Effect of miscentering and low-dose protocols on contrast resolution in computed tomography head examination
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
8-1-2020
Abstract
Background: Unoptimized protocols, including a miscentered position, might affect the outcome of diagnostic in CT examinations. In this study, we investigate the effects of miscentering position during CT head examination on the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR). Method: We simulate the CT head examination using a water phantom with a standard protocol (120 kVp/180 mAs) and a low dose protocol (100 kVp/142 mAs). The table height was adjusted to simulate miscentering by 5 cm from the isocenter, where the height was miscentered superiorly (MCS) at 109, 114, 119, and 124 cm, and miscentered inferiorly (MCI) at 99, 94, 89, and 84 cm. Seven circular regions of interest were used, with one drawn at the center, four at the peripheral area of the phantom, and two at the background area of the image. Results: For the standard protocol, the mean CNR decreased uniformly as table height increased and significantly differed (p < 0.05) at +20 cm for MCS (435.70 +/- 9.39) and 20 cm for MCI (438.91 +/- 10.94) from the isocenter. Similarly, significant reductions (p < 0.05) were also noted for SNR for MCS (at +20 cm) and MCI (at -20 cm). For the low dose protocol, both CNR and SNR were significantly reduced (p < 0.05) at table heights of +20 and 20 cm from the isocenter. Conclusion: Miscentering is proven to significantly affect the image quality in both low and standard dose protocols for head CT procedure. This study implies that accurate patient centering is one of the approaches that can improve CT optimization practice.
Keywords
CT head, Miscentered position, Image quality, SNR, CNR
Divisions
fac_med
Funders
Geran Putra of Universiti Putra Malaysia [Grant No: GP/IPM/UPM/9619800]
Publication Title
Computers in Biology and Medicine
Volume
123
Publisher
Pergamon-Elsevier Science Ltd
Publisher Location
THE BOULEVARD, LANGFORD LANE, KIDLINGTON, OXFORD OX5 1GB, ENGLAND