scholarly journals Truncation effect reduction for fast iterative reconstruction in cone-beam CT

Author(s):  
Sorapong Aootaphao ◽  
Saowapak Thongvigitmanee ◽  
Puttisak Puttawibul ◽  
Pairash Thajchayapong

Abstract Background: Iterative reconstruction for cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) has been applied to improve image quality and reduce radiation dose. In a case where an object is larger than a flat panel detector, most CBCT images contain truncated data or incomplete projections, which degrade image quality. In this work, we propose the truncation effect reduction for fast iterative reconstruction in CBCT imaging inside the field of view (FOV).Methods: The volume matrix size of FOV and the height of projection images were extrapolated to a suitable size. These extended projections were reconstructed by fast iterative reconstruction. Moreover, a smoothing parameter for noise regularization in iterative reconstruction was also modified to reduce the accumulated error while processing. The proposed work was evaluated by image quality measurements and compared with the conventional filtered back projection (FBP) method. To validate the proposed method, we used a head phantom for evaluation and tested on real human head data. Results: In the experimental results, the reconstructed images from the head phantom can be enhanced apparently. In addition, fast iteration reconstruction can be run continuously while remaining the consistent mean-percentage-error (MPE) value with a large number of iterations. The CNR of the soft-tissue images was improved by the increased contrast and the decreased noise. Visualization of low contrast in the ventricle and soft-tissue images can be observed much clearer compared to those from FBP using the same effective radiation dose of 5 mGy. Conclusions: Our proposed work has satisfactory performance to reduce the truncation effect, especially inside the FOV with better image quality for soft-tissue imaging. The convergence of fast iterative reconstruction tends to be stable for many iterations.

2018 ◽  
Vol 60 (2) ◽  
pp. 177-185
Author(s):  
Xiangying Du ◽  
Bin Lu ◽  
Daoyu Hu ◽  
Bin Song ◽  
Kuncheng Li

Background Concern about radiation exposure is leading to an increasing interest in low-concentration contrast medium administration. Purpose To evaluate the image quality and safety profile after administration of iodixanol 270 mg I/mL at 100-kVp tube voltage with iterative reconstruction in subjects undergoing computed tomography angiography (CTA). Material and Methods Patients who completed CTA examination using iodixanol 270 mg I/mL and 100-kVp tube voltage along with iterative reconstruction for coronary, aortic, head and neck, renal, or pulmonary arteries were included. Image quality was qualitatively and quantitatively evaluated. Incidence of adverse events (AEs) and adverse drug reactions (ADRs) within seven days and radiation dose were also analyzed. Results A total of 4513 individuals in 42 centers in China were enrolled, among which 4367 were included in efficacy analysis. The mean image quality score was 4.8 ± 0.45 across all arteries (all above 4.6) and 99.7% of the individuals’ images were classified as evaluable. The CT attenuation, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) in the regions of interest (ROIs) were 431.79 ± 99.018, 18.29 ± 11.947, and 28.21 ± 19.535 HU, respectively. Of all the participants, 68 (1.5%) and 65 (1.4%) experienced AEs and ADRs, respectively. No serious AEs or AEs leading to discontinuation occurred. The average effective radiation dose was 3.13 ± 2.550 mSv. Conclusion Iodixanol 270 mg I/mL in combination with 100-kVp tube voltage and iterative reconstruction could be safely applied in CTA and yield high-quality and evaluable images with reduced radiation dose.


2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sorapong Aootaphao ◽  
Saowapak S. Thongvigitmanee ◽  
Jartuwat Rajruangrabin ◽  
Chalinee Thanasupsombat ◽  
Tanapon Srivongsa ◽  
...  

Soft tissue images from portable cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scanners can be used for diagnosis and detection of tumor, cancer, intracerebral hemorrhage, and so forth. Due to large field of view, X-ray scattering which is the main cause of artifacts degrades image quality, such as cupping artifacts, CT number inaccuracy, and low contrast, especially on soft tissue images. In this work, we propose the X-ray scatter correction method for improving soft tissue images. The X-ray scatter correction scheme to estimate X-ray scatter signals is based on the deconvolution technique using the maximum likelihood estimation maximization (MLEM) method. The scatter kernels are obtained by simulating the PMMA sheet on the Monte Carlo simulation (MCS) software. In the experiment, we used the QRM phantom to quantitatively compare with fan-beam CT (FBCT) data in terms of CT number values, contrast to noise ratio, cupping artifacts, and low contrast detectability. Moreover, the PH3 angiography phantom was also used to mimic human soft tissues in the brain. The reconstructed images with our proposed scatter correction show significant improvement on image quality. Thus the proposed scatter correction technique has high potential to detect soft tissues in the brain.


