ASIR提高低剂量CT结肠成像息肉检出率有效性的体模研究

目的评价应用不同水平自适应统计迭代重建技术(adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction,ASIR)在低剂量CT结肠成像中提高结肠息肉检出率的有效性。材料与方法选用一段离体猪结肠通过结扎法获得20枚1～10 mm(≤5 mm 10枚,>5 mm 10枚)连续的模拟息肉,运用宝石高分辨CT在不同剂量(120 kVp,10、20、30、40、50及100 mAs)下扫描,并分别应用6种不同ASIR水平(0、10%、30%、50%、70%及100%)进行数据重建,获得CT仿真内镜、多平面重组(MPR)和虚拟分割(VD)图像。由两名有经验的影像科医师采用盲法对不同采集条件、不同ASIR水平的图像进行客观和主观评价,测量并比较平均噪声、平均信噪比(signal to noise ratio,SNR)及平均对比噪声比(contrast noise ratios,CNR)和息肉检出率。结果结肠模拟息肉模型研究显示不同管电流-时间下噪声随应用ASIR水平升高而降低,SNR及CNR随应用ASIR水平升高而增高(P<0.05)。>5 mm结肠息肉在低剂量扫描时应用ASIR对提高检出率...     

Feasibility Study of Radiation Dose Reduction in Adult Female Pelvic CT Scan with Low Tube-Voltage and Adaptive Statistical Iterative Reconstruction

Objective

To evaluate image quality of female pelvic computed tomography (CT) scans reconstructed with the adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction (ASIR) technique combined with low tube-voltage and to explore the feasibility of its clinical application.

Materials and Methods

Ninety-four patients were divided into two groups. The study group used 100 kVp, and images were reconstructed with 30%, 50%, 70%, and 90% ASIR. The control group used 120 kVp, and images were reconstructed with 30% ASIR. The noise index was 15 for the study group and 11 for the control group. The CT values and noise levels of different tissues were measured. The contrast to noise ratio (CNR) was calculated. A subjective evaluation was carried out by two experienced radiologists. The CT dose index volume (CTDIvol) was recorded.

Results

A 44.7% reduction in CTDIvol was observed in the study group (8.18 ± 3.58 mGy) compared with that in the control group (14.78 ± 6.15 mGy). No significant differences were observed in the tissue noise levels and CNR values between the 70% ASIR group and the control group (p = 0.068-1.000). The subjective scores indicated that visibility of small structures, diagnostic confidence, and the overall image quality score in the 70% ASIR group was the best, and were similar to those in the control group (1.87 vs. 1.79, 1.26 vs. 1.28, and 4.53 vs. 4.57; p = 0.122-0.585). No significant difference in diagnostic accuracy was detected between the study group and the control group (42/47 vs. 43/47, p = 1.000).

Conclusion

Low tube-voltage combined with automatic tube current modulation and 70% ASIR allowed the low CT radiation dose to be reduced by 44.7% without losing image quality on female pelvic scan.     

能谱CT虚拟平扫联合多模型迭代重建算法在甲状腺图像质量及辐射剂量中的应用

目的探讨能谱CT虚拟平扫(VNC)联合多模型迭代重建算法(ASiR-V)在甲状腺图像质量及辐射剂量应用中的可行性。资料与方法收集需进行甲状腺增强检查的25例患者,采取非能谱平扫及能谱增强扫描,检查结束后在静脉期重建不同权重ASiR-V(0、20%、40%、60%、80%、100%),并重建不同权重ASiR-V的VNC,分别记作A1~A6。平扫按照滤波反投影重建,记作B1;记录各期检查辐射剂量,测量并计算6组图像感兴趣区的CT值、图像噪声(SD)及信噪比(SNR),并对图像主观和客观指标进行分析。结果A1、B1两组图像中背景噪声SD值(SD脂肪)、SNR比较,差异均无统计学意义(t=?0.196、?0.778,P均>0.05),B1图像中甲状腺CT值、SD值均高于A1图像(t=?9.206、?6.970,P均<0.05)。A1~A6图像中甲状腺SD值、SNR比较,差异均有统计学意义(F=63.258、3.987,P<0.05),随着迭代强度增大,图像SD值逐渐减小(R2=0.598,P<0.05);A1~A6图像中甲状腺CT值差异无统计学意义(F=0.130,P>0.05);A1~A6图像的0~60%主观评分呈上升趋势,40%~60%主观评分最佳(Kappa=0.83,P<0.05),80%~100%图像评分呈下降趋势,与60%图像比较差异有统计学意义(Z=?3.60、?5.47,P<0.05),权重60%的VNC主观评分高于真实平扫(Z=?4.171,P<0.05)。应用能谱虚拟平扫代替常规平扫后25例检查者的有效剂量可降低47.9%,其中静脉期能谱扫描与非能谱的有效剂量分别为(1.66±0.23)mSv、(1.75±0.24)mSv,差异有统计学意义(t=5.261,P<0.05)。结论甲状腺静脉期VNC可应用于临床诊断,降低辐射剂量47.9%;且联合后置60%权重能明显降低图像噪声,改善图像质量。     

