Diagnostics (Mar 2023)

First Results of a New Deep Learning Reconstruction Algorithm on Image Quality and Liver Metastasis Conspicuity for Abdominal Low-Dose CT

  • Joël Greffier,
  • Quentin Durand,
  • Chris Serrand,
  • Renaud Sales,
  • Fabien de Oliveira,
  • Jean-Paul Beregi,
  • Djamel Dabli,
  • Julien Frandon

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics13061182
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 13, no. 6
p. 1182

Abstract

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The study’s aim was to assess the impact of a deep learning image reconstruction algorithm (Precise Image; DLR) on image quality and liver metastasis conspicuity compared with an iterative reconstruction algorithm (IR). This retrospective study included all consecutive patients with at least one liver metastasis having been diagnosed between December 2021 and February 2022. Images were reconstructed using level 4 of the IR algorithm (i4) and the Standard/Smooth/Smoother levels of the DLR algorithm. Mean attenuation and standard deviation were measured by placing the ROIs in the fat, muscle, healthy liver, and liver tumor. Two radiologists assessed the image noise and image smoothing, overall image quality, and lesion conspicuity using Likert scales. The study included 30 patients (mean age 70.4 ± 9.8 years, 17 men). The mean CTDIvol was 6.3 ± 2.1 mGy, and the mean dose-length product 314.7 ± 105.7 mGy.cm. Compared with i4, the HU values were similar in the DLR algorithm at all levels for all tissues studied. For each tissue, the image noise significantly decreased with DLR compared with i4 (p p p p p < 0.01), but the opposite occurred for the image smoothing. The highest scores for overall image quality and conspicuity were found for the Smooth and Smoother levels.

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