TY - JOUR
T1 - Geometric accuracy of low-dose CT scans for use in shoulder musculoskeletal research applications
AU - Lawrence, Rebekah L.
AU - Nicholson, Lydia
AU - Lee, Erin C.S.
AU - Napier, Kelby
AU - Zmistowski, Benjamin
AU - Rainbow, Michael J.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2024 The Author(s)
PY - 2024/8
Y1 - 2024/8
N2 - Computed tomography (CT) imaging is frequently employed in a variety of musculoskeletal research applications. Although research studies often use imaging protocols developed for clinical applications, lower dose protocols are likely possible when the goal is to reconstruct 3D bone models. Our purpose was to describe the dose-accuracy trade-off between incrementally lower-dose CT scans and the geometric reconstruction accuracy of the humerus, scapula, and clavicle. Six shoulder specimens were acquired and scanned using 5 helical CT protocols: 1) 120 kVp, 450 mA (full-dose); 2) 120 kVp, 120 mA; 3) 120 kVp, 100 mA; 4) 100 kVp, 100 mA; 5) 80 kVp, 80 mA. Scans were segmented and reconstructed into 3D surface meshes. Geometric error was assessed by comparing the surfaces of the low-dose meshes to the full-dose (gold standard) mesh and was described using mean absolute error, bias, precision, and worst-case error. All low-dose protocols resulted in a >70 % reduction in the effective dose. Lower dose scans resulted in higher geometric errors; however, error magnitudes were generally <0.5 mm. These data suggest that the effective dose associated with CT imaging can be substantially reduced without a significant loss of geometric reconstruction accuracy.
AB - Computed tomography (CT) imaging is frequently employed in a variety of musculoskeletal research applications. Although research studies often use imaging protocols developed for clinical applications, lower dose protocols are likely possible when the goal is to reconstruct 3D bone models. Our purpose was to describe the dose-accuracy trade-off between incrementally lower-dose CT scans and the geometric reconstruction accuracy of the humerus, scapula, and clavicle. Six shoulder specimens were acquired and scanned using 5 helical CT protocols: 1) 120 kVp, 450 mA (full-dose); 2) 120 kVp, 120 mA; 3) 120 kVp, 100 mA; 4) 100 kVp, 100 mA; 5) 80 kVp, 80 mA. Scans were segmented and reconstructed into 3D surface meshes. Geometric error was assessed by comparing the surfaces of the low-dose meshes to the full-dose (gold standard) mesh and was described using mean absolute error, bias, precision, and worst-case error. All low-dose protocols resulted in a >70 % reduction in the effective dose. Lower dose scans resulted in higher geometric errors; however, error magnitudes were generally <0.5 mm. These data suggest that the effective dose associated with CT imaging can be substantially reduced without a significant loss of geometric reconstruction accuracy.
KW - Computed tomography (CT)
KW - Low-dose
KW - Musculoskeletal modeling
KW - Shoulder
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85200105630&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.medengphy.2024.104214
DO - 10.1016/j.medengphy.2024.104214
M3 - Article
C2 - 39160033
AN - SCOPUS:85200105630
SN - 1350-4533
VL - 130
JO - Medical Engineering and Physics
JF - Medical Engineering and Physics
M1 - 104214
ER -