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Raw data-based iterative reconstruction in body CTA: evaluation of radiation dose saving potential

  • Computed Tomography
  • Published:
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Abstract

Objective

To evaluate prospectively, in patients undergoing body CTA, the radiation dose saving potential of raw data-based iterative reconstruction as compared to filtered back projection (FBP).

Methods

Twenty-five patients underwent thoraco-abdominal CTA with 128-slice dual-source CT, operating both tubes at 120 kV. Full-dose (FD) images were reconstructed with FBP and were compared to half-dose (HD) images with FBP and HD-images with sinogram-affirmed iterative reconstruction (SAFIRE), both reconstructed using data from only one tube-detector-system. Image quality and sharpness of the aortic contour were assessed. Vessel attenuation and noise were measured, contrast-to-noise-ratio was calculated.

Results

Noise as image quality deteriorating artefact occurred in 24/25 (96%) HD-FBP but not in FD-FBP and HD-raw data-based iterative reconstruction datasets (p < 0.001). Other artefacts occurred with similar prevalence among the datasets. Sharpness of the aortic contour was higher for FD-FBP and HD-raw data-based iterative reconstruction as compared to HD-FBP (p < 0.001). Aortoiliac attenuation was similar among all datasets (p > 0.05). Lowest noise was found for HD-raw data-based iterative reconstruction (7.23HU), being 9.4% lower than that in FD-FBP (7.98HU, p < 0.05) and 30.8% lower than in HD-FBP images (10.44HU, p < 0.001). Contrast-to-noise-ratio was lower in HD-FBP (p < 0.001) and higher in HD-raw data-based iterative reconstruction (p < 0.001) as compared to FD-FBP.

Conclusion

Intra-individual comparisons of image quality of body CTA suggest that raw data-based iterative reconstruction allows for dose reduction >50% while maintaining image quality.

Key Points

• Raw data-based iterative reconstruction reduces image noise and improves image quality as compared to filtered back projection

• At a similar radiation dose, raw data-based iterative reconstruction improves the sharpness of vessel contours

• In body CTA a dose reduction of >50% might be possible when using raw data-based iterative reconstructions, while image quality can be maintained

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Zurich, Raemistrasse 100, Ch-8091, Zurich, Switzerland

    Anna Winklehner, Christoph Karlo, Gilbert Puippe, Robert Goetti, Thomas Pfammatter, Thomas Frauenfelder & Hatem Alkadhi

  2. Siemens Healthcare, Forchheim, Germany

    Bernhard Schmidt & Thomas Flohr

Authors
  1. Anna Winklehner
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  2. Christoph Karlo
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  3. Gilbert Puippe
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  4. Bernhard Schmidt
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  5. Thomas Flohr
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  6. Robert Goetti
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  7. Thomas Pfammatter
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  8. Thomas Frauenfelder
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  9. Hatem Alkadhi
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Hatem Alkadhi.

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Winklehner, A., Karlo, C., Puippe, G. et al. Raw data-based iterative reconstruction in body CTA: evaluation of radiation dose saving potential. Eur Radiol 21, 2521–2526 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-011-2227-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-011-2227-y

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