title: [Performance evaluation of X-ray CT using visible scintillation light].
abstract: We proposed a new method of performance evaluation for X-ray CT using visible scintillation light and examined its usefulness in this study. When we scanned a plastic scintillator disk in a gantry opening of the X-ray CT, we could observe visible scintillation light. The rotation of the light-emitting area of the disk corresponded to that of the X-ray tube. We were able to record the scintillation light by digital video camera. By analyzing the area of visible scintillation light, the rotation speed of the X-ray tube, angular spread of the X-ray beam, uniformity of the incident X-rays, and change in X-ray energy were measured. No other method is available to obtain the above parameters of X-ray CT during a single CT scan. In the measurements of the uniformity of incident X-rays and change of X-ray energy, our method showed good accuracy in detecting the attenuation caused by the couch between the X-ray tube and the plastic scintillator disc. The proposed method is inexpensive and easy-to-use. We conclude that the method is a useful tool for performance evaluation as well as a maintenance tool for X-ray CT.
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kitasato University.
authors.forename: Kiyoyuki
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kodama
authors.forename: Minoru
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hamada
authors.forename: Tamotsu
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Suzuki
authors.forename: Masatoshi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hashimoto
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hanada
authors.forename: Tatsuya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ide
authors.forename: Koichi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Maruyama
mesh_terms: D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D006801:Humans; D008027:Light; D012542:Scattering, Radiation; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*