不同水平的自适应统计迭代重建(ASiR)算法在能谱CT门静脉成像中的图像质量比较

目的 比较不同水平的自适应统计迭代重建(ASiR)算法在门静脉成像中的图像质量,优化门静脉成像中的ASiR重建算法的比例.方法 搜集临床有恶性肿瘤病史、治疗后随诊,行上腹部增强扫描的患者40例.采用能谱模式扫描,双电压快速切换,从扫描数据中重组出60 keV能量段的单能量图像,分别用FBP(0％ ASiR)、30％ ASiR、40％ ASiR、50％ ASiR、60％ ASiR算法进行重建,得到5组不同水平ASiR重建算法的图像.采用单因素方差分析比较5组图像中门静脉主干、肝实质的客观噪声.由两名腹部影像诊断医师在盲法下对5组图像的噪声、伪影及门静脉主干第3级分支细小结构的显示进行主观图像质量评分.结果 与FBP(0％ ASiR)比较,30％ASiR、40％ ASiR、50％ ASiR、60％ ASiR图像中,门静脉主干及肝实质的客观噪声值依次减低,且差异均有统计学意义(P均=0.0001).40％ ASiR组分别与50％ ASiR、60％ ASiR组之间比较,门静脉主干及肝实质的客观噪声值差异均无统计学意义(P均＞0.0501).随着ASiR值的升高,两名医师在盲法下对5种不同重建算法图像的噪声、伪影主观评分均依次升高,仅显示门静脉主干第3级分支.主观评分中40％ ASiR图像最高,60％ ASiR图像最低.5种不同重建算法之间图像噪声、伪影、显示门静脉主干第3级分支结构主观评分的差异均有统计学意义(P均=0.000).在门静脉主干第3级分支结构的显示方面,40％ ASiR图像主观评分分别高于50％ ASiR、60％ ASiR图像,且差异均有统计学意义(P=0.000、0.000).结论 采用ASiR算法可通过降低图像噪声来提高图像质量,随着ASiR重建比例的升高,图像噪声、伪影依次减少,图像密度分辨率依次增高.但过高的ASiR算法本身会引起图像的“模糊”效应.在门静脉成像中,将ASiR设置为40％时,既可以降低图像噪声,又不会对图像产生明显的“模糊”效应,图像质量最佳.     

Radiation dose reduction with the adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction (ASIR) technique for chest CT in children: An intra-individual comparison

Objective

To retrospectively compare radiation dose and image quality of pediatric chest CT using a routine dose protocol reconstructed with filtered back projection (FBP) (the Routine study) and a low-dose protocol with 50% adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction (ASIR) (the ASIR study).

Materials and methods

We retrospectively reviewed chest CT performed in pediatric patients who underwent both the Routine study and the ASIR study on different days between January 2010 and August 2011. Volume CT dose indices (CTDIvol), dose length products (DLP), and effective doses were obtained to estimate radiation dose. The image quality was evaluated objectively as noise measured in the descending aorta and paraspinal muscle, and subjectively by three radiologists for noise, sharpness, artifacts, and diagnostic acceptability using a four-point scale. The paired Student's t-test and the Wilcoxon signed-rank test were used for statistical analysis.

Results

Twenty-six patients (M:F = 13:13, mean age 11.7) were enrolled. The ASIR studies showed 60.3%, 56.2%, and 55.2% reductions in CTDIvol (from 18.73 to 7.43 mGy, P < 0.001), DLP (from 307.42 to 134.51 mGy × cm, P < 0.001), and effective dose (from 4.12 to 1.84 mSv, P < 0.001), respectively, compared with the Routine studies. The objective noise was higher in the paraspinal muscle of the ASIR studies (20.81 vs. 16.67, P = 0.004), but was not different in the aorta (18.23 vs. 18.72, P = 0.726). The subjective image quality demonstrated no difference between the two studies.

