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Iterative reconstruction of dual-source coronary CT angiography: assessment of image quality and radiation dose

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Abstract

To assess the image quality and radiation dose of low-dose dual-source CT (DSCT) coronary angiography reconstructed using iterative reconstruction in image space (IRIS), in comparison with routine-dose CT using filtered back projection (FBP). Eighty-one patients underwent low-dose coronary DSCT using IRIS with two protocols: (a)100 kVp and 200 mAs per rotation for body mass index (BMI) < 25 (group I), (b)100 kVp and 320 mAs for BMI ≥ 25 (II). For comparison, two sex-and BMI-matched groups using standard protocols with FBP were selected: (a)100 kVp and 320 mAs for BMI < 25 (III), (b)120 kVp and 320 mAs for BMI ≥ 25 (IV). Image noise, signal to noise ratio (SNR) and modulation transfer function (MTF) 50% were objectively calculated. Two blinded readers then subjectively graded the image quality. Radiation dose was also measured. Image noise tended to be lower in IRIS of low-dose protocols: 22.0 ± 4.5 for group I versus 24.8 ± 4.0 for III (P < 0.001); 20.9 ± 4.5 for II versus 21.6 ± 4.9 for IV (P = 0.6). SNR was better with IRIS: 25.8 ± 4.4 for I versus 22.7 ± 4.6 for III (P < 0.001); 24.6 ± 5.4 for II versus 18.7 ± 4.5 for IV (P < 0.001). No differences in MTF 50% or image quality scores were seen between each two groups (P > 0.05). Radiation reduction was 40% for I and 51% for II, compared to standard protocols. Compared with routine-dose CT using FBP, low-dose coronary angiography using IRIS provides significant radiation reduction without impairment to image quality.

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Abbreviations

CT:

Computed tomography

FBP:

Filtered back projection

ASIR:

Adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction

IRIS:

Iterative reconstruction in image space

BMI:

Body mass index

DSCT:

Dual-source CT

Bpm:

Beats per minute

SNR:

Signal-to-noise ratio

CNR:

Contrast-to noise ratio

ROI:

Region of interest

MTF:

Modulation transfer function

CTDIvol :

Volume CT dose index

DLP:

Dose length product

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by a grant of the Korean Health Technology R&D Project, Ministry of Health & Welfare, Republic of Korea (No. A100131).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, 110-744, Korea

    Eun-Ah Park, Whal Lee, Kwang Woo Kim, Jin Wook Chung & Jae Hyung Park

  2. SNU-Duke Cardiovascular MR Research Center, Seoul National University, Seoul, 110-744, Korea

    Eun-Ah Park, Whal Lee, Kwang Woo Kim, Jin Wook Chung & Jae Hyung Park

  3. Biomedical Engineering Branch, Division of Convergence Technology, National Cancer Center, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do, 410-769, Korea

    Kwang Gi Kim

  4. Siemens Medical Solution AG-computed Tomography, Forchheim, Germany

    Allmendinger Thomas

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  1. Eun-Ah Park
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Correspondence to Whal Lee.

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Park, EA., Lee, W., Kim, K.W. et al. Iterative reconstruction of dual-source coronary CT angiography: assessment of image quality and radiation dose. Int J Cardiovasc Imaging 28, 1775–1786 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10554-011-0004-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10554-011-0004-2

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