title: Physician preference between low-dose computed tomography with a sinogram-affirmed iterative reconstruction algorithm and routine-dose computed tomography with filtered back projection in abdominopelvic imaging.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to directly compare the preference between low-dose sinogram-affirmed iterative reconstruction (SAFIRE) and routine filtered back projection (FBP) abdominopelvic computed tomography (CT).
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective review identified 41 subjects who had undergone 2 different CT examinations at different times (a CT with reduced radiation dose SAFIRE and also a CT with routine-dose FBP). Radiation dose, patient size, and image noise were recorded. Two independent readers assessed the paired CT studies for preference in image quality in regard to 3 clinically relevant diagnostic endpoints (bowel pathology, biliary pathology, and general purpose).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Radiation dose was significantly lower for SAFIRE (mean, 7.6 mGy; range, 4.1-15.4 mGy) than FBP (12.9 mGy; 6.7-31.6 mGy) (P < 0.001). Sinogram-affirmed iterative reconstruction was preferred for the general purpose and bowel evaluations, particularly when the level of radiation dose reduction was less than 33%. The preference for interpretation of the biliary system was equivocal, especially when the level of radiation reduction was increased greater than 33%. Filtered back projection was preferred when SAFIRE had a radiation reduction from FBP of greater than 50%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  For abdominopelvic CT, low-dose CT with SAFIRE may produce preferred image quality over FBP up to levels of 50% dose reduction.
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC.
authors.forename: Andrew D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Hardie
authors.forename: Sameer V
authors.initials: SV
authors.lastname: Tipnis
authors.forename: William J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Rieter
authors.forename: Michael S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Rissing
authors.forename: Carlo N
authors.initials: CN
authors.lastname: De Cecco
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000465:Algorithms; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001660:Biliary Tract Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007410:Intestinal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015588:Observer Variation; D010388:Pelvis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011361:Professional Competence; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011835:Radiation Protection; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods; D011857:Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D011860:Radiography, Abdominal / Q000379:methods; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*