Abstract
Computed tomography (CT) is a modality of choice for the study of the musculoskeletal
system for various indications including the study of bone, calcifications, internal
derangements of joints (with CT arthrography), as well as periprosthetic complications.
However, CT remains intrinsically limited by the fact that it exposes patients to
ionizing radiation. Scanning protocols need to be optimized to achieve diagnostic
image quality at the lowest radiation dose possible. In this optimization process,
the radiologist needs to be familiar with the parameters used to quantify radiation
dose and image quality. CT imaging of the musculoskeletal system has certain specificities
including the focus on high-contrast objects (i.e., in CT of bone or CT arthrography).
These characteristics need to be taken into account when defining a strategy to optimize
dose and when choosing the best combination of scanning parameters. In the first part
of this review, we present the parameters used for the evaluation and quantification
of radiation dose and image quality. In the second part, we discuss different strategies
to optimize radiation dose and image quality at CT, with a focus on the musculoskeletal
system and the use of novel iterative reconstruction techniques.
Keywords
computed tomography - image quality - radiation dose - iterative reconstruction techniques
- musculoskeletal imaging
