The clinical use of computed tomography (CT) increases steadily which favors the patient since CT is a quick and non-invasive examination. We have explored the positive effects on image quality of using advanced image reconstruction methods by reducing the noise in the images and hence enabling significant reductions in patient exposure to minimize radiation risk.
The introduction of new types of CT with photon counting detectors (PCD) have many advantages, such as potentially sharper images and less image noise. We have explored the noise properties of a CT scanner from Siemens Healthineers (SOMATOM Count Plus) and compared it to a CT scanner with conventional energy integrating detectors (SOMATOM Force).
Quantitative measurement of the noise properties provides valuable support to explain the findings from surveys of clinical image quality when images are assessed by radiologists. The use of so-called model observers, where a computer algorithm mimics the radiologists, minimizes the bias found with human observers.
With the new clinically released photon counting CT system with a strong focus on research, we aim to further explore the noise advantages of using photon counting detector in clinical patient trials to further improve patient safety.
