharpness were measured. Two readers graded stenoses in the phantom and graded overall image quality, subjective noise, vessel sharpness, vascular contrast, and coronary artery plaque delineation on 5-point Likert scales in patients. RESULTS In the phantom, noise texture was only slightly affected by keV and QIR while noise increased by 69% from 70 keV QIR-4 to 40 keV QIR-off. Reconstructions at 40 keV QIR-4 exhibited the highest CNR (46.1 ± 1.8), vessel sharpness (425 ± 42 ∆HU/mm), and vessel attenuation (1098 ± 14 HU). Stenosis measurements were not affected by keV or QIR level (p > 0.12) with an average error of 3%/6% for reader 1/reader 2, respectively. In patients, across all subjective categories and both readers, 40 keV QIR-3 and QIR-4 images received the best scores (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION Forty keV VMI with QIR-4 significantly improved image quality of CCTA with PCD-CT. ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE PCD-CT at 40 keV and QIR-4 improves image quality of CCTA.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Victor Mergen
- Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - André Euler
- Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | | | | | - Hatem Alkadhi
- Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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Sartoretti T, Mergen V, Jungblut L, Alkadhi H, Euler A. Liver Iodine Quantification With Photon-Counting Detector CT: Accuracy in an Abdominal Phantom and Feasibility in Patients. Acad Radiol 2023; 30:461-469. [PMID: 35644755 DOI: 10.1016/j.acra.2022.04.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Revised: 04/12/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES To compare the accuracy of iodine quantification in liver parenchyma and lesions between dual-source photon-counting detector CT (PCD-CT) and dual-source energy-integrating detector CT (EID-CT) in a phantom and to demonstrate the feasibility of iodine quantification with PCD-CT in liver parenchyma and lesions in patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS An anthropomorphic abdominal phantom with a liver insert containing parenchyma and lesions was imaged on a clinical PCD-CT at 120kV and in the dual-energy mode on an EID-CT with kV-combinations of 80/Sn150kV, 90/Sn150kV, and 100/Sn150kV. Three patient sizes were imaged at three different radiation doses (CTDIvol: 5, 10, 15mGy). Thirty patients with liver cysts, hemangiomas or metastases imaged with PCD-CT were retrospectively included. Iodine maps were reconstructed and iodine concentrations were measured in liver parenchyma and lesions. For the phantom, iodine error was quantified as the absolute difference to the vendor's specifications as reference. RESULTS Overall iodine error was 0.33 ± 0.29, 0.34 ± 0.32, 0.39 ± 0.37, 0.35 ± 0.39 mgI/mL for 80/Sn150kV, 90/Sn150kV, 100/Sn150kV of EID-CT, and PCD-CT, respectively, without significant differences between PCD-CT and EID-CT (p > 0.05). Radiation dose did not significantly influence error of PCD-CT (p > 0.05) nor EID-CT (p > 0.05). For both scanners, smaller patient sizes were associated with lower errors (p < 0.05). Iodine concentration and base material attenuation significantly influenced quantification for EID-CT (p < 0.05) but not PCD-CT (p > 0.05). In patients, iodine quantification was feasible in liver parenchyma, cysts, hemangiomas, and metastases. CONCLUSION Iodine quantification with PCD-CT is accurate in simulated liver parenchyma and lesions irrespective of radiation dose, iodine concentration, and base attenuation and is feasible in common liver lesions in patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Sartoretti
- Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Raemistrasse 100, CH-809, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Victor Mergen
- Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Raemistrasse 100, CH-809, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Lisa Jungblut
- Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Raemistrasse 100, CH-809, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Hatem Alkadhi
- Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Raemistrasse 100, CH-809, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - André Euler
- Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Raemistrasse 100, CH-809, Zurich, Switzerland.
