AIM:To evaluate the feasibility of low contrast medium and radiation dose for hepatic computed tomography(CT) perfusion of rabbit VX2 tumor.METHODS:Eleven rabbits with hepatic VX2 tumor underwent perfusion CT scanning...AIM:To evaluate the feasibility of low contrast medium and radiation dose for hepatic computed tomography(CT) perfusion of rabbit VX2 tumor.METHODS:Eleven rabbits with hepatic VX2 tumor underwent perfusion CT scanning with a 24-h interval between a conventional tube potential(120 k Vp) protocol with 350 mg I/m L contrast medium and filtered back projection,and a low tube potential(80 k Vp) protocol with 270 mg I/m L contrast medium with iterative reconstruction.Correlation and agreement among perfusion parameters acquired by the conventional and low dose protocols were assessed for the viable tumor component as well as whole tumor.Image noise and tumor-to-liver contrast to noise ratio during arterial and portal venous phases were evaluated.RESULTS:A 38% reduction in contrast medium dose(360.1 ± 13.3 mg I/kg vs 583.5 ± 21.5 mg I/kg,P < 0.001) and a 73% decrease in radiation dose(1898.5 m Gy·cm vs 6951.8 m Gy·cm) were observed.Interestingly,there was a strong positive correlation in hepatic arterial perfusion(r = 0.907,P < 0.001;r = 0.879,P < 0.001),hepatic portal perfusion(r = 0.819,P = 0.002;r = 0.831,P = 0.002),and hepatic blood flow(r = 0.945,P < 0.001;r = 0.930,P < 0.001) as well as a moderate correlation in hepatic perfusion index(r = 0.736,P = 0.01;r = 0.636,P = 0.035) between the low dose protocol with iterative reconstruction and the conventional protocol for the viable tumor component and the whole tumor.These two imaging protocols provided a moderate but acceptable agreement for perfusion parameters and similar tumorto-liver CNR during arterial and portal venous phases(5.63 ± 2.38 vs 6.16 ± 2.60,P = 0.814;4.60 ± 1.27 vs 5.11 ± 1.74,P = 0.587).CONCLUSION:Compared with the conventional protocol,low contrast medium and radiation dose with iterative reconstruction has no significant influence on hepatic perfusion parameters for rabbits VX2 tumor.展开更多
AIM To compare radiation dose and image quality of lowdose computed tomography(CT) protocol combined with hybrid-iterative reconstruction algorithm with standarddose CT examinations for follow-up of oncologic patients...AIM To compare radiation dose and image quality of lowdose computed tomography(CT) protocol combined with hybrid-iterative reconstruction algorithm with standarddose CT examinations for follow-up of oncologic patients. METHODS Fifty-one patients with known malignant diseases which underwent, during clinical follow-up, both standarddose and low-dose whole-body CT scans were enrolled. Low-dose CT was performed on 256-row scanner, with 120 kV and automated m A modulation, and iterative reconstruction algorithm. Standard-dose CT was performed on 16-rows scanner, with 120 kV, 200-400 m As(depending on patient weight). We evaluated density values and signal-to-noise ratio, along with image noise(SD), sharpness and diagnostic quality with 4-point scale.RESULTS Density values in liver, spleen and aorta were higher in lowdose images(liver 112.55 HU vs 103.90 HU, P < 0.001), as SD values in liver and spleen(liver 16.81 vs 14.41). Volumetric-Computed-Tomographic-Dose-Index(CTDIvol) and Dose-Length-Product(DLP) were significantly lower in low-dose CT as compared to standard-dose(DLP 1025.6 m Gy*cm vs 1429.2 m Gy*cm, P < 0.001) with overall dose reduction of 28.9%. Qualitative analysis did not reveal significant differences in image noise and diagnostic quality.CONCLUSION Automatic tube-current modulation combined with hybriditerative algorithm allows radiation dose reduction of 28.9% without loss of diagnostic quality, being useful in reducing dose exposure in oncologic patients.展开更多
