Iterative reconstruction of dual-source coronary CT angiography: assessment of image quality and radiation dose

To assess the image quality and radiation dose of low-dose dual-source CT (DSCT) coronary angiography reconstructed using iterative reconstruction in image space (IRIS), in comparison with routine-dose CT using filtered back projection (FBP). Eighty-one patients underwent low-dose coronary DSCT using IRIS with two protocols: (a)100 kVp and 200 mAs per rotation for body mass index (BMI) < 25 (group I), (b)100 kVp and 320 mAs for BMI ≥ 25 (II). For comparison, two sex-and BMI-matched groups using standard protocols with FBP were selected: (a)100 kVp and 320 mAs for BMI < 25 (III), (b)120 kVp and 320 mAs for BMI ≥ 25 (IV). Image noise, signal to noise ratio (SNR) and modulation transfer function (MTF) 50% were objectively calculated. Two blinded readers then subjectively graded the image quality. Radiation dose was also measured. Image noise tended to be lower in IRIS of low-dose protocols: 22.0 ± 4.5 for group I versus 24.8 ± 4.0 for III (P < 0.001); 20.9 ± 4.5 for II versus 21.6 ± 4.9 for IV (P = 0.6). SNR was better with IRIS: 25.8 ± 4.4 for I versus 22.7 ± 4.6 for III (P < 0.001); 24.6 ± 5.4 for II versus 18.7 ± 4.5 for IV (P < 0.001). No differences in MTF 50% or image quality scores were seen between each two groups (P > 0.05). Radiation reduction was 40% for I and 51% for II, compared to standard protocols. Compared with routine-dose CT using FBP, low-dose coronary angiography using IRIS provides significant radiation reduction without impairment to image quality.

[1]  James K Min,et al.  Estimated radiation dose reduction using adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction in coronary CT angiography: the ERASIR study. , 2010, AJR. American journal of roentgenology.

[2]  S. Wildermuth,et al.  Dual-source CT in step-and-shoot mode: noninvasive coronary angiography with low radiation dose. , 2008, Radiology.

[3]  Bernhard Bischoff,et al.  Image quality and radiation exposure with a low tube voltage protocol for coronary CT angiography results of the PROTECTION II Trial. , 2010, JACC. Cardiovascular imaging.

[4]  William Pavlicek,et al.  Abdominal CT: comparison of low-dose CT with adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction and routine-dose CT with filtered back projection in 53 patients. , 2010, AJR. American journal of roentgenology.

[5]  Marcel van Straten,et al.  Impact of heart rate frequency and variability on radiation exposure, image quality, and diagnostic performance in dual-source spiral CT coronary angiography. , 2009, Radiology.

[6]  C Ghetti,et al.  CT iterative reconstruction in image space: a phantom study. , 2012, Physica medica : PM : an international journal devoted to the applications of physics to medicine and biology : official journal of the Italian Association of Biomedical Physics.

[7]  T. Flohr,et al.  Iterative image reconstruction techniques: Applications for cardiac CT. , 2011, Journal of cardiovascular computed tomography.

[8]  R. Raupach,et al.  Iterative reconstruction algorithm for abdominal multidetector CT at different tube voltages: assessment of diagnostic accuracy, image quality, and radiation dose in a phantom study. , 2011, Radiology.

[9]  Christian Stahl,et al.  Dose Reduction in Abdominal Computed Tomography: Intraindividual Comparison of Image Quality of Full-Dose Standard and Half-Dose Iterative Reconstructions With Dual-Source Computed Tomography , 2011, Investigative radiology.

[10]  L Costaridou,et al.  A protocol-based evaluation of medical image digitizers. , 2001, The British journal of radiology.

[11]  J. Leipsic,et al.  Effect of a standardized quality-improvement protocol on radiation dose in coronary computed tomographic angiography. , 2010, The American journal of cardiology.

[12]  Noriyuki Tomiyama,et al.  Adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction technique for pulmonary CT: image quality of the cadaveric lung on standard- and reduced-dose CT. , 2010, Academic radiology.

