Coronary Artery Calcium Scoring Using Virtual Versus True Noncontrast Images From Photon-Counting Coronary CT Angiography.

Background Coronary artery calcium scoring (CACS) for coronary artery disease requires true noncontrast (TNC) CT alongside contrast-enhanced coronary CT angiography (CCTA). Photon-counting CT provides an algorithm (PureCalcium) for reconstructing virtual noncontrast images from CCTA specifically for CACS. Purpose To assess CACS differences based on PureCalcium images derived from contrast-enhanced photon-counting CCTA compared with TNC images and evaluate the impact of these differences on the clinically relevant classification of patients into plaque burden groups. Materials and Methods Photon-counting CCTA images acquired between August 2022 and May 2023 were retrospectively identified. Agatston scores were derived from both TNC and PureCalcium images and tested for differences with use of the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. The agreement was assessed with use of equivalence tests, Bland-Altman analysis, and intraclass correlation coefficient. Plaque burden groups were established based on Agatston scores, and agreement was evaluated using weighted Cohen kappa. The dose-length product was analyzed. Results Among 170 patients (mean age, 63 years ± 13 [SD]; 92 male), 111 had Agatston scores higher than 0. Median Agatston scores did not differ between TNC and PureCalcium images (4.8 [IQR, 0-84.4; range, 0.0-2151.8] vs 2.7 [IQR, 0-90.7; range, 0.0-2377.1]; P = .99), with strong correlation (intraclass correlation coefficient, 0.98 [95% CI: 0.97, 0.99]). The equivalence test was inconclusive, with a 95% CI of 0.90, 1.19. Bland-Altman analysis showed wide repeatability limits, indicating low agreement between the two scores. With use of the PureCalcium algorithm, 125 of 170 patients (74%) were correctly classified into plaque burden groups (excellent agreement, κ = 0.88). Patients without plaque burden were misclassified at higher than normal rates (P < .001). TNC image acquisition contributed a mean of 19.7% ± 8.8 of the radiation dose of the entire examination. Conclusion PureCalcium images show potential to replace TNC images for measuring Agatston scores, thereby reducing radiation dose in CCTA. There was strong correlation in calcium scores between TNC and PureCalcium, but limited agreement. © RSNA, 2024 Supplemental material is available for this article. See also the editorial by Sakuma in this issue.

Gyroscope-Assisted CT-Guided Puncture Improves Accuracy and Hit Rate Compared with Free-Hand Puncture: A Phantom Study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate gyroscope-assisted CT-guided needle puncture (GAP) compared to free hand puncture (FHP) in a phantom. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A simple, low-cost gyroscope was equipped with a magnetic rail to attach it to common puncture needles. 18 radiologists with different levels of training and experience in CT-guided punctures first punctured three targets in free hand technique in a special biopsy phantom with different difficulty levels of the puncture path (T1: not angulated, needle path 7.3 cm, size 15 mm in diameter, T2: single angulated 41°, needle path 11.3 cm, size 9 mm in diameter, T3: double angulated 38°/26°, needle path 7 cm, size 8 mm in diameter). Without knowing the result of the puncture, a second puncture was performed directly afterwards with the aid of the gyroscope. Punctures were performed in a continuous procedure without intermediate control. The hit rate and the distance between the needle tip and the center of the lesion were evaluated. Additionally, the time needed for the procedure was measured. RESULTS: Thirty-three of 54 insertions (61.1%) hit the target in GAP compared to 20 of 54 (37%) in FHP (p = 0.002). The mean distance of the needle tip to the lesion center was 7.49 ± 5.31 mm in GAP compared to 13.37 ± 10.24 mm in FHP (p < 0.001). Puncture time was not significantly different between GAP (36.72 ± 20.38 s) and FHP (37.83 ± 20.53 s) (p = 0.362). CONCLUSION: Needle guidance with a gyroscope enables an improved hit rate and puncture accuracy in CT-guided punctures without prolonging the puncture time. The needle guidance by gyroscope is inexpensive and easy to establish.