Assessment of epicardial adipose tissue on virtual non-contrast images derived from photon-counting detector coronary CTA datasets

Risch, Franka; Schwarz, Florian; Braun, Franziska; Bette, Stefanie; Becker, Judith; Scheurig-Muenkler, Christian; Kroencke, Thomas J. und Decker, Josua A. (2022): Assessment of epicardial adipose tissue on virtual non-contrast images derived from photon-counting detector coronary CTA datasets. In: European Radiology, Bd. 33, Nr. 4: S. 2450-2460

Abstract

Objectives To assess epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) volume and attenuation of different virtual non-contrast (VNC) reconstructions derived from coronary CTA (CCTA) datasets of a photon-counting detector (PCD) CT-system to replace true non-contrast (TNC) series. Methods Consecutive patients (n = 42) with clinically indicated CCTA and coronary TNC were included. Two VNC series were reconstructed, using a conventional (VNCConv) and a novel calcium-preserving (VNCPC) algorithm. EAT was segmented on TNC, VNCConv, VNCPC, and CCTA (CTA(-30)) series using thresholds of -190 to -30 HU and an additional segmentation on the CCTA series with an upper threshold of 0 HU (CTA(0)). EAT volumes and their histograms were assessed for each series. Linear regression was used to correlate EAT volumes and the Euclidian distance for histograms. The paired t-test and the Wilcoxon signed-rank test were used to assess differences for parametric and non-parametric data. Results EAT volumes from VNC and CCTA series showed significant differences compared to TNC (all p < .05), but excellent correlation (all R-2 > 0.9). Measurements on the novel VNCPC series showed the best correlation (R-2 = 0.99) and only minor absolute differences compared to TNC values. Mean volume differences were -12%, -3%, -13%, and +10% for VNCConv, VNCPC, CTA(-30), and CTA(0) compared to TNC. Distribution of CT values on VNCPC showed less difference to TNC than on VNCConv (mean attenuation difference +7% vs. +2%;Euclidean distance of histograms 0.029 vs. 0.016). Conclusions VNCPC-reconstructions of PCD-CCTA datasets can be used to reliably assess EAT volume with a high accuracy and only minor differences in CT values compared to TNC. Substitution of TNC would significantly decrease patient's radiation dose.

• Dokumententyp: Zeitschriftenartikel
• Fakultät: Medizin
• Themengebiete: 600 Technik, Medizin, angewandte Wissenschaften > 610 Medizin und Gesundheit
• ISSN: 0938-7994
• Sprache: Englisch