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Published in: European Radiology 2/2006

01-02-2006 | Computer Tomography

First performance evaluation of a dual-source CT (DSCT) system

Authors: Thomas G. Flohr, Cynthia H. McCollough, Herbert Bruder, Martin Petersilka, Klaus Gruber, Christoph Süβ, Michael Grasruck, Karl Stierstorfer, Bernhard Krauss, Rainer Raupach, Andrew N. Primak, Axel Küttner, Stefan Achenbach, Christoph Becker, Andreas Kopp, Bernd M. Ohnesorge

Published in: European Radiology | Issue 2/2006

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Abstract

We present a performance evaluation of a recently introduced dual-source computed tomography (DSCT) system equipped with two X-ray tubes and two corresponding detectors, mounted onto the rotating gantry with an angular offset of 90°. We introduce the system concept and derive its consequences and potential benefits for echocardiograph (ECG)-controlled cardiac CT and for general radiology applications. We evaluate both temporal and spatial resolution by means of phantom scans. We present first patient scans to illustrate the performance of DSCT for ECG-gated cardiac imaging, and we demonstrate first results using a dual-energy acquisition mode. Using ECG-gated single-segment reconstruction, the DSCT system provides 83 ms temporal resolution independent of the patient’s heart rate for coronary CT angiography (CTA) and evaluation of basic functional parameters. With dual-segment reconstruction, the mean temporal resolution is 60 ms (minimum temporal resolution 42 ms) for advanced functional evaluation. The z-flying focal spot technique implemented in the evaluated DSCT system allows 0.4 mm cylinders to be resolved at all heart rates. First clinical experience shows a considerably increased robustness for the imaging of patients with high heart rates. As a potential application of the dual-energy acquisition mode, the automatic separation of bones and iodine-filled vessels is demonstrated.
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Metadata
Title
First performance evaluation of a dual-source CT (DSCT) system
Authors
Thomas G. Flohr
Cynthia H. McCollough
Herbert Bruder
Martin Petersilka
Klaus Gruber
Christoph Süβ
Michael Grasruck
Karl Stierstorfer
Bernhard Krauss
Rainer Raupach
Andrew N. Primak
Axel Küttner
Stefan Achenbach
Christoph Becker
Andreas Kopp
Bernd M. Ohnesorge
Publication date
01-02-2006
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
European Radiology / Issue 2/2006
Print ISSN: 0938-7994
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1084
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-005-2919-2

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