Document Detail


Thick-section reformatting of thinly collimated helical CT for reduction of skull base-related artifacts.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  11044042     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to evaluate thick-section reformatted helical CT of the brain base as a technique for reducing skull base-related artifacts and to compare it with conventional CT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-three patients with suspected intracranial abnormalities related to the brain base, as determined either by clinical examination or at the time of imaging, were evaluated with contrast-enhanced conventional CT of the brain (5-mm collimation, 140 kVp, 170 mA, 2-sec rotation time) and reformatted helical CT (1-mm collimation, 1.5 pitch, 120 kVp, 220 mA). Helical sections were reformatted to a thickness of 5 mm by a volume-averaging algorithm using a computer workstation. Three observers retrospectively and blindly reviewed the images and qualitatively scored artifacts at the foramen magnum, middle cranial fossa, anterior cranial fossa, interpetrous region, and internal occipital protuberance. Image graininess and observer confidence were also scored. Paired statistical analyses using score differences in each patient were possible. RESULTS: Reformatted helical CT reduced skull base-related artifacts across all five anatomic regions (p < 0.05). The foramen magnum showed the greatest reduction in artifacts and the anterior cranial fossa the least. Image graininess was increased on reformatted CT compared with conventional CT (p < 0.05), but observer confidence remained higher for reformatted CT (p < 0.05). Total additional scan time was 3.15 +/- 0.38 min with 5.3 +/- 1.2 min required for reformatting. CONCLUSION: Reformatted CT significantly decreases skull base-related artifacts in the brain, improving confidence in evaluation of the brain base and adding an average of only 8.45 +/- 1.6 min of scanning and processing time to each examination.
Authors:
R A Alberico; P Loud; J Pollina; W Greco; M Patel; R Klufas
Publication Detail:
Type:  Comparative Study; Evaluation Studies; Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't    
Journal Detail:
Title:  AJR. American journal of roentgenology     Volume:  175     ISSN:  0361-803X     ISO Abbreviation:  AJR Am J Roentgenol     Publication Date:  2000 Nov 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2000-11-02     Completed Date:  2000-11-15     Revised Date:  2008-02-15    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  7708173     Medline TA:  AJR Am J Roentgenol     Country:  UNITED STATES    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  1361-6     Citation Subset:  AIM; IM    
Affiliation:
Department of Radiology, Neuroradiology/Head and Neck Imaging, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Elm St. and Carlton St., Buffalo, NY 14263, USA.
Export Citation:
APA/MLA Format     Download EndNote     Download BibTex
MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Adult
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Algorithms
Artifacts*
Brain Diseases / radiography*
Brain Neoplasms / radiography*
Computer Systems
Contrast Media
Female
Foramen Magnum / radiography
Humans
Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / methods*
Male
Middle Aged
Observer Variation
Occipital Bone / radiography
Petrous Bone / radiography
Radiographic Image Enhancement
Retrospective Studies
Single-Blind Method
Skull Base / radiography*
Tomography, X-Ray Computed / methods*
Chemical
Reg. No./Substance:
0/Contrast Media

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


Previous Document:  Identification of feeding arteries to establish the intra- or extraparotid location of jugulodigastr...
Next Document:  Internet-based interactive teaching file for neuroradiology.