The effect of scatter reduction on the signal-to-noise ratio in computed radiography.

Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) in computed radiography (CR) was assessed by using the computerized image data from storage phosphor radiographs in a modification of the Rose model. A multiple pencil-beam (MPB) imaging device, a conventional 1:12 grid, and an air gap of 90 cm were compared in terms of improvement of the signal-to-noise ratio caused by the reduction of scatter. The MPB device showed better SNRs by a factor of 1.25 compared to the grid and air gap which were approximately equal to each other. This is related to its superiority in scatter control, which has also been shown previously. Air gap screening has not been very popular because of geometrical problems, but in scatter reduction it is still comparable to today's grid technology. The optimization of image information content in CR is briefly discussed.     

Combination of multiple pencil-beam imaging to computed storage phosphor radiography: a new method

Computed radiography (CR) with storage phosphors offers a wide dynamic range and improved sensitivity compared to film-screen technology. CR was combined in this study with a prototype multiple pencil-beam (MPB) imaging device which has been shown to be very effective in scatter reduction. The combination was analyzed and compared to the standard technique of grid screening in two ways: a free-response ROC (FROC) analysis was first performed followed by a blinded test arrangement for visual analysis of image quality in a series of computed radiography of the lumbar spine by both the MPB and grid modalities. The results of the FROC study showed a statistically significant (P less than or equal to 0.01) improvement in signal detection. The MPB-CR images of the lumbar spine had more contrast but also a slightly mottled or grainy appearance. Image quality was found good but contrast processing was criticized because it seemed to result in a too steep display of contrast in MPB imaging. This should be avoidable by changing the image processing parameters.     

Reduction of radiation scatter with a multiple pencil-beam imaging device

A prototype device consisting of a focused array of several scanning collimator plates that produce multiple pencil beams has been constructed for radiographic imaging. Under normal imaging conditions, the scatter-to-primary ratio resulting from this device is less than 10%. High-contrast radiographs can be produced without increasing patient radiation dose.     

Scatter-to-primary ratio and absorption efficiency in screen-film and computed radiography systems

Purpose: To determine whether the scatter-to-primary (s/p) ratio, measured on a screen-film or computed radiographic (CR) system, varies with chemical composition or primary attenuation properties. Materials and methods: The s/p ratios of four Gd₂O₂S screens, three CaWO₄ screens and a CR screen, were determined under uniform irradiation conditions. One simulated low scatter conditions, such as in lung imaging, and the other simulated high scatter conditions as in abdominal imaging. The absorption efficiency of each screen was measured and calculated. Results: The measured s/p ratio varied within each set of screens. The s/p ratio was related to the absorption efficiency of primary radiation for the screen-film and CR system. No difference in the s/p ratio was seen between screen-film and CR systems when normalised for the primary absorption efficiency. Conclusions: Absorption efficiency of the imaging system is a major indicator of s/p ratio, for both screen-film and CR systems.     

Posterior beam-stop method for scatter fraction measurement in digital radiography.

The authors presented a new posterior beam-stop (PBS) technique for measuring the ratio of scattered to total-detected photon flux (scatter fraction) in a radiographic examination while preserving the diagnostic quality of the image. The scatter measurement was made using a standard imaging geometry with both beam stops and an additional x-ray detector placed behind the standard imaging detector. This PBS geometry differs from the standard beam-stop (SBS) technique for scatter measurement. With SBS, a beam-stop shadow appears on the image. To evaluate the PBS technique, scatter fraction measurements were performed on an anatomic phantom using both the PBS and SBS techniques. When compared with the standard technique, PBS provided accurate estimation of scatter fractions. Since the measurement can be performed without degrading a standard clinical radiographic examination, the PBS technique allows simultaneous acquisition of scatter measurements from human patients in combination with a standard radiographic examination.     

Scatter dose calculation for anti-scatter linear grids in mammography

Monte Carlo simulations were used to optimize the geometry of a mammography anti-scatter linear grid to achieve minimum scatter-to-primary ratio (SPR) for different X-ray tube voltages. A single optimum design of the grid with 0.9 mm septa height, 12 μm septa thickness and 100 μm interspace thickness was found for breast phantom thicknesses between 30 and 80 mm. The optimal grid has 0.153–0.330 scatter-to-primary ratio, a Bucky factor (BF) less than 2.5 and a contrast improvement factor (CIF) of 1.3.     