Conclusion

A low-dose protocol with 50% ASIR allows radiation dose reduction in pediatric chest CT by more than 55% while maintaining image quality.     

Low radiation dose 256-MDCT angiography of the carotid arteries: Effect of hybrid iterative reconstruction technique on noise,artifacts, and image quality

To evaluate the effect of hybrid iterative reconstruction on qualitative and quantitative parameters at low dose carotid CTA.     

宽体探测器联合全模型实时迭代重建在肥胖患者上腹部扫描中的应用

目的 探讨宽体探测器联合全模型实时迭代重建技术（ASIR-V）在肥胖患者上腹部低辐射剂量扫描中的应用价值。方法 根据体模实验找出常规上腹部扫描（管电压为120 kVp,噪声指数为10 HU）最佳前置及后置ASIR-V比例;在体模实验基础上,前瞻性收集需行上腹部CT增强的87例肥胖患者（体质量指数≥30 kg/m²）,依随机数表法分为试验组（43例）和对照组（44例）。试验组采用宽体探测器（80 mm）CT联合前置40% ASIR-V行上腹部双期增强扫描获得A1组图像（默认为后置40% ASIR-V）,再联合60%后置ASIR-V技术重建获得A2组图像。对照组采用常规探测器CT（40 mm）扫描后联合40%自适应统计迭代重建技术（ASIR）重建获得B组图像。比较试验组和对照组的辐射剂量、图像的对比噪声比（CNR）、图像噪声和主观评分（5分制法）。结果 常规上腹部扫描最佳前置及后置ASIR-V比例分别为40%及60%。试验组的有效剂量E为（4.55±0.95）mSv,低于对照组的（9.58±2.04）mSv（t=-14.773,P<0.001）。A2组除双期肝脏外,各部位CNR均高于A1及B组（q=2.160~3.209,P<0.05）,双期图像噪声低于A1及B组（q=-4.212~-3.202,P<0.05）,双期总体图像质量评分高于A1及B组（Z=-5.155~-2.561,P<0.05）。A1组双期各部位CNR及图像噪声与B组差异均无统计学意义（P>0.05）,双期总体图像质量评分低于B组（Z=-3.298~-3.030,P<0.05）。A组双期图像质量评分均>3分,均能满足临床诊断需求。结论 肥胖患者采用宽体探测器联合前置40% ASIR-V技术,可比常规探测器扫描减少约53%的辐射剂量;联合后置ASIR-V重建技术,可在保持或提高图像CNR的同时优化总体图像质量。     

Cumulative Radiation Dose in Patients With Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia and Pulmonary Arteriovenous Malformations

Purpose

To determine the cumulative effective dose (CED) of radiation from medical imaging and intervention in patients with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) who have pulmonary arteriovenous malformations and to identify clinical factors associated with exposure to high levels of radiation.

Methods

All patients with at least 1 pulmonary arteriovenous malformation were identified from the dedicated patient database of a tertiary HHT referral centre. Computerized imaging and electronic patient records were systematically examined to identify all imaging studies performed from 1989-2010. The effective dose was determined for each study, and CED was calculated retrospectively.

Results

Among 246 patients (mean age, 53 years; 62.2% women) with a total of 2065 patient-years, 3309 procedures that involved ionizing radiation were performed. CED ranged from 0.2-307.6 mSv, with a mean of 51.7 mSv. CED exceeded 100 mSv in 26 patients (11%). Interventional procedures and computed tomography (CT) were the greatest contributors, which accounted for 51% and 46% of the total CED, respectively. Factors associated with high cumulative exposure were epistaxis (odds ratio 2.7 [95% confidence interval, 1.1-6.3]; P = .02), HHT-related gastrointestinal bleeding (odds ratio 2.0 [95% confidence interval, 1.0-3.8]; P = .04) and number of patient-years (P < .0001).

Conclusions

Patients with HHT are exposed to a significant cumulative radiation dose from diagnostic and therapeutic interventions. Identifiable subsets of patients are at increased risk. A proportion of patients receive doses at levels that are associated with harm. Imaging indications and doses should be optimized to reduce radiation exposure in this population.     

