title: Improved vessel morphology measurements in contrast-enhanced multi-detector computed tomography coronary angiography with non-linear post-processing.
abstract: Multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) permits detection of coronary plaque. However, noise and blurring impair accuracy and precision of plaque measurements. The aim of the study was to evaluate MDCT post-processing based on non-linear image deblurring and edge-preserving noise suppression for measurements of plaque size. Contrast-enhanced MDCT coronary angiography was performed in four subjects (mean age 55 +/- 5 years, mean heart rate 54 +/- 5 bpm) using a 16-slice scanner (Siemens Sensation 16, collimation 16 x 0.75 mm, gantry rotation 420 ms, tube voltage 120 kV, tube current 550 mAs, 80 mL of contrast). Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS; 40 MHz probe) was performed in one vessel in each patient and served as a reference standard. MDCT vessel cross-sectional images (1 mm thickness) were created perpendicular to centerline and aligned with corresponding IVUS images. MDCT images were processed using a deblurring and edge-preserving noise suppression algorithm. Then, three independent blinded observers segmented lumen and outer vessel boundaries in each modality to obtain vessel cross-sectional area and wall area in the unprocessed MDCT cross-sections, post-processed MDCT cross-sections and corresponding IVUS. The wall area measurement difference for unprocessed and post-processed MDCT images relative to IVUS was 0.4 +/- 3.8 mm2 and -0.2 +/- 2.2 mm2 (p < 0.05), respectively. Similarly, Bland-Altman analysis of vessel cross-sectional area from unprocessed and post-processed MDCT images relative to IVUS showed a measurement difference of 1.0 +/- 4.4 and 0.6 +/- 4.8 mm2, respectively. In conclusion, MDCT permitted accurate in vivo measurement of wall area and vessel cross-sectional area as compared to IVUS. Post-processing to reduce blurring and noise reduced variability of wall area measurements and reduced measurement bias for both wall area and vessel cross-sectional area.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 165 Cambridge Street, Suite 400, Boston, MA 02114, USA. maros.ferencik@hms.harvard.edu
authors.forename: Maros
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ferencik
authors.forename: Jennifer B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Lisauskas
authors.forename: Ricardo C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Cury
authors.forename: Udo
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Hoffmann
authors.forename: Suhny
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Abbara
authors.forename: Stephan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Achenbach
authors.forename: W Clem
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Karl
authors.forename: Thomas J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Brady
authors.forename: Raymond C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Chan
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D016477:Artifacts; D003287:Contrast Media; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D003331:Coronary Vessels / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017711:Nonlinear Dynamics; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*; D014463:Ultrasonography
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media