AIM To assess the effect of neutral(NC) and positive(PC) oral contrast use on patient dose in low-dose abdominal computed tomography(CT).METHODS Low-dose clinically indicated CTs were performed on 79 Crohn's patie...AIM To assess the effect of neutral(NC) and positive(PC) oral contrast use on patient dose in low-dose abdominal computed tomography(CT).METHODS Low-dose clinically indicated CTs were performed on 79 Crohn's patients(35 = PC, 1 L 2% gastrografin; 44 = NC, 1.5 L polyethylene glycol). Scanner settings for both acquisitions were identical apart from 25 s difference in intravenous contrast timing. Body mass index(BMI), scan-ranges, dose-length product and size-specific dose estimated were recorded. Data was reconstructed with pure model-based iterative reconstruction. Image quality was objectively and subjectively analysed. Data analysis was performed with Statistical Package for Social Scientists.RESULTS Higher doses were seen in neutral contrast CTs(107.60 ± 78.7 m Gy.cm, 2.47 ± 1.21 m Gy vs 85.65 ± 58.2 m Gy.cm, 2.18 ± 0.96 m Gy). The differencehad both NC and PC investigations. Image-quality assessment yielded 6952 datapoints. NC image quality was significantly superior(P < 0.001)(objective noise, objective signal to noise ratio, subjective spatial resolution, subjective contrast resolution, diagnostic acceptability) at all levels. NC bowel distension was significantly(P < 0.001) superior.CONCLUSION The use of polyethylene glycol as a neutral OC agent leads to higher radiation doses than standard positive contrast studies, in low dose abdominal CT imaging. This is possibly related to the osmotic effect of the agent resulting in larger intraluminal fluid volumes and resultant increased overall beam attenuation.展开更多
Over the past several years,advances in the technical domain of computed tomography(CT) have influenced the trend of imaging modalities used in the clinical evaluation of the urinary system.Renal collecting systems ca...Over the past several years,advances in the technical domain of computed tomography(CT) have influenced the trend of imaging modalities used in the clinical evaluation of the urinary system.Renal collecting systems can be illustrated more precisely with the advent of multi-detector row CT through thinner slices,high speed acquisitions,and enhanced longitudinal spatial resolution resulting in improved reformatted coronal images.On the other hand,a significant increase in exposure to ionizing radiation,especially in the radiosensitive organs,such as the gonads,is a concern with the increased utilization of urinary tract CT.In this article,we discuss the strategies and techniques availablefor reducing radiation dose for a variety of urinary tractCT protocols with metabolic clinical examples.We also reviewed CT for hematuria evaluation and related scan parameter optimization such as,reducing the number of acquisition phases,CT angiography of renal donors and lowering tube potential,when possible.展开更多
AIM:To explore whether computer tomography coronary angiography(CTCA) using iterative reconstruction(IR) leads to significant radiation dose reduction without a significant loss in image interpretability compared to c...AIM:To explore whether computer tomography coronary angiography(CTCA) using iterative reconstruction(IR) leads to significant radiation dose reduction without a significant loss in image interpretability compared to conventional filtered back projection(FBP).METHODS:A consecutive series of 200 patients referred to our institution to undergo CTCA constituted the study population.Patients were sequentially assigned to FBP or IR.All studies were acquired with a 256-slice CT scanner.A coronary segment was considered interpretable if image quality was adequate for evaluation of coronary lesions in all segments ≥ 1.5 mm.RESULTS:The mean age was 56.3±9.6 years and165(83%) were male,with no significant differences between groups.Most scans were acquired using prospective ECG triggering,without differences between groups(FBP 84%vs IR 82%;P=0.71).A total of 3198(94%) coronary segments were deemed of diagnostic quality.The percent assessable coronary segments was similar between groups(FBP 91.7%±4.0% vs IR92.5% ± 2.8%; P=0.12).Radiation dose was significantly lower in the IR group(2.8±1.4 mSvvs 4.6±3.0mSv;P<0.0001).Image noise(37.8±1.4 HUvs 38.2±2.4 HU; P=0.20) and signal density(461.7±51.9HU vs 462.2±51.2 HU; P=0.54) levels did not differ between FBP and IR groups,respectively.The IR group was associated to significant effective dose reductions,irrespective of the acquisition mode.CONCLUSION:Application of IR in CTCA preserves image interpretability despite a significant reduction in radiation dose.展开更多
