Evaluation of projection- and dual-energy-based methods for metal artifact reduction in CT using a phantom study.

OBJECTIVES: Both projection and dual-energy (DE)-based methods have been used for metal artifact reduction (MAR) in CT. The two methods can also be combined. The purpose of this work was to evaluate these three MAR methods using phantom experiments for five types of metal implants. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Five phantoms representing spine, dental, hip, shoulder, and knee were constructed with metal implants. These phantoms were scanned using both single-energy (SE) and DE protocols with matched radiation output. The SE data were processed using a projection-based MAR (iMAR, Siemens) algorithm, while the DE data were processed to generate virtual monochromatic images at high keV (Mono+, Siemens). In addition, the DE images after iMAR were used to generate Mono+ images (DE iMAR Mono+). Artifacts were quantitatively evaluated using CT numbers at different regions of interest. Iodine contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) was evaluated in the spine phantom. Three musculoskeletal radiologists and two neuro-radiologists independently ranked the artifact reduction. RESULTS: The DE Mono+ at high keV resulted in reduced artifacts but also lower iodine CNR. The iMAR method alone caused missing tissue artifacts in dental phantom. DE iMAR Mono+ caused wrong CT numbers in close proximity to the metal prostheses in knee and hip phantoms. All musculoskeletal radiologists ranked SE iMAR > DE iMAR Mono+ > DE Mono+ for knee and hip, while DE iMAR Mono+ > SE iMAR > DE Mono+ for shoulder. Both neuro-radiologists ranked DE iMAR Mono+ > DE Mono+ > SE iMAR for spine and DE Mono+ > DE iMAR Mono+ > SE iMAR for dental. CONCLUSIONS: The SE iMAR was the best choice for the hip and knee prostheses, while DE Mono+ at high keV was best for dental implants and DE iMAR Mono+ was best for spine and shoulder prostheses. Artifacts were also introduced by MAR algorithms.

Sensitivity of Thoracic Digital Tomosynthesis (DTS) for the Identification of Lung Nodules.

Thoracic computed tomography (CT) is considered the gold standard for detection lung pathology, yet its efficacy as a screening tool in regards to cost and radiation dose continues to evolve. Chest radiography (CXR) remains a useful and ubiquitous tool for detection and characterization of pulmonary pathology, but reduced sensitivity and specificity compared to CT. This prospective, blinded study compares the sensitivity of digital tomosynthesis (DTS), to that of CT and CXR for the identification and characterization of lung nodules. Ninety-five outpatients received a posteroanterior (PA) and lateral CXR, DTS, and chest CT at one care episode. The CXR and DTS studies were independently interpreted by three thoracic radiologists. The CT studies were used as the gold standard and read by a fourth thoracic radiologist. Nodules were characterized by presence, location, size, and composition. The agreement between observers and the effective radiation dose for each modality was objectively calculated. One hundred forty-five nodules of greatest diameter larger than 4 mm and 215 nodules less than 4 mm were identified by CT. DTS identified significantly more >4 mm nodules than CXR (DTS 32 % vs. CXR 17 %). CXR and DTS showed no significant difference in the ability to identify the smaller nodules or central nodules within 3 cm of the hilum. DTS outperformed CXR in identifying pleural nodules and those nodules located greater than 3 cm from the hilum. Average radiation dose for CXR, DTS, and CT were 0.10, 0.21, and 6.8 mSv, respectively. Thoracic digital tomosynthesis requires significantly less radiation dose than CT and nearly doubles the sensitivity of that of CXR for the identification of lung nodules greater than 4 mm. However, sensitivity and specificity for detection and characterization of lung nodules remains substantially less than CT. The apparent benefits over CXR, low cost, rapid acquisition, and minimal radiation dose of thoracic DTS suggest that it may be a useful procedure. Work-up of a newly diagnosed nodule will likely require CT, given its superior cross-sectional characterization. Further investigation of DTS as a diagnostic, screening, and surveillance tool is warranted.

Degradation of CT Low-Contrast Spatial Resolution Due to the Use of Iterative Reconstruction and Reduced Dose Levels.

