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Pediatric head computed tomography with advanced modeled iterative reconstruction: focus on image quality and reduction of radiation dose

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Abstract

Background

Iterative reconstruction has become the standard method for reconstructing computed tomography (CT) scans and needs to be verified for adaptation.

Objective

To assess the image quality after adapting advanced modeled iterative reconstruction (ADMIRE) for pediatric head CT.

Materials and methods

We included image sets with filtered back projection reconstruction (the cFBP group, n=105) and both filtered back projection and ADMIRE reconstruction (the lower-dose group, n=109) after dose reduction. All five strength levels of ADMIRE and filtered back projection were adapted for the lower-dose group and compared with the cFBP group. Quantitative parameters including noise, signal-to-noise ratio and contrast-to-noise ratio and qualitative parameters including noise, white matter and gray matter differentiation of the supra- and infratentorial levels, sharpness, artifact, and diagnostic accuracy were also evaluated and compared with interobserver agreement.

Results

There was a mean dose reduction of 30.6% in CT dose index volume, 32.1% in dose length product, and 32.1% in effective dose after tube current reduction. There was gradual reduction of noise in air, cerebrospinal fluid and white matter with strength levels of ADMIRE from 1 to 5 (P<0.001). Signal-to-noise ratio and contrast-to-noise ratio in all age groups increased among strength levels of ADMIRE, in sequence from 1 to 5, with statistical significance (P<0.001). Gradual reduction of qualitative parameters was noted among strength levels of ADMIRE in sequence from 1 to 5 (P<0.001).

Conclusion

Use of ADMIRE for pediatric head CT can reduce radiation dose without degrading image quality.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, Ewha Womans University Mokdong Hospital, 1071, Anyangcheon-ro, Yangcheon-gu, Seoul, 07985, Republic of Korea

    Hyun-Hae Cho

  2. Department of Radiology, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Kyungpook National University Hospital, Daegu, South Korea

    So Mi Lee

  3. Department of Radiology, Chungnam National University Hospital, Daejeon, Republic of Korea

    Sun Kyoung You

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  1. Hyun-Hae Cho
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  2. So Mi Lee
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Correspondence to Hyun-Hae Cho.

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Cho, HH., Lee, S.M. & You, S.K. Pediatric head computed tomography with advanced modeled iterative reconstruction: focus on image quality and reduction of radiation dose. Pediatr Radiol 50, 242–251 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00247-019-04532-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00247-019-04532-z

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