Computed tomography of the chest with model-based iterative reconstruction using a radiation exposure similar to chest X-ray examination: preliminary observations

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to assess the diagnostic image quality of ultra-low-dose chest computed tomography (ULD-CT) obtained with a radiation dose comparable to chest radiography and reconstructed with filtered back projection (FBP), adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction (ASIR) and model-based iterative reconstruction (MBIR) in comparison with standard dose diagnostic CT (SDD-CT) or low-dose diagnostic CT (LDD-CT) reconstructed with FBP alone. Methods: Unenhanced chest CT images of 42 patients acquired with ULD-CT were compared with images obtained with SDD-CT or LDD-CT in the same examination. Noise measurements and image quality, based on conspicuity of chest lesions on all CT data sets were assessed on a five-point scale. Results: The radiation dose of ULD-CT was 0.16 ± 0.006mSv compared with 11.2 ± 2.7mSv for SDD-CT (P < 0.0001) and 2.7 ± 0.9mSv for LDD-CT. Image quality of ULD-CT increased significantly when using MBIR compared with FBP or ASIR (P < 0.001). ULD-CT reconstructed with MBIR enabled to detect as many non-calcified pulmonary nodules as seen on SDD-CT or LDD-CT. However, image quality of ULD-CT was clearly inferior for characterisation of ground glass opacities or emphysema. Conclusion: Model-based iterative reconstruction allows detection of pulmonary nodules with ULD-CT with radiation exposure in the range of a posterior to anterior (PA) and lateral chest X-ray. Key Points : • Radiation dose is a key concern with the increased use of thoracic CT • Ultra-low-dose chest CT approximates the radiation dose of conventional chest radiography • Ultra-low-dose chest CT can be of diagnostic quality • Solid pulmonary nodules are clearly depicted on ultra-low-dose chest C

Tomodensitométrie thoracique à dose de radiation très basse : utilisation dans la pratique clinique

L'algorithme de reconstruction itérative de deuxième génération MBIR (Model Based Iterative Reconstruction) est une nouvelle méthode de reconstruction en tomodensitométrie, qui offre une diminution du bruit avec le potentiel d'une dose d'irradiation d'acquisition également diminuée, mais sans dégradation de la qualité et de la valeur diagnostique des images. Nous avons étudié la qualité des images scannographiques acquises au niveau du thorax, sans injection de produit de contraste intraveineux, reconstruites par MBIR avec une dose d'irradiation équivalente à la dose d'une radiographie thoracique face et profil et nous avons conclu que cette méthode permet la détection de nodules pulmonaires. Nous avons comparé la qualité des images d'une angiographie pulmonaire tomodensitométrique (CTPA) de protocole habituel avec une angiographie pulmonaire tomodensitométrique en mA bas reconstruit par MBIR et nous avons pu démontrer que les deux acquisitions sont équivalentes et la deuxième méthode permet la réduction de la dose ainsi que l'amélioration des rapports signal et contraste sur bruit dans les vaisseaux pulmonaires

Colovesical fistula causing an uncommon reason for failure of computed tomography colonography: a case report

Abstract Introduction Computed tomography colonography, or virtual colonoscopy, is a good alternative to optical colonoscopy. However, suboptimal patient preparation or colon distension may reduce the diagnostic accuracy of this imaging technique. Case presentation We report the case of an 83-year-old Caucasian woman who presented with a five-month history of pneumaturia and fecaluria and an acute episode of macrohematuria, leading to a high clinical suspicion of a colovesical fistula. The fistula was confirmed by standard contrast-enhanced computed tomography. Optical colonoscopy was performed to exclude the presence of an underlying colonic neoplasm. Since optical colonoscopy was incomplete, computed tomography colonography was performed, but also failed due to inadequate colon distension. The insufflated air directly accumulated within the bladder via the large fistula. Conclusions Clinicians should consider colovesical fistula as a potential reason for computed tomography colonography failure.</p

Colovesical fistula causing an uncommon reason for failure of computed tomography colonography: a case report

Computed tomography colonography, or virtual colonoscopy, is a good alternative to optical colonoscopy. However, suboptimal patient preparation or colon distension may reduce the diagnostic accuracy of this imaging technique

Feasibility of synthetic MRI in knee imaging in routine practice

Synthetic magnetic resonance (MR) is a method allowing reduction of examination time and access to quantitative imaging

Spontaneous lesser omental herniation resolved by laparoscopic surgery : case report and systematic literature review

Background: Despite its extremely low incidence, intra-abdominal herniation through the lesser omentum is associated with a high mortality rate and must be recognized early and treated urgently. To overcome a lack of data on the management of this condition, we collected and reviewed all the reported cases of operated lesser omental hernia and presented the case of a patient treated by laparoscopy for an isolated lesser omental hernia. Methods: According to PRISMA guidelines and using PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science, a systematic literature review of cases of lesser omental hernia treated by surgery was performed on February 12, 2023. Results: Of 482 articles, 30 were included for analysis and only 9 articles presented an isolated hernia through the lesser omentum. Among these, 4 patients were female and the median age was 38. Upper abdominal pain and vomiting were reported in 7 out of 9 patients. The small bowel was responsible for 78% (7/9) of all lesser omental herniations. All of them were treated by laparotomy. In addition, we describe the case of a 65-year-old woman without prior surgical history who was treated by laparoscopy for a spontaneous closed loop hernia through the lesser omentum without any other associated hernias. Conclusion: Mostly associated with prior surgery or trauma, this type of herniation could sometimes occur spontaneously without any sign of peritonitis. Due to the high mortality rate, internal abdominal hernias should always be ruled out with a CT scan in front of patients presenting with persisting acute abdominal pain and no alternative diagnosis.</p

Compressed sensing MRI of different organs: ready for clinical daily practice?

The aim was to evaluate the image quality and sensitivity to artifacts of compressed sensing (CS) acceleration technique, applied to 3D or breath-hold sequences in different clinical applications from brain to knee

Metallic artifact reduction by evaluation of the additional value of iterative reconstruction algorithms in hip prosthesis computed tomography imaging

To evaluate iterative metal artifact reduction (iMAR) technique in images data of hip prosthesis on computed tomography (CT) and the added value of advanced modeled iterative reconstruction (ADMIRE) compared with standard filtered back projection (FBP).Twenty-eight patients addressed to CT examinations for hip prosthesis were included prospectively. Images were reconstructed with iMAR algorithm in addition to FBP and ADMIRE techniques. Measuring image noise assessed objective image quality and attenuation values with standardized region of interest (ROI) in 4 predefined anatomical structures (gluteus medius and rectus femoris muscles, inferior and anterior abdominal fat, and femoral vessels when contrast media was present). Subjective image quality was graded on a 5-point Likert scale, taking into account the size of artifacts, the metal-bone interface and the conspicuity of pelvic organs, and the diagnostic confidence.Improvement in overall image quality was statistically significant using iMAR (P<.001) compared with ADMIRE and FBP. ADMIRE did not show any impact in image noise, attenuation value, or global quality image. iMAR showed a significant decrease in image noise in all ROIs (Hounsfield Unit) as compared with FBP and ADMIRE. Interobserver agreement was high in all reconstructions (FBP, FBP+iMAR, ADMIRE, and ADMIRE + iMAR) more than 0.8. iMAR reconstructions showed emergence of new artifacts in bone-metal interface.iMAR algorithm allows a significant reduction of metal artifacts on CT images with unilateral or bilateral prostheses without additional value of ADMIRE. It improves the analysis of surrounding tissue but potentially generates new artifacts in bone-metal interface