The Monte Carlo N-Particle (MCNP) is often used to calculate the radiation dose during computed tomography (CT) scans. However, the physical calculation process of the model is complicated, the input file structure of the program is complex, and the three-dimensional (3D) display of the geometric model is not supported, so that the researchers cannot establish an accurate CT radiation system model, which affects the accuracy of the dose calculation results. Aiming at these two problems, this study designed a software that visualized CT modeling and automatically generated input files. In terms of model calculation, the theoretical basis was based on the integration of CT modeling improvement schemes of major researchers. For 3D model visualization, LabVIEW was used as the new development platform, constructive solid geometry (CSG) was used as the algorithm principle, and the introduction of editing of MCNP input files was used to visualize CT geometry modeling. Compared with a CT model established by a recent study, the root mean square error between the results simulated by this visual CT modeling software and the actual measurement was smaller. In conclusion, the proposed CT visualization modeling software can not only help researchers to obtain an accurate CT radiation system model, but also provide a new research idea for the geometric modeling visualization method of MCNP.
ObjectiveTo discuss the value of dual-source CT Flash scanning in reducing the dose of radiation in 3D cardiac imaging. MethodWe collected 60 patients from March to August 2014 who should undergo cardiac 3D CT scanning before radiofrequency ablation. They were randomly divided into group A and B with 30 in each. Patients in group A underwent flash technology scanning, while those in group B accepted conventional retrospective electrocardiography-gated scanning. CARE Dose techniques were used to collect data. Scanning parameters were the same for both groups:collimation was 128×0.6 mm, reconstruction thickness was 0.75 mm, reconstruction interval was 0.7 mm, and field of view was 180-200 mm. After image acquisition, we measured the CT values and noise of left atrium and various branches of the pulmonary veins (upper left, lower left, upper right, and lower right). Statistical software was used for the two groups of images to analyze the carrier noise ratio (CNR), signal noise ratio (SNR), blinded scores, computed tomography dose index (CTDIvol), and dose-length product (DLP) of the left atrium and pulmonary vein. ResultsCNR and SNR of the left atrium and various pulmonary veins between the two groups had no significant differences (P>0.05) . Blinded scores between the two groups were not significantly different (P>0.05) . CTDIvol in group A and group B was respectively (2.92±0.38) and (20.15±12.09) mGy, with a significant difference (t=?7.803, P<0.001) . DLP of group A was (59.30±6.67) mGy·cm, significantly lower than that in group B [(334.43±216.71) mGy·cm] (t=?6.591, P<0.001) . Flash-efficient radiation dose was (0.83±0.94) mSv in group A, far below that in group B [(4.53±3.03) msv], and the difference was statistically significant (t=?6.684, P<0.001) . ConclusionsDual-source CT Flash technology applied in 3D cardiac scanning can reduce radiation dose as well as meet the needs of image diagnosis.
ObjectiveTo investigate the influence of 70 kV low-dose CT perfusion technique on brain CT perfusion parameter maps and image quality. MethodsRetrospective analysis of all patients who underwent CT perfusion of brain between October 2013 and February 2014 was carried out. The patients were randomly divided into two groups according to diTherent CT examination dose: group A (80 kV, 200 mAs) and group B (70 kV, 200 mAs). All patients were scanned on a dual-source-CT (Siemens Definition Flash). Fifteen normal subjects without brain diseases in each group were selected to be studied. Region of interest (ROI) with an area of 80 mm2 was placed in the nucleus, putamen, thalamus, periventricular white matter of the frontal lobe and temporo-occipital area, and the parameters in the ROI including cerebral blood flow, cerebral blood volume, mean transit time and time to peak were detected. The carrierto-noise ratio and signal-to-noise ratio of thalamus and periventricular white matter of the frontal lobe were contrasted. The image quality of perfusion was assessed by two senior radiologists using 5 point system for blind assessment (5=best, 1=worst). The measurement of radiation dose was studied through effective dose, volume CT dose index (CTDIVOL) and dose length product (DLP). Statistical analysis was performed by independent sample t test. ResultsThere was no significant difference between group A and group B in brain CT perfusion parameters (P>0.05). There was no significant diTherence in image quality between the two groups in the objective and subjective assessment (P>0.05). In comparison with group A, the measured effective dose, CTDIVOL and DLP for group B decreased by 35%. ConclusionThere was no significant influence on the brain CT perfusion parameters and image quality using 70 kV tube voltage, and radiation dose is decreased obviously.
