The purpose of this work was to measure and compare the iodine contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) between a commercial energy-integrating detector (EID) computed tomography (CT) system photon-counting (PCD) CT scanner capable human imaging at clinical dose rates, as well determine feasibility using cadavers.A research dual-source PCD-CT used, where "A" tube/detector subsystem used an EID "B" PCD. Iodine CNR measured in 4 anthropomorphic phantoms, simulating patient sizes, tube potential settings....

This study evaluated the conventional imaging performance of a research whole-body photon-counting CT system and investigated its feasibility for using clinically realistic levels x-ray photon flux. was built on platform 2nd generation dual-source system: one source coupled to an energy integrating detector (EID) other (PCD). Phantom studies were conducted measure number accuracy uniformity water, dependency high-Z materials, spatial resolution, noise, contrast-to-noise ratio. The results...

Purpose To compare a research photon-counting-detector (PCD) CT scanner to dual-source, dual-energy for the detection and characterization of renal stones in human participants with known stones. Materials Methods Thirty study (median age, 61 years; 10 women) underwent clinical stone scan by using subsequent PCD same radiation dose (as represented volumetric index). Two radiologists were tasked stones, which later characterized as uric acid or non-uric commercial analysis package. Stone size...

Our aim was to compare the image quality and patient dose of contrast-enhanced oncologic chest-CT a first-generation photon-counting detector (PCD-CT) second-generation dual-source dual-energy CT (DSCT). For this reason, one hundred consecutive patients (63 male, 65 ± 11 years, BMI: 16–42 kg/m2) were prospectively enrolled evaluated. Clinically indicated obtained with PCD-CT compared previously chest-DSCT in same individuals. The median time interval between scans three months. contrast...

Objectives Calcified plaques induce blooming artifacts in coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) potentially leading to inaccurate stenosis evaluation. Tungsten represents a high atomic number, experimental contrast agent with different physical properties than iodine. We explored the potential of tungsten-based for photon-counting detector (PCD) CCTA heavily calcified vessels. Materials and Methods A cardiovascular phantom exhibiting coronaries was imaged on first-generation...

The aim of this study was to systematically evaluate the potential combine investigational contrast media with spectrally optimized energy-thresholding photon-counting detector computed tomography (PCCT) for subtraction calcified plaques in a coronary artery stenosis phantom.A small vessel phantom containing 3 fillable tubes (diameter, mm each) placed into an anthropomorphic chest phantom. had incremental thicknesses ranging from 0.3 2.7 mm, simulating stenoses 10% 90% lumen diameter. filled...

Subjective and objective image quality comparison of bone microstructure disease-related abnormalities in multiple myeloma patients using a 1st-generation dual-source photon-counting detector CT(DS-PCD-CT) 2nd-generation dual-energy (energy-integrating detector) CT (DS-EID-CT).Fifty (mean age 67.7 ± 10.9 years,16 females) were prospectively enrolled. Unenhanced whole-body CTs clinically indicated performed on DS-EID-CT DS-PCD-CT (median time difference: 12 months). was Quantumplus UHR mode...

Photon-counting detector computed tomography (PCD-CT) enables spectral data acquisition of CT angiographies allowing for reconstruction virtual monoenergetic images (VMIs) in routine practice. Specifically, it has potential to reduce the blooming artifacts associated with densely calcified plaques. However, calcium and iodine attenuation are inversely affected by energy level (keV) VMIs, creating a challenge contrast media (CM) injection protocol optimization. A pragmatic simple rule...

X-ray computed tomography (CT) with energy-discriminating capabilities presents exciting opportunities for increased dose efficiency and improved material decomposition analyses. However, due to constraints imposed by the inability of photon-counting detectors (PCD) respond accurately at high photon flux, date there has been no clinical application PCD-CT. Recently, our lab installed a research prototype system consisting two x-ray sources corresponding detectors, one using an...

