Division of Cardiovascular Imaging, Department of Radiology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA.
Division of Cardiovascular Imaging, Department of Radiology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA; Siemens Medical Solutions, Malvern, PA, USA.
Clin Imaging. 2024 Sep;113:110235. doi: 10.1016/j.clinimag.2024.110235. Epub 2024 Jul 20.
This study aims to assess the efficacy of polyenergetic reconstruction methods in reducing streak artifacts caused by dual source imaging in Photon Counting Detector Computed Tomography (PCD-CT) imaging, thereby improving image quality and diagnostic accuracy.
A retrospective cohort study was conducted, involving 50 patients who underwent chest Computed Tomography Angiography with PCD-CT, focusing on those with streak artifacts. Quantitative and qualitative analyses were performed on images reconstructed using monoenergetic and polyenergetic techniques. Quantitative evaluations measured the attenuation of tracheal air density in regions affected by streak artifacts, while qualitative assessments employed a modified Likert scale to rate image quality. Statistical analyses included Wilcoxon's signed-rank tests and Spearman's correlation, alongside assessments of inter-rater reliability.
There was significantly lower attenuation of tracheal air density on the polyenergetic reconstructions (Median - 1010 ± 62 HU vs -930 ± 110 HU; P < 0.001), and significantly decreased variation on the polyenergetic reconstructions (Median 65.2 ± 79.5 HU vs 38.8 ± 33.9 HU; P < 0.001). The median modified-Likert scale were significantly better for the polyenergetic reconstructions (median modified-Likert 4 ± 0.5 vs 2.5 ± 1; P < 0.001). The inter-rater agreement was substantial and not significantly different between reconstructions (Gwet's ACPolyenergetic = 0.78 vs Gwet's ACVMI = 0.775).
Polyenergetic reconstruction significantly mitigates streak artifacts in PCD-CT imaging, enhancing quantitative and qualitative image quality. This advancement addresses a known limitation of current PCD-CT reconstruction techniques, offering a promising approach to improving diagnostic reliability and accuracy in clinical practice. We demonstrate that future software implementations can resolve this artifact.
本研究旨在评估多参数重建方法在降低光子计数探测器 CT（PCD-CT）成像中双源成像引起的条纹伪影的效果，从而提高图像质量和诊断准确性。
回顾性队列研究，纳入 50 例行 PCD-CT 胸部 CT 血管造影检查的患者，重点是存在条纹伪影的患者。使用单能量和多能量技术对图像进行定量和定性分析。定量评估测量受条纹伪影影响区域的气管空气密度衰减，定性评估采用改良的李克特量表对图像质量进行评分。统计分析包括 Wilcoxon 符号秩检验和 Spearman 相关分析，以及评估组内信度。
多参数重建的气管空气密度衰减明显较低（中位数-1010±62 HU 比-930±110 HU；P<0.001），且多参数重建的变异明显降低（中位数 65.2±79.5 HU 比 38.8±33.9 HU；P<0.001）。多参数重建的改良李克特量表中位数明显更好（中位数改良李克特 4±0.5 比 2.5±1；P<0.001）。两种重建方法的组内信度均较高，且无显著差异（Gwet's ACPolyenergetic=0.78 比 Gwet's ACVMI=0.775）。
多参数重建显著减轻了 PCD-CT 成像中的条纹伪影，提高了定量和定性图像质量。这一进步解决了当前 PCD-CT 重建技术的一个已知局限性，为提高临床实践中的诊断可靠性和准确性提供了一种有前途的方法。我们证明未来的软件实现可以解决这种伪影。
