Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Radiation dose and image quality of X-ray volume imaging systems: cone-beam computed tomography, digital subtraction angiography and digital fluoroscopy

  • Computed Tomography
  • Published:
European Radiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Objective

Radiation dose and image quality estimation of three X-ray volume imaging (XVI) systems.

Methods

A total of 126 patients were examined using three XVI systems (groups 1–3) and their data were retrospectively analysed from 2007 to 2012. Each group consisted of 42 patients and each patient was examined using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT), digital subtraction angiography (DSA) and digital fluoroscopy (DF). Dose parameters such as dose–area product (DAP), skin entry dose (SED) and image quality parameters such as Hounsfield unit (HU), noise, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) were estimated and compared using appropriate statistical tests.

Results

Mean DAP and SED were lower in recent XVI than its previous counterparts in CBCT, DSA and DF. HU of all measured locations was non-significant between the groups except the hepatic artery. Noise showed significant difference among groups (P < 0.05). Regarding CNR and SNR, the recent XVI showed a higher and significant difference compared to its previous versions. Qualitatively, CBCT showed significance between versions unlike the DSA and DF which showed non-significance.

Conclusion

A reduction of radiation dose was obtained for the recent-generation XVI system in CBCT, DSA and DF. Image noise was significantly lower; SNR and CNR were higher than in previous versions. The technological advancements and the reduction in the number of frames led to a significant dose reduction and improved image quality with the recent-generation XVI system.

Key Points

• X-ray volume imaging (XVI) systems are increasingly used for interventional radiological procedures.

• More modern XVI systems use lower radiation doses compared with earlier counterparts.

• Furthermore more modern XVI systems provide higher image quality.

• Technological advances reduce radiation dose and improve image quality.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Linsenmaier U, Rock C, Euler E et al (2002) Three-dimensional CT with a modified C-arm image intensifier: feasibility. Radiology 224:286–292

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Hiwatashi A, Yoshiura T, Noguchi T et al (2008) Usefulness of cone-beam CT before and after percutaneous vertebroplasty. AJR Am J Roentgenol 191:1401–1405

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Vogl TJ, Jost A, Nour-Eldin NA, Mack MG, Zangos S, Naguib NN (2012) Repeated transarterial chemoembolisation using different chemotherapeutic drug combinations followed by MR-guided laser-induced thermotherapy in patients with liver metastases of colorectal carcinoma. Br J Cancer 106:1274–1279

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Meijering EHW, Zuiderveld KJM, Viergever MA (1999) Image registration for digital subtraction angiography. Int J Comput Vis 31:227–246

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Kotre CJ, Marshall NW (2001) A review of image quality and dose issues in digital fluoroscopy and digital subtraction angiography. Radiat Prot Dosim 94:73–76

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Alda LT, Ashraf M, Marcus P et al (2010) C-arm cone beam computed tomography needle path overlay for fluoroscopic guided vertebroplasty. Spine 35:1095–1099

    Google Scholar 

  7. Iwazawa J, Ohue S, Kitayama T, Sassa S, Mitani T (2011) C-arm CT for assessing initial failure of iodized oil accumulation in chemoembolization of hepatocellular carcinoma. AJR 197:W337–W342

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Sakamoto H, Aikawa Y, Ikegawa H, Sano Y, Araki T (2004) Consideration of the newly standardized interventional reference point. Nihon Hoshasen Gijutsu Gakkai Zasshi 60:520–527

    Google Scholar 

  9. Schulz B, Heidenreich R, Heidenreich M, Eichler K, Thalhammer A, Naeem NNN (2012) Radiation exposure to operating staff during rotational flat-panel angiography and C-arm cone beam computer tomography applications. Eur J Radiol. doi:10.1016/j.ejrad.2012.01.010

  10. Beeres M, Schell B, Mastragelopoulos A et al (2012) High-pitch dual-source CT angiography of the whole aorta without ECG synchronisation: initial experience. Eur Radiol 22:129–137

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Smyth JM, Sutton DG, Houston JG (2006) Evaluation of the quality of CT-like images obtained using a commercial flat panel detector system. Biomed Imaging Interv J. doi:10.2349/biij.2.4.e48

  12. Hwang HS, Chung MJ, Lee JW, Shin SW, Lee KS (2010) C-arm cone-beam CT-guided percutaneous transthoracic lung biopsy: usefulness in evaluation of small pulmonary nodules. AJR 195:W400–W407

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Paul J, Schell B, Kerl JM, Maentele W, Vogl TJ, Bauer RW (2012) Effect of contrast material on image noise and radiation dose in adult chest computed tomography using automatic exposure control: a comparative study between 16-, 64- and 128-slice CT. Eur J Radiol. doi:10.1016/j.ejrad.2011.05.012

  14. Gkanatsios NA, Huda W, Peters KR (2001) How does magnification affect image quality and patient dose in digital subtraction angiography? Proc SPIE 4320:326

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank Mr. Ryan Forth, Siemens Healthcare, USA and Mr. Wolfgang Weber, Siemens Healthcare, Germany for their support with the CBCT system technical details. We did not receive any fund or grant to conduct this original research work.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, J.W. Goethe University Hospital–Frankfurt/Main, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590, Frankfurt/Main, Germany

    Jijo Paul, Volkmar Jacobi, Mohammad Farhang, Babak Bazrafshan, Thomas J. Vogl & Emmanuel C. Mbalisike

Authors
  1. Jijo Paul
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Volkmar Jacobi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Mohammad Farhang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Babak Bazrafshan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Thomas J. Vogl
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Emmanuel C. Mbalisike
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jijo Paul.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Paul, J., Jacobi, V., Farhang, M. et al. Radiation dose and image quality of X-ray volume imaging systems: cone-beam computed tomography, digital subtraction angiography and digital fluoroscopy. Eur Radiol 23, 1582–1593 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-012-2737-2

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-012-2737-2

Keywords

Search

Navigation