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. 2023 Nov;41(11):1298-1307.
doi: 10.1007/s11604-023-01448-5. Epub 2023 May 22.

Comparison of image quality, arterial depiction, and radiation dose between two rapid kVp-switching dual-energy CT scanners in CT angiography at 40-keV

Tetsuro Kaga  1 , Yoshifumi Noda  2 , Shoma Nagata  1 , Nobuyuki Kawai  1 , Toshiharu Miyoshi  3 , Fuminori Hyodo  1   4 , Hiroki Kato  1 , Masayuki Matsuo  1
Affiliations

Comparison of image quality, arterial depiction, and radiation dose between two rapid kVp-switching dual-energy CT scanners in CT angiography at 40-keV

Tetsuro Kaga et al. Jpn J Radiol. 2023 Nov.

Abstract

Purpose: To compare the quantitative parameters and qualitative image quality of dual-energy CT angiography (CTA) between two rapid kVp-switching dual-energy CT scanners.

Materials and methods: Between May 2021 and March 2022, 79 participants underwent whole-body CTA using either Discovery CT750 HD (Group A, n = 38) or Revolution CT Apex (Group B, n = 41). All data were reconstructed at 40-keV and with adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction-Veo of 40%. The two groups were compared in terms of CT numbers of the thoracic and abdominal aorta, and the iliac artery, background noise, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the artery, CT dose-index volume (CTDIvol), and qualitative scores for image noise, sharpness, diagnostic acceptability, and arterial depictions.

Results: The median CT number of the abdominal aorta (p = 0.04) and SNR of the thoracic aorta (p = 0.02) were higher in Group B than in Group A, while no difference was observed in the other CT numbers and SNRs of the artery (p = 0.09-0.23). The background noises at the thoracic (p = 0.11), abdominal (p = 0.85), and pelvic (p = 0.85) regions were comparable between the two groups. CTDIvol was lower in Group B than in Group A (p = 0.006). All qualitative scores were higher in Group B than in Group A (p < 0.001-0.04). The arterial depictions were nearly identical in both two groups (p = 0.005-1.0).

Conclusion: In dual-energy CTA at 40-keV, Revolution CT Apex improved qualitative image quality and reduced radiation dose.

Keywords: CT angiography; Dual-energy CT; Modulation transfer function; Noise power spectrum; Rapid kVp-switching.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
A schematic diagram of a self-made phantom
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Graphs showing CT numbers of the phantom in the two dual-energy CT scanners
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
a Noise power spectrum (NPS), b modulation transfer function (MTF), and c signal difference to noise ratio (SDNR) curves of phantom study scanned using two dual-energy CT scanners
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
A 50-year-old man with no obvious aortic disease was scanned using Discovery CT750 HD (Group A). Axial CTA of the abdomen (a), pelvis (b), and coronal reformatted (c) images show the aorta and its branches clearly but also marked beam hardening artifacts
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
A 62-year-old man with aortic stenosis after aortic valve replacement and thoracic artificial blood vessel replacement surgery was scanned using Revolution CT Apex (Group B). Axial CTA of the abdomen (a), pelvis (b), and coronal reformatted (c) images clearly show the aorta and its branches. The beam hardening artifacts are improved compared to Group A (Fig. 4)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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