Scanning multiple slit assembly: a practical and efficient device to reduce scatter.

A scanning multiple slit assembly consisting of an array of long narrow beam-defining slits coupled with scatter-eliminating slots beneath the patient is a feasible, practical, and efficient method of reducing scatter and increasing contrast and image quality in diagnostic radiology. Measurements of the ratio of scattered-to-primary radiation transmitted by a scanning multiple slit assembly and a conventional high ratio grid under similar conditions showed the relative intensity of scatter transmitted by the slit assembly to be only one-third that of the grid. A noticeable improvement in contrast was obtained using the slit assembly, without increase in patient exposure. The design, construction, and clinical implications of such a scatter-eliminating technique are discussed.     

A phantom approach to find the optimal technical parameters for plain chest radiography

A simple approach based on phantom measurements is proposed in this study to find the filtration, tube potential and antiscatter device that are optimal in respect of patient dose and image quality, at constant film-screen combination, film processing and viewing conditions. An original quasi-anthropomorphic chest phantom was exposed with 18 different beam qualities and three antiscatter devices. The entrance surface dose, organ doses and effective dose were estimated for each radiograph. The image quality was compared using two objective quality indexes, a contrast index and a scatter fraction, as well as two subjective indexes, a low contrast visualization index and a high contrast visualization index. It was found that for this X-ray unit, routinely using a 7:1 antiscatter grid, the optimal imaging technique is added filtration of 0.1 mm Cu+1 mm Al at a tube potential 100 kVp. Using a 25 cm air gap instead of the grid allows the tube potential to be increased to the upper limit of 120 kVp for this unit. The entrance surface dose of 0.075 mGy at 120 kVp with an air gap is less than half the value of the same quantity with a grid at 100 kVp and is significantly below the European reference level of 0.3 mGy. This phantom method, comprising both objective measurements and subjective estimation, is suitable for dose-image quality optimization in a clinical environment.     

A new method for eliminating scatter components from a digital X-ray image by later processing

The anti-scatter grid is generally used as a way of eliminating scattered radiation from X-ray photographs. This does not change even if the detector system changes from an analogue system to a digital system such as the flat-panel detector. We developed a new method that uses software to eliminate scatter components from digital X-ray images taken without the use of an anti-scatter grid. With this software, scatter components are eliminated from the X-ray image according to primary-to-scatter ratios, which were calculated on the basis of an imaginary phantom constructed by the pixel value of the X-ray image and on the spectrum of irradiated X-rays. In a trial calculation using a simulation image, it was confirmed that scatter components are eliminated at a high rate that is generally constant on the whole, irrespective of the kind and presence of the inhomogeneous region. When using this technique, the amount of X-ray exposure to a patient can be substantially reduced compared with that of radiography using the anti-scatter grid. Subsequently, the patient dose can be reduced.     

Monte carlo dose calculations in the treatment of a pelvis with implant and comparison with pencil-beam calculations

In the present paper, dose distribution calculated with the Monte Carlo code EGS4 and with a pencil-beam algorithm are compared for the treatment of a pelvis with an implant. Overestimations of dose values inside the target volume by the pencil-beam algorithm of up to 10% were found, which are attributed to the underestimation of the absorption of photons by the implant. The differences in dose distributions are also expressed by comparing the tumor control probability (TCP) of the Monte Carlo dose calculations with the TCP of the pencil-beam calculations. A TCP reduction of order of 30% was found.     

Use of a germanium detector to optimize scatter correction in SPECT

A collimated germanium detector with an energy resolution of 1 keV full width at half maximum at 140 keV was used to measure the energy spectrum of radiation emitted from a test object containing an asymmetric distribution of 99mTc and nonuniform attenuation. Energy spectra were recorded from 24 positions around the object and convolved with Gaussian functions to simulate data that would have been acquired with a scintillation camera. The scatter fraction was computed from the convolved spectra in conjunction with a scatter-free reference spectrum. After adding appropriate Poisson noise, a technique based on maximizing the signal to noise ratio was developed to optimally subtract the scatter fraction from the recorded counts. SPECT imaging of the test object was performed to evaluate the correction technique.     

Implementation of GPU accelerated SPECT reconstruction with Monte Carlo-based scatter correction

Objective

Statistical SPECT reconstruction can be very time-consuming especially when compensations for collimator and detector response, attenuation, and scatter are included in the reconstruction. This work proposes an accelerated SPECT reconstruction algorithm based on graphics processing unit (GPU) processing.

