Dose Reduction and Image Quality in Photon-counting Detector High-resolution Computed Tomography of the Chest: Routine Clinical Data. Issue 5 (14th September 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Graafen, Dirk; Emrich, Tilman; Halfmann, Moritz C.; Mildenberger, Peter; Düber, Christoph; Yang, Yang; Othman, Ahmed E.; O' Doherty, Jim; Müller, Lukas; Kloeckner, Roman
• Is Part Of: Journal of thoracic imaging. Volume 37:Issue 5(2022)
• Page Start: 315
• Page End: 322
• Publication Date: 2022-09-14
• Subjects: high-resolution computed tomography -- photon-counting detector -- tin filtration -- dose reduction; Chest -- Radiography -- Periodicals; Chest -- Diseases -- Diagnosis -- Periodicals; 617.540757
• DOI: 10.1097/RTI.0000000000000661
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0883-5993

Abstract

Abstract : Purpose: Photon-counting detector computed tomography (PCD-CT) has the potential to significantly improve CT imaging in many ways including, but not limited to, low-dose high-resolution CT (HRCT) of the lung. The aim of this study was to perform an intrapatient comparison of the radiation dose and image quality of PCD-CT compared with conventional energy-integrating detector CT (EID-CT). Methods: A total of 32 consecutive patients with available PCD-CT and EID-CT HRCT scans were included in the final analysis. The CT dose index (CTDIvol ) was extracted from patient dose reports. Qualitative image analysis comprised the lung parenchyma and mediastinal structures and was assessed by 3 readers using a 5-point Likert scale. Quantitative image analysis included assessment of noise and signal-to-noise ratio in the lung parenchyma, trachea, aorta, muscle, and background. Results: The mean CTDIvol was 2.0 times higher in the conventional EID-CT scans (1.8±0.5 mGy) compared with PCD-CT (0.9±0.5 mGy, P <0.001). The overall image quality was rated significantly better by all 3 raters ( P <0.001) in the PCD-CT relative to the EID-CT. Quantitative analysis showed no significant differences in noise and signal-to-noise ratio in the lung parenchyma between PCD-CT and EID-CT. Conclusion: Compared with conventional EID-CT scans, PCD-CT demonstrated similar or better objective and subjective image quality at significantly reduced dose levels in an intrapatient comparison. These results and their effect on clinical decision-making should be further investigated in prospective studies.