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Advanced virtual monochromatic reconstruction of dual-energy unenhanced brain computed tomography in children: comparison of image quality against standard mono-energetic images and conventional polychromatic computed tomography

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Abstract

Background

Advanced virtual monochromatic reconstruction from dual-energy brain CT has not been evaluated in children.

Objective

To determine the most effective advanced virtual monochromatic imaging energy level for maximizing pediatric brain parenchymal image quality in dual-energy unenhanced brain CT and to compare this technique with conventional monochromatic reconstruction and polychromatic scanning.

Materials and methods

Using both conventional (Mono) and advanced monochromatic reconstruction (Mono+) techniques, we retrospectively reconstructed 13 virtual monochromatic imaging energy levels from 40 keV to 100 keV in 5-keV increments from dual-source, dual-energy unenhanced brain CT scans obtained in 23 children. We analyzed gray and white matter noise ratios, signal-to-noise ratios and contrast-to-noise ratio, and posterior fossa artifact. We chose the optimal mono-energetic levels and compared them with conventional CT.

Results

For Mono+maximum optima were observed at 60 keV, and minimum posterior fossa artifact at 70 keV. For Mono, optima were at 65–70 keV, with minimum posterior fossa artifact at 75 keV. Mono+ was superior to Mono and to polychromatic CT for image-quality measures. Subjective analysis rated Mono+superior to other image sets.

Conclusion

Optimal virtual monochromatic imaging using Mono+ algorithm demonstrated better image quality for gray–white matter differentiation and reduction of the artifact in the posterior fossa.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, Seoul National University Children’s Hospital, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 0380, South Korea

    Juil Park, Young Hun Choi, Jung-Eun Cheon, Woo Sun Kim & In-One Kim

  2. Department of Radiology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea

    Young Hun Choi, Jung-Eun Cheon, Woo Sun Kim & In-One Kim

  3. Institute of Radiation Medicine, Seoul National University Medical Research Center, Seoul, South Korea

    Jung-Eun Cheon, Woo Sun Kim & In-One Kim

  4. Siemens Healthineers, Seoul, South Korea

    Seong Yong Pak

  5. Siemens Healthineers, Forchheim, Germany

    Bernhard Krauss

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  1. Juil Park
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  2. Young Hun Choi
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  3. Jung-Eun Cheon
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Young Hun Choi.

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Conflicts of interest

This research was supported by Research Program 2016 funded by Seoul National University College of Medicine Research Foundation (800–20,160,070). Authors Seong Young Pak and Bernhard Krauss are employees of Siemens Healthineers. However, control of all data and information submitted for publication was given to the authors who were not affiliated with Siemens Healthineers. The remaining authors have nothing to disclose.

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Park, J., Choi, Y.H., Cheon, JE. et al. Advanced virtual monochromatic reconstruction of dual-energy unenhanced brain computed tomography in children: comparison of image quality against standard mono-energetic images and conventional polychromatic computed tomography. Pediatr Radiol 47, 1648–1658 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00247-017-3908-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00247-017-3908-8

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