Attenuation and image noise level based online z-axis tube current modulation for CT scans independent with localizer radiograph: simulation study and results

2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yi Tian ◽  
Mahao Chen ◽  
Jun Kong
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
kazuhiro takeuchi ◽  
Yasuhiro Ide ◽  
Yuichiro Mori ◽  
Yusuke Uehara ◽  
Hiroshi Sukeishi ◽  
...  

Abstract The novel deep learning image reconstruction (DLIR) is known to change its image quality characteristics according to object contrast and image noise. In clinical practice, computed tomography (CT) image noise is usually controlled by tube current modulation (TCM) to accommodate changes in object size. This study aimed to evaluate the image quality characteristics of DLIR for different object sizes when in-plane noise is controlled by TCM. We used Mercury 4.0 phantoms with different object sizes. Phantom image acquisition was performed on a GE Revolution CT system to investigate the impact of the DLIR algorithm compared to standard reconstructions: filtered back projection (FBP) and hybrid iterative reconstruction (hybrid-IR). For image quality evaluation, the noise power spectrum (NPS), task-based transfer function (TTF), and detectability index (d') were determined. The NPS of DLIR was very similar to that of FBP, and the information in the high-frequency region was maintained. In terms of TTF, DLIR showed higher resolution than hybrid-IR at low- to medium-contrast (Δ50, Δ90HU), but not necessarily higher than FBP. At the simulated contrast and lesion size, DLIR showed higher detectability than hybrid-IR, regardless of the phantom size. In this study, we evaluated a novel DLIR algorithm by reproducing clinical behaviors. The findings indicate that DLIR produces higher image quality than hybrid-IR regardless of the phantom size, although it depends on the reconstruction strength.


2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (10) ◽  
pp. 5728-5737 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonios E. Papadakis ◽  
John Damilakis

Abstract Objectives To investigate the effect of an organ-based tube current modulation (OTCM) technique on organ absorbed dose and assess image quality in pediatric CT examinations. Methods Four physical anthropomorphic phantoms that represent the average individual as neonate, 1-year-old, 5-year-old, and 10-year-old were used. Standard head and thorax acquisitions were performed with automatic tube current modulation (ATCM) and ATCM+OTCM. Dose calculations were performed by means of Monte Carlo simulations. Radiation dose was measured for superficial and centrally located radiosensitive organs. The angular range of the OTCM exposure window was determined for different tube rotation times (t) by means of a solid-state detector. Image noise was measured as the standard deviation of the Hounsfield unit value in regions of interest drawn at selected anatomical sites. Results ATCM+OTCM resulted in a reduction of radiation dose to all radiosensitive organs. In head, eye lens dose was reduced by up to 13% in ATCM+OTCM compared with ATCM. In thorax, the corresponding reduction for breast dose was up to 10%. The angular range of the OTCM exposure window decreased with t. For t = 0.4 s, the angular range was limited to 74° in head and 135° for thorax. Image noise was significantly increased in ATCM+OTCM acquisitions across most examined phantoms (p < 0.05). Conclusions OTCM reduces radiation dose to exposed radiosensitive organs with the eye lens and breast buds exhibiting the highest dose reduction. The OTCM exposure window is narrowed at short t. An increase in noise is inevitable in images located within the OTCM-activated imaged volume. Key Points • In pediatric CT, organ-based tube current modulation reduces radiation dose to all major primarily exposed radiosensitive organs. • Image noise increases within the organ-based tube current modulation enabled imaged volume. • The angular range of the organ-based tube current modulation low exposure window is reduced with tube rotation time.


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