Low-Dose Pelvic Computed Tomography Using Adaptive Iterative Dose Reduction 3-Dimensional Algorithm: A Phantom Study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the image quality and radiation dose reduction in pelvic computed tomography (CT) achieved with an adaptive iterative dose reduction 3-dimensional (AIDR 3D) algorithm using a phantom model. METHODS: Two phantoms were scanned using a 320-detector row CT scanner with 8 tube current levels, and the images were reconstructed with a standard filtered back projection (FBP) algorithm and with an AIDR 3D algorithm. RESULTS: Compared with FBP, AIDR 3D reduced image noise and improved contrast-to-noise ratios. The diagnostic performance for detection of low-contrast targets of AIDR 3D images obtained with 100 mA at 120 kVp was almost as good as that of the FBP images obtained with 200 mA. CONCLUSIONS: The AIDR 3D algorithm substantially reduced image noise and improved the image quality of pelvic CT images compared with those obtained with the FBP algorithm and can thus be considered a promising technique for low-dose pelvic CT examinations.