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Sartoretti T, Wildberger JE, Flohr T, Alkadhi H. Photon-counting detector CT: early clinical experience review. Br J Radiol 2023:20220544. [PMID: 36744809 DOI: 10.1259/bjr.20220544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Since its development in the 1970s, X-ray CT has emerged as a landmark diagnostic imaging modality of modern medicine. Technological advances have been crucial to the success of CT imaging, as they have increasingly enabled improvements in image quality and diagnostic value at increasing radiation dose efficiency. With recent advances in engineering and physics, a novel technology has emerged with the potential to surpass several shortcomings and limitations of current CT systems. Photon-counting detector (PCD)-CT might substantially improve and expand the applicability of CT imaging by offering intrinsic spectral capabilities, increased spatial resolution, reduced electronic noise and improved image contrast. In this review we sought to summarize the first clinical experience of PCD-CT. We focused on most recent prototype and first clinically approved PCD-CT systems thereby reviewing initial publications and presenting corresponding clinical cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Sartoretti
- Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Zürich, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland.,Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands.,Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Joachim E Wildberger
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands.,Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Thomas Flohr
- Siemens Healthcare GmbH, Computed Tomography, Forchheim, Germany
| | - Hatem Alkadhi
- Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Zürich, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
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Lim W, Sodemann EB, Büttner L, Jonczyk M, Lüdemann WM, Kahn J, Geisel D, Jann H, Aigner A, Böning G. Spectral Computed Tomography-Derived Iodine Content and Tumor Response in the Follow-Up of Neuroendocrine Tumors-A Single-Center Experience. Curr Oncol 2023; 30:1502-1515. [PMID: 36826076 PMCID: PMC9954990 DOI: 10.3390/curroncol30020115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2022] [Revised: 01/08/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Spectral computed tomography (SCT) allows iodine content (IC) calculation for characterization of hypervascularized neoplasms and thus might help in the staging of neuroendocrine tumors (NETs). This single-center prospective study analyzed the association between SCT-derived IC and tumor response in the follow-up of metastasized NETs. Twenty-six patients with a median age of 70 years (range 51-85) with histologically proven NETs and a total of 78 lesions underwent SCT for staging. Because NETS are rare, no primary NET types were excluded. Lesions and intralesional hotspots were measured in virtual images and iodine maps. Tumor response was classified as progressive or nonprogressive at study endpoint. Generalized estimating equations served to estimate associations between IC and tumor response, additionally stratified by lesion location. Most commonly affected sites were the lymph nodes, liver, pancreas, and bones. Median time between SCT and endpoint was 64 weeks (range 5-260). Despite statistical imprecision in the estimate, patients with higher IC in lymphonodular metastases had lower odds for disease progression (adjusted OR = 0.21, 95% CI: 0.02-2.02). Opposite tendencies were observed in hepatic and pancreatic metastases in unadjusted analyses, which vanished after adjusting for therapy and primary tumor grade.
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Affiliation(s)
- Winna Lim
- Department of Radiology, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany
- Correspondence:
| | - Elisa Birgit Sodemann
- Department of Radiology, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Laura Büttner
- Department of Radiology, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Martin Jonczyk
- Department of Radiology, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Willie Magnus Lüdemann
- Department of Radiology, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Johannes Kahn
- Institute of Neuroradiology, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Dominik Geisel
- Department of Radiology, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Henning Jann
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Annette Aigner
- Institute of Biometry and Clinical Epidemiology, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Campus Charité Mitte, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Georg Böning
- Department of Radiology, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany
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Dumitriu LaGrange D, Reymond P, Brina O, Zboray R, Neels A, Wanke I, Lövblad KO. Spatial heterogeneity of occlusive thrombus in acute ischemic stroke: A systematic review. J Neuroradiol 2023; 50:352-360. [PMID: 36649796 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurad.2023.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Revised: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Following the advent of mechanical thrombectomy, occlusive clots in ischemic stroke have been amply characterized using conventional histopathology. Many studies have investigated the compositional variability of thrombi and the consequences of thrombus composition on treatment response. More recent evidence has emerged about the spatial heterogeneity of the clot or the preferential distribution of its components and compact nature. Here we review this emerging body of evidence, discuss its potential clinical implications, and propose the development of adequate characterization techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Dumitriu LaGrange
- Neurodiagnostic and Neurointerventional Division, Department of Radiology and Medical Informatics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.
| | - Philippe Reymond
- Neurodiagnostic and Neurointerventional Division, Department of Radiology and Medical Informatics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Olivier Brina
- Division of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, HUG Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Robert Zboray
- Center for X-Ray Analytics, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (Empa), Dübendorf 8600, Switzerland
| | - Antonia Neels
- Center for X-Ray Analytics, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (Empa), Dübendorf 8600, Switzerland
| | - Isabel Wanke
- Division of Neuroradiology, Klinik Hirslanden, Zurich, Switzerland; Swiss Neuroradiology Institute, Zurich, Switzerland; Division of Neuroradiology, University of Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Karl-Olof Lövblad
- Division of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, HUG Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland; Neurodiagnostic and Neurointerventional Division, Department of Radiology and Medical Informatics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
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Pilot study to determine whether reduced-dose photon-counting detector chest computed tomography can reliably display Brody II score imaging findings for children with cystic fibrosis at radiation doses that approximate radiographs. Pediatr Radiol 2023; 53:1049-1056. [PMID: 36596868 DOI: 10.1007/s00247-022-05574-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Revised: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Brody II score uses chest CT to guide therapeutic changes in children with cystic fibrosis; however, patients and providers are often reticent to undergo chest CT given concerns about radiation. OBJECTIVE We sought to determine the ability of a reduced-dose photon-counting detector (PCD) chest CT protocol to reproducibly display pulmonary disease severity using the Brody II score for children with cystic fibrosis (CF) scanned at radiation doses similar to those of a chest radiograph. MATERIALS AND METHODS Pediatric patients with CF underwent non-contrast reduced-dose chest PCD-CT. Volumetric inspiratory and expiratory scans were obtained without sedation or anesthesia. Three pediatric radiologists with Certificates of Added Qualification scored each scan on an ordinal scale and assigned a Brody II score to grade bronchiectasis, peribronchial thickening, parenchymal opacity, air trapping and mucus plugging. We report image-quality metrics using descriptive statistics. To calculate inter-rater agreement for Brody II scoring, we used the Krippendorff alpha and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). RESULTS Fifteen children with CF underwent reduced-dose PCD chest CT in both inspiration and expiration (mean age 8.9 years, range, 2.5-17.5 years; 4 girls). Mean volumetric CT dose index (CTDIvol) was 0.07 ± 0.03 mGy per scan. Mean effective dose was 0.12 ± 0.04 mSv for the total examination. All three readers graded spatial resolution and noise as interpretable on lung windows. The average Brody II score was 12.5 (range 4-19), with moderate inter-reader reliability (ICC of 0.61 [95% CI=0.27, 0.84]). Inter-rater reliability was moderate to substantial for bronchiectasis (0.52), peribronchial thickening (0.55), presence of opacity (0.62) and air trapping (0.70) and poor for mucus plugging (0.09). CONCLUSION Reduced-dose PCD-CT permits diagnostic image quality and reproducible identification of Brody II scoring imaging findings at radiation doses similar to those for chest radiography.
