Impact of non-Gaussian noise properties, not characterized by the noise power spectrum, on CT noise texture

Daniel W. Shin, Kirsten L. Boedeker, L. Oostveen, I. Sechopoulos, C. Abbey

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Physicists generally use the Noise Power Spectra (NPS) and Standard Deviation (SD) to characterize noise properties associated with non-linear reconstruction algorithms. However, these metrics capture only first and second order statistics. The purpose of this work is to characterize the impact of the higher order statistics, commonly associated with non-linear reconstruction, on noise texture. Images of a 32cm water phantom were acquired on the Aquilion ONE Genesis Computed Tomography (CT) system and reconstructed with deep learning reconstruction (DLR), model-based iterative reconstruction (MBIR), hybrid iterative reconstruction (AIDR), and filtered backprojection (FBP). Regions of interest (ROIs) of 100x100pixels were extracted from the center of the images. Pure Gaussian noise counterpart image datasets with the same mean, SD, and NPS as each acquired data condition were also generated by convolving random white noise with the root-NPS of the acquired data. Nine naïve observers were tasked with distinguishing the acquired noise image from its pure Gaussian counterpart via a two-alternative forced choice experiment. Results showed the FBP images appeared indistinguishable from their pure Gaussian counterparts (Percent Correct=54%), while MBIR images were readily distinguishable from Gaussian ones (Percent Correct=98-100%). DLR and AIDR images were more difficult to distinguish from their pure Gaussian counterparts (Percent Correct=58-88%), than MBIR, which indicates that it is more similar in perceived texture to Gaussian noise. This work demonstrates the appearance of CT noise texture may be dependent on higher orders statistics not captured by the NPS; noise textures with identical NPS and SD can be distinguished based on non-Gaussian properties.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationMedical Imaging 2023
Subtitle of host publicationPhysics of Medical Imaging
EditorsLifeng Yu, Rebecca Fahrig, John M. Sabol
PublisherSPIE
ISBN (Electronic)9781510660311
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2023
Externally publishedYes
EventSPIE Medical Imaging 2023 - San Diego, United States
Duration: 19 Feb 202324 Feb 2023

Publication series

NameProgress in Biomedical Optics and Imaging - Proceedings of SPIE
Volume12463
ISSN (Print)1605-7422

Conference

ConferenceSPIE Medical Imaging 2023
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CitySan Diego
Period19/02/2324/02/23

Keywords

  • n/a OA procedure

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