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- Kataria, Bharti, 1955-, et al.
(author)
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Assessment of image quality in abdominal computed tomography : Effect of model-based iterative reconstruction, multi-planar reconstruction and slice thickness on potential dose reduction
- 2020
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In: European Journal of Radiology. - : Elsevier Ireland Ltd. - 0720-048X .- 1872-7727. ; 122
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Purpose: To determine the effect of tube load, model-based iterative reconstruction (MBIR) strength and slice thickness in abdominal CT using visual comparison of multi-planar reconstruction images. Method: Five image criteria were assessed independently by four radiologists on two data sets at 42- and 98-mAs tube loads for 25 patients examined on a 192-slice dual-source CT scanner. Effect of tube load, MBIR strength, slice thickness and potential dose reduction was estimated with Visual Grading Regression (VGR). Objective image quality was determined by measuring noise (SD), contrast-to-noise (CNR) ratio and noise-power spectra (NPS). Results: Comparing 42- and 98-mAs tube loads, improved image quality was observed as a strong effect of log tube load regardless of MBIR strength (p < 0.001). Comparing strength 5 to 3, better image quality was obtained for two criteria (p < 0.01), but inferior for liver parenchyma and overall image quality. Image quality was significantly better for slice thicknesses of 2mm and 3mm compared to 1mm, with potential dose reductions between 24%-41%. As expected, with decrease in slice thickness and algorithm strength, the noise power and SD (HU-values) increased, while the CNR decreased. Conclusion: Increasing slice thickness from 1 mm to 2 mm or 3 mm allows for a possible dose reduction. MBIR strength 5 shows improved image quality for three out of five criteria for 1 mm slice thickness. Increasing MBIR strength from 3 to 5 has diverse effects on image quality. Our findings do not support a general recommendation to replace strength 3 by strength 5 in clinical abdominal CT protocols. However, strength 5 may be used in task-based protocols.
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- Kataria, Bharti, 1955-, et al.
(author)
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Assessment of image quality in abdominal CT : potential dose reduction with model-based iterative reconstruction
- 2018
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In: European Radiology. - Heidelberg : SPRINGER. - 0938-7994 .- 1432-1084. ; 28:6, s. 2464-2473
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- To estimate potential dose reduction in abdominal CT by visually comparing images reconstructed with filtered back projection (FBP) and strengths of 3 and 5 of a specific MBIR. A dual-source scanner was used to obtain three data sets each for 50 recruited patients with 30, 70 and 100% tube loads (mean CTDIvol 1.9, 3.4 and 6.2 mGy). Six image criteria were assessed independently by five radiologists. Potential dose reduction was estimated with Visual Grading Regression (VGR). Comparing 30 and 70% tube load, improved image quality was observed as a significant strong effect of log tube load and reconstruction method with potential dose reduction relative to FBP of 22-47% for MBIR strength 3 (p < 0.001). For MBIR strength 5 no dose reduction was possible for image criteria 1 (liver parenchyma), but dose reduction between 34 and 74% was achieved for other criteria. Interobserver reliability showed agreement of 71-76% (kappa (w) 0.201-0.286) and intra-observer reliability of 82-96% (kappa (w) 0.525-0.783). MBIR showed improved image quality compared to FBP with positive correlation between MBIR strength and increasing potential dose reduction for all but one image criterion. aEuro cent MBIR's main advantage is its de-noising properties, which facilitates dose reduction. aEuro cent MBIR allows for potential dose reduction in relation to FBP. aEuro cent Visual Grading Regression (VGR) produces direct numerical estimates of potential dose reduction. aEuro cent MBIR strengths 3 and 5 dose reductions were 22-34 and 34-74%. aEuro cent MBIR strength 5 demonstrates inferior performance for liver parenchyma.
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- Kataria, Bharti, 1955-, et al.
(author)
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Image Quality and Potential Dose Reduction Using Advanced Modeled Iterative Reconstruction (Admire) in Abdominal Ct : A Review
- 2021
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In: Radiation Protection Dosimetry. - : Oxford University Press. - 0144-8420 .- 1742-3406. ; 195:3-4, s. 177-187
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Traditional filtered back projection (FBP) reconstruction methods have served the computed tomography (CT) community wellfor over 40 years. With the increased use of CT during the last decades, efforts to minimise patient exposure, while maintainingsufficient or improved image quality, have led to the development of model-based iterative reconstruction (MBIR) algorithms fromseveral vendors. The usefulness of the advanced modeled iterative reconstruction (ADMIRE) (Siemens Healthineers) MBIR inabdominal CT is reviewed and its noise suppression and/or dose reduction possibilities explored. Quantitative and qualitativemethods with phantom and human subjects were used. Assessment of the quality of phantom images will not always correlatepositively with those of patient images, particularly at the higher strength of the ADMIRE algorithm. With few exceptions,ADMIRE Strength 3 typically allows for substantial noise reduction compared to FBP and hence to significant (≈30%) patientdose reductions. The size of the dose reductions depends on the diagnostic task.
