Motion Artifact Reduction From High-Pitch Dual-Source Computed Tomography Pulmonary Angiography. Issue 4 (July 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bunch, Paul M.; Fulwadhva, Urvi P.; Wortman, Jeremy R.; Primak, Andrew N.; Madan, Rachna; Steigner, Michael L.; Sodickson, Aaron D.
• Is Part Of: Journal of computer assisted tomography. Volume 42:Issue 4(2018)
• Publication Date: 2018-07
• Subjects: CT pulmonary angiography -- motion artifact -- high-pitch -- dual-source -- CT protocols; Tomography -- Periodicals; Tomography -- Periodicals; Tomography; Periodicals; 616.0757
• DOI: 10.1097/RCT.0000000000000736
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0363-8715

Abstract

Abstract : Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare quantitative and qualitative measures of aortic, cardiac, and respiratory motion artifact between high-pitch dual-source (DS) and single-source (SS) computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) protocols. Methods: This institutional review board–approved, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act–compliant study retrospectively reviewed 80 non–electrocardiogram-gated CTPA examinations acquired with a second-generation DS system at 100 kVp following 50 mL iodinated contrast injection — 40 consecutive SS and 40 consecutive DS studies. Quantitative measures of aortic, left ventricular, and diaphragmatic motion were recorded as the maximal excursion of a structure's "double image, " and 3 independent readers performed qualitative motion assessments. Pulmonary arterial contrast enhancement, image noise, and radiation dose metrics were recorded. Statistical analyses were performed with 1-way analysis of variance and Fisher exact test. Results: Dual source outperformed SS technique in both quantitative and qualitative measures of motion. Mean distances between motion-artifact double images were reduced with DS protocol at each location (all P ⩽ 0.004), and DS examinations were more likely to receive an assessment of no motion in all locations (all P < 0.0001). The DS protocol demonstrated increases in contrast enhancement, although increased image noise resulted in lower enhancement to noise ratio. Mean radiation dose was 60% lower using the DS protocol. Conclusion: High-pitch DS CTPA significantly reduces artifacts resulting from ascending aortic, cardiac, and diaphragmatic motion.