Iterative reconstruction does not substantially delay CT imaging in an emergency setting.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES:

To evaluate the effects of iterative reconstruction (IR) on reconstruction time and speed in two commonly encountered acquisition protocols in an emergency setting: pulmonary CT angiography (CTA) and total body trauma CT.

METHODS:

Twenty-five patients underwent a pulmonary CTA for evaluation of pulmonary embolisms and 15 patients underwent a total body CT after a traumatic event on a 256-slice CT. Images were reconstructed with filtered back-projection (FBP) and two IR levels. Reconstruction time and speed were quantified using custom written software.

RESULTS:

Mean reconstruction time delays for pulmonary CTAs were 10 ± 10 s and 12 ± 12 s for IR levels 2 and 4, respectively, and 44 ± 8 s and 45 ± 7 s for total body trauma CTs for IR levels 1 and 6, respectively. Mean reconstruction times and speeds for pulmonary CTAs were 26 ± 7 s, 36 ± 9 s and 38 ± 12 s, and 26.7 ± 5.6 slices/s, 18.7 ± 2.3 slices/s and 18.0 ± 2.8 slices/s for FBP, IR levels 2 and 4, respectively. For total body trauma CTs these values were 87 ± 15 s, 132 ± 17 s and 132 ± 18 s, and 20.1 ± 1.6 slices/s, 13.2 ± 0.8 slices/s and 13.2 ± 0.6 slices/s for FBP, IR levels 1 and 6, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS:

IR does not result in clinically important CT image reconstruction delays in an emergency setting. No substantial differences in reconstruction time and speed were found between different IR levels.

MAIN MESSAGES:

• IR delayed total pulmonary CTA reconstruction with 10-12 s and total-body trauma CT with 44-45 s • IR is not substantially delaying reconstruction in emergency CT imaging • Reconstruction time and speed are similar for different levels of IR.

• Authors: Martin J Willemink, Arnold M R Schilham, Tim Leiner, Willem P Th M Mali, Pim A de Jong, Ricardo P J Budde
• Journal: Insights into imaging (Insights Imaging) Vol. 4 Issue 3 Pg. 391-7 (Jun 2013) ISSN: 1869-4101 [Print] Germany
• PMID: 23417822 (Publication Type: Journal Article)