Effect of acquisition techniques, latest kernels, and advanced monoenergetic post-processing for stent visualization...

Area of Science:

• Medical Imaging
• Radiology
• Computed Tomography (CT)

Background:

• Stent visualization in computed tomography (CT) is crucial for assessing vascular interventions.
• Optimizing imaging parameters is essential for improving the depiction quality of metallic stents.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically evaluate the impact of tube voltage, current kernels, and monoenergetic post-processing on stent visualization.
• To compare dual-energy CT (DECT) with single-energy CT (SECT) for stent imaging.

Main Methods:

• A peripheral stent was scanned using a third-generation dual-source scanner in SE and DE modes.
• Images were reconstructed with various convolution kernels and monoenergetic reconstructions (40-190 keV).
• Stent strut sharpness, width, contrast-to-noise ratios, and pseudoenhancement were quantitatively analyzed.

Main Results:

• Dual-energy CT (DECT) combined with monoenergetic reconstruction and advanced kernels yielded superior stent visualization.
• The best overall depiction quality was achieved with monoenergetic reconstructions at 50 keV from DECT (90 kV/Sn 150 kV, kernel Qr59).
• Subjective reader agreement correlated strongly with quantitative overall depiction quality metrics.

Conclusions:

• DECT acquisition, coupled with advanced kernels and monoenergetic post-processing, significantly improves stent visualization over SECT.
• Specific DECT parameters (90 kV/Sn 150 kV, Qr59 kernel, 50 keV monoenergetic reconstruction) provide optimal stent depiction.