【摘要】 目的 评价64层螺旋CT低剂量冠状动脉血管成像的价值。 方法 2009年1-6月157例患者随机分为3组，常规剂量组（A组）管电流量采用1 000 mAs，两个低剂量组（B、C组）分别采用800、600 mAs。对3组的图像质量、噪声、CT剂量指数（CTDI）、剂量长度乘积（DLP）和有效剂量（ED）进行评估。 结果 A、B、C组图像噪声分别为20.50±3.23、23.02±3.05和26.28±2.58，组间差异均无统计学意义（Pgt;0.05）；A、B、C组的CTDI分别为（58.7±0.23）、（46.98±2.27）、（35.28±3.56） mGy，DLP分别为（1 050.88±89.63）、（846.21±57.86）、（641.13±32.15） mGy?cm，ED分别为（14.78±2.56）、（11.85±1.87）、（8.98±1.15） mSv，B、C组的CTDI、DLP、ED均明显低于常规剂量A组（Plt;0.05），C组的CTDI、DLP、ED均为3组中最低值。 结论 64层螺旋CT冠状动脉血管检查，采用600 mAs管电流量获得的冠脉图像既可满足诊断需要，又可使患者接受的辐射剂量降低。【Abstract】 Objective To evaluate the best tube current for low-dose radiation CT in coronary artery imaging by 64-slices multi-detector CT. Methods From January to June 2009, a total of 157 consecutive patients were randomly divided into 3 groups: group A (conventional group): 1 000 mAs; group B: 800 mAs; group C: 600 mAs. The image quality, noise, CT dose index (CTDI), dose length product (DLP) and effective dose (ED) in each group were measured and compared respectively. Results The image noise scores in group A, B, and C were (20.50±3.23), (23.02±3.05) and (26.28±2.58), respectively. There was no statistically significant difference among the three groups in the two indexes (Pgt;0.05). The CTDI in group A, B and C were (58.7±0.23), (46.98±2.27), and (35.28±3.56) mGy, respectively; the DLP in each were (1 050.88±89.63), (846.21±57.86), and (641.13±32.15) mGy?cm, respectively; the Ed were (14.78±2.56), (11.85±1.87), and (8.98±1.15) mSv, respectively. All of the differences among the three groups in CTDI, DLP and ED were statistically significant (Plt;0.05). Conclusion The image with 600 mAs as tube current in the coronary artery imaging of 64-slices multi-detector CT could fulfill the need of the diagnosis, and the radiation dose is apparently lower than the conventional scan.
The in-vivo electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) method can be used for on-site, rapid, and non-invasive detection of radiation dose to casualties after nuclear and radiation emergencies. For in-vivo EPR spectrum analysis, manual labeling of peaks and calculation of signal intensity are often used, which have problems such as large workload and interference by subjective factors. In this study, a method for automatic classification and identification of in-vivo EPR spectra was established using support vector machine (SVM) technology, which can in-batch and automatically identify and screen out invalid spectra due to vibration and dental surface water interference during in-vivo EPR measurements. In this study, a spectrum analysis method based on genetic algorithm optimization neural network (GA-BPNN) was established, which can automatically identify the radiation-induced signals in in-vivo EPR spectra and predict the radiation doses received by the injured. The experimental results showed that the SVM and GA-BPNN spectrum processing methods established in this study could effectively accomplish the automatic spectra classification and radiation dose prediction, and could meet the needs of dose assessment in nuclear emergency. This study explored the application of machine learning methods in EPR spectrum processing, improved the intelligence level of EPR spectrum processing, and would help to enhance the efficiency of mass EPR spectra processing.
Objective To explore the application value of Flash chest CT scan protocol in the follow-up of severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Methods Twenty-eight patients with severe COVID-19 who were admitted to this hospital from February 1, 2020 to March 15, 2020 were included. The follow-up CT examinations used conventional chest CT scan protocol and Flash scan protocol respectively, the image quality, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and effective dose of these two scan protocols were compared. Kappa test was used to evaluate the consistency of image quality scores of readers; Mann-Whitney test was used for image quality comparison; paired t test is performed for signal-to-noise ratio and effective dose comparison. Results The scores of the two readers had good consistency (Kappa=0.62, P<0.01 and Kappa=0.67, P<0.01). There was no statistically significant difference in image quality scores (Z=–0.275, P=0.783 and Z=–0.212, P=0.832). The signal-to-noise ratio of Flash protocol was statistically higher than that of conventional protocol (2.30±0.30 vs. 1.76±0.25, P<0.01). The effective dose of Flash protocol was 66.8% lower than that conventional protocol [(1.43±0.32) mSv vs. (4.31±1.36) mSv]. Conclusion Compared with conventional scan protocol, the Flash scan protocol does not require contact with COVID-19 patients, and effectively reduces the radiation dose and improves image quality of severe COVID-19 patients.