Automated Technique to Measure Noise in Clinical CT Examinations

The global noise level provides an accurate, robust, and automated method to measure CT noise in clinical examinations for quality assurance programs. The significant difference in noise across scanner models indicates the unexploited potential to efficiently assess and subsequently improve protocol consistency. Combined with other automated characterization of imaging performance (e.g., dose monitoring), the global noise level may offer a promising platform for the standardization and optimization of CT protocols.