Displacement of a cardiac pacemaker lead or myocardial perforation by a lead is an infrequent complication of pacemaker implantation. While standard cardiac CT is useful for diagnosing such complications when routine ...Displacement of a cardiac pacemaker lead or myocardial perforation by a lead is an infrequent complication of pacemaker implantation. While standard cardiac CT is useful for diagnosing such complications when routine examinations can not, the potential risks associated with exposure to the high doses of radiation used in CT are of concern. Here, we report three cases </span><span style="font-family:"white-space:normal;">in which pacemaker lead displacement or myocardial perforation was definitively diagnosed by l</span><span style="font-family:"white-space:normal;">ow-dose cardiac CT used in the high-pitch spiral mode, when other more routine examinations failed to suggest their occurrence.</span><span style="font-family:"white-space:normal;"> </span><span style="font-family:"white-space:normal;">The mean dose of radiation used for definitively diagnosing the three patients was relatively low (2.19 mSv).展开更多
基金National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.NSFC 81171389Key Program of Basic Research from Shanghai Municipal Science and Technology Commission,No.12JC1406500the Program of Shanghai Municipal Health Outstanding Discipline Leader,No.XBR 2013110
文摘AIM:To evaluate the feasibility of low contrast medium and radiation dose for hepatic computed tomography(CT) perfusion of rabbit VX2 tumor.METHODS:Eleven rabbits with hepatic VX2 tumor underwent perfusion CT scanning with a 24-h interval between a conventional tube potential(120 k Vp) protocol with 350 mg I/m L contrast medium and filtered back projection,and a low tube potential(80 k Vp) protocol with 270 mg I/m L contrast medium with iterative reconstruction.Correlation and agreement among perfusion parameters acquired by the conventional and low dose protocols were assessed for the viable tumor component as well as whole tumor.Image noise and tumor-to-liver contrast to noise ratio during arterial and portal venous phases were evaluated.RESULTS:A 38% reduction in contrast medium dose(360.1 ± 13.3 mg I/kg vs 583.5 ± 21.5 mg I/kg,P < 0.001) and a 73% decrease in radiation dose(1898.5 m Gy·cm vs 6951.8 m Gy·cm) were observed.Interestingly,there was a strong positive correlation in hepatic arterial perfusion(r = 0.907,P < 0.001;r = 0.879,P < 0.001),hepatic portal perfusion(r = 0.819,P = 0.002;r = 0.831,P = 0.002),and hepatic blood flow(r = 0.945,P < 0.001;r = 0.930,P < 0.001) as well as a moderate correlation in hepatic perfusion index(r = 0.736,P = 0.01;r = 0.636,P = 0.035) between the low dose protocol with iterative reconstruction and the conventional protocol for the viable tumor component and the whole tumor.These two imaging protocols provided a moderate but acceptable agreement for perfusion parameters and similar tumorto-liver CNR during arterial and portal venous phases(5.63 ± 2.38 vs 6.16 ± 2.60,P = 0.814;4.60 ± 1.27 vs 5.11 ± 1.74,P = 0.587).CONCLUSION:Compared with the conventional protocol,low contrast medium and radiation dose with iterative reconstruction has no significant influence on hepatic perfusion parameters for rabbits VX2 tumor.
文摘AIM To compare radiation dose and image quality of lowdose computed tomography(CT) protocol combined with hybrid-iterative reconstruction algorithm with standarddose CT examinations for follow-up of oncologic patients. METHODS Fifty-one patients with known malignant diseases which underwent, during clinical follow-up, both standarddose and low-dose whole-body CT scans were enrolled. Low-dose CT was performed on 256-row scanner, with 120 kV and automated m A modulation, and iterative reconstruction algorithm. Standard-dose CT was performed on 16-rows scanner, with 120 kV, 200-400 m As(depending on patient weight). We evaluated density values and signal-to-noise ratio, along with image noise(SD), sharpness and diagnostic quality with 4-point scale.RESULTS Density values in liver, spleen and aorta were higher in lowdose images(liver 112.55 HU vs 103.90 HU, P < 0.001), as SD values in liver and spleen(liver 16.81 vs 14.41). Volumetric-Computed-Tomographic-Dose-Index(CTDIvol) and Dose-Length-Product(DLP) were significantly lower in low-dose CT as compared to standard-dose(DLP 1025.6 m Gy*cm vs 1429.2 m Gy*cm, P < 0.001) with overall dose reduction of 28.9%. Qualitative analysis did not reveal significant differences in image noise and diagnostic quality.CONCLUSION Automatic tube-current modulation combined with hybriditerative algorithm allows radiation dose reduction of 28.9% without loss of diagnostic quality, being useful in reducing dose exposure in oncologic patients.
