Delineation of the brachial plexus by contrast-enhanced photon-counting detector CT and virtual monoenergetic images

IF 3.3 3区医学 Q1 RADIOLOGY, NUCLEAR MEDICINE & MEDICAL IMAGING

European Journal of Radiology Pub Date : 2025-02-02 DOI:10.1016/j.ejrad.2025.111964

Masahiro Nakashima, Tatsuya Kawai, Kazuhisa Matsumoto, Takatsune Kawaguchi, Nobuo Kitera, Seita Watanabe, Toshihide Itoh, Akio Hiwatashi

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Objectives

To improve the image quality of the brachial plexus in photon-counting detector CT (PCD-CT) using contrast media and virtual monoenergetic images (VMI).

Materials & Methods

We retrospectively analyzed contrast-enhanced neck PCD-CT images scanned in March-July 2023. Unenhanced and contrast-enhanced images were compared, and then 40-, 70-, and 100-keV VMIs were compared. The qualitative evaluation used a five-point Likert scale regarding overall image quality (IQ), sharpness, and noise. The quantitative evaluation used the standard deviation (SD), signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR). Freidman’s test and one-way ANOVA were performed.

Results

Forty patients (65 years ± 17, 21 males) were included. The median scores [interquartile range, IQR] for the unenhanced and contrast-enhanced groups were IQ, 3 [2,3] and 4 [3,4] (P < 0.001); sharpness, 3 [2,3] and 4 [3,4] (P < 0.001); and noise, 3 [3,4] and 3 [3,4] (P = 0.63). Mean ± SD scores were SD, 6.7 ± 1.4 and 6.7 ± 1.0 (P = 0.95); SNR, 5.1 ± 1.2 and 5.4 ± 1.4 (P = 0.04); and CNR, 4.8 ± 1.5 and 8.1 ± 2.3 (P < 0.001). The 40-, 70-, and 100-keV groups’ IQ were 2 [2,3], 4 [3,4], and 3 [3,4]; their sharpness scores were 2 [2,3], 3 [3,4], and 3 [2,3] (all, P < 0.05). Those for noise were 2 [1–3], 3 [3,4], and 4 [3,4] (all, P < 0.001 except for 70-keV vs.100-keV: P = 0.16). The SDs were 13.1 ± 2.5, 7.5 ± 1.2, and 6.0 ± 1.1. The SNRs were 4.2 ± 1.9, 5.0 ± 1.2, and 5.7 ± 1.5 (all, P < 0.001). The CNRs were 8.7 ± 4.0, 6.8 ± 2.3, and 6.5 ± 2.3 (all, P < 0.001 except for 70-keV vs.100-keV: P = 0.51).

Conclusion

Contrast-enhanced PCD-CT and VMIs provided good delineation of the brachial plexus.

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通过对比增强光子计数检测器CT和虚拟单能图像描绘臂丛

目的利用造影剂和虚拟单能成像（VMI）提高光子计数CT （PCD-CT）臂丛图像质量。材料,方法回顾性分析2023年3 - 7月扫描的颈部PCD-CT增强图像。比较未增强和对比度增强的图像，然后比较40、70和100 kev的vmi。定性评价采用李克特5分量表对整体图像质量（IQ），清晰度和噪声。定量评价采用标准差（SD）、信噪比（SNR）和噪声对比比（CNR）。进行Freidman检验和单因素方差分析。结果共纳入40例患者（65岁±17岁，男性21例）。未增强组和对比增强组的中位分数[四分位数范围，IQR]分别为IQ， 3[2,3]和4 [3,4](P <；0.001);锐度，3[2,3]和4 [3,4](P <；0.001);噪声为3[3,4]和3 [3,4]（P = 0.63）。分数的均数±SD, 6.7±1.4,6.7±1.0 (P = 0.95);信噪比分别为5.1±1.2和5.4±1.4 (P = 0.04)；CNR分别为4.8±1.5和8.1±2.3 (P <；0.001)。40、70、100 kev组智商分别为2[2,3]、4[3,4]、3 [3,4]；其锐度得分分别为2[2,3]、3[3,4]、3[2,3](均为P <；0.05)。噪声为2[1-3]，3[3,4],4[3,4](均P <；0.001，除了70 kev vs.100 kev: P = 0.16)。SDs分别为13.1±2.5,7.5±1.2,6.0±1.1。信噪比是4.2±1.9,5.0±1.2,5.7±1.5(所有P & lt;0.001)。CNRs分别为8.7±4.0、6.8±2.3、6.5±2.3(所有P & lt;0.001，除了70 kev vs.100 kev: P = 0.51)。结论增强PCD-CT和vmi能较好地描绘臂丛。

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来源期刊

European Journal of Radiology 医学-核医学

CiteScore

6.70

自引率

3.00%

发文量

398

审稿时长

42 days

期刊介绍： European Journal of Radiology is an international journal which aims to communicate to its readers, state-of-the-art information on imaging developments in the form of high quality original research articles and timely reviews on current developments in the field. Its audience includes clinicians at all levels of training including radiology trainees, newly qualified imaging specialists and the experienced radiologist. Its aim is to inform efficient, appropriate and evidence-based imaging practice to the benefit of patients worldwide.