Long-term quantitative stability of a first-generation dual-source photon-counting CT

Area of Science:

• Medical Imaging
• Radiology
• Photon-Counting CT

Background:

• Photon-counting CT (PCCT) offers high spatial resolution and quantitative capabilities for advanced imaging.
• Temporal stability of PCCT is crucial for accurate longitudinal studies, distinguishing biological changes from scanner variations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the temporal stability of a first-generation dual-source PCCT over a two-year period.
• To evaluate the impact of software/hardware updates on PCCT quantitative accuracy and noise.

Main Methods:

• A phantom was scanned weekly for two years using single-source and dual-source PCCT modes.
• Virtual monoenergetic images (VMIs) and iodine density maps were analyzed for changes in relative error and noise.

Main Results:

• VMIs showed minimal variation (0.03-0.08%) and stable noise levels (max 4 HU) over time, with improvements in dual-source mode post-updates.
• Iodine density maps remained stable (variation up to 0.1 mg/mL), with enhanced quantification in dual-source mode.
• Relative error in iodine quantification matched between single-source and dual-source modes after updates (-0.04 and -0.02 mg/mL).

Conclusions:

• PCCT demonstrates robust temporal stability, crucial for reliable quantitative metrics in longitudinal studies.
• Improved quantification accuracy, especially in dual-source mode, enhances confidence in diagnostic radiology workflows.
• The findings support the expanded clinical application of PCCT for precise quantitative imaging.