2016 ◽  
Vol 58 (1) ◽  
pp. 53-61 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marie-Louise Aurumskjöld ◽  
Kristina Ydström ◽  
Anders Tingberg ◽  
Marcus Söderberg

Background The number of computed tomography (CT) examinations is increasing and leading to an increase in total patient exposure. It is therefore important to optimize CT scan imaging conditions in order to reduce the radiation dose. The introduction of iterative reconstruction methods has enabled an improvement in image quality and a reduction in radiation dose. Purpose To investigate how image quality depends on reconstruction method and to discuss patient dose reduction resulting from the use of hybrid and model-based iterative reconstruction. Material and Methods An image quality phantom (Catphan® 600) and an anthropomorphic torso phantom were examined on a Philips Brilliance iCT. The image quality was evaluated in terms of CT numbers, noise, noise power spectra (NPS), contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), low-contrast resolution, and spatial resolution for different scan parameters and dose levels. The images were reconstructed using filtered back projection (FBP) and different settings of hybrid (iDose4) and model-based (IMR) iterative reconstruction methods. Results iDose4 decreased the noise by 15–45% compared with FBP depending on the level of iDose4. The IMR reduced the noise even further, by 60–75% compared to FBP. The results are independent of dose. The NPS showed changes in the noise distribution for different reconstruction methods. The low-contrast resolution and CNR were improved with iDose4, and the improvement was even greater with IMR. Conclusion There is great potential to reduce noise and thereby improve image quality by using hybrid or, in particular, model-based iterative reconstruction methods, or to lower radiation dose and maintain image quality.


2018 ◽  
Vol 59 (10) ◽  
pp. 1194-1202 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helle Precht ◽  
Oke Gerke ◽  
Jesper Thygesen ◽  
Kenneth Egstrup ◽  
Søren Auscher ◽  
...  

Background Computed tomography (CT) technology is rapidly evolving and software solution developed to optimize image quality and/or lower radiation dose. Purpose To investigate the influence of adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction (ASIR) at different radiation doses in coronary CT angiography (CCTA) in detailed image quality. Material and Methods A total of 160 CCTA were reconstructed as follows: 55 scans with filtered back projection (FBP) (650 mA), 51 scans (455 mA) with 30% ASIR (ASIR30), and 54 scans (295 mA) with 60% ASIR (ASIR60). For each reconstruction, subjective image quality was assessed by five independent certified cardiologists using a visual grading analysis (VGA) with five predefined image quality criteria consisting of a 5-point scale. Objective measures were contrast, noise, and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR). Results The CTDIvol resulted in 10.3 mGy, 7.4 mGy, and 4.6 mGy for FBP, ASIR30, and ASIR60, respectively. Homogeneity of the left ventricular lumen was the sole aspect in which reconstruction algorithms differed with a decreasing effect for ASIR60 compared to FBP (estimated odds ratio [OR] = 0.49 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.32–0.76; P = 0.001]). Decreased sharpness and spatial- and low-contrast resolutions were observed when using ASIR instead of FBP, but differences were not statistically significant. Concerning objective measurements, noise increased significantly for ASIR30 (OR = 1.08; 95% CI = 1.02–1.14; P = 0.006) and ASIR60 (OR = 1.06; 95% CI = 1.01–1.12; P = 0.034) compared to FBP. Conclusion ASIR significantly decreased the subjectively assessed homogeneity of the left ventricular lumen and increased the objectively measured noise compared to FBP. Considering these results, ASIR at a reduced radiation dose should be implemented with caution.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jihang Sun ◽  
Lixin Yang ◽  
Zuofu Zhou ◽  
Dan Zhang ◽  
Wei Han ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The adverse effect of low-dose CT on image quality may be mitigated using iterative reconstructions. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the performance of the full model-based iterative reconstruction (MBIR) and adaptive statistical reconstruction (ASIR) algorithms in low radiation dose and low contrast dose abdominal contrast-enhanced CT (CECT) in children. Methods A total of 59 children (32 males and 27 females) undergoing low radiation dose (100kVp) and low contrast dose (270 mgI/ml) abdominal CECT were enrolled. The median age was 4.0 years (ranging from 0.3 to 13 years). The raw data were reconstructed with MBIR, ASIR and filtered back projection (FBP) algorithms into 6 groups (MBIR, 100%ASIR, 80%ASIR, 60%ASIR, 40%ASIR and FBP). The CT numbers, standard deviations, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) of liver, pancreas, kidney and abdominal aorta were measured. Two radiologists independently evaluated the subjective image quality including the overall image noise and structure display ability on a 4-point scale with 3 being clinically acceptable. The measurements among the reconstruction groups were compared using one-way ANOVA. Results The overall image noise score and display ability were 4.00±0.00 and 4.00±0.00 with MBIR, and 3.27±0.33 and 3.25±0.43 with ASIR100%, respectively, which met the diagnostic requirement; other reconstructions couldn’t meet the diagnostic requirements. Compared with FBP images, the noise of MBIR images was reduced by 62.86%-65.73% for the respective organs (F=48.15-80.47, P<0.05), and CNR increased by 151.38%-170.69% (F=22.94-38.02, P<0.05). Conclusions MBIR or ASIR100% improves the image quality of low radiation dose and contrast dose abdominal CT in children to meet the diagnostic requirements, and MBIR has the best performance.


