Measurement of table feed speed in modern CT

Visualization of X-ray fields, overlaps, and over-beaming on surface of the head in spiral computed tomography using computer-aided design-based X-ray beam modeling

To visualize the X-ray fields, overlaps, and over-beaming on the skin surface during spiral head CT scanning. The measured pitch factors were determined by measuring 3 rotation times, 11 table-feed speeds, and an X-ray beam width. The X-ray fields, overlaps, and over-beaming on the skin surface were calculated via computer-aided design-based X-ray beam modeling, and the values obtained using the nominal pitch and measured pitch factors were compared. The X-ray fields with measured pitch factors exceeded those with nominal pitch factors. The overlaps increased with a decrease in the nominal pitch and measured pitch factors and were observed even at a nominal pitch factor of 1.0. The most stretched over-beaming field was observed with the measured pitch factor of 0.670. The technique can show the overlaps of the X-ray fields and may determine the adequate start angle to prevent overlaps to the eye lens.

Another Way to Perform a Pediatric MRI Avoiding Sedation After Hours When Anesthesia Is Less Accessible: The Skin-to-Skin Technique

This innovative system for conducting pediatric MRI describes a method of calming children by allowing them to rest on their accompanying adult's abdomen during the examination. This approach reduces their agitation, enabling the acquisition of diagnostic images when anesthesia is either unavailable or not advisable.

Measurement of image rotation angle in CT for radiotherapy treatment planning

The geometric accuracy of CT images is essential when they are used for planning radiation therapy. In this study, a method of quantitative testing of image rotation in CT is presented, based on the automated analysis of an image of a phantom half‐filled with water. A plug‐in was written for ImageJ software for automated detection of a water surface in an image and measurement of its angle relative to a horizontal line. A water phantom can be used for the evaluation of image rotation for axial mode. In helical mode the movement of the table would cause movement of the water. The difference between image rotation for axial and helical scans can be evaluated by measuring and comparing the angles of the tabletop surface for both modes. Preliminary results of measurements for three CT scanners show that image rotation does not exceed 0.5°, and is less than 0.1° for the dedicated CT simulator. It was observed that, for one CT scanner image, the rotation angle depended on tube rotation time.

PACS number(s): 87.57.Q‐, 87.55.Qr, 06.30.Bp

CT radiation profile width measurement using CR imaging plate raw data

This technical note demonstrates computed tomography (CT) radiation profile measurement using computed radiography (CR) imaging plate raw data showing it is possible to perform the CT collimation width measurement using a single scan without saturating the imaging plate. Previously described methods require careful adjustments to the CR reader settings in order to avoid signal clipping in the CR processed image. CT radiation profile measurements were taken as part of routine quality control on 14 CT scanners from four vendors. CR cassettes were placed on the CT scanner bed, raised to isocenter, and leveled. Axial scans were taken at all available collimations, advancing the cassette for each scan. The CR plates were processed and raw CR data were analyzed using MATLAB scripts to measure collimation widths. The raw data approach was compared with previously established methodology. The quality control analysis scripts are released as open source using creative commons licensing. A log‐linear relationship was found between raw pixel value and air kerma, and raw data collimation width measurements were in agreement with CR‐processed, bit‐reduced data, using previously described methodology. The raw data approach, with intrinsically wider dynamic range, allows improved measurement flexibility and precision. As a result, we demonstrate a methodology for CT collimation width measurements using a single CT scan and without the need for CR scanning parameter adjustments which is more convenient for routine quality control work.

PACS numbers: 87.57.Q‐, 87.59.bd, 87.57.uq

Evaluation of gantry rotation overrun in axial CT scanning

The purpose of this study was to develop and evaluate a simple method to assess gantry rotation overrun in a single axial CT scanning. The exposure time in the axial scanning was measured at selected nominal rotation times (400, 700, and 1000 ms) using a solid‐state detector, the RTI's CT dose profiler (CTDP). CTDP was placed at the isocenter and the radiation dose rate signal (profile) was recorded. Subsequently, the full width of this profile was determined as the exposure time (Taxial). Next, CTDP was positioned on the inner cover of the gantry with a sheet of lead (1 mm thick) placed on top of the detector. Gantry rotation time (Thelical) was determined by the time between two successive radiation peaks during continuous helical scanning. The gantry overrun time (Toverrun) is, thus, determined as Taxial‐Thelical. The exposure times in the axial scanning, Taxial, obtained with CTDP for nominal rotation times of 400, 700, and 1000 ms were 409.5, 709.6, and 1008.7 ms, respectively. On the other hand, the measured gantry rotation times, Thelical, were 400.0, 700.3, and 999.8 ms, respectively. Therefore, the overruns were 9.5, 9.3, and 8.9 ms for nominal rotation times of 400, 700, and 1000 ms, respectively. The evaluation of overrun in axial scanning can be accomplished with the measurements of both the exposure time in axial scanning and the gantry rotation time. It is also noteworthy that in this context, overrun implies overexposure in axial scanning, which is still used, particularly, in head CT examination.

PACS number: 87.57.Q‐