Hirosaki Medical Journal
Online ISSN : 2434-4656
Print ISSN : 0439-1721
Original Article
Image quality and radiation dose with low tube voltage in coronary CT angiography: an experimental study with normal type and soft plaque phantom
Minoru Osanai Yoko SaitoKazuhiko OyuJunichi IshidaMitsue SatoTaisuke Sasaki
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JOURNAL FREE ACCESS

2013 Volume 64 Issue 1 Pages 15-28

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Abstract

    We evaluated the effect of tube voltage and tube current on image quality and radiation dose in coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) with phantom. The phantom was constituted with ball and tubes, both filled with diluted contrast medium (ball: 120HU, tube: 300, 350 and 400HU). The phantom was scanned at 120kV, 100kV and 80kV with beating at 70bpm. The tube currents were changed from 300 to 400mA with every 25mA. Contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) was calculated. We also performed assessment of image quality, especially noise and sharpness. The radiation dose was also evaluated. The CT numbers at 100kV and 80kV were 1.18~1.37 and 1.49~1.71-times higher than those at 120kV with normal type phantom. There was no significant difference in CNR between 120kV and 100kV. At 80kV both CNR and image score were lower than others. The contrast of tube and soft plaque were also evaluated, and those at 100kV and 120kV were almost same. Compared with 120kV, radiation dose decreased to about 60% and 30% at 100kV and 80kV respectively. In conclusion, with 100kV setting the radiation dose could be reduced without degradation of image quality, and it is suggested that low tube voltage technique is also useful in CCTA.

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© 2013 Hirosaki Medical Journal Editorial Board
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