Assessment of Intracardiac and Extracardiac Deformities in Patients with Various Types of Pulmonary Atresia by Dual-Source Computed Tomography

Background:Pulmonary atresia(PA)is a group of heterogeneous complex congenital heart disease.Only one study modality might not get a correct diagnosis.This study aims to investigate the diagnostic power of dualsource computed tomography(DSCT)for all intracardiac and extracardiac deformities in patients with PA compared with transthoracic echocardiography(TTE).Materials and Methods:This retrospective study enrolled 79 patients and divided them into three groups according to their main diagnosis.All associated malformations and clinical information,including treatments,were recorded and compared among the three groups.The diagnostic power of DSCT and TTE on all associated malformations were compared.The surgical index(McGoon ratio,pulmonary arterials index(PAI),and total neopulmonary arterial index)and radiation dose were calculated on the basis of DSCT.Results:Of the patients,32,30,and 17 were divided into the groups of PA with ventricular septal defect(VSD),PA with VSD and major aortopulmonary collateral arteries,and PA with other major malformations,respectively.Consequently,182,162,and 13 intracardiac,extracardiac,and other major malformations were diagnosed,respectively.Moreover,DSCT showed a better diagnostic performance in extracardiac deformities(154 vs.117,p<0.001),whereas TTE could diagnose intracardiac deformities better(159 vs.139,p=0.001).The McGoon ratio,PAI,and treatment methods were significantly different among the three groups(p=0.014,p=0.008,and p=0.018,respectively).Conclusion:More than one imaging modality should be used to make a correct diagnosis when clinically suspecting PA.DSCT is superior to TTE in diagnosing extracardiac deformities and could be used to roughly calculate surgical indices to optimize treatment strategy.

Non-enhanced Low-tube-voltage High-pitch Dual-source Computed Tomography with Sinogram Affirmed Iterative Reconstruction Algorithm of the Abdomen and Pelvis

Objective To investigate the image quality, radiation dose and diagnostic value of the low-tube-voltage high-pitch dual-source computed tomography(DSCT) with sinogram affirmed iterative reconstruction(SAFIRE) for non-enhanced abdominal and pelvic scans. Methods This institutional review board-approved prospective study included 64 patients who gave written informed consent for additional abdominal and pelvic scan with DSCT in the period from November to December 2012. The patients underwent standard non-enhanced CT scans(protocol 1) [tube voltage of 120 k Vp/pitch of 0.9/filtered back-projection(FBP) reconstruction] followed by high-pitch non-enhanced CT scans(protocol 2)(100 k Vp/3.0/SAFIRE). The total scan time, mean CT number, signal-to-noise ratio(SNR), image quality, lesion detectability and radiation dose were compared between the two protocols. Results The total scan time of protocol 2 was significantly shorter than that of protocol 1(1.4±0.1 seconds vs. 7.6±0.6 seconds, P<0.001). There was no significant difference between protocol 1 and protocol 2 in mean CT number of all organs(liver, 55.4±6.3 HU vs. 56.1±6.8 HU, P=0.214; pancreas, 43.6±5.9 HU vs. 43.7±5.8 HU, P=0.785; spleen, 47.9±3.9 HU vs. 49.4±4.3 HU, P=0.128; kidney, 32.2±2.3 HU vs. 33.1±2.3 HU, P=0.367; abdominal aorta, 44.8±5.6 HU vs. 45.0±5.5 HU, P=0.499; psoas muscle, 50.7±4.1 HU vs. 50.3±4.5 HU, P=0.279). SNR on images of protocol 2 was higher than that of protocol 1(liver, 5.0±1.2 vs. 4.5±1.1, P<0.001; pancreas, 4.0±1.0 vs. 3.6±0.8, P<0.001; spleen, 4.7±1.0 vs. 4.1±0.9, P<0.001; kidney, 3.1±0.6 vs. 2.8±0.6, P<0.001; abdominal aorta, 4.1±1.0 vs. 3.8±1.0, P<0.001; psoas muscle, 4.5±1.1 vs. 4.3±1.2, P=0.012). The overall image noise of protocol 2 was lower than that of protocol1(9.8±3.1 HU vs. 11.1±3.0 HU, P<0.001). Image quality of protocol 2 was good but lower than that of protocol 1(4.1±0.7 vs. 4.6±0.5, P<0.001). Protocol 2 perceived 229 of 234 lesions(97.9%) that were detected in protocol 1 in the abdomen and pelvis. Radiation dose of protocol 2 was lower than that of protocol 1(4.4±0.4 m Sv vs. 7.3±2.4 m Sv, P<0.001) and the mean dose reduction was 41.4%. Conclusion The high-pitch DSCT with SAFIRE can shorten scan time and reduce radiation dose while preserving image quality in non-enhanced abdominal and pelvic scans.

