Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 4, 2025
Construction of a Preclinical Multimodality Phantom Using Tissue-mimicking Materials for Quality Assurance in Tumor Size Measurement
Published on: July 29, 2013
Impact of the automatic tube current modulation (ATCM) system on virtual monoenergetic image quality for dual-source
D Dabli1, Quentin Durand1, J Frandon2
1IMAGINE UR UM 103, Montpellier University, Department of Medical Imaging, Nîmes University Hospital, Nîmes 30029, France; Department of Medical Physics, Nîmes University Hospital, Nîmes 30029 Cedex 9, France.
Purpose:
To assess the impact of the automatic tube current modulation (ATCM) on virtual monoenergetic images (VMIs) quality in dual-source CT(DSCT).
Materials And Methods:
Acquisitions were performed on DSCT using the Mercury phantom. The acquisition parameters for an abdomen-pelvic examination with single-energy CT(SECT) and dual-energy CT(DECT) imaging were used. Acquisitions were performed for each imaging mode using fixed mAs and ATCM. The mAs value was set to obtain a volume CT dose index of 11 mGy in fixed mAs acquisitions. This value was used as the reference mAs in ATCM acquisitions. The noise power spectrum and task-based transfer function at 40,50,60 and 70 keV levels were computed on VMIs and SECT images. The detectability index (d') was calculated for a lesion with an iodine concentration of 10 mg/mL.
Results:
The noise magnitude on VMIs was higher with the ATCM system than with fixed mAs for all energy levels and section diameters of 21,26 and 31 cm. The noise texture and spatial resolution were similar between the fixed mAs and ATCM acquisitions for both imaging modes. The d' values were lower for all energy levels with ATCM than with fixed mAs acquisitions for 21 and 26 cm diameters by -39.82 ± 9.32%, similar at 31 cm diameter -4.13 ± 0.24% and higher at 36 cm diameter 10.40 ± 6.69%. It was higher on VMIs at all energy levels compared to SECT images.
Conclusions:
The ATCM system could be used with DECT imaging to optimize patient exposure without changing the noise texture and spatial resolution of VMIs compared to fixed mAs and SECT.
Related Concept Videos
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
01:27Imaging Studies III: Computed Tomography
01:14Imaging Studies I: CT and MRI
Description of the Procedures
Computed Tomography (CT) scan:
Computed Tomography (CT) scans use X-ray technology to generate detailed images of bones, organs, and tissues. During the scan, the patient lies on a moving table...
01:25Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System VI: Calcium -Scoring CT