Comparing CNR, SNR, and Image Quality of CT ImagesReconstructed with Soft Kernel, Standard Kernel, andStandard Kernel plus ASIR 30% Techniques

AIM: Compare effect of soft kernel (SK) and 30% adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction (ASIR) and standard kernel (StK) techniques on image quality. Materials and Methods: Three radiologists blinded to the type of reconstruction kernel used, independently reviewed 2.5mm-thick- axial abdominal CT-scans performed for 66-randomly selected patients, optimized for oncologic imaging. The filtered-back-projection images were reconstructed using: SK, ASIR 30% and StK. The Contrast to noise ratio (CNRs) and Signal to noise ration (SNRs) were calculated. The visibility and sharpness of abdominal structures were rated (qualitatively) . Summary of pair-wise comparisons among series for CNRs and SNRs were performed. Estimates and standard-error were based on a linear mixed model. P values were adjusted using the Tukey-Kramer method to control overall type I error rate. Results: Image series reconstructed with SK or ASIR had higher CNRs than those with StK alone ( P < .009 and .002, respectively). Qualitatively images reconstructed with ASIR or SK were better than with the StK ( P < .05). SK produced significantly fewer artifacts than ASIR 30%. There was no difference in the SNR among series. Conclusion: Images reconstructed with SK or ASIR had better image quality than StK. Scanners that cannot use ASIR may benefit from using the SK technique to improve image quality. Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";}