Yuji Iyama

Low-Contrast and Low-Radiation Dose Protocol in Cardiac Computed Tomography: Usefulness of Low Tube Voltage and Knowledge-Based Iterative Model Reconstruction Algorithm

Objective This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of a low contrast, low-radiation dose protocol of 80-peak kilovoltage (kVp) with prospective electrocardiography-gated cardiac computed tomography (CT) using knowledge-based iterative model reconstruction (IMR). Methods Thirty patients underwent an 80-kVp prospective electrocardiography-gated cardiac CT with low-contrast agent (222-mg iodine per kilogram of body weight) dose. We also enrolled 30 consecutive patients who were scanned with a 120-kVp cardiac CT with filtered back projection using the standard contrast agent dose (370-mg iodine per kilogram of body weight) as a historical control group. We evaluated the radiation dose for the 2 groups. The 80-kVp images were reconstructed with filtered back projection (protocol A), hybrid iterative reconstruction (HIR, protocol B), and IMR (protocol C). We compared CT numbers, image noise, and contrast-to-noise ratio among 120-kVp protocol, protocol A, protocol B, and protocol C. In addition, we compared the noise reduction rate between HIR and IMR. Two independent readers compared image contrast, image noise, image sharpness, unfamiliar image texture, and overall image quality among the 4 protocols. Results The estimated effective dose (ED) of the 80-kVp protocol was 74% lower than that of the 120-kVp protocol (1.4 vs 5.4 mSv). The contrast-to-noise ratio of protocol C was significantly higher than that of protocol A. The noise reduction rate of IMR was significantly higher than that of HIR (P < 0.01). There was no significant difference in almost all qualitative image quality between 120-kVp protocol and protocol C except for image contrast. Conclusions A 80-kVp protocol with IMR yields higher image quality with 74% decreased radiation dose and 40% decreased contrast agent dose as compared with a 120-kVp protocol, while decreasing more image noise compared with the 80-kVp protocol with HIR.

Impact of Knowledge-Based Iterative Model Reconstruction in Abdominal Dynamic CT With Low Tube Voltage and Low Contrast Dose

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to compare iterative model reconstruction (IMR) and hybrid iterative reconstruction (HIR) of 80-kVp abdominal dynamic CT scans obtained with a low-dose contrast agent. SUBJECTS AND METHODS A group of 27 consecutively registered patients underwent abdominal dynamic CT with an 80-kVp protocol and a low dose of contrast agent (300 mg I/kg). Another 27 patients who had previously undergone a 120-kVp protocol with filtered back projection (FBP) and a standard contrast dose (600 mg I/kg) acted as control subjects. Effective dose, image noise, CT number, and contrast-to-noise ratio were compared between the 120-kVp and 80-kVp images with FBP, HIR, and IMR. Image contrast, image noise, image sharpness, noise texture, and overall image quality were evaluated for the four protocols. RESULTS The effective dose of the 80-kVp protocol was lower than that with the 120-kVp protocol. The 80-kVp protocol with HIR and IMR decreased image noise by 45% and 70% compared with the 80-kVp protocol with FBP. The contrast-to-noise ratio of the 80-kVp protocol with IMR was higher than that of the 120-kVp protocol. Qualitatively, the 80-kVp protocol with IMR improved image noise more than the 120-kVp protocol did, but noise texture was worse. HIR and the 120-kVp protocol yielded similar subjective image quality. CONCLUSION Use of the 80-kVp protocol with HIR allowed an approximately 50% reduction in contrast dose and an approximately 40% reduction in radiation dose compared with use of the 120-kVp protocol while preserving image quality. IMR reduced image noise more than HIR with this protocol but worsened noise texture.