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- Kataria, Bharti, 1955-, et al.
(author)
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Image quality in CT thorax: effect of altering reconstruction algorithm and tube load : Image quality in CT thorax
- 2024
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In: Radiation Protection Dosimetry. - : Oxford University Press. - 0144-8420 .- 1742-3406. ; 200:5, s. 504-514
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Non-linear properties of iterative reconstruction (IR) algorithms can alter image texture. We evaluated the effect of a model-basedIR algorithm (advanced modelled iterative reconstruction; ADMIRE) and dose on computed tomography thorax image quality.Dual-source scanner data were acquired at 20, 45 and 65 reference mAs in 20 patients. Images reconstructed with filteredback projection (FBP) and ADMIRE Strengths 3–5 were assessed independently by six radiologists and analysed using an ordinallogistic regression model. For all image criteria studied, the effects of tube load 20 mAs and all ADMIRE strengths were significant(p < 0.001) when compared to reference categories 65 mAs and FBP. Increase in tube load from 45 to 65 mAs showed imagequality improvement in three of six criteria. Replacing FBP with ADMIRE significantly improves perceived image quality for allcriteria studied, potentially permitting a dose reduction of almost 70% without loss in image quality
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- Kataria, Bharti, 1955-, et al.
(author)
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Learning effects in visual grading assessment of model-based reconstruction algorithms in abdominal Computed Tomography
- 2023
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In: EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF RADIOLOGY OPEN. - : Elsevier BV. - 2352-0477. ; 10
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objectives: Images reconstructed with higher strengths of iterative reconstruction algorithms may impair radi-ologists' subjective perception and diagnostic performance due to changes in the amplitude of different spatial frequencies of noise. The aim of the present study was to ascertain if radiologists can learn to adapt to the unusual appearance of images produced by higher strengths of Advanced modeled iterative reconstruction al-gorithm (ADMIRE). Methods: Two previously published studies evaluated the performance of ADMIRE in non-contrast and contrast -enhanced abdominal CT. Images from 25 (first material) and 50 (second material) patients, were reconstructed with ADMIRE strengths 3, 5 (AD3, AD5) and filtered back projection (FBP). Radiologists assessed the images using image criteria from the European guidelines for quality criteria in CT. To ascertain if there was a learning effect, new analyses of data from the two studies was performed by introducing a time variable in the mixed -effects ordinal logistic regression model. Results: In both materials, a significant negative attitude to ADMIRE 5 at the beginning of the viewing was strengthened during the progress of the reviews for both liver parenchyma (first material:-0.70, p < 0.01, second material:-0.96, p < 0.001) and overall image quality (first material:-0.59, p < 0.05, second materi-al::-1.26, p < 0.001). For ADMIRE 3, an early positive attitude for the algorithm was noted, with no significant change over time for all criteria except one (overall image quality), where a significant negative trend over time (-1.08, p < 0.001) was seen in the second material.Conclusions: With progression of reviews in both materials, an increasing dislike for ADMIRE 5 images was apparent for two image criteria. In this time perspective (weeks or months), no learning effect towards accepting the algorithm could be demonstrated.
