Comparison of radiation dose and image quality between flat panel computed tomography and multidetector computed tomography in a hybrid CT‐angiography suite

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to compare, using the same radiation dose and image quality metrics, flat panel computed tomography (FPCT) to multidetector CT (MDCT) in interventional radiology. A single robotic angiography system with FPCT was compared to a single MDCT system, both installed in a hybrid CT‐angiography laboratory and both operating under automatic exposure control. Radiation dose was measured on the central axis (Dc) of a CT dosimetry phantom 30 cm in diameter and 60 cm in length using default protocols for FPCT and MDCT with the imaged length in MDCT matched to the field of view of FPCT. The noise power spectrum (NPS), modulation transfer function (MTF), and z‐axis resolution were measured using the same phantom. Iodine contrast to noise ratio (CNR) was also measured. Radiation dose (Dc) was 41%–69% lower in MDCT compared to FPCT when default protocols and automatic exposure control were used. While spatial resolution could generally be matched with appropriate choice of kernel in MDCT, MTF dropped more quickly at higher spatial frequency for MDCT than FPCT. Image noise was 49%–120% higher for MDCT compared to FPCT for comparable in‐plane spatial resolution. Z‐axis resolution was slightly better for MDCT than FPCT, while iodine CNR depended on protocol selection. Radiation dose was much lower for MDCT compared to FPCT, but image noise was much higher. Matching image noise in MDCT to FPCT would result in similar radiation doses. Iodine contrast depended on dose modulation settings for MDCT.

High-speed flat-detector computed tomography for temporal bone imaging and postoperative control of cochlear implants

“…In contrast, both FD-CT systems had higher CTDI vol and DLP compared to MS-CT—regardless of the applied scanning protocol. This is in accordance to previous studies reporting effective doses for angiography-mounted FD-CT systems up to twice as high as for MS-CT [ 19 , 23 , 24 ]. In our study, the 14-s scanning protocol of the HS-FD-CT presented with the highest CTDI vol and DLP among the tested scanners and protocols.…”

Impact of Patient Alignment on Image Quality in C-Arm Computed Tomography – Evaluation Using an ACR Phantom

“…The result of this study also showed an improvement in the spatial resolution with CACT compared to MDCT at the same radiation dose. However, recent studies indicate that, for the low range of the X-ray tube high voltage, the related low-and high-contrast image quality of CACT is similar to that of conventional CT [23,24].…”

A novel method for predicting hepatocellular carcinoma response to chemoembolization using an intraprocedural CT hepatic arteriography-based enhancement mapping: a proof-of-concept analysis

“…We believe that the high accuracy of CTHA-EM in identifying residual tumor demonstrated in the present study is related to several factors. First, the use of CT has many advantages as it provides reliable and reproducible imaging, allows standardized quantitative arterial enhancement assessment via HU quantification, offers easy correlation with the follow-up imaging, and facilitates better image quality with comparable or often lower radiation exposure compared to CBCT [ 24 – 40 ]. Second, since CTHA-EM uses subtraction imaging, it removes background noise resulting from contrast-media stasis/pooling within the tumor and adjacent vessels and allows reliable HU value normalization.…”