[Intl_DxMedPhys] Siemens CT IQ level

Fri Jan 9 03:54:22 EST 2026

Hi Stephanie,

On the NAEOTOM Alpha scanner at least you can see the quality reference mAs for the given IQ level in the Exam Designer protocol management tool on the scanner. I can't say for sure this is visible on the Pro.Pulse but I imagine its available on all scanners with SOMARIS 10.

My understanding is that the IQ level allows for parity in image quality across different models of Siemens scanners i.e you can set the same IQ level on two different models and depending on their performance this may lead to different quality reference mAs values but consistent IQ. Exactly what is being assessed as a measure of image quality is unclear and we don't currently have any other SOMARIS 10 CT scanners to investigate further. Otherwise IQ level is just a number on top of quality reference mAs and the general approach to mA modulation should be unchanged.

Thanks,

Jamie Dormand

Deputy Head of Diagnostic Radiology Physics

The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust
020 7808 2154

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From: Intl_dxmedphys_wd_osu_list <intl_dxmedphys_wd_osu_list-bounces at lists.osu.edu> on behalf of Gene Jackson via Intl_dxmedphys_wd_osu_list <intl_dxmedphys_wd_osu_list at lists.osu.edu>
Sent: Friday, January 09, 2026 12:52 AM
To: Stephanie M. Leon <Stephanie.M.Leon at hitchcock.org>; intl_dxmedphys_wd_osu_list at lists.osu.edu <intl_dxmedphys_wd_osu_list at lists.osu.edu>
Subject: Re: [Intl_DxMedPhys] Siemens CT IQ level

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Hi Stephanie, I made some enquiries to an applications specialist in Australia last year and received the below response. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hi Stephanie,

I made some enquiries to an applications specialist in Australia last year and received the below response.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It is not quite a rebrand, as the design is to make it applicable and transferable between different scanners (including other models). i.e. you set the CARE IQ level on the X.cite at Cairns, and if the protocol is imported onto the go.Top at Atherton then the underlying Qref. mAs etc. Will adapt to provide consistent image quality for standarisation.

There is not a lot of information in the IFU/System owner manual, though luckily my Applications Colleagues handled a similar enquiry recently from a Victorian Physicist. The answer from R&D is below:

1.)

As described in the IFU, CARE kV IQ level is proportional to Q. ref. mAs at 120 kV. The proportionality factor depends on the scanner model type and takes IQ relevant factors (such as the gantry bore size) into account. It is designed to provide consistent image quality over different scanner models if the same scan protocol with the same IQ level is used. In exam designer, the proportionality factor can be seen by comparing IQ level and Q. ref. mAs for a scan range with 120 kV.

2.)

In most cases, the CTDIvol is adapted to the Som/7 scanner so that the customer has the same or better IQ. However, this must be discussed with the customer and is the job of the application specialist.

Within Som/10 scanners, it is no longer a problem at all to transfer the protocols. So in this case, adapt the protocols once from Som/7 to Som/10 and export/import to the other Som/10 scanners.

Keep in mind, we recommend starting with the 'largest' scanner.

There is no general table to provide for the parameters when coming from SOM7 to SOM10. It is depending on with which image quality the customer is satisfied with.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I didn’t find their response overly helpful so I remain optimistic that further documentation will be released in the future.

Kind Regards,

[Queensland Government]

Gene Jackson

Medical Physicist

Service Integration and Biomedical Technology Branch

Townsville University Hospital

Clinical Support Queensland | Queensland Health

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(07) 4433 2244<tel:(07)%204433%201152>  |  0417 902 041<tel:0417%20902%20041>

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From: Intl_dxmedphys_wd_osu_list <intl_dxmedphys_wd_osu_list-bounces+gene.jackson=health.qld.gov.au at lists.osu.edu> On Behalf Of Stephanie M. Leon via Intl_dxmedphys_wd_osu_list
Sent: Friday, 9 January 2026 5:20 AM
To: Stephanie M. Leon <Stephanie.M.Leon at hitchcock.org>; intl_dxmedphys_wd_osu_list at lists.osu.edu
Subject: Re: [Intl_DxMedPhys] Siemens CT IQ level

Just to clarify, if it makes a difference, this is not a PCCT scanner. It’s a Pro. Pulse and I’m wondering about a traditional single-energy scan. From: Intl_dxmedphys_wd_osu_list <intl_dxmedphys_wd_osu_list-bounces@ lists. osu. edu> On Behalf

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Just to clarify, if it makes a difference, this is not a PCCT scanner. It’s a Pro.Pulse and I’m wondering about a traditional single-energy scan.

From: Intl_dxmedphys_wd_osu_list <intl_dxmedphys_wd_osu_list-bounces at lists.osu.edu<mailto:intl_dxmedphys_wd_osu_list-bounces at lists.osu.edu>> On Behalf Of Stephanie M. Leon via Intl_dxmedphys_wd_osu_list
Sent: Thursday, January 8, 2026 2:04 PM
To: intl_dxmedphys_wd_osu_list at lists.osu.edu<mailto:intl_dxmedphys_wd_osu_list at lists.osu.edu>
Subject: [Intl_DxMedPhys] Siemens CT IQ level **EXTERNAL**

Hi all, Apparently the newer Siemens CT scanners have dispensed with reference mAs and now use IQ (image quality) Level. I’m having trouble finding any detail about IQ Level. Is there a way to directly relate it to the old reference mAs,

Hi all,

Apparently the newer Siemens CT scanners have dispensed with reference mAs and now use IQ (image quality) Level. I’m having trouble finding any detail about IQ Level. Is there a way to directly relate it to the old reference mAs, assuming a single-energy scan at the same kVp?

Thanks!

Stephanie Leon

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