title: Iterative reconstruction techniques for computed tomography Part 1: technical principles.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explain the technical principles of and differences between commercially available iterative reconstruction (IR) algorithms for computed tomography (CT) in non-mathematical terms for radiologists and clinicians.
  
  
  METHODS
  Technical details of the different proprietary IR techniques were distilled from available scientific articles and manufacturers' white papers and were verified by the manufacturers. Clinical results were obtained from a literature search spanning January 2006 to January 2012, including only original research papers concerning IR for CT.
  
  
  RESULTS
  IR for CT iteratively reduces noise and artefacts in either image space or raw data, or both. Reported dose reductions ranged from 23 % to 76 % compared to locally used default filtered back-projection (FBP) settings, with similar noise, artefacts, subjective, and objective image quality.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  IR has the potential to allow reducing the radiation dose while preserving image quality. Disadvantages of IR include blotchy image appearance and longer computational time. Future studies need to address differences between IR algorithms for clinical low-dose CT.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  • Iterative reconstruction technology for CT is presented in non-mathematical terms. • IR reduces noise and artefacts compared to filtered back-projection. • IR can improve image quality in routine-dose CT and lower the radiation dose. • IR's disadvantages include longer computation and blotchy appearance of some images.
authors: Department of Radiology, Utrecht University Medical Center, PO Box 85500, E01.132, 3508 GA, Utrecht, The Netherlands. m.willemink@umcutrecht.nl
authors: Martin J
authors: MJ
authors: Willemink
authors: Pim A
authors: PA
authors: de Jong
authors: Tim
authors: T
authors: Leiner
authors: Linda M
authors: LM
authors: de Heer
authors: Rutger A J
authors: RA
authors: Nievelstein
authors: Ricardo P J
authors: RP
authors: Budde
authors: Arnold M R
authors: AM
authors: Schilham
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D016477:Artifacts; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D019047:Phantoms, Imaging; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011857:Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D011871:Radiology / Q000379:methods; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*