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Baffour FI, Huber NR, Ferrero A, Rajendran K, Glazebrook KN, Larson NB, Kumar S, Cook JM, Leng S, Shanblatt ER, McCollough CH, Fletcher JG. Photon-counting Detector CT with Deep Learning Noise Reduction to Detect Multiple Myeloma. Radiology 2023. [PMID: 36066364 DOI: 10.1148/radiol.220311:220311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/07/2023]
Abstract
Background Photon-counting detector (PCD) CT and deep learning noise reduction may improve spatial resolution at lower radiation doses compared with energy-integrating detector (EID) CT. Purpose To demonstrate the diagnostic impact of improved spatial resolution in whole-body low-dose CT scans for viewing multiple myeloma by using PCD CT with deep learning denoising compared with conventional EID CT. Materials and Methods Between April and July 2021, adult participants who underwent a whole-body EID CT scan were prospectively enrolled and scanned with a PCD CT system in ultra-high-resolution mode at matched radiation dose (8 mSv for an average adult) at an academic medical center. EID CT and PCD CT images were reconstructed with Br44 and Br64 kernels at 2-mm section thickness. PCD CT images were also reconstructed with Br44 and Br76 kernels at 0.6-mm section thickness. The thinner PCD CT images were denoised by using a convolutional neural network. Image quality was objectively quantified in two phantoms and a randomly selected subset of participants (10 participants; median age, 63.5 years; five men). Two radiologists scored PCD CT images relative to EID CT by using a five-point Likert scale to detect findings reflecting multiple myeloma. The scoring for the matched reconstruction series was blinded to scanner type. Reader-averaged scores were tested with the null hypothesis of equivalent visualization between EID and PCD. Results Twenty-seven participants (median age, 68 years; IQR, 61-72 years; 16 men) were included. The blinded assessment of 2-mm images demonstrated improvement in viewing lytic lesions, intramedullary lesions, fatty metamorphosis, and pathologic fractures for PCD CT versus EID CT (P < .05 for all comparisons). The 0.6-mm PCD CT images with convolutional neural network denoising also demonstrated improvement in viewing all four pathologic abnormalities and detected one or more lytic lesions in 21 of 27 participants compared with the 2-mm EID CT images (P < .001). Conclusion Ultra-high-resolution photon-counting detector CT improved the visibility of multiple myeloma lesions relative to energy-integrating detector CT. © RSNA, 2022 Online supplemental material is available for this article.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francis I Baffour
- From the Department of Radiology (F.I.B., N.R.H., A.F., K.R., K.N.G., S.L., C.H.M., J.G.F.), Division of Biomedical Statistics and Informatics, Department of Quantitative Health Sciences (N.B.L.), and Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine (S.K., J.M.C.), Mayo Clinic, 200 First St SW, Rochester, MN 55905; and Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Malvern, Pa (E.R.S.)
| | - Nathan R Huber
- From the Department of Radiology (F.I.B., N.R.H., A.F., K.R., K.N.G., S.L., C.H.M., J.G.F.), Division of Biomedical Statistics and Informatics, Department of Quantitative Health Sciences (N.B.L.), and Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine (S.K., J.M.C.), Mayo Clinic, 200 First St SW, Rochester, MN 55905; and Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Malvern, Pa (E.R.S.)
| | - Andrea Ferrero
- From the Department of Radiology (F.I.B., N.R.H., A.F., K.R., K.N.G., S.L., C.H.M., J.G.F.), Division of Biomedical Statistics and Informatics, Department of Quantitative Health Sciences (N.B.L.), and Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine (S.K., J.M.C.), Mayo Clinic, 200 First St SW, Rochester, MN 55905; and Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Malvern, Pa (E.R.S.)
