title: Histogram-based selective deblurring to improve computed tomography imaging of calcifications.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Computed tomography (CT) imaging of small high-density structures, eg, calcifications, is hampered by image blur. This study aims to deconvolve calcifications in the transverse and longitudinal directions while avoiding noise amplification and edge-ringing artifacts in the surrounding low-density structures.
  
  
  METHODS
  A method referred to as histogram-based selective deblurring (HiSD) has been developed to generate a restored image by combining the low-intensity (ie, Hounsfield Units) information of the original image with the high-intensity information of the deconvolved image. HiSD is evaluated on phantom and in vitro atherosclerotic plaque CT images by comparing the original and restored images with their corresponding reference micro-CT images both qualitatively and quantitatively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  HiSD reduces calcification blur in the transverse and longitudinal directions without introducing noise and ringing-artifacts in the surrounding tissues. Calcification area and volume measurements are significantly improved in the restored images (reducing on average overestimation by 32% and 83%, respectively).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  HiSD significantly improves CT visualization and quantification of small high-density structures imaged in vitro.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Erasmus MC-University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. m.rollanohijarrubia@erasmusmc.nl
authors.forename: Empar
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Rollano-Hijarrubia
authors.forename: Wiro
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Niessen
authors.forename: Harrie
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Weinans
authors.forename: Aad
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: van der Lugt
authors.forename: Rik
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Stokking
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D019047:Phantoms, Imaging; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed