Iterative reconstruction of pulmonary MDCT angiography: Effects on image quality, effective dose and estimated organ dose to the breast

Abstract

Aims.To compare the image characteristics, effective dose and estimated organ dose to the female breast in pulmonary MDCT angiography (MDCTA), reconstructed with either standard filtered back projection (FBP), or iterative reconstruction in image space (IRIS). Methods. Pulmonary MDCTA performed in 116 females (age 18 -77 years; body mass index 15 -48) was reconstructed with FBP (n=52) or IRIS (n=64). Scans were acquired on a 128-row MDCT system using automatic tube current modulation, 100 kV tube voltage, and a quality reference mAs value of 120 (FBP) and 80 (IRIS). Dose was calculated from CT dose index (CTDIvol) and dose length product (DLP) values utilising ImPACT software. Image noise was measured within the pulmonary artery. Qualitative visual assessment of the scans was performed (1=negligible noise, 5=noise obscuring diagnostic information). Results. The average CTDIvol yielded 4.33 mGy for FBP and 3.54 mGy for IRIS, respectively (18.2% decrease). The average effective scan dose was 2.73±0.57 mSv (FBP) and 2.29±0.68 mSv (IRIS), respectively (16.1% decrease). The estimated average organ dose to the breast decreased from 5.1±1.1 mGy (FBP) to 4.2±1.2 mGy (IRIS, 17.6% decrease). No nondiagnostic scans (score 5) were encountered in either group. Significant improvement in image noise levels (P<0.01) and subjective image quality (P<0.02) were noted in IRIS group. Conclusion. Pulmonary MDCTA utilizing a 100 kV technique, automatic tube current modulation, and iterative image reconstruction offers robust results in routine conditions among an unselected female population, with breast doses being comparable to two-view digital mammography. Moreover, iterative reconstruction offers improvements in both image noise and visual perception of the scans, thus suggesting a potential for further dose reduction.

Determine Cumulative Radiation Dose and Lifetime Cancer Risk in Marfan Syndrome Patients Who Underwent Computed Tomography Angiography of the Aorta in Northeast Thailand: A 5-Year Retrospective Cohort Study

“…Effective dosages of 1.1–9.4 mSv have been reported for CTA in assessing Marfan syndrome patients [ 8 , 23 , 24 ]. Radiation doses associated with CTA are reducing incrementally because of advanced technology like dual-source CTA and strategies including iterative reconstruction [ 8 , 23 , 24 , 25 ]. According to the International Commission on Radiological Protection, absorbed doses up to 100 mGy do not cause deterministic radiation effects or clinically relevant functional impairment in any tissue [ 17 , 20 ].…”