Optimization of multiplanar reformations from isotropic data sets acquired with 16-detector row helical CT scanner.
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.
Jaffe
Tracy A
TA
Department of Radiology, Duke University Medical Center, Box 3808, Durham, NC 27710, USA. jaffe002@mc.duke.edu
Nelson
Rendon C
RC
Johnson
G Allan
GA
Lee
Ellie R
ER
Yoshizumi
Terry T
TT
Lowry
Carolyn R
CR
Bullard
Anthony B
AB
DeLong
David M
DM
Paulson
Erik K
EK
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