Cross-Domain TransNet for sparse-view CT reconstruction

Abstract

Introduction Sparse-view computed tomography (CT) reconstruction is crucial for clinical diagnostics, as reducing radiation exposure is essential to minimize risks to patients. Existing dual-domain reconstruction methods leverage both image and projection domains but often process them sequentially, overlooking their implicit correlations. Methods To address this limitation, we propose Cross-Domain TransNet, a Transformer-based dual-domain framework for sparse-view CT reconstruction. The proposed model captures long-range dependencies within each domain and integrates image and sinogram representations through a hybrid self-attention mechanism. In addition, a Convolution Fusion Layer (CFL) is introduced to enhance feature interactions and facilitate more effective utilization of dual-domain information. Results Extensive experiments on the NIH-AAPM dataset demonstrate the superior performance and generalization capability of the proposed method under various sparse-view settings. The results show that Cross-Domain TransNet consistently improves reconstruction quality, effectively suppresses noise, and reduces artifacts, outperforming both conventional reconstruction algorithms and state-of-the-art deep learning approaches. Conclusion Cross-Domain TransNet provides an effective and robust solution for sparse-view CT reconstruction. By fully exploiting complementary information from both image and projection domains, the proposed framework enhances diagnostic image quality while supporting radiation dose reduction.