Fast Scatter Artifacts Correction for Cone-Beam CT without System Modification and Repeat Scan

TL;DR

This paper introduces a fast, accurate scatter correction algorithm for cone-beam CT that improves image quality without system modifications or additional scans, using a novel estimation and denoising approach.

Contribution

The paper presents a new scatter correction method combining coarse estimation and total-variation denoising tailored for Poisson signals, applicable in clinical CBCT imaging.

Findings

Significantly reduces scatter artifacts in CBCT images.

Recovers accurate HU values in both projection and image domains.

Proves robust against segmentation variations.

Abstract

We provide a fast and accurate scatter artifacts correction algorithm for cone beam CT (CBCT) imaging. The method starts with an estimation of coarse scatter profile for a set of CBCT images. A total-variation denoising algorithm designed specifically for Poisson signal is then applied to derive the final scatter distribution. Qualitatively and quantitatively evaluations using Monte Carlo (MC) simulations, experimental CBCT phantom data, and \emph{in vivo} human data acquired for a clinical image guided radiation therapy were performed. Results show that the proposed algorithm can significantly reduce scatter artifacts and recover the correct HU within either projection domain or image domain. Further test shows the method is robust with respect to segmentation procedure.