title: Optimization of multiplanar reformations from isotropic data sets acquired with 16-detector row helical CT scanner.
abstract: Institutional review board approval and waiver of consent were obtained for the patient component of this retrospective HIPAA-compliant study. By using an anthropomorphic phantom and metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor detectors, radiation dose was determined for one eight-detector row and two 16-detector row computed tomographic (CT) protocols. A custom phantom was scanned by using the three protocols to identify isotropy. Contrast-to-noise ratios (CNRs) were determined for the same protocols by using a third phantom. Seven patients had undergone isotropic 16-detector row CT of the abdomen and pelvis. Anonymized coronal reformations at various thicknesses were ranked qualitatively by three radiologists. Effective dose equivalents were similar for the eight- and 16-detector row protocols. When transverse and coronal reformations of data acquired in the custom phantom were compared, coronal reformations obtained with the 16-detector row and 0.625-mm section thickness protocol were found to be nearly identical to the transverse image for all sets of line pairs. CNRs were consistently highest on 5-mm-thick coronal reformations (CNR range, 1.2-3.3). For qualitative assessment, 2- and 3-mm-thick coronal reformations were consistently preferred.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Duke University Medical Center, Box 3808, Durham, NC 27710, USA. jaffe002@mc.duke.edu
authors.forename: Tracy A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Jaffe
authors.forename: Rendon C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Nelson
authors.forename: G Allan
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: Ellie R
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Terry T
authors.initials: TT
authors.lastname: Yoshizumi
authors.forename: Carolyn R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Lowry
authors.forename: Anthony B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Bullard
authors.forename: David M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: DeLong
authors.forename: Erik K
authors.initials: EK
authors.lastname: Paulson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019047:Phantoms, Imaging; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011860:Radiography, Abdominal / Q000295:instrumentation*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015898:Tomography Scanners, X-Ray Computed; D036542:Tomography, Spiral Computed