Study of Image Quality, Radiation Dose and Low Contrast Resolution from MSCT Head by Using Low Tube Voltage

Abstract Background To study radiation dose, image quality and low-contrast cylinder detectability from multislice CT (MSCT) abdomen by using low tube voltage using the American College of Radiology (ACR) phantom. The ACR phantom (low-contrast module) was scanned with 64 MSCT scanner (Brilliance, Philips Medical System, Eindhoven, Netherlands) with 80 and 120 KVP, utilizing different tube current time product (mAs) range from 50 to 380 mAs. The image noise (SD), signal to noise ratio, contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), and scores of low contrast detectability were assessed for every image respectively. Results From images analyses, the noise essentially increased with the use of low tube voltage. The CNR was 0.94 ± 0.27 at 120 KVP, and CNR was 0.43 ± 0.22 at 80 KVP. However, with the same dose, there were no differences of statistical significance in scores of low-contrast detectability between 120 KVP at 300mAs and 80 KVP at (200–380) mAs (p > 0.05). At 300 mAs, the CTDIvol obtained at 80 KVP was about 29% of that at 120 KVP. The CTDIvol obtained at 80 KVP were decreased from 5% at 50 mAs, to 37% at 380 mAs. Conclusions There is a possibility to decrease exposure of radiation virtually by reducing KVP from 120 to 80 KVP in examination of abdominal CT when the high tube current is used, though increasing image noise at low tube voltage.

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Effect of Low Tube Voltage on Image Quality, Radiation Dose, and Low-Contrast Detectability at Abdominal Multidetector CT: Phantom Study

Journal of Biomedicine and Biotechnology ◽

10.1155/2012/130169 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 2012 ◽

pp. 1-6 ◽

Cited By ~ 34

Author(s):

Kun Tang ◽

Ling Wang ◽

Rui Li ◽

Jie Lin ◽

Xiangwu Zheng ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Image Quality ◽

Radiation Dose ◽

Multidetector Ct ◽

Phantom Study ◽

Tube Voltage ◽

Low Contrast ◽

Low Tube Voltage

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The feasibility of low-concentration contrast and low tube voltage in computed tomography perfusion imaging: an animal study

Bioscience Reports ◽

10.1042/bsr20170977 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 38 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Yuning Pan ◽

Aiqin Song ◽

Shizhong Bu ◽

Zhaoqian Chen ◽

Qiuli Huang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Image Quality ◽

Radiation Dose ◽

Perfusion Imaging ◽

Ct Perfusion ◽

Iodine Intake ◽

Tube Voltage ◽

Effective Radiation Dose ◽

Low Concentration ◽

Low Tube Voltage ◽

Effective Radiation

Aim: To investigate the feasibility of low-concentration contrast (270 mg/ml) together with low tube voltage (80 kV) and adaptive iterative dose reduction (AIDR)-3D reconstruction in liver computed tomography (CT) perfusion imaging. Method: A total of 15 healthy New Zealand rabbits received two CT scans each. The first scan (control) was acquired at 100 kV and 100 mA with iopromide (370 mg/ml), while the second scan (experimental) was acquired at 80 kV and 100 mA with iodixanol (270 mg/ml) 24 h after the first scan. The obtained images were reconstructed with filtered back projection (FBP) and AIDR-3D in the control and experimental groups respectively. The perfusion parameters (hepatic artery perfusion [HAP], portal vein perfusion [PVP], hepatic perfusion index [HPI], and total liver perfusion [TLP]) and image quality (image quality score, average CT value of abdomen aorta, signal-to-noise ratio [SNR], contrast-to-noise ratio [CNR], and figure of merit [FOM]) were compared using a paired t-test or Mann–Whitney U test between the two groups, when appropriate. The effective radiation dose and iodine intake were also recorded and compared. Results: With the exception of the FOM criteria, the image quality and perfusion parameters were not significantly different between the two groups. The effective radiation dose and iodine intake were 38.79% and 27.03% lower respectively, in the experimental group. Conclusion: Low-concentration contrast (iodixanol, 270 mg/ml) together with low tube voltage (80 kV) and AIDR-3D reconstruction help to reduce radiation dose and iodine intake without compromising perfusion parameters and image quality in liver CT perfusion imaging.

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