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Iterative reconstruction techniques for computed tomography part 2: initial results in dose reduction and image quality

  • Computed Tomography
  • Published:
European Radiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Objectives

To present the results of a systematic literature search aimed at determining to what extent the radiation dose can be reduced with iterative reconstruction (IR) for cardiopulmonary and body imaging with computed tomography (CT) in the clinical setting and what the effects on image quality are with IR versus filtered back-projection (FBP) and to provide recommendations for future research on IR.

Methods

We searched Medline and Embase from January 2006 to January 2012 and included original research papers concerning IR for CT.

Results

The systematic search yielded 380 articles. Forty-nine relevant studies were included. These studies concerned: the chest(n = 26), abdomen(n = 16), both chest and abdomen(n = 1), head(n = 4), spine(n = 1), and no specific area (n = 1). IR reduced noise and artefacts, and it improved subjective and objective image quality compared to FBP at the same dose. Conversely, low-dose IR and normal-dose FBP showed similar noise, artefacts, and subjective and objective image quality. Reported dose reductions ranged from 23 to 76 % compared to locally used default FBP settings. However, IR has not yet been investigated for ultra-low-dose acquisitions with clinical diagnosis and accuracy as endpoints.

Conclusion

Benefits of IR include improved subjective and objective image quality as well as radiation dose reduction while preserving image quality. Future studies need to address the value of IR in ultra-low-dose CT with clinically relevant endpoints.

Key Points

• Iterative reconstruction improves image quality of CT images at equal acquisition parameters.

• IR preserves image quality compared to normal-dose filtered back-projection.

• The reduced radiation dose made possible by IR is advantageous for patients.

• IR has not yet been investigated with clinical diagnosis and accuracy as endpoints.

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Abbreviations

AIDR 3D:

Adaptive Iterative Dose Reduction 3D

ASIR:

Adaptive Statistical Iterative Reconstruction

CNR:

Contrast-to-noise ratio

CT:

Computed tomography

CTDIvol :

Volume Computed tomography dose index

DLP:

Dose-length product

FBP:

Filtered back-projection

HU:

Hounsfield units

IRIS:

Iterative Reconstruction in Image Space

MBIR:

Model-Based Iterative Reconstruction

SAFIRE:

Sinogram-Affirmed Iterative Reconstruction

SNR:

Signal-to-noise ratio

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, Utrecht University Medical Center, P.O. Box 85500, E01.132, 3508 GA, Utrecht, The Netherlands

    Martin J. Willemink, Tim Leiner, Pim A. de Jong, Rutger A. J. Nievelstein, Arnold M. R. Schilham & Ricardo P. J. Budde

  2. Cardiothoracic Surgery, Utrecht, The Netherlands

    Linda M. de Heer

  3. Department of Radiology, Gelre Hospital, Apeldoorn, The Netherlands

    Ricardo P. J. Budde

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  1. Martin J. Willemink
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  2. Tim Leiner
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Correspondence to Martin J. Willemink.

Appendices

Appendices

Search terms for PubMed

(“iterative reconstruction” [Title/Abstract] OR ASIR [Title/Abstract] OR (adaptive [Title/Abstract] AND statistical [Title/Abstract] AND iterative [Title/Abstract] AND reconstruction [Title/Abstract]) OR idose [Title/Abstract] OR iris [Title/Abstract] OR (iterative [Title/Abstract] AND reconstruction [Title/Abstract] AND image [Title/Abstract] AND space [Title/Abstract]) OR AIDR [Title/Abstract] OR (adaptive [Title/Abstract] AND iterative [Title/Abstract] AND dose [Title/Abstract] AND reduction [Title/Abstract])) AND (CT [Title/Abstract] OR “Tomography, X-Ray Computed” [Mesh] OR “Cone-Beam Computed Tomography” [Mesh] OR “Four-Dimensional Computed Tomography” [Mesh] OR “Spiral Cone-Beam Computed Tomography” [Mesh] OR “Tomography Scanners, X-Ray Computed” [Mesh] OR “Tomography, Spiral Computed” [Mesh]) AND English [lang] AND “last 5 years” [PDat]

Search terms for EMBASE

‘iterative reconstruction’:ab,ti OR asir:ab,ti OR (adaptive:ab,ti AND statistical:ab,ti AND iterative:ab,ti AND reconstruction:ab,ti) OR idose:ab,ti OR iris:ab,ti OR (iterative:ab,ti AND reconstruction:ab,ti AND image:ab,ti AND space:ab,ti) OR aidr:ab,ti OR (adaptive:ab,ti AND iterative:ab,ti AND dose:ab,ti AND reduction:ab,ti) AND (ct:ab,ti OR ‘tomography, x-ray computed’:ab,ti OR ‘cone-beam computed tomography’:ab,ti OR ‘four-dimensional computed tomography’:ab,ti OR ‘spiral cone-beam computed tomography’:ab,ti OR ‘tomography scanners, x-ray computed’:ab,ti OR ‘tomography, spiral computed’:ab,ti) AND [english]/lim AND [embase]/lim AND [2006–2012]/py

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Willemink, M.J., Leiner, T., de Jong, P.A. et al. Iterative reconstruction techniques for computed tomography part 2: initial results in dose reduction and image quality. Eur Radiol 23, 1632–1642 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-012-2764-z

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