Dose Efficiency in Dual Source High-Pitch Computed Tomography of the Chest

Objectives: Evaluation of radiation efficiency of dual source high-pitch (DSHP) chest CT in comparison to single source technique with special regards to individual patient anatomy. Methods: 150 consecutive patients who underwent chest CT with automated tube current modulation were evaluated retrospectively and divided into three study groups, each with an equal quantity of 50 patients (DSHP vs. single source 128 slices vs. single source 16 slices). By using a dedicated workstation, volumetric analyses of each of the scanned anatomic area were performed and correlated to the individual dose length product (DLP). The calculated result was defined as dose efficiency. Results: DLP was 203 mGycm (DSHP), vs. 269 mGycm (single source) vs. 273 mGycm (16 slice CT). The total patient volume was lowest in the dual source group with 18956.3 cm3 (vs. 22481.2 cm3 vs. 22133.8 cm3). With regards to the DLP, the calculated dose efficiency of dual source CT was better than the 128 slice CT (p = 0.045) and the 16 slice CT (p < 0.01). Conclusions: DSHP CT has considerably better dose efficiency compared to 16 slice CT. Compared to 128 slice single source technique, the high-pitch mode does not cause any dose penalty when performing chest CT.

Diagnostic Value of Prospective Electrocardiogram-triggered Dual-source Computed Tomography Angiography for Infants and Children with Interrupted Aortic Arch

Background：Accurate assessment of intra-as well as extra-cardiac malformations and radiation dosage concerns are especially crucial to infants and children with interrupted aortic arch （IAA）.The purpose of this study is to investigate the value of prospective electrocardiogram （ECG）-triggered dual-source computed tomography （DSCT） angiography with low-dosage techniques in the diagnosis of IAA.Methods：Thirteen patients with suspected IAA underwent prospective ECG-triggered DSCT scan and transthoracic echocardiography （TTE）.Surgery was performed on all the patients.A five-point scale was used to assess image quality.The diagnostic accuracy ofDSCT angiography and TTE was compared with the surgical findings as the reference standard.A nonparametric Chi-square test was used for comparative analysis.P＜0.05 was considered as a significant difference.The mean effective radiation dose （ED） was calculated.Results：Diagnostic DSCT images were obtained for all the patients.Thirteen IAA cases with 60 separate cardiovascular anomalies were confirmed by surgical findings.The diagnostic accuracy of TTE and DSCT for total cardiovascular malformations was 93.7％ and 97.9％ （P＞0.05）,and that for extra-cardiac vascular malformations was 92.3％ and 99.0％ （P ＜ 0.05）,respectively.The mean score of image quality was 3.77 ± 0.83.The mean ED was 0.30 ± 0.04 mSv （range from 0.23 mSv to 0.39 mSv）.Conclusions：In infants and children with IAA,prospective ECG-triggered DSCT with low radiation exposure and high diagnostic efficiency has higher accuracy compared to TTE in detection of extra-cardiac vascular anomalies.

