Ji Eun Park1, Young Hun Choi2,3, Jung-Eun Cheon4,5,6, Woo Sun Kim4,5,6, In-One Kim4,5,6, Hyun Suk Cho4, Young Jin Ryu4, Yu Jin Kim4. 1. Department of Radiology, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University Hospital, Seoul, South Korea. 2. Department of Radiology, Seoul National University Hospital, 101, Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 110-744, South Korea. iater@snu.ac.kr. 3. Department of Radiology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea. iater@snu.ac.kr. 4. Department of Radiology, Seoul National University Hospital, 101, Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 110-744, South Korea. 5. Department of Radiology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea. 6. Institute of Radiation Medicine, Seoul National University Medical Research Center, Seoul, South Korea.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Computed tomography (CT) has generated public concern associated with radiation exposure, especially for children. Lowering the tube voltage is one strategy to reduce radiation dose. OBJECTIVE: To assess the image quality and radiation dose of non-enhanced brain CT scans acquired at 80 kilo-voltage peak (kVp) compared to those at 120 kVp in children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty children who had undergone both 80- and 120-kVp non-enhanced brain CT were enrolled. For quantitative analysis, the mean attenuation of white and gray matter, attenuation difference, noise, signal-to-noise ratio, contrast-to-noise ratio and posterior fossa artifact index were measured. For qualitative analysis, noise, gray-white matter differentiation, artifact and overall image quality were scored. Radiation doses were evaluated by CT dose index, dose-length product and effective dose. RESULTS: The mean attenuations of gray and white matter and contrast-to-noise ratio were significantly increased at 80 kVp, while parameters related to image noise, i.e. noise, signal-to-noise ratio and posterior fossa artifact index were higher at 80 kVp than at 120 kVp. In qualitative analysis, 80-kVp images showed improved gray-white differentiation but more artifacts compared to 120-kVp images. Subjective image noise and overall image quality scores were similar between the two scans. Radiation dose parameters were significantly lower at 80 kVp than at 120 kVp. CONCLUSION: In pediatric non-enhanced brain CT scans, a decrease in tube voltage from 120 kVp to 80 kVp resulted in improved gray-white matter contrast, comparable image quality and decreased radiation dose.
BACKGROUND: Computed tomography (CT) has generated public concern associated with radiation exposure, especially for children. Lowering the tube voltage is one strategy to reduce radiation dose. OBJECTIVE: To assess the image quality and radiation dose of non-enhanced brain CT scans acquired at 80 kilo-voltage peak (kVp) compared to those at 120 kVp in children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty children who had undergone both 80- and 120-kVp non-enhanced brain CT were enrolled. For quantitative analysis, the mean attenuation of white and gray matter, attenuation difference, noise, signal-to-noise ratio, contrast-to-noise ratio and posterior fossa artifact index were measured. For qualitative analysis, noise, gray-white matter differentiation, artifact and overall image quality were scored. Radiation doses were evaluated by CT dose index, dose-length product and effective dose. RESULTS: The mean attenuations of gray and white matter and contrast-to-noise ratio were significantly increased at 80 kVp, while parameters related to image noise, i.e. noise, signal-to-noise ratio and posterior fossa artifact index were higher at 80 kVp than at 120 kVp. In qualitative analysis, 80-kVp images showed improved gray-white differentiation but more artifacts compared to 120-kVp images. Subjective image noise and overall image quality scores were similar between the two scans. Radiation dose parameters were significantly lower at 80 kVp than at 120 kVp. CONCLUSION: In pediatric non-enhanced brain CT scans, a decrease in tube voltage from 120 kVp to 80 kVp resulted in improved gray-white matter contrast, comparable image quality and decreased radiation dose.
Authors: Eliel Ben-David; Jose E Cohen; S Nahum Goldberg; Jacob Sosna; Reuven Levinson; Isaac S Leichter; John M Gomori Journal: J Clin Neurosci Date: 2014-04-24 Impact factor: 1.961
Authors: U K Udayasankar; K Braithwaite; M Arvaniti; D Tudorascu; W C Small; S Little; S Palasis Journal: AJNR Am J Neuroradiol Date: 2008-04 Impact factor: 3.825