Comparison of the performance of conventional and spectral-based tagged stool cleansing algorithms at CT colonography

Sergio Grosu, Rafael Wiemker, Chansik An, Markus M. Obmann, Eddy Wong, Judy Yee, Benjamin M. Yeh

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Objectives: To compare the performance of conventional versus spectral-based electronic stool cleansing for iodine-tagged CT colonography (CTC) using a dual-layer spectral detector scanner. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated iodine contrast stool-tagged CTC scans of 30 consecutive patients (mean age: 69 ± 8 years) undergoing colorectal cancer screening obtained on a dual-layer spectral detector CT scanner. One reader identified locations of electronic cleansing artifacts (n = 229) on conventional and spectral cleansed images. Three additional independent readers evaluated these locations using a conventional cleansing algorithm (Intellispace Portal) and two experimental spectral cleansing algorithms (i.e., fully transparent and translucent tagged stool). For each cleansed image set, readers recorded the severity of over- and under-cleansing artifacts on a 5-point Likert scale (0 = none to 4 = severe) and readability compared to uncleansed images. Wilcoxon’s signed-rank tests were used to assess artifact severity, type, and readability (worse, unchanged, or better). Results: Compared with conventional cleansing (66% score ≥ 2), the severity of overall cleansing artifacts was lower in transparent (60% score ≥ 2, p = 0.011) and translucent (50% score ≥ 2, p < 0.001) spectral cleansing. Under-cleansing artifact severity was lower in transparent (49% score ≥ 2, p < 0.001) and translucent (39% score ≥ 2, p < 0.001) spectral cleansing compared with conventional cleansing (60% score ≥ 2). Over-cleansing artifact severity was worse in transparent (17% score ≥ 2, p < 0.001) and translucent (14% score ≥ 2, p = 0.023) spectral cleansing compared with conventional cleansing (9% score ≥ 2). Overall readability was significantly improved in transparent (p < 0.001) and translucent (p < 0.001) spectral cleansing compared with conventional cleansing. Conclusions: Spectral cleansing provided more robust electronic stool cleansing of iodine-tagged stool at CTC than conventional cleansing. Key Points: • Spectral-based electronic cleansing of tagged stool at CT colonography provides higher quality images with less perception of artifacts than does conventional cleansing. • Spectral-based electronic cleansing could potentially advance minimally cathartic approach for CT colonography. Further clinical trials are warranted.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)7936-7945
Number of pages10
JournalEuropean Radiology
Volume32
Issue number11
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 2022

Keywords

  • Artifacts
  • CT
  • Colonography, computed tomographic
  • DECT
  • Spectral CT

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Radiology Nuclear Medicine and imaging

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