Long-term trends in total administered radiation dose from brain [F]FDG-PET in children with drug-resistant epilepsy.

Purpose: To assess the trends in administered 2-[F]fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose ([F]FDG) doses, computed tomography (CT) radiation doses, and image quality over the last 15 years in children with drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) undergoing hybrid positron emission tomography (PET) brain scans.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed data from children with DRE who had [F]FDG-PET/CT or magnetic resonance scans for presurgical evaluation between 2005 and 2021. We evaluated changes in injected [F]FDG doses, administered activity per body weight, CT dose index volume (CTDIvol), and dose length product (DLP).

Assessment of interstitial lung disease in a systemic sclerosis patient cohort using photon-counting detector CT with ultra-high resolution and a 1024-pixel image matrix.

Objective: This study assessed the potential of ultra-high resolution (UHR) and a 1024-matrix in photon-counting-detector CT (PCD-CT) for evaluating interstitial lung disease (ILD) in systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients.

Methods: Sixty-six SSc patients who underwent ILD-CT screening on a first-generation PCD-CT were retrospectively included. Scans were performed in UHR mode at 100 kVp with two different matrix sizes (512×512 and 1024x1024) and reconstructed at slice thicknesses of 1.

Countering Calcium Blooming With Personalized Contrast Media Injection Protocols: The 1-2-3 Rule for Photon-Counting Detector CCTA.

Objective: Photon-counting detector computed tomography (PCD-CT) enables spectral data acquisition of CT angiographies allowing for reconstruction of virtual monoenergetic images (VMIs) in routine practice. Specifically, it has potential to reduce the blooming artifacts associated with densely calcified plaques. However, calcium blooming and iodine attenuation are inversely affected by energy level (keV) of the VMIs, creating a challenge for contrast media (CM) injection protocol optimization.

Artificial intelligence in coronary artery calcium score: rationale, different approaches, and outcomes.

Almost 35 years after its introduction, coronary artery calcium score (CACS) not only survived technological advances but became one of the cornerstones of contemporary cardiovascular imaging. Its simplicity and quantitative nature established it as one of the most robust approaches for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk stratification in primary prevention and a powerful tool to guide therapeutic choices. Groundbreaking advances in computational models and computer power translated into a surge of artificial intelligence (AI)-based approaches directly or indirectly linked to CACS analysis.

MRI-Based Radiomics as a Promising Noninvasive Diagnostic Technique for Adenomyosis.

MRI diagnostics are important for adenomyosis, especially in cases with inconclusive ultrasound. This study assessed the potential of MRI-based radiomics as a novel tool for differentiating between uteri with and without adenomyosis. This retrospective proof-of-principle single-center study included nine patients with and six patients without adenomyosis.

Evaluating the biodistribution for [Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 and [F]F-PSMA-1007 PET/CT with an inter- and intrapatient based analysis.

Background: Liver uptake in [Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 PET is used as an internal reference in addition to clinical parameters to select patients for [Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 radioligand therapy (RLT). Due to increased demand, [Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 was replaced by [F]F-PSMA-1007, a more lipophilic tracer with different biodistribution and splenic uptake was suggested as a new internal reference. We compared the intra-patient tracer distribution between [Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 and [F]F-PSMA-1007.

Tungsten-Based Contrast Agent for Photon-Counting Detector CT Angiography in Calcified Coronaries: Comparison to Iodine in a Cardiovascular Phantom.

Objectives: Calcified plaques induce blooming artifacts in coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) potentially leading to inaccurate stenosis evaluation. Tungsten represents a high atomic number, experimental contrast agent with different physical properties than iodine. We explored the potential of a tungsten-based contrast agent for photon-counting detector (PCD) CCTA in heavily calcified coronary vessels.

Multi-Energy Low-Kiloelectron Volt versus Single-Energy Low-Kilovolt Images for Endoleak Detection at CT Angiography of the Aorta.

Purpose To compare image quality, diagnostic performance, and conspicuity between single-energy and multi-energy images for endoleak detection at CT angiography (CTA) after endovascular aortic repair (EVAR). Materials and Methods In this single-center prospective randomized controlled trial, individuals undergoing CTA after EVAR between August 2020 and May 2022 were allocated to imaging using either low-kilovolt single-energy images (SEI; 80 kV, group A) or low-kiloelectron volt virtual monoenergetic images (VMI) at 40 and 50 keV from multi-energy CT (80/Sn150 kV, group B). Scan protocols were dose matched (volume CT dose index: mean, 4.

Effect of temporal resolution on calcium scoring: insights from photon-counting detector CT.

To intra-individually investigate the variation of coronary artery calcium (CAC), aortic valve calcium (AVC), and mitral annular calcium (MAC) scores and the presence of blur artifacts as a function of temporal resolution in patients undergoing non-contrast cardiac CT on a dual-source photon counting detector (PCD) CT. This retrospective, IRB-approved study included 70 patients (30 women, 40 men, mean age 78 ± 9 years) who underwent ECG-gated cardiac non-contrast CT with PCD-CT (gantry rotation time 0.25 s) prior to transcatheter aortic valve replacement.

Smoking trends and health equity in Switzerland between 1992 and 2017: dependence of smoking prevalence on educational level and social determinants.

Background: Switzerland ranks among the top three healthcare systems in the world with regards to healthcare access, suggesting a high degree of health equity. However, Switzerland has few preventive strategies against smoking abuse. The aim of this study is to clarify whether educational level and citizenship status have an influence on the prevalence of smoking in Switzerland and whether there is health inequity related to a lack of preventive strategies.

Quality of Life and Independent Factors Associated with Poor Digestive Function after Ivor Lewis Esophagectomy.

