Low-Dose Pelvic Computed Tomography Using Adaptive Iterative Dose Reduction 3-Dimensional Algorithm: A Phantom Study

Objective To evaluate the image quality and radiation dose reduction in pelvic computed tomography (CT) achieved with an adaptive iterative dose reduction 3-dimensional (AIDR 3D) algorithm using a phantom model. Methods Two phantoms were scanned using a 320-detector row CT scanner with 8 tube current levels, and the images were reconstructed with a standard filtered back projection (FBP) algorithm and with an AIDR 3D algorithm. Results Compared with FBP, AIDR 3D reduced image noise and improved contrast-to-noise ratios. The diagnostic performance for detection of low-contrast targets of AIDR 3D images obtained with 100 mA at 120 kVp was almost as good as that of the FBP images obtained with 200 mA. Conclusions The AIDR 3D algorithm substantially reduced image noise and improved the image quality of pelvic CT images compared with those obtained with the FBP algorithm and can thus be considered a promising technique for low-dose pelvic CT examinations