Feasibility of lung imaging with a large field-of-view spectral photon-counting CT system

The purpose of this study was to characterize the technical capabilities and feasibility a large field-of-view clinical spectral photon-counting computed tomography (SPCCT) prototype for high-resolution (HR) lung imaging. Measurement modulation transfer function (MTF) acquisition line pairs phantom were performed. An anthropomorphic nodule scanned with standard (120 kVp, 62 mAs), low 11 ultra-low (80 3 mAs) radiation doses. A human volunteer underwent 63 dose scans after approval by ethics committee. HR images reconstructed 1024 matrix, 300 mm field view 0.25 slice thickness using filtered-back projection (FBP) two levels iterative reconstruction (iDose 5 9). conspicuity sharpness various structures (distal airways, vessels, fissures proximal bronchial wall), image noise, overall quality independently analyzed three radiologists compared previous CT examination same performed conventional equipped energy integrating detectors 10 mAs, FBP). Ten percent MTF measured at 22.3 lp/cm cut-off 31 lp/cm. Up 28 depicted. While mixed solid nodules easily depicted on low-dose images, higher iDose thicknesses (1 mm) needed visualize ground-glass components ultra-low-dose images. Standard SPCCT in vivo greater sharpness, quality, similar noise (despite flux reduction 23%) Low-dose or lower but acceptable 89%). demonstrates high resolution human.