Low-dose CT of the lung: potential value of iterative reconstructions

Objectives To prospectively assess the impact of sinogram-affirmed iterative reconstruction (SAFIRE) on image quality of nonenhanced low-dose lung CT as compared to filtered back projection (FBP). Methods Nonenhanced low-dose chest CT (tube current-time product: 30 mAs) was performed on 30 patients at 100 kVp and on 30 patients at 80 kVp. Images were reconstructed with FBP and SAFIRE. Two blinded, independent readers measured image noise; two readers assessed image quality of normal anatomic lung structures on a five-point scale. Radiation dose parameters were recorded. Results Image noise in datasets reconstructed with FBP (57.4 ± 15.9) was significantly higher than with SAFIRE (31.7 ± 9.8, P