Two ultra-high-resolution (UHR) imaging modes, each with two energy thresholds, were implemented on a research, whole-body photon-counting-detector (PCD) CT scanner, referred to as sharp and UHR, respectively. The UHR mode has pixel size of 0.25 mm at iso-center for both collimation 32 × mm. the low-energy threshold 0.5 high-energy threshold, 48 Kidney stones mixed mineral composition lung nodules different shapes scanned using standard mode, macro (0.5 collimation). Evaluation comparison...

In medical image visualization, path tracing of volumetric data like computed tomography (CT) scans produces lifelike three-dimensional visualizations. Immersive virtual reality (VR) displays can further enhance the understanding complex anatomies. Going beyond diagnostic quality traditional 2D slices, they enable interactive 3D evaluation anatomies, supporting education and planning. Rendering high-quality visualizations in real-time, however, is computationally intensive impractical for...

Objective The aim of the study is to compare image quality and homogeneity vessel enhancement in high-pitch CT-angiography aorta (CTA) prior transcatheter aortic valve implantation between bolus tracking with a fixed trigger delay patient-specific delay. Materials Methods In this retrospective study, consecutive patients who received CTA January 2023 June 2024 were included. Patients imaged using either (Group A; 15 seconds) or B; FAST Bolus; Siemens Healthineers AG). same contrast injection...

Background Optimal timing of the CT scan relative to contrast media bolus remains a challenging task given shorter durations modern scanners, as well interpatient variability. Purpose To compare opacification in angiography aorta between cohort with fixed trigger delay and patient-specific individualized for tracking. Materials Methods In this prospective study (January–August 2018), thoracoabdominal tracking was performed two different cohorts: one 4 seconds (fixed cohort) (individualized...

Objectives The aim of this study was to compare the image quality low-kV protocols with optimized automatic tube voltage selection (ATVS) settings reduce either radiation dose or contrast medium (CM) that a reference protocol for computed tomography angiography (CTA) thoracoabdominal aorta. Materials and Methods In institutional review board–approved, single-center, prospective randomized controlled trial, 126 patients receiving CTA aorta were allocated one three protocols: (A) at 120 kVp...

The use of deep learning has successfully solved several problems in the field medical imaging. Deep been applied to CT denoising problem successfully. However, requires large amounts data train convolutional networks (CNNs). Moreover, due parameter count, such CNNs may cause unexpected results.In this study, we introduce a novel framework, which interpretable behavior and provides useful results with limited data.We employ bilateral filtering both projection volume domains remove noise. To...

This study evaluates the capabilities of a whole-body photon counting CT system to differentiate between four common kidney stone materials, namely uric acid (UA), calcium oxalate monohydrate (COM), cystine (CYS), and apatite (APA) <i>ex vivo</i>. Two different x-ray spectra (120 kV 140 kV) were applied two acquisition modes investigated. The macro-mode generates energy threshold based image-volumes bin image-volumes. In chesspattern-mode thresholds are applied. A virtual low image, as well...

Objective The aim of this study was to determine if computed tomography (CT) angiography using an individualized transition delay (CTA-ID) would facilitate reductions in injection rate and iodine dose. Methods CTA-ID performed 20 patients with routine dose; lowered by 1 mL/s; 40 mL/s 29% less iodine. Routine CTAs the same or size-matched served as controls. Diagnostic image quality intra-arterial CT numbers were assessed. Results median between aortic threshold acquisition significantly...

A new ultra high-resolution (UHR) mode has been implemented on a whole body photon counting-detector (PCD) CT system. The UHR pixel size of 0.25 mm by at the iso-center, while conventional (macro) is limited to 0.5 mm. set synthetic lung nodules (two shapes, five sizes, and two radio-densities) was scanned using both macro modes reconstructed with 2 reconstruction kernels (4 sets images in total). Linear regression analysis performed compare measured nodule volumes from reference volumes....