The purpose of the present work was to compare the quality of low-dose projections from a photon-counting with a flat-panel system, and to evaluate a novel image processing method. Images were acquired of phantoms in both systems at average glandular doses ranging from ~ 0.15 to 1.4 mGy. Automated detection of low-contrast features and modulation transfer functions were evaluated in phantom images. The novel image processing method was compared with standard processing in a series of clinical cases. At low-doses (~0.15) the photon-counting system out-performed the flat-panel system with a much higher detectability of low-contrast features. The novel algorithm was superior to both manufacturers’ processing in terms of conspicuity of soft-tissue lesions (p > 0.05), whereas it was not significantly different in calcification conspicuity. Photon-counting should allow more low-dose projections to be acquired at the same total dose. The novel image enhancer can help to further increase the image quality.

中文翻译：

---

使用新的图像处理方法进行 3D 成像的光子计数和平板数字乳房 X 线摄影的比较

本工作的目的是比较来自光子计数和平板系统的低剂量投影的质量，并评估一种新的图像处理方法。在两个系统中以大约 0.15 到 1.4 mGy 的平均腺体剂量获得了幻影的图像。在幻像图像中评估了低对比度特征和调制传递函数的自动检测。在一系列临床案例中，将新的图像处理方法与标准处理进行了比较。在低剂量 (~0.15) 下，光子计数系统的性能优于平板系统，具有更高的低对比度特征的可检测性。新算法在软组织损伤的显着性方面优于两家制造商的处理（p > 0.05），而在钙化显着性方面没有显着差异。光子计数应该允许在相同的总剂量下获得更多的低剂量投射。新型图像增强器有助于进一步提高图像质量。