Single-and dual-energy CT with monochromatic synchrotron x-rays.
We explored the potential for clinical research of computed tomography (CT) with monochromatic x-rays using the preclinical multiple energy computed tomography (MECT) system at the National Synchrotron Light Source. MECT has a fixed, horizontal fan beam with a subject apparatus rotating about a vertical axis; it will be used for imaging the human head and neck. Two CdWO4-photodiode array detectors with different spatial resolutions were used. A 10.5 cm diameter acrylic phantom was imaged with MECT at 43 keV and with a conventional CT (CCT) at 80 kVp: spatial resolution approximately equal to 6.5 line pairs (lp)/cm for both; slice height, 2.6 mm for MECT against 3.0 mm for CCT; surface dose, 3.1 cGy for MECT against 2.0 cGy for CCT. The resultant image noise was 1.5 HU for MECT against 3 HU for CCT. Computer simulations of the same images with more precisely matched spatial resolution, slice height and dose indicated an image-noise ratio of 1.4:1.0 for CCT against MECT. A 13.5 cm diameter acrylic phantom imaged with MECT at approximately 0.1 keV above the iodine K edge and with CCT showed, for a 240 micrograms I ml-1 solution, an image contrast of 26 HU for MECT and 13 and 9 HU for the 80 and 100 kVp CCT, respectively. The corresponding numbers from computer simulation of the same images were 26, 12, and 9 HU, respectively. MECT's potential for use in clinical research is discussed.
Dilmanian
F A
FA
Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY 11973-5000, USA.
Wu
X Y
XY
Parsons
E C
EC
Ren
B
B
Kress
J
J
Button
T M
TM
Chapman
L D
LD
Coderre
J A
JA
Giron
F
F
Greenberg
D
D
Krus
D J
DJ
Liang
Z
Z
Marcovici
S
S
Petersen
M J
MJ
Roque
C T
CT
Shleifer
M
M
Slatkin
D N
DN
Thomlinson
W C
WC
Yamamoto
K
K
Zhong
Z
Z
D000179:Acrylates; D000818:Animals; D003198:Computer Simulation; D004867:Equipment Design; D006257:Head; D006801:Humans; D007455:Iodine; D009333:Neck; D019047:Phantoms, Imaging; D011817:Rabbits; D017356:Synchrotrons; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000295:instrumentation*; D014965:X-Rays
D000179:Acrylates; D007455:Iodine