Accuracy Comparison of a 16 and 64 Multidetector-Row Computed Tomography Scanner to Image Small High-Density Structures

Objectives:The accuracy in imaging small high-density structures is compared for 16 and 64 multidetector-row computed tomography (MDCT) scanners. Materials and Methods:Phantom experiments and different quantification methods are used to establish size measurement accuracy, object signal, and image noise, for both MDCT systems. Results:At similar scanning doses, image noise is larger (∼55%) for the 64 MDCT compared with the 16 MDCT, leading to lower signal-to-noise ratios (∼28% for objects <2 mm). Object spread in the xy-plane is similar for both systems; while it is reduced along the z-axis (by ∼0.18 mm) for the 64 MDCT. Measurement accuracy of the 64 MDCT is not significantly higher (P < 0.05) compared with the 16 MDCT when using a relative-threshold corresponding to 50% of the object maximum attenuation value. However, when using a fixed-threshold, interscanner and interprotocol measurement differences are statistically significant (eg, volume relative errors are reduced by ∼17% on average for the 64 MDCT). Conclusions:Measurement accuracy of the 16 and 64 MDCT scanners is not significantly different when using a 50% relative threshold. However, image noise is significantly larger for the 64 MDCT. Compared with a fixed-threshold based method, the 50% relative-threshold strongly reduces interscanner and interprotocol measurement dependency and improves accuracy.

[1]  E. Fishman.  Multidetector-row computed tomography to detect coronary artery disease: the importance of heart rate , 2005 .

[2]  W. Kalender,et al.  Assessment of calcium scoring performance in cardiac computed tomography , 2003, European Radiology.

[3]  Aad van der Lugt,et al.  In vitro characterization of atherosclerotic carotid plaque with multidetector computed tomography and histopathological correlation , 2005, European Radiology.

[4]  W. Kalender,et al.  Evaluation of section sensitivity profiles and image noise in spiral CT. , 1992, Radiology.

[5]  R. Detrano,et al.  Quantification of coronary artery calcium using ultrafast computed tomography. , 1990, Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

[6]  Wiro J Niessen,et al.  Imaging of small high-density structures in CT A phantom study. , 2006, Academic radiology.

[7]  S. Wildermuth,et al.  Accuracy of MSCT coronary angiography with 64-slice technology: first experience. , 2005, European heart journal.

[8]  A. Daoud,et al.  CALCIFICATION IN THE CORONARY ARTERIES AND ITS RELATIONSHIP TO ARTERIOSCLEROSIS AND MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION. , 1964, The American journal of roentgenology, radium therapy, and nuclear medicine.

[9]  R. Detrano,et al.  Calcified coronary artery plaque measurement with cardiac CT in population-based studies: standardized protocol of Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) and Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) study. , 2005, Radiology.

[10]  T. Pilgram,et al.  Coronary artery calcium: accuracy and reproducibility of measurements with multi-detector row CT--assessment of effects of different thresholds and quantification methods. , 2003, Radiology.

[11]  J G Goldin,et al.  Coronary artery calcium: alternate methods for accurate and reproducible quantitation. , 1997, Academic radiology.

[12]  Rolf W. Günther,et al.  Effect of Varying Slice Thickness on Coronary Calcium Scoring With Multislice Computed Tomography in Vitro and in Vivo , 2005, Investigative radiology.

[13]  Peter M T Pattynama,et al.  Evaluation of patients after coronary artery bypass surgery: CT angiographic assessment of grafts and coronary arteries. , 2003, Radiology.

[14]  W. Heindel,et al.  64- Versus 16-Slice CT Angiography for Coronary Artery Stent Assessment: In Vitro Experience , 2006, Investigative radiology.

[15]  K Stierstorfer,et al.  Performance evaluation of a 64-slice CT system with z-flying focal spot. , 2004, RoFo : Fortschritte auf dem Gebiete der Rontgenstrahlen und der Nuklearmedizin.

[16]  Gabriel P. Krestin,et al.  High-Resolution Spiral Computed Tomography Coronary Angiography in Patients Referred for Diagnostic Conventional Coronary Angiography , 2005, Circulation.

[17]  H. Gissler,et al.  Endoluminal Treatment of Internal Carotid Artery Stenosis , 2001, World Journal of Surgery.

[18]  W. Kalender,et al.  Accuracy limits for the determination of cortical width and density: the influence of object size and CT imaging parameters. , 1999, Physics in medicine and biology.

[19]  V. Fuster,et al.  Coronary artery calcification: pathophysiology, epidemiology, imaging methods, and clinical implications. A statement for health professionals from the American Heart Association. Writing Group. , 1996, Circulation.

[20]  Leon Kaufman,et al.  Coronary calcium scoring: modelling, predicting and correcting for the effect of CT scanner spatial resolution on Agatston and volume scores. , 2003, Physics in medicine and biology.

[21]  Rainer Raupach,et al.  Spatial domain image filtering in computed tomography: feasibility study in pulmonary embolism , 2003, European Radiology.

[22]  Konstantin Nikolaou,et al.  Advances in cardiac CT imaging: 64-slice scanner , 2004, The International Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging.

[23]  R. Günther,et al.  Coronary Calcium Scoring Using 16-Row Multislice Computed Tomography: Nonenhanced Versus Contrast-Enhanced Studies In Vitro and In Vivo , 2005, Investigative radiology.

[24]  B. Ohnesorge,et al.  Heart Rate Adaptive Optimization of Spatial and Temporal Resolution for Electrocardiogram-Gated Multislice Spiral CT of the Heart , 2001, Journal of computer assisted tomography.

[25]  Rainer Raupach,et al.  Spatial domain filtering for fast modification of the tradeoff between image sharpness and pixel noise in computed tomography , 2003, IEEE Transactions on Medical Imaging.

[26]  Beadenkopf Wg,et al.  CALCIFICATION IN THE CORONARY ARTERIES AND ITS RELATIONSHIP TO ARTERIOSCLEROSIS AND MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION. , 1964 .

[27]  G. Raff,et al.  Diagnostic accuracy of noninvasive coronary angiography using 64-slice spiral computed tomography. , 2005, Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

[28]  Jörg Hausleiter,et al.  Restenosis detected by routine angiographic follow-up and late mortality after coronary stent placement. , 2004, American heart journal.

[29]  Konstantin Nikolaou,et al.  Quantification of obstructive and nonobstructive coronary lesions by 64-slice computed tomography: a comparative study with quantitative coronary angiography and intravascular ultrasound. , 2005, Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

[30]  H. Genant,et al.  Accuracy of CT-based thickness measurement of thin structures: modeling of limited spatial resolution in all three dimensions. , 2002, Medical physics.

[31]  Willi A. Kalender,et al.  Computed tomography : fundamentals, system technology, image quality, applications , 2000 .

[32]  R. Morin,et al.  Effect of Acquisition Technique on Radiation Dose and Image Quality in Multidetector Row Computed Tomography Coronary Angiography With Submillimeter Collimation , 2005, Investigative radiology.

[33]  George Dangas,et al.  Update on In-stent Restenosis. , 2001, Current interventional cardiology reports.