文摘AIM To assess the effect of neutral(NC) and positive(PC) oral contrast use on patient dose in low-dose abdominal computed tomography(CT).METHODS Low-dose clinically indicated CTs were performed on 79 Crohn's patients(35 = PC, 1 L 2% gastrografin; 44 = NC, 1.5 L polyethylene glycol). Scanner settings for both acquisitions were identical apart from 25 s difference in intravenous contrast timing. Body mass index(BMI), scan-ranges, dose-length product and size-specific dose estimated were recorded. Data was reconstructed with pure model-based iterative reconstruction. Image quality was objectively and subjectively analysed. Data analysis was performed with Statistical Package for Social Scientists.RESULTS Higher doses were seen in neutral contrast CTs(107.60 ± 78.7 m Gy.cm, 2.47 ± 1.21 m Gy vs 85.65 ± 58.2 m Gy.cm, 2.18 ± 0.96 m Gy). The differencehad both NC and PC investigations. Image-quality assessment yielded 6952 datapoints. NC image quality was significantly superior(P < 0.001)(objective noise, objective signal to noise ratio, subjective spatial resolution, subjective contrast resolution, diagnostic acceptability) at all levels. NC bowel distension was significantly(P < 0.001) superior.CONCLUSION The use of polyethylene glycol as a neutral OC agent leads to higher radiation doses than standard positive contrast studies, in low dose abdominal CT imaging. This is possibly related to the osmotic effect of the agent resulting in larger intraluminal fluid volumes and resultant increased overall beam attenuation.
文摘Over the past several years,advances in the technical domain of computed tomography(CT) have influenced the trend of imaging modalities used in the clinical evaluation of the urinary system.Renal collecting systems can be illustrated more precisely with the advent of multi-detector row CT through thinner slices,high speed acquisitions,and enhanced longitudinal spatial resolution resulting in improved reformatted coronal images.On the other hand,a significant increase in exposure to ionizing radiation,especially in the radiosensitive organs,such as the gonads,is a concern with the increased utilization of urinary tract CT.In this article,we discuss the strategies and techniques availablefor reducing radiation dose for a variety of urinary tractCT protocols with metabolic clinical examples.We also reviewed CT for hematuria evaluation and related scan parameter optimization such as,reducing the number of acquisition phases,CT angiography of renal donors and lowering tube potential,when possible.
文摘AIM:To explore whether computer tomography coronary angiography(CTCA) using iterative reconstruction(IR) leads to significant radiation dose reduction without a significant loss in image interpretability compared to conventional filtered back projection(FBP).METHODS:A consecutive series of 200 patients referred to our institution to undergo CTCA constituted the study population.Patients were sequentially assigned to FBP or IR.All studies were acquired with a 256-slice CT scanner.A coronary segment was considered interpretable if image quality was adequate for evaluation of coronary lesions in all segments ≥ 1.5 mm.RESULTS:The mean age was 56.3±9.6 years and165(83%) were male,with no significant differences between groups.Most scans were acquired using prospective ECG triggering,without differences between groups(FBP 84%vs IR 82%;P=0.71).A total of 3198(94%) coronary segments were deemed of diagnostic quality.The percent assessable coronary segments was similar between groups(FBP 91.7%±4.0% vs IR92.5% ± 2.8%; P=0.12).Radiation dose was significantly lower in the IR group(2.8±1.4 mSvvs 4.6±3.0mSv;P<0.0001).Image noise(37.8±1.4 HUvs 38.2±2.4 HU; P=0.20) and signal density(461.7±51.9HU vs 462.2±51.2 HU; P=0.54) levels did not differ between FBP and IR groups,respectively.The IR group was associated to significant effective dose reductions,irrespective of the acquisition mode.CONCLUSION:Application of IR in CTCA preserves image interpretability despite a significant reduction in radiation dose.
文摘Displacement of a cardiac pacemaker lead or myocardial perforation by a lead is an infrequent complication of pacemaker implantation. While standard cardiac CT is useful for diagnosing such complications when routine examinations can not, the potential risks associated with exposure to the high doses of radiation used in CT are of concern. Here, we report three cases </span><span style="font-family:"white-space:normal;">in which pacemaker lead displacement or myocardial perforation was definitively diagnosed by l</span><span style="font-family:"white-space:normal;">ow-dose cardiac CT used in the high-pitch spiral mode, when other more routine examinations failed to suggest their occurrence.</span><span style="font-family:"white-space:normal;"> </span><span style="font-family:"white-space:normal;">The mean dose of radiation used for definitively diagnosing the three patients was relatively low (2.19 mSv).