Dual-energy imaging of the chest: Optimization of image acquisition techniques for the 'bone-only' image

Journal Article · Fri Feb 15 04:00:00 EST 2008 · Medical Physics

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1118/1.2828186· OSTI ID:21036163

Shkumat, N A; Siewerdsen, J H; Richard, S; Paul, N S; Yorkston, J; Van Metter, R ^[1]

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1. Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 2M9 (Canada)

Experiments were conducted to determine optimal acquisition techniques for bone image decompositions for a prototype dual-energy (DE) imaging system. Technique parameters included kVp pair (denoted [kVp{sup L}/kVp{sup H}]) and dose allocation (the proportion of dose in low- and high-energy projections), each optimized to provide maximum signal difference-to-noise ratio in DE images. Experiments involved a chest phantom representing an average patient size and containing simulated ribs and lung nodules. Low- and high-energy kVp were varied from 60-90 and 120-150 kVp, respectively. The optimal kVp pair was determined to be [60/130] kVp, with image quality showing a strong dependence on low-kVp selection. Optimal dose allocation was approximately 0.5--i.e., an equal dose imparted by the low- and high-energy projections. The results complement earlier studies of optimal DE soft-tissue image acquisition, with differences attributed to the specific imaging task. Together, the results help to guide the development and implementation of high-performance DE imaging systems, with applications including lung nodule detection and diagnosis, pneumothorax identification, and musculoskeletal imaging (e.g., discrimination of rib fractures from metastasis)

• OSTI ID: 21036163
• Journal Information: Medical Physics, Journal Name: Medical Physics Journal Issue: 2 Vol. 35; ISSN 0094-2405; ISSN MPHYA6
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE
BONE FRACTURES
CHEST
DIAGNOSIS
IMAGES
LUNGS
METASTASES
NOISE
OPTIMIZATION
PATIENTS
PHANTOMS
RADIATION DOSES
SKELETON