OBJECTIVE: To assess the degree of extra scanning beyond the prescribed anatomic boundaries for thoracic and body computed tomographic (CT) scans and to identify associated factors. METHODS: For 442 consecutive chest, abdomen, and/or pelvis CT examinations, the length of extra scanning beyond the prescribed anatomic boundaries was determined. Examinations were grouped according to the locations/types of the prescribed boundaries and compared with regard to length of extra scanning. RESULTS: Of 442 CT examinations, 438 (99%) included extraneous imaging, showing a mean excess scanning length of 43.2 mm per examination (range, 0-180 mm). Significantly more extraneous imaging was performed when soft tissue or vascular structures defined anatomic boundaries compared to when osseous (P < 0.001) or air/soft tissue interfaces (P < 0.0001) defined the boundaries. The average percent of total scan dose attributable to extra imaging was 8.64% to 10.38%. CONCLUSIONS: Computed tomographic scanning beyond the prescribed anatomic boundaries occurs commonly, resulting in moderate extra radiation dose.
OBJECTIVE: To assess the degree of extra scanning beyond the prescribed anatomic boundaries for thoracic and body computed tomographic (CT) scans and to identify associated factors. METHODS: For 442 consecutive chest, abdomen, and/or pelvis CT examinations, the length of extra scanning beyond the prescribed anatomic boundaries was determined. Examinations were grouped according to the locations/types of the prescribed boundaries and compared with regard to length of extra scanning. RESULTS: Of 442 CT examinations, 438 (99%) included extraneous imaging, showing a mean excess scanning length of 43.2 mm per examination (range, 0-180 mm). Significantly more extraneous imaging was performed when soft tissue or vascular structures defined anatomic boundaries compared to when osseous (P < 0.001) or air/soft tissue interfaces (P < 0.0001) defined the boundaries. The average percent of total scan dose attributable to extra imaging was 8.64% to 10.38%. CONCLUSIONS: Computed tomographic scanning beyond the prescribed anatomic boundaries occurs commonly, resulting in moderate extra radiation dose.
Authors: Mannudeep K Kalra; Michael M Maher; Thomas L Toth; Ravi S Kamath; Elkan F Halpern; Sanjay Saini Journal: Radiology Date: 2004-08 Impact factor: 11.105
Authors: Mannudeep K Kalra; Michael M Maher; Thomas L Toth; Leena M Hamberg; Michael A Blake; Jo-Anne Shepard; Sanjay Saini Journal: Radiology Date: 2004-01-22 Impact factor: 11.105
Authors: Reza Fazel; Harlan M Krumholz; Yongfei Wang; Joseph S Ross; Jersey Chen; Henry H Ting; Nilay D Shah; Khurram Nasir; Andrew J Einstein; Brahmajee K Nallamothu Journal: N Engl J Med Date: 2009-08-27 Impact factor: 91.245