Vardhanabhuti V, Ilyas S, Gutteridge C, Freeman SJ, Roobottom CA. Comparison of image quality between filtered back-projection and the adaptive statistical and novel model-based iterative reconstruction techniques in abdominal CT for renal calculi.
Insights Imaging 2013;
4:661-9. [PMID:
23929357 PMCID:
PMC3781247 DOI:
10.1007/s13244-013-0273-5]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2013] [Revised: 06/22/2013] [Accepted: 06/27/2013] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives
To compare image quality on computed tomographic (CT) images acquired with filtered back-projection (FBP), adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction (ASIR) and model-based iterative reconstruction (MBIR) techniques in CT kidney/ureter/bladder (KUB) examination.
Methods
Eighteen patients underwent standard protocol CT KUB at our institution. The same raw data were reconstructed using FBP, ASIR and MBIR. Objective [mean image noise, contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) for kidney and mean attenuation values of subcutaneous fat] and subjective image parameters (image noise, image contrast, overall visibility of kidneys/ureters/bladder, visibility of small structures, and overall diagnostic confidence) were assessed using a scoring system from 1 (best) to 5 (worst).
Results
Objective image measurements revealed significantly less image noise and higher CNR and the same fat attenuation values for the MBIR technique (P < 0.05). MBIR scored best in all the subjective image parameters (P < 0.001) with averages ranging between 2.05–2.73 for MBIR, 2.95–3.10 for ASIR and 3.08–3.31 for FBP. No significant difference was observed between FBP and ASIR (P > 0.05), while there was a significant difference between ASIR vs. MBIR (P < 0.05). The mean effective dose was 3 mSv.
Conclusion
MBIR shows superior reduction in noise and improved image quality (both objective and subjective analysis) compared with ASIR and FBP CT KUB examinations.
Main Messages
• There are many reconstruction options in CT.
• Novel model-based iterative reconstruction (MBIR) showed the least noise and optimal image quality.
• For CT of the kidneys/ureters/bladder, MBIR should be utilised, if available.
• Further studies to reduce the dose while maintaining image quality should be pursued.
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