Image quality evaluation for CARE kV technique combined with iterative reconstruction for chest computed tomography scanning.

Background: To investigate the radiation dose and image quality for iterative reconstruction combined with the CARE kV technique in chest computed tomography (CT) scanning for physical examination.

Methods: A total of 130 patients who underwent chest CT scanning were randomly chosen and the quality reference value was set as 80 mAs. The scanning scheme was set and the patients were randomly divided into groups according to the scanning scheme. Sixty patients underwent a chest scan with 100 kV using the CARE kV technique and SAFIRE reconstruction (value=3) (experimental group) and the other 70 patients underwent chest scanning with 120 kV (control group). The mean CT value, image noise (SD), and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the apex of the lung, the level of the descending aorta bifurcation of the trachea, and the middle area of the left atrium were measured. The image quality was assessed on a 5-point scale by two radiologists and results of the two groups were compared. The CT dose index of the volume (CTDIvol), dose length product (DLP), and effective dose (ED) were compared.

Results: All the images for both groups satisfied the diagnosis requirement. There was no statistical difference in the image quality between the two methods (P > 0.05). The mean CT value of the apex of the lung, the level of the descending aorta bifurcation of the trachea, and the middle area of the left atrium were not significantly different for both groups (P > 0.05), while the image noise (SD) and the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the apex of the lung, the level of the descending aorta bifurcation of the trachea, and the middle area of the left atrium were statistically different for both groups (P < 0.05). The CTDIvol was 3.29 ± 1.17 mGy for the experimental group and 5.30 ± 1.53 mGy for the control group. The DLP was 114.9 ± 43.73 mGy cm for the low-dose group and 167.6 ± 44.59 mGy cm for the control group. The ED was 1.61 ± 0.61 mSv for the low-dose group and 2.35 ± 0.62 mSv for the control group (P  < 0.05).

Conclusion: The CARE kV technique combined with iterative reconstruction for chest CT scanning for physical examination could reduce the radiation dosage and improve CT image quality, which has a potential clinical value for imaging the thorax.