Peter Björkdahl1, Ulf Nyman. 1. Department of Radiology, University of Lund, Lasarettet Trelleborg, Trelleborg, Sweden.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Concern has been raised regarding the mounting collective radiation doses from computed tomography (CT), increasing the risk of radiation-induced cancers in exposed populations. PURPOSE: To compare radiation dose and image quality in a chest phantom and in patients for the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism (PE) at 100 and 120 peak kilovoltage (kVp) using 16-multichannel detector computed tomography (MDCT). MATERIAL AND METHODS: A 20-ml syringe containing 12 mg I/ml was scanned in a chest phantom at 100/120 kVp and 25 milliampere seconds (mAs). Consecutive patients underwent 100 kVp (n = 50) and 120 kVp (n = 50) 16-MDCT using a "quality reference" effective mAs of 100, 300 mg I/kg, and a 12-s injection duration. Attenuation (CT number), image noise (1 standard deviation), and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR; fresh clot = 70 HU) of the contrast medium syringe and pulmonary arteries were evaluated on 3-mm-thick slices. Subjective image quality was assessed. Computed tomography dose index (CTDI(vol)) and dose-length product (DLP) were presented by the CT software, and effective dose was estimated. RESULTS: Mean values in the chest phantom and patients changed as follows when X-ray tube potential decreased from 120 to 100 kVp: attenuation +23% and +40%, noise +38% and +48%, CNR -6% and 0%, and CTDI(vol) -38% and -40%, respectively. Mean DLP and effective dose in the patients decreased by 42% and 45%, respectively. Subjective image quality was excellent or adequate in 49/48 patients at 100/120 kVp. No patient with a negative CT had any thromboembolism diagnosed during 3-month follow-up. CONCLUSION: By reducing X-ray tube potential from 120 to 100 kVp, while keeping all other scanning parameters unchanged, the radiation dose to the patient may be almost halved without deterioration of diagnostic quality, which may be of particular benefit in young individuals.
BACKGROUND: Concern has been raised regarding the mounting collective radiation doses from computed tomography (CT), increasing the risk of radiation-induced cancers in exposed populations. PURPOSE: To compare radiation dose and image quality in a chest phantom and in patients for the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism (PE) at 100 and 120 peak kilovoltage (kVp) using 16-multichannel detector computed tomography (MDCT). MATERIAL AND METHODS: A 20-ml syringe containing 12 mg I/ml was scanned in a chest phantom at 100/120 kVp and 25 milliampere seconds (mAs). Consecutive patients underwent 100 kVp (n = 50) and 120 kVp (n = 50) 16-MDCT using a "quality reference" effective mAs of 100, 300 mg I/kg, and a 12-s injection duration. Attenuation (CT number), image noise (1 standard deviation), and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR; fresh clot = 70 HU) of the contrast medium syringe and pulmonary arteries were evaluated on 3-mm-thick slices. Subjective image quality was assessed. Computed tomography dose index (CTDI(vol)) and dose-length product (DLP) were presented by the CT software, and effective dose was estimated. RESULTS: Mean values in the chest phantom and patients changed as follows when X-ray tube potential decreased from 120 to 100 kVp: attenuation +23% and +40%, noise +38% and +48%, CNR -6% and 0%, and CTDI(vol) -38% and -40%, respectively. Mean DLP and effective dose in the patients decreased by 42% and 45%, respectively. Subjective image quality was excellent or adequate in 49/48 patients at 100/120 kVp. No patient with a negative CT had any thromboembolism diagnosed during 3-month follow-up. CONCLUSION: By reducing X-ray tube potential from 120 to 100 kVp, while keeping all other scanning parameters unchanged, the radiation dose to the patient may be almost halved without deterioration of diagnostic quality, which may be of particular benefit in young individuals.
Authors: Tobias De Zordo; Klemens von Lutterotti; Christian Dejaco; Peter F Soegner; Renate Frank; Friedrich Aigner; Andrea S Klauser; Christoph Pechlaner; U Joseph Schoepf; Werner R Jaschke; Gudrun M Feuchtner Journal: Eur Radiol Date: 2011-08-28 Impact factor: 5.315
Authors: Ralf W Bauer; Sebastian Kramer; Matthias Renker; Boris Schell; Maya Christina Larson; Martin Beeres; Thomas Lehnert; Volkmar Jacobi; Thomas J Vogl; Josef Matthias Kerl Journal: Eur Radiol Date: 2011-05-27 Impact factor: 5.315
Authors: Johannes Boos; Patric Kröpil; Rotem S Lanzman; Joel Aissa; Christoph Schleich; Philipp Heusch; Lino M Sawicki; Gerald Antoch; Christoph Thomas Journal: Br J Radiol Date: 2016-03-23 Impact factor: 3.039