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Effect of hybrid iterative reconstruction technique on quantitative and qualitative image analysis at 256-slice prospective gating cardiac CT

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Abstract

Objectives

To evaluate the effect of hybrid iterative reconstruction on qualitative and quantitative parameters at 256-slice cardiac CT.

Methods

Prospective cardiac CT images from 20 patients were analysed. Paired image sets were created using 3 reconstructions, i.e. filtered back projection (FBP) and moderate- and high-level iterative reconstructions. Quantitative parameters including CT-attenuation, noise, and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) were determined in both proximal- and distal coronary segments. Image quality was graded on a 4-point scale.

Results

Coronary CT attenuation values were similar for FBP, moderate- and high-level iterative reconstruction at 293 ± 74-, 290 ± 75-, and 283 ± 78 Hounsfield units (HU), respectively. CNR was significantly higher with moderate- and high-level iterative reconstructions (10.9 ± 3.5 and 18.4 ± 6.2, respectively) than FBP (8.2 ± 2.5) as was the visual grading of proximal vessels. Visualisation of distal vessels was better with high-level iterative reconstruction than FBP. The mean number of assessable segments among 289 segments was 245, 260, and 267 for FBP, moderate- and high-level iterative reconstruction, respectively; the difference between FBP and high-level iterative reconstruction was significant. Interobserver agreement was significantly higher for moderate- and high-level iterative reconstruction than FBP.

Conclusions

Cardiac CT using hybrid iterative reconstruction yields higher CNR and better image quality than FBP.

Key Points

• Cardiac CT helps clinicians to assess patients with coronary artery disease

• Hybrid iterative reconstruction provides improved cardiac CT image quality

• Hybrid iterative reconstruction improves the number of assessable coronary segments

• Hybrid iterative reconstruction improves interobserver agreement on cardiac CT

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Acknowledgement

We thank Mani Vember (Clinical Science—Computed Tomography Division, Philips Healthcare) for valuable technical comments.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Cardiology, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Washington Hospital Center, 110 Irving Street, Washington DC, NW, 20010, USA

    Daisuke Utsunomiya, Wm. Guy Weigold, Gaby Weissman & Allen J. Taylor

  2. Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, 1-1-1 Honjo, Kumamoto, 860-8556, Japan

    Daisuke Utsunomiya

Authors
  1. Daisuke Utsunomiya
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  2. Wm. Guy Weigold
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  3. Gaby Weissman
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  4. Allen J. Taylor
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Correspondence to Daisuke Utsunomiya.

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Utsunomiya, D., Weigold, W.G., Weissman, G. et al. Effect of hybrid iterative reconstruction technique on quantitative and qualitative image analysis at 256-slice prospective gating cardiac CT. Eur Radiol 22, 1287–1294 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-011-2361-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-011-2361-6

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