Takanori Hara

Image quality dependence on in-plane positions and directions for MDCT images

OBJECTIVE The present study was performed to examine the dependence of image quality on in-plane position and direction in computed tomography (CT) imaging using the modulation transfer function (MTF), noise power spectrum (NPS) and analysis of signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). For detailed analysis of SNR, the low-contrast detectability was compared using simulated small low-contrast objects. MATERIALS AND METHODS Three models of multidetector-row CT (MDCT) were employed. The measurement positions for MTF were set to the isocentre and several peripheral areas, and NPS and SNR were calculated for the isocentre and 128 mm off-centre. To evaluate directional dependence, the one-dimensional physical properties were measured separately in the radial and azimuthal directions. Seven radiological technologists also performed a perceptual detection study at the different in-plane positions using computer-simulated low-contrast images. RESULTS The results of MTF and SNR differed between the isocentre and the peripheral area. The MTF values also tended to decrease with distance from the isocentre, and the SNR values in the low frequency range for the peripheral area were superior to those for the isocentre. In the detection study, the low-contrast detectability in the peripheral area was 13-40% higher than the value in the isocentre. CONCLUSION The results of the present study indicated that clinical CT images have remarkable non-uniformity of image quality. Therefore, the detailed analysis performed in this study will provide useful information for the development of advanced image processing applications, such as computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) and de-noising of CT images.

Objective assessment of low-contrast computed tomography images with iterative reconstruction.

OBJECTIVE This study aims to assess low-contrast image quality using a low-contrast object specific contrast-to-noise ratio (CNRLO) analysis for iterative reconstruction (IR) computed tomography (CT) images. METHODS A phantom composed of low-contrast rods placed in a uniform material was used in this study. Images were reconstructed using filtered back projection (FBP) and IR (Adaptive Iterative Dose Reduction 3D). Scans were performed at six dose levels: 1.0, 1.8, 3.1, 4.6, 7.1 and 13.3mGy. Objective image quality was assessed by comparing CNRLO with CNR using a human observer test. RESULTS Compared with FBP, IR yielded increased CNR at the same dose levels. The results of CNRLO and observer tests showed similarities or only marginal differences between FBP and IR at the same dose levels. The coefficient of determination for CNRLO was significantly better (R(2)=0.86) than that of CNR (R(2)=0.47). CONCLUSION For IR, CNRLO could potentially serve as an objective index reflective of a human observer assessment. The results of CNRLO test indicated that the IR algorithm was not superior to FBP in terms of low-contrast detectability at the same radiation doses.

Assessment of temporal resolution of multi-detector row computed tomography in helical acquisition mode using the impulse method

The purpose of this study was to propose a method for assessing the temporal resolution (TR) of multi-detector row computed tomography (CT) (MDCT) in the helical acquisition mode using temporal impulse signals generated by a metal ball passing through the acquisition plane. An 11-mm diameter metal ball was shot along the central axis at approximately 5 m/s during a helical acquisition, and the temporal sensitivity profile (TSP) was measured from the streak image intensities in the reconstructed helical CT images. To assess the validity, we compared the measured and theoretical TSPs for the 4-channel modes of two MDCT systems. A 64-channel MDCT system was used to compare TSPs and image quality of a motion phantom for the pitch factors P of 0.6, 0.8, 1.0 and 1.2 with a rotation time R of 0.5 s, and for two R/P combinations of 0.5/1.2 and 0.33/0.8. Moreover, the temporal transfer functions (TFs) were calculated from the obtained TSPs. The measured and theoretical TSPs showed perfect agreement. The TSP narrowed with an increase in the pitch factor. The image sharpness of the 0.33/0.8 combination was inferior to that of the 0.5/1.2 combination, despite their almost identical full width at tenth maximum values. The temporal TFs quantitatively confirmed these differences. The TSP results demonstrated that the TR in the helical acquisition mode significantly depended on the pitch factor as well as the rotation time, and the pitch factor and reconstruction algorithm affected the TSP shape.

Temporal resolution measurement of 128-slice dual source and 320-row area detector computed tomography scanners in helical acquisition mode using the impulse method

PURPOSE To analyse the temporal resolution (TR) of modern computed tomography (CT) scanners using the impulse method, and assess the actual maximum TR at respective helical acquisition modes. METHODS To assess the actual TR of helical acquisition modes of a 128-slice dual source CT (DSCT) scanner and a 320-row area detector CT (ADCT) scanner, we assessed the TRs of various acquisition combinations of a pitch factor (P) and gantry rotation time (R). RESULTS The TR of the helical acquisition modes for the 128-slice DSCT scanner continuously improved with a shorter gantry rotation time and greater pitch factor. However, for the 320-row ADCT scanner, the TR with a pitch factor of <1.0 was almost equal to the gantry rotation time, whereas with pitch factor of >1.0, it was approximately one half of the gantry rotation time. The maximum TR values of single- and dual-source helical acquisition modes for the 128-slice DSCT scanner were 0.138 (R/P=0.285/1.5) and 0.074s (R/P=0.285/3.2), and the maximum TR values of the 64×0.5- and 160×0.5-mm detector configurations of the helical acquisition modes for the 320-row ADCT scanner were 0.120 (R/P=0.275/1.375) and 0.195s (R/P=0.3/0.6), respectively. CONCLUSION Because the TR of a CT scanner is not accurately depicted in the specifications of the individual scanner, appropriate acquisition conditions should be determined based on the actual TR measurement.

