Magdalini Tozakidou1, Ilze Apine2, Kay U Petersen3, Julius Matthias Weinrich4, Sebastian Schindera5, Eilin Jopp-van Well6, Klaus Püschel6, Jochen Herrmann7. 1. Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Nuclear medicine, Section of Pediatric Radiology, University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246, Hamburg, Germany. magdalini.tozakidou@gmail.com. 2. Children Clinical University Hospital, Riga, Latvia. 3. Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany. 4. Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Nuclear medicine, University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246, Hamburg, Germany. 5. Cantonal Hospital Aarau, Aarau, Switzerland. 6. Department of Forensic Medicine, University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf, 22529, Hamburg, Germany. 7. Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Nuclear medicine, Section of Pediatric Radiology, University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246, Hamburg, Germany.
Abstract
PURPOSE: To assess the impact of iterative reconstruction and filtered back projection (FBP) on image quality in computed tomography (CT)-based forensic age estimation of the medial clavicular epiphysis. METHODS AND MATERIALS: CT of the clavicle was performed in 19 patients due to forensic reasons (70 mAs/140 kVp). Raw data were reconstructed with FBP and with an iterative algorithm at level 4 and 6. Clavicular ossification stage was determined by two radiologists in consensus, firstly on FBP reconstructed images and secondly after reviewing all reconstructions including iDose 4 and 6. In addition, the 3 reconstructions were compared regarding artefacts and delineation of the meta-/epiphyseal interface. Quantitative image noise was measured. RESULTS: Quantitative noise was lower in iDose 6 reconstructed images than in FBP (P < 0.042), but not significantly lower between iDose 4 and FBP (P = 0.127). Side by side comparison revealed lesser qualitative image noise on both iDose reconstructed images than for FBP. The meta-/epiphyseal interface delineation was rated better on both iDose levels than with FBP. In 3 of 19 patients, the clavicular ossification stage was reclassified after iterative reconstructions had been additionally reviewed. CONCLUSION: Using iterative CT reconstruction algorithms, a reduction of image noise and an enhancement of image quality regarding the meta-/epiphyseal clavicular interface can be achieved. The study highlights the importance of image standardization as variation of reconstruction technique has impact on forensic age estimation.
PURPOSE: To assess the impact of iterative reconstruction and filtered back projection (FBP) on image quality in computed tomography (CT)-based forensic age estimation of the medial clavicular epiphysis. METHODS AND MATERIALS: CT of the clavicle was performed in 19 patients due to forensic reasons (70 mAs/140 kVp). Raw data were reconstructed with FBP and with an iterative algorithm at level 4 and 6. Clavicular ossification stage was determined by two radiologists in consensus, firstly on FBP reconstructed images and secondly after reviewing all reconstructions including iDose 4 and 6. In addition, the 3 reconstructions were compared regarding artefacts and delineation of the meta-/epiphyseal interface. Quantitative image noise was measured. RESULTS: Quantitative noise was lower in iDose 6 reconstructed images than in FBP (P < 0.042), but not significantly lower between iDose 4 and FBP (P = 0.127). Side by side comparison revealed lesser qualitative image noise on both iDose reconstructed images than for FBP. The meta-/epiphyseal interface delineation was rated better on both iDose levels than with FBP. In 3 of 19 patients, the clavicular ossification stage was reclassified after iterative reconstructions had been additionally reviewed. CONCLUSION: Using iterative CT reconstruction algorithms, a reduction of image noise and an enhancement of image quality regarding the meta-/epiphyseal clavicular interface can be achieved. The study highlights the importance of image standardization as variation of reconstruction technique has impact on forensic age estimation.
Entities:
Keywords:
CT; Clavicle; Forensic age estimation; Iterative reconstruction
Authors: Magdalini Tozakidou; Rieke L Meister; Lennart Well; Kay U Petersen; Sebastian Schindera; Eilin Jopp-van Well; Klaus Püschel; Jochen Herrmann Journal: Int J Legal Med Date: 2021-02-24 Impact factor: 2.686