CNN-based evaluation of bone density improves diagnostic performance to detect osteopenia and osteoporosis in patients with non-contrast chest CT examinations.

Purpose: As osteoporosis is still underdiagnosed by clinicians and radiologists, the aim of the present study was to assess the performance of an Artificial intelligence (AI)-based Convolutional Neuronal Network (CNN)-Algorithm for the detection of low bone density on routine non-contrast chest CT in comparison to clinical reports using DEXA scans as reference.

Method: This retrospective cross-sectional study included patients who underwent non-contrast chest CT and DEXA between April 2018 and June 2018 (n = 109, 19 men, mean age: 67.7 years).

Optimization of contrast material administration for coronary CT angiography using a software-based test-bolus evaluation algorithm.

Objectives: To evaluate the benefit of a prototype circulation time-based test bolus evaluation algorithm for the individualized optimal timing of contrast media (CM) delivery in patients undergoing coronary CT angiography (CCTA).

Methods: Thirty-two patients (62 ± 16 years) underwent CCTA using a prototype bolus evaluation tool to determine the optimal time-delay for CM administration. Contrast attenuation, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), objective, and subjective image quality were evaluated by two independent radiologists.

Predictive value of coronary computed tomography angiography in asymptomatic individuals with diabetes mellitus: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Coronary CT angiography (CTA) is generally not established as a screening tool for asymptomatic individuals. However, it is controversial whether this test may have a role for screening asymptomatic individuals with diabetes mellitus (DM) due to the high prevalence of asymptomatic coronary artery disease (CAD) in this subgroup.

Methods: We searched PubMed and EMBASE through May 2017 for studies that reported on the association between findings at coronary CTA and future cardiac events in asymptomatic individuals with DM.

Detection and size measurements of pulmonary nodules in ultra-low-dose CT with iterative reconstruction compared to low dose CT.

Background: In this study, the accuracy of ultra-low-dose computed tomography (CT) with iterative reconstruction (IR) for detection and measurement of pulmonary nodules was evaluated.

Methods: Eighty-four individuals referred for lung cancer screening (mean age: 54.5±10.

Comparison of quantitative stenosis characteristics at routine coronary computed tomography angiography with invasive fractional flow reserve for assessing lesion-specific ischemia.

Objective: To comprehensively evaluate quantitative parameters derived from routine coronary CT angiography (cCTA) for predicting lesion-specific ischemia in comparison to invasive fractional flow reserve (FFR).

Background: The ability of cCTA to gauge lesion-specific ischemia is limited. Several quantitative parameters have been proposed to enhance the specificity of cCTA, such as morphologic indices (lesion length/minimal lumen diameter(4) [LL/MLD(4)]; percentage aggregate plaque volume [%APV]) and a measure of intracoronary contrast gradients (corrected coronary opacification [CCO]).

Mammographic detection of breast arterial calcification as an independent predictor of coronary atherosclerotic disease in a single ethnic cohort of African American women.

Objective: Accumulating data on predominantly Caucasian women suggests an association between breast arterial calcification (BAC) and coronary artery disease (CAD). We sought to comprehensively examine the correlation between mammographic BAC and CAD endpoints detected by cardiac computed tomography (CCT) in African American (AA) women.

Methods: Consecutive AA women who underwent digital screening mammography and CCT were identified.

Coronary computed tomographic angiography in clinical practice: state of the art.

In patients with stable chest pain, coronary CT angiography (CCTA) has demonstrated high accuracy in excluding coronary artery disease and CCTA findings carry prognostic significance for the occurrence of future cardiovascular events. Increasingly, CCTA has been adopted as a triage tool in patients with acute chest pain. In specific clinical scenarios, CCTA further represents a useful tool to exclude an ischemic etiology in patients with cardiac arrhythmias or newly diagnosed heart failure.

[Value of electron beam tomography (EBT)].

Electron beam tomography (EBT) has been scientifically evaluated to a much lesser degree for non-cardiac indications than for cardiac purposes. Therefore, four groups of investigators in Berlin (2), Mannheim and Munchen, which were supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG), included applications outside the heart in their evaluation of EBT technology. EBT has proven useful to look for pulmonary embolism and to assess other vessels (aorta, aortic branches, and intracranial arteries).