Premium
Optimized radiographic spectra for small animal digital subtraction angiography
Author(s) -
De Lin Ming,
Samei Ehsan,
Badea Cristian T.,
Yoshizumi Terry T.,
Allan Johnson G.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
medical physics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.473
H-Index - 180
eISSN - 2473-4209
pISSN - 0094-2405
DOI - 10.1118/1.2356646
Subject(s) - subtraction , digital subtraction angiography , digital radiography , image quality , contrast to noise ratio , normalization (sociology) , computed radiography , angiography , optics , physics , mathematics , radiography , materials science , radiology , computer science , medicine , artificial intelligence , arithmetic , sociology , anthropology , image (mathematics)
The increasing use of small animals in basic research has spurred interest in new imaging methodologies. Digital subtraction angiography (DSA) offers a particularly appealing approach to functional imaging in the small animal. This study examines the optimal x‐ray, molybdenum (Mo) or tungsten (W) target sources, and technique to produce the highest quality small animal functional subtraction angiograms in terms of contrast and signal‐difference‐to‐noise ratio squared ( SdNR 2 ) . Two limiting conditions were considered—normalization with respect to dose and normalization against tube loading. Image contrast andSdNR 2were simulated using an established x‐ray model. DSA images of live rats were taken at two representative tube potentials for the W and Mo sources. Results show that for small animal DSA, the Mo source provides better contrast. However, with digital detectors,SdNR 2is the more relevant figure of merit. The W source operated at kVps > 60 achieved a higherSdNR 2 . The highestSdNR 2was obtained at voltages above 90 kVp . However, operation at the higher potential results in significantly greater dose and tube load and reduced contrast quantization. A reasonable tradeoff can be achieved at tube potentials at the beginning of the performance plateau, around 70 kVp , where the relative gain inSdNR 2is the greatest.