title: Cerebral CT angiography with iterative reconstruction at 70kVp and 30mL iodinated contrast agent: Initial experience.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the radiation dose and image quality of cerebral CT angiography (CTA) at 70kVp with 30mL iodinated contrast agent.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred patients were prospectively classified into two groups: Group A (n=50), 120kVp cerebral CTA with 60mL iodinated contrast agent reconstructed by filtered back projection (FBP) and Group B (n=50), 70kVp with 30mL iodinated contrast agent reconstructed by sinogram-affirmed iterative reconstruction (SAFIRE). CT values, noise, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) of the internal carotid artery (ICA) and middle cerebral artery (MCA) were measured. Subjective image quality was evaluated. Effective dose (ED) was calculated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean CT values of the ICA and MCA of Group B were higher than those of Group A (all P<0.001). The mean noise of Group A was lower than that of Group B (P<0.001). SNRICA, SNRMCAand CNRICA, CNRMCAof Group A were higher than Group B (all P<0.001). There was no difference in vessel sharpness, noise, and overall quality between the two groups (all P>0.05). ED of Group B (0.2±0.0mSv) was lower than Group A (1.3±0.1 mSv) (p<0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cerebral CTA with iterative reconstruction at 70kVp and 30mL iodinated contrast agent is feasible, allowing for substantial dose reduction compared with conventional cerebral CTA protocol.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Imaging, Jinling Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210002, China. Electronic address: paddychen@163.com.
authors.forename: Guo Zhong
authors.initials: GZ
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Imaging, Jinling Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210002, China. Electronic address: 598739740@qq.com.
authors.forename: Xiao Kun
authors.initials: XK
authors.lastname: Fang
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Imaging, Jinling Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210002, China. Electronic address: njzhouyisheng@qq.com.
authors.forename: Chang Sheng
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Imaging, Jinling Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210002, China. Electronic address: kevinzhlj@163.com.
authors.forename: Long Jiang
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Imaging, Jinling Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210002, China. Electronic address: cjr.luguangming@vip.163.com.
authors.forename: Guang Ming
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Lu
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002533:Cerebral Angiography / Q000379:methods*; D000072226:Computed Tomography Angiography / Q000379:methods*; D003287:Contrast Media; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D007472:Iohexol / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011857:Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D059629:Signal-To-Noise Ratio
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D007472:Iohexol; C038192:iopromide
keywords: Angiography; Intracranial aneurysm; Low tube voltage; Radiation dose; Tomography; X-ray computed