Comparison of automatic tube voltage modulation combined with an artificial intelligence iterative reconstruction algorithm versus conventional scanning protocol in contrast-enhanced thoracic-abdominal-pelvic CT
10.3760/cma.j.cn112271-20240612-00222
- VernacularTitle:自动管电压调制联合人工智能迭代重建算法与常规扫描在胸腹盆CT增强中的比较研究
- Author:
Wei DING
1
;
Ziyan LIU
1
;
Zepeng MA
1
;
Tianle ZHANG
1
;
Yongxia ZHAO
1
Author Information
1. 河北大学附属医院放射科，保定 071000
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Artificial intelligence iterative reconstruction;
Contrast-enhanced thoracic-abdominal-pelvic CT;
Optimal noise level;
Image quality;
Radiation dose
- From:
Chinese Journal of Radiological Medicine and Protection
2025;45(7):692-698
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective:To evaluate the image quality and radiation dose in contrast-enhanced thoracic-abdominal-pelvic CT using automatic tube voltage modulation (ATVM) coupled with artificial intelligence iterative reconstruction (AIIR) versus routine tube voltage combined with Karl-3D iterative reconstruction (Karl-3D IR), and to determine the optimal noise level for AIIR in contrast-enhanced thoracic-abdominal-pelvic CT.Methods:A total of 100 patients who underwent contrast-enhanced thoracic-abdominal-pelvic CT examination in the Affiliated Hospital of Hebei University from April to October, 2023 were randomly divided into group A and group B using a random number table, with 50 patients in each group. Group A was scanned using ATVM, and images were reconstructed using AIIR with 1-5 noise levels. Group B was scanned using tube voltage 120 kVp and images were reconstructed with Karl-3D IR and noise level 5. The single-to-noise ratio (SNR), contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), effective dose (E), and size-specific dose estimate (SSDE) were recorded or calculated for all patients or images. Subjective evaluations of all images were performed. The quality of the reconstructed images using AIIR with 1-5 noise levels were compared and the optimal noise level of AIIR for image reconstruction was determined. Image quality and radiation dose were statistically analyzed for Group A (image reconstruction with optimal AIIR noise level) and Group B.Results:The mean SNR and mean CNR of the reconstructed images using AIIR with noise levels 1, 2, and 3 in group A were higher than those using AIIR with noise levels 4 and 5. The images reconstructed using AIIR with noise levels 3 and 4 scored higher in subjective assessment than those reconstructed using AIIR with noise levels 1, 2, and 5. Therefore, noise level 3 was optimal for AIIR in reconstruction of contrast-enhanced thoracic-abdominal-pelvic CT images. The mean SNR, mean CNR, and subjective evaluation score of group A using AIIR with noise level 3 were higher than those of group B using Karl-3D IR with noise level 5 ( P<0.001). The mean SSDE and the mean E of group A were reduced by 46% and 41%, respectively, compared with those of group B. Conclusions:ATVM technology combined with the AIIR algorithm can improve image quality and reduced patient radiation dose in contrast-enhanced thoracic-abdominal-pelvic CT. Noise level 3 is optimal for AIIR in the reconstruction of arterial-phase and venous-phase contrast-enhanced thoracic-abdominal-pelvic CT images.
