Otto Rapalino
CT radiation exposure has progressively increased in the last few years because of the wide availability of CT scanners and the increasingly important role of CT imaging as a noninvasive diagnostic technique. Iterative reconstruction techniques offer the possibility of improving contrast resolution while reducing radiation exposure. The clinical availability of iterative reconstruction methods in CT scanners was made possible by technical improvements in hardware and software capabilities. Iterative reconstruction techniques have a great potential to improve contrast resolution while reducing CT radiation exposure.
Our practice changed tremendously with the availability of iterative reconstruction techniques in our clinical CT scanners. Our CT radiation exposure numbers decreased dramatically and we discovered clinical examples where the new iterative reconstruction improved the visualization of certain pathologies. It took a while to get used to the “plastic” appearance of the CT images with high levels of iterative reconstruction, but now this appearance has been completely assimilated and accepted in our practice. Considering the apparent lack of significant deleterious effects on spatial resolution or diagnostic performance, iterative reconstruction techniques will likely become more broadly available in the near future.
Multiple radiologists have approached me about the paper and asked me about my current experience with this type of iterative reconstruction. There is a broad interest in the potential applications of these techniques, particularly their use as an additional method to minimize radiation exposure.
Our neuroradiology division has several research projects dealing with the next generation of iterative reconstruction techniques and methods to decrease CT radiation exposure, particularly in the pediatric population.