Hirotoshi Ito MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Sachiko Yuen MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Mariko Goto MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Kei Yamada MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Natsuko Sato MS, PhD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

David Braunstein PhD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Terutoshi Masunami, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Akiko Takahata, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Tsunehiko Nishimura, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

et al, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

et al, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

For volume rendering 3D CT angiography, requirement for delineation of these vessels is to obtain higher CT numbers of their pixels on original 2D image. We developed new enhanced reconstruction kernel to give higher CT number of the region enhanced by contrast media and evaluated them applying phantom and clinical images.

The following all row data were obtained with 64-MDCT scanner (Brilliance 64, Philips Medical Systems, Ltd). Phantom study was performed with 6 syringes filled with different density of contrast material solutions (10%, 5%, 2.5%, 1.25%, 0.63%, 0%, Iopamidol 300mg/mL) were used attached to a real human bone torso phantom. Scan protocols used were 120kV, 360mAs, 0.75sec/rotation, 64x0.625mm, pitch 0.956. These raw data were reconstructed to 1mm slice thickness images with standard kernel and new developed kernel. We measured CT number of 6 syringes both standard and new kernel and both CT numbers were compared. Clinical image evaluation was performed with 20 consecutive cases of VR images from abdominal CT angiography examination. Visualization of vessels in both standard kernel image and new kernel image were evaluated using a 5-point score. Aorta, renal artery, common hepatic artery, right hepatic artery and branch of right hepatic artery (A8) were evaluated respectively.

There was no significant CT number difference with 0%, 0.63% syringes were at both 2 kernels. Over 1.25% syringes showed significant higher CT number with the new developed kernel (p<0.01). For clinical images, there was no significant difference in aorta, renal artery and common hepatic artery. Whereas in right hepatic artery and branch of right hepatic artery (A8), there was significant difference (p<0.05,0.01) and the new kernel showed good visualization of the arteries.

Newly developed reconstruction kernel showed higher CT number in the area of enhanced vessels and effective to demonstrate small vessels on VR images. This new kernel might be able to reduce contrast media without loss of demonstration of the small vessels.

Our newly developed reconstruction kernel for 3D CT angiography could bring good visualization of small vessels and might be able to reduce contrast media.

Ito, H, Yuen, S, Goto, M, Yamada, K, Sato, N, Braunstein, D, Masunami, T, Takahata, A, Nishimura, T, et al, , et al, , Development of New Enhanced CT Reconstruction Kernel for 3D CT Angiography.  Radiological Society of North America 2007 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 25 - November 30, 2007 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2007/5011358.html