Tomosynthesis of the Appendicular Skeleton on a Twin Robotic X-ray System: A Cadaveric Fracture Study.

Aiming to offset image quality limitations in radiographs due to superimposition, this study investigates the diagnostic potential of appendicular skeleton tomosynthesis. Eight cadaveric extremities (four hands and feet) were examined employing the prototypical tomosynthesis mode of a twin robotic X-ray scanner. 12 protocols with varying sweep angles (10, 20 vs. 40°), frame rates (13 vs. 26 fps), and tube voltages (60 vs. 80 kV) were compared to radiographs. Four radiologists separately evaluated cortical and trabecular bone visualization and fracture patterns. Interreader reliability was assessed based on the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Radiation dose in radiography was 0.59 ± 0.20 dGy * cm Compared to radiography, tomosynthesis allows for superior assessability of cortical and trabecular bone and fracture morphology, especially at high framerates. Operating on a multipurpose X-ray system, tomosynthesis of the appendicular skeleton can be performed without additional scanner hardware.

Informations de copyright

Copyright © 2024 The Association of University Radiologists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Déclaration de conflit d'intérêts

Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests: Jan-Peter Grunz [grant number Z-3BC/02] and Theresa Patzer [grant number ZZ-36] are financially supported by the Interdisciplinary Center of Clinical Research Würzburg. Jan-Peter Grunz reports financial support was provided by German Society of Musculoskeletal Radiology and Siemens Healthineers. Andreas Kunz, Thorsten Bley, and Jan-Peter Grunz report a relationship with Siemens Healthineers that includes consulting or advisory and paid expert testimony. Three authors (Magdalena Herbst, Sophia Herold, and Thomas Weber) are Siemens employees involved in the development of the tomosynthesis scan mode. The Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology receives ongoing research funding by Siemens Healthineers outside of the presented work.