Impact of iodine concentration and scan parameters on image quality, contrast enhancement and radiation dose in thoracic CT
Abstract Background We investigated the impact of varying contrast medium (CM) densities and x-ray tube potentials on contrast enhancement (CE), image quality and radiation dose in thoracic computed tomography (CT) using two different scanning techniques. Methods Seven plastic tubes containing seven...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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SpringerOpen
2020-09-01
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| Series: | European Radiology Experimental |
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| Online Access: | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s41747-020-00184-z |
| _version_ | 1818275384801624064 |
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| author | Marian S. Solbak Mette K. Henning Andrew England Anne C. Martinsen Trond M. Aaløkken Safora Johansen |
| author_facet | Marian S. Solbak Mette K. Henning Andrew England Anne C. Martinsen Trond M. Aaløkken Safora Johansen |
| author_sort | Marian S. Solbak |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background We investigated the impact of varying contrast medium (CM) densities and x-ray tube potentials on contrast enhancement (CE), image quality and radiation dose in thoracic computed tomography (CT) using two different scanning techniques. Methods Seven plastic tubes containing seven different CM densities ranging from of 0 to 600 HU were positioned inside a commercial chest phantom with padding, representing three different patient sizes. Helical scans of the phantom in single-source mode were obtained with varying tube potentials from 70 to 140 kVp. A constant volume CT dose index (CTDIvol) depending on phantom size and automatic dose modulation was tested. CE (HU) and image quality (contrast-to-noise ratio, CNR) were measured for all combinations of CM density and tube potential. A reference threshold of CE and kVp was defined as ≥ 200 HU and 120 kVp. Results For the medium-sized phantom, with a specific CE of 100–600 HU, the diagnostic CE (200 HU) at 70 kVp was ~ 90% higher than at 120 kVp, for both scan techniques (p < 0.001). Changes in CM density/specific HU together with lower kVp resulted in significantly higher CE and CNR (p < 0.001). When changing only the kVp, no statistically significant differences were observed in CE or CNR (p ≥ 0.094), using both dose modulation and constant CTDIvol. Conclusions For thoracic CT, diagnostic CE (≥ 200 HU) and maintained CNR were achieved by using lower CM density in combination with lower tube potential (< 120 kVp), independently of phantom size. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-12T22:28:54Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-8d41182ff90f4a0e8653fc784fde316c |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2509-9280 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-12T22:28:54Z |
| publishDate | 2020-09-01 |
| publisher | SpringerOpen |
| record_format | Article |
| series | European Radiology Experimental |
| spelling | doaj.art-8d41182ff90f4a0e8653fc784fde316c2022-12-22T00:09:40ZengSpringerOpenEuropean Radiology Experimental2509-92802020-09-01411810.1186/s41747-020-00184-zImpact of iodine concentration and scan parameters on image quality, contrast enhancement and radiation dose in thoracic CTMarian S. Solbak0Mette K. Henning1Andrew England2Anne C. Martinsen3Trond M. Aaløkken4Safora Johansen5Faculty of Health Sciences, Oslo Metropolitan UniversityDepartment of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Oslo University HospitalSchool of Allied Health Professions, Keele UniversityFaculty of Health Sciences, Oslo Metropolitan UniversityDepartment of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Oslo University HospitalFaculty of Health Sciences, Oslo Metropolitan UniversityAbstract Background We investigated the impact of varying contrast medium (CM) densities and x-ray tube potentials on contrast enhancement (CE), image quality and radiation dose in thoracic computed tomography (CT) using two different scanning techniques. Methods Seven plastic tubes containing seven different CM densities ranging from of 0 to 600 HU were positioned inside a commercial chest phantom with padding, representing three different patient sizes. Helical scans of the phantom in single-source mode were obtained with varying tube potentials from 70 to 140 kVp. A constant volume CT dose index (CTDIvol) depending on phantom size and automatic dose modulation was tested. CE (HU) and image quality (contrast-to-noise ratio, CNR) were measured for all combinations of CM density and tube potential. A reference threshold of CE and kVp was defined as ≥ 200 HU and 120 kVp. Results For the medium-sized phantom, with a specific CE of 100–600 HU, the diagnostic CE (200 HU) at 70 kVp was ~ 90% higher than at 120 kVp, for both scan techniques (p < 0.001). Changes in CM density/specific HU together with lower kVp resulted in significantly higher CE and CNR (p < 0.001). When changing only the kVp, no statistically significant differences were observed in CE or CNR (p ≥ 0.094), using both dose modulation and constant CTDIvol. Conclusions For thoracic CT, diagnostic CE (≥ 200 HU) and maintained CNR were achieved by using lower CM density in combination with lower tube potential (< 120 kVp), independently of phantom size.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s41747-020-00184-zContrast mediaPhantoms (imaging)Radiation dosageThoraxTomography (x-ray computed) |
| spellingShingle | Marian S. Solbak Mette K. Henning Andrew England Anne C. Martinsen Trond M. Aaløkken Safora Johansen Impact of iodine concentration and scan parameters on image quality, contrast enhancement and radiation dose in thoracic CT European Radiology Experimental Contrast media Phantoms (imaging) Radiation dosage Thorax Tomography (x-ray computed) |
| title | Impact of iodine concentration and scan parameters on image quality, contrast enhancement and radiation dose in thoracic CT |
| title_full | Impact of iodine concentration and scan parameters on image quality, contrast enhancement and radiation dose in thoracic CT |
| title_fullStr | Impact of iodine concentration and scan parameters on image quality, contrast enhancement and radiation dose in thoracic CT |
| title_full_unstemmed | Impact of iodine concentration and scan parameters on image quality, contrast enhancement and radiation dose in thoracic CT |
| title_short | Impact of iodine concentration and scan parameters on image quality, contrast enhancement and radiation dose in thoracic CT |
| title_sort | impact of iodine concentration and scan parameters on image quality contrast enhancement and radiation dose in thoracic ct |
| topic | Contrast media Phantoms (imaging) Radiation dosage Thorax Tomography (x-ray computed) |
| url | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s41747-020-00184-z |
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