Authors: Roman Peter Milos Malinsky Petr Ourednicek Lukas Lambert Jiri Jan
Publish Date: 2013/08/14
Volume: 51, Issue: 10, Pages: 1079-1089
Abstract
Proper subtraction and visualization of contrastenhanced blood vessels in lower extremities using computed tomography angiography CTA is based on precise masking of all noncontrasted structures in the area and it is the main prerequisite for correct diagnosis and decision on treatment for peripheral arterial occlusive disease PAOD Because of possible motion of patients during the CTA examination precise elimination of noncontrasted tissues including bones calcifications and soft tissue is still very challenging for lower legs that is from knees to toes We propose novel registrationbased framework for detection and correction of the motion in lower legs which typically occurs between and during CTA precontrast and postcontrast acquisitions Within the framework two registration cores are proposed as alternatives and resulting CTA subtraction images are compared with Advanced Vessel Analysis considered one of the reference commercial tools among clinical applications for CTA of lower extremities The CTA subtraction images of 55 patients examined for PAOD are evaluated visually by four expert observers on the Philips Extended Brilliance Workspace using four criteria assessing the overall robustness of tested methods According to the complex evaluation the proposed framework enabled valuable improvements of CTA examination of lower legsThe project has been supported by Philips Nederland and in its initial phase also by the research center DAR No 1M0572 sponsored by the Ministry of Education Czech Republic Obtaining CT image data from J Frydrych MD Hospital in JablonecnadNisou CZ Prof J Danes from Department of Radiology First Faculty of Medicine Charles University in Prague and General University Hospital in Prague cooperation of T Holceplova MD Hospital J Hradec CZ in the evaluation phase and access to Philips EBW workstation via the Philips channels is highly acknowledged
Keywords: