Combined Homogeneous Region Localization and Automated Evaluation of Radiation Dose Dependent Contrast-to-Noise Ratio in Dual Energy Abdominal CT

摘要

This study presents a homogeneous region localization technique combined with automated evaluation of radiation dose-dependent contrast-to-noise ratio in dual energy abdominal CT. Patient body size was calculated using region growing segmentation and used to estimate size-specific dose estimate, and contrast-to-noise ratio are automatically evaluated by using proposed technique. Contrast-to-noise ratio turned out to be similar between low and high tube potential for both pre- and post-contrast phases, while radiation dose is remarkably lower at 80 kVp. Low tube potential can be recommended to reduce radiation dose while maintaining contrast-to-noise.