A Novel Computed Tomography Image Reconstruction for Improving Visualization of Pulmonary Vasculature: Comparison Between Preprocessing and Postprocessing Images Using a Contrast Enhancement Boost Technique. Issue 5 (September 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Otgonbaatar, Chuluunbaatar; Ryu, Jae-Kyun; Shim, Hackjoon; Jeon, Pil-Hyun; Jeon, Sang-Hyun; Kim, Jin Woo; Ko, Sung Min; Kim, Hyunjung
• Is Part Of: Journal of computer assisted tomography. Volume 46:Issue 5(2022)
• Page Start: 729
• Page End: 734
• Publication Date: 2022-09
• Subjects: pulmonary embolism -- image reconstruction -- multidetector computed tomography -- image quality enhancement; Tomography -- Periodicals; Tomography -- Periodicals; Tomography; Periodicals; 616.0757
• DOI: 10.1097/RCT.0000000000001347
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0363-8715

Abstract

Abstract : Objective: This study aimed to evaluate chest computed tomography (CT) angiography image quality using the contrast enhancement (CE)–boost technique compared with conventional images. Methods: Forty patients who underwent contrast-enhanced chest CT were included. Combined CT angiography images of the iodinated image obtained from the subtraction of nonenhanced CT images and CT angiography images were used to generate CE-boost images. Computed tomography attenuation, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) for the right and left pulmonary arteries as the central and subsegmental arteries as peripheral vessels were assessed. Subjective image quality was rated on a 5-point scale by 2 radiologists. Image quality was assessed using a paired t test. Results: Computed tomography attenuation in the main pulmonary artery was significantly higher for the CE-boost images (311.05 ± 91.94) than for the conventional images (221.25 ± 61.21, P < 0.001). Similarly, the CE-boost images resulted in significantly higher CT attenuation in the subsegmental arteries (right, 305.34 ± 90.13; left, 313.05 ± 97.21) than in the conventional images (right, 218.45 ± 63.16; left, 223.89 ± 74.27). The CE-boost technique demonstrated marked improvement in the visualization of the peripheral pulmonary artery without the administration of a higher iodine delivery rate. The mean SNR and CNR were also significantly higher in the central and peripheral vessels in the CE-boost images than in the conventional images ( P < 0.001). In the subjective analysis, the image contrast and vascular contrast edge were significantly higher for the CE-boost images than for conventional images ( P < 0.001). Conclusions: The CE-boost technique increases not only the visualization of peripheral arteries by improving vascular attenuation but also the SNR and CNR.