ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the accuracy of emphysema volume (EV) and airway measurements (AMs) produced by various iterative reconstruction (IR) algorithms and virtual monoenergetic images (VME) at both low- and standard-dose settings. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Computed tomography (CT) images were obtained on phantom at both low- (30 mAs at 120 kVp) and standard-doses (100 mAs at 120 kVp). Each CT scan was reconstructed using filtered back projection, hybrid IR (iDose4; Philips Healthcare), model-based IR (IMR-R1, IMR-ST1, IMR-SP1; Philips Healthcare), and VME at 70 keV (VME70). The EV of each air column and wall area percentage (WA%) of each airway tube were measured in all algorithms. Absolute percentage measurement errors of EV (APEvol) and AM (APEWA%) were then calculated. RESULTS: Emphysema volume was most accurately measured in IMR-R1 (APEvol in low-dose, 0.053 ± 0.002; APEvol in standard-dose, 0.047 ± 0.003; all p 0.05). VME70 showed a significantly higher APEvol than iDose4, IMR-R1, and IMR-ST1 (all p < 0.004). VME70 also showed a significantly higher APEWA% compared with the other algorithms (all p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: IMR was the most accurate technique for measurement of both EV and airway wall thickness. However, VME70 did not show a significantly better accuracy compared with other algorithms.
Subject(s)
Emphysema , Tomography, X-Ray ComputedABSTRACT
Objective To compare the spatial resolution and density resolution balance algorithm(MBIRSTND)and spatial resolution preference algorithm (MBIRRP20)from new version of model-based iterative reconstruction(MBIRn),and adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction(ASIR) with lung kernel in routine dose about the performance of computer-aided detection (CAD)for quantitative analysis of airway.Methods 30 patients were involved who were scanned for pulmonary disease with spectrum CT.Data with a slice thinkness 0.625 mm were reconstructed with ASIR,MBIRSTNDand MBIRRP20.Airway dimensions from three reconstruction algorithm images were measured using an automated and quantitative software(Dexin-FACT)that was designed to segment and quantify the bronchial tree,and a skeletonization algorithm to extract the center-line of airway trees automatically.For each patient,reconstruction algorithm chose the right middle lobe bronchus,and the bronchial length of the matched airways was measured by this scheme.Two radiologists used a semiquantitative 5 scale (Score 0 stands for its image quality is similar to that with ASIR;Score±1 stand for a little better or a little worse;Score±2 stand for obviously better or obviously worse)to rate subjective image quality of airway trees about images reconstructed with MBIRSTNDand MBIRRP20.Paired t test and Wilcoxon signed-rank test were used.Results Algorithm impacts the measurement variability of bronchus length in chest CT.The bronchial length with MBIRRP20was longer than with MBIRSTND, while the length with ASIR were the shortest(P<0.05).In addition, the optimal reconstruction algorithm was found to affect the subjective noise,the continuity and completeness of bronchial wall,and the show of bronchial end.The subjective noise of MBIRSTNDwas better than that of MBIRRP20.The show of bronchial end of MBIRRP20was better than that of MBIRSTND(P<0.05).There was no significant difference in the continuity and completeness of bronchial wall compared with MBIRRP20and MBIRSTND(P>0.05),which was much better than with ASIR(P<0.05).Conclusion MBIRn can inmprove the analyzing ability of CAD airway.The MBIRSTNDcan significantly reduce the image noise,the MBIRRP20significantly improve the branching of the bronchial arteries,both of which can allow the desired airway quantification accuracy of CAD for chest CT of the bronchial wall.
