Comparison of image quality in contrast-enhanced coronary-artery visualization by electron beam tomography and retrospectively electrocardiogram-gated multislice spiral computed tomography.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the image quality of electron beam tomography (EBT) and multislice spiral CT (MSCT) for coronary artery visualization.


METHODS
Two groups of 30 patients without coronary stenoses were studied by MSCT (4 x 1 mm collimation) or EBT (3 mm slice thickness). Contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), overall length of the visualized arteries and vessel length free of motion artifacts were measured.


RESULTS
Length of visualized arteries was equal in MSCT and EBT. In EBT, longer segments were depicted free of motion artifacts (MSCT: 73%, EBT: 92% of visualized length, P< 0.001) and CNR was significantly higher than in MSCT (15.4 vs. 9.0; P< 0.001). In both modalities, vessel diameters correlated closely to quantitative coronary angiography.


CONCLUSIONS
EBT and MSCT permit reliable coronary artery visualization and measurement of vessel diameters. For the used scan protocol, MSCT images had a lower CNR and were more frequently affected by motion.
Achenbach
Stephan
S
Department of Internal Medicine II, Institute of Diagnostic Radiology, University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany. stephan.achenbach@rzmail.uni-erlangen.de
Giesler
Tom
T
Ropers
Dieter
D
Ulzheimer
Stefan
S
Anders
Katharina
K
Wenkel
Evelyn
E
Pohle
Karsten
K
Kachelriess
Marc
M
Derlien
Hans
H
Kalender
Willi  A
W
Daniel
Werner G
WG
Bautz
Werner
W
Baum
Ulrich
U
D000368:Aged; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D036542:Tomography, Spiral Computed; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
D003287:Contrast Media