Enhancing super-resolution network efficacy in CT imaging: cost-effective simulation of training data
File(s)
Published version (early access)
Author(s)
Zeyu, Tang
Xing, Xiaodan
Wang, Gang
Yang, Guang
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Deep learning-based Generative Models have the potential to convert low-resolution CT images into high-resolution counterparts without long acquisition times and increased radiation exposure in thin-slice CT imaging. However, procuring appropriate training data for these Super-Resolution (SR) models is challenging. Previous SR research has simulated thick-slice CT images from thin-slice CT images to create training pairs. However, these methods either rely on simplistic interpolation techniques that lack realism or on sinogram reconstruction, which requires the release of raw data and complex reconstruction algorithms. Thus, we introduce a simple yet realistic method to generate thick CT images from thin-slice CT images, facilitating the creation of training pairs for SR algorithms. The training pairs produced by our method closely resemble real data distributions (PSNR=49.74 vs. 40.66, p<0.05). A multivariate Cox regression analysis involving thick slice CT images with lung fibrosis revealed that only the radiomics features extracted using our method demonstrated a significant correlation with mortality (HR=1.19 and HR=1.14, p<0.005). This paper represents the first to identify and address the challenge of generating appropriate paired training data for Deep Learning-based CT SR models, which enhances the efficacy and applicability of SR models in real-world scenarios.
Date Issued
2025-09-15
Date Acceptance
2025-09-09
Citation
IEEE Open Journal of Engineering in Medicine and Biology, 2025
ISSN
2644-1276
Publisher
IEEE
Journal / Book Title
IEEE Open Journal of Engineering in Medicine and Biology
Copyright Statement
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License. For more information, see https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
License URL
Publication Status
Published online
Date Publish Online
2025-09-15