AI Article Synopsis
- The study investigates ways to reduce radiation doses in abdominal CT scans for diagnosing kidney stones, using spectral shaping and tube voltage modulation.
- Eight cadaveric specimens were scanned at different tube voltages and doses, and the image quality was evaluated both quantitatively and subjectively by radiologists.
- Results showed that using a tin filter at 100 kVp provided better image quality at lower doses compared to higher voltages and conventional imaging methods, indicating effective radiation dose reduction without compromising diagnostic quality.
Article Abstract
Purpose: Unenhanced abdominal CT constitutes the diagnostic standard of care in suspected urolithiasis. Aiming to identify potential for radiation dose reduction in this frequent imaging task, this experimental study compares the effect of spectral shaping and tube voltage modulation on image quality.
Methods: Using a third-generation dual-source CT, eight cadaveric specimens were scanned with varying tube voltage settings with and without tin filter application (Sn 150, Sn 100, 120, 100, and 80 kVp) at three dose levels (3 mGy: standard; 1 mGy: low; 0.5 mGy: ultralow). Image quality was assessed quantitatively by calculation of signal-to-noise ratios (SNR) for various tissues (spleen, kidney, trabecular bone, fat) and subjectively by three independent radiologists based on a seven-point rating scale (7 = excellent; 1 = very poor).
Results: Irrespective of dose level, Sn 100 kVp resulted in the highest SNR of all tube voltage settings. In direct comparison to Sn 150 kVp, superior SNR was ascertained for spleen (p ≤ 0.004) and kidney tissue (p ≤ 0.009). In ultralow-dose scans, subjective image quality of Sn 100 kVp (median score 3; interquartile range 3-3) was higher compared with conventional imaging at 120 kVp (2; 2-2), 100 kVp (1; 1-2), and 80 kVp (1; 1-1) (all p < 0.001). Indicated by an intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.945 (95% confidence interval: 0.927-0.960), interrater reliability was excellent.
Conclusions: In abdominal CT with maximised dose reduction, tin prefiltration at 100 kVp allows for superior image quality over Sn 150 kVp and conventional imaging without spectral shaping.
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| http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10893640 | PMC |
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12880-024-01228-1 | DOI Listing |
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