Low-Dose Abdominal CT for Evaluating Suspected Appendicitis in Adolescents and Young Adults: Review of Evidence

Due to its excellent diagnostic performance, CT is the mainstay of diagnostic test in adults with suspected acute appendicitis in many countries. Although debatable, extensive epidemiological studies have suggested that CT radiation is carcinogenic, at least in children and adolescents. Setting aside the debate over the carcinogenic risk of CT radiation, the value of judicious use of CT radiation cannot be overstated for the diagnosis of appendicitis, considering that appendicitis is a very common disease, and that the vast majority of patients with suspected acute appendicitis are adolescents and young adults with average life expectancies. Given the accumulated evidence justifying the use of low-dose CT (LDCT) of only 2 mSv, there is no reasonable basis to insist on using radiation dose of multi-purpose abdominal CT for the diagnosis of appendicitis, particularly in adolescents and young adults. Published data strongly suggest that LDCT is comparable to conventional dose CT in terms of clinical outcomes and diagnostic performance. In this narrative review, we will discuss such evidence for reducing CT radiation in adolescents and young adults with suspected appendicitis.     

MSCT胸部低剂量扫描对慢性肺部病变的应用研究

目的:比较低剂量及常规剂量扫描对慢性肺部弥漫性病变(范围较广泛者)的显示差异,探讨低剂量扫描诊 断慢性弥漫性或浸润性肺部病变的可行性及合理扫描方案。方法:34例慢性肺部病变患者及4例临床怀疑支气管扩张但 CT扫描未见异常的患者,行低剂量(50mAs)全肺螺旋扫描,14例患者并行常规剂量(195mAs)全肺增强扫描,所有病例 在病变部位加低剂量(50mAs)及常规剂量(220mAs)薄层(2.5mm)HRCT扫描。比较低剂量及常规剂量扫描对病变范 围、分布及病变特征的显示差异。结果:两种剂量全肺扫描(重建层厚7.5mm)图像对肺部病变分布的范围及各种征象的 显示差异无显著性意义(P>0.05);两种剂量的薄层HRCT图像对各种病变征象均可以显示,但是对支气管扩张、蜂窝样 改变、纤维索条及胸膜下线的显示以常规剂量为优(P<0.05),对其它征象的显示两组剂量差异无显著性意义(P> 0.05)。结论:对于怀疑肺弥漫性病变的患者,可以采用低剂量全肺扫描,病变部位加常规剂量薄层HRCT扫描。     

256 CT低管电压联合迭代重组技术在头颈部CT血管成像中的应用

目的 探讨低管电压(80 kV)联合迭代重组技术在头颈部CT血管成像(CTA)扫描中对图像质量、辐射剂量的影响.方法 将75例临床需要行头颈部CTA检查的患者随机编入A、B、C三组,每组25例.A组为常规剂量扫描,参数为120 kV、300 mAs,经滤波反投影(FBP)重组;B、C组为低剂量扫描,管电流和管电压分别为120kV、180 mAs,80 kV、180 mAs,采用iDose4迭代重组.对比分析CT图像质量,包括动脉强化值、对比噪声比(CNR)、图像质量评分及辐射剂量.计量资料采用配对t检验两两比较,图像质量评分采用非参数x2检验进行统计分析.结果 (1)图像质量主观评分:A组3分1例,4分24例;B组3分2例,4分23例;C组3分5例,4分20例;统计学分析无差异(P＞0.05).(2)A、B两组主动脉弓、颈总动脉、颈内动脉及大脑中动脉的动脉强化CT值统计无明显差异(P＞0.05);C组的CT动脉强化值高于A组(P＜0.05).(3)C组的背景噪声[(12.5±1.9)HU]高于A组[(9.0±1.6)HU](P＜0.05);两组的CNR分别为(49.2±9.4)、(43.0±12.6),无统计学差异(P＞0.05).(4)A、B、C组的剂量长度乘积(DLP)分别为(925.1±48.5)、(571.4±24.2)、(164.1±7.0)mGy·cm;辐射有效剂量(ED)分别为(2.87±0.15)、(1.77±0.08)、(0.51±0.02) mSv,均有统计学意义(P＜0.05),C组较A组辐射剂量明显降低,约82.3％.结论 256 CT头颈部CTA采用低管电压(80 kV)联合迭代重组技术能提供满足临床诊断要求的图像,同时明显降低辐射剂量.     

