Tube current modulation between single-and dual-energy CT with a second-generation dual-source scanner: Radiation dose and image quality

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of tube current modulation between single-and dual-energy CT with a second-generation dual-source scanner. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Custom-made elliptic polymethylmethacrylate phantoms for slim and large patients were used. Absorbed radiation dose at the central point of the phantoms was measured with a solid-state detector while the phantoms were scanned in single-energy (120 kV) and dual-energy (100/Sn140, 80/Sn140, and 140/80 kV) modes with a second-generation dual-source CT scanner. Tube current modulation was activated in both modes, and quality reference tube current-time settings of 150, 300, 450, and 600 mAs were selected. Scanning was performed three times under the same conditions, and image noise was evaluated by measuring the SD of CT numbers in four separate regions of three adjacent images of the phantoms. RESULTS. Absorbed dose increased and image noise decreased with an increase in quality reference tube current-time setting when the slim phantom was scanned. For the large phantom, the radiation dose and noise level reached a plateau above quality reference tube current-time settings of 300 mAs for 100/Sn140 kV and 450 mAs for 120 kV. The radiation dose was small and the noise level was large with 80/Sn140 kV compared with that obtained with 120 and 100/Sn140 kV at all quality reference tube current-time settings. CONCLUSION. When a large phantom is scanned with 100/Sn140 kV, exposure demand for tube current modulation exceeds system limits at a lower quality reference tube current-time setting than for scanning 120 kV.