Contrast-to-noise ratio

About: Contrast-to-noise ratio is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 758 publications have been published within this topic receiving 10748 citations.

Cone-beam computed tomography with a flat-panel imager: Magnitude and effects of x-ray scatter

Abstract: A system for cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) based on a flat-panel imager (FPI) is used to examine the magnitude and effects of x-ray scatter in FPI-CBCT volume reconstructions. The system is being developed for application in image-guided therapies and has previously demonstrated spatial resolution and soft-tissue visibility comparable or superior to a conventional CT scanner under conditions of low x-ray scatter. For larger objects consistent with imaging of human anatomy (e.g., the pelvis) and for increased cone angle (i.e., larger volumetric reconstructions), however, the effects of x-ray scatter become significant. The magnitude of x-ray scatter with which the FPI-CBCT system must contend is quantified in terms of the scatter-to-primary energy fluence ratio (SPR) and scatter intensity profiles in the detector plane, each measured as a function of object size and cone angle. For large objects and cone angles (e.g., a pelvis imaged with a cone angle of 6 degrees), SPR in excess of 100% is observed. Associated with such levels of x-ray scatter are cup and streak artifacts as well as reduced accuracy in reconstruction values, quantified herein across a range of SPR consistent with the clinical setting. The effect of x-ray scatter on the contrast, noise, and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) in FPI-CBCT reconstructions was measured as a function of SPR and compared to predictions of a simple analytical model. The results quantify the degree to which elevated SPR degrades the CNR. For example, FPI-CBCT images of a breast-equivalent insert in water were degraded in CNR by nearly a factor of 2 for SPR ranging from approximately 2% to 120%. The analytical model for CNR provides a quantitative understanding of the relationship between CNR, dose, and spatial resolution and allows knowledgeable selection of the acquisition and reconstruction parameters that, for a given SPR, are required to restore the CNR to values achieved under conditions of low x-ray scatter. For example, for SPR = 100%, the CNR in FPI-CBCT images can be fully restored by: (1) increasing the dose by a factor of 4 (at full spatial resolution); (2) increasing dose and slice thickness by a factor of 2; or (3) increasing slice thickness by a factor of 4 (with no increase in dose). Other reconstruction parameters, such as transaxial resolution length and reconstruction filter, can be similarly adjusted to achieve CNR equal to that obtained in the scatter-free case.

On the definition of signal-to-noise ratio and contrast-to-noise ratio for FMRI data.

Abstract: Signal-to-noise ratio, the ratio between signal and noise, is a quantity that has been well established for MRI data but is still subject of ongoing debate and confusion when it comes to fMRI data. fMRI data are characterised by small activation fluctuations in a background of noise. Depending on how the signal of interest and the noise are identified, signal-to-noise ratio for fMRI data is reported by using many different definitions. Since each definition comes with a different scale, interpreting and comparing signal-to-noise ratio values for fMRI data can be a very challenging job. In this paper, we provide an overview of existing definitions. Further, the relationship with activation detection power is investigated. Reference tables and conversion formulae are provided to facilitate comparability between fMRI studies.

Improving image quality in poor visibility conditions using a physical model for contrast degradation

Abstract: In daylight viewing conditions, image contrast is often significantly degraded by atmospheric aerosols such as haze and fog. This paper introduces a method for reducing this degradation in situations in which the scene geometry is known. Contrast is lost because light is scattered toward the sensor by the aerosol particles and because the light reflected by the terrain is attenuated by the aerosol. This degradation is approximately characterized by a simple, physically based model with three parameters. The method involves two steps: first, an inverse problem is solved in order to recover the three model parameters; then, for each pixel, the relative contributions of scattered and reflected flux are estimated. The estimated scatter contribution is simply subtracted from the pixel value and the remainder is scaled to compensate for aerosol attenuation. This paper describes the image processing algorithm and presents an analysis of the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) in the resulting enhanced image. This analysis shows that the SNR decreases exponentially with range. A temporal filter structure is proposed to solve this problem. Results are presented for two image sequences taken from an airborne camera in hazy conditions and one sequence in clear conditions. A satisfactory agreement between the model and the experimental data is shown for the haze conditions. A significant improvement in image quality is demonstrated when using the contrast enhancement algorithm in conjuction with a temporal filter.