Evaluation of Abdominal CT Obtained Using a Deep Learning-Based Image Reconstruction Engine Compared with CT Using Adaptive Statistical Iterative Reconstruction

Purpose:To compare the image quality of CT obtained using a deep learning-based image reconstruction (DLIR) engine with images with adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction-V (AV).Materials and Methods:Using a phantom, the noise power spectrum (NPS) and task-based transfer function (TTF) were measured in images with different reconstructions (filtered back projection [FBP], AV30, 50, 100, DLIR-L, M, H) at multiple doses. One hundred and twenty abdominal CTs with 30% dose reduction were processed using AV30, AV50, DLIR-L, M, H. Objective and subjective analyses were performed.Results:The NPS peak of DLIR was lower than that of AV30 or AV50. Compared with AV30, the NPS average spatial frequencies were higher with DLIR-L or DLIR-M. For lower contrast objects, TTF in images with DLIR were higher than those with AV. The standard deviation in DLIR-H and DLIR-M was significantly lower than AV30 and AV50. The overall image quality was the best for DLIR-M (p < 0.001).Conclusions:DLIR showed improved image quality and decreased noise under a decreased radiation dose.     

Radiation dose in 320-slice multidetector cardiac CT: A single center experience of evolving dose minimization

BackgroundMinimization of radiation exposure remains an important subject that occurs in parallel with advances in scanner technology.ObjectiveWe report our experience of evolving radiation dose and its determinants after the introduction of 320-multidetector row cardiac CT within a single tertiary cardiology referral service.MethodsFour cohorts of consecutive patients (total 525 scans), who underwent cardiac CT at defined time points as early as 2008, are described. These include a cohort just after scanner installation, after 2 upgrades of the operating system, and after introduction of an adaptive iterative image reconstruction algorithm. The proportions of nondiagnostic coronary artery segments and studies with nondiagnostic segments were compared between cohorts.ResultsSignificant reductions were observed in median radiation doses in all cohorts compared with the initial cohort (P < .001). Median dose-length product fell from 944 mGy · cm (interquartile range [IQR], 567.3–1426.5 mGy · cm) to 156 mGy · cm (IQR, 99.2–265.0 mGy · cm). Although the proportion of prospectively triggered scans has increased, reductions in radiation dose have occurred independently of distribution of scan formats. In multiple regression that combined all groups, determinants of dose-length product were tube output, the number of cardiac cycles scanned, tube voltage, scan length, scan format, body mass index, phase width, and heart rate (adjusted R² = 0.85, P < .001). The proportion of nondiagnostic coronary artery segments was slightly increased in group 4 (2.9%; P < .01).ConclusionWhile maintaining diagnostic quality in 320-multidetector row cardiac CT, the radiation dose has decreased substantially because of a combination of dose-reduction protocols and technical improvements. Continued minimization of radiation dose will increase the potential for cardiac CT to expand as a cardiac imaging modality.     

双源CT低辐射剂量冠状动脉成像的初步研究

目的:探讨双源CT(DSCT)低剂量冠状动脉成像在较大体重质量指数(BMI)范围中的临床应用价值。方法:将BMI在17.51~30.00之间的可疑冠心病患者随机分为两组:A组(低辐射剂量组)95例,依据体重指数再将其分为三组(BMI<18.5,18.5≤BMI<24和24≤BMI),采用100kVp,参考毫安320mAs扫描;B组(常规辐射剂量组)69例,采用120kVp,参考毫安360mAs扫描,其他参数两组相同。两组均使用回顾性心电门控和CareDose4D技术进行DSCT(Somatom Definition,西门子)冠状动脉成像增强检查,检查前均不使用受体阻滞剂控制心率。所有扫描数据传送到西门子独立图像后处理工作站进行进一步处理。分析A、B两组最佳的重建时相图像,由2名副主任医师独立评估图像质量。记录并计算CT容积剂量指数(CTDIvol)、剂量长度乘积(DLP)及有效剂量(ED)值。利用单因素方差分析比较A组中三组图像质量是否存在差别。应用χ2检验比较A、B两组患者冠状动脉分级显示段数,应用两独立样本t检验比较A、B两组患者图像质量评分、CTDIvol、DLP和ED等。结果:A组中的三组图像评分为4.67±0.53、4.72±0.42、4.51±0.57;三组图像质量评分差异无统计学意义(F=1.39,P=0.25)。A组评价1298段冠状动脉,B组评价934段冠状动脉。图像质量评为优良的A组占99.31%,B组占99.79%,两组显示差异无统计学意义(χ2=2.54,P=0.11);可诊断图像节段数A组占99.69%,B组占99.89%,两组显示差异无统计学意义(χ2=0.98,P=0.32)。A、B两组图像质量评分分别为4.69±0.47、4.81±0.35分;CTDIvol值分别为18.53±7.55、45.85±15.49;DLP值分别为253.31±97.78、645.10±254.00;ED值分别为4.31±1.66、10.97±4.32。A、B两组间的图像质量评分差异无统计学意义(t=-1.70,P=0.09),A、B两组CTDIvol差异有统计学意义(t=-14.93,P=0),A组小于B组;A、B两组间DLP差异有统计学意义(t=-13.71,P=0),A组小于B组,A、B两组的ED差异有统计学意义(t=-13.71,P=0),A组小于B组。结论:双源CT低剂量冠状动脉成像在较大的BMI范围具有很好的图像质量,可以降低辐射剂量,具有广泛的临床应用价值。     