ABSTRACT
Objective To demonstrate the feasibility of high-resolution computed tomography(HRCT)reconstructed with a model-based iterative reconstruction (MBIR)for evaluating early peripheral lung cancer (≤3 cm),by comparing image quality obtained from MBIR,filtered back proj ection reconstruction(FBP)and state of the art adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction(ASIR)algorithm respectively.Methods A total of 30 patients confirmed with lung cancer by postoperative pathology were enrolled in the study.A chest phantom was also used to evaluate image noise,spatial resolution and density resolution.Both patients and chest phantom were received HRCT,and the images were reconstructed using FBP,ASIR(40% ASIR and FBP mix)and MBIR.The objective CT value, standard deviation(SD)and signal noise ratio(SNR)were measured.Two radiologists used a semi-quantitative to rate subjective image quality of lung nodules.Results There was no significant difference in CT value between the three reconstruction algorithms (P>0.05).But significant improvements in objective image noise were observed in MBIR compared with FBP and ASIR (P<0.05):including the SD value in back muscle [(12.63±1.70)with MBIR vs (31.58±5.21)with FBP and (24.55±4.14)with ASIR],and in subcutaneous fat [(12.77±2.53)vs (24.39±5.08)and (19.20±4.11)].Subjective image noise of the three group were also significantly difference:FBP with lowest subjective noise score;and MBIR with highest subjective noise score.The sharpness of small vessels and bronchi and diagnostic acceptability with MBIR were significantly better than with FBP and ASIR (P< 0.05).Conclusion Lung HRCT reconstructed with MBIR provides diagnostically more acceptable images for the detailed analyses of peripheral lung cancer compared with FBP and ASIR.
ABSTRACT
Objective To evaluate the image quality improvement on abdominal CT imaging by using new model-based iterative reconstruction (MBIRn)in comparison with adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction (ASiR).Methods 40 patients who underwent upper abdominal three-phase contrast-enhanced scan were included.After scanning,all the scans obtained at 180 s later injection were reconstructed by three protocol,including ASiR (combined reconstruction of 40%FBP and 60%ASiR),the MBIRn of the noise reduction settings (MBIRNR40)and the spatinal resolution settings(MBIRSTND).The thickness of the slice was 0.625 mm.The values of CT and SD of the subcutaneous fat,left erector spinae,inferior vena cava and hepatic vein (left and right branches)were measured at the branch level of hepatic vein,and the contrast noise ratio (CNR)between inferior vena cava and hepatic vein were calculated.The subj ective image quality was evaluated by two radiologists according to the noise,smoothness and small branches of the inferior vena cava and hepatic vein using 5-scoring method.The quality images obtained from ASiR method were treated as reference standard.Results For MBIRSTNDand MBIRNR40images,the subjective noise decreased and image quality increased comparing with ASiR images.Among which the MBIRNR40images had the best image with vascular smoothness score and the lowest subjective noise.Conclusion Compared with ASiR,MBIRSTNDand MBIRNR40,especially MBIRNR40improves the quality of CT images of the inferior vena cava and its branches.
ABSTRACT
Objective To assess image quality of adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction (ASIR),conventional modelbased iterative reconstruction (MBIRc) and a new lung-specific setting (MBIRRP20 and MBIRNR40) from the new version of model-based iterative reconstruction (MBIRn) in submillisievert chest CT comparing with ASIR in standard-dose.Methods Two chest CT examinations were performed with standard-dose and low-dose in 30 patients.Low-dose CT images were reconstructed with ASIR,MBIRc and MBIRn,while standard-dose CT images were reconstructed with ASIR only.Objective image noise and SNR were measured on the same part from the back muscle and subcutaneous fat which located at the level of thoracic entry,trachea carina and hepatic portal.Image quality of lung,mediastinum and upper abdomen structures were evaluated on a 5-point scale.The results were compared with one-way ANOVA and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests.Results The effective dose equivalent for standard-dose CT was (3.01 ± 1.89) mSv,compared with (0.88 ± 0.83) mSv for low dose CT,which decreased by 70.76％.The mean image noise for low-dose MBIRNR40 was significantly lower than that of conventional-dose ASIR,low-dose ASIR and MBIRc (P＜0.05).The mean SNR for low-dose MRIRNR40 was significant ly higher than that of conventional dose ASIR,low-dose ASIR and MBIRc (P＜0.05).The subjective image noise score was significantly lower than that of ASIR and MBIRc,and the score of sharpness of details of the structures score for low dose MBIRn was significantly better than that of the ASIR and MBIRc (P＜0.05).Conclusion MBIRNR40 can significantly reduce image noise and improve SNR compared to ASIR and MBIRc in low-dose,even better than ASIR in standard dose,which reduce radiation dose by about 70％.In low-dose,MBIRPP20 can well display lung structures,and MBIRNR40 can display mediastinal and the upper abdominal structures.