| | - Kishore Rajendran
- From the Department of Radiology (F.I.B., N.R.H., A.F., K.R., K.N.G., S.L., C.H.M., J.G.F.), Division of Biomedical Statistics and Informatics, Department of Quantitative Health Sciences (N.B.L.), and Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine (S.K., J.M.C.), Mayo Clinic, 200 First St SW, Rochester, MN 55905; and Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Malvern, Pa (E.R.S.)
| | - Katrina N Glazebrook
- From the Department of Radiology (F.I.B., N.R.H., A.F., K.R., K.N.G., S.L., C.H.M., J.G.F.), Division of Biomedical Statistics and Informatics, Department of Quantitative Health Sciences (N.B.L.), and Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine (S.K., J.M.C.), Mayo Clinic, 200 First St SW, Rochester, MN 55905; and Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Malvern, Pa (E.R.S.)
| | - Nicholas B Larson
- From the Department of Radiology (F.I.B., N.R.H., A.F., K.R., K.N.G., S.L., C.H.M., J.G.F.), Division of Biomedical Statistics and Informatics, Department of Quantitative Health Sciences (N.B.L.), and Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine (S.K., J.M.C.), Mayo Clinic, 200 First St SW, Rochester, MN 55905; and Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Malvern, Pa (E.R.S.)
| | - Shaji Kumar
- From the Department of Radiology (F.I.B., N.R.H., A.F., K.R., K.N.G., S.L., C.H.M., J.G.F.), Division of Biomedical Statistics and Informatics, Department of Quantitative Health Sciences (N.B.L.), and Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine (S.K., J.M.C.), Mayo Clinic, 200 First St SW, Rochester, MN 55905; and Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Malvern, Pa (E.R.S.)
| | - Joselle M Cook
- From the Department of Radiology (F.I.B., N.R.H., A.F., K.R., K.N.G., S.L., C.H.M., J.G.F.), Division of Biomedical Statistics and Informatics, Department of Quantitative Health Sciences (N.B.L.), and Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine (S.K., J.M.C.), Mayo Clinic, 200 First St SW, Rochester, MN 55905; and Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Malvern, Pa (E.R.S.)
| | - Shuai Leng
- From the Department of Radiology (F.I.B., N.R.H., A.F., K.R., K.N.G., S.L., C.H.M., J.G.F.), Division of Biomedical Statistics and Informatics, Department of Quantitative Health Sciences (N.B.L.), and Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine (S.K., J.M.C.), Mayo Clinic, 200 First St SW, Rochester, MN 55905; and Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Malvern, Pa (E.R.S.)
| | - Elisabeth R Shanblatt
- From the Department of Radiology (F.I.B., N.R.H., A.F., K.R., K.N.G., S.L., C.H.M., J.G.F.), Division of Biomedical Statistics and Informatics, Department of Quantitative Health Sciences (N.B.L.), and Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine (S.K., J.M.C.), Mayo Clinic, 200 First St SW, Rochester, MN 55905; and Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Malvern, Pa (E.R.S.)
| | - Cynthia H McCollough
- From the Department of Radiology (F.I.B., N.R.H., A.F., K.R., K.N.G., S.L., C.H.M., J.G.F.), Division of Biomedical Statistics and Informatics, Department of Quantitative Health Sciences (N.B.L.), and Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine (S.K., J.M.C.), Mayo Clinic, 200 First St SW, Rochester, MN 55905; and Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Malvern, Pa (E.R.S.)
| | - Joel G Fletcher
- From the Department of Radiology (F.I.B., N.R.H., A.F., K.R., K.N.G., S.L., C.H.M., J.G.F.), Division of Biomedical Statistics and Informatics, Department of Quantitative Health Sciences (N.B.L.), and Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine (S.K., J.M.C.), Mayo Clinic, 200 First St SW, Rochester, MN 55905; and Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Malvern, Pa (E.R.S.)
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Improved visualization of the wrist at lower radiation dose with photon-counting-detector CT. Skeletal Radiol 2023; 52:23-29. [PMID: 35831718 DOI: 10.1007/s00256-022-04117-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2022] [Revised: 07/03/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To compare the image quality of ultra-high-resolution wrist CTs acquired on photon-counting detector CT versus conventional energy-integrating-detector CT systems. MATERIALS AND METHODS Participants were scanned on a photon-counting-detector CT system after clinical energy-integrating detector CTs. Energy-integrating-detector CT scan parameters: comb filter-based ultra-high-resolution mode, 120 kV, 250 mAs, Ur70 or Ur73 kernel, 0.4- or 0.6-mm section thickness. Photon-counting-detector CT scan parameters: non-comb-based ultra-high-resolution mode, 120 kV, 120 mAs, Br84 kernel, 0.4-mm section thickness. Two musculoskeletal radiologists blinded to CT system, scored specific osseous structures using a 5-point Likert scale (1 to 5). The Wilcoxon rank-sum test was used for statistical analysis of reader scores. Paired t-test was used to compare volume CT dose index, bone CT number, and image noise between CT systems. P-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS Twelve wrists (mean participant age 55.3 ± 17.8, 6 females, 6 males) were included. The mean volume CT dose index was lower for photon-counting detector CT (9.6 ± 0.1 mGy versus 19.0 ± 6.7 mGy, p < .001). Photon-counting-detector CT images had higher Likert scores for visualization of osseous structures (median score = 4, p < 0.001). The mean bone CT number was higher in photon-counting-detector CT images (1946 ± 77 HU versus 1727 ± 49 HU, p < 0.001). Conversely, there was no difference in the mean image noise of the two CT systems (63 ± 6 HU versus 61 ± 6 HU, p = 0.13). CONCLUSION Ultra-high-resolution imaging with photon-counting-detector CT depicted wrist structures more clearly than conventional energy-integrating-detector CT despite a 49% radiation dose reduction.