Transthoracic esophagectomy results in a radical change in foregut anatomy with multiple consequences for digestive physiology. The aim of this study was to identify factors associated with poor functional outcomes by assessing multiple dimensions of digestive performance and health-related quality of life (HRQL). Patients with cancer-free survival after Ivor Lewis esophagectomy were included.

Understanding the needs of women undergoing breast ultrasound: Are male radiologists still needed?

Introduction: A trend towards less male radiologists specializing in breast ultrasound was observed. A common notion in the field of breast radiology is, that female patients feel more comfortable being treated by female radiologists. The aim of the study was to understand and report the needs of women undergoing breast ultrasound with regards to the sex of the radiologist performing the investigation.

Sinonasal mucosal melanoma treatment response assessment to immune checkpoint inhibitors using hybrid positron emission tomography imaging.

The purpose of this retrospective study was to investigate response of sinonasal mucosal melanoma (SMM) patients to treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI), using hybrid PET imaging. Fifteen SMM patients underwent hybrid PET imaging before and three months after initiation of ICI. The disease-specific survival (DSS) was calculated.

Characterization of hypermetabolic lymph nodes after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination using PET-CT derived node-RADS, in patients with melanoma.

This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of Node Reporting and Data System (Node-RADS) in discriminating between normal, reactive, and metastatic axillary LNs in patients with melanoma who underwent SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. Patients with proven melanoma who underwent a 2-[F]-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (2-[F]-FDG PET/CT) between February and April 2021 were included in this retrospective study. Primary melanoma site, vaccination status, injection site, and 2-[F]-FDG PET/CT were used to classify axillary LNs into normal, inflammatory, and metastatic (combined classification).

A third of the radiotracer dose: two decades of progress in pediatric [F]fluorodeoxyglucose PET/CT and PET/MR imaging.

Objectives: To assess the evolution of administered radiotracer activity for F-18-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) PET/CT or PET/MR in pediatric patients (0-16 years) between years 2000 and 2021.

Methods: Pediatric patients (≤ 16 years) referred for 18F-FDG PET/CT or PET/MR imaging of the body during 2000 and 2021 were retrospectively included. The amount of administered radiotracer activity in megabecquerel (MBq) was recorded, and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) was measured in the right liver lobe with a 4 cm volume of interest as an indicator for objective image quality.

Evolution of CT radiation dose in pediatric patients undergoing hybrid 2-[F]FDG PET/CT between 2007 and 2021.

Objectives: To evaluate the evolution of CT radiation dose in pediatric patients undergoing hybrid 2-[F]fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-[F]FDG) PET/CT between 2007 and 2021.

Methods And Materials: Data from all pediatric patients aged 0-18 years who underwent hybrid 2-[F]FDG PET/CT of the body between January 2007 and May 2021 were reviewed. Demographic and imaging parameters were collected.

Fully automated computational measurement of noise in positron emission tomography.

Objectives: To introduce an automated computational algorithm that estimates the global noise level across the whole imaging volume of PET datasets.

Methods: [F]FDG PET images of 38 patients were reconstructed with simulated decreasing acquisition times (15-120 s) resulting in increasing noise levels, and with block sequential regularized expectation maximization with beta values of 450 and 600 (Q.Clear 450 and 600).

Impact of radiation dose on the detection of interstitial lung changes and image quality in low-dose chest CT - Assessment in multiple dose levels from a single patient scan.

Purpose: To assess image quality and detectability of interstitial lung changes using multiple radiation doses from the same chest CT scan of patients with suspected interstitial lung disease (ILD).

Method: Retrospective study of consecutive adult patients with suspected ILD receiving unenhanced chest CT as single-energy dual-source acquisition at 100 kVp (Dual-split mode). 67% and 33% of the overall tube current time product were assigned to tube A and B, respectively.

Cardiac Virtual Noncontrast Images for Calcium Quantification with Photon-counting Detector CT.

Purpose: To assess the accuracy of aortic valve calcium (AVC), mitral annular calcium (MAC), and coronary artery calcium (CAC) quantification and risk stratification using virtual noncontrast (VNC) images from late enhancement photon-counting detector CT as compared with true noncontrast images.

Materials And Methods: This retrospective, institutional review board-approved study evaluated patients undergoing photon-counting detector CT between January and September 2022. VNC images were reconstructed from late enhancement cardiac scans at 60, 70, 80, and 90 keV using quantum iterative reconstruction (QIR) strengths of 2-4.

Photon-Counting Detector CT Angiography for Endoleak Detection After Endovascular Aortic Repair: Triphasic CT With True Noncontrast Versus Biphasic CT With Virtual Noniodine Imaging.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare image quality and endoleak detection after endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair between a triphasic computed tomography (CT) with true noncontrast (TNC) and a biphasic CT with virtual noniodine (VNI) images on photon-counting detector CT (PCD-CT).

Materials And Methods: Adult patients after endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair who received a triphasic examination (TNC, arterial, venous phase) on a PCD-CT between August 2021 and July 2022 were retrospectively included. Endoleak detection was evaluated by 2 blinded radiologists on 2 different readout sets (triphasic CT with TNC-arterial-venous vs biphasic CT with VNI-arterial-venous).

The Importance of Temporal Resolution for Ultra-High-Resolution Coronary Angiography: Evidence From Photon-Counting Detector CT.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess the effect of temporal resolution on subjective and objective image quality of coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) in the ultra-high-resolution (UHR) mode with dual-source photon-counting detector (PCD) CT.

Materials And Methods: This retrospective, institutional review board-approved study evaluated 30 patients (9 women; mean age, 80 ± 10 years) undergoing UHR CCTA with a clinical dual-source PCD-CT scanner. Images were acquired with a tube voltage of 120 kV and using a collimation of 120 × 0.