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Radiation dose reduction using 100-kVp and a sinogram-affirmed iterative reconstruction algorithm in adolescent head CT: Impact on grey–white matter contrast and image noise

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Abstract

Objectives

To retrospectively evaluate the image quality and radiation dose of 100-kVp scans with sinogram-affirmed iterative reconstruction (IR) for unenhanced head CT in adolescents.

Methods

Sixty-nine patients aged 12–17 years underwent head CT under 120- (n = 34) or 100-kVp (n = 35) protocols. The 120-kVp images were reconstructed with filtered back-projection (FBP), 100-kVp images with FBP (100-kVp-F) and sinogram-affirmed IR (100-kVp-S). We compared the effective dose (ED), grey–white matter (GM–WM) contrast, image noise, and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) between protocols in supratentorial (ST) and posterior fossa (PS). We also assessed GM–WM contrast, image noise, sharpness, artifacts, and overall image quality on a four-point scale.

Results

ED was 46% lower with 100- than 120-kVp (p < 0.001). GM–WM contrast was higher, and image noise was lower, on 100-kVp-S than 120-kVp at ST (p < 0.001). CNR of 100-kVp-S was higher than of 120-kVp (p < 0.001). GM–WM contrast of 100-kVp-S was subjectively rated as better than of 120-kVp (p < 0.001). There were no significant differences in the other criteria between 100-kVp-S and 120-kVp (p = 0.072–0.966).

Conclusions

The 100-kVp with sinogram-affirmed IR facilitated dramatic radiation reduction and better GM–WM contrast without increasing image noise in adolescent head CT.

Key points

100-kVp head CT provides 46% radiation dose reduction compared with 120-kVp.

100-kVp scanning improves subjective and objective GMWM contrast.

Sinogram-affirmed IR decreases head CT image noise, especially in supratentorial region.

100-kVp protocol with sinogram-affirmed IR is suited for adolescent head CT.

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Abbreviations

AEC:

Automatic exposure control

ATVS:

Automated tube voltage selection

CNR:

Contrast-to-noise ratio

FBP:

Filtered back-projection

GM:

Grey matter

IR:

Iterative reconstruction

ROI:

Region of interest

SAFIRE:

Sinogram-affirmed iterative reconstruction

WM:

White matter

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Acknowledgements

The scientific guarantor of this publication is Yasuyuki Yamashita. The authors of this manuscript declare no relationships with any companies. The authors state that this work has not received any funding. No complex statistical methods were necessary for this paper. Institutional Review Board approval was obtained. Written informed consent was waived by the Institutional Review Board. No study subjects or cohorts have been previously reported. Methodology: retrospective, case-control study, performed at one institution.

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Correspondence to Yasunori Nagayama.

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Nagayama, Y., Nakaura, T., Tsuji, A. et al. Radiation dose reduction using 100-kVp and a sinogram-affirmed iterative reconstruction algorithm in adolescent head CT: Impact on grey–white matter contrast and image noise. Eur Radiol 27, 2717–2725 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-016-4679-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-016-4679-6

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