Andrea Agostini1,2, Alberto Mari3, Cecilia Lanza4, Nicolo' Schicchi4, Alessandra Borgheresi4, Stefania Maggi3, Andrea Giovagnoni5,4. 1. University Politecnica delle Marche, Via Tronto 10/A, 60126, Ancona, Italy. dott.andrea.agostini@gmail.com. 2. Department of Radiological Sciences, Division of Special and Pediatric Radiology, University Hospital Ospedali Riuniti "Umberto I - GM Lancisi - G Salesi", Via Conca 71, 60126, Ancona, Italy. dott.andrea.agostini@gmail.com. 3. Department of Radiological Sciences, Division of Medical Physics, University Hospital Ospedali Riuniti "Umberto I - GM Lancisi - G Salesi", Via Conca 71, 60126, Ancona, Italy. 4. Department of Radiological Sciences, Division of Special and Pediatric Radiology, University Hospital Ospedali Riuniti "Umberto I - GM Lancisi - G Salesi", Via Conca 71, 60126, Ancona, Italy. 5. University Politecnica delle Marche, Via Tronto 10/A, 60126, Ancona, Italy.
Abstract
AIM: To provide an overview on dose reduction and image quality after the installation of a third-generation dual-source CT (dsCT) in a Pediatric Radiology Department. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We included pediatric patients (< 20 years old) undergoing CT for oncological staging (neck, chest and abdomen) or low-dose chest CT for lung diseases. Each of these two groups were further divided in two age groups (≤ or > 10 years old) including patients scanned in the same period of two consecutive years, in 2017 with a 16-row LightSpeed CT (GE Healthcare) or in 2018 with a Somatom Force dsCT (Siemens Healthineers). Technical parameters such as kVp, mAs, slice thickness, exposure times and dose indicators were retrieved and compared. Image quality was evaluated in consensus by two radiologists on a five-point semiquantitative scale. Nonparametric tests were used. RESULTS: In oncological patients, significantly lower kVp and tube current with better image quality were achieved with the dsCT. Radiation dose (total DLP) was 5-6 times lower with dsCT, thanks also to virtual non-contrast images. In low-dose chest CT, the frequent use of tin filter required higher tube current; a total DLP 3 times lower was achieved with dsCT in patients ≤ 10 years old. The image quality was better with the dsCT in low-dose chest CT protocols. CONCLUSION: The third-generation dsCT provides high-quality images with reduced motion artifacts at lower dose.
AIM: To provide an overview on dose reduction and image quality after the installation of a third-generation dual-source CT (dsCT) in a Pediatric Radiology Department. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We included pediatric patients (< 20 years old) undergoing CT for oncological staging (neck, chest and abdomen) or low-dose chest CT for lung diseases. Each of these two groups were further divided in two age groups (≤ or > 10 years old) including patients scanned in the same period of two consecutive years, in 2017 with a 16-row LightSpeed CT (GE Healthcare) or in 2018 with a Somatom Force dsCT (Siemens Healthineers). Technical parameters such as kVp, mAs, slice thickness, exposure times and dose indicators were retrieved and compared. Image quality was evaluated in consensus by two radiologists on a five-point semiquantitative scale. Nonparametric tests were used. RESULTS: In oncological patients, significantly lower kVp and tube current with better image quality were achieved with the dsCT. Radiation dose (total DLP) was 5-6 times lower with dsCT, thanks also to virtual non-contrast images. In low-dose chest CT, the frequent use of tin filter required higher tube current; a total DLP 3 times lower was achieved with dsCT in patients ≤ 10 years old. The image quality was better with the dsCT in low-dose chest CT protocols. CONCLUSION: The third-generation dsCT provides high-quality images with reduced motion artifacts at lower dose.
Authors: Pierpaolo Palumbo; Federico Bruno; Francesco Arrigoni; Marcello Zappia; Anna Maria Ierardi; Giuseppe Guglielmi; Luigi Zugaro; Marina Carotti; Ernesto Di Cesare; Alessandra Splendiani; Luca Brunese; Carlo Masciocchi; Antonio Barile Journal: Acta Biomed Date: 2020-07-13