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- Kataria, Bharti, 1955-
(author)
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Visual grading evaluation of reconstruction methods and dose optimisation in abdominal Computed Tomography
- 2019
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Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Since its introduction in the 1970’s CT has emerged as a modality of choice because of its high sensitivity in producing accurate diagnostic images. A third of all Computed Tomography (CT) examinations are abdominal CTs which deliver one of the highest doses among common examinations. An increase in the number of CT examinations has raised concerns about the negative effects of ionising radiation as the dose is cumulative over the life span of the individual. Image quality in CT is closely related to the radiation dose, so that a certain dose with an associated small, but not negligible, risk is a prerequisite for high image quality. Typically, dose reduction in CT results in higher noise and a decrease in low contrast resolution which can be detrimental to the image quality produced. New technology presents a wide range of dose reduction strategies, the latest being iterative reconstruction (IR).The aim of this thesis was to evaluate two different classes of iterative reconstruction algorithms: statistical (SAFIRE) and model-based (ADMIRE) as well as to explore the diagnostic value of a low-dose abdominal CT for optimisation purposes.This thesis included a total of 140 human subjects in four image quality evaluation studies, three of which were prospective studies (Papers I, II and IV) and one retrospective study (Paper III). Visual grading experiments to determine the potential dose reductions, were performed with pairwise comparison of image quality in the same patient at different tube loads (dose) and reconstructed with Filtered back projection (FBP) and SAFIRE strength 1 in a low-dose abdominal CT (Paper I) and FBP and ADMIRE strengths 3 and 5 in a standard dose abdominal CT (Paper II). Paper IV evaluated the impact of slice thicknesses in CT images reconstructed with ADMIRE strengths 3 and 5 when comparing multiplanar reconstruction (MPR) formatted images in a standard dose abdominal CT. Paper III, on the other hand, was an absolute assessment of image quality and pathology between the three phases of a CT Urography (CTU) protocol to explore the diagnostic value of low-dose abdominal CT. The anonymised images were displayed in random order and image quality was assessed by a group of radiologists using image quality criteria from the “European guidelines of quality criteria for CT”. The responses from the reviewer assessment were analysed statistically with ordinal logistic regression i.e. Visual Grading Regression (VGR).Results in Paper I show that a small dose reduction (5-9 %) was possible using SAFIRE strength 1and indicated the need for further research to evaluate the dose reduction potential of higher strengths of the algorithm. In Paper II a 30% dose reduction was possible without change in ADMIRE algorithm strength as no improvement in image quality was observed between tube loads 98- and 140 mAs. When comparing tube loads 42 and 98 mAs, further dose reduction was possible with ADMIRE strength 3 (22-47%). However, for images reconstructed with ADMIRE strength 5, a dose reduction of 34-74% was possible for some, but not all image criteria. Image quality in low-contrast objects such as the liver parenchyma, was affected and a decline in diagnostic confidence was observed. Paper IV showed potential dose reductions are possible with increasing slice thickness from 1 mm to 2 mm (24-35%) and 1 mm to 3mm (25-41%). ADMIRE strength 3 continued to provide diagnostically acceptable images with possible dose reductions for all image criteria assessed. Despite objective evaluations showing a decrease in noise and an increase in contrast to noise ratio, ADMIRE strength 5 had diverse effects on the five image criteria, depending on slice thickness and further dose reductions were limited to certain image criteria. The findings do not support a general recommendation to replace ADMIRE3 with ADMIRE5 in clinical abdominal CT protocols.Paper III studied another aspect of optimisation and results show that visualisation of renal anatomy was as expected in favour of the post-contrast phases when compared to the native phase. Assessment of pathology showed no significant differences between the three phases. Significantly higher diagnostic certainty for renal anatomy was observed for the post-contrast phases when compared to the native phase. Significantly high certainty scores were also seen for the nephrographic phase for incidental findings. The conclusion is that a low-dose series seems to be sufficient as a first-line modality in certain patient groups.This thesis clinically evaluated the effect of IR in abdominal CT imaging and estimated potential dose reductions. The important conclusion from papers I, II and IV is that IR improves image quality in abdominal CT allowing for some dose reductions. However, the clinical utility of the highest strength of the algorithm is limited to certain criteria. The results can be used to optimise the clinical abdominal CT protocol. The conclusion from paper III may increase clinical awareness of the value of the low-dose abdominal protocol when choosing an imaging method for certain patient groups who are more sensitive to radiation.
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- Kågedal, Bertil, 1943-, et al.
(author)
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Determination of glomerular filtration rate, a spin off aftercontrast-enhanced computed tomography among criticallyill patients − proof of concept
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Other publication (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Background Recently, Gong et al. (Gong et al. 2022) showed, in nine heathy subjects, that plasma clearance of high doses of iohexol given as contrast enhanced computed tomography (CT) could be used for determination of glomerular filtration rate (GFR). We utilized high doses of iohexol from angiographic or other contrast enhanced CT given to critical ill patients for calculation of GFRiohexol and compared these data with standard low dose iohexol GFR determinations.Method Patients at intensive care units (ICUs) in Southeast Sweden intended for radiographic investigations that included injection of 45-120 ml of iohexol (Omnipaque) were included, and the concentration of iohexol in plasma was measured by HPLC. Iohexol clearance was calculated by the method of Bröchner-Mortensen. The following days was iohexol clearance determined using the standard low dose of 5 mL of iohexol. Sixteen patients admitted to ICUs were included in this pilot study.Results GFR after high dosing of iohexol at contrast enhanced CT could be measured for all sixteen critically ill patients. Patients with normal or increased renal function had neglectable iohexol concentrations the day following the CT scan. There was excellent correlation between GFR determination with high and standard low iohexol dosing among these 6 patients. Ten patients had decreased renal function and delayed elimination of iohexol, thus was not GFR measurement with low dose iohexol possible to analyse the day after CT scan with high dose iohexol.Conclusion This pilot study showed that GFR can be measured after high doses of iohexol at enhanced CT and compare well with the standard low dose of iohexol clearance determinations.
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