As high-resolution 3D imaging C-arm cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) has been further developed in interventional radiology, it has become possible to provide more precise information on the microvasculature. Recently, high resolution C-arm cone beam CT (HRCBCT) was developed to visualize the microvasculature and evaluate the stent lumen (Vaso CT, Philips Healthcare, Best, Netherlands). However, few reports have focused on the advantages of HRCBCT imaging over conventional 3D rotational angiography (3DRA). The purpose of this study was to reveal the optimal 3D imaging for microvascular visualization...

Scanning and image reconstruction Image quality phantoms were scanned using HRCBCT and 3DRA in the same field of view (FOV; 8 inches) and same size matrix for evaluation of a feasible approach. Both systems were equipped with the same angiography system with a flat panel detector (Allura Clarity FD 20/20, Philips Healthcare, Best, Netherlands), and the acquisition protocols and postprocessing algorithms were embedded in the system(Fig.1). The HRCBCT imaging was conducted at a rate of 30 frames/s, total rotation time of 20 s, focus size...

Modulation transfer function The results of the MTF on HRCBCT images and 3DRA images are shown in Fig. 5. The MTF values of HRCBCT images were superior to those of 3DRA images in the high frequency range. Each 10% point of the modulation-transfer-function (10% MTF) was 2.23 cycles/mm and 1.81 cycles/mm, respectively. The 10% MTF of HRCBCT images were 1.23 times higher than 3DRA images. Noise power spectrum The results of the NPS on HRCBCT images and 3DRA images are shown in Fig. 6. Although...

The HRCBCT images had higher resolution than 3DRA images in terms of MTF, and SNR showed better visibility. Furthermore, HRCBCT images had higher contrast intensity than 3DRA (Fig. 9).To validate the advantages of HRCBCT imaging over 3DRA, clinical images of one case using both imaging systems are shown. An unruptured aneurysm at the bifurcation of the left MCA main stem (M1) and secondary trunks (M2) of a 66-year-old woman are shown in Fig. 10. The microvasculature of the cerebral arteries and derived from an unruptured...

Yuji Tachibana, Radiological Technologist, Kyushu Medical Center, Department of Radiology, Clinical Reserch Institute, Fukuoka, Japan, E-mail: [email protected]

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