| Background and Objective: To assess the value of various post processing techniques in optimizing cardiac image quality with flash dual-source CT dual-energy scan mode.Materials and Methods: thirty-six overweight or obese patients underwent cardiac contrast scan with dual energy mode(DECT under Somatom Definition Flash Dual Source CT Scanner). Seven groups of images were reconstructed for every patient. Group A: 100 kVimages, Group B: 0.5 linear blending images, Group C: non-linear blending images 1(λ=150HU,ω=200HU), Group D: non-linear blending image 2(λ=70HU,ω=200HU), Group E: non-linear blending images 3(λ=260HU,ω=200HU), Group F: non-linear blending images 4(λ=260HU,ω=400HU), Group G: mono-energetic 70 keV images. The CT attenuation, standard deviation,signal-to-noise and contrast-to-noise were measured and calculated at the root of ascending aorta, middle right coronary, left main coronary artery and anterior wall of left ventricular for all images. Two-way ANOVA and Tukey’s studentized range test were performed to objectively estimate the image quality of every group.Results: There were significant differences of the CT attenuation, SD, SNR, CNR among these seven groups of images(P<0.05). The uppermost vessel CT attenuation was exist in Group A, but there was no statistical difference among Group A, D, C and E. The lowest group of vessel CT attenuation was exist in Group B, but it had the lowest vessel SD. The lowest group of myocardium SD was exist in Group E. Group B had the maximum SNR for all anatomic sites. Group F had the minimum vessel SNR and Group A had the minimum group of myocardium SNR. Group C has the maximum CNR for all anatomic sites, and there is no statistical difference between Group C and Group D.Conclusion: Non-linear blending technique using appropriate blending parameters could not only increase the contrast enhancement of coronary artery, but also suppress the noise of the coronary artery and myocardium, so that further increase the TCNR of cardiac image. |
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