title: Experiences with the use of iteratively reconstructed dose-modified MDCT angiography examinations of living renal donors.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the performance of iteratively reconstructed (IR) dose-modified (DM) multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) angiography (CTA) examinations of renal donors in comparison to standard dose filtered back projection (FBP) images.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighty-five potential donors who underwent dual-phase CTA on 16-/64-MDCT scanners were retrospectively reviewed. Images from a 16-MDCT scanner were reconstructed with filtered back projection (group A, 47) and examinations from 64-MDCT with IR (group B, 38). Scan parameters were constant for both groups except for higher noise index (× 1.3) in group B. Images were interpreted for the relevant anatomy and IQ by 2 readers. Surgical report served as reference standard for operated kidneys, whereas for nonoperated kidneys, interobserver agreement was evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Radiation dose was 36% lower in group B compared to group A. All CTA examinations were rated for diagnostic quality with comparable IQ scores. In 48 operated kidneys, 10 surgically confirmed vascular anomalies were correctly identified by both readers. In the remaining 122 nonoperated kidneys, there was an excellent interobserver agreement.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Iteratively reconstructed technique preserves high image quality and diagnostic performance at significantly lower radiation doses in DM kidney donor CTA examinations.
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Radiology, Division of Abdominal Imaging and Intervention, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA.
authors.forename: Yasir
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Andrabi
authors.forename: Avinash
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kambadakone
authors.forename: Dushyant V
authors.initials: DV
authors.lastname: Sahani
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003287:Contrast Media; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D007668:Kidney / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D016030:Kidney Transplantation; D019520:Living Donors; D008297:Male; D061330:Multidetector Computed Tomography / Q000379:methods*; D009392:Nephrectomy; D015588:Observer Variation; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods; D012077:Renal Artery / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D012082:Renal Veins / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media