title: The optimal monochromatic spectral computed tomographic imaging plus adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction algorithm can improve the superior mesenteric vessel image quality.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the effect of the optimal monochromatic spectral computed tomography (CT) plus adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction on the improvement of the image quality of the superior mesenteric artery and vein.
  
  
  METHODS
  The gemstone spectral CT angiographic data of 25 patients were reconstructed in the following three groups: 70KeV, the optimal monochromatic imaging, and the optimal monochromatic plus 40%iterative reconstruction mode. The CT value, image noises (IN), background CT value and noises, contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and image scores of the vessels and surrounding tissues were analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the 70KeV, the optimal monochromatic and the optimal monochromatic images plus 40% iterative reconstruction group, the mean scores of image quality were 3.86, 4.24 and 4.25 for the superior mesenteric artery and 3.46, 3.78 and 3.81 for the superior mesenteric vein, respectively. The image quality scores for the optimal monochromatic and the optimal monochromatic plus 40% iterative reconstruction groups were significantly greater than for the 70KeV group (P<0.05). The vascular CT value, image noise, background noise, CNR and SNR were significantly (P<0.001) greater in the optimal monochromatic and the optimal monochromatic images plus 40% iterative reconstruction group than in the 70KeV group. The optimal monochromatic plus 40% iterative reconstruction group had significantly (P<0.05) lower image and background noise but higher CNR and SNR than the other two groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The optimal monochromatic imaging combined with 40% iterative reconstruction using low-contrast agent dosage and low injection rate can significantly improve the image quality of the superior mesenteric artery and vein.
authors.affiliation: CT/MRI room, Affiliated Hospital of Hebei University, Baoding, Hebei, 071000, China.
authors.forename: Xiao-Ping
authors.initials: XP
authors.lastname: Yin
authors.affiliation: CT/MRI room, Affiliated Hospital of Hebei University, Baoding, Hebei, 071000, China.
authors.forename: Zi-Wei
authors.initials: ZW
authors.lastname: Zuo
authors.affiliation: CT/MRI room, Affiliated Hospital of Hebei University, Baoding, Hebei, 071000, China.
authors.forename: Ying-Jin
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.affiliation: CT/MRI room, Affiliated Hospital of Hebei University, Baoding, Hebei, 071000, China.
authors.forename: Jia-Ning
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Imaging, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, 050000, China. Electronic address: hebeiliu@outlook.com.
authors.forename: Huai-Jun
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: CT/MRI room, Affiliated Hospital of Hebei University, Baoding, Hebei, 071000, China.
authors.forename: Guang-Lu
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Liang
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Research, Shijiazhuang First Hospital, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, 050011, China. Electronic address: browngao@163.com.
authors.forename: Bu-Lang
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Gao
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000465:Algorithms; D003287:Contrast Media; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D017538:Mesenteric Artery, Superior / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods; D011857:Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D059629:Signal-To-Noise Ratio; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media
keywords: Angiography; Iterative reconstruction; Optimal monochromatic imaging; Spectral computed tomography; Superior mesenteric artery; Superior mesenteric vein