Quantitative Evaluation of Image Quality and Radiation Dose Using Novel Intelligent Noise Reduction (INR) Software in Chest Radiography: A Phantom Study.

This study quantitatively evaluates the novel Intelligent Noise Reduction (INR) software NE 3.10.0.15 across three chest radiography protocols, namely, physical anti-scatter grid, non-grid, and virtual anti-scatter grid, to optimise the patient radiation dose while maintaining sufficient image quality. Quantitative image quality and radiation dose were evaluated using a CDRAD phantom with 20 cm PMMA to simulate the patient across three chest protocol settings at INR levels of 0, 5, and 8 for both PA and LAT projections. Effective doses were estimated using PCXMC Monte Carlo simulation software 2.0. The findings revealed significant improvements in image quality with increasing INR levels, with INR8 consistently outperforming INR5 and non-INR settings. Protocols employing virtual or no grid achieved substantial radiation dose reductions of 77-82% compared to the physical grid. The virtual grid did enhance the quantitative image quality by 6-9% compared to non-grid configurations. INR software, particularly when combined with virtual anti-scatter grids, offers a promising solution for improving image quality while significantly reducing the patient radiation dose in chest radiography. Future clinical validation, incorporating subjective visual assessments by radiologists, is recommended to confirm these findings and facilitate the integration of INR closer to clinical practice.