Artificial Intelligence-Assisted Low-Dose High Atomic Number Contrast Agent for Ultrahigh-Resolution Computed Tomography Angiography.
Authors
Affiliations (2)
Affiliations (2)
- School of Medical Imaging, Division of Medical Technology, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Functional Imaging, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300203, China.
- Department of Radiology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center of Cancer, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Digestive Cancer, Tianjin 300060, China.
Abstract
Achieving high resolution while minimizing contrast agent dosage remains a key goal, yet a major challenge in contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) imaging. Herein, we propose an artificial intelligence-assisted low-dose high atomic number contrast agent for ultrahigh-resolution CT imaging. As a proof of concept, high-quality PEGylated hafnium oxide nanoparticles (DA-HfO<sub>2</sub> NPs) are synthesized, exhibiting superior X-ray attenuation, high hafnium content (36%), excellent water solubility, appropriate hydrodynamic size (13.5 nm), and prolonged circulation half-life (161.9 min). High-dose DA-HfO<sub>2</sub> NPs enable extended ultrahigh-resolution vascular imaging with a spatial resolution of 0.15 mm and a time window of at least 60 min. More importantly, by integrating artificial intelligence, the low-dose contrast agent (at 25% of the standard dose) achieves imaging quality comparable to that of the high-dose agent in both contrast density and spatial resolution, while simultaneously enhancing biosafety. This strategy enables high-resolution imaging at reduced contrast agent doses and offers a promising approach for sensitive and safe CT angiography.