Nonenhanced Photon Counting CT of the Head : Impact of the keV Level, Iterative Reconstruction and Calvaria on Image Quality in Monoenergetic Images.
Computed tomography
Iterative reconstruction
Nonenhanced CT of the head
Photon counting detector
Quantum iterative reconstruction
Virtual monoenergetic images
Journal
Clinical neuroradiology
ISSN: 1869-1447
Titre abrégé: Clin Neuroradiol
Pays: Germany
ID NLM: 101526693
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
17 Aug 2023
17 Aug 2023
Historique:
received:
20
11
2022
accepted:
02
07
2023
medline:
17
8
2023
pubmed:
17
8
2023
entrez:
17
8
2023
Statut:
aheadofprint
Résumé
Nonenhanced computed tomography (CT) of the head is among the most commonly performed CT examinations. The spectral information acquired by photon counting CT (PCCT) allows generation of virtual monoenergetic images (VMI). At the same time, image noise can be reduced using quantum iterative reconstruction (QIR). In this study, the image quality of VMI was evaluated depending on the keV level and the QIR level. Furthermore, the influence of the cranial calvaria was investigated to determine the optimal reconstruction for clinical application. A total of 51 PCCT (NAEOTOM Alpha, Siemens Healthineers, Erlangen, Germany) of the head were retrospectively analyzed. In a quantitative analysis, gray and white matter ROIs were evaluated in different brain areas at all available keV levels and QIR levels with respect to signal, noise, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR). The distance to the cranial calvaria of the ROIs was included in the analysis. This was followed by a qualitative reading by five radiologists including experienced neuroradiologists. In most ROIs, signal and noise varied significantly between keV levels (p < 0.0001). The CNR had a focal maximum at 66 keV and an absolute maximum at higher keV, slightly differently located depending on ROI and QIR level. With increasing QIR level, a significant reduction in noise was achieved (p < 0.0001) except just beneath the cranial calvaria. The cranial calvaria had a strong effect on the signal (p < 0.0001) but not on gray and white matter noise. In the qualitative reading, the 60 keV VMI was rated best. In nonenhanced PCCT of the head the selected keV level of the VMI and the QIR level have a crucial influence on image quality in VMI. The 60 keV and 66 keV VMI with high QIR level provided optimal subjective and objective image quality for clinical use. The cranial calvaria has a significant influence on the visualization of the adjacent brain matter; currently, this substantially limits the use of low keV VMIs (< 60 keV).
Identifiants
pubmed: 37589739
doi: 10.1007/s00062-023-01331-w
pii: 10.1007/s00062-023-01331-w
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Informations de copyright
© 2023. The Author(s).
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