Volume Change of Spiral Computed Tomography due to the Changed in the Parameters

Abstract

This study examined the change of artifact volume by analyzing the level of image change associated with the setting of threshold through 3D imaging in scan parameter(slice thickness and helical pitch) and 3D image reconstruction to explore whether the presence of pathology was fully distinguished when CT was taken by lower dose than the existent dose to reduce exposure. Furthermore, this study attempted to investigate Scan Parameter acceptable in CT to reduce exposure dose. For materials and methods, silicon was used to produce samples. Five spherical samples were produced at 10-millimeter intervals (50, 40, 30, 20, and 10 mm) in diameter and were fixed at 120 Kvp of tube voltage and 50 mA of tube current. Varied slab thickness((1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 5.0, and 7.0mm) and Helical Pitch(1.5, 2.0, 3.0) were scanned. The image at an interval of 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 5.0, and 7.0mm was transmitted to the workstation. Threshold (-200, -50, 50 ~ 1,000) was changed using the volume rendering technique, 3D image was reconstructed, and artifact volume was measured.In conclusion, 1.5 of Helical Pitch showed the least change of volume and 3.0 of helical pitch showed the greatest reduction of volume change. The experiment suggested that as slice thickness was increased, artifact volume was decreased more than actual measurement. Furthermore, in the 3D image reconstruction, when the range of threshold was set as -200 ~1,000, artifact volume was changed the least. Based on the results, it is expected to have an effect of reducing exposure dose.