title: Initial performance evaluation of iterative model reconstruction in abdominal computed tomography.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to present initial evaluation of the performance of the iterative model reconstruction algorithm (IMR) in abdominal computed tomography (CT).
  
  
  METHODS
  Computed tomographic examinations were performed for clinical study of 36 patients and for phantom study. We reconstructed the raw data with 1.0- and 5.0-mm slice thicknesses using filtered back projection (FBP), iDose4, and IMR and evaluated image quality objectively and subjectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  For almost all subjective characteristics, the image quality was better using IMR than iDose4. Objective image noise was significantly less using IMR than iDose4 (P < 0.0001). The contrast-noise ratio of both slice thicknesses increased in order from FBP to iDose4 to IMR. The spatial resolution of reconstructed images was almost identical using IMR, FBP, and iDose4.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The IMR can significantly improve image noise and low-contrast resolution and maintain edge sharpness in abdominal CT images compared with iDose4 or FBP.
authors.affiliation: From the *Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Saitama Red Cross Hospital, Saitama, Japan; †Department of Radiology, Teikyo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan; and ‡Department of Radiology, Saitama Red Cross Hospital, Saitama, Japan.
authors.forename: Shigeru
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Suzuki
authors.forename: Takahiro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Haruyama
authors.forename: Hisashi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Morita
authors.forename: Yuzuru
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Takahashi
authors.forename: Reiko
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Matsumoto
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000465:Algorithms; D003198:Computer Simulation; D005260:Female; D006521:Hepatitis, Chronic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008954:Models, Biological; D019047:Phantoms, Imaging; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D011857:Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D011860:Radiography, Abdominal / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*