1. Feasibility of spectral shaping for detection and quantification of coronary calcifications in ultra-low dose CT.
- Author
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Vonder M, Pelgrim GJ, Huijsse SE, Meyer M, Greuter MJ, Henzler T, Flohr TG, Oudkerk M, and Vliegenthart R
- Subjects
- Electrocardiography, Feasibility Studies, Humans, Phantoms, Imaging, Radiation Dosage, Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted methods, Reproducibility of Results, Tomography, X-Ray Computed methods, Calcinosis diagnostic imaging, Coronary Artery Disease diagnostic imaging
- Abstract
Objectives: To evaluate detectability and quantification of coronary calcifications for CT with a tin filter for spectral shaping., Methods: Phantom inserts with 100 small and 9 large calcifications, and a moving artificial artery with 3 calcifications (speed 0-30 mm/s) were placed in a thorax phantom simulating different patient sizes. The phantom was scanned in high-pitch spiral mode at 100 kVp with tin filter (Sn100 kVp), and at a reference of 120 kVp, with electrocardiographic (ECG) gating. Detectability and quantification of calcifications were analyzed for standard (130 HU) and adapted thresholds., Results: Sn100 kVp yielded lower detectability of calcifications (9 % versus 12 %, p = 0.027) and lower Agatston scores (p < 0.008), irrespective of calcification, patient size and speed. Volume scores of the moving calcifications for Sn100 kVp at speed 10-30 mm/s were lower (p < 0.001), while mass scores were similar (p = 0.131). For Sn100 kVp with adapted threshold of 117 HU, detectability (p = 1.000) and Agatston score (p > 0.206) were similar to 120 kVp. Spectral shaping resulted in median dose reduction of 62.3 % (range 59.0-73.4 %)., Conclusions: Coronary calcium scanning with spectral shaping yields lower detectability of calcifications and lower Agatston scores compared to 120 kVp scanning, for which a HU threshold correction should be developed., Key Points: • Sn100kVp yields lower detectability and lower Agatston scores compared to 120kVp • Adapted HU threshold for Sn100kVp provides Agatston scores comparable to 120kVp • Sn100 kVp considerably reduces dose in calcium scoring versus 120 kVp.
- Published
- 2017
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