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the value of 70 kV and sonogram-affirmed iterative reconstruction technique in CT examination for children with congenital heart disease. MethodsThirty children with congenital heart disease who underwent CT scan between January and September 2014 were included in this study. According to the different tube voltage, they were randomly divided into group A (80 kV) and group B (70 kV), with fifteen in each. All the children were scanned on a dual-source-CT (Siemens Definition Flash). Group A used filtered back projection reconstruction. Group B used sonogram-affirmed iterative reconstruction. We measured and calculated the pulmonary artery signal-to-noise ratio at the level of main pulmonary artery window, the signal-to-noise ratio of the ascending aorta, noise ratio contrast between the pulmonary artery and erector spinae and between the ascending aorta and erector spinae. The image quality for congenital heart disease was assessed by two senior radiologists. The measurement of radiation dose included effective dose (ED), volume CT dose index (CTDIvol) and dose length product (DLP). ResultsThere were no significant differences between group A and B in terms of pulmonary artery signal-to-noise ratio (14.54±3.77, 11.23±2.52), the signal-to-noise ratio of the ascending aorta (14.76±3.41, 12.31±3.47), the noise ratio contrast between pulmonary artery and erector spinae (12.04±3.96, 9.18±3.76) and between the ascending aorta and erector spinae (12.47±4.59, 9.77±4.41) (P > 0.05). There was significant difference between group A and group B in CTDIvol[(0.53±0.09), (0.38±0.03) mGy], DLP[(12.93±1.79), (6.67±0.72) mGy·cm], and ED[(0.34±0.05), (0.17±0.02) mSv] (P < 0.05). ConclusionThe application of 70 kV and sonogram-affirmed iterative reconstruction technique in CT examination for children with congenital heart disease can significantly reduce the radiation dose without any influence on image quality.
Objective To optimize image quality and radiation dose of infant chest digital radiography and to explore feasibility of reducing tube voltage and adjusting according to infant chest area. Methods 0 to 3-year-old infants were randomly divided into two average groups of 0- and 1-3 year-old, and then each age group was randomly assigned to optimization and control groups in digital radiography. Measurement of radiation dose used dose area product (DAP). Mean DAP between groups was compared by using t test, and the image quality of optimization was compared by rank sum test. Results A total of 400 cases of 0 to 3-year-old infants were identified, and finally 391 cases of infants anteroposterior chest image were included, including 196 cases in the optimization group (0-years: n=91; 1-3 years: n=105) and 195 cases in the control group (0-years: n=103; 1-3 years: n=92). The results showed: there were significant differences in the mean DAP in 0-years, 1-3 years and total infants between the optimization group and the control group (all P valuelt;0.05). The DAP of the optimization group was lower, and reduction of DAP was approximately 21.6% compared to the control subject. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test showed the difference of subjective evaluation of image quality was significantly different (P=0.000). High-quality image of the optimization group increased approximately 43.9% more than control subject. Conclusion Reducing tube voltage and adjusting according to infants chest area can not only reduce the radiation dose but also improve image quality in digital radiography.
ObjectivesTo investigate the influence of scanning parameters (tube voltages and tube currents) on image quality and corresponding radiation doses with simulated lung nodules in chest CT.MethodsThe anthropomorphic chest phantoms with 12 simulated, randomly placed nodules of different diameters and densities in the chest were scanned by different scanning parameters. The detection rate, degree of nodular deformation, image quality (with both subjective and objective evaluation) and the corresponding radiation doses were recorded and evaluated, and the correlation between nodule detection rate, degree of nodular deformation, radiation dose and image quality using different scanning parameters was analyzed.ResultsThe image quality improved with the increase of tube voltage and tube current (P<0.05). When the tube current was constant, the CT values of the vertebral decreased gradually with the increase of tube voltages (P<0.05); however, significant difference was not detected in CT values of the lung field (P>0.05). When the tube current was 100 mAs, the lung nodules with CT values of +100 HU and −630 HU showed statistical difference when using different tube voltage (P<0.05); but there was no significant difference in nodules of −800 HU (P=0.57). When tube voltage was 100 kV and 120 kV each, it was possible to detect all lung nodules with a detection rate of 100%. The detection rate was 33% and 66% in 3 mm diameter when the tube current was 80 kV/15 mA and 80 kV/20 mA, respectively. The nodules deformation in nodules with a CT value of −630 HU and diameter less than 5 mm was the most prominent (P<0.05). After analyzing the relationship between image quality and radiation doses using different tube voltages, we established a system of correlation equations: 80 kV: Y=2.625X+0.038; 100 kV: Y=14.66X+0.158; 120 kV: Y=18.59X+0.093.ConclusionsThe image quality improves with the increase of tube current and tube voltage, as well as the corresponding radiation doses. By reducing the tube voltage and increasing the tube current appropriately, the radiation doses can be reduced. Follow-up CT examination of pulmonary ground glass nodules should apply the same tube voltage imaging parameters, so as to effectively reduce the measurement error of nodule density and evaluate the change of nodules more accurately.