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Detectability of the artery of Adamkiewicz on computed tomography angiography of the aorta by using ultra-high-resolution computed tomography

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Japanese Journal of Radiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

To evaluate the detectability of AKA on aortic computed tomography angiography (CTA) using ultra-high-resolution computed tomography (UHRCT).

Materials and methods

Twenty-eight patients were enrolled. They underwent aortic CTA with UHRCT (UHRCTA) and had previously undergone aortic conventional CTA (CCTA). The injection protocol of UHRCTA was the same as that of CCTA. The bolus tracking technique was used. UHRCTA images were reconstructed with adaptive iterative dose reduction (strong) and with forward-projected model-based iterative reconstruction solution. The matrix size and slice thickness on UHRCT were 1024 and 0.25 mm, respectively, and those on conventional CT were 512 and 0.5 or 0.67 mm, respectively. The UHRCTA and CCTA images were visually compared by using four scales. A score of 4 or 3 indicated that the AKA was assessable. In this instance, the contrast-to-noise ratios of each UHRCTA were measured. The exposure dose and signal-to-noise ratios were also investigated.

Results

The AKA visualization scores obtained with UHRCTA with forward-projected model-based iterative reconstruction solution were significantly higher than those with adaptive iterative dose reduction (p = 0.018) and CCTA (p = 0.0024).

Conclusion

UHRCT can contribute to the better visualization of the AKA on aortic CTA.

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Abbreviations

AKA:

Artery of Adamkiewicz

CTA:

Computed tomography angiography

CCTA:

Conventional computed tomography angiography

UHRCT:

Ultra-high-resolution computed tomography

DSA:

Digital subtraction angiography

UHRCTA:

Ultra-high-resolution computed tomography angiography

AIDR:

The adaptive iterative dose reduction algorithm

FIRST:

Forward-projected model-based iterative reconstruction solution algorithm

MPR:

Multiple planar reconstruction

EVAR:

Endovascular aortic repair

FBP:

Filtered back projection

CT-AEC:

CT automatic exposure control

HU:

Hounsfield units

ROI:

Region of interest

SNR:

Signal-to-noise ratio

SD:

Standard deviation

CNR:

Contrast-to-noise ratio

CTDIvol:

CT dose index volume

DLP:

Dose-length-product

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Funding

This research did not receive any specific grant.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Clinical Radiology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan

    Takuya Hino, Takeshi Kamitani, Koji Sagiyama, Yuzo Yamasaki, Yuko Matsuura & Soichiro Tsutsui

  2. Division of Radiology, Department of Medical Technology, Kyushu University Hospital, Fukuoka, Japan

    Yuki Sakai

  3. Surgery and Science, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan

    Tadashi Furuyama

  4. Health Sciences, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan

    Hidetake Yabuuchi

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  1. Takuya Hino
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Correspondence to Takeshi Kamitani.

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Hino, T., Kamitani, T., Sagiyama, K. et al. Detectability of the artery of Adamkiewicz on computed tomography angiography of the aorta by using ultra-high-resolution computed tomography. Jpn J Radiol 38, 658–665 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11604-020-00943-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11604-020-00943-3

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