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Title: Image quality optimization and evaluation of linearly mixed images in dual-source, dual-energy CT

Abstract

In dual-source dual-energy CT, the images reconstructed from the low- and high-energy scans (typically at 80 and 140 kV, respectively) can be mixed together to provide a single set of non-material-specific images for the purpose of routine diagnostic interpretation. Different from the material-specific information that may be obtained from the dual-energy scan data, the mixed images are created with the purpose of providing the interpreting physician a single set of images that have an appearance similar to that in single-energy images acquired at the same total radiation dose. In this work, the authors used a phantom study to evaluate the image quality of linearly mixed images in comparison to single-energy CT images, assuming the same total radiation dose and taking into account the effect of patient size and the dose partitioning between the low-and high-energy scans. The authors first developed a method to optimize the quality of the linearly mixed images such that the single-energy image quality was compared to the best-case image quality of the dual-energy mixed images. Compared to 80 kV single-energy images for the same radiation dose, the iodine CNR in dual-energy mixed images was worse for smaller phantom sizes. However, similar noise and similar or improvedmore » iodine CNR relative to 120 kV images could be achieved for dual-energy mixed images using the same total radiation dose over a wide range of patient sizes (up to 45 cm lateral thorax dimension). Thus, for adult CT practices, which primarily use 120 kV scanning, the use of dual-energy CT for the purpose of material-specific imaging can also produce a set of non-material-specific images for routine diagnostic interpretation that are of similar or improved quality relative to single-energy 120 kV scans.« less

Authors:
; ; ;  [1]
  1. Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota 55905 (United States)
Publication Date:
OSTI Identifier:
22098445
Resource Type:
Journal Article
Journal Name:
Medical Physics
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 36; Journal Issue: 3; Other Information: (c) 2009 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; 61 RADIATION PROTECTION AND DOSIMETRY; CAT SCANNING; IMAGE PROCESSING; IMAGES; OPTIMIZATION; PHANTOMS; RADIATION DOSES; SIGNAL-TO-NOISE RATIO

Citation Formats

Lifeng, Yu, Primak, Andrew N., Xin, Liu, and McCollough, Cynthia H. Image quality optimization and evaluation of linearly mixed images in dual-source, dual-energy CT. United States: N. p., 2009. Web. doi:10.1118/1.3077921.
Lifeng, Yu, Primak, Andrew N., Xin, Liu, & McCollough, Cynthia H. Image quality optimization and evaluation of linearly mixed images in dual-source, dual-energy CT. United States. https://doi.org/10.1118/1.3077921
Lifeng, Yu, Primak, Andrew N., Xin, Liu, and McCollough, Cynthia H. 2009. "Image quality optimization and evaluation of linearly mixed images in dual-source, dual-energy CT". United States. https://doi.org/10.1118/1.3077921.
@article{osti_22098445,
title = {Image quality optimization and evaluation of linearly mixed images in dual-source, dual-energy CT},
author = {Lifeng, Yu and Primak, Andrew N. and Xin, Liu and McCollough, Cynthia H.},
abstractNote = {In dual-source dual-energy CT, the images reconstructed from the low- and high-energy scans (typically at 80 and 140 kV, respectively) can be mixed together to provide a single set of non-material-specific images for the purpose of routine diagnostic interpretation. Different from the material-specific information that may be obtained from the dual-energy scan data, the mixed images are created with the purpose of providing the interpreting physician a single set of images that have an appearance similar to that in single-energy images acquired at the same total radiation dose. In this work, the authors used a phantom study to evaluate the image quality of linearly mixed images in comparison to single-energy CT images, assuming the same total radiation dose and taking into account the effect of patient size and the dose partitioning between the low-and high-energy scans. The authors first developed a method to optimize the quality of the linearly mixed images such that the single-energy image quality was compared to the best-case image quality of the dual-energy mixed images. Compared to 80 kV single-energy images for the same radiation dose, the iodine CNR in dual-energy mixed images was worse for smaller phantom sizes. However, similar noise and similar or improved iodine CNR relative to 120 kV images could be achieved for dual-energy mixed images using the same total radiation dose over a wide range of patient sizes (up to 45 cm lateral thorax dimension). Thus, for adult CT practices, which primarily use 120 kV scanning, the use of dual-energy CT for the purpose of material-specific imaging can also produce a set of non-material-specific images for routine diagnostic interpretation that are of similar or improved quality relative to single-energy 120 kV scans.},
doi = {10.1118/1.3077921},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/22098445}, journal = {Medical Physics},
issn = {0094-2405},
number = 3,
volume = 36,
place = {United States},
year = {Sun Mar 15 00:00:00 EDT 2009},
month = {Sun Mar 15 00:00:00 EDT 2009}
}