New organ-based tube current modulation method to reduce the radiation dose during computed tomography of the head: evaluation of image quality and radiation dose to the eyes in the phantom study.
A new organ-based tube current modulation (NOB-TCM) method was designed with the intent to decrease tube current by 30% over a prescribed 90° radial arc across the anterior aspect of the radiosensitive organ, without increasing tube current in the remaining radial arc. We compared a reference scan and five other dose-reducing methods with regard to effects on dose, practicality, and image quality to determine the most effective method for the reduction of the radiation dose to the eyes during CT examinations of the head. We compared the radiation doses to the eyes and physical image quality in different regions of interest for TCM and shielding scans. Three types of TCM scans were performed: longitudinal TCM, angular TCM, and NOB-TCM. A bismuth sheet and lead goggles were each applied for the shielding scan. Relative to the reference scan, the dose to the eye was reduced to 25.88% with NOB-TCM, 44.53% with lead goggles, and 36.91% with a bismuth shield. Relative to the reference scan, the mean signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) was decreased to 8.02% with NOB-TCM, 28.36% with lead goggles, and 32.95% with the bismuth shield. The SNR of the anterior region of interest was decreased to 11.89% with NOB-TCM and 87.89% with the bismuth shield. The average figure of merit was increased by 11.7% with longitudinal TCM and 13.39% with NOB-TCM, compared with the reference scan. NOB-TCM is a superior solution for head CT, including the orbital area, due to the reduction in radiation exposure without significant loss in image quality.
Department of Radiologic Technology, Chungbuk Health & Science University, Cheongju, Chungcheongbuk-do, 28150, Republic of Korea.
Jung-Su
JS
Kim
Department of Radiologic Technology, Daegu Health College, Daegu, 41453, Republic of Korea.
Soon-Mu
SM
Kwon
Department of Radiologic Science, College of Health Science, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea.
Jung-Min
JM
Kim
Department of Diagnostic Radiology, CHA Bundang Medical Center, CHA University, 351, Yatap-dong, Bundang-gu, Sungnam-si, Gyunggi-do, 13496, Republic of Korea. jansons@cha.ac.kr.
Sang-Wook
SW
Yoon
D005123:Eye / Q000528:radiation effects*; D005135:Eye Protective Devices / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D019047:Phantoms, Imaging; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011835:Radiation Protection / Q000379:methods*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
Computed tomography; Dose reduction; Image quality; New organ-based tube current modulation; Radiation dose