Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 27, 2026
Voluntary Breath-hold Technique for Reducing Heart Dose in Left Breast Radiotherapy
Published on: July 3, 2014
Reducing radiation dose in the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism using adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction
David Kaul1, Ulrich Grupp, Johannes Kahn
1Department of Radiation Oncology, Charité School of Medicine and University Hospital, Campus Virchow-Klinikum, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353, Berlin, Germany, david.kaul@charite.de.
Objectives:
To assess the impact of ASIR (adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction) and lower tube potential on dose reduction and image quality in chest computed tomography angiographies (CTAs) of patients with pulmonary embolism.
Materials And Methods:
CT data from 44 patients with pulmonary embolism were acquired using different protocols-Group A: 120 kV, filtered back projection, n = 12; Group B: 120 kV, 40 % ASIR, n = 12; Group C: 100 kV, 40 % ASIR, n = 12 and Group D: 80 kV, 40 % ASIR, n = 8. Normalised effective dose was calculated; image quality was assessed quantitatively and qualitatively.
Results:
Normalised effective dose in Group B was 33.8 % lower than in Group A (p = 0.014) and 54.4 % lower in Group C than in Group A (p < 0.001). Group A, B and C did not show significant differences in qualitative or quantitative analysis of image quality. Group D showed significantly higher noise levels in qualitative and quantitative analysis, significantly more artefacts and decreased overall diagnosability. Best results, considering dose reduction and image quality, were achieved in Group C.
Conclusions:
The combination of ASIR and lower tube potential is an option to reduce radiation without significant worsening of image quality in the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism.
Key Points:
• Iterative algorithms and lowering of tube potential reduce radiation without compromising interpretability • 40 % ASIR and 100 kV tube potential led to a 54.4 % dose reduction • 40 % ASIR and 80 kV tube potential led to significantly worse image quality.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:29Pulmonary Embolism II: Diagnostic Studies and Interprofessional Care
01:13Radiological Investigation III: Pulmonary Angiogram and PET Scan
Pulmonary Angiogram
A Pulmonary Angiogram is an invasive procedure involving injecting a contrast medium through a catheter threaded into the pulmonary artery or the right side of the heart to visualize the pulmonary vasculature. Computed Tomography (CT) scans have mainly replaced this...
01:10Computed Tomography
The technique was invented in the 1970s and is based on the principle that as X-rays pass through the body, they are absorbed or reflected at different levels. In the technique, a patient lies on a motorized platform while a computerized axial tomography (CAT) scanner rotates...
01:28Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System V: CT
01:30Radiological Investigation II: MRI and Ventilation Perfusion Scan
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Ventilation Perfusion Scans are two radiological investigations that offer detailed diagnostic images of the body, particularly lung structures.
MRI
MRI uses magnetic fields and radiofrequency signals to distinguish between normal and abnormal tissues. This technology provides a more detailed diagnostic image than CT scans, enabling it to characterize pulmonary nodules, stage bronchogenic carcinoma, and evaluate inflammatory activity in...