Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39702629›Full record

ArticleEuropean radiology2025

Assessing the stability of photon-counting CT: insights from a 2-year longitudinal study.

Leening P Liu, Pouyan Pasyar, Fang Liu, Quy Cao, Olivia F Sandvold, Martin V Rybertt, Pooyan Sahbaee, Russell T Shinohara, Harold I Litt, Peter B Noël

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in European radiology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Leening P LiuDepartment of Radiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA. leening.liu@pennmedicine.upenn.edu.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0560-5394
Pouyan PasyarDepartment of Radiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
Fang LiuPenn Statistics in Imaging and Visualization Center, Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Informatics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
Quy CaoPenn Statistics in Imaging and Visualization Center, Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Informatics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
Olivia F SandvoldDepartment of Radiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
Martin V RyberttDepartment of Radiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
Pooyan SahbaeeSiemens Medical Solutions, Malvern, PA, USA.
Russell T ShinoharaPenn Statistics in Imaging and Visualization Center, Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Informatics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
Harold I LittDepartment of Radiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
Peter B NoëlDepartment of Radiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA. peter.noel@pennmedicine.upenn.edu.

Funding

Patient-specific, high-sensitivity spectral CT for assessment of pancreatic cancerR01EB030494 · NIBIB · UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA · PI GANG, JIANAN GRACE, NOËL, PETER B · 2021 to 2024
$2.4M
NIBIB NIH HHS R01 EB030494NIBIB NIH HHS R01EB030494
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectiveAmong the advancements in computed tomography (CT) technology, photon-counting computed tomography (PCCT) stands out as a significant innovation, providing superior spectral imaging capabilities while simultaneously reducing radiation exposure. Its long-term stability is important for clinical care, especially longitudinal studies, but is currently unknown. This study sets out to comprehensively analyze the long-term stability of a first-generation clinical PCCT scanner.

methodsOver a 2-year period, from November 2021 to November 2023, we conducted weekly identical experiments utilizing the same multi-energy CT protocol. Throughout this period, notable software and hardware modifications were meticulously recorded. Various tissue-mimicking inserts were scanned weekly to rigorously assess the stability of Hounsfield Units (HU) and image noise in Virtual Monochromatic Images (VMIs) and iodine density maps.

resultsSpectral results consistently demonstrated the quantitative stability of PCCT. VMIs exhibited stable HU values, such as variation in relative error for VMI 70 keV measuring 0.11% and 0.30% for single-source and dual-source modes, respectively. Similarly, noise levels remained stable with slight fluctuations linked to software changes for VMI 40 and 70 keV that corresponded to changes of 8 and 1 HU, respectively. Furthermore, iodine density quantification maintained stability and showed significant improvement with software and hardware changes, especially in dual-source mode with nominal errors decreasing from 1.44 to 0.03 mg/mL.

conclusionThis study provides the first long-term reproducibility assessment of quantitative PCCT imaging, highlighting its potential for the clinical arena. KEY POINTS: Question Photon-counting CT (PCCT) provides critical spectral imaging for improved diagnostic accuracy, but its long-term quantitative stability over time is still unknown. Findings The clinical PCCT system demonstrated stable Hounsfield Units (HU) and image noise over 2 years, ensuring reliable quantitative imaging and improving diagnostic accuracy. Clinical relevance This study showcased the exceptional value of PCCT in diagnostic radiology, particularly for its application in longitudinal studies.

Indexed as

Tomography, X-Ray ComputedHumansLongitudinal StudiesPhantoms, ImagingPhotonsSoftwareCTPhoton-counting CTQuantitative stabilitySpectral CT

Identifiers

PMID39702629
PMCPMC12165871

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.