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Multicenter Study
. 2025 Aug;26(8):759-770.
doi: 10.3348/kjr.2025.0177. Epub 2025 Jun 13.

Impact of Deep Learning-Based Image Conversion on Fully Automated Coronary Artery Calcium Scoring Using Thin-Slice, Sharp-Kernel, Non-Gated, Low-Dose Chest CT Scans: A Multi-Center Study

Cherry Kim  1 , Sehyun Hong  2 , Hangseok Choi  3 , Won-Seok Yoo  4 , Jin Young Kim  5 , Suyon Chang  6 , Chan Ho Park  7 , Su Jin Hong  8 , Dong Hyun Yang  9 , Hwan Seok Yong  10 , Marly van Assen  11   12 , Carlo N De Cecco  12   13 , Young Joo Suh  14
Affiliations
Multicenter Study

Impact of Deep Learning-Based Image Conversion on Fully Automated Coronary Artery Calcium Scoring Using Thin-Slice, Sharp-Kernel, Non-Gated, Low-Dose Chest CT Scans: A Multi-Center Study

Cherry Kim et al. Korean J Radiol. 2025 Aug.

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the impact of deep learning-based image conversion on the accuracy of automated coronary artery calcium quantification using thin-slice, sharp-kernel, non-gated, low-dose chest computed tomography (LDCT) images collected from multiple institutions.

Materials and methods: A total of 225 pairs of LDCT and calcium scoring CT (CSCT) images scanned at 120 kVp and acquired from the same patient within a 6-month interval were retrospectively collected from four institutions. Image conversion was performed for LDCT images using proprietary software programs to simulate conventional CSCT. This process included 1) deep learning-based kernel conversion of low-dose, high-frequency, sharp kernels to simulate standard-dose, low-frequency kernels, and 2) thickness conversion using the raysum method to convert 1-mm or 1.25-mm thickness images to 3-mm thickness. Automated Agaston scoring was conducted on the LDCT scans before (LDCT-Orgauto) and after the image conversion (LDCT-CONVauto). Manual scoring was performed on the CSCT images (CSCTmanual) and used as a reference standard. The accuracy of automated Agaston scores and risk severity categorization based on the automated scoring on LDCT scans was analyzed compared to the reference standard, using the Bland-Altman analysis, concordance correlation coefficient (CCC), and weighted kappa (κ) statistic.

Results: LDCT-CONVauto demonstrated a reduced bias for Agaston score, compared with CSCTmanual, than LDCT-Orgauto did (-3.45 vs. 206.7). LDCT-CONVauto showed a higher CCC than LDCT-Orgauto did (0.881 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 0.750-0.960] vs. 0.269 [95% CI, 0.129-0.430]). In terms of risk category assignment, LDCT-Orgauto exhibited poor agreement with CSCTmanual (weighted κ = 0.115 [95% CI, 0.082-0.154]), whereas LDCT-CONVauto achieved good agreement (weighted κ = 0.792 [95% CI, 0.731-0.847]).

Conclusion: Deep learning-based conversion of LDCT images originally obtained with thin slices and a sharp kernel can enhance the accuracy of automated coronary artery calcium score measurement using the images.

Keywords: Artificial intelligence; Calcium; Coronary vessels; Thorax; Tomography, X-ray computed.

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Conflict of interest statement

Dong Hyun Yang, a Section Editor of the Korean Journal of Radiology, was not involved in the editorial evaluation or decision to publish this article.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1. Participant flowchart. CSCT = calcium scoring computed tomography, LDCT = low-dose computed tomography, CAC = coronary artery calcium
Fig. 2
Fig. 2. Examples of image conversion. Original image without conversion (LDCT-Org), image with kernel conversion only (LDCT-KC), image with slice thickness conversion only (LDCT-TC), and image with both kernel and slice thickness conversion (LDCT-CONV). The Agaston scores of the reference standard (CSCTmanual), LDCT-Orgauto, LDCT-KCauto, LDCT-TCauto, and LDCT-CONVauto were 56, 106, 64, 67, and 58, respectively. LDCT = low-dose chest computed tomography, LDCT-Org = original image without conversion, LDCT-KC = LDCT image with kernel conversion only, LDCT-TC = LDCT image with slice thickness conversion only, LDCT-CONV = LDCT image with both kernel and slice thickness conversion, CSCT = calcium scoring computed tomography, CSCTmanual = manual scoring on calcium scoring CT, LDCT-Orgauto = automatic scoring on original LDCT images without conversion, LDCT-KCauto = automatic scoring on LDCT images with kernel conversion, LDCT-TCauto = automatic scoring on original LDCT images with slice thickness conversion, LDCT-CONVauto = automatic scoring on LDCT images with both kernel and slice thickness conversion
Fig. 3
Fig. 3. Bland–Altman plots for the (A) Agatston score, (B) volume score, and (C) peak density on LDCT-CONVauto compared with CSCTmanual in all participants (n = 225). LDCT = low-dose computed tomography, LDCT-CONVauto = automatic scoring on LDCT images with both kernel and slice thickness conversion, CSCTmanual = manual scoring on calcium scoring computed tomography, SD = standard deviation
Fig. 4
Fig. 4. Confusion matrices of LDCT-CONVauto with CSCTmanual for risk category assignment. LDCT-CONVauto = automatic scoring on LDCT images with both kernel and slice thickness conversion, CSCTmanual = manual scoring on calcium scoring computed tomography
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