Rad Tech's Guide to Photon Counting Computed Tomography

Preface ix Acknowledgments xiii 1. The Invention of the Computed Tomography Scanner and the Nobel Prize 1 Introduction 2 What Is Computed Tomography? 2 Invention of the Computed Tomography Scanner: Contribution of the Pioneers 2 Godfrey Newbold Hounsfield 3 Allan MacLeod Cormack 4 Physical Principles and Technology of Computed Tomography: A Brief Overview 4 Major Processes of Computed Tomography Imaging 5 The Evolution of Computed Tomography Detectors 7 Photon- Counting Detectors: Current State of Computed Tomography Imaging 8 References 9 2. Conventional Computed Tomography: Essential Physics and Technology 13 Introduction 14 Radiation Attenuation Considerations in Computed Tomography: Essential Physics 15 Attenuation and Computed Tomography Numbers 17 Multislice Computed Tomography: Principles and Technology 19 Slip- Ring Technology 21 X- Ray Tubes for Multislice Computed Tomography Scanners 21 Interpolation: An Essential Concept for Multislice Computed Tomography Imaging 22 Image Reconstruction Algorithms in a Nutshell 22 Detector Technology: Key Features 28 Limitations of Energy Integrating Detectors: Image Quality Considerations 30 References 31 3. Photon- Counting Computed Tomography: Physical Principles and Technology 33 Introduction 34 Historical Perspectives 36 Photon- Counting Detectors for Computed Tomography Imaging – Early Preclinical Works 37 Computed Tomography Detectors: Physical Principles and Technology 38 Energy- Integrating Detectors 39 Photon- Counting Detectors 43 Photon- Counting Detectors: Physical Principles and Technology 44 Basic Structure and Function of a Photon- Counting Detector 44 Image Reconstruction in Photon- Counting Computed Tomography 51 Advantages of Photon- Counting Computed Tomography at a Glance 51 Technical Limitations of Photon- Counting Detectors 52 References 55 4. Advantages of Photon Counting Computed Tomography 59 Introduction 59 Advantages of Photon- Counting Detectors 60 Higher/Improved Spatial Resolution 60 Electronic Noise Removal 63 Energy Weighting/Improved Contrast Resolution 65 Increased Dose Efficiency 66 Correction of Beam- Hardening Artifacts 68 Material- Specific Imaging/Multienergy Acquisition 68 References 70 5. Quality Assurance/Quality Control Considerations 75 Introduction 76 What Is Quality Assurance/Quality Control? 76 Three Major Components of a Quality Control Program 77 Performance Criteria 78 The American College of Radiology Quality Control Manual for Computed Tomography 78 The American College of Radiology Computed Tomography Phantom 79 Establishing a Quality Control Program for a Clinical Photon Counting Detector Computed Tomography System 80 A Word About Virtual Monoenergetic Images 82 QC Testing 84 Results 84 References 88 6. Clinical Applications of Photon-Counting Computed Tomography: A Brief Overview 91 Introduction 92 Clinical Applications of Photon-Counting Computed Tomography 94 Chest Imaging 95 Temporal Bone Imaging 95 Abdominal Imaging 97 Musculoskeletal Imaging 98 Cardiovascular Imaging 103 Conclusion 107 References 107 Index 111