Simulating low dose CT scans by noise addition

We have developed a noise addition tool for clinical researchers to simulate lower dose computed tomography (CT) scans using the existing clinical CT scan data. This noise addition tool operates in the product environment to generate new set of lower dose scans from existing patient scan data based on the user defined lower X-ray tube current. These new sets of scan data can then be reconstructed to make images at simulated lower doses so that medical researchers can study how lower dose CT scans impact the patient diagnostic outcome. This tool has been validated using anthropomorphic and patient scans and showed good agreements between the simulated and real scans in terms of noise measurements.