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Reliability of virtual non-contrast computed tomography angiography: comparing it with the real deal

Lehti, Leena LU ; Söderberg, Marcus LU orcid ; Höglund, Peter LU ; Nyman, Ulf LU ; Gottsäter, Anders LU and Wasselius, Johan LU (2018) In Acta Radiologica Open 7. p.1-6
Abstract
Background:

Computed tomographic angiography (CTA) may require a non-contrast enhanced dataset for the diagnostic workup. By using dual-energy acquisition, it is possible to obtain a virtual non-contrast-enhanced (VNC) dataset, thereby possibly eliminating the non-contrast acquisition and reducing the radiation dose.
Purpose:

To compare image quality of VNC images reconstructed from arterial phase dual-energy CTA to true non-contrast (TNC) images, and to assess whether VNC images were of sufficient quality to replace TNC images.
Material and methods:

Thirty consecutive patients with suspected abdominal aortic aneurysm, aortic dissection, or subacute control after EVAR/TEVAR were examined with dual-energy... (More)
Background:

Computed tomographic angiography (CTA) may require a non-contrast enhanced dataset for the diagnostic workup. By using dual-energy acquisition, it is possible to obtain a virtual non-contrast-enhanced (VNC) dataset, thereby possibly eliminating the non-contrast acquisition and reducing the radiation dose.
Purpose:

To compare image quality of VNC images reconstructed from arterial phase dual-energy CTA to true non-contrast (TNC) images, and to assess whether VNC images were of sufficient quality to replace TNC images.
Material and methods:

Thirty consecutive patients with suspected abdominal aortic aneurysm, aortic dissection, or subacute control after EVAR/TEVAR were examined with dual-energy CT (DECT). The examination protocol included a single-energy TNC, DECT arterial phase (80 kV/Sn140 kV), and single-energy in venous phase of the aorta. A VNC dataset was obtained from the DE acquisition from arterial phase scans. Mean attenuation and image noise were measured within regions of interest at three levels in the aorta in TNC and VNC images. Comparison of the TNC and VNC images for artefacts was made side-by-side. Subjective evaluation included overall image quality on a 4-grade scale, and quantitative analysis of algorithm-induced artefacts by two experienced readers.
Results:

For all cases, the aortic attenuation was significantly higher at VNC than at TNC. Image noise measured quantitatively was also significantly higher at VNC than at TNC. Subjective image quality was lower for VNC (mean = 3.1 for VNC, 3.7 = for TNC) but there were no cases rated non-diagnostic.
Conclusion:

VNC images based on arterial phase CTA have significantly higher mean attenuation and higher noise levels compared to TNC. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
; ; ; ; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
in
Acta Radiologica Open
volume
7
pages
1 - 6
publisher
SAGE Publications
external identifiers
  • pmid:30181911
ISSN
2058-4601
DOI
10.1177/2058460118790115
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
8cfecc07-a3ab-4e1a-9d14-c9c44995bb79
date added to LUP
2018-11-01 15:45:08
date last changed
2019-02-01 03:00:14
@article{8cfecc07-a3ab-4e1a-9d14-c9c44995bb79,
  abstract     = {{Background:<br/><br/>Computed tomographic angiography (CTA) may require a non-contrast enhanced dataset for the diagnostic workup. By using dual-energy acquisition, it is possible to obtain a virtual non-contrast-enhanced (VNC) dataset, thereby possibly eliminating the non-contrast acquisition and reducing the radiation dose.<br/>Purpose:<br/><br/>To compare image quality of VNC images reconstructed from arterial phase dual-energy CTA to true non-contrast (TNC) images, and to assess whether VNC images were of sufficient quality to replace TNC images.<br/>Material and methods:<br/><br/>Thirty consecutive patients with suspected abdominal aortic aneurysm, aortic dissection, or subacute control after EVAR/TEVAR were examined with dual-energy CT (DECT). The examination protocol included a single-energy TNC, DECT arterial phase (80 kV/Sn140 kV), and single-energy in venous phase of the aorta. A VNC dataset was obtained from the DE acquisition from arterial phase scans. Mean attenuation and image noise were measured within regions of interest at three levels in the aorta in TNC and VNC images. Comparison of the TNC and VNC images for artefacts was made side-by-side. Subjective evaluation included overall image quality on a 4-grade scale, and quantitative analysis of algorithm-induced artefacts by two experienced readers.<br/>Results:<br/><br/>For all cases, the aortic attenuation was significantly higher at VNC than at TNC. Image noise measured quantitatively was also significantly higher at VNC than at TNC. Subjective image quality was lower for VNC (mean = 3.1 for VNC, 3.7 = for TNC) but there were no cases rated non-diagnostic.<br/>Conclusion:<br/><br/>VNC images based on arterial phase CTA have significantly higher mean attenuation and higher noise levels compared to TNC.}},
  author       = {{Lehti, Leena and Söderberg, Marcus and Höglund, Peter and Nyman, Ulf and Gottsäter, Anders and Wasselius, Johan}},
  issn         = {{2058-4601}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  month        = {{08}},
  pages        = {{1--6}},
  publisher    = {{SAGE Publications}},
  series       = {{Acta Radiologica Open}},
  title        = {{Reliability of virtual non-contrast computed tomography angiography: comparing it with the real deal}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/2058460118790115}},
  doi          = {{10.1177/2058460118790115}},
  volume       = {{7}},
  year         = {{2018}},
}