Low contrast detection in abdominal CT: comparing single-slice and multi-slice tasks

Alexandre Ba; Damien Racine; Anaïs Viry; Francis R. Verdun; Sabine Schmidt M.D.; François O. Bochud

doi:10.1117/12.2254237

10 March 2017 Low contrast detection in abdominal CT: comparing single-slice and multi-slice tasks

Alexandre Ba, Damien Racine, Anaïs Viry, Francis R. Verdun, Sabine Schmidt M.D., François O. Bochud

Proceedings Volume 10136, Medical Imaging 2017: Image Perception, Observer Performance, and Technology Assessment; 101360S (2017) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2254237
Event: SPIE Medical Imaging, 2017, Orlando, Florida, United States

Abstract

Image quality assessment is crucial for the optimization of computed tomography (CT) protocols. Human and mathematical model observers are increasingly used for the detection of low contrast signal in abdominal CT, but are frequently limited to the use of a single image slice. Another limitation is that most of them only consider the detection of a signal embedded in a uniform background phantom. The purpose of this paper was to test if human observer performance is significantly different in CT images read in single or multiple slice modes and if these differences are the same for anatomical and uniform clinical images. We investigated detection performance and scrolling trends of human observers of a simulated liver lesion embedded in anatomical and uniform CT backgrounds. Results show that observers don’t take significantly benefit of additional information provided in multi-slice reading mode. Regarding the background, performances are moderately higher for uniform than for anatomical images. Our results suggest that for low contrast detection in abdominal CT, the use of multi-slice model observers would probably only add a marginal benefit. On the other hand, the quality of a CT image is more accurately estimated with clinical anatomical backgrounds.

Conference Presentation

Citation Download Citation

Alexandre Ba, Damien Racine, Anaïs Viry, Francis R. Verdun, Sabine Schmidt M.D., and François O. Bochud "Low contrast detection in abdominal CT: comparing single-slice and multi-slice tasks", Proc. SPIE 10136, Medical Imaging 2017: Image Perception, Observer Performance, and Technology Assessment, 101360S (10 March 2017); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2254237

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