ABSTRACT
Objective To assess image quality of adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction (ASIR),conventional modelbased iterative reconstruction (MBIRc) and a new lung-specific setting (MBIRRP20 and MBIRNR40) from the new version of model-based iterative reconstruction (MBIRn) in submillisievert chest CT comparing with ASIR in standard-dose.Methods Two chest CT examinations were performed with standard-dose and low-dose in 30 patients.Low-dose CT images were reconstructed with ASIR,MBIRc and MBIRn,while standard-dose CT images were reconstructed with ASIR only.Objective image noise and SNR were measured on the same part from the back muscle and subcutaneous fat which located at the level of thoracic entry,trachea carina and hepatic portal.Image quality of lung,mediastinum and upper abdomen structures were evaluated on a 5-point scale.The results were compared with one-way ANOVA and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests.Results The effective dose equivalent for standard-dose CT was (3.01 ± 1.89) mSv,compared with (0.88 ± 0.83) mSv for low dose CT,which decreased by 70.76％.The mean image noise for low-dose MBIRNR40 was significantly lower than that of conventional-dose ASIR,low-dose ASIR and MBIRc (P＜0.05).The mean SNR for low-dose MRIRNR40 was significant ly higher than that of conventional dose ASIR,low-dose ASIR and MBIRc (P＜0.05).The subjective image noise score was significantly lower than that of ASIR and MBIRc,and the score of sharpness of details of the structures score for low dose MBIRn was significantly better than that of the ASIR and MBIRc (P＜0.05).Conclusion MBIRNR40 can significantly reduce image noise and improve SNR compared to ASIR and MBIRc in low-dose,even better than ASIR in standard dose,which reduce radiation dose by about 70％.In low-dose,MBIRPP20 can well display lung structures,and MBIRNR40 can display mediastinal and the upper abdominal structures.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of iterative reconstruction (IR) on the assessment of diffuse interstitial lung disease (DILD) using CT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An American College of Radiology (ACR) phantom (module 4 to assess spatial resolution) was scanned with 10–100 effective mAs at 120 kVp. The images were reconstructed using filtered back projection (FBP), adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction (ASIR), with blending ratios of 0%, 30%, 70% and 100%, and model-based iterative reconstruction (MBIR), and their spatial resolution was objectively assessed by the line pair structure method. The patient study was based on retrospective interpretation of prospectively acquired data, and it was approved by the institutional review board. Chest CT scans of 23 patients (mean age 64 years) were performed at 120 kVp using 1) standard dose protocol applying 142–275 mA with dose modulation (high-resolution computed tomography [HRCT]) and 2) low-dose protocol applying 20 mA (low dose CT, LDCT). HRCT images were reconstructed with FBP, and LDCT images were reconstructed using FBP, ASIR, and MBIR. Matching images were randomized and independently reviewed by chest radiologists. Subjective assessment of disease presence and radiological diagnosis was made on a 10-point scale. In addition, semi-quantitative results were compared for the extent of abnormalities estimated to the nearest 5% of parenchymal involvement. RESULTS: In the phantom study, ASIR was comparable to FBP in terms of spatial resolution. However, for MBIR, the spatial resolution was greatly decreased under 10 mA. In the patient study, the detection of the presence of disease was not significantly different. The values for area under the curve for detection of DILD by HRCT, FBP, ASIR, and MBIR were as follows: 0.978, 0.979, 0.972, and 0.963. LDCT images reconstructed with FBP, ASIR, and MBIR tended to underestimate reticular or honeycombing opacities (-2.8%, -4.1%, and -5.3%, respectively) and overestimate ground glass opacities (+4.6%, +8.9%, and +8.5%, respectively) compared to the HRCT images. However, the reconstruction methods did not differ with respect to radiologic diagnosis. CONCLUSION: The diagnostic performance of LDCT with MBIR was similar to that of HRCT in typical DILD cases. However, caution should be exercised when comparing disease extent, especially in follow-up studies with IR.