Submillisievert Radiation Dose Coronary CT Angiography: Clinical Impact of the Knowledge-Based Iterative Model Reconstruction.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to evaluate the noise and image quality of images reconstructed with a knowledge-based iterative model reconstruction (knowledge-based IMR) in ultra-low dose cardiac computed tomography (CT). MATERIALS AND METHODS We performed submillisievert radiation dose coronary CT angiography on 43 patients. We also performed a phantom study to evaluate the influence of object size with the automatic exposure control phantom. We reconstructed clinical and phantom studies with filtered back projection (FBP), hybrid iterative reconstruction (hybrid IR), and knowledge-based IMR. We measured effective dose of patients and compared CT number, image noise, and contrast noise ratio in ascending aorta of each reconstruction technique. We compared the relationship between image noise and body mass index for the clinical study, and object size for phantom study. RESULTS The mean effective dose was 0.98 ± 0.25 mSv. The image noise of knowledge-based IMR images was significantly lower than those of FBP and hybrid IR images (knowledge-based IMR: 19.4 ± 2.8; FBP: 126.7 ± 35.0; hybrid IR: 48.8 ± 12.8, respectively) (P < .01). The contrast noise ratio of knowledge-based IMR images was significantly higher than those of FBP and hybrid IR images (knowledge-based IMR: 29.1 ± 5.4; FBP: 4.6 ± 1.3; hybrid IR: 13.1 ± 3.5, respectively) (P < .01). There were moderate correlations between image noise and body mass index in FBP (r = 0.57, P < .01) and hybrid IR techniques (r = 0.42, P < .01); however, these correlations were weak in knowledge-based IMR (r = 0.27, P < .01). CONCLUSION Compared to FBP and hybrid IR, the knowledge-based IMR offers significant noise reduction and improvement in image quality in submillisievert radiation dose cardiac CT.

The Influence of Iterative Reconstruction on Coronary Artery Calcium Scoring-Phantom and Clinical Studies.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES We compared the effect of iterative model reconstruction (IMR), filtered back projection (FBP), and hybrid iterative reconstruction (HIR) on coronary artery calcium (CAC) scoring. MATERIALS AND METHODS CAC scans of 30 consecutive patients (18 men and 12 women, age 70.1 ± 12.2 years) were reconstructed with FBP, HIR, and IMR, and the image noise was measured on all images. Two radiologists independently measured the CAC scores using semiautomated software, and interobserver agreement was evaluated. Statistical analysis included the Spearman correlation coefficient and Bland-Altman analysis. RESULTS The mean image noise on FBP, HIR, and IMR images was 48.0 ± 7.9, 29.6 ± 4.8, and 9.3 ± 1.3 Hounsfield units, respectively. The difference among all reconstruction combinations was significant (P < .01). The CAC score on HIR and IMR scans was 4.2% and 8.9% lower, respectively, than the CAC score on FBP images. There was no significant difference in the mean CAC score among the three reconstructions. The interobserver correlation was excellent for all three reconstructions (r2 = 0.96 FBP, 0.99 HIR, 0.99 IMR); the best Bland-Altman measure of agreement was with IMR, followed by HIR and FBP. CONCLUSION For CAC scoring, IMR can reduce the image noise and blooming artifacts, and consequently lowers the measured CAC score. IMR can lessen measurement variability and yield stable, reproducible measurements.

Model-based Iterative Reconstruction in Low-radiation-dose Computed Tomography Colonography: Preoperative Assessment in Patients with Colorectal Cancer

