Xenon versus ceramics: A comparison of two CT X-ray detector systems

Purpose: The purpose of this work was to compare image quality in phantom a nd patient CT scans acquired by xenon and ceramic CT detector systems. Method: High and low contrast resolution and image noise were determined wi th a standard CT phantom for both detector systems. In patient CT images, t he effect on image noise was measured in anatomical regions of interest in the head, lumbar spine, chest, and abdomen. Results: In phantom studies, image noise was significantly lower using cera mic versus xenon detectors. Also, in images of the head and lumbar spine, t he signal-to-noise ratio was significantly higher with ceramic than with xe non detectors. In chest scans, ceramic significantly reduced beam-hardening artifacts caused by the thoracic spine. However, in abdominal images, the signal-to-noise ratio was not significantly different between ceramic and x enon detector systems. Conclusion: For reduced image noise in CT images of the head, lumbar spine, and chest and high resolution CT, ceramic detector systems appear to be su perior to xenon detector systems.