title: Improved spatial resolution and lower-dose pediatric CT imaging: a feasibility study to evaluate narrowing the X-ray photon energy spectrum.
abstract: This feasibility study has shown that improved spatial resolution and reduced radiation dose can be achieved in pediatric CT by narrowing the X-ray photon energy spectrum. This is done by placing a hafnium filter between the X-ray generator and a pediatric abdominal phantom. A CT system manufactured in 1999 that was in the process of being remanufactured was used as the platform for this study. This system had the advantage of easy access to the X-ray generator for modifications to change the X-ray photon energy spectrum; it also had the disadvantage of not employing the latest post-imaging noise reduction iterative reconstruction technology. Because we observed improvements after changing the X-ray photon energy spectrum, we recommend a future study combining this change with an optimized iterative reconstruction noise reduction technique.
authors.affiliation: Safer Pediatric Imaging and Engineering Horizons International, 1909 York Hill Road, Lincoln, VT, 05443, USA, benzmg@gmavt.net.
authors.forename: Mark G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Benz
authors.forename: Matthew W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Benz
authors.forename: Steven B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Birnbaum
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Chason
authors.forename: Brian W
authors.initials: BW
authors.lastname: Sheldon
authors.forename: Dale
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: McGuire
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000379:methods*; D019047:Phantoms, Imaging; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D014965:X-Rays