H. Greess et al., Dose reduction in computed tomography by attenuation-based on-line modulation of tube current: evaluation of six anatomical regions, EUR RADIOL, 10(2), 2000, pp. 391-394
This study investigated the potential of attenuation-based on-line modulati
on of tube current to reduce the dose of computed tomography (in milliamper
es) without loss in image quality. The dose can be reduced for non-circular
patient cross-sections by reducing the tube current at the angular positio
ns at which the diameter through the patient diameter smallest. We investig
ated a new technical approach with attenuation-based on-line modulation of
tube current. Computed tomographic projection data were analyzed to determi
ne the optimal milliampere for each projection angle in real time, instead
performing prior measurements with localizer radiographs. We compared image
quality, noise pattern dose for standard scans and for scans with attenuat
ion-based on-line modulation of tube current group of 30 radiation therapy
patients. Six different anatomical regions were examined: head, shoulder, t
horax, abdomen, pelvis, and extremities (knee). Image quality was evaluated
by four radiologists in a blinded fashion. We found the dose to be reduced
typically by 15-50%. In general, no deterioration in quality was observed.
Thus the dose in computed tomography be reduced substantially by technical
measures without sacrificing image quality. Attenuation-based on-line modu
lation of tube current is an efficient and practical means for this.