The influence of dual-source CT virtual plain scan combined with ADMIRE algorithm on the image quality of the neck

LI Tiantian; SUN Tianyou; NIU Qilin; GAO Zhizhen

doi:10.12122/j.issn.1674-4500.2026.02.12

Abstract：Objective To explore the influence of dual-source CT virtual plain scan combined with advanced modeling iterative reconstruction algorithm(ADMIRE)on the image quality and radiation dose of the neck.Methods Prospectively collect 52 patients who underwent routine neck plain scan(TNC)+DECT enhanced scan at the First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical University from January to May 2025.The plain scan used ADMIRE for 3 reconstruction images,and the enhanced scan used the 1-5 ADMIRE iterative algorithm for reconstruction in the venous phase.The virtual plain scan(VNC)images were obtained using post-processing software.The radiation dose and measure were recorded and the objective data of TNC and VNC under different reconstruction algorithms were calculated;the objective and subjective evaluations of the images were analyzed.Results With the increase of the ADMIRE algorithm,the CT values of the thyroid gland,sternocleidomastoid muscle,fat and internal jugular vein showed no significant changes(P>0.05),but the SD values gradually decreased and the SNR and CNR gradually increased(P<0.05).The differences in subjective scores among each group were statistically significant(P<0.05).Except for thyroid and fat,VNC-B3 images in evaluating different tissues of the neck not only have CT values similar to TNC(P>0.05),but also have similar noise and signal-to-noise ratio(P>0.05);There was no statistically significant difference between the subjective score of VNC-B3 images and TNC(P>0.05).Using VNC images instead of TNC can reduce the effective radiation dose by approximately 39%.Conclusion The VNC combined with ADMIRE algorithm(Strength level 3)in the jugular venous phase can obtain images approximately equivalent to TNC,and reduce image noise and radiation dose.