Value of ultra-high-resolution photon-counting detector CT in improving neurovascular image quality
10.3760/cma.j.cn112149-20250108-00015
- VernacularTitle:超高分辨率光子计数探测器CT对提高神经血管成像图像质量的价值
- Author:
Guang YAO
1
;
Jun LI
1
;
Junli REN
1
;
Xing LIU
1
;
Lichen REN
1
;
Yiran WANG
1
;
Xiaolei ZHANG
1
;
Jiawei LIU
1
;
Jianbo GAO
1
;
Yonggao ZHANG
1
Author Information
1. 郑州大学第一附属医院放射科，郑州 450052
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Tomography, X-ray computed;
Neurovascular;
Ultra-high resolution;
Photon-counting detector;
Angiography
- From:
Chinese Journal of Radiology
2025;59(12):1353-1360
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Methods:This study was a cross-sectional study. A prospective cohort study enrolled 42 patients with clinically suspected acute cerebrovascular disease and those undergoing follow-up examinations after intracranial vascular stenting at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from June 2024 to May 2025. All patients underwent UHR PCD-CT examinations of the head and neck. Reconstructions were performed based on raw data, yielding conventional standard resolution (SR group) reconstructions and UHR images reconstructed using four distinct convolution kernels (Hv40, Hv48, Hv56, Hv64) in separate groups (Hv40 UHR group, Hv48 UHR group, Hv56 UHR group, Hv64 UHR group). Regions of interest were selected in the anterior cerebral artery, middle cerebral artery, posterior cerebral artery, posterior communicating artery, and anterior communicating artery. CT values and standard deviation (SD) values were measured for each artery, and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) were calculated. Additionally, the sharpness of the vessel edges and the full-width-half-maximum (FWHM) of each artery were measured. One-way analysis of variance or the nonparametric Kruskal-Wallis test was used to compare the subjective and objective image quality metrics across the five groups. Pairwise comparisons were performed using the LSD test or Dunn method.Results:Statistically significant differences were observed in the overall comparison of vascular imaging SD, SNR, CNR, vascular edge sharpness, and FWHM among the SR group, Hv40 UHR group, Hv48 UHR group, Hv56 UHR group, and Hv64 UHR group ( P<0.05). No statistically significant differences in CT values were found ( P>0.05). Pairwise comparisons revealed statistically significant differences between all groups ( P<0.05), except that no significant differences were observed in image SD, SNR, CNR, vascular edge sharpness, or FWHM between the Hv56 UHR and Hv64 UHR groups ( P>0.05). Conclusions:UHR PCD-CT provides better image quality for neurovascular imaging. For the display of small intracranial vessels, the Hv64 provides sharper vessel walls and better subjective image quality compared to the less sharp convolutional cores.Objective:To explore the value of ultra-high resolution (UHR) photon-counting detector CT (PCD-CT) to improve the quality of neurovascular images.
