Photon-counting CT allows better visualization of temporal bone structures in comparison with current generation multi-detector CT

Purpose To compare photon-counting CT (PCCT) and multi-detector CT (MDCT) for visualization of temporal bone anatomic structures. Methods Thirty-six exams of temporal bones without pathology were collected from consecutive patients on a MDCT, and another 35 exams on a PCCT scanner. Two radiologists independently scored visibility of 14 structures for the MDCT and PCCT dataset, using a 5-point Likert scale, with a 2-month wash-out period. For MDCT, the acquisition parameters were: 110 kV, 64 × 0.6 mm (slice thickness reconstructed to 0.4 mm), pitch 0.85, quality ref. mAs 150, and 1 s rotation time; for PCCT: 120 kV, 144 × 0.2 mm, pitch 0.35, IQ level 75, and 0.5 s rotation time. Patient doses were reported as dose length product values (DLP). Statistical analysis was done using the Mann–Whitney U test, visual grading characteristic (VGC) analysis, and ordinal regression. Results Substantial agreement was found between readers (intraclass correlation coefficient 0.63 and 0.52 for MDCT and PCCT, resp.). All structures were scored higher for PCCT ( p