Feasibility of spectral shaping for detection and quantification of coronary calcifications in ultra-low dose CT

To evaluate detectability and quantification of coronary calcifications for CT with a tin filter for spectral shaping.Phantom inserts with 100 small and 9 large calcifications, and a moving artificial artery with 3 calcifications (speed 0-30 mm/s) were placed in a thorax phantom simulating different patient sizes. The phantom was scanned in high-pitch spiral mode at 100 kVp with tin filter (Sn100 kVp), and at a reference of 120 kVp, with...