Abstract
The objective of this study was to investigate the improvement in diagnostic quality of an iterative model-based reconstruction (IMBR) algorithm for low-tube-voltage (80-kVp) and low-tube-current in abdominal computed tomography angiography (CTA). A total of 11 patients were imaged on a 256-slice multidetector computed tomography for visualization of the aorta. For all patients, three different reconstructions from the low-tube-voltage data are generated: filtered backprojection (FBP), IMBR, and a mixture of both [Formula: see text]. To determine the diagnostic value of IMBR-based reconstructions, the image quality was assessed. With IMBR-based reconstructions, image noise could be significantly reduced, which was confirmed by a highly improved contrast-to-noise ratio. In the image quality assessment, radiologists were able to reliably detect more third-order and higher aortic branches in the IMBR reconstructions compared to FBP reconstructions. The effective dose level was, on average, 3.0mSv for 80-kVp acquisitions. Low-tube-voltage CTAs significantly improve vascular contrast as presented by others; however, this effect in combination with IMBR enabled yet another substantial improvement of diagnostic quality. For IMBR, a significant improvement of image quality and a decreased radiation dose at low-tube-voltage can be reported.
Highlights
Computed tomographic angiography (CTA) of the abdomen is a well-established procedure for visualization of the abdominal vasculature, the aorta, renal arteries, and splanchnic circulation.[1,2,3,4] One important aspect of abdominal CTA is the vasculature-to-background contrast
Panel B presents the mixture of both iterative model–based reconstruction (IMBR) þ filtered backprojection (FBP) reconstructions, panel C is the IMBR reconstruction, and panel D is the FBP reconstruction
The endoleak is visible in panels A to C, but is harder to detect in the FBP reconstruction of the low-tube-voltage data
Summary
Computed tomographic angiography (CTA) of the abdomen is a well-established procedure for visualization of the abdominal vasculature, the aorta, renal arteries, and splanchnic circulation.[1,2,3,4] One important aspect of abdominal CTA is the vasculature-to-background contrast. This iodine-based contrast can be increased when applying low-tube-voltages. The ideal procedure would be to image with low-tube-voltage/low-tube-current in order
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 
Published Version (
Free)
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call