Influence of Acquisition Mode of Cone-beam Computed Tomography on Accuracy of Image Registration for Image-guided Radiotherapy

Half scan can acquire images at the 200° rotation in image-guided radiation treatment using cone-beam CT and is useful to evaluate the influence of the half-scan-imaging start angle and imaging direction on image registration accuracy. The half-scan-imaging start angle is changed from 180° to 340° in the clockwise direction and from 180° to 20° in the counter clockwise direction to calculate the registration error. As a result, registration errors between -0.37 mm and 0.27 mm in the left and right directions occur because of the difference in the imaging start angle and approximately 0.3° in the gantry rotation direction because of the difference in the imaging direction. Because half scan does not have data for 360° rotation, depending on the subject structure, inconsistency of opposing data can lower reconstruction accuracy and cause a verification error. In addition, in image acquisition during rotation, the slower the shutter speed is, the more the actual gantry angle and angle information of the image are apart, which is considered the cause of rotation errors. Although these errors are very minute, it is thought that there is no influence on the treatment effect, but these errors are considered an evaluation item indispensable for ensuring the accuracy of high-precision radiation treatment. In addition, these errors need to be considered for ensuring the quality of high-precision radiation treatment.

Optimization of scan timing for aortic computed tomographic angiography using the test bolus injection technique

Background With fast computed tomography (CT), it is possible for the scanning to outpace the contrast medium bolus during aortic CT angiography (CTA). Purpose To evaluate the effectiveness of a new method for reducing the risk of outpacing in which the scan start timing (ST) and speed can be estimated from the peak enhancement time measured at the femoral artery using a single test-bolus injection (femoral artery test injection method [FTI method]). Material and Methods In 30 cases of aortic CTA, we measured the time to peak enhancement at the femoral artery (TPF) and the ascending aorta (TPA) with test-bolus injection performed twice in each examination. From the resultant linear relationship between TPF and transit time (TT = TPF − TPA), we developed a method for determining the ST and TT from TPF. One hundred patients were assigned to two groups: FTI and bolus tracking (BT), each with 50 patients. CT values were measured in main vessels (ascending aorta, descending aorta, femoral artery). The CT values of the vessels and the rate of cases with more than 300 HU (good cases) were compared between the two groups. Results The enhancement in the FTI method was significantly higher than that of the BT method (average CT values: FTI, 388.3 ± 52.4; BT, 281.2 ± 59.1; P < 0.001). The rates of good cases for FTI and BT were 86.0% and 46.0%, respectively. Conclusion The FTI method was very effective in reducing the risk of outpacing of the contrast medium transit in aortic CTA without the need for an additional contrast medium dose.

Analysis of in-plane signal-to-noise ratio in computed tomography

The purposes of this study are to analyze signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) changes for in-plane (axial plane) position and in-plane direction in X-ray computed tomography (CT) system and to verify those visual effects by using simulated small low-contrast disc objects. Three-models of multi detector-row CT were employed. Modulation transfer function (MTF) was obtained using a thin metal wire. Noise power spectrum (NPSs) was obtained using a cylindrical water phantom. The measurement positions were set to center and off-centered positions of 64mm, 128mm and 192mm. One-dimensional MTFs and NPSs for the x- and y-direction were calculated by means of a numerical slit scanning method. SNRs were then calculated from MTFs and NPSs. The simulated low-contrast disc objects with diameter of 2 to 10mm and contrast to background of 3.0%, 4.5% and 6.0% were superimposed on the water phantom images. Respective simulated objects in the images are then visually evaluated in degree of their recognition, and then the validity of the resultant SNRs are examined. Resultant in-plane SNRs differed between the center and peripheries and indicated a trend that the SNR values increase in accordance with distance from the center. The increasing degree differed between x- and y-direction, and also changed by the CT systems. These results suggested that the peripheries region has higher low-contrast detectability than the center. The properties derived in this study indicated that the depiction abilities at various in-plane positions are not uniform in clinical CT images, and detectability of the low contrast lesion may be influenced.

Comparison of MTFs in x-ray CT images between measured by current method and considered linearity in low contrast

Generally, the modulation transfer function (MTF) of a computed tomography (CT) scanner is calculated based on the CT value. However, it is impossible to measure the MTF directly because the CT value is defined as a nonlinear function of the X-ray intensity. Due to this characteristic, the MTF varies with the subjects contrast. Therefore, we measured the MTFs of a CT scanner using high- and low-contrast wire phantoms. We selected thick copper wire in water as the high-contrast subject and thin copper wire in water as the low-contrast subject. The MTF measured with the low-contrast subject was decreased relative to that measured with the high-contrast subject because the CT value was nonlinear. Thus, to evaluate the spatial resolution in a low-contrast subject such as the human body, we should measure the MTF with a low-contrast wire phantom. In addition, by using low-contrast subjects, we can approximately determine the CT value using a linear function.