Iranian Journal of Medical Physics

Iranian Journal of Medical Physics

Comparison of Image Quality According To Application of CT Algorithms for Acquisition of Clinical Information: A Phantom Study

Document Type : Original Paper

Authors
gui chul Lee 1
Dongkyoon Han 2
Joowan Hong 2
1 Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Department of Radiology, Department of Healthcare, Graduate School ,Eulji University, Republic of Korea
2 Department of Radiological Science, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
10.22038/ijmp.2022.64957.2114
Abstract
Introduction: While various algorithms are applied in acquiring diagnostic information during computed tomography, such algorithms may affect image quality. The present study aimed to investigate the changes in image quality according to the application of the metal reduction algorithm and monoenergetic image in standard imaging.
Material and Methods: Spectral computed tomography was used to acquire images with the application of standard, metal artifact reduction, monoenergetic, and monoenergetic+metal artifact reduction under the same conditions according to without or with of metal in ACR phantom. ImageJ program was used to measure the HU, noise, and SNR of polyethylene, bone, and acrylic located inside the ACR phantom using the same-sized ROIs.
Results: HU measurement results showed changes in all materials, except acrylic with metal artifacts in the images. Moreover, the results showed a decrease in HU in images with the application of monoenergetic. Noise measurement results also showed changes in all materials, except acrylic with metal artifacts in the images. Moreover, the results showed a decrease in noise in images with the application of monoenergetic. For SNR measured relative to standard images, the results showed degradation of image quality due to a decrease of 36.5–77.7% in SNR and an increase in error value in all materials except acrylic. Whereas, acrylic showed an increase of 3.2–4.1% and a decrease in error values, resulting in improved image quality.
Conclusion: Therefore, it is believed that the accuracy of reading could be increased by considering the changes in image quality and characteristics when applying algorithms for acquiring clinical information from CT.
Keywords
Spectral CT
Hounsfield Unit
SNR
Metal Reduction
Monoenergetic Imaging
Subjects
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Iranian Journal of Medical Physics
Volume 20, Issue 3
May and June 2023
Pages 153-158

  • Receive Date 14 April 2022
  • Revise Date 08 July 2022
  • Accept Date 17 July 2022