PURPOSE: To determine the dose reduction that could be achieved without degrading low-contrast spatial resolution (LCR) performance for two commercial iterative reconstruction (IR) techniques, each evaluated at two strengths with many repeated scans. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two scanner models were used to image the American College of Radiology (ACR) CT accreditation phantom LCR section at volume CT dose indexes of 8, 12, and 16 mGy. Images were reconstructed by using filtered back projection (FBP) and two manufacturers' IR techniques, each at two strengths (moderate and strong). Data acquisition and reconstruction were repeated 100 times for each, yielding 1800 images. Three diagnostic medical physicists reviewed the LCR images in a blinded fashion and graded the visibility of four 6-mm rods with a six-point scale. Noninferiority and inferiority-superiority analyses were used to interpret the differences in LCR relative to FBP images acquired at 16 mGy. RESULTS: LCR decreased with decreasing dose for all reconstructions. Relative to FBP and full dose, 25%-50% dose reductions resulted in inferior LCR for vendors 1 and 2 for FBP and 25% dose reductions resulted in inferior and equivalent performance for vendor 1 and equivalent and superior performance for vendor 2 at moderate and strong IR settings, respectively. When dose was reduced by 50%, both IR techniques resulted in inferior LCR at both strength settings. CONCLUSION: For radiation dose reductions of 25% or more, the ability to resolve the four 6-mm rods in the ACR CT accreditation phantom can be lost.

Automatic exposure control systems designed to maintain constant image noise: effects on computed tomography dose and noise relative to clinically accepted technique charts.

OBJECTIVE: To compare computed tomography dose and noise arising from use of an automatic exposure control (AEC) system designed to maintain constant image noise as patient size varies with clinically accepted technique charts and AEC systems designed to vary image noise. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A model was developed to describe tube current modulation as a function of patient thickness. Relative dose and noise values were calculated as patient width varied for AEC settings designed to yield constant or variable noise levels and were compared to empirically derived values used by our clinical practice. Phantom experiments were performed in which tube current was measured as a function of thickness using a constant-noise-based AEC system and the results were compared with clinical technique charts. RESULTS: For 12-, 20-, 28-, 44-, and 50-cm patient widths, the requirement of constant noise across patient size yielded relative doses of 5%, 14%, 38%, 260%, and 549% and relative noises of 435%, 267%, 163%, 61%, and 42%, respectively, as compared with our clinically used technique chart settings at each respective width. Experimental measurements showed that a constant noise-based AEC system yielded 175% relative noise for a 30-cm phantom and 206% relative dose for a 40-cm phantom compared with our clinical technique chart. CONCLUSIONS: Automatic exposure control systems that prescribe constant noise as patient size varies can yield excessive noise in small patients and excessive dose in obese patients compared with clinically accepted technique charts. Use of noise-level technique charts and tube current limits can mitigate these effects.

Assessment of Low-Contrast Resolution for the American College of Radiology Computed Tomographic Accreditation Program: What Is the Impact of Iterative Reconstruction?

OBJECTIVE: To compare contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) thresholds with visual assessment of low-contrast resolution (LCR) in filtered back projection (FBP) and iteratively reconstructed (IR) computed tomographic (CT) images. METHODS: American College of Radiology (ACR) CT accreditation phantom LCR images were acquired at CTDIvol levels of 8, 12, and 16 mGy using 2 scanner models and reconstructed using one FBP and 2 IR kernels. Acquisitions were repeated 100 times. Three board-certified medical physicists blindly reviewed the LCR section images. Pass-percentage rates (PPRs) using previous and current ACR CT accreditation criteria were compared. RESULTS: Observer PPRs for FBP images were less than 32%. For IR images, 5 of 18 settings/dose/model configurations had PPRs greater than 32% (maximum 76.3%). For CNR evaluation of FBP images, PPRs for 15 configurations were greater than 70%. For IR images, all PPRs were at least 96%. CONCLUSIONS: The CNR threshold used by the ACR CT accreditation program yields higher PPRs than visual assessment of LCR, potentially resulting in lower-quality images passing the ACR CNR criteria.

Perspective on radiation risk in CT imaging.

