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Knowledge-based iterative model reconstruction: comparative image quality and radiation dose with a pediatric computed tomography phantom

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Pediatric Radiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Background

CT of pediatric phantoms can provide useful guidance to the optimization of knowledge-based iterative reconstruction CT.

Objective

To compare radiation dose and image quality of CT images obtained at different radiation doses reconstructed with knowledge-based iterative reconstruction, hybrid iterative reconstruction and filtered back-projection.

Materials and methods

We scanned a 5-year anthropomorphic phantom at seven levels of radiation. We then reconstructed CT data with knowledge-based iterative reconstruction (iterative model reconstruction [IMR] levels 1, 2 and 3; Philips Healthcare, Andover, MA), hybrid iterative reconstruction (iDose4, levels 3 and 7; Philips Healthcare, Andover, MA) and filtered back-projection. The noise, signal-to-noise ratio and contrast-to-noise ratio were calculated. We evaluated low-contrast resolutions and detectability by low-contrast targets and subjective and objective spatial resolutions by the line pairs and wire.

Results

With radiation at 100 peak kVp and 100 mAs (3.64 mSv), the relative doses ranged from 5% (0.19 mSv) to 150% (5.46 mSv). Lower noise and higher signal-to-noise, contrast-to-noise and objective spatial resolution were generally achieved in ascending order of filtered back-projection, iDose4 levels 3 and 7, and IMR levels 1, 2 and 3, at all radiation dose levels. Compared with filtered back-projection at 100% dose, similar noise levels were obtained on IMR level 2 images at 24% dose and iDose4 level 3 images at 50% dose, respectively. Regarding low-contrast resolution, low-contrast detectability and objective spatial resolution, IMR level 2 images at 24% dose showed comparable image quality with filtered back-projection at 100% dose. Subjective spatial resolution was not greatly affected by reconstruction algorithm.

Conclusion

Reduced-dose IMR obtained at 0.92 mSv (24%) showed similar image quality to routine-dose filtered back-projection obtained at 3.64 mSv (100%), and half-dose iDose4 obtained at 1.81 mSv.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Young Mi Chun, CT clinical scientist manager, Philips Healthcare Korea, for technical support. We thank Allison Alley for language consultation and editing.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, Seoul National University Hospital, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 110-744, Korea

    Young Jin Ryu, Young Hun Choi, Jung-Eun Cheon, Woo Sun Kim & In-One Kim

  2. Department of Radiology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea

    Young Jin Ryu, Young Hun Choi, Jung-Eun Cheon, Woo Sun Kim & In-One Kim

  3. Institute of Radiation Medicine, Seoul National University Medical Research Center, Seoul, Korea

    Jung-Eun Cheon, Woo Sun Kim & In-One Kim

  4. Dalio Institute of Cardiovascular Imaging, New York-Presbyterian Hospital and the Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA

    Seongmin Ha

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  1. Young Jin Ryu
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Correspondence to Young Hun Choi.

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Ryu, Y.J., Choi, Y.H., Cheon, JE. et al. Knowledge-based iterative model reconstruction: comparative image quality and radiation dose with a pediatric computed tomography phantom. Pediatr Radiol 46, 303–315 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00247-015-3486-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00247-015-3486-6

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