Virtual monochromatic imaging in dual-source dual-energy CT: Radiation dose and image quality

Abstract: Purpose: To evaluate the image quality of virtual monochromatic images synthesized from dual-source dual-energy computed tomography (CT) in comparison with conventional polychromatic single-energy CT for the same radiation dose. Methods: In dual-energy CT, besides the material-specific information, one may also synthesize monochromatic images at different energies, which can be used for routine diagnosis similar to conventional polychromatic single-energy images. In this work, the authors assessed whether virtual monochromatic images generated from dual-source CT scanners had an image quality similar to that of polychromatic single-energy images for the same radiation dose. First, the authors provided a theoretical analysis of the optimal monochromatic energy for either the minimum noise level or the highest iodine contrast to noise ratio (CNR) for a given patient size and dose partitioning between the low- and high-energy scans. Second, the authors performed an experimental study on a dual-source CT scanner to evaluate the noise and iodine CNR in monochromatic images. A thoracic phantom with three sizes of attenuating rings was used to represent four adult sizes. For each phantom size, three dose partitionings between the low-energy (80 kV) and the high-energy (140 kV) scans were used in the dual-energy scan. Monochromatic images at eight energies (40 to 110 keV) were generated for each scan. Phantoms were also scanned at each of the four polychromatic single energy (80, 100, 120, and 140 kV) with the same radiation dose. Results: The optimal virtual monochromatic energy depends on several factors: phantom size, partitioning of the radiation dose between low- and high-energy scans, and the image quality metrics to be optimized. With the increase of phantom size, the optimal monochromatic energy increased. With the increased percentage of radiation dose on the low energy scan, the optimal monochromatic energy decreased. When maximizing the iodine CNR in monochromatic images, the optimal energy was lower than that when minimizing noise level. When the total radiation dose was equally distributed between low and high energy in dual-energy scans, for minimum noise, the optimal energies were 68, 71, 74, and 77 keV for small, medium, large, and extra-large (xlarge) phantoms, respectively; for maximum iodine CNR, the optimal energies were 66, 68, 70, 72 keV. With the optimal monochromatic energy, the noise level was similar to and the CNR was better than that in a single-energy scan at 120 kV for the same radiation dose. Compared to an 80 kV scan, however, the iodine CNR in monochromatic images was lower for the small, medium, and large phantoms. Conclusions: In dual-source dual-energy CT, optimal virtual monochromatic energy depends on patient size, dose partitioning, and the image quality metric optimized. With the optimal monochromatic energy, the noise level was similar to and the iodine CNR was better than that in 120 kV images for the same radiation dose. Compared to single-energy 80 kV images, the iodine CNR in virtual monochromatic images was lower for small to large phantom sizes.

Low kilovoltage cardiac dual-source CT: attenuation, noise, and radiation dose

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of low kilovoltage dual-source computed tomography coronary angiography (CTCA) on qualitative and quantitative image quality parameters and radiation dose. Dual-source CTCA with retrospective ECG gating was performed in 80 consecutive patients of normal weight. Forty were examined with a standard protocol (120 kV/330mAs), 20 were examined at 100 kV/330mAs, and 20 at 100 kV/220mAs. Two blinded observers independently assessed image quality of each coronary segment and measured the image parameters noise, attenuation, and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR). The effective radiation dose was calculated using CT dose volume index and the dose-length product. Diagnostic image quality was obtained in 99% of all coronary segments (1,127/1,140) without significant differences among the protocols. Image noise, attenuation, and CNR were significantly higher for 100 kV/330mAs (26 ± 3 HU, 549 ± 62 HU, 25.5 ± 3.2; each P < 0.01) and 100 kV/220mAs (27 ± 2 HU, 560 ± 43 HU, 25.0 ± 2.2; each P < 0.01) when compared to the 120-kV protocol (21 ± 2 HU, 317 ± 28 HU, 20.6 ± 1.7). There was no significant difference between the two 100-kV protocols. Estimated effective radiation dose of the 120-kV protocol (8.9 ± 1.2 mSv) was significantly higher than the 100 kV/330mAs (6.7 ± 0.8 mSv, P < 0.01) or 100 kV/220mAs (4.4 ± 0.6 mSv, P < 0.001) protocols. Dual-source CTCA with 100 kV is feasible in patients of normal weight, results in a diagnostic image quality with a higher CNR, and at the same time significantly reduces the radiation dose.