Program Information
Design and Optimization of a CBCT Head Scanner for Detection of Acute Intracranial Hemorrhage
J Xu1*, A Sisniega1 , W Zbijewski1 , H Dang1 , J Stayman1 , X Wang2 , DH Foos2 , N Aygun1 , V Koliatsos1 , JH Siewerdsen1 , (1) Johns Hopkins University, Balitmore, MD, (2) Carestream Health, Rochester, NY
Presentations
WE-EF-207-3 (Wednesday, July 15, 2015) 1:45 PM - 3:45 PM Room: 207
Purpose: To design a dedicated x-ray cone-beam CT (CBCT) system suitable to deployment at the point-of-care and offering reliable detection of acute intracranial hemorrhage (ICH), traumatic brain injury (TBI), stroke, and other head and neck injuries.
Methods: A comprehensive task-based image quality model was developed to guide system design and optimization of a prototype head scanner suitable to imaging of acute TBI and ICH. Previously reported models were expanded to include the effects of x-ray scatter correction necessary for detection of low contrast ICH and the contribution of bit depth (digitization noise) to imaging performance. Task-based detectablity index provided the objective function for optimization of system geometry, x-ray source, detector type, anti-scatter grid, and technique at 10–25 mGy dose. Optimal characteristics were experimentally validated using a custom head phantom with 50 HU contrast ICH inserts imaged on a CBCT imaging bench allowing variation of system geometry, focal spot size, detector, grid selection, and x-ray technique.
Results: The model guided selection of system geometry with a nominal source-detector distance 1100 mm and optimal magnification of 1.50. Focal spot size ~0.6 mm was sufficient for spatial resolution requirements in ICH detection. Imaging at 90 kVp yielded the best tradeoff between noise and contrast. The model provided quantitation of tradeoffs between flat-panel and CMOS detectors with respect to electronic noise, field of view, and readout speed required for imaging of ICH. An anti-scatter grid was shown to provide modest benefit in conjunction with post-acquisition scatter correction. Images of the head phantom demonstrate visualization of millimeter-scale simulated ICH.
Conclusions: Performance consistent with acute TBI and ICH detection is feasible with model-based system design and robust artifact correction in a dedicated head CBCT system. Further improvements can be achieved with incorporation of model-based iterative reconstruction techniques also within the scope of the task-based optimization framework.
Funding Support, Disclosures, and Conflict of Interest: David Foos and Xiaohui Wang are employees of Carestream Health
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