Reconstruction of Lumbar Vertebrae Images from Abdominal CT Examinations Using Deep Learning Image Reconstruction Algorithms
10.3969/j.issn.1005-5185.2025.06.019
- VernacularTitle:基于深度学习图像重建算法重建腹部CT检查腰椎图像
- Author:
Weichen HAN
1
;
Jihua LIU
;
Luotong WANG
;
Zhe LV
;
Junyan TAN
;
Yeda WAN
Author Information
1. 天津医科大学研究生院,天津 300070;天津中医药大学第一附属医院影像科,国家中医针灸临床研究中心,天津 300193
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Lumbar vertebrae;
Abdomen;
Tomography,X-ray computed;
Deep learning;
Image processing,computer-assisted;
Radiation dosage
- From:
Chinese Journal of Medical Imaging
2025;33(6):670-674
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Purpose To evaluate the effectiveness of deep learning image reconstruction(DLIR)algorithms in reconstructing lumbar vertebrae images from abdominal CT scans,aiming to reduce radiation dose and eliminate the need for repeat lumbar CT examinations.Materials and Methods A retrospective collection was conducted from March to May 2024 in the First Affiliated Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine.Thirty-two patients who underwent both abdominal and lumbar CT scans in a supine head-first position were enrolled.The abdominal CT(DLIR group)utilized a tube voltage of 120 kVp and a current of 200 mA with high-intensity DLIR for lumbar reconstruction.The standard lumbar CT(lumbar group)used the same voltage with a tube current of 260 mA and was reconstructed using 60%weighted adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction.Objective assessments was used to measure the CT values,noise(standard deviation,SD value),signal-to-noise ratio and contrast-to-noise ratio(excluding adipose tissue)at the third lumbar vertebral pedicle level and the L2/L3 intervertebral disc level for muscle,adipose tissue,cancellous bone,intervertebral discs,dura mater and cortical bone.Subjective assessments employed a five-point scale to evaluate image contrast,noise and sharpness.Results The volume CT dose index in lumbar group and DLIR group were 15.25 mGy and 11.74 mGy,respectively.There was no statistical difference in CT values between the structures of both groups(all P>0.05).Compared with the lumbar group,the DLIR group showed significant reductions in SD values across the measured tissues by 31.09%,35.66%,13.48%,27.82%,24.93%and 15.09%(t=5.09-7.21,all P<0.05).The signal-to-noise ratio improved by 36.40%,52.31%,16.56%,34.13%,38.39%and 18.81%,and the contrast-to-noise ratio improved by 51.70%,51.32%,36.24%,34.47%and 53.56%(t=-9.58--4.23,all P<0.001).The DLIR group significantly outperformed the lumbar group in image contrast[4.45(4.00,5.00)points vs.4.75(4.00,5.00)points],image noise[4.06(4.00,4.00)points vs.4.39(4.00,5.00)points],and spatial resolution of fine structures[4.00(4.00,4.00)points vs.4.27(4.00,5.00)points](Z=-3.80,-4.38,-3.55,all P<0.001).Conclusion Using high-intensity DLIR for abdominal examinations can achieve high-quality lumbar CT images with a 25%reduction in radiation dose,enabling simultaneous abdominal and lumbar scanning in a single session.
