title: Evaluation of a continuous-rotation, high-speed scanning protocol for micro-computed tomography.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Micro-computed tomography is used frequently in preclinical in vivo research. Limiting factors are radiation dose and long scan times. The purpose of the study was to compare a standard step-and-shoot to a continuous-rotation, high-speed scanning protocol.
  
  
  METHODS
  Micro-computed tomography of a lead grid phantom and a rat femur was performed using a step-and-shoot and a continuous-rotation protocol. Detail discriminability and image quality were assessed by 3 radiologists. The signal-to-noise ratio and the modulation transfer function were calculated, and volumetric analyses of the femur were performed. The radiation dose of the scan protocols was measured using thermoluminescence dosimeters.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The 40-second continuous-rotation protocol allowed a detail discriminability comparable to the step-and-shoot protocol at significantly lower radiation doses. No marked differences in volumetric or qualitative analyses were observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Continuous-rotation micro-computed tomography significantly reduces scanning time and radiation dose without relevantly reducing image quality compared with a normal step-and-shoot protocol.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroradiology, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany.
authors.forename: Hans Ulrich
authors.initials: HU
authors.lastname: Kerl
authors.forename: Cristina T
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Isaza
authors.forename: Hanne
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Boll
authors.forename: Sebastian J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Schambach
authors.forename: Ingo S
authors.initials: IS
authors.lastname: Nolte
authors.forename: Christoph
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Groden
authors.forename: Marc A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Brockmann
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005269:Femur / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D019047:Phantoms, Imaging; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011857:Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted; D051381:Rats; D013819:Thermoluminescent Dosimetry; D055114:X-Ray Microtomography / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*