Axial noncontrast chest CT lung window photographs in a 42-year-old male participant with regular lungs. (A) Regular-dose CT, (B) ultra-low-dose CT (ULDCT), and (C) denoised ULDCT photographs. Regular lungs had been noticed on normal-dose CT picture. Nevertheless, as a result of inherent picture noise at ULDCT, the lung sample was falsely labeled as constructive viral an infection by each readers. The denoising strategy of the denoised ULDCT corrected this artifact, and the participant was appropriately categorized as having no an infection. Credit score: Radiological Society of North America (RSNA)
Denoised ultra-low-dose CT can successfully diagnose pneumonia in immunocompromised sufferers utilizing solely 2% of the radiation dose of normal CT, in accordance with a research printed in Radiology: Cardiothoracic Imaging.
“For patients with weakened immune systems, lung infections can be life threatening,” stated lead research creator Maximiliano Klug, M.D., a radiologist within the division of diagnostic imaging on the Sheba Medical Middle in Ramat Gan, Israel. “CT scans are the gold standard for detecting pneumonia, but repeated scans can expose patients to significant radiation.”
Whereas the early analysis of lung infections in immunocompromised sufferers is vital, the dangers of cumulative radiation dose publicity from frequent CT scans is a priority.
Extremely-low-dose CT reduces radiation publicity however may end up in poor picture high quality as a result of added “noise,” which manifests as a grainy texture all through the picture. This discount in picture high quality can have an effect on the accuracy of analysis. Subsequently, Dr. Klug and colleagues sought to check the denoising capabilities of a deep studying algorithm on ultra-low-dose CT scans.
From September 2020 to December 2022, 54 immunocompromised sufferers with fevers had been referred to Dr. Klug’s division to bear two chest CT scans: a normal-dose scan and an ultra-low-dose scan. A deep studying algorithm was utilized to denoise all 54 of the ultra-low-dose CT scans.
Axial noncontrast chest CT lung window photographs in a 61-year-old feminine participant. (A) Regular-dose CT, (B) ultra-low-dose CT (ULDCT), and (C) denoised ULDCT present focal ground-glass opacity (yellow arrow). Floor-glass opacity was appropriately recognized with each normal- dose CT and denoised ULDCT, but it surely was missed by each readers at ULDCT as a result of decreased signal-to-noise ratio. Credit score: Radiological Society of North America (RSNA)
Radiologists individually assessed and documented their findings from the traditional dose CT, ultra-low-dose CT and denoised ultra-low-dose CT scans. They had been blinded to all affected person medical info.
The deep studying algorithm considerably improved the picture high quality and readability of the ultra-low-dose CT scans and diminished false positives. Nodules had been additionally extra simply recognized on the denoised scans.
The common efficient radiation dose for ultra-low-dose scans was 2% of the common efficient radiation dose of the usual CT scans.
“This study paves the way for safer, AI-driven imaging that reduces radiation exposure while preserving diagnostic accuracy,” Dr. Klug stated.
The researchers be aware that deep learning-based denoising on ultra-low-dose CT scans might be useful in different affected person teams, akin to younger sufferers.
Axial noncontrast chest CT lung window photographs in a 70-year-old male participant. (A) Regular-dose CT, (B) ultra-low-dose CT (ULDCT), and (C) denoised ULDCT photographs present tree-in-bud opacities (yellow arrow). The tree-in-bud opacities might be noticed on normal-dose CT picture. Nevertheless, because of the elevated picture noise at ULDCT, the linear branching sample was missed and labeled incorrectly by each readers as nodules with no tree-in-bud opacities. Denoised ULDCT allowed higher appreciation of centrilobular nodules with a linear branching sample, and the picture was labeled appropriately as constructive for tree-in-bud opacities. Credit score: Radiological Society of North America (RSNA)
“This pilot study identified infection with a fraction of the radiation dose,” Dr. Klug stated. “This approach could drive larger studies and ultimately reshape clinical guidelines, making denoised ultra-low-dose CT the new standard for young immunocompromised patients.”
Future research with bigger pattern sizes will assist validate the findings from this research.
Extra info:
Denoised Extremely-Low-Dose Chest CT to Assess Pneumonia in People Who Are Immunocompromised People, Radiology Cardiothoracic Imaging (2025).
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Radiological Society of North America
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Extremely-low-dose CT can diagnose pneumonia in immunocompromised sufferers whereas utilizing far much less radiation (2025, March 13)
retrieved 13 March 2025
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