Diagnostic value of dual-source CT in Kawasaki disease

Background Doppler color echocardiography is a common method for detecting coronary artery lesions in patients with Kawasaki disease（KD）.However,the diagnostic accuracy for the whole coronary artery lesions is limited.The purpose of this study was to compare the diagnostic value of dual-source computed tomography （DSCT） and Doppler color echocardiography for the assessment of coronary artery lesions caused by KD.Methods Sixteen patients,12 with typical KD and 4 with atypical KD,underwent DSCT and Doppler color echocardiography.The position and internal diameter of each coronary artery lesion was measured.Correlation analysis was used to compare the diagnostic value of the two imaging modalities.Results ln the typical KD group, seven patients did not have any coronary artery Iesion as confirmed by both DSCT scans and Doppler color echocardiography;in four patients proximal coronary artery injuries were identified by both modalities;in one patient an aneurysm in the middle and distal segments of the coronary artery was detected by DSCT but was negative in Doppler color echocardiography.In the atypical KD group,three cases showed the same results with both modalities,while one case with coronary artery stenosis in the middle segment was identified by DSCT but not detected by Doppler color echocardiography.There was a good correlation between the two imaging modalities（Kappa value,0.768（≥0.75））.Conclusion DSCT coronary artery angiography is an accurate,non-invasive,and valuable technique for detecting and following up coronary artery lesions in patients with KD.

Significance of an Advanced Image-Based Virtual Monoenergetic Reconstruction of Dual Source Dual-Energy CT Data at Low keV Increases Image Quality for Portal Vein System of Pancreatic Cancer Patients

Purpose: To explore the significance of dual-source computed tomography (DECT) virtual monoenergetic reconstructions technology in improving image quality for portal vein system of pancreatic cancer patients. Materials and methods: 47 patients with clinically suspected pancreatic cancer (all confirmed by pathology) were collected. Routine plain scan was performed with Siemens Force dual-source dual-energy CT followed by 3 scans respectively carried out in arterial phase, portal phase and delayed phase. Traditional virtual monoenergetic reconstructions (Mono_E) and new generation of virtual monoenergetic reconstructions (Mono+) were respectively performed on portal vein images to obtain virtual single energy images including Mono_ E70 keV, Mono_E 55 keV and Mono+ 70 keV and Mono+ 55 keV. The signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and noise of portal vein, normal pancreatic tissues and pancreatic lesions of 100 kV, Mono_E and Mono+ images were compared. In addition, the contrast noise ratio of portal vein and lesions as well as pancreatic tissues and lesions (CNR PV, CNRtumor) were also compared. At the same time, two imaging physicians with rich clinical experiences read the films and scored the images of each group by using the 5-point scoring method. Results: Mono+ 55 keV images including SNRpv, SNRpanc, SNRtumor, Noise, CNRpv, CNRtumor were statistically different from 100 KV images and Mono_E images (P < 0.05). As for the subjective score, Mono+ 55 keV image score also had the highest score, which had statistical significance (P < 0.05). The results showed that Mono+ 55 keV images had the best quality. Conclusion: The new generation of virtual Mono+ post-treatment can reduce image noise. Low energy Mono+ images can improve the contrast between pancreatic cancer lesions and portal of pancreatic cancer patients.

Application of an Advanced Image-Based Virtual Monoenergetic Reconstruction of Dual Source Dual-Energy CT Data at Low keV Increases Image Quality for Esophageal Cancer Patients Imaging

Purpose: To explore the significance of dual-source computed tomography (DECT) virtual monoenergetic reconstructions technology in improving the imaging quality of esophageal cancer patients. Materials and methods: 68 patients with clinically suspected esophageal cancer (all confirmed by pathology) were collected. Routine plain scan was performed with SIEMENS Force dual-energy CT and then dual-phase scans were performed. The venous phase images were respectively subjected to traditional virtual monoenergetic reconstructions (Mono_E) and new generation virtual monoenergetic reconstructions (Mono+). Mono_E 55 keV and Mono+ 55 keV virtual single-energy images were obtained respectively. The signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of normal esophageal tissue and esophageal cancer lesions, noise and contrast noise ratio (CNR tumor) of normal esophageal tissue and esophageal cancer lesions were compared among 100 kV images, Mono_E images and Mono+ images. At the same time, two imaging physicians read the films and scored the images of each group by using a 5-point scoring method. Results: Mono+ 55 keV images, SNR, SNRtumor, noise and CNRtumor were statistically different from those of 100 kV images and Mono_E images (P < 0.05). And Mono+ 55 keV images also had the highest subjective score, with statistical significance (P 55 keV images had the best quality. Conclusion: The new generation of virtual monoenergetic reconstructions post-processing (Mono+) could reduce image noise and improve the contrast between esophageal cancer lesions and normal esophageal tissues, which was of great significance to improve the imaging quality of esophageal cancer patients and improve the early detection rate of esophageal cancer.