Awareness of and communication about issues related to radiation dose are beneficial for patients, clinicians, and radiology departments. Initiating and facilitating discussions of the net benefit of CT by enlisting comparisons to more familiar activities, or by conveying that the anticipated radiation dose to an exam is similar to or much less than annual background levels help resolve the concerns of many patients and providers. While radiation risk estimates at the low doses associated with CT contain considerable uncertainty, we choose to err on the side of safety by assuming a small risk exists, even though the risk at these dose levels may be zero. Thus, radiologists should individualize CT scans according to patient size and diagnostic task to ensure that maximum benefit and minimum risk is achieved. However, because the magnitude of net benefit is driven by the potential benefit of a positive exam, radiation dose should not be reduced if doing so may compromise making an accurate diagnosis. The benefits and risks of CT are also highly individualized, and require consideration of many factors by patients, clinicians, and radiologists. Radiologists can assist clinicians and patients with understanding many of these factors, including test performance, potential patient benefit, and estimates of potential risk.

Size-specific dose estimates for adult patients at CT of the torso.

PURPOSE: To determine relationships among patient size, scanner radiation output, and size-specific dose estimates (SSDEs) for adults who underwent computed tomography (CT) of the torso. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Informed consent was waived for this institutional review board-approved study of existing data from 545 adult patients (322 men, 223 women) who underwent clinically indicated CT of the torso between April 1, 2007, and May 13, 2007. Automatic exposure control was used to adjust scanner output for each patient according to the measured CT attenuation. The volume CT dose index (CTDI(vol)) was used with measurements of patient size (anterioposterior plus lateral dimensions) and the conversion factors from the American Association of Physicists in Medicine Report 204 to determine SSDE. Linear regression models were used to assess the dependence of CTDI(vol) and SSDE on patient size. RESULTS: Patient sizes ranged from 42 to 84 cm. In this range,CTDI(vol) was significantly correlated with size (slope = 0.34 mGy/cm; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.31, 0.37 mGy/cm; R(2) = 0.48; P < .001), but SSDE was independent of size (slope = 0.02 mGy/cm; 95% CI: -0.02, 0.07 mGy/cm; R(2) = 0.003; P = .3). These R(2) values indicated that patient size explained 48% of the observed variability in CTDI(vol) but less than 1% of the observed variability in SSDE. The regression of CTDI(vol) versus patient size demonstrated that, in the 42-84-cm range, CTDI(vol) varied from 12 to 26 mGy. However, use of the evaluated automatic exposure control system to adjust scanner output for patient size resulted in SSDE values that were independent of size. CONCLUSION: For the evaluated automatic exposure control system,CTDI(vol) (scanner output) increased linearly with patient size; however, patient dose (as indicated by SSDE) was independent of size.

Optimal tube potential for radiation dose reduction in pediatric CT: principles, clinical implementations, and pitfalls.

In addition to existing strategies for reducing radiation dose in computed tomographic (CT) examinations, such as the use of automatic exposure control, use of the optimal tube potential also may help improve image quality or reduce radiation dose in pediatric CT examinations. The main benefit of the use of a lower tube potential is that it provides improved contrast enhancement, a characteristic that may compensate for the increase in noise that often occurs at lower tube potentials and that may allow radiation dose to be substantially reduced. However, selecting an appropriate tube potential and determining how much to reduce radiation dose depend on the patient's size and the diagnostic task being performed. The power limits of the CT scanner and the desired scanning speed also must be considered. The use of a lower tube potential and the amount by which to reduce radiation dose must be carefully evaluated for each type of examination to achieve an optimal tradeoff between contrast, noise, artifacts, and scanning speed.

Comparison of trauma mortality and estimated cancer mortality from computed tomography during initial evaluation of intermediate-risk trauma patients.

