Pediatric craniosynostosis computed tomography: an institutional experience in reducing radiation dose while maintaining diagnostic image quality
- 03.11.2021
- Original Article
Erschienen in:
- Verfasst von
- Izabella L. Barreto
- Ibrahim S. Tuna
- Dhanashree A. Rajderkar
- Jessica A. Ching
- Lance S. Governale
- Erschienen in
- Pediatric Radiology | Ausgabe 1/2022
Abstract
Background
Children with craniosynostosis may undergo multiple computed tomography (CT) examinations for diagnosis and post-treatment follow-up, resulting in cumulative radiation exposure.
Objective
To reduce the risks associated with radiation exposure, we evaluated the compliance, radiation dose reduction and clinical image quality of a lower-dose CT protocol for pediatric craniosynostosis implemented at our institution.
Materials and methods
The standard of care at our institution was modified to replace pediatric head CT protocols with a lower-dose CT protocol utilizing 100 kV, 5 mAs and iterative reconstruction. Study-ordered, protocol-utilized and radiation-dose indices were collected for studies performed with routine pediatric brain protocols (n=22) and with the lower-dose CT protocol (n=135). Two pediatric neuroradiologists evaluated image quality in a subset (n=50) of the lower-dose CT studies by scoring visualization of cranial structures, confidence of diagnosis and the need for more radiation dose.
Results
During the 30-month period, the lower-dose CT protocol had high compliance, with 2/137 studies performed with routine brain protocols. With the lower-dose CT protocol, volume CT dose index (CTDIvol) was 1.1 mGy for all patients (0–9 years old) and effective dose ranged from 0.06 to 0.22 mSv, comparable to a 4-view skull radiography examination. CTDIvol was reduced by 98% and effective dose was reduced up to 67-fold. Confidence in diagnosing craniosynostosis was high and more radiation dose was considered unnecessary in all studies (n=50) by both radiologists.
Conclusion
Replacing the routine pediatric brain CT protocol with a lower-dose CT craniosynostosis protocol substantially reduced radiation exposure without compromising image quality or diagnostic confidence.
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- Titel
- Pediatric craniosynostosis computed tomography: an institutional experience in reducing radiation dose while maintaining diagnostic image quality
- Verfasst von
-
Izabella L. Barreto
Ibrahim S. Tuna
Dhanashree A. Rajderkar
Jessica A. Ching
Lance S. Governale
- Publikationsdatum
- 03.11.2021
- Verlag
- Springer Berlin Heidelberg
- Erschienen in
-
Pediatric Radiology / Ausgabe 1/2022
Print ISSN: 0301-0449
Elektronische ISSN: 1432-1998 - DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1007/s00247-021-05205-6
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