title: Effectiveness of Adaptive Statistical Iterative Reconstruction for 64-Slice Dual-Energy Computed Tomography Pulmonary Angiography in Patients With a Reduced Iodine Load: Comparison With Standard Computed Tomography Pulmonary Angiography.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the study was to assess the effectiveness of the adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction (ASIR) for dual-energy computed tomography pulmonary angiography (DE-CTPA) with a reduced iodine load.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred forty patients referred for chest CT were randomly divided into a DE-CTPA group with a reduced iodine load or a standard CTPA group. Quantitative and qualitative image qualities of virtual monochromatic spectral (VMS) images with filtered back projection (VMS-FBP) and those with 50% ASIR (VMS-ASIR) in the DE-CTPA group were compared. Image qualities of VMS-ASIR images in the DE-CTPA group and ASIR images in the standard CTPA group were also compared.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All quantitative and qualitative indices, except attenuation value of pulmonary artery in the VMS-ASIR subgroup, were superior to those in the VMS-FBP subgroup (all P < 0.001). Noise and signal-to-noise ratio of VMS-ASIR images were superior to those of ASIR images in the standard CTPA group (P < 0.001 and P = 0.007, respectively). Regarding qualitative indices, noise was significantly lower in VMS-ASIR images of the DE-CTPA group than in ASIR images of the standard CTPA group (P = 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The ASIR technique tends to improve the image quality of VMS imaging. Dual-energy computed tomography pulmonary angiography with ASIR can reduce contrast medium volume and produce images of comparable quality with those of standard CTPA.
authors.affiliation: From the *Department of Radiology, Pusan National University Hospital, Pusan National University School of Medicine and Medical Research Institute, Busan; †Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yonsei University, Wonju; and ‡Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, Inha University, Incheon, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Ji Won
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Geewon
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Nam Kyung
authors.initials: NK
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Jin Il
authors.initials: JI
authors.lastname: Moon
authors.forename: Yun Hye
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Ju
authors.forename: Young Ju
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Suh
authors.forename: Yeon Joo
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Jeong
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000465:Algorithms; D000072226:Computed Tomography Angiography / Q000379:methods*; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007455:Iodine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D011857:Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D015900:Radiography, Dual-Energy Scanned Projection / Q000379:methods*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D007455:Iodine