CT Adaptive Iterative Dose Reduction Slated for European Rollout

Clinical findings show that adaptive iterative dose reduction (AIDR) three-dimensional (3D) technology, designed for computed tomography (CT) imaging, considerably reduces noise, while preserving precise details, providing “natural looking” images.

Reconstruction performed with AIDR 3D permits significant dose reduction when compared to scans performed with conventional filtered back projection (FBP) techniques. The AIDR 3D algorithm is designed to work in both the raw data and reconstruction domains and optimizes image quality for each specific body region.

Encouraged by field studies demonstrating the effectiveness of a new iterative-based reconstruction imaging technology in clinical practice, Toshiba Medical Systems (Tokyo, Japan) has decided that all new, and already installed Aquilion One, Premium, and Prime CT scanners will have this new technology, without the need for substantial upgrade costs.

As patients come in all shapes and sizes, automatic exposure control systems have proven to be very useful to maintain diagnostic image quality at a radiation dose suitable for each patient. It is therefore essential that exposure control systems automatically react to dose reduction technology where made available to the customer. Toshiba’s SureExposure 3D exposure control system is fully integrated into the imaging chain. With the integration of AIDR 3D in the scan protocol, the exposure is automatically reduced by up to 75% while providing excellent diagnostic image quality at the lowest dose for all patients.

“When Toshiba installed AIDR 3D, our staff initially looked critically at the image quality for all type of scans. We may say that we are very happy with the image quality and surprised by the low dose levels. Follow-up studies, when compared to previous scans, already clearly demonstrated the impact of AIDR 3D,” said Prof. Alain Blum-Moyse, head of radiology CHU (Nancy, France). “Noise is reduced dramatically. However, this new technology is especially good in artifact suppression [i.e., streaks, beam hardening]. With AIDR 3D integrated in the SureExposure 3D we were able to achieve a dose reduction by up to 75% by the same standard deviation [SD] for noise. But we found in some studies, with the same SD the image quality was so good, we could increase the SD even further, resulting in an even higher average dose reduction. We are very enthusiastic with AIDR 3D, a very promising application is chest CT scan with ultra-low dose, I don’t think we will miss any nodule or lymph node with these scans.”

Major features of AIDR 3D include full integration in scan protocols for improved workflow; dose reduction in clinical setting by up to 75%; minimal penalty in reconstruction times; and noise reduction and improved spatial resolution.

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Toshiba Medical Systems