Author(s):  
Sultan Aldosari ◽  
Zhonghua Sun

Background: The aim of this study is to perform a systematic review of the feasibility and clinical application of double low-dose CT pulmonary angiography (CTPA) in the diagnosis of patients with suspected pulmonary embolism. Discussion: A total of 13 studies were found to meet selection criteria reporting both low radiation dose (70 or 80 kVp versus 100 or 120 kVp) and low contrast medium dose CTPA protocols. Lowdose CTPA resulted in radiation dose reduction from 29.6% to 87.5% in 12 studies (range: 0.4 to 23.5 mSv), while in one study, radiation dose was increased in the dual-energy CT group when compared to the standard 120 kVp group. CTPA with use of low contrast medium volume (range: 20 to 75 ml) was compared to standard CTPA (range: 50 to 101 ml) in 12 studies with reduction between 25 and 67%, while in the remaining study, low iodine concentration was used with 23% dose reduction achieved. Quantitative assessment of image quality (in terms of signal-to-noise ratio and contrast-to-noise ratio) showed that low-dose CTPA was associated with higher, lower and no change in image quality in 3, 3 and 6 studies, respectively when compared to the standard CTPA protocol. The subjective assessment indicated similar image quality in 11 studies between low-dose and standard CTPA groups, and improved image quality in 1 study with low-dose CTPA. Conclusion: This review shows that double low-dose CTPA is feasible in the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism with significant reductions in both radiation and contrast medium doses, without compromising diagnostic image quality.


Diagnostics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 118
Author(s):  
Andreas S. Brendlin ◽  
Moritz T. Winkelmann ◽  
Phuong Linh Do ◽  
Vincent Schwarze ◽  
Felix Peisen ◽  
...  

To evaluate the effect of radiation dose reduction on image quality and diagnostic confidence in contrast-enhanced whole-body computed tomography (WBCT) staging. We randomly selected March 2016 for retrospective inclusion of 18 consecutive patients (14 female, 60 ± 15 years) with clinically indicated WBCT staging on the same 3rd generation dual-source CT. Using low-dose simulations, we created data sets with 100, 80, 60, 40, and 20% of the original radiation dose. Each set was reconstructed using filtered back projection (FBP) and Advanced Modeled Iterative Reconstruction (ADMIRE®, Siemens Healthineers, Forchheim, Germany) strength 1–5, resulting in 540 datasets total. ADMIRE 2 was the reference standard for intraindividual comparison. The effective radiation dose was calculated using commercially available software. For comparison of objective image quality, noise assessments of subcutaneous adipose tissue regions were performed automatically using the software. Three radiologists blinded to the study evaluated image quality and diagnostic confidence independently on an equidistant 5-point Likert scale (1 = poor to 5 = excellent). At 100%, the effective radiation dose in our population was 13.3 ± 9.1 mSv. At 20% radiation dose, it was possible to obtain comparably low noise levels when using ADMIRE 5 (p = 1.000, r = 0.29). We identified ADMIRE 3 at 40% radiation dose (5.3 ± 3.6 mSv) as the lowest achievable radiation dose with image quality and diagnostic confidence equal to our reference standard (p = 1.000, r > 0.4). The inter-rater agreement for this result was almost perfect (ICC ≥ 0.958, 95% CI 0.909–0.983). On a 3rd generation scanner, it is feasible to maintain good subjective image quality, diagnostic confidence, and image noise in single-energy WBCT staging at dose levels as low as 40% of the original dose (5.3 ± 3.6 mSv), when using ADMIRE 3.


2015 ◽  
Vol 204 (6) ◽  
pp. 1197-1202 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yookyung Kim ◽  
Yoon Kyung Kim ◽  
Bo Eun Lee ◽  
Seok Jeong Lee ◽  
Yon Ju Ryu ◽  
...  

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