In this article, we present an overview that compares the relative impact of anatomical noise reduction in dual-energy x-ray imaging (DE) and digital tomosynthesis (DT) on lung nodule conspicuity. Both technologies have been available for a few decades, but with digital detectors becoming faster, cheaper, and ubiquitous, these advanced imaging applications have become increasingly promising for clinical use.
Below is an introduction to the assessment of anatomical noise using an anthropomorphic chest phantom imaged across three modalities: digital radiography (DR),DE, and DT. The results are further used to provide some insight on how to optimize acquisition parameters by increasing image quality while minimizing patient dose.