Coronary artery plaques: cardiac CT with model-based and adaptive-statistical iterative reconstruction technique

Objectives

To compare image quality of coronary artery plaque visualization at CT angiography with images reconstructed with filtered back projection (FBP), adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction (ASIR), and model based iterative reconstruction (MBIR) techniques.

Methods

The coronary arteries of three ex vivo human hearts were imaged by CT and reconstructed with FBP, ASIR and MBIR. Coronary cross-sectional images were co-registered between the different reconstruction techniques and assessed for qualitative and quantitative image quality parameters. Readers were blinded to the reconstruction algorithm.

Results

A total of 375 triplets of coronary cross-sectional images were co-registered. Using MBIR, 26% of the images were rated as having excellent overall image quality, which was significantly better as compared to ASIR and FBP (4% and 13%, respectively, all p < 0.001). Qualitative assessment of image noise demonstrated a noise reduction by using ASIR as compared to FBP (p < 0.01) and further noise reduction by using MBIR (p < 0.001). The contrast-to-noise-ratio (CNR) using MBIR was better as compared to ASIR and FBP (44 ± 19, 29 ± 15, 26 ± 9, respectively; all p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Using MBIR improved image quality, reduced image noise and increased CNR as compared to the other available reconstruction techniques. This may further improve the visualization of coronary artery plaque and allow radiation reduction.     

Radiation Dose Reduction of Chest CT with Iterative Reconstruction in Image Space - Part I: Studies on Image Quality Using Dual Source CT

Objective

To determine whether the image quality (IQ) is improved with iterative reconstruction in image space (IRIS), and whether IRIS can be used for radiation reduction in chest CT.

Materials and Methods

Standard dose chest CT (SDCT) in 50 patients and low dose chest CT (LDCT) in another 50 patients were performed, using a dual-source CT, with 120 kVp and same reference mAs (50 mAs for SDCT and 25 mAs for LDCT) employed to both tubes by modifying a dual-energy scan mode. Full-dose data were obtained by combining the data from both tubes and half-dose data were separated from a single tube. These were reconstructed by using a filtered back projection (FBP) and IRIS: full-dose FBP (F-FBP); full-dose IRIS (F-IRIS); half-dose FBP (H-FBP) and half-dose IRIS (H-IRIS). Objective noise was measured. The subjective IQ was evaluated by radiologists for the followings: noise, contrast and sharpness of mediastinum and lung.

Results

Objective noise was significantly lower in H-IRIS than in F-FBP (p < 0.01). In both SDCT and LDCT, the IQ scores were highest in F-IRIS, followed by F-FBP, H-IRIS and H-FBP, except those for sharpness of mediastinum, which tended to be higher in FBP. When comparing CT images between the same dose and different reconstruction (F-IRIS/F-FBP and H-IRIS/H-FBP) algorithms, scores tended to be higher in IRIS than in FBP, being more distinct in half-dose images. However, despite the use of IRIS, the scores were lower in H-IRIS than in F-FBP.

Conclusion

IRIS generally helps improve the IQ, being more distinct at the reduced radiation. However, reduced radiation by half results in IQ decrease even when using IRIS in chest CT.