Image quality of flat-panel computed tomography using 2 different acquisition times versus multidetector computed tomography in whole-head temporal bone specimen.

Abstract

Imaging of temporal bone and skull base acquire high resolution due to the small anatomic structures with high clinical relevance. The purpose of this study was to compare image quality of the temporal bone in standard 20s protocol flat-panel computed tomography (FPCT) with the new time- and dose improved 10s protocol as well as with 128 slice multidetector computed tomography (MDCT). The aim was to evaluate the new time- and dose improved 10s protocol. 10 whole-skull preparations-20 temporal bones-were scanned with either 128 slice MDCT CT (SOMATOM Definition AS + , Siemens, Erlangen) or FPCT (AXIOM-Artis, Siemens, Erlangen) using 10s or 20s protocol. We show here that overall FPCT provides significantly better image quality and improved delimitation of clinically relevant structures in the temporal bone compared to 128 slice MDCT. Especially the shorter, dose saving 10s protocol of the FPCT is still superior to 128 slice MDCT. The 20s FPCT protocol was only significantly superior in identification of the cochlear apical turn and can thereby be used specifically in clinical cases with pathologies in this area. The 10s FPCT protocol yields a significantly better image quality than MDCT in imaging finer structures of the temporal bone.