Tomonobu Haba

Abstract Purpose The energy threshold is an important parameter for precise material identification employing photon‐counting techniques. However, in such applications, the appropriate energy threshold has not been clarified. Therefore, we aimed to determine the appropriate energy threshold range for precise material identification, focusing on effective atomic number (Z) values as an index. Methods The atomic number was estimated using a previously proposed algorithm and Monte Carlo simulations. This algorithm included three steps: calculating the attenuation factor from the incident photon counts on a photon‐counting detector, correcting the beam‐hardening effects, and estimating the atomic number from the attenuation factor index using the calibration curve. Monte Carlo simulations were performed to add Poisson noise to an ideal x‐ray spectrum. The total number of incident x‐rays was set in the range of 10³–10⁶. The x‐ray spectra were generated at tube voltages of 50–120 kV. Polymethyl methacrylate (Z = 6.5) and aluminum (Z = 13) were used for the analysis. The energy threshold was varied at intervals of 1 keV to estimate the atomic number. We evaluated the appropriate energy threshold range for accurately estimating the atomic number using the obtained atomic number data and statistical uncertainty under various conditions. Results The appropriate energy threshold range was found to be 31–38 keV for a tube voltage range of 50–120 kV. At this energy threshold, the atomic number can be estimated within an accuracy of ± 0.7 at 10⁵ counts for the atomic number range of 6.5 (PMMA) to 13 (Al). Conclusions We found the appropriate energy threshold range. The findings of this study are expected to be useful for appropriately setting the energy threshold during precise material identification using photon‐counting detectors for clinical applications.

This study aimed to assess fetal radiation exposure in pregnant women undergoing computed tomography (CT) and rotational angiography (RA) examinations for the diagnosis of pelvic trauma. In addition, this study aimed to compare the dose distributions between the two examinations. Surface and average fetal doses were estimated during CT and RA examinations using a pregnant phantom model and real-time dosemeters. The pregnant model phantom was constructed using an anthropomorphic phantom, and a custom-made abdominal phantom was used to simulate pregnancy. The total average fetal dose received by pregnant women from both CT scans (plain, arterial and equilibrium phases) and a single RA examination was ~60 mGy. Because unnecessary repetition of radiographic examinations, such as CT or conventional 2D angiography can increase the radiation risk, the irradiation range should be limited, if necessary, to reduce overall radiation exposure.