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Open Access 01-04-2014 | Original Article

Non-contrast CT at comparable dose to an abdominal radiograph in patients with acute renal colic; impact of iterative reconstruction on image quality and diagnostic performance

Authors: P. D. McLaughlin, K. P. Murphy, S. A. Hayes, K. Carey, J. Sammon, L. Crush, F. O’Neill, B. Normoyle, A. M. McGarrigle, J. E. Barry, M. M. Maher

Published in: Insights into Imaging | Issue 2/2014

Abstract

Objectives

The aim was to assess the performance of low-dose non-contrast CT of the urinary tract (LD-CT) acquired at radiation exposures close to that of abdominal radiography using adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction (ASiR).

Methods

Thirty-three patients with clinically suspected renal colic were prospectively included. Conventional dose (CD-CT) and LD-CT data sets were contemporaneously acquired. LD-CT images were reconstructed with 40 %, 70 % and 90 % ASiR. Image quality was subjectively and objectively measured. Images were also clinically interpreted.

Results

Mean ED was 0.48 ± 0.07 mSv for LD-CT compared with 4.43 ± 3.14 mSv for CD-CT. Increasing the percentage ASiR resulted in a step-wise reduction in mean objective noise (p < 0.001 for all comparisons). Seventy % ASiR LD-CT images had higher diagnostic acceptability and spatial resolution than 90 % ASiR LD-CT images (p < 0.001). Twenty-seven calculi (diameter = 5.5 ± 1.7 mm), including all ureteric stones, were correctly identified using 70 % ASiR LD-CT with two false positives and 16 false negatives (diameter = 2.3 ± 0.7 mm) equating to a sensitivity and specificity of 72 % and 94 %. Seventy % ASiR LD-CT had a sensitivity and specificity of 87 % and 100 % for detection of calculi >3 mm.

Conclusion

Reconstruction of LD-CT images with 70 % ASiR resulted in superior image quality than FBP, 40 % ASIR and 90 % ASIR. LD-CT with ASIR demonstrates high sensitivity and specificity for detection of calculi >3 mm.

Teaching Points

• Low-dose CT studies for urinary calculus detection were performed with a mean dose of 0.48 ± 0.07 mSv

• Low-dose CT with 70 % ASiR detected calculi >3 mm with a sensitivity and specificity of 87 % and 100 %

• Reconstruction with 70 % ASiR was superior to filtered back projection, 40 % ASiR and 90 % ASiR images

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Title: Non-contrast CT at comparable dose to an abdominal radiograph in patients with acute renal colic; impact of iterative reconstruction on image quality and diagnostic performance
Authors: P. D. McLaughlin
K. P. Murphy
S. A. Hayes
K. Carey
J. Sammon
L. Crush
F. O’Neill
B. Normoyle
A. M. McGarrigle
J. E. Barry
M. M. Maher
Publication date: 01-04-2014
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: Insights into Imaging / Issue 2/2014
Electronic ISSN: 1869-4101
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13244-014-0310-z

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Non-contrast CT at comparable dose to an abdominal radiograph in patients with acute renal colic; impact of iterative reconstruction on image quality and diagnostic performance

Abstract

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Teaching Points

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Teaching Points

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