Image quality and dose exposure of contrast-enhanced abdominal CT on a 1st generation clinical dual-source photon-counting detector CT in obese patients vs. a 2nd generation dual-source dual energy integrating detector CT

Hagen, Florian; Hofmann, Johannes; Wrazidlo, Robin; Gutjahr, Ralf; Schmidt, Bernhard; Faby, Sebastian; Nikolaou, Konstantin; Horger, Marius

doi:10.1016/j.ejrad.2022.110325

Cited by 27 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 22 publications

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“…They can reduce the electronic circuit noise, beam hardening, and metal artifacts; increase iodine CNR, spectral separation, and spatial resolution; and generate greater quality VMIs. Additionally, dose efficiency is improved [ 1 , 45 , 72 , 73 , 74 ]. Labeling nanoparticles with elements that may be detected by K-edge imaging allows for molecular CT imaging, and the injection of multiple contrast agents (such as iodine and gadolinium) allow multiple-phase images at the same time, reducing the number of acquisitions and radiation doses, although further research is needed before human scanning approval [ 7 , 45 , 75 ].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pros and Cons of Dual-Energy CT Systems: “One Does Not Fit All”

2023

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Dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) uses different energy spectrum X-ray beams for differentiating materials with similar attenuation at a certain energy. Compared with single-energy CT, it provides images with better diagnostic performance and a potential reduction of contrast agent and radiation doses. There are different commercially available DECT technologies, with machines that may display two X-ray sources and two detectors, a single source capable of fast switching between two energy levels, a specialized detector capable of acquiring high- and low-energy data sets, and a filter splitting the beam into high- and low-energy beams at the output. Sequential acquisition at different tube voltages is an alternative approach. This narrative review describes the DECT technique using a Q&A format and visual representations. Physical concepts, parameters influencing image quality, postprocessing methods, applicability in daily routine workflow, and radiation considerations are discussed. Differences between scanners are described, regarding design, image quality variabilities, and their advantages and limitations. Additionally, current clinical applications are listed, and future perspectives for spectral CT imaging are addressed. Acknowledging the strengths and weaknesses of different DECT scanners is important, as these could be adapted to each patient, clinical scenario, and financial capability. This technology is undoubtedly valuable and will certainly keep improving.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pros and Cons of Dual-Energy CT Systems: “One Does Not Fit All”

2023

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“…The PCCT scanner was released with a new iterative algorithm, namely, Quantum IR (QIR), with four strength levels. Statistical optimization of spectral data to reduce target noise level and a correction for geometric cone beam artifacts were included by default [ 10 , 12 ]. The higher the iteration level, the smaller the noise.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Since the first clinical PCCT was released, several technical and clinical studies have been performed and have shown that image quality was improved while keeping the dose constant [ 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 ]. As the PCCT is used in our thoracic imaging department, the goal of our study was to investigate the PCCT performance in lung nodule detection using physical metrics, which were compared with those obtained using DSCT, which was previously used in the same department.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Image Quality Analysis of Photon-Counting CT Compared with Dual-Source CT: A Phantom Study for Chest CT Examinations

et al. 2023

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A comparison was made between the image quality of a photon-counting CT (PCCT) and a dual-source CT (DSCT). The evaluation of image quality was performed using a Catphan CT phantom, and the physical metrics, such as the noise power spectrum and task transfer function, were measured for both PCCT and DSCT at three CT dose indices (1, 5 and 10 mGy). Polyenergetic and virtual monoenergetic reconstructions were used to evaluate the performance differences by simulating a Gaussian spot with a radius of 5 mm and calculating the detectability index. The highest iterative reconstruction level was able to decrease the noise by about 70% compared with the filtered back projection using a parenchyma reconstruction kernel. The PCCT task transfer functions remained constant, while those of the DSCT increased with the reconstruction strength level. At monoenergetic 70 keV, a 50% decrease in noise was observed for DSCT with image smoothing, while PCCT had the same 50% decrease in noise without any smoothing. The PCCT detectability index at a reconstruction strength level of two was equivalent to the highest level of ADMIRE 5 for DSCT. The PCCT showed its superiority over the DSCT, especially for lung nodule detection.

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“…In the latest studies, PCCT has demonstrated low-dose imaging, enhanced contrastto-noise ratios, improved visualization of different structural anatomical components, and spatial resolution and thus consequently improved the diagnostic image content in the daily routine [7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17] . In addition, removal of electronic background noise facilitates ultra-low dose quantitative imaging with improved iodine quantification at low radiation doses as well as an improvement in contrast-to-noise ratio, especially for obese patients 18,19 . These advantages are mainly enabled by the photon-counting detector, which detects each X-ray photon and its energy individually [20][21][22] .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

First-generation clinical dual-source photon-counting CT: quantitative and ultra-high-resolution spectral imaging

Heck

Liu

Pasyar

et al. 2023

Medical Imaging 2023: Physics of Medical Imaging

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Dual-source photon-counting computed tomography (PCCT) enables a novel ultra-high-resolution (UHR) scanning mode that can provide UHR conventional images (0.2 mm) as well as spectral results (0.4 mm). To evaluate the spatial resolution and quantitative capabilities of the UHR mode, with a focus on thoracic imaging, a PixelPrint lung phantom mimicking interstitial lung disease with honeycombing and iodine rods of different diameters and concentrations directly attached to the phantom were scanned at doses from 1.0 to 7.5 mGy. Virtual monoenergetic images at 50 keV, virtual non-contrast, and iodine density maps at 0.4 and 1 mm slice thickness were reconstructed as well as conventional images at 0.2, 0.4, and 1 mm slice thickness, all with standard lung and quantitative reconstruction kernels (matrix size 512x512). Iodine quantification was performed for the attached rods, and clinically relevant features in the lung phantom were utilized to evaluate spatial resolution. Overall, iodine quantification was stable across radiation dose, reconstruction kernels, and slice thickness with errors of 0.25, 0.20, and 0.40 mg/mL for 1, 2, and 5 mg/mL iodine, respectively. Even the smallest iodine core rod was detected in the extended CT phantom for a higher dose. For the diseased lung region, images at 0.2 mm slice thickness appeared sharper and depicted smaller structures better, even with increased noise in comparison to thicker slices. In conclusion, UHR mode demonstrated high spatial resolution with detection of small features and accurate iodine quantification, which may provide diagnostic advantage to thoracic imaging with more precise and accurate information.

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Image quality and dose exposure of contrast-enhanced abdominal CT on a 1st generation clinical dual-source photon-counting detector CT in obese patients vs. a 2nd generation dual-source dual energy integrating detector CT

Cited by 27 publications

References 22 publications

Pros and Cons of Dual-Energy CT Systems: “One Does Not Fit All”

Pros and Cons of Dual-Energy CT Systems: “One Does Not Fit All”

Image Quality Analysis of Photon-Counting CT Compared with Dual-Source CT: A Phantom Study for Chest CT Examinations

First-generation clinical dual-source photon-counting CT: quantitative and ultra-high-resolution spectral imaging

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