BACKGROUND:Computed Tomographic (CT) imaging procedures have been reported as the main source of radiation in diagnostic procedures compared to other modalities. To provide the optimal quality of CT images at the minimum radiation risk to the patient, periodic inspections and calibration tests forCT equipment are required. These tests involve a series of measurements that are time consuming and may require specific skills and highly-trained personnel. OBJECTIVE:This study aims to develop a new computational tool to estimate the dose of CT radiation outputs and assist in the calibration of CT scanners. It may also provide an educational resource by which radiological practitioners can learn the influence of technique factors on both patient radiation dose and the produced image quality. METHODS:The computational tool was developed using MATLAB in order to estimate the CT radiation dose parameters for different technique factors. The CT radiation dose parameters were estimated from the calibrated energy spectrum of the x-ray tube for a CT scanner. RESULTS:The estimated dose parameters and the measured values utilising an Adult CT Head Dose Phantom showed linear correlations for different tube voltages (80 kVp, 100 kVp, 120 kVp, and 140 kVp), with R2 nearly equal to 1 (0.99). The maximum differences between the estimated and measured CTDIvol were under 5 %. For 80 kVp and low tube currents (50 mA, 100 mA), the maximum differences were under 10%. CONCLUSIONS:The prototyped computational model provides a tool for the simulation of a machine-specific spectrum and CT dose parameters using a single dose measurement.

中文翻译：

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用于估计计算机断层扫描剂量参数的计算工具的开发

背景：据报道，与其他方式相比，计算机断层扫描 (CT) 成像程序是诊断程序中的主要辐射源。为了以最小的辐射风险为患者提供最佳质量的 CT 图像，需要对 CT 设备进行定期检查和校准测试。这些测试涉及一系列耗时且可能需要特定技能和训练有素的人员的测量。目的：本研究旨在开发一种新的计算工具来估计 CT 辐射输出的剂量并协助校准 CT 扫描仪。它还可以提供一种教育资源，放射科医生可以通过该资源了解技术因素对患者辐射剂量和产生的图像质量的影响。方法：该计算工具是使用 MATLAB 开发的，以估计不同技术因素的 CT 辐射剂量参数。CT 辐射剂量参数是根据 CT 扫描仪的 X 射线管的校准能谱估计的。结果：估计的剂量参数和使用成人 CT 头部剂量模型的测量值显示出不同管电压（80 kVp、100 kVp、120 kVp 和 140 kVp）的线性相关性，R2 几乎等于 1 (0.99)。估计和测量的 CTDIvol 之间的最大差异低于 5%。对于 80 kVp 和低管电流（50 mA、100 mA），最大差异低于 10%。结论：原型计算模型为使用单剂量测量模拟机器特定光谱和 CT 剂量参数提供了一种工具。