Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 7, 2026
08:12
A Volumetric Method for Quantification of Cerebral Vasospasm in a Murine Model of Subarachnoid Hemorrhage
Published on: July 28, 2018
9.4K
Radiation dose reduction in cerebral CT perfusion imaging using iterative reconstruction.
Joris M Niesten1, Irene C van der Schaaf, Alan J Riordan
1Department of Radiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, HP. E.01.132, 3584 CX, Utrecht, The Netherlands, jmniesten@gmail.com.
European Radiology
|October 16, 2013
Summary
Iterative reconstruction (IR) in cerebral CT perfusion (CTP) enables a 50% radiation dose reduction. This method maintains objective and diagnostic image quality, though overall subjective quality may be slightly reduced in some cases.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Medical Imaging
- Neuroradiology
Background:
- Cerebral CT perfusion (CTP) is vital for imaging ischemic stroke.
- High radiation exposure from CTP is a significant limitation.
- Iterative reconstruction (IR) has shown promise in reducing radiation dose for head CT scans.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate if iterative reconstruction (IR) in CTP allows for a 50% radiation dose reduction.
- To assess if image quality (IQ) is maintained with dose reduction using IR.
- To compare objective and subjective IQ metrics between standard and reduced dose CTP protocols.
Main Methods:
- 48 CTP examinations were analyzed.
- Scans were reconstructed using standard dose (150 mAs) with filtered back projection (FBP) and half-dose (75 mAs) with two IR strengths (middle and high).
- Objective IQ (perfusion values, CNR, penumbra, infarct area, P/I index) and subjective IQ (diagnostic and overall quality) were compared.
Main Results:
- Half-dose CTP with high IR demonstrated similar objective IQ (e.g., grey matter CBV, CNR, P/I index) and diagnostic subjective IQ compared to standard dose with FBP.
- Overall subjective IQ was rated lower in 26-31% of cases with half-dose high IR.
- Half-dose CTP with FBP and middle IR levels showed inferior image quality compared to standard dose FBP.
Conclusions:
- IR in CTP permits a 50% radiation dose reduction without compromising objective and diagnostic image quality.
- While objective and diagnostic quality are preserved, standard dose with FBP remains preferable for overall subjective image quality in approximately 25% of patients.
- CTP IR is a viable technique for reducing radiation exposure in ischemia imaging.
