Image quality in cranial computed tomography

Journal Article · Sat Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1978 · J. Comput. Assist. Tomogr.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1097/00004728-197807000-00020· OSTI ID:7014489

Zatz, L M

Image quality in cranial computed tomography (CT) was evaluated with phantom and patient studies on both a first (single beam) and a second (multiple beam) generation scanner. When comparable radiation doses were used, there were only minor differences in resolution, low contrast detectability, and noise level. The pattern of noise relative to the size of the area in which it was measured was somewhat different. On patient studies, no differences were found when contrast-material-filled vessel visibility and gray--white matter distinction were analyzed. A lesion was obscured by streak artifacts in one scanner in one of 22 patients scanned on both machines. The major factor in image quality as seen in the two scanners seemed to be in the production of artifacts. This was apparent in artifacts from motion, high contrast discontinuities, beam hardening, and edge enhancement. Multiple factors must be considered in assessing CT image quality. In particular, further studies to quantitatively evaluate noise quality and artifact production are needed.

• Research Organization: Radiology Service, Veterans Administration Hospital, Palo Alto, California
• OSTI ID: 7014489
• Journal Information: J. Comput. Assist. Tomogr.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Comput. Assist. Tomogr.; (United States) Vol. 2:3; ISSN JCATD
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

550602* -- Medicine-- External Radiation in Diagnostics-- (1980-)
62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE
BODY
BODY AREAS
BRAIN
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
COMPUTERIZED TOMOGRAPHY
CONTRAST MEDIA
DIAGNOSTIC TECHNIQUES
DOSES
HEAD
NERVOUS SYSTEM
ORGANS
PATIENTS
RADIATION DOSES
TOMOGRAPHY