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Image quality, radiation dose and diagnostic accuracy of 70 kVp whole brain volumetric CT perfusion imaging: a preliminary study

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Abstract

Purpose

To evaluate image quality and diagnostic accuracy for acute infarct detection and radiation dose of 70 kVp whole brain CT perfusion (CTP) and CT angiography (CTA) reconstructed from CTP source data.

Methods

Patients were divided into three groups (n = 50 each): group A, 80 kVp, 21 scanning time points; groups B, 70 kVp, 21 scanning time points; group C, 70 kVp, 17 scanning time points. Objective and subjective image quality of CTP and CTA were compared. Diagnostic accuracy for detecting acute infarct and cerebral artery stenosis ≥ 50 % was calculated for CTP and CTA with diffusion weighted imaging and digital subtraction angiography as reference standards. Effective radiation dose was compared.

Results

There were no differences in any perfusion parameter value between three groups (P > 0.05). No difference was found in subjective image quality between three groups (P > 0.05). Diagnostic accuracy for detecting acute infarct and vascular stenosis showed no difference between three groups (P > 0.05). Compared with group A, radiation doses of groups B and C were decreased by 28 % and 37 % (both P < 0.001), respectively.

Conclusion

Compared with 80 kVp protocol, 70 kVp brain CTP allows comparable vascular and perfusion assessment and lower radiation dose while maintaining high diagnostic accuracy in detecting acute infarct.

Key Points

• 70 kVp whole brain CTP can provide diagnostic image quality.

• 70 kVp CTP diagnostic accuracy was maintained vs. 80 kVp protocol.

• 70 kVp CTP radiation doses were lower than 80 kVp protocol.

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Acknowledgments

The scientific guarantor of this publication is Guang Ming Lu. The authors of this manuscript declare relationships with the following companies: UJS is a consultant for and receives research support from Bayer, Bracco, GE, Medrad, and Siemens. The other authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

This study has received funding by Program for New Century Excellent Talents in University (NCET-12-0260 to L.J.Z.). No complex statistical methods were necessary for this paper. Institutional Review Board approval was obtained. Written informed consent was obtained from all subjects (patients) in this study. No study subjects or cohorts have been previously reported. Methodology: prospective, observational study, performed at one institution.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medical Imaging, Jinling Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210002, China

    Xiao Kun Fang, Qian Qian Ni, U. Joseph Schoepf, Chang Sheng Zhou, Guo Zhong Chen, Song Luo, Long Jiang Zhang & Guang Ming Lu

  2. Division of Cardiovascular Imaging, Medical University of South Carolina, Ashley River Tower, MSC 226, 25 Courtenay Dr, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA

    U. Joseph Schoepf, Stephen R. Fuller & Carlo N. De Cecco

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  1. Xiao Kun Fang
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  2. Qian Qian Ni
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  4. Chang Sheng Zhou
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  5. Guo Zhong Chen
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  6. Song Luo
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  9. Long Jiang Zhang
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Correspondence to Long Jiang Zhang or Guang Ming Lu.

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Fang, X.K., Ni, Q.Q., Schoepf, U.J. et al. Image quality, radiation dose and diagnostic accuracy of 70 kVp whole brain volumetric CT perfusion imaging: a preliminary study. Eur Radiol 26, 4184–4193 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-016-4225-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-016-4225-6

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