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Baffour FI, Huber NR, Ferrero A, Rajendran K, Glazebrook KN, Larson NB, Kumar S, Cook JM, Leng S, Shanblatt ER, McCollough CH, Fletcher JG. Photon-counting Detector CT with Deep Learning Noise Reduction to Detect Multiple Myeloma. Radiology 2023; 306:229-236. [PMID: 36066364 PMCID: PMC9771909 DOI: 10.1148/radiol.220311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2022] [Revised: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Background Photon-counting detector (PCD) CT and deep learning noise reduction may improve spatial resolution at lower radiation doses compared with energy-integrating detector (EID) CT. Purpose To demonstrate the diagnostic impact of improved spatial resolution in whole-body low-dose CT scans for viewing multiple myeloma by using PCD CT with deep learning denoising compared with conventional EID CT. Materials and Methods Between April and July 2021, adult participants who underwent a whole-body EID CT scan were prospectively enrolled and scanned with a PCD CT system in ultra-high-resolution mode at matched radiation dose (8 mSv for an average adult) at an academic medical center. EID CT and PCD CT images were reconstructed with Br44 and Br64 kernels at 2-mm section thickness. PCD CT images were also reconstructed with Br44 and Br76 kernels at 0.6-mm section thickness. The thinner PCD CT images were denoised by using a convolutional neural network. Image quality was objectively quantified in two phantoms and a randomly selected subset of participants (10 participants; median age, 63.5 years; five men). Two radiologists scored PCD CT images relative to EID CT by using a five-point Likert scale to detect findings reflecting multiple myeloma. The scoring for the matched reconstruction series was blinded to scanner type. Reader-averaged scores were tested with the null hypothesis of equivalent visualization between EID and PCD. Results Twenty-seven participants (median age, 68 years; IQR, 61-72 years; 16 men) were included. The blinded assessment of 2-mm images demonstrated improvement in viewing lytic lesions, intramedullary lesions, fatty metamorphosis, and pathologic fractures for PCD CT versus EID CT (P < .05 for all comparisons). The 0.6-mm PCD CT images with convolutional neural network denoising also demonstrated improvement in viewing all four pathologic abnormalities and detected one or more lytic lesions in 21 of 27 participants compared with the 2-mm EID CT images (P < .001). Conclusion Ultra-high-resolution photon-counting detector CT improved the visibility of multiple myeloma lesions relative to energy-integrating detector CT. © RSNA, 2022 Online supplemental material is available for this article.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francis I. Baffour
- From the Department of Radiology (F.I.B., N.R.H., A.F., K.R., K.N.G.,
S.L., C.H.M., J.G.F.), Division of Biomedical Statistics and Informatics,
Department of Quantitative Health Sciences (N.B.L.), and Division of Hematology,
Department of Medicine (S.K., J.M.C.), Mayo Clinic, 200 First St SW, Rochester,
MN 55905; and Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Malvern, Pa (E.R.S.)
| | - Nathan R. Huber
- From the Department of Radiology (F.I.B., N.R.H., A.F., K.R., K.N.G.,
S.L., C.H.M., J.G.F.), Division of Biomedical Statistics and Informatics,
Department of Quantitative Health Sciences (N.B.L.), and Division of Hematology,
Department of Medicine (S.K., J.M.C.), Mayo Clinic, 200 First St SW, Rochester,
MN 55905; and Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Malvern, Pa (E.R.S.)
| | - Andrea Ferrero
- From the Department of Radiology (F.I.B., N.R.H., A.F., K.R., K.N.G.,
S.L., C.H.M., J.G.F.), Division of Biomedical Statistics and Informatics,
Department of Quantitative Health Sciences (N.B.L.), and Division of Hematology,
Department of Medicine (S.K., J.M.C.), Mayo Clinic, 200 First St SW, Rochester,
MN 55905; and Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Malvern, Pa (E.R.S.)
