Method for determining the half-value layer in computed tomography scans using a real-time dosimeter: Application to dual-source dual-energy acquisition

•A modified lead-covered case method can determines the half-value layers.•The method does not require X-ray tubes to be fixed during measurements.•The method can be applied to dual-source dual-energy computed tomography scans.•The peak method shows a more accurate half-value layer than the integrated method.•A combination of a 1.0-cm aperture of the case and the peak method is adequate. We have proposed a method for determining the half-value layers (HVL) in dual-source dual-energy computed tomography (DS-DECT) scans without the need for the X-ray tubes to be fixed. A custom-made lead-covered case and an ionizing chamber connected with a multi-function digitizer module (a real-time dosimeter) were used. The chamber was placed in the center of the case, and aluminum or copper filters were placed in front of the aperture. The HVL was measured using aperture widths of 1.0, 2.0, and 3.0 cm for tube potentials of 80, 120, and 150 kV in single-source single-energy CT (SS-SECT) scans and was calculated from the peak air kerma rate (peak method) and the integrated air kerma rate (integrating method); the obtained values were compared with those from a conventional non-rotating method performed using the same procedure. The HVL was then measured using an aperture width of 1.0 cm for tube potential combinations of 70/Sn150 kV and 100/Sn150 kV in DS-DECT scans using the peak method. In the SS-SECT scans, the combination of a 1.0-cm aperture and the peak method was adequate due to the small differences in the HVL values obtained for the conventional non-rotating method. The method was also found to be applicable for the DS-DECT scans. Our proposed method can determine the HVL in SS-SE and DS-DECT scans to a good level of accuracy without the need for the X-ray tubes to be fixed. The combination of a 1.0-cm aperture and the peak method was adequate.