Julia Katharina Neuhoff

Ms. Julia Katharina Neuhoff

orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

3Years (2024-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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13 March 2024 in Diagnostics
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
MDMarcel Alexander Drews
Marcel Alexander Drews
ADAydin Demircioglu
Aydin Demircioglu
JNJulia Katharina Neuhoff
Julia Katharina Neuhoff
JHJohannes Haubold
Johannes Haubold
SZSebastian Zensen
Sebastian Zensen
DBDenise Bos
Denise Bos
Non-contrast computed tomography (CT) is commonly used for the evaluation of various pathologies including pulmonary infections or urolithiasis but, especially in low-dose protocols, image quality is reduced. To improve this, deep learning-based post-processing approaches are being developed. Therefore, we aimed to compare the objective and subjective image quality of different reconstruction techniques and a deep learning-based software on non-contrast chest and low-dose abdominal CTs. In this retrospective study, non-contrast chest CTs of patients suspected of COVID-19 pneumonia and low-dose abdominal CTs suspected of urolithiasis were analysed. All images were reconstructed using filtered back-projection (FBP) and were post-processed using an artificial intelligence (AI)-based commercial software (PixelShine (PS)). Additional iterative reconstruction (IR) was performed for abdominal CTs. Objective and subjective image quality were evaluated. AI-based post-processing led to an overall significant noise reduction independent of the protocol (chest or abdomen) while maintaining image information (max. difference in SNR 2.59 ± 2.9 and CNR 15.92 ± 8.9, p < 0.001). Post-processing of FBP-reconstructed abdominal images was even superior to IR alone (max. difference in SNR 0.76 ± 0.5, p ≤ 0.001). Subjective assessments verified these results, partly suggesting benefits, especially in soft-tissue imaging (p < 0.001). All in all, the deep learning-based denoising—which was non-inferior to IR—offers an opportunity for image quality improvement especially in institutions using older scanners without IR availability. Further studies are necessary to evaluate potential effects on dose reduction benefits.