Evaluation of image quality of CT virtual endoscopy / 中华放射学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To analyze and evaluate the image quality and the impact factors of CT virtual endoscopy (CTVE) in the application of various body parts. Methods CTVE images from 143 patients were classified into 2 types according to the chosen threshold: low attenuation lumen (including natural air filled and artificially air filled lumina) and high attenuation lumen. A 4 point scale was used to evaluate the differences of diagnostic confidence, artifacts, and overall image quality rating between both kinds of lumina. Results There was no statistically significant differences in diagnostic confidence of CTVE images among 3 kinds of lumina, but the image quality of CTVE of natural air filled lumen was better than that of artificially air filled lumen ( P 0.05). There was a significant difference in artifact rating of CTVE images among three kinds of lumina with the most artifacts seen on images of high attenuation lumen. Common artifacts observed on the CTVE images were attributed to patient motion artifacts such as respiration, inappropriate choice of spiral CT scanning parameters, and improper modification of thresholds. Conclusion The threshold setting was one of the most important factors impacting the image quality of CTVE images, and most artifacts seen on the CTVE images were easily recognized on the basis of their characteristic appearance, and did not influence the diagnostic information heavily.