Information and artifact in computed tomography image statistics.

In conventional computed tomography images only the average CT number, which is a first-order statistical parameter, is used to characterize the tissues by giving an estimate of tissue density. Second order statistical parameters such as the signal variance and cross-correlation function have also been used to obtain additional information to discriminate between certain tissues and lesions. However, the contribution of quantum noise to the signal variance and cross-correlation function creates, for the conventional CT patient dose, a background signal often larger than the signal containing the information about tissue structure. The misleading information, called "artifacts", in second-order image statistics caused by quantum noise, is studied.