Optimization of Tube Potential for Radiation Dose Reduction in CT

Tube potential is an important scanning parameter that should be optimized in clinical CT in order to improve image quality or reduce radiation dose. The main benefit of lower tube potentials is the improved enhancement of contrast materials relative to higher tube potentials. However, there is usually increased image noise at lower tube potentials, especially for larger patient sizes. This tradeoff between contrast enhancement and noise requires that patient size and diagnostic task be carefully considered when selecting the optimal tube potential for radiation dose reduction. In addition, CT x-ray tube and generator limitations, scanning speed, and artifacts must also be considered. This chapter describes the basic principles of optimal tube potential for radiation dose reduction in CT and provides a summary of recent development on automatic selection of optimal tube potential.

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