Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42635759›Full record

ArticleNeuroradiology2026

Brain cone-beam CT image quality improvement using a deep-learning-based denoising method: a multicenter retrospective study.

Fredrik Ståhl, Nicole M Cancelliere, Jens Kolloch, Shobhit Mathur, Ibrahim Abdulaziz Almulhim, Kevin Janot, Vamsi Gontu, Nikolas D Schnellbächer, Marijke van Vlimmeren, Erik Hummel and 2 more

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Article in Neuroradiology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

12 authors.

Fredrik StåhlDepartment of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden. fredrik.stahl@ki.se.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9690-0286
Nicole M CancelliereRADIS Lab, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Jens KollochDepartment of Neuroradiology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
Shobhit MathurDepartments of Neurosurgery and Medical Imaging, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Canada.
Ibrahim Abdulaziz AlmulhimDepartments of Neurosurgery and Medical Imaging, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Canada.
Kevin JanotDepartments of Neurosurgery and Medical Imaging, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Canada.
Vamsi GontuDepartment of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
Nikolas D SchnellbächerPhilips (Germany), Hamburg, Germany.
Marijke van VlimmerenPhilips (Netherlands), Best, Netherlands.
Erik HummelPhilips (Netherlands), Best, Netherlands.
Vitor M PereiraRADIS Lab, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Anna Falk DelgadoDepartment of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposeDeep learning (DL) denoising may improve cone-beam CT (CBCT) image quality for point-of-care stroke assessment in the interventional suite. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of a DL-based denoising algorithm on objective and subjective image quality in brain CBCT using both standard circular and advanced dual-axis trajectories.

methodsWe retrospectively analyzed 20 noncontrast brain CBCT acquisitions (Karolinska: 10 standard circular; St Michael's: 10 dual-axis). A DL-based denoising algorithm was applied at three strengths (Minimal, Medium, High) and compared to standard images with no additional denoising. Objective metrics (noise, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), artifact indices) were measured using standardized ROIs. Six experts rated subjective image quality on 5-point Likert scales. Paired tests with Bonferroni correction were used for comparisons.

resultsHigh-level DL denoising significantly improved all objective metrics (noise, SNR, CNR, artifact indices) for both thin and thick slices (all p<.001). It doubled gray-white matter CNR (thin slices: 2.31 vs. 1.08), reduced noise, and improved subcalvarial and posterior fossa artifact indices. Subjectively, high-level denoising yielded higher median ratings for noise, texture, sharpness, brain parenchyma visualization, CSF spaces, and confidence in assessing ischemia and hemorrhage (all p<.001). Improvements were consistent for both acquisition techniques, and perceived artifact severity did not differ (p>.99). Inter-reader agreement was substantial.

conclusionThe DL-based denoising algorithm significantly improved objective and subjective brain CBCT image-quality; no difference in perceived artifact severity was detected. These findings support further evaluation of deep learning-enhanced CBCT denoising for brain imaging in the interventional suite.

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BrainCone-beam CTDeep learningStroke

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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.