Noise Reduction Method In Low-Dose Ct Data Combining Neural Networks And An Iterative Reconstruction Technique

Improving image quality from low-dose CT image and keeping diagnostic features is integral to lowering the amount of exposure to radiation and its potential risks. Noise reduction methods using deep neural network have been developed and displayed impressive performance, but there are limitations on noise remnants, blurring on high-frequency edge, and artifacts occurrence. To increase noise reduction performance and deal with those issues simultaneously, we have implemented block-based REDCNN model and applied patch-based Landweber-type iteration to images passed through REDCNN model. The model successfully smooths noise on CT images which are imposed Gaussian and Poisson noise, and outperforms noise reduction by other state-of-the-art deep neural network models. We also have tested the effect of repetition of an iterative reconstruction, changing a step size and the number of iteration.