Objectives: To investigate the diagnostic accuracy of a modified three-material decomposition calcium subtraction (CS) algorithm for the detection of arterial stenosis in dual-energy CT angiography (DE-CTA) of the lower extremity runoff compared to standard image reconstruction, using digital subtraction angiography (DSA) as the reference standard. Methods: Eighty-eight patients (53 males; mean age, 65.9 ± 11 years) with suspected peripheral arterial disease (PAD) who had undergone a DE-CTA examination of the lower extremity runoff between May 2014 and May 2015 were included in this IRB-approved, HIPAA-compliant retrospective study. Standard linearly blended and CS images were reconstructed and vascular contrast-to-noise ratios (CNR) were calculated. Two independent observers assessed subjective image quality using a 5-point Likert scale. Diagnostic accuracy for ≥ 50% stenosis detection was analyzed in a subgroup of 45 patients who had undergone additional DSA. Diagnostic accuracy parameters were estimated with a random-effects logistic regression analysis and compared using generalized estimating equations. Results: CS datasets showed higher CNR (15.3 ± 7.3) compared to standard reconstructions (13.5 ± 6.5, p < 0.001). Both reconstructions showed comparable qualitative image quality scores (CS, 4.64; standard, 4.57; p = 0.220). Diagnostic accuracy (sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values) for CS reconstructions was 96.5% (97.5%, 95.6%, 90.9%, 98.1) and 93.1% (98.8%, 90.4%, 82.3%, 99.1%) for standard images. Conclusions: A modified three-material decomposition CS algorithm provides increased vascular CNR, equivalent qualitative image quality, and greater diagnostic accuracy for the detection of significant arterial stenosis of the lower extremity runoff on DE-CTA compared with standard image reconstruction. Key Points: • Calcified plaques may lead to overestimation of stenosis severity and false positive results, requiring additional invasive digital subtraction angiography (DSA). • A modified three-material decomposition algorithm for calcium subtraction provides greater diagnostic accuracy for the detection of significant arterial stenosis of the lower extremity runoff compared with standard image reconstruction. • The application of this algorithm in patients with heavily calcified vessels may be helpful to potentially reduce inconclusive CT angiography examinations and the need for subsequent invasive DSA.

Modified calcium subtraction in dual-energy CT angiography of the lower extremity runoff. impact on diagnostic accuracy for stenosis detection / De Santis, Domenico; De Cecco, Carlo N; Schoepf, U Joseph; Nance, John W; Yamada, Ricardo T; Thomas, Brooke A; Otani, Katharina; Jacobs, Brian E; Turner, D Alan; Wichmann, Julian L; Eid, Marwen; Varga-Szemes, Akos; Caruso, Damiano; Grant, Katharine L; Schmidt, Bernhard; Vogl, Thomas J; Laghi, Andrea; Albrecht, Moritz H. - In: EUROPEAN RADIOLOGY. - ISSN 0938-7994. - Feb 25(2019), pp. 1-11. [10.1007/s00330-019-06032-y]

Modified calcium subtraction in dual-energy CT angiography of the lower extremity runoff. impact on diagnostic accuracy for stenosis detection

De Santis, Domenico
Primo
;
De Cecco, Carlo N;Caruso, Damiano;Laghi, Andrea;
2019

Abstract

Objectives: To investigate the diagnostic accuracy of a modified three-material decomposition calcium subtraction (CS) algorithm for the detection of arterial stenosis in dual-energy CT angiography (DE-CTA) of the lower extremity runoff compared to standard image reconstruction, using digital subtraction angiography (DSA) as the reference standard. Methods: Eighty-eight patients (53 males; mean age, 65.9 ± 11 years) with suspected peripheral arterial disease (PAD) who had undergone a DE-CTA examination of the lower extremity runoff between May 2014 and May 2015 were included in this IRB-approved, HIPAA-compliant retrospective study. Standard linearly blended and CS images were reconstructed and vascular contrast-to-noise ratios (CNR) were calculated. Two independent observers assessed subjective image quality using a 5-point Likert scale. Diagnostic accuracy for ≥ 50% stenosis detection was analyzed in a subgroup of 45 patients who had undergone additional DSA. Diagnostic accuracy parameters were estimated with a random-effects logistic regression analysis and compared using generalized estimating equations. Results: CS datasets showed higher CNR (15.3 ± 7.3) compared to standard reconstructions (13.5 ± 6.5, p < 0.001). Both reconstructions showed comparable qualitative image quality scores (CS, 4.64; standard, 4.57; p = 0.220). Diagnostic accuracy (sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values) for CS reconstructions was 96.5% (97.5%, 95.6%, 90.9%, 98.1) and 93.1% (98.8%, 90.4%, 82.3%, 99.1%) for standard images. Conclusions: A modified three-material decomposition CS algorithm provides increased vascular CNR, equivalent qualitative image quality, and greater diagnostic accuracy for the detection of significant arterial stenosis of the lower extremity runoff on DE-CTA compared with standard image reconstruction. Key Points: • Calcified plaques may lead to overestimation of stenosis severity and false positive results, requiring additional invasive digital subtraction angiography (DSA). • A modified three-material decomposition algorithm for calcium subtraction provides greater diagnostic accuracy for the detection of significant arterial stenosis of the lower extremity runoff compared with standard image reconstruction. • The application of this algorithm in patients with heavily calcified vessels may be helpful to potentially reduce inconclusive CT angiography examinations and the need for subsequent invasive DSA.
2019
computed tomography angiography; constriction, pathologic; lower extremity; peripheral arterial disease; sensitivity and specificity
01 Pubblicazione su rivista::01a Articolo in rivista
Modified calcium subtraction in dual-energy CT angiography of the lower extremity runoff. impact on diagnostic accuracy for stenosis detection / De Santis, Domenico; De Cecco, Carlo N; Schoepf, U Joseph; Nance, John W; Yamada, Ricardo T; Thomas, Brooke A; Otani, Katharina; Jacobs, Brian E; Turner, D Alan; Wichmann, Julian L; Eid, Marwen; Varga-Szemes, Akos; Caruso, Damiano; Grant, Katharine L; Schmidt, Bernhard; Vogl, Thomas J; Laghi, Andrea; Albrecht, Moritz H. - In: EUROPEAN RADIOLOGY. - ISSN 0938-7994. - Feb 25(2019), pp. 1-11. [10.1007/s00330-019-06032-y]
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11573/1273228
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