What does Standard Deviation in CT imaging relate to?

Standard deviation in CT imaging is a statistical measure that quantifies the amount of variation or dispersion of pixel values in an image. In the context of image quality, a high standard deviation indicates a greater variation in pixel intensity, which typically corresponds to higher image noise. Noise can negatively impact the clarity and diagnostic quality of CT images, making it more challenging for radiologists to identify subtle abnormalities.

Understanding the relationship between standard deviation and image noise is crucial for optimizing image quality. By managing standard deviation, technologists can reduce noise levels in images, ensuring that they are both clear and diagnostically useful. This focus on noise reduction is essential for achieving high-quality imaging while also maintaining patient safety during scans.