| | - Kishore Rajendran
- From the Department of Radiology (F.I.B., N.R.H., A.F., K.R., K.N.G.,
S.L., C.H.M., J.G.F.), Division of Biomedical Statistics and Informatics,
Department of Quantitative Health Sciences (N.B.L.), and Division of Hematology,
Department of Medicine (S.K., J.M.C.), Mayo Clinic, 200 First St SW, Rochester,
MN 55905; and Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Malvern, Pa (E.R.S.)
| | - Katrina N. Glazebrook
- From the Department of Radiology (F.I.B., N.R.H., A.F., K.R., K.N.G.,
S.L., C.H.M., J.G.F.), Division of Biomedical Statistics and Informatics,
Department of Quantitative Health Sciences (N.B.L.), and Division of Hematology,
Department of Medicine (S.K., J.M.C.), Mayo Clinic, 200 First St SW, Rochester,
MN 55905; and Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Malvern, Pa (E.R.S.)
| | - Nicholas B. Larson
- From the Department of Radiology (F.I.B., N.R.H., A.F., K.R., K.N.G.,
S.L., C.H.M., J.G.F.), Division of Biomedical Statistics and Informatics,
Department of Quantitative Health Sciences (N.B.L.), and Division of Hematology,
Department of Medicine (S.K., J.M.C.), Mayo Clinic, 200 First St SW, Rochester,
MN 55905; and Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Malvern, Pa (E.R.S.)
| | - Shaji Kumar
- From the Department of Radiology (F.I.B., N.R.H., A.F., K.R., K.N.G.,
S.L., C.H.M., J.G.F.), Division of Biomedical Statistics and Informatics,
Department of Quantitative Health Sciences (N.B.L.), and Division of Hematology,
Department of Medicine (S.K., J.M.C.), Mayo Clinic, 200 First St SW, Rochester,
MN 55905; and Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Malvern, Pa (E.R.S.)
| | - Joselle M. Cook
- From the Department of Radiology (F.I.B., N.R.H., A.F., K.R., K.N.G.,
S.L., C.H.M., J.G.F.), Division of Biomedical Statistics and Informatics,
Department of Quantitative Health Sciences (N.B.L.), and Division of Hematology,
Department of Medicine (S.K., J.M.C.), Mayo Clinic, 200 First St SW, Rochester,
MN 55905; and Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Malvern, Pa (E.R.S.)
| | - Shuai Leng
- From the Department of Radiology (F.I.B., N.R.H., A.F., K.R., K.N.G.,
S.L., C.H.M., J.G.F.), Division of Biomedical Statistics and Informatics,
Department of Quantitative Health Sciences (N.B.L.), and Division of Hematology,
Department of Medicine (S.K., J.M.C.), Mayo Clinic, 200 First St SW, Rochester,
MN 55905; and Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Malvern, Pa (E.R.S.)
| | - Elisabeth R. Shanblatt
- From the Department of Radiology (F.I.B., N.R.H., A.F., K.R., K.N.G.,
S.L., C.H.M., J.G.F.), Division of Biomedical Statistics and Informatics,
Department of Quantitative Health Sciences (N.B.L.), and Division of Hematology,
Department of Medicine (S.K., J.M.C.), Mayo Clinic, 200 First St SW, Rochester,
MN 55905; and Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Malvern, Pa (E.R.S.)
| | - Cynthia H. McCollough
- From the Department of Radiology (F.I.B., N.R.H., A.F., K.R., K.N.G.,
S.L., C.H.M., J.G.F.), Division of Biomedical Statistics and Informatics,
Department of Quantitative Health Sciences (N.B.L.), and Division of Hematology,
Department of Medicine (S.K., J.M.C.), Mayo Clinic, 200 First St SW, Rochester,
MN 55905; and Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Malvern, Pa (E.R.S.)
| | - Joel G. Fletcher
- From the Department of Radiology (F.I.B., N.R.H., A.F., K.R., K.N.G.,
S.L., C.H.M., J.G.F.), Division of Biomedical Statistics and Informatics,
Department of Quantitative Health Sciences (N.B.L.), and Division of Hematology,
Department of Medicine (S.K., J.M.C.), Mayo Clinic, 200 First St SW, Rochester,
MN 55905; and Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Malvern, Pa (E.R.S.)
