Publication

Image quality of volume rendering of the bronchial tree: Kymogram-gated versus retrospectively ECG-gated and non-gated multi-row detector CT

Journal Paper/Review - Feb 1, 2005

Units
PubMed
Doi

Citation
Boehm T, Alkadhi H, Sennst D, Schertler T, Kachelriess M, Kalender W, Marincek B, Wildermuth S. Image quality of volume rendering of the bronchial tree: Kymogram-gated versus retrospectively ECG-gated and non-gated multi-row detector CT. Academic radiology 2005; 12:173-81.
Type
Journal Paper/Review (English)
Journal
Academic radiology 2005; 12
Publication Date
Feb 1, 2005
Issn Print
1076-6332
Pages
173-81
Brief description/objective

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVE: To compare the image quality of three different heart-cycle-synchronized computed tomography (CT) reconstruction algorithms for volume-rendered (VR) 3D visualization of the bronchial tree. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Kymogram-gated, retrospectively ECG-gated, and non-ECG-gated reconstructions of the bronchial tree were performed from 4-detector-row CT data in 10 subjects. The raw data were reconstructed in 10 phases of the cardiac cycle using ECG-gated and kymogram-gated technique, respectively. For both reconstructions, the optimal artifact-free diastolic phase was determined. VR reconstructions of the bronchial tree were generated from these two data sets and from the non-gated data. Stairstep artifacts of the main bronchi, artifacts in the lung parenchyma, and the extent of bronchial tree visualization were rated by two blinded, independent readers. RESULTS: Kymogram-gated reconstruction showed stairstep artifacts in the main bronchi to the same extent as non-gated reconstruction, but less compared to ECG-gated reconstruction (P < .001). Artifacts in the lung parenchyma were similar with kymogram-gated and non-gated reconstruction, but less compared to ECG-gated reconstruction (P < 0.01). Kymogram-gated reconstruction showed no differences in visualization of segmental and subsegmental bronchi compared to ECG-gated reconstruction, but was inferior to the non-gated reconstruction (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Kymogram-gated reconstruction of CT data results in fewer artifacts when compared to the ECG-gated algorithm. Best visualization of the bronchial tree at a low artifact level is obtained with non-gated CT data. It remains therefore the method of choice for VR 3D data post-processing of the bronchial tree.