Lu-Lu Li1,2, Huang Wang1,2, Jian Song2, Jin Shang2, Xiao-Ying Zhao2, Bin Liu1,2. 1. Department of Radiology, the Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China. 2. Department of Radiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To explore the feasibility of achieving diagnostic images in low-dose abdominal CT using a Deep Learning Image Reconstruction (DLIR) algorithm. METHODS: Prospectively enrolled 47 patients requiring contrast-enhanced abdominal CT scans. The late-arterial phase scan was added and acquired using lower-dose mode (tube current range, 175-545 mA; 80 kVp for patients with BMI ≤24 kg/m2 and 100 kVp for patients with BMI > 24 kg/m2) and reconstructed with DLIR at medium setting (DLIR-M) and high setting (DLIR-H), ASIR-V at 0% (FBP), 40% and 80% strength. Both the quantitative measurement and qualitative analysis of the five types of reconstruction methods were compared. In addition, radiation dose and image quality between the early-arterial phase ASIR-V images using standard-dose and the late-arterial phase DLIR images using low-dose were compared. RESULTS: For the late-arterial phase, all five reconstructions had similar CT value (P > 0.05). DLIR-H, DLIR-M and ASIR-V80% images significantly reduced the image noise and improved the image contrast noise ratio, compared with the standard ASIR-V40% images (P < 0.05). ASIR-V80% images had undesirable image characteristics with obvious "waxy" artifacts, while DLIR-H images maintained high spatial resolution and had the highest subjective image quality. Compared with the early-arterial scans, the late-arterial phase scans significantly reduced the radiation dose (P < 0.05), while the DLIR-H images exhibited lower image noise and good display of the specific image details of lesions. CONCLUSIONS: DLIR algorithm improves image quality under low-dose scan condition and may be used to reduce the radiation dose without adversely affecting the image quality.
OBJECTIVES: To explore the feasibility of achieving diagnostic images in low-dose abdominal CT using a Deep Learning Image Reconstruction (DLIR) algorithm. METHODS: Prospectively enrolled 47 patients requiring contrast-enhanced abdominal CT scans. The late-arterial phase scan was added and acquired using lower-dose mode (tube current range, 175-545 mA; 80 kVp for patients with BMI ≤24 kg/m2 and 100 kVp for patients with BMI > 24 kg/m2) and reconstructed with DLIR at medium setting (DLIR-M) and high setting (DLIR-H), ASIR-V at 0% (FBP), 40% and 80% strength. Both the quantitative measurement and qualitative analysis of the five types of reconstruction methods were compared. In addition, radiation dose and image quality between the early-arterial phase ASIR-V images using standard-dose and the late-arterial phase DLIR images using low-dose were compared. RESULTS: For the late-arterial phase, all five reconstructions had similar CT value (P > 0.05). DLIR-H, DLIR-M and ASIR-V80% images significantly reduced the image noise and improved the image contrast noise ratio, compared with the standard ASIR-V40% images (P < 0.05). ASIR-V80% images had undesirable image characteristics with obvious "waxy" artifacts, while DLIR-H images maintained high spatial resolution and had the highest subjective image quality. Compared with the early-arterial scans, the late-arterial phase scans significantly reduced the radiation dose (P < 0.05), while the DLIR-H images exhibited lower image noise and good display of the specific image details of lesions. CONCLUSIONS: DLIR algorithm improves image quality under low-dose scan condition and may be used to reduce the radiation dose without adversely affecting the image quality.
Authors: J Abel van Stiphout; Jan Driessen; Lennart R Koetzier; Lara B Ruules; Martin J Willemink; Jan W T Heemskerk; Aart J van der Molen Journal: Eur Radiol Date: 2021-12-15 Impact factor: 7.034