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Baffour FI, Rajendran K, Glazebrook KN, Thorne JE, Larson NB, Leng S, McCollough CH, Fletcher JG. Ultra-high-resolution imaging of the shoulder and pelvis using photon-counting-detector CT: a feasibility study in patients. Eur Radiol 2022; 32:7079-7086. [PMID: 35689699 PMCID: PMC9474720 DOI: 10.1007/s00330-022-08925-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2022] [Revised: 04/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate ultra-high-resolution (UHR) imaging of large joints using an investigational photon-counting detector (PCD) CT. MATERIALS AND METHODS Patients undergoing clinical shoulder or pelvis energy-integrating-detector (EID) CT exam were scanned using the UHR mode of the PCD-CT system. Axial EID-CT images (1-mm sections) and PCD-CT images (0.6-mm sections) were reconstructed using Br62/Br64 and Br76 kernels, respectively. Two musculoskeletal radiologists rated visualization of anatomic structures using a 5-point Likert scale. Wilcoxon rank-sum test was used for statistical analysis of reader scores, and paired t-test was used for comparing bone CT numbers and image noise from PCD-CT and EID-CT. RESULTS Thirty-two patients (17 shoulders and 15 pelvis) were prospectively recruited for this feasibility study. Mean age for shoulder exams was 67.3 ± 15.5 years (11 females) and 47.2 ± 15.8 years (11 females) for pelvis exams. The mean volume CT dose index was lower on PCD-CT compared to that on EID-CT (shoulders: 18 mGy vs. 34 mGy, pelvis: 11.6 mGy vs. 16.7 mGy). PCD-CT was rated significantly better than EID-CT (p < 0.001) for anatomic-structure visualization. Trabecular delineation in shoulders (mean score = 4.24 ± 0.73) and femoroacetabular joint visualization in the pelvis (mean score = 3.67 ± 1.03) received the highest scores. PCD-CT demonstrated significant increase in bone CT number (p < 0.001) relative to EID-CT; no significant difference in image noise was found between PCD-CT and EID-CT. CONCLUSION The evaluated PCD-CT system provided improved visualization of osseous structures in the shoulders and pelvises at a 31-47% lower radiation dose compared to EID-CT. KEY POINTS • A full field-of-view PCD-CT with 0.151 mm × 0.176 mm detector pixel size (isocenter) facilitates bilateral, high-resolution imaging of shoulders and pelvis. • The evaluated investigational PCD-CT system was rated superior by two musculoskeletal radiologists for anatomic structure visualization in shoulders and pelvises despite a 31-47% lower radiation dose compared to EID-CT. • PCD-CT demonstrated significantly higher bone CT number compared to EID-CT, while no significant difference in image noise was observed between PCD-CT and EID-CT despite a 31-47% dose reduction on PCD-CT.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Nicholas B Larson
- Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Shuai Leng
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
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Huber NR, Ferrero A, Rajendran K, Baffour F, Glazebrook KN, Diehn FE, Inoue A, Fletcher JG, Yu L, Leng S, McCollough CH. Dedicated convolutional neural network for noise reduction in ultra-high-resolution photon-counting detector computed tomography. Phys Med Biol 2022; 67:10.1088/1361-6560/ac8866. [PMID: 35944556 PMCID: PMC9444982 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6560/ac8866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Objective.To develop a convolutional neural network (CNN) noise reduction technique for ultra-high-resolution photon-counting detector computed tomography (UHR-PCD-CT) that can be efficiently implemented using only clinically available reconstructed images. The developed technique was demonstrated for skeletal survey, lung screening, and head angiography (CTA).Approach. There were 39 participants enrolled in this study, each received a UHR-PCD and an energy integrating detector (EID) CT scan. The developed CNN noise reduction technique uses image-based noise insertion and UHR-PCD-CT images to train a U-Net via supervised learning. For each application, 13 patient scans were reconstructed using filtered back projection (FBP) and iterative reconstruction (IR) and allocated into training, validation, and testing datasets (9:1:3). The subtraction of FBP and IR images resulted in approximately noise-only images. The 5-slice average of IR produced a thick reference image. The CNN training input consisted of thick reference images with reinsertion of spatially decoupled noise-only images. The training target consisted of the corresponding thick reference images without noise insertion. Performance was evaluated based on difference images, line profiles, noise measurements, nonlinear perturbation assessment, and radiologist visual assessment. UHR-PCD-CT images were compared with EID images (clinical standard).Main results.Up to 89% noise reduction was achieved using the proposed CNN. Nonlinear perturbation assessment indicated reasonable retention of 1 mm radius and 1000 HU contrast signals (>80% for skeletal survey and head CTA, >50% for lung screening). A contour plot indicated reduced retention for small-radius and low contrast perturbations. Radiologists preferred CNN over IR for UHR-PCD-CT noise reduction. Additionally, UHR-PCD-CT with CNN was preferred over standard resolution EID-CT images.Significance.CT images reconstructed with very sharp kernels and/or thin sections suffer from increased image noise. Deep learning noise reduction can be used to offset noise level and increase utility of UHR-PCD-CT images.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan R. Huber
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, 55901, USA
| | - Andrea Ferrero
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, 55901, USA
| | | | - Francis Baffour
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, 55901, USA
| | | | - Felix E. Diehn
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, 55901, USA
| | - Akitoshi Inoue
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, 55901, USA
| | | | - Lifeng Yu
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, 55901, USA
| | - Shuai Leng
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, 55901, USA