BACKGROUND: Computed tomography (CT) is the primary source of nontherapeutic medical radiation exposure. Radiation exposure is associated with an increased risk of cancer mortality. Although the risk of cancer mortality is negligible in comparison with that of trauma mortality in high-risk patients, the balance of risk versus benefit in patients with less severe mechanisms of injury is unknown. METHODS: This observational cohort study using a trauma center registry included blunt trauma patients prospectively triaged to an intermediate risk group (level II). Radiation dose was calculated using average dosage for each CT scan. Age-adjusted attributable radiation risk for cancer mortality was calculated using Biological Effects of Ionizing Radiation VII data. RESULTS: Six hundred forty-two level II trauma patients were analyzed, with a mean age of 43.8 years and a median Injury Severity Score of 8. Patients received a median radiation effective dose of 24.7 mSv in the first 24 hours of medical evaluation. Higher Injury Severity Score was associated with greater total radiation dose. Of the four deaths, all were 80 years or older with intracranial injuries. The estimated risk of cancer death attributable to CT exposure was 0.1%. CONCLUSIONS: The risk of mortality from trauma is six times higher than the estimated risk of radiation-induced cancer mortality in intermediate level trauma patients. The mortality due to trauma is greatest in older patients, suggesting lower clinical suspicion is needed to warrant CT studies in this population. Efforts to reduce radiation exposure to trauma patients should focus on young patients with minor injuries.

In Vivo Comparison of Radiation Exposure in Third-Generation vs Second-Generation Dual-Source Dual-Energy CT for Imaging Urinary Calculi.

Purpose: To investigate the potential for decreasing radiation dose when utilizing a third-generation vs second-generation dual-source dual-energy CT (dsDECT) scanner, while maintaining diagnostic image quality and acceptable image noise. Materials and Methods: Retrospective analysis of patients who underwent dsDECT for clinical suspicion of urolithiasis from October 2, 2017, to September 5, 2018. Patient demographics, body mass index, abdominal diameter, scanning parameters, and CT dose index volume (CTDIvol) were recorded. Image quality was assessed by measuring the attenuation and standard deviation (SD) regions of interest in the aorta and in the bladder. Image noise was determined by averaging the SD at both levels. Patients were excluded if they had not undergone both third- and second-generation dual-energy CT (DECT), time between DECT was more than 2 years, or scan parameters were outside the standard protocol. Results: A total of 117 patients met the inclusion criteria. Examinations performed on a third-generation DECT had an average CTDIvol 12.3 mGy, while examinations performed on a second-generation DECT had an average CTDIvol 13.3 mGy (p < 0.001). Average image noise was significantly lower for the third-generation DECT (SD = 10.3) compared with the second-generation DECT (SD = 13.9) (p < 0.001). Conclusions: The third-generation dsDECT scanners can simultaneously decrease patient radiation dose and decrease image noise compared with second-generation DECT. These reductions in radiation exposure can be particularly important in patients with urinary stone disease who often require repeated imaging to evaluate for stone development and recurrence as well as treatment assessment.

Estimating effective dose for CT using dose-length product compared with using organ doses: consequences of adopting International Commission on Radiological Protection publication 103 or dual-energy scanning.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of our study was to compare dose-length product (DLP)-based estimates of effective dose with organ dose-based calculations using tissue-weighting factors from publication 103 of the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) or dual-energy CT protocols. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using scanner- and energy-dependent organ dose coefficients, we calculated effective doses for CT examinations of the head, chest, coronary arteries, liver, and abdomen and pelvis using routine clinical single- or dual-energy protocols and tissue-weighting factors published in 1991 in ICRP publication 60 and in 2007 in ICRP publication 103. Effective doses were also generated from the respective DLPs using published conversion coefficients that depend only on body region. For each examination type, the same volume CT dose index was used for single- and dual-energy scans. RESULTS: Effective doses calculated for CT examinations using organ dose estimates and ICRP 103 tissue-weighting factors differed relative to ICRP 60 values by -39% (-0.5 mSv, head), 14% (1 mSv, chest), 36% (4 mSv, coronary artery), 4% (0.6 mSv, liver), and -7% (-1 mSv, abdomen and pelvis). DLP-based estimates of effective dose, which were derived using ICRP 60-based conversion coefficients, were less than organ dose-based estimates for ICRP 60 by 4% (head), 23% (chest), 37% (coronary artery), 12% (liver), and 19% (abdomen and pelvis) and for ICRP 103 by -34% (head), 37% (chest), 74% (coronary artery), 16% (liver), and 12% (abdomen and pelvis). All results were energy independent. CONCLUSION: These differences in estimates of effective dose suggest the need to reassess DLP to E conversion coefficients when adopting ICRP 103, particularly for scans over the breast. For the evaluated scanner, DLP to E conversion coefficients were energy independent, but ICRP 60-based conversion coefficients underestimated effective dose relative to organ dose-based calculations.

