Physically meaningful virtual unenhanced image reconstruction from dual-energy CT

Virtual unenhanced (VUE) image reconstruction techniques have the potential to eliminate the need for the acquisition of a non-contrast exam in imaging protocols that currently require both contrast and non-contrast computed tomographic (CT) scans. Here, we propose a new physically meaningful approa...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in2010 IEEE International Symposium on Biomedical Imaging: From Nano to Macro pp. 808 - 811
Main Authors Maddah, Mahnaz, Mendonca, Paulo R S, Bhotika, Rahul
Format Conference Proceeding
LanguageEnglish
Published IEEE 01.04.2010
Subjects
Attenuation
Blood
Computed tomography
dual energy
fast kV switching
Image generation
Image reconstruction
Imaging phantoms
Liver
multi-material decomposition
Physics computing
Protocols
Virtual unenhanced
X-ray imaging
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Summary:Virtual unenhanced (VUE) image reconstruction techniques have the potential to eliminate the need for the acquisition of a non-contrast exam in imaging protocols that currently require both contrast and non-contrast computed tomographic (CT) scans. Here, we propose a new physically meaningful approach for the generation of VUE images as an application of a recently introduced technique for multi-material decomposition (MMD) from dual-energy CT. Rather than subtracting an estimate of the contribution to the image intensity in Hounsfield units due to contrast agent from the original image, the new algorithm replaces the estimated volume of contrast in each voxel by the same volume of the material that the contrast has displaced, namely, blood. Our results on both phantom and patient data demonstrate that VUE images can replace true unenhanced images effectively, thereby reducing radiation exposure and scan time of CT exams.
ISBN:9781424441259
1424441250
ISSN:1945-7928
1945-8452
DOI:10.1109/ISBI.2010.5490051