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Title: Optimization of image acquisition techniques for dual-energy imaging of the chest

Abstract

Experimental and theoretical studies were conducted to determine optimal acquisition techniques for a prototype dual-energy (DE) chest imaging system. Technique factors investigated included the selection of added x-ray filtration, kVp pair, and the allocation of dose between low- and high-energy projections, with total dose equal to or less than that of a conventional chest radiograph. Optima were computed to maximize lung nodule detectability as characterized by the signal-difference-to-noise ratio (SDNR) in DE chest images. Optimal beam filtration was determined by cascaded systems analysis of DE image SDNR for filter selections across the periodic table (Z{sub filter}=1-92), demonstrating the importance of differential filtration between low- and high-kVp projections and suggesting optimal high-kVp filters in the range Z{sub filter}=25-50. For example, added filtration of {approx}2.1 mm Cu, {approx}1.2 mm Zr, {approx}0.7 mm Mo, and {approx}0.6 mm Ag to the high-kVp beam provided optimal (and nearly equivalent) soft-tissue SDNR. Optimal kVp pair and dose allocation were investigated using a chest phantom presenting simulated lung nodules and ribs for thin, average, and thick body habitus. Low- and high-energy techniques ranged from 60-90 kVp and 120-150 kVp, respectively, with peak soft-tissue SDNR achieved at [60/120] kVp for all patient thicknesses and all levels of imagingmore » dose. A strong dependence on the kVp of the low-energy projection was observed. Optimal allocation of dose between low- and high-energy projections was such that {approx}30% of the total dose was delivered by the low-kVp projection, exhibiting a fairly weak dependence on kVp pair and dose. The results have guided the implementation of a prototype DE imaging system for imaging trials in early-stage lung nodule detection and diagnosis.« less

Authors:
; ; ; ; ; ; ;  [1]
  1. Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 2M9 (Canada)
Publication Date:
OSTI Identifier:
21032807
Resource Type:
Journal Article
Journal Name:
Medical Physics
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 34; Journal Issue: 10; Other Information: DOI: 10.1118/1.2777278; (c) 2007 American Association of Physicists in Medicine; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); Journal ID: ISSN 0094-2405
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE; BEAMS; CHEST; DIAGNOSIS; DOSIMETRY; FILTRATION; IMAGE PROCESSING; IMAGES; LUNGS; NEOPLASMS; OPTIMIZATION; PERIODIC SYSTEM; PHANTOMS; RADIATION DOSES; SYSTEMS ANALYSIS; THICKNESS; X RADIATION

Citation Formats

Shkumat, N A, Siewerdsen, J H, Dhanantwari, A C, Williams, D B, Richard, S, Paul, N S, Yorkston, J, Van Metter, R, Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 2M9, Ontario Cancer Institute, Princess Margaret Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 2M9, Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 2M9, Department of Medical Imaging, Princess Margaret Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 2M9, and Carestream Health, Inc., Rochester, New York 14650. Optimization of image acquisition techniques for dual-energy imaging of the chest. United States: N. p., 2007. Web. doi:10.1118/1.2777278.
Shkumat, N A, Siewerdsen, J H, Dhanantwari, A C, Williams, D B, Richard, S, Paul, N S, Yorkston, J, Van Metter, R, Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 2M9, Ontario Cancer Institute, Princess Margaret Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 2M9, Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 2M9, Department of Medical Imaging, Princess Margaret Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 2M9, & Carestream Health, Inc., Rochester, New York 14650. Optimization of image acquisition techniques for dual-energy imaging of the chest. United States. https://doi.org/10.1118/1.2777278
Shkumat, N A, Siewerdsen, J H, Dhanantwari, A C, Williams, D B, Richard, S, Paul, N S, Yorkston, J, Van Metter, R, Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 2M9, Ontario Cancer Institute, Princess Margaret Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 2M9, Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 2M9, Department of Medical Imaging, Princess Margaret Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 2M9, and Carestream Health, Inc., Rochester, New York 14650. 2007. "Optimization of image acquisition techniques for dual-energy imaging of the chest". United States. https://doi.org/10.1118/1.2777278.
@article{osti_21032807,
title = {Optimization of image acquisition techniques for dual-energy imaging of the chest},
author = {Shkumat, N A and Siewerdsen, J H and Dhanantwari, A C and Williams, D B and Richard, S and Paul, N S and Yorkston, J and Van Metter, R and Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 2M9 and Ontario Cancer Institute, Princess Margaret Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 2M9 and Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 2M9 and Department of Medical Imaging, Princess Margaret Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 2M9 and Carestream Health, Inc., Rochester, New York 14650},
abstractNote = {Experimental and theoretical studies were conducted to determine optimal acquisition techniques for a prototype dual-energy (DE) chest imaging system. Technique factors investigated included the selection of added x-ray filtration, kVp pair, and the allocation of dose between low- and high-energy projections, with total dose equal to or less than that of a conventional chest radiograph. Optima were computed to maximize lung nodule detectability as characterized by the signal-difference-to-noise ratio (SDNR) in DE chest images. Optimal beam filtration was determined by cascaded systems analysis of DE image SDNR for filter selections across the periodic table (Z{sub filter}=1-92), demonstrating the importance of differential filtration between low- and high-kVp projections and suggesting optimal high-kVp filters in the range Z{sub filter}=25-50. For example, added filtration of {approx}2.1 mm Cu, {approx}1.2 mm Zr, {approx}0.7 mm Mo, and {approx}0.6 mm Ag to the high-kVp beam provided optimal (and nearly equivalent) soft-tissue SDNR. Optimal kVp pair and dose allocation were investigated using a chest phantom presenting simulated lung nodules and ribs for thin, average, and thick body habitus. Low- and high-energy techniques ranged from 60-90 kVp and 120-150 kVp, respectively, with peak soft-tissue SDNR achieved at [60/120] kVp for all patient thicknesses and all levels of imaging dose. A strong dependence on the kVp of the low-energy projection was observed. Optimal allocation of dose between low- and high-energy projections was such that {approx}30% of the total dose was delivered by the low-kVp projection, exhibiting a fairly weak dependence on kVp pair and dose. The results have guided the implementation of a prototype DE imaging system for imaging trials in early-stage lung nodule detection and diagnosis.},
doi = {10.1118/1.2777278},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/21032807}, journal = {Medical Physics},
issn = {0094-2405},
number = 10,
volume = 34,
place = {United States},
year = {Mon Oct 15 00:00:00 EDT 2007},
month = {Mon Oct 15 00:00:00 EDT 2007}
}