[13]  Jiang Hsieh,et al.  Diffuse lung disease: CT of the chest with adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction technique. , 2010, Radiology.

[14]  Dominik Fleischmann,et al.  Computed tomography—old ideas and new technology , 2011, European Radiology.

[15]  J. Paul,et al.  MDCT of the coronary arteries: feasibility of low-dose CT with ECG-pulsed tube current modulation to reduce radiation dose. , 2006, AJR. American journal of roentgenology.

[16]  Hyun Woo Goo,et al.  CT Radiation Dose Optimization and Estimation: an Update for Radiologists , 2011, Korean journal of radiology.

[17]  J. Remy,et al.  Chest computed tomography using iterative reconstruction vs filtered back projection (Part 1): evaluation of image noise reduction in 32 patients , 2011, European Radiology.

[18]  Kelley R Branch,et al.  Prospective versus retrospective ECG gating for 64-detector CT of the coronary arteries: comparison of image quality and patient radiation dose. , 2008, Radiology.

[19]  Holger Greess,et al.  Dose reduction in CT by on-line tube current control: principles and validation on phantoms and cadavers , 1999, European Radiology.

[20]  A. Taştan,et al.  Effectiveness of dual-source CT coronary angiography for the evaluation of coronary artery disease in patients with atrial fibrillation: initial experience. , 2007, Radiology.

[21]  S. Achenbach,et al.  Iterative reconstruction in image space (IRIS) in cardiac computed tomography: initial experience , 2011, The International Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging.

[22]  W. Kalender,et al.  Multisection CT protocols: sex- and age-specific conversion factors used to determine effective dose from dose-length product. , 2010, Radiology.

[23]  M. Reiser,et al.  Feasibility and radiation dose of high-pitch acquisition protocols in patients undergoing dual-source cardiac CT. , 2010, AJR. American journal of roentgenology.

[24]  Jae Hyung Park,et al.  The Image Quality and Radiation Dose of 100-kVp versus 120-kVp ECG-Gated 16-Slice CT Coronary Angiography , 2009, Korean journal of radiology.

[25]  Gabriel P Krestin,et al.  Optimal electrocardiographic pulsing windows and heart rate: effect on image quality and radiation exposure at dual-source coronary CT angiography. , 2008, Radiology.

[26]  J. Leipsic,et al.  Adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction: assessment of image noise and image quality in coronary CT angiography. , 2010, AJR. American journal of roentgenology.

[27]  Alvin C. Silva,et al.  Iterative Reconstruction Technique for Reducing Body Radiation Dose at Ct: Feasibility Study Hara Et Al. Ct Iterative Reconstruction Technique Gastrointestinal Imaging Original Research , 2022 .

[28]  Alvin C. Silva,et al.  Reducing the radiation dose for CT colonography using adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction: A pilot study. , 2010, AJR. American journal of roentgenology.

[29]  J. Paul,et al.  Low-kilovoltage multi-detector row chest CT in adults: feasibility and effect on image quality and iodine dose. , 2004, Radiology.

[30]  J. Remy,et al.  Chest computed tomography using iterative reconstruction vs filtered back projection (Part 2): image quality of low-dose CT examinations in 80 patients , 2011, European Radiology.

[31]  C. Fink,et al.  Evaluation of heavily calcified vessels with coronary CT angiography: comparison of iterative and filtered back projection image reconstruction. , 2011, Radiology.

[32]  C. Heyer,et al.  Image quality and radiation exposure at pulmonary CT angiography with 100- or 120-kVp protocol: prospective randomized study. , 2007, Radiology.

[33]  Simon Wildermuth,et al.  Low kilovoltage cardiac dual-source CT: attenuation, noise, and radiation dose , 2008, European Radiology.

[34]  Jörg Hausleiter,et al.  Radiation Dose Estimates From Cardiac Multislice Computed Tomography in Daily Practice: Impact of Different Scanning Protocols on Effective Dose Estimates , 2006, Circulation.

[35]  Rainer Raupach,et al.  Dose performance of a 64-channel dual-source CT scanner. , 2007, Radiology.