Methods

Ordered subset expectation maximization (OSEM) algorithm with CT-based attenuation modelling, depth-dependent Gaussian convolution-based collimator-detector response modelling, and Monte Carlo-based scatter compensation was implemented using OpenCL. The OpenCL implementation was compared against the existing multi-threaded OSEM implementation running on a central processing unit (CPU) in terms of scatter-to-primary ratios, standardized uptake values (SUVs), and processing speed using mathematical phantoms and clinical multi-bed bone SPECT/CT studies.

Results

The difference in scatter-to-primary ratios, visual appearance, and SUVs between GPU and CPU implementations was minor. On the other hand, at its best, the GPU implementation was noticed to be 24 times faster than the multi-threaded CPU version on a normal 128?×?128 matrix size 3 bed bone SPECT/CT data set when compensations for collimator and detector response, attenuation, and scatter were included.

Conclusions

GPU SPECT reconstructions show great promise as an every day clinical reconstruction tool.

     

Digital separation of primary and scatter components of chest radiographs

This article describes a technique for digital separation of the primary and scatter components of a radiographic image. The method involves mathematical modeling of the process whereby an antiscatter grid reduces scatter patterns in film radiographs. Two superimposable radiographs (one taken with and the other without an intervening antiscatter grid) are applied to the model. Performance characteristics of the grid (primary and scatter transmittance factors) are also determined and used in the model. Radiographs of a humanoid chest phantom are processed. Scatter/primary separation appears to be accurate to within 15%. Film images that are quantitatively faithful to the calculated primary and scatter fields are included.     

Effect of detector collimator and sample thickness on 0.662 MeV multiply Compton-scattered gamma rays.

The simultaneous effect of detector collimator and sample thickness on 0.662 MeV multiply Compton-scattered gamma photons was studied experimentally. An intense collimated beam, obtained from 6-Ci (137)Cs source, is allowed to impinge on cylindrical aluminium samples of varying diameter and the scattered photons are detected by a 51 mm x 51 mm NaI(Tl) scintillation detector placed at 90 degrees to the incident beam. The full energy peak corresponding to singly scattered events is reconstructed analytically. The thickness at which the multiply scattered events saturate is determined for different detector collimators. The parameters like signal-to-noise ratio and multiply scatter fraction (MSF) have also been deduced and support the work carried out by Shengli et al. [2000. EGS4 simulation of Compton scattering for nondestructive testing. KEK proceedings 200-20, Tsukuba, Japan, pp. 216-223] and Barnea et al. [1995. A study of multiple scattering background in Compton scatter imaging. NDT & E International 28, 155-162] based upon Monte Carlo calculations.     

数字X射线摄影中散射线滤除模板成像质量与辐射剂量学评价

目的比较散射线滤除模板及常规滤线栅对数字X射线影像进行散射线校正所成影像质量与辐射剂量差异。方法 以对比度-细节体模(CDRAD 2.0)及ROC统计学体模(ALVIM TRS)为成像对象,分别使用散射线滤除模板技术和常规滤线栅技术,获取经散射线校正的体模数字X射线影像,比较两种散射线滤除方法所得的体模影像图像质量因子(IQF)和信号检出概率,分析两种方法图像质量及体模表面入射剂量差别。结果 在不同体模表面照射剂量条件下,应用散射线滤除模板技术和常规滤线栅技术,消除散射线后的数字影像其图像质量因子(IQF)和信号检出概率(P_det)差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论 数字X射线摄影时,应用散射线滤除模板技术(SFTT)可以有效滤除散射线。与滤线栅相比,相同照射条件下SFTT能够明显改善图像质量;在获得相同图像质量前提下,应用SFTT,体模表面入射剂量比使用滤线栅降低30%;SFTT为数字X射线摄影中有效滤除散射线、提高X射线图像质量、降低患者剂量的可选择方法。     

Technical note: a comparison of antiscatter grids for digital radiography

The use of digital radiography (DR) systems offers a number of advantages over film-screen detectors. One potential disadvantage, however, is that some fixed DR systems do not allow the user to change the antiscatter grid to suit the imaging task. Instead, the user must choose the grid at the time of purchase. Six grids, which are offered as installation options for one commercial fixed-room DR system, were experimentally evaluated, using a range of scatter conditions and tube voltages. In addition, three grids, which are available with a portable DR system in which the user can change the grid to suit the imaging task, were also evaluated. The grids were compared using the primary transmission, scatter fraction, and calculated signal-to-noise improvement factor (SIF). It was found that the grids with low atomic number interspace and cover material had an SIF up to 15% higher than did the grids with aluminium interspace and cover material; the grid with a grid ratio of 12:1 had the highest SIF for all tube voltages and scatter conditions tested here. This 12:1 grid probably represents a good general-purpose non-removable grid in DR.     

