title: Directional view interpolation for compensation of sparse angular sampling in cone-beam CT.
abstract: In flat detector cone-beam computed tomography and related applications, sparse angular sampling frequently leads to characteristic streak artifacts. To overcome this problem, it has been suggested to generate additional views by means of interpolation. The practicality of this approach is investigated in combination with a dedicated method for angular interpolation of 3-D sinogram data. For this purpose, a novel dedicated shape-driven directional interpolation algorithm based on a structure tensor approach is developed. Quantitative evaluation shows that this method clearly outperforms conventional scene-based interpolation schemes. Furthermore, the image quality trade-offs associated with the use of interpolated intermediate views are systematically evaluated for simulated and clinical cone-beam computed tomography data sets of the human head. It is found that utilization of directionally interpolated views significantly reduces streak artifacts and noise, at the expense of small introduced image blur.
authors.affiliation: Philips Research Europe-Aachen, 52066 Aachen, Germany. matthias.bertram@philips.com
authors.forename: Matthias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bertram
authors.forename: Jens
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wiegert
authors.forename: Dirk
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Schafer
authors.forename: Til
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Aach
authors.forename: Georg
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rose
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D016477:Artifacts; D003198:Computer Simulation; D054893:Cone-Beam Computed Tomography / Q000379:methods*; D006257:Head / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods; D019047:Phantoms, Imaging