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES To assess the effect of model-based iterative reconstruction (MBIR) on image quality and diagnostic performance of low-radiation-dose computed tomography colonography (CTC) in the preoperative assessment of colorectal cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS This study included 30 patients with colorectal cancer referred for surgical treatment. All patients underwent CTC with a standard dose (SD) protocol in the supine position and a low-dose (LD; radiation dose reduction of approximately 85%) protocol in the prone position. The SD protocol images were post-processed using filtered back projection (FBP), whereas the LD protocol images were post-processed using FBP and MBIR. Objective and subjective image quality parameters were compared among the three different methods. Preoperative evaluations, including site, length, and tumor and node staging were performed, and the findings were compared to the postsurgical findings. RESULTS The mean image noise of SD-FBP, LD-FBP, and LD-MBIR images was 17.3 ± 3.2, 40.5 ± 10.9, and 11.2 ± 2.0 Hounsfield units, respectively. There were significant differences for all comparison combinations among the three methods (P < .01). For image noise, the mean visual scores were significantly higher for SD-FBP and LD-MBIR than for LD-FBP, and the scores for SD-FBP and LD-MBIR were equivalent (3.9 ± 0.3 [SD-FBP], 2.0 ± 0.5 [LD-FBP], and 3.7 ± 0.3 [LD-MBIR]). Preoperative information was more accurate under SD-FBP and LD-MBIR than under LD-FBP, and the information was comparable between SD-FBP and LD-MBIR. CONCLUSION MBIR can yield significantly improved image quality on low-radiation-dose CTC and provide preoperative information equivalent to that of standard-radiation-dose protocol.

Usefulness of 3D hybrid profile order technique with 3T magnetic resonance cholangiography: Comparison of image quality and acquisition time.

To evaluate the image quality and acquisition time of magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) with and without the 3D hybrid profile order technique.

CT Angiography in Patients with Peripheral Arterial Disease: Effect of Small Focal Spot Imaging and Iterative Model Reconstruction on the Image Quality.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES We investigated the effects of small focal spot (SFS) imaging and iterative model reconstruction (IMR) on the image quality of computed tomography angiographs (CTA) in patients with peripheral arterial disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS We divided 60 consecutive patients with suspected or confirmed peripheral artery disease into two equal groups. One group underwent large focal spot scanning under our standard CTA protocol with hybrid iterative reconstruction (iDose(4)) (protocol 1), and the other underwent scanning with the SFS protocol and IMR (protocol 2). Quantitative image quality parameters, ie, arterial computed tomography attenuation, image noise, and the contrast-to-noise ratio, were compared and the visual image quality (depiction of each vessel) was scored on a 5-point scale. RESULTS There was no significant difference in the arterial attenuation among all evaluated slice levels. The mean image noise was significantly lower under protocol 2 and the contrast-to-noise ratio was significantly higher at all slice levels. The visual scores assigned to the two protocols for the depiction of large vessels, such as the abdominal aorta and iliac artery, were comparable. However, the mean visual scores for small vessels in the lower extremities were significantly higher under protocol 2. CONCLUSION CTA with SFS and IMR yielded significantly better qualitative and quantitative image quality especially for small vessels.

Original InvestigationSubmillisievert Radiation Dose Coronary CT Angiography: Clinical Impact of the Knowledge-Based Iterative Model Reconstruction

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to evaluate the noise and image quality of images reconstructed with a knowledge-based iterative model reconstruction (knowledge-based IMR) in ultra-low dose cardiac computed tomography (CT). MATERIALS AND METHODS We performed submillisievert radiation dose coronary CT angiography on 43 patients. We also performed a phantom study to evaluate the influence of object size with the automatic exposure control phantom. We reconstructed clinical and phantom studies with filtered back projection (FBP), hybrid iterative reconstruction (hybrid IR), and knowledge-based IMR. We measured effective dose of patients and compared CT number, image noise, and contrast noise ratio in ascending aorta of each reconstruction technique. We compared the relationship between image noise and body mass index for the clinical study, and object size for phantom study. RESULTS The mean effective dose was 0.98 ± 0.25 mSv. The image noise of knowledge-based IMR images was significantly lower than those of FBP and hybrid IR images (knowledge-based IMR: 19.4 ± 2.8; FBP: 126.7 ± 35.0; hybrid IR: 48.8 ± 12.8, respectively) (P < .01). The contrast noise ratio of knowledge-based IMR images was significantly higher than those of FBP and hybrid IR images (knowledge-based IMR: 29.1 ± 5.4; FBP: 4.6 ± 1.3; hybrid IR: 13.1 ± 3.5, respectively) (P < .01). There were moderate correlations between image noise and body mass index in FBP (r = 0.57, P < .01) and hybrid IR techniques (r = 0.42, P < .01); however, these correlations were weak in knowledge-based IMR (r = 0.27, P < .01). CONCLUSION Compared to FBP and hybrid IR, the knowledge-based IMR offers significant noise reduction and improvement in image quality in submillisievert radiation dose cardiac CT.

