Temporally targeted imaging method applied to ECG-gated computed tomography: preliminary phantom and in vivo experience.
OBJECTIVE
Existing cardiac imaging methods do not allow for improved temporal resolution when considering a targeted region of interest (ROI). The imaging method presented here enables improved temporal resolution for ROI imaging (namely, a reconstruction volume smaller than the complete field of view). Clinically, temporally targeted reconstruction would not change the primary means of reconstructing and evaluating images, but rather would enable the adjunct technique of ROI imaging, with improved temporal resolution compared with standard reconstruction ( approximately 20% smaller temporal scan window). In gated cardiac computed tomography (CT) scans improved temporal resolution directly translates into a reduction in motion artifacts for rapidly moving objects such as the coronary arteries.


METHODS
Retrospectively electrocardiogram gated coronary angiography data from a 64-slice CT system were used. A motion phantom simulating the motion profile of a coronary artery was constructed and scanned. Additionally, an in vivo study was performed using a porcine model. Comparisons between the new reconstruction technique and the standard reconstruction are given for an ROI centered on the right coronary artery, and a pulmonary ROI.


RESULTS
In both a well-controlled motion model and a porcine model results show a decrease in motion induced artifacts including motion blur and streak artifacts from contrast enhanced vessels within the targeted ROIs, as assessed through both qualitative and quantitative observations.


CONCLUSIONS
Temporally targeted reconstruction techniques demonstrate the potential to reduce motion artifacts in coronary CT. Further study is warranted to demonstrate the conditions under which this technique will offer direct clinical utility. Improvement in temporal resolution for gated cardiac scans has implications for improving: contrast enhanced CT angiography, calcium scoring, and assessment of the pulmonary anatomy.
Nett
Brian E
BE
Department of Medical Physics, University of Wisconsin Madison, J5/M174, Clinical Science Center, 600 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI 53792-1590, USA.
Leng
Shuai
S
Zambelli
Joseph N
JN
Reeder
Scott B
SB
Speidel
Michael A
MA
Chen
Guang-Hong
GH
D000818:Animals; D016477:Artifacts; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D003331:Coronary Vessels; D004562:Electrocardiography; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D009038:Motion; D019047:Phantoms, Imaging; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013552:Swine; D013997:Time Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*