Breast dose from magnification films in mammography

In mammography, much attention has been given to estimating breast dose from exposures made in conventional "contact" geometry, but much less attention has been given to doses from magnification geometry. Estimation based on contact film dose is difficult because the grid is removed, the geometry is different, and calculation of scatter reaching the film is complex. In this paper, exposures of Perspex blocks of standard thickness to give the same film density in both geometries are compared on 20 X-ray sets of various designs with a nominal magnification 1.8. The ratio derived between doses in each geometry is 2.2+/-0.15, giving an average magnification film dose of 5.0+/-0.3 mGy.     

A combined transmission and scattering tomographic approach to composition and density imaging

A method of imaging the composition and density of industrial samples by combining information obtained from a transmission tomographic scanner and a projective Compton scatter imaging system is described. A reconstruction algorithm with attenuation and multiple scatter correction capabilities is developed around a detailed model of the Compton scatter imaging system. Monte Carlo simulation is used to generate realistic data for the determination of model parameters, the analysis and design of device components, and for testing the reconstruction algorithm.     

Effects of tube potential and scatter rejection on image quality and effective dose in digital chest X-ray examination: An anthropomorphic phantom study

ObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of tube potential and scatter rejection techniques on image quality of digital posteroanterior (PA) chest radiographs.Methods: An anthropomorphic phantom was imaged using a range of tube potentials (81–125 kV_p) without scatter rejection, with an anti-scatter grid, and using a 10 cm air gap. Images were anonymised and randomised before being evaluated using a visual graded analysis (VGA) method.ResultsThe effects of tube potential on image quality were found to be negligible (p > 0.63) for the flat panel detector (FPD). Decreased image quality (p = 0.031) was noted for 125 kV_p relative to 109 kV_p, though no difference was noted for any of the other potentials (p > 0.398) for computed radiography (CR). Both scatter rejection techniques improved image quality (p < 0.01). For FPD imaging the anti-scatter grid offered slightly improved image quality relative to the air gap (p = 0.038) but this was not seen for CR (p = 0.404).ConclusionsFor FPD chest imaging of the anthropomorphic phantom there was no dependence of image quality on tube potential. Scatter rejection improved image quality, with the anti-scatter grid giving greater improvements than an air-gap, but at the expense of increased effective dose.CR imaging of the chest phantom demonstrated negligible dependence on tube potential except at 125 kV_p. Scatter rejection improved image quality, but with no difference found between techniques. The air-gap resulted in a smaller increase in effective dose than the anti-scatter grid and would be the preferred scatter rejection technique.     

Grid and slot scan scatter reduction in mammography: comparison by using Monte Carlo techniques

PURPOSE: To evaluate a comprehensive array of scatter cleanup techniques in mammography by using a consistent methodology. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Monte Carlo techniques were used to evaluate the Bucky factor (BF) and the contrast improvement factor (CIF) for linear and cellular grids and for slot scan and scanning multiple-slot assembly (SMSA) systems. RESULTS: For a 28-kVp molybdenum anode-molybdenum filter spectrum with a standard detector and a 6-cm-thick 50% adipose-50% glandular breast phantom, slot scan techniques delivered an ideal BF. For slot widths greater than 4 mm, however, the CIF was lower than that achieved by the high-transmission cellular grid with a grid ratio of 3.8:1. A tungsten-septa air-interspaced cellular grid with a 4:1 grid ratio outperformed the high-transmission cellular grid in both BF and CIF. The SMSA was shown to be efficacious when 4-mm-wide slots were separated by at least 20 mm. In comparison with the literature, 3.6% agreement was achieved with other Monte Carlo studies, 3.3% with an experimental study that used a digital detector, and 13%-29% agreement was demonstrated in comparison to film-based experimental studies. CONCLUSION: With use of consistent methods for comparison, cellular grids were shown to substantially outperform linear grids but have slightly higher BFs compared with that of slot scan geometries at the same CIF.