Feasibility of Iterative Model Reconstruction for Unenhanced Lumbar CT

Purpose To evaluate the image quality and interobserver reproducibility of unenhanced lumbar spinal computed tomography (CT) images reconstructed with iterative model reconstruction (IMR). Materials and Methods This prospective study was approved by the local ethics committee, and written informed consent was obtained from all patients. The study included 34 patients scanned with unenhanced CT and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging for lumbar canal spinal stenosis. The CT images were reconstructed with filtered back projection (FBP), hybrid iterative reconstruction (HIR), and IMR. Image noise and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) were compared among the three reconstruction techniques with the repeated one-way analysis of variance. The interobserver agreement of the dural sac on all CT image sets and T2-weighted images was also compared. Qualitative analysis of the three reconstruction techniques was performed by using Friedman test and the Wilcoxon signed-rank test with Holm correction. Results The image noise of IMR was significantly lower than that of FBP or HIR (P < .001 and P < .001). Pearson correlation analysis showed that the highest correlation coefficient with interobserver agreement was with IMR (r = 0.98) followed by MR imaging (r = 0.88), FBP (r = 0.41), and HIR (r = 0.33). It also showed that the narrowest Bland-Altman limit of agreement was achieved with IMR followed by MR imaging, FBP, and HIR. The qualitative image score using IMR was significantly higher than that using FBP or HIR (P < .001 and P < .001). Conclusion IMR offers excellent noise reduction, higher interobserver reproducibility of canal stenosis, and improved image quality compared with FBP and HIR.

Iterative Reconstruction Designed for Brain CT: A Correlative Study With Filtered Back Projection for the Diagnosis of Acute Ischemic Stroke

Objectives The objective of this study is to evaluate the usefulness of iterative model reconstruction designed for brain computed tomography (CT) (IMR-Neuro) for the diagnosis of acute ischemic stroke. Methods This retrospective study included 20 patients with acute middle cerebral artery infarction who have undergone brain CT and 20 nonstroke patients (control). We reconstructed axial images with filtered back projection (FBP) and IMR-Neuro (slice thickness, 1 and 5 mm). We compared the CT number of the infarcted area, the image noise, contrast, and the contrast to noise ratio of the infarcted and the noninfarcted areas between the different reconstruction methods. We compared the performance of 10 radiologists in the detection of parenchymal hypoattenuation between 2 techniques using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) techniques with the jackknife method. Results The image noise was significantly lower with IMR-Neuro [5 mm: 2.5 Hounsfield units (HU) ± 0.5, 1 mm: 3.9 HU ± 0.5] than with FBP (5 mm: 4.9 HU ± 0.5, 1 mm: 10.1 HU ± 1.4) (P < 0.01). The contrast to noise ratio was significantly greater with IMR-Neuro (5 mm: 2.6 ± 2.1, 1 mm: 1.6 ± 1.3) than with FBP (5 mm: 1.2 ± 1.0; 1 mm: 0.6 ± 0.5) (P < 0.01). The value of the average area under the receiver operating curve was significantly higher with IMR-Neuro than FBP (5 mm: 0.79 vs 0.74, P = 0.04; 1 mm: 0.76 vs 0.69, P = 0.04). Conclusions Compared with FBP, IMR-Neuro improves the image quality and the performance for the detection of parenchymal hypoattenuation with acute ischemic stroke.