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Objective <p>To reduce blooming artifacts caused by calcified plaques in coronary CT angiography (CCTA), we propose an image-processing approach combining a high-resolution reconstruction kernel and a three-dimensional edge-preserving noise-reduction technique (3D-CDBF).</p> Methods <p>A custom-made vessel phantom containing simulated vessels (2, 3, and 5&#xa0;mm in diameter) was embedded in a 220-mm water phantom. Calcified plaques (~ 1200 HU) were attached to the inner wall of the 2- and 3-mm vessels, forming simulated stenosis filled with diluted iodine (~ 400 HU). Reference stenosis values were obtained using an ultra-high-resolution CT system for extremities. The phantom was scanned at 100&#xa0;kV with CT dose index of 28 mGy. Images were reconstructed using (1) iterative reconstruction (ADMIRE) with a routine kernel (Bv44; ADMIRE44) and (2) filtered back projection (FBP) with a high-resolution kernel (Br64). Br64 images were further processed by 3D-CDBF (CDBF64). The task transfer function (TTF) and noise power spectrum (NPS) were measured, and percent stenosis was compared between ADMIRE44 and CDBF64. Two clinical cases with calcified plaques were also observed.</p> Results <p>CDBF64 exhibited higher spatial resolution (50%TTF: 0.91&#xa0;mm<sup>-1</sup>) than ADMIRE44 (0.64&#xa0;mm⁻¹) and effectively reduced low-frequency noise (&lt; 0.5&#xa0;mm⁻¹). Stenosis percentages measured with CDBF64 were significantly closer to the reference values, and calcification edges appeared sharper in both phantom and clinical images.</p> Conclusion <p>Combining a high-resolution kernel with 3D-CDBF improved spatial resolution and reduced low-frequency noise, demonstrating potential for reducing blooming artifacts and enhancing the accuracy of stenosis assessment in CCTA.</p>

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Improvement of blooming artifact in coronary CT image using high-resolution kernel and image-based noise reduction

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年12月29日

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  • Masato Shimada,
  • Katsuhiro Ichikawa,
  • Hiroki Kawashima,
  • Kouhei Sasamoto,
  • Toshiki Tateishi,
  • Tetsuya Tsujikawa

摘要

Objective

To reduce blooming artifacts caused by calcified plaques in coronary CT angiography (CCTA), we propose an image-processing approach combining a high-resolution reconstruction kernel and a three-dimensional edge-preserving noise-reduction technique (3D-CDBF).

Methods

A custom-made vessel phantom containing simulated vessels (2, 3, and 5 mm in diameter) was embedded in a 220-mm water phantom. Calcified plaques (~ 1200 HU) were attached to the inner wall of the 2- and 3-mm vessels, forming simulated stenosis filled with diluted iodine (~ 400 HU). Reference stenosis values were obtained using an ultra-high-resolution CT system for extremities. The phantom was scanned at 100 kV with CT dose index of 28 mGy. Images were reconstructed using (1) iterative reconstruction (ADMIRE) with a routine kernel (Bv44; ADMIRE44) and (2) filtered back projection (FBP) with a high-resolution kernel (Br64). Br64 images were further processed by 3D-CDBF (CDBF64). The task transfer function (TTF) and noise power spectrum (NPS) were measured, and percent stenosis was compared between ADMIRE44 and CDBF64. Two clinical cases with calcified plaques were also observed.

Results

CDBF64 exhibited higher spatial resolution (50%TTF: 0.91 mm-1) than ADMIRE44 (0.64 mm⁻¹) and effectively reduced low-frequency noise (< 0.5 mm⁻¹). Stenosis percentages measured with CDBF64 were significantly closer to the reference values, and calcification edges appeared sharper in both phantom and clinical images.

Conclusion

Combining a high-resolution kernel with 3D-CDBF improved spatial resolution and reduced low-frequency noise, demonstrating potential for reducing blooming artifacts and enhancing the accuracy of stenosis assessment in CCTA.