How effective is effective dose as a predictor of radiation risk?

OBJECTIVE: This article discusses the relatively recent adoption of effective dose in medicine that allows comparison between different imaging techniques, and describes the principles, pitfalls, and potential value of effective dose. The medical community must use this information wisely, realizing that effective dose represents a generic estimate of risk from a given procedure for a generic model of the human body. CONCLUSION: Effective dose is not the risk for any one individual. Due to the inherent uncertainties and oversimplifications involved, effective dose should not be used for epidemiologic studies or for estimating population risks.

Dose and image quality evaluation of a dedicated cone-beam CT system for high-contrast neurologic applications.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of our study was to evaluate the dose and image quality performance of a dedicated cone-beam CT (CBCT) scanner in comparison with an MDCT scanner. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The conventional dose metric, CT dose index (CTDI), is no longer applicable to CBCT scanners. We propose to use two dose metrics, the volume average dose and the mid plane average dose, to quantify the dose performance in a circular cone-beam scan. Under the condition of equal mid plane average dose, we evaluated the image quality of a CBCT scanner and an MDCT scanner, including high-contrast spatial resolution, low-contrast spatial resolution, noise level, CT number uniformity, and CT number accuracy. RESULTS: For the sinus scanning protocol, the CBCT system had comparable high-contrast resolution and inferior low-contrast resolution to those obtained with the MDCT scanner when the doses were matched (mid plane average dose 9.2 mGy). The CT number uniformity and accuracy were worse on the CBCT scanner. The image artifacts caused by beam hardening and scattering were also much more severe on the CBCT system. CONCLUSION: With a matched radiation dose, the CBCT system for sinus study has comparable high-contrast resolution and inferior low-contrast resolution relative to the MDCT scanner. Because of the more severe image artifacts on the CBCT system due to the small field of view and the lack of accurate scatter and beam-hardening correction, the utility of the CBCT system for diagnostic tasks related to soft tissue should be carefully assessed.

Projection space denoising with bilateral filtering and CT noise modeling for dose reduction in CT.

PURPOSE: To investigate a novel locally adaptive projection space denoising algorithm for low-dose CT data. METHODS: The denoising algorithm is based on bilateral filtering, which smooths values using a weighted average in a local neighborhood, with weights determined according to both spatial proximity and intensity similarity between the center pixel and the neighboring pixels. This filtering is locally adaptive and can preserve important edge information in the sinogram, thus maintaining high spatial resolution. A CT noise model that takes into account the bowtie filter and patient-specific automatic exposure control effects is also incorporated into the denoising process. The authors evaluated the noise-resolution properties of bilateral filtering incorporating such a CT noise model in phantom studies and preliminary patient studies with contrast-enhanced abdominal CT exams. RESULTS: On a thin wire phantom, the noise-resolution properties were significantly improved with the denoising algorithm compared to commercial reconstruction kernels. The noise-resolution properties on low-dose (40 mA s) data after denoising approximated those of conventional reconstructions at twice the dose level. A separate contrast plate phantom showed improved depiction of low-contrast plates with the denoising algorithm over conventional reconstructions when noise levels were matched. Similar improvement in noise-resolution properties was found on CT colonography data and on five abdominal low-energy (80 kV) CT exams. In each abdominal case, a board-certified subspecialized radiologist rated the denoised 80 kV images markedly superior in image quality compared to the commercially available reconstructions, and denoising improved the image quality to the point where the 80 kV images alone were considered to be of diagnostic quality. CONCLUSIONS: The results demonstrate that bilateral filtering incorporating a CT noise model can achieve a significantly better noise-resolution trade-off than a series of commercial reconstruction kernels. This improvement in noise-resolution properties can be used for improving image quality in CT and can be translated into substantial dose reduction.

