Artifacts on lung CT scans: removal with Fourier filtration

Radiology. 1989 May;171(2):572-4. doi: 10.1148/radiology.171.2.2704825.

Abstract

A preliminary study was done of Fourier analysis of high-resolution computed tomographic (CT) images of normal pulmonary parenchyma. A two-dimensional fast Fourier transform was applied to 20 regions of interest (64 x 64 pixels) obtained from CT images of six lungs. A qualitative analysis of the spectra and the application of filters in the frequency domain allowed the characterization and removal of reconstruction artifacts. Selective application of a low-pass filter removed these parasitic frequencies and clearly enhanced the quality of the image.

MeSH terms

  • Filtration / methods
  • Fourier Analysis
  • Humans
  • Lung / diagnostic imaging*
  • Radiographic Image Enhancement / methods*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / methods*