320-Row wide volume CT significantly reduces density heterogeneity observed in the descending aorta: Comparisons with 64-row helical CT

• Published in: Computerized medical imaging and graphics Vol. 38; no. 1; pp. 15 - 21
• Main Authors: Yamashiro, Tsuneo, Miyara, Tetsuhiro, Honda, Osamu, Kamiya, Ayano, Tanaka, Yuko, Murayama, Sadayuki
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Elsevier Ltd 01.01.2014; Elsevier
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Aorta; Aortography - methods; Biological and medical sciences; Cardiovascular system; Computed tomography; Exact sciences and technology; Female; Helical scanning; Humans; Instruments, apparatus, components and techniques common to several branches of physics and astronomy; Internal Medicine; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); Lung Diseases - diagnostic imaging; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Multidetector Computed Tomography; Other; Physics; Radiographic Image Enhancement - methods; Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted - methods; Radiography, Thoracic - methods; Radionuclide investigations; Reproducibility of Results; Sensitivity and Specificity; Wide volume scanning; X- and γ-ray instruments and techniques; Young Adult; Wide volume scanning; Aorta; Computed tomography; Artifact; Helical scanning; Heterogeneity; Descending aorta; Artefact; Tridimensional image; Thorax; Computerized axial tomography; Circulatory system
• ISSN: 0895-6111; 1879-0771; 1879-0771
• DOI: 10.1016/j.compmedimag.2013.10.003

The aim of this study was to compare density heterogeneity on wide volume (WV) scans with that on helical CT scans. 22 subjects underwent chest CT using 320-WV and 64-helical modes. Density heterogeneity of the descending aorta was evaluated quantitatively and qualitatively. At qualitative assessment, the heterogeneity was judged to be smaller on WV scans than on helical scans (p<0.0001). Mean changes in aortic density between two contiguous slices were 1.64HU (3.40%) on WV scans and 2.29HU (5.19%) on helical scans (p<0.0001). CT density of thoracic organs is more homogeneous and reliable on WV scans than on helical scans.