A Novel Pairwise Comparison-Based Method to Determine Radiation Dose Reduction Potentials of Iterative Reconstruction Algorithms, Exemplified Through Circle of Willis Computed Tomography Angiography

Abstract

This study provides a novel image quality evaluation method based on 2-alternative forced choice comparisons. In CTA of the circle of Willis, higher IR strengths and greater vessel sizes allowed higher degrees of radiation dose reduction.

Dose reduction potential of iterative reconstruction algorithms in neck CTA—a simulation study

“…The results of this study are mainly in line with a former study investigating intracranial vessels, 7 with larger vessels yielding higher dose reduction potentials than smaller ones.…”

“…ReconCT has repeatedly been demonstrated to be capable of simulating CT examinations including CTA with reduced mAs and thus reduced radiation dose levels by adding noise to the raw data prior to the reconstruction process. 7,8 For dose simulation and reconstruction purposes, raw data were transferred to the ReconCT workstation, with the Sinogram-affirmed iterative reconstruction (SAFIRE) algorithm (Siemens Healthineers GmbH, Erlangen, Germany) used for IR.…”

“…Several efforts have been taken to decrease the radiation dose level of CT and CTA examinations, including automatic dose level modulations, improved detector technologies, iterative reconstructions (IR) and several others. 7 As a rule of thumb, performing CT examinations with reduced radiation dose impairs diagnostic image quality owing to an increase in image noise. IR techniques can be used to overcome these drawbacks by repeatedly performing the image reconstruction process, which leads to noise reduction.…”

Noise Texture Deviation

“…Such IR-specific artifacts can hamper the evaluation of images and interpretation of imaging findings. [2][3][4][5][6][7][8] Moreover, because this image appearance usually is pronounced at higher levels of IR algorithms, 2,6,9,10 it potentially precludes exploitation of the full potential of IR for reducing the radiation dose of the respective CT examinations. 11,12 One recent IR technique is called advanced modeled IR (AD-MIRE), which is the successor of sinogram-affirmed IR (SAFIRE) from the same vendor.…”

Effect of Radiation Dose Reduction and Reconstruction Algorithm on Image Noise, Contrast, Resolution, and Detectability of Subtle Hypoattenuating Liver Lesions at Multidetector CT: Filtered Back Projection versus a Commercial Model–based Iterative Reconstruction Algorithm

“…The sinogram-affirmed IR (SAFIRE) algorithm (Siemens Medical Solutions, Forchheim, Germany) has been available for several years and studied extensively in the context of phantoms (1,4,6,12–15), simulations (16,17), and clinical data (7,9,18–26). These studies have concluded that SAFIRE has significant (25%–75%) radiation dose savings potential but were limited in one or more of the following ways.…”