Aliased noise in X-ray CT images and band-limiting processing as a preventive measure

X-ray CT projection data often include components with frequencies that are markedly higher than the pixel Nyquist frequency f_PN, which is determined by the pixel size. Noise components higher than f_PN are folded back into a region lower than f_PN through the backprojection process, thereby creating aliased noise. With clinical CT scanners, we evaluated the aliased noise using an aliasing prevention measure, band-limiting processing (BLP), which suppresses frequency components higher than f_PN in the projection data. Indices we used to evaluate improvement by BLP were the noise power spectrum (NPS), modulation transfer function (MTF), signal-to-noise-ratio (SNR) spectrum, matched filter SNR (MF SNR), and two-alternative forced-choice (2-AFC) test. With BLP, the NPS was decreased not only beyond f_PN, but also within f_PN. The same level of MTF was maintained as that without BLP within f_PN. No remarkable reduction in spatial resolution was observed. The SNR spectrum and the MF SNR of the BLP image nearly agreed with those of an ideal state without aliased noise. A notable improvement in the visuoperceptual image quality by BLP was recognized with a reconstruction field of view (FOV) of more than 45 cm. We then applied BLP to clinical data and confirmed that significant aliased noise of a large FOV image was removed without notable side effects. The results showed that at least some CTs suffering from aliased noise can be improved by proper band-limiting.