Abstract
Objectives
To compare image quality and low-contrast detectability of an integrated circuit (IC) detector in abdominal CT of obese patients with conventional detector technology at low tube voltages.
Methods
A liver phantom with 45 lesions was placed in a water container to mimic an obese patient and examined on two different CT systems at 80, 100 and 120 kVp. The systems were equipped with either the IC or conventional detector. Image noise was measured, and the contrast-to-noise-ratio (CNR) was calculated. Low-contrast detectability was assessed independently by three radiologists. Radiation dose was estimated by the volume CT dose index (CTDIvol).
Results
The image noise was significantly lower, and the CNR was significantly higher with the IC detector at 80, 100 and 120 kVp, respectively (P = 0.023). The IC detector resulted in an increased lesion detection rate at 80 kVp (38.1 % vs. 17.2 %) and 100 kVp (57.0 % vs. 41.0 %). There was no difference in the detection rate between the IC detector at 100 kVp and the conventional detector at 120 kVp (57.0 % vs. 62.2 %). The CTDIvol at 80, 100 and 120 kVp measured 4.5–5.2, 7.3–7.9 and 9.8–10.2 mGy, respectively.
Conclusions
The IC detector at 100 kVp resulted in similar low-contrast detectability compared to the conventional detector with a 120-kVp protocol at a radiation dose reduction of 37 %.
Key Points
• An integrated circuit (IC) detector significantly improves the quantitative image quality
• The IC detector results in a significant improvement of low-contrast detectability
• Reduction of tube voltage to 100 kVp is feasible in obese patients
• The IC detector holds great promise for improving patient safety
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Acknowledgements
The scientific guarantor of this publication is Dr. Sebastian Schindera. The authors of this manuscript declare relationships with the following companies: Siemens Healthcare. This study has received funding from Siemens Healthcare. Dr. Zsolt Szucs kindly provided statistical advice for this manuscript. One of the authors has significant statistical expertise. Institutional review board approval was not required because it was a phantom study. Written informed consent was obtained from all subjects (patients) in this study. Written informed consent was waived by the institutional review board. Approval from the institutional animal care committee was obtained. Methodology: prospective, experimental, performed at one institution.
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Euler, A., Heye, T., Kekelidze, M. et al. Assessment of image quality and low-contrast detectability in abdominal CT of obese patients: comparison of a novel integrated circuit with a conventional discrete circuit detector at different tube voltages. Eur Radiol 25, 687–693 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-014-3459-4
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-014-3459-4