Evaluation of three-dimensional iterative image reconstruction in C-arm-based interventional cone-beam CT: A phantom study in comparison with customary reconstruction technique. Issue 13 (March 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Suzuki, Shigeru; Katada, Yoshiaki; Takayanagi, Tomoko; Sugawara, Haruto; Ishikawa, Takuya; Yamamoto, Yuzo; Wada, Hiroo
• Other Names: Lucatelli. Pierleone section editor.
• Is Part Of: Medicine. Volume 98:Issue 13(2019)
• Publication Date: 2019-03
• Subjects: angiography -- experimental studies -- image reconstruction -- image-based iterative reconstruction; Medicine -- Periodicals; Medicine -- Periodicals; Médecine -- Périodiques; Geneeskunde; Medicine; Periodicals; Periodicals; 610.5
• DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000014947
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0025-7974

Abstract

Abstract : Abstract: We compared images obtained using a three-dimensional iterative image reconstruction (3D-IIR) algorithm for C-arm-based interventional cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) with that using the customary reconstruction technique to quantify the effect of reconstruction techniques on image quality. We scanned 2 phantoms using an angiography unit with digital flat-panel system—an elliptical cylinder acrylic phantom to evaluate spatial resolution and a Catphan phantom to evaluate CT number linearity, image noise, and low-contrast resolution. Three-dimensional imaging was calculated using Feldkamp algorithms, and additional image sets were reconstructed using 3D-IIR at 5 settings (Sharp, Default, Soft+, Soft++, Soft+++). We evaluated quality of images obtained using the 6 reconstruction techniques and analyzed variance to test values of the 10% value of each MTF, mean CT number, and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), with P < .05 considered statistically significant. Modulation transfer function curves and CT number linearity among images obtained using the customary technique and the 5 3D-IIR techniques showed excellent agreement. Noise power spectrum curves demonstrated uniform noise reduction across the spatial frequency in the iterative reconstruction, and CNR obtained using all but the Sharp 3D-IIR technique was significantly better than that using the customary reconstruction technique (Sharp, P = .1957; Default, P = .0042; others, P < .0001). Use of 3D-IIR, especially the Soft++ and Soft+++ settings, improved visualization of low-contrast targets. Use of a 3D-IIR can significantly improve image noise and low-contrast resolution while maintaining spatial resolution in C-arm-based interventional CBCT, yielding higher quality images that may increase safety and efficacy in interventional radiology.