Spatial resolution and radiation dose of a 64-MDCT scanner compared with published CT urography protocols.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of our study was to compare the spatial resolution and effective dose from 64-MDCT with several published CT urography protocols. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A phantom containing 1-, 2-, or 4-mm cylindric channels to simulate ureters with 0.25- to 3-mm plugs to simulate ureteral filling defects or ureteral diverticula was imaged using eight helical CT urography protocols. Computed radiography (CR) was also performed. Coronal maximum-intensity-projection images were created and, with the CR image, were evaluated independently by two genitourinary radiologists. Spatial resolution was evaluated by scoring each abnormality as present, visible; or as absent, not visible. Effective dose estimates for 11 CT urography protocols, including the radiographs obtained in the CT urography protocol, were calculated using published Monte Carlo organ dose coefficients. RESULTS: All ureteral abnormalities detected on CR were detected on the highest-spatial-resolution reconstruction using the evaluated 64-MDCT system. The smallest filling defect identified by both was 0.25 mm. Three 0.25-mm filling defects were not detected using the evaluated 16-MDCT system. The 4-MDCT system protocols showed the poorest performance. The range of effective doses for the evaluated CT urography protocols was 20.1-66.3 mSv. The number of phases, anatomic coverage per phase, and scanning parameters all contributed to this variation in dose. CONCLUSION: The evaluated 64-MDCT system showed detection accuracy identical to that of CR. Limiting anatomic coverage for specific phases and combining phases can reduce dose for multiphase protocols by up to a factor of 2 relative to early (circa 2000) 4-MDCT.

Detection of occult colonic perforation before CT colonography after incomplete colonoscopy: perforation rate and use of a low-dose diagnostic scan before CO2 insufflation.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to obtain a low-dose CT scan before CT colonography to estimate the prevalence of occult colonic perforation among patients referred for same-day or next-day CT colonography after incomplete colonoscopy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two hundred sixty-two patients (74 men, 188 women; mean age, 64 years; range, 21-92 years) consecutively referred for same-day or next-day CT colonography after incomplete colonoscopy underwent low-dose diagnostic CT before rectal tube insertion and CO(2) insufflation. RESULTS: Perforation was found on the low-dose CT scans of two of the 262 patients (0.8%; 95% CI, 0.1-2.7%). One of these patients had no symptoms; the other had mild abdominal discomfort at the time of CT. CONCLUSION: The rate of occult colonic perforation after incomplete colonoscopy may be significant. For patients referred for CT colonography after incomplete endoscopy, use of low-dose diagnostic CT before rectal tube insertion and insufflation is indicated.

Correlation between a 2D channelized Hotelling observer and human observers in a low-contrast detection task with multislice reading in CT.

PURPOSE: Model observers have been successfully developed and used to assess the quality of static 2D CT images. However, radiologists typically read images by paging through multiple 2D slices (i.e., multislice reading). The purpose of this study was to correlate human and model observer performance in a low-contrast detection task performed using both 2D and multislice reading, and to determine if the 2D model observer still correlate well with human observer performance in multislice reading. METHODS: A phantom containing 18 low-contrast spheres (6 sizes × 3 contrast levels) was scanned on a 192-slice CT scanner at five dose levels (CTDIvol = 27, 13.5, 6.8, 3.4, and 1.7 mGy), each repeated 100 times. Images were reconstructed using both filtered-backprojection (FBP) and an iterative reconstruction (IR) method (ADMIRE, Siemens). A 3D volume of interest (VOI) around each sphere was extracted and placed side-by-side with a signal-absent VOI to create a 2-alternative forced choice (2AFC) trial. Sixteen 2AFC studies were generated, each with 100 trials, to evaluate the impact of radiation dose, lesion size and contrast, and reconstruction methods on object detection. In total, 1600 trials were presented to both model and human observers. Three medical physicists acted as human observers and were allowed to page through the 3D volumes to make a decision for each 2AFC trial. The human observer performance was compared with the performance of a multislice channelized Hotelling observer (CHO_MS), which integrates multislice image data, and with the performance of previously validated CHO, which operates on static 2D images (CHO_2D). For comparison, the same 16 2AFC studies were also performed in a 2D viewing mode by the human observers and compared with the multislice viewing performance and the two CHO models. RESULTS: Human observer performance was well correlated with the CHO_2D performance in the 2D viewing mode [Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient R = 0.972, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.919 to 0.990] and with the CHO_MS performance in the multislice viewing mode (R = 0.952, 95% CI: 0.865 to 0.984). The CHO_2D performance, calculated from the 2D viewing mode, also had a strong correlation with human observer performance in the multislice viewing mode (R = 0.957, 95% CI: 879 to 0.985). Human observer performance varied between the multislice and 2D modes. One reader performed better in the multislice mode (P = 0.013); whereas the other two readers showed no significant difference between the two viewing modes (P = 0.057 and P = 0.38). CONCLUSIONS: A 2D CHO model is highly correlated with human observer performance in detecting spherical low contrast objects in multislice viewing of CT images. This finding provides some evidence for the use of a simpler, 2D CHO to assess image quality in clinically relevant CT tasks where multislice viewing is used.