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Esquivel A, Ferrero A, Mileto A, Baffour F, Horst K, Rajiah PS, Inoue A, Leng S, McCollough C, Fletcher JG. Photon-Counting Detector CT: Key Points Radiologists Should Know. Korean J Radiol 2022; 23:854-865. [PMID: 36047540 PMCID: PMC9434736 DOI: 10.3348/kjr.2022.0377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Revised: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Photon-counting detector (PCD) CT is a new CT technology utilizing a direct conversion X-ray detector, where incident X-ray photon energies are directly recorded as electronical signals. The design of the photon-counting detector itself facilitates improvements in spatial resolution (via smaller detector pixel design) and iodine signal (via count weighting) while still permitting multi-energy imaging. PCD-CT can eliminate electronic noise and reduce artifacts due to the use of energy thresholds. Improved dose efficiency is important for low dose CT and pediatric imaging. The ultra-high spatial resolution of PCD-CT design permits lower dose scanning for all body regions and is particularly helpful in identifying important imaging findings in thoracic and musculoskeletal CT. Improved iodine signal may be helpful for low contrast tasks in abdominal imaging. Virtual monoenergetic images and material classification will assist with numerous diagnostic tasks in abdominal, musculoskeletal, and cardiovascular imaging. Dual-source PCD-CT permits multi-energy CT images of the heart and coronary arteries at high temporal resolution. In this special review article, we review the clinical benefits of this technology across a wide variety of radiological subspecialties.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Andrea Ferrero
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Achille Mileto
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | | | - Kelly Horst
- Division of Pediatric Radiology, Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | | | - Akitoshi Inoue
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Shuai Leng
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
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Booij R, van der Werf NR, Dijkshoorn ML, van der Lugt A, van Straten M. Assessment of Iodine Contrast-To-Noise Ratio in Virtual Monoenergetic Images Reconstructed from Dual-Source Energy-Integrating CT and Photon-Counting CT Data. Diagnostics (Basel) 2022; 12:diagnostics12061467. [PMID: 35741277 PMCID: PMC9222007 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics12061467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Revised: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
To evaluate whether the contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) of an iodinated contrast agent in virtual monoenergetic images (VMI) from the first clinical photon-counting detector (PCD) CT scanner is superior to VMI CNR from a dual-source dual-energy CT scanner with energy-integrating detectors (EID), two anthropomorphic phantoms in three different sizes (thorax and abdomen, QRM GmbH), in combination with a custom-built insert containing cavities filled with water, and water with 15 mg iodine/mL, were scanned on an EID-based scanner (Siemens SOMATOM Force) and on a PCD-based scanner (Siemens, NAEOTOM Alpha). VMI (range 40−100 keV) were reconstructed without an iterative reconstruction (IR) technique and with an IR strength of 60% for the EID technique (ADMIRE) and closest matching IR strengths of 50% and 75% for the PCD technique (QIR). CNR was defined as the difference in mean CT numbers of water, and water with iodine, divided by the root mean square value of the measured noise in water, and water with iodine. A two-sample t-test was performed to evaluate differences in CNR between images. A p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. For VMI without IR and below 60 keV, the CNR of the PCD-based images at 120 and 90 kVp was up to 55% and 75% higher than the CNR of the EID-based images, respectively (p < 0.05). For VMI above 60 keV, CNRs of PCD-based images at both 120 and 90 kVp were up to 20% lower than the CNRs of EID-based images. Similar or improved performance of PCD-based images in comparison with EID-based images were observed for VMIs reconstructed with IR techniques. In conclusion, with PCD-CT, iodine CNR on low energy VMI (<60 keV) is better than with EID-CT.
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Hoffman EA. Origins of and lessons from quantitative functional X-ray computed tomography of the lung. Br J Radiol 2022; 95:20211364. [PMID: 35193364 PMCID: PMC9153696 DOI: 10.1259/bjr.20211364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2021] [Revised: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Functional CT of the lung has emerged from quantitative CT (qCT). Structural details extracted at multiple lung volumes offer indices of function. Additionally, single volumetric images, if acquired at standardized lung volumes and body posture, can be used to model function by employing such engineering techniques as computational fluid dynamics. With the emergence of multispectral CT imaging including dual energy from energy integrating CT scanners and multienergy binning using the newly released photon counting CT technology, function is tagged via use of contrast agents. Lung disease phenotypes have previously been lumped together by the limitations of spirometry and plethysmography. QCT and its functional embodiment have been imbedded into studies seeking to characterize chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, severe asthma, interstitial lung disease and more. Reductions in radiation dose by an order of magnitude or more have been achieved. At the same time, we have seen significant increases in spatial and density resolution along with methodologic validations of extracted metrics. Together, these have allowed attention to turn towards more mild forms of disease and younger populations. In early applications, clinical CT offered anatomic details of the lung. Functional CT offers regional measures of lung mechanics, the assessment of functional small airways disease, as well as regional ventilation-perfusion matching (V/Q) and more. This paper will focus on the use of quantitative/functional CT for the non-invasive exploration of dynamic three-dimensional functioning of the breathing lung and beating heart within the unique negative pressure intrathoracic environment of the closed chest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric A Hoffman
- Departments of Radiology, Internal Medicine and Biomedical Engineering University of Iowa, Iowa, United States
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