Clin Radiol. 2025 Apr 17;86:106933. doi: 10.1016/j.crad.2025.106933. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
AIMS: This study compares image quality, contrast agent dosage, and radiation exposure between an advanced precision scanning technique and traditional computed tomography angiography (CTA) scanning methods of the lower limb.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cohort of 89 patients with suspected lower limb arterial disease was randomly assigned to precise (A) and traditional (B) CTA scanning. group A used variable helical pitch (VHP), while group B used a standard pitch scanning technique. Computed tomography values and image noise were assessed at five anatomical locations, including the lumbar 4 level (abdominal aorta), iliac artery level, popliteal artery level, ankle joint level, and dorsal foot level in both groups. Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) were computed for each segment, followed by statistical analysis.
RESULTS: Both subjective (SNR, CNR, and CT values) and objective evaluations (evaluation scores of two radiologists) demonstrated superior image quality of lower extremity arteries in group A. The subjective metric was significantly higher in lower limb CTA, particularly at the ankle and dorsum of foot images (all P<0.001), and the subjective score for group A was 21% higher than that of group B (P<0.05). In terms of patients’ radiation dose and contrast agent dosage, group A exhibited a 16.23% reduction in radiation dose and a 12.28% reduction in contrast agent dosage compared to group B, respectively (both P<0.001).
CONCLUSION: The use of VHP in CTA scanning enhances distal blood vessel visualisation, improves image quality, and reduces radiation exposure and contrast agent consumption, offering substantial clinical benefits.
PMID:40403343 | DOI:10.1016/j.crad.2025.106933
