Material decomposition approaches for monosodium urate (MSU) quantification in gouty arthritis: a (bio)phantom study

Abstract Background Dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) is a noninvasive diagnostic tool for gouty arthritis. This study aimed to compare two postprocessing techniques for monosodium urate (MSU) detection: conventional two-material decomposition and material map-based decomposition. Methods A ras...

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Main Authors: Torsten Diekhoff, Sydney Alexandra Schmolke, Karim Khayata, Jürgen Mews, Maximilian Kotlyarov
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SpringerOpen 2024-11-01
Series:European Radiology Experimental
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s41747-024-00528-z
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author Torsten Diekhoff
Sydney Alexandra Schmolke
Karim Khayata
Jürgen Mews
Maximilian Kotlyarov
author_facet Torsten Diekhoff
Sydney Alexandra Schmolke
Karim Khayata
Jürgen Mews
Maximilian Kotlyarov
author_sort Torsten Diekhoff
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) is a noninvasive diagnostic tool for gouty arthritis. This study aimed to compare two postprocessing techniques for monosodium urate (MSU) detection: conventional two-material decomposition and material map-based decomposition. Methods A raster phantom and an ex vivo biophantom, embedded with four different MSU concentrations, were scanned in two high-end CT scanners. Scanner 1 used the conventional postprocessing method while scanner 2 employed the material map approach. Volumetric analysis was performed to determine MSU detection, and image quality parameters, such as signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), were computed. Results The material map-based method demonstrated superior MSU detection. Specifically, scanner 2 yielded total MSU volumes of 5.29 ± 0.28 mL and 4.52 ± 0.29 mL (mean ± standard deviation) in the raster and biophantom, respectively, versus 2.35 ± 0.23 mL and 1.15 ± 0.17 mL for scanner 1. Radiation dose correlated positively with detection for the conventional scanner, while there was no such correlation for the material map-based decomposition method in the biophantom. Despite its higher detection rate, material map-based decomposition was inferior in terms of SNR, CNR, and artifacts. Conclusion While material map-based decomposition resulted in superior MSU detection, it is limited by challenges such as increased artifacts. Our findings highlight the potential of this method for gout diagnosis while underscoring the need for further research to enhance its clinical reliability. Relevance statement Advanced postprocessing such as material-map-based two-material decomposition might improve the sensitivity for gouty arthritis in clinical practice, thus, allowing for lower radiation doses or better sensitivity for gouty tophi. Key Points Dual-energy CT showed limited sensitivity for tophi with low MSU concentrations. Materiel-map-based decomposition increased sensitivity compared to conventional two-material decomposition. The advantages of material-map-based decomposition outweigh lower image quality and increased artifact load. Graphical Abstract
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spelling doaj-art-5f2efe7dff114f148c733a275ff48afc2024-11-10T12:06:05ZengSpringerOpenEuropean Radiology Experimental2509-92802024-11-01811810.1186/s41747-024-00528-zMaterial decomposition approaches for monosodium urate (MSU) quantification in gouty arthritis: a (bio)phantom studyTorsten Diekhoff0Sydney Alexandra Schmolke1Karim Khayata2Jürgen Mews3Maximilian Kotlyarov4Department of Radiology, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Mitte, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Freie Universität BerlinDepartment of Radiology, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Mitte, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Freie Universität BerlinDepartment of Radiology, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Mitte, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Freie Universität BerlinCanon Medical Systems Europe BV, Global Research & Development CenterDepartment of Radiology, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Mitte, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Freie Universität BerlinAbstract Background Dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) is a noninvasive diagnostic tool for gouty arthritis. This study aimed to compare two postprocessing techniques for monosodium urate (MSU) detection: conventional two-material decomposition and material map-based decomposition. Methods A raster phantom and an ex vivo biophantom, embedded with four different MSU concentrations, were scanned in two high-end CT scanners. Scanner 1 used the conventional postprocessing method while scanner 2 employed the material map approach. Volumetric analysis was performed to determine MSU detection, and image quality parameters, such as signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), were computed. Results The material map-based method demonstrated superior MSU detection. Specifically, scanner 2 yielded total MSU volumes of 5.29 ± 0.28 mL and 4.52 ± 0.29 mL (mean ± standard deviation) in the raster and biophantom, respectively, versus 2.35 ± 0.23 mL and 1.15 ± 0.17 mL for scanner 1. Radiation dose correlated positively with detection for the conventional scanner, while there was no such correlation for the material map-based decomposition method in the biophantom. Despite its higher detection rate, material map-based decomposition was inferior in terms of SNR, CNR, and artifacts. Conclusion While material map-based decomposition resulted in superior MSU detection, it is limited by challenges such as increased artifacts. Our findings highlight the potential of this method for gout diagnosis while underscoring the need for further research to enhance its clinical reliability. Relevance statement Advanced postprocessing such as material-map-based two-material decomposition might improve the sensitivity for gouty arthritis in clinical practice, thus, allowing for lower radiation doses or better sensitivity for gouty tophi. Key Points Dual-energy CT showed limited sensitivity for tophi with low MSU concentrations. Materiel-map-based decomposition increased sensitivity compared to conventional two-material decomposition. The advantages of material-map-based decomposition outweigh lower image quality and increased artifact load. Graphical Abstracthttps://doi.org/10.1186/s41747-024-00528-zArthritis (gouty)Image processing (computer-assisted)Phantoms (imaging)Tomography (x-ray computed)Uric acid
spellingShingle Torsten Diekhoff
Sydney Alexandra Schmolke
Karim Khayata
Jürgen Mews
Maximilian Kotlyarov
Material decomposition approaches for monosodium urate (MSU) quantification in gouty arthritis: a (bio)phantom study
European Radiology Experimental
Arthritis (gouty)
Image processing (computer-assisted)
Phantoms (imaging)
Tomography (x-ray computed)
Uric acid
title Material decomposition approaches for monosodium urate (MSU) quantification in gouty arthritis: a (bio)phantom study
title_full Material decomposition approaches for monosodium urate (MSU) quantification in gouty arthritis: a (bio)phantom study
title_fullStr Material decomposition approaches for monosodium urate (MSU) quantification in gouty arthritis: a (bio)phantom study
title_full_unstemmed Material decomposition approaches for monosodium urate (MSU) quantification in gouty arthritis: a (bio)phantom study
title_short Material decomposition approaches for monosodium urate (MSU) quantification in gouty arthritis: a (bio)phantom study
title_sort material decomposition approaches for monosodium urate msu quantification in gouty arthritis a bio phantom study
topic Arthritis (gouty)
Image processing (computer-assisted)
Phantoms (imaging)
Tomography (x-ray computed)
Uric acid
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s41747-024-00528-z
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