Use of Model-based Iterative Reconstruction to Improve Detection of Congenital Cardiovascular Anomalies in Infants Undergoing Free-breathing Computed Tomographic Angiography

Purpose: The aim of the study was to assess the detection of congenital cardiovascular anomalies (congenital heart disease) in neonates and infants using model-based iterative reconstruction (MBIR) algorithm compared with hybrid iterative reconstruction (HIR) and filtered back projection (FBP) reconstructions on axial computed tomography (CT) performed at minimum scanner dose. Materials and Methods: Over 1 year, all CT angiographies performed in infants below 3 months of age with congenital heart disease were assessed retrospectively. All were scanned on a 256-slice CT (Brilliance iCT) using single axial rotation at minimum allowable scanner dose (80 kV/10 mAs), with patients free-breathing. Intravenous contrast was 1 mL/kg. Scan reconstruction was 0.9 mm/0.45 mm overlap, reconstructed with FBP, HIR (iDose5), and MBIR (IMR2). The 3 reconstructions per study were anonymized and randomized. Four cardiac radiologists (23, 9, 7, and 6 y experience) evaluated each reconstruction on a workstation for presence of an atrial septal defect, a ventricular septal defect, patent ductus arteriosus, and surgical shunt or anomalies of the aorta, pulmonary arteries, and pulmonary veins. Unevaluable structures were classified as nondiagnostic. Gold standard was surgery or both echocardiogram and cardiac catheterization. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were determined for each reconstruction. Results: Fifteen scans in 14 infants met the inclusion criteria, with a total of 48 anomal...
Source: Journal of Thoracic Imaging - Category: Radiology Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research