Study of the Feasibility of Optimizing the Skull Computed Tomography Protocol Using Figure of Merit
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.29384/rbfm.2025.v19.19849001802Keywords:
optimization, computed tomography, figure of meritAbstract
Computerized tomography medical examinations are an imaging diagnostic method that employs high doses of radiation, compared to other diagnostic modalities. According to Resolution RDC 611/2022, medical exposures of patients must be optimized to the minimum value necessary to obtain the radiological objective, as well as being compatible with acceptable image quality standards. The objective of this work is to present the evaluation of a process to optimize the skull computed tomography examination protocol using the figure of merit (FOM) method, evaluating image acquisition parameters, dose and quality of image. FOM was calculated using contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) and volumetric computed tomography dose index (CTDIvol). The tomographic image quality assessment simulator of the tomography equipment
itself was used to calculate the CNR and CTDIvol indicated by the equipment for each evaluated protocol. The criterion established to indicate the most optimized protocol was the one that obtained the highest FOM value. 10 protocols were evaluated, varying the current, tube rotation time and iDose, in addition to the routine protocol currently used. Among the protocols evaluated, two protocols showed better performance, Protocol 08 and Protocol 09, promoting an increase in FOM of 34.47% and 31.61% and a dose reduction of 50.29% and 50.10% respectively, in relation to the routine protocol currently used.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Danillo Menezes Oliveira, Fábio Alessandro Rolemberg Silva, João Vinícius Batista Valença, Marcelo Motta Garcia, Claudio Lucindo Rodrigues Junior
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