Influence of Tube Voltage, Tin Filtration, and Sex on Radiation Dose and Image Quality in Adult Chest Photon-Counting CT: A Phantom-Based Signal-to-Noise-Based Analysis.

PURPOSE: Photon-counting computed tomography (PCCT) offers new possibilities for optimizing image quality while reducing radiation dose. However, the influence of acquisition parameters such as tube voltage and spectral shaping with tin filtration on chest imaging remains insufficiently understood.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

Adult male and female anthropomorphic phantoms were scanned using a dual-source PCCT system across a broad range of image quality levels (IQL 1-100). Radiation dose and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) were evaluated for protocols using 120 kVp and 140 kVp without tin filtration, and 100 kVp with tin filtration.

RESULTS

The male phantom required a significantly higher tube current and radiation dose than the female, reflecting sex-based attenuation differences. Increasing the tube voltage to 140 kVp raised the radiation dose with minimal SNR improvement. Tin filtration substantially reduced the dose despite a higher mAs, with the radiation dose and tube current plateauing near IQL 80. In the low-dose range (IQL 1-20), tin filtration enabled dose reduction without saturation. Slight SNR trade-offs between bone and mediastinum highlight the need for tissue-specific considerations when optimizing PCCT chest protocols.

CONCLUSION

Sex- and tissue-specific differences with tin filtration and varying tube voltages underscore baseline differences in radiation dose and image quality behavior between representative adult body geometries. These baseline relationships provide a technical foundation for future patient-specific protocol optimization.

KEY POINTS: · A higher tube voltage increased the radiation dose with limited image quality benefit.. · Tin filtration enables substantial radiation dose reduction in low-dose adult chest PCCT.. · Tin filtration causes image quality and dose plateaus at image quality levels around 80.. · Baseline radiation dose and image quality relationships support future patient-specific chest PCCT optimization..

CITATION FORMAT: · Klüner LV, Zensen S, aus der Wiesche H et al. Influence of Tube Voltage, Tin Filtration, and Sex on Radiation Dose and Image Quality in Adult Chest Photon-Counting CT: A Phantom-Based Signal-to-Noise-Based Analysis. Rofo 2026; DOI 10.1055/a-2829-0195.