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European Radiology
Published in: European Radiology 3/2011

01-03-2011 | Editorial

Paediatric cardiac computed tomography: a review of imaging techniques and radiation dose consideration

Authors: Carolyn Young, Andrew M. Taylor, Catherine M. Owens

Published in: European Radiology | Issue 3/2011

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Abstract

The significant challenges involved in imaging the heart in small children (<15 kg) have been addressed by, and partially resolved with improvement in temporal and spatial resolution secondary to the advent of new multi-detector CT technology. This has enabled both retrospective and prospective ECG-gated imaging in children even at high heart rates (over 100 bpm) without the need for beta blockers. Recent studies have highlighted that the radiation burden associated with cardiac CT can be reduced using prospective ECG-gating. Our experience shows that the resultant dose reduction can be optimised to a level equivalent to that of a non-gated study. This article reviews the different aspects of ECG-gating and the preferred technique for cardiac imaging in the young child (<15 kg). We summarize our evidenced based recommendations for readers, referencing recent articles and using our in house data, protocols and dose measurements discussing the various methods available for dose calculations and their inherent bias.
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Metadata
Title
Paediatric cardiac computed tomography: a review of imaging techniques and radiation dose consideration
Authors
Carolyn Young
Andrew M. Taylor
Catherine M. Owens
Publication date
01-03-2011
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
European Radiology / Issue 3/2011
Print ISSN: 0938-7994
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1084
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-010-2036-8

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