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Pediatric Radiology
Published in: Pediatric Radiology 9/2014

01-09-2014 | Original Article

Evaluation of the impact of organ-specific dose reduction on image quality in pediatric chest computed tomography

Authors: Johannes Boos, Patric Kröpil, Dirk Klee, Philipp Heusch, Lars Schimmöller, Jörg Schaper, Gerald Antoch, Rotem S. Lanzman

Published in: Pediatric Radiology | Issue 9/2014

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Abstract

Background

Organ-specific dose reduction significantly reduces the radiation exposure of radiosensitive organs.

Objective

The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of a novel organ-specific dose reduction algorithm on image quality of pediatric chest CT.

Materials and methods

We included 28 children (mean age 10.9 ± 4.8 years, range 3–18 years) who had contrast-enhanced chest CT on a 128-row scanner. CT was performed at 100 kV using automated tube current modulation and a novel organ-specific dose-reduction algorithm (XCare™; Siemens, Forchheim, Germany). Seven children had a previous chest CT performed on a 64-row scanner at 100 kV without organ-specific dose reduction. Subjective image quality was assessed using a five-point scale (1-not diagnostic; 5-excellent). Contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) were assessed in the descending aorta.

Results

Overall mean subjective image quality was 4.1 ± 0.6. In the subgroup of the seven children examined both with and without organ-specific dose reduction, subjective image quality was comparable (score 4.4 ± 0.5 with organ-specific dose reduction vs. 4.4 ± 0.7 without it; P > 0.05). There was no significant difference in mean signal-to-noise ratio and contrast-to-noise ratio with organ-specific dose reduction (38.3 ± 10.1 and 28.5 ± 8.7, respectively) and without the reduction (35.5 ± 8.5 and 26.5 ± 7.8, respectively) (P > 0.05). Volume computed tomography dose index (CTDIvol) and size-specific dose estimates did not differ significantly between acquisitions with the organ-specific dose reduction (1.7 ± 0.8 mGy) and without the reduction (1.7 ± 0.8 mGy) (P > 0.05).

Conclusion

Organ-specific dose reduction does not have an impact on image quality of pediatric chest CT and can therefore be used in clinical practice to reduce radiation dose of radiosensitive organs such as breast and thyroid gland.
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Metadata
Title
Evaluation of the impact of organ-specific dose reduction on image quality in pediatric chest computed tomography
Authors
Johannes Boos
Patric Kröpil
Dirk Klee
Philipp Heusch
Lars Schimmöller
Jörg Schaper
Gerald Antoch
Rotem S. Lanzman
Publication date
01-09-2014
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
Pediatric Radiology / Issue 9/2014
Print ISSN: 0301-0449
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1998
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00247-014-2950-z

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