Knowledge-based iterative model reconstruction technique in computed tomography of lumbar spine lowers radiation dose and improves tissue differentiation for patients with lower back pain

Cheng Hui Yang, Tung Hsin Wu, Chung Jung Lin*, Yi You Chiou, Ying Chou Chen, Ming Huei Sheu, Wan Yuo Guo, Chen Fen Chiu

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

10 Scopus citations

Abstract

Purpose To evaluate the image quality and diagnostic confidence of reduced-dose computed tomography (CT) of the lumbar spine (L-spine) reconstructed with knowledge-based iterative model reconstruction (IMR). Materials and methods Prospectively, group A consisted of 55 patients imaged with standard acquisition reconstructed with filtered back-projection. Group B consisted of 58 patients imaged with half tube current, reconstructed with hybrid iterative reconstruction (iDose4) in Group B1 and knowledge-based IMR in Group B2. Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of different regions, the contrast-to-noise ratio between the intervetebral disc (IVD) and dural sac (D-D CNR), and subjective image quality of different regions were compared. Higher strength IMR was also compared in spinal stenosis cases. Results The SNR of the psoas muscle and D-D CNR were significantly higher in the IMR group. Except for the facet joint, subjective image quality of other regions including IVD, intervertebral foramen (IVF), dural sac, peridural fat, ligmentum flavum, and overall diagnostic acceptability were best for the IMR group. Diagnostic confidence of narrowing IVF and IVD was good (kappa = 0.58–0.85). Higher strength IMR delineated IVD better in spinal stenosis cases. Conclusion Lower dose CT of L-spine reconstructed with IMR demonstrates better tissue differentiation than iDose4 and standard dose CT with FBP.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1757-1764
Number of pages8
JournalEuropean Journal of Radiology
Volume85
Issue number10
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Oct 2016

Keywords

  • Computer tomography
  • Diagnostic confidence
  • Image quality
  • Iterative reconstruction
  • Lumbar spine
  • Radiation dose

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Knowledge-based iterative model reconstruction technique in computed tomography of lumbar spine lowers radiation dose and improves tissue differentiation for patients with lower back pain'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this