Multireader image quality evaluation of dynamic myocardial computed tomography perfusion imaging with a novel four-dimensional noise reduction filter

摘要

Background Dynamic myocardial computed tomography perfusion (CTP) is a novel technique able to depict cardiac ischemia. Purpose To evaluate the impact of a four-dimensional noise reduction filter (similarity filter 4D-SF) on image quality in dynamic CTP imaging, allowing for substantial radiation dose reduction. Material and Methods Dynamic CTP datasets of 30 patients (16 women) with suspected coronary artery disease, acquired with a 320-slice CT system, were retrieved, reconstructed with the deep learning-based algorithm of the system (DLR), and filtered with the 4D-SF. For each case, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) in six regions of interest (33-38mm(2)) were calculated before and after filtering, in four-chamber and short-axis views, and t-tested. Furthermore, six radiologists of different expertise evaluated subjective image preference by answering five visual grading analysis-type questions (regarding acceptable level of noise, absence of artifacts, natural appearance, cardiac contour sharpness, diagnostic acceptability) using a 5-point scale. The results were analyzed using visual grade characteristics (VGC) and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Results Mean SNR in four-chamber view (unfiltered vs. filtered) were: septum=4.1 +/- 2.1 versus 7.6 +/- 5.6; lateral wall=4.5 +/- 2.0 versus 8.0 +/- 4.9; CNRseptum=16.6 +/- 8.9 versus 31.7 +/- 28; lateral wall=16.2 +/- 8.9 versus 31.3 +/- 28.9. Similar results were obtained in short-axis view. The perceived filtered image quality indicated decreased noise (VGC(AUC)=0.96) and artifacts (0.65), improved natural appearance (0.59), cardiac contour sharpness (0.74), and diagnostic acceptability (0.78). The inter-observer variability was excellent (ICC=0.79). All results were statistically significant (P < 0.05). Conclusion Similarity filtering after DLR improves image quality, possibly enabling dose reduction in dynamic CTP imaging in patient with suspected chronic coronary syndrome.