Radiation exposure and image quality of normal computed tomography brain images acquired with automated and organ-based tube current modulation multiband filtering and iterative reconstruction.

Objectives: We sought to determine whether radiation dose can be reduced and image quality improved in computed tomography (CT) images of the brain that were acquired with automated exposure control (AEC), organ-based tube current modulation (TCM), multiband filtration (MBF), and iterative reconstruction in image space (IRIS).

Methods: An Alderson-Rando-phantom, equipped with thermoluminescent dosimeters, was used to determine the radiation exposure of organs within the head and neck by different CT brain scan modes. We measured the noise and signal-to-noise ratios and subjectively graded quality criteria in different territories of the brain in spiral CT images of 150 patients.