Detection and quantification of coronary calcium from dual energy chest x‐rays: Phantom feasibility study

• DOI: 10.1002/mp.12474
• Publication Date: 2017-07-15T09:07:14Z
• Authors: Bo Zhou; Di Wen; Katelyn Nye; Robert C. Gilkeson; Brendan Eck; David Jordan; David L. Wilson
• Keywords: Agatston score

We have demonstrated the ability to identify coronary calcium, a reliable biomarker of artery disease, using nongated, 2-shot, dual energy (DE) chest x-ray imaging. Here we will use digital simulations, backed up by measurements, characterize DE calcium signals and role potential confounds such as beam hardening, scatter, cardiac motion, pulmonary pulsation. For signal, consider quantification, compared CT score, visualization.We created stylized anatomical 3D phantoms including heart, lung, spine, ribs, artery, adipose. simulated high low kVp acquisitions with spectra, dependent attenuation, ideal detector, automatic exposure control (AEC). Phantoms allowed us vary adipose thickness, etc. used specialized (DECC) processing that includes corrections for scatter hardening.Beam hardening over wide range thickness (0-30 cm) reduced change in intensity calcification (ΔICAC ) < 3% DECC images. Scatter correction errors ±50% affected signal images ±9%. If fills blood between exposures, it can give rise residual images, explaining visibility some clinical Residual misregistration be mostly compensated integrating an enlarged region encompassing registration artifacts. score favorably mass volume scores number phantom perturbations.Simulations indicate proper faithfully recover signals. Beam estimation, etc., are all manageable. Simulations valuable continue optimize image quantitative analysis.