Analysis of CR dose reduction in pediatric patients, based on computer-simulated noise addition

This paper validates a technique to add statistical noise to a Computed Radiography (CR) in order to simulate accurately how the same image would appear if taken at a reduced tube current. To that, a noise addition software has been developed to create lower dose CR using existing pediatric radiographies based on the selection of lower X-ray tube current. The effect of different milliAmpere-seconds (mAs) setting on image quality has been evaluated using the CDMAM 3.4 phantom and the obtained results show good agreements between the simulated and real images in terms of noise measurement. The new CR images allow medical researchers to study how lower dose affects the patient diagnosis.