CT dose reduction and dose management tools: overview of available options.

In the past decade, the tremendous advances in computed tomography (CT) technology and applications have increased the clinical utilization of CT, creating concerns about individual and population doses of ionizing radiation. Scanner manufacturers have subsequently implemented several options to appropriately manage or reduce the radiation dose from CT. Modulation of the x-ray tube current during scanning is one effective method of managing the dose. However, the distinctions between the various tube current modulation products are not clear from the product names or descriptions. Depending on the scanner model, the tube current may be modulated according to patient attenuation or a sinusoidal-type function. The modulation may be fully preprogrammed, implemented in near-real time by using a feedback mechanism, or achieved with both preprogramming and a feedback loop. The dose modulation may occur angularly around the patient, along the long axis of the patient, or both. Finally, the system may allow use of one of several algorithms to automatically adjust the current to achieve the desired image quality. Modulation both angularly around the patient and along the z-axis is optimal, but the tube current must be appropriately adapted to patient size for diagnostic image quality to be achieved.

Technical Note: Display window setting: An important factor for detecting subtle but clinically relevant artifacts in daily CT quality control.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the influence of display window setting on technologist performance detecting subtle but clinically relevant artifacts in daily computed tomography (CT) quality control (dQC) images. METHODS: Fifty three sets of dQC images were retrospectively selected, including 30 sets without artifacts, and 23 with subtle but clinically relevant artifacts. They were randomized and shown to six CT technologists (two new and four experienced). Each technologist reviewed all images in each of two sessions, one with a display window width (WW) of 100 HU, which is currently recommended by the American College of Radiology, and the other with a narrow WW of 40 HU, both at a window level of 0 HU. For each case, technologists rated the presence of image artifacts based on a five point scale. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was used to evaluate the artifact detection performance. RESULTS: At a WW of 100 HU, the AUC (95% confidence interval) was 0.658 (0.576, 0.740), 0.532 (0.429, 0.635), and 0.616 (0.543, 0.619) for the experienced, new, and all technologists, respectively. At a WW of 40 HU, the AUC was 0.768 (0.687, 0.850), 0.546 (0.433, 0.658), and 0.694 (0.619, 0.769), respectively. The performance significantly improved at WW of 40 HU for experienced technologists (p = 0.009) and for all technologists (p = 0.040). CONCLUSIONS: Use of a narrow display WW significantly improved technologists' performance in dQC for detecting subtle but clinically relevant artifacts as compared to that using a 100 HU display WW.

Association of automated and human observer lesion detecting ability using phantoms.

A set of tissue-mimicking phantoms containing spherical negative contrast simulated lesions was employed to associate an automated method for determining detectability with human observers. Six alternative methods for computing the lesion signal-to-noise ratio (LSNR) were employed for quantifying automated detecting ability. The six methods differ regarding effective lesion area and whether or not gradients in local mean background echo levels were accounted for. The two-alternative-forced-choice (TAFC) technique was used to associate detecting ability of human observers with LSNR values. Although the six methods gave similar results, one method exhibited the least dependency on lesion diameter and is recommended; that method accounts for gradients in local mean background echo levels and employs an effective sphere area of 2/pi times the projected sphere area. A reasonable LSNR detection threshold value of -2.0 was found to apply for nominal transducer frequencies from 4 through 6 MHz and for lesion diameters from 2 through 5 mm. This result allows rapid human-observer-calibrated automated determination of the depth range of detectability as a function of sphere diameter and contrast.