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European Radiology
Published in: European Radiology 7/2014

01-07-2014 | Computed Tomography

Image quality and radiation dose of low tube voltage 3rd generation dual-source coronary CT angiography in obese patients: a phantom study

Authors: Felix G. Meinel, Christian Canstein, U. Joseph Schoepf, Martin Sedlmaier, Bernhard Schmidt, Brett S. Harris, Thomas G. Flohr, Carlo N. De Cecco

Published in: European Radiology | Issue 7/2014

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Abstract

Objectives

To assess the influence of tube potential on radiation dose and image quality of third-generation dual-source coronary CT angiography (CTA) in a phantom simulating an obese patient.

Methods

A thoracic phantom was equipped with tubular inserts containing iodine solution and water. A soft-tissue-equivalent ring around the phantom simulated an obese patient. Images were acquired at tube potentials of 80, 100, 120 and 140 kV with second-generation dual-source CT (DSCT) and 70–150 kV (in 10-kV increments) with third-generation DSCT. Contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) was calculated and CT dose index was recorded.

Results

With second-generation DSCT, CNR was highest for 120 kV (19.0) and decreased with lower tube potential (12.0 at 80 kV) owing to disproportionately increased image noise. With third-generation DSCT, 70- and 80-kV acquisitions showed a smaller increase in noise. CNRs for third-generation DSCT were highest for 70 and 80 kV (21.1 and 21.2, respectively). Compared to 120 kV, radiation dose was 68 % and 49 % lower at 70 kV and 80 kV, respectively.

Conclusion

Third-generation DSCT enables one to perform coronary CTA at 70–80 kV in obese patients without compromising CNR and thus reduces radiation dose by 49–68 %.

Key points

• Low tube potential CT angiography is currently not suitable for obese patients.
• Third-generation DSCT offers substantially increased tube power at low tube potential.
• This enables one to perform coronary CT angiography at 70–80 kV in obese patients.
• Signal-to-noise ratio is maintained owing to increased tube current.
• This approach can be expected to reduce radiation dose by 49–68 %.
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Metadata
Title
Image quality and radiation dose of low tube voltage 3rd generation dual-source coronary CT angiography in obese patients: a phantom study
Authors
Felix G. Meinel
Christian Canstein
U. Joseph Schoepf
Martin Sedlmaier
Bernhard Schmidt
Brett S. Harris
Thomas G. Flohr
Carlo N. De Cecco
Publication date
01-07-2014
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
European Radiology / Issue 7/2014
Print ISSN: 0938-7994
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1084
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-014-3194-x

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