Dose reduction in multidetector CT using attenuation-based online tube current modulation.
OBJECTIVE
This study was designed to quantify the radiation dose saved by attenuation-based online tube current modulation applied to multidetector CT (MDCT) of the adult trunk as a function of effective milliampere-second (mAs) presets, sex, and body habitus. SUBJECTS AND METHODS. One hundred twenty patients underwent MDCT of the trunk (60 thoracic, 60 abdominal) with an attenuation-based online tube current modulation. Consecutive acquisitions at standard and two lower effective mAs presets were obtained in each patient. Mean percentage effective mAs reductions were compared for each effective mAs preset, taking into account sex and body mass index.


RESULTS
Mean effective mAs reduction was 16.9% and 20.0% for the chest and the abdomen, respectively. Mean percentage effective mAs reductions were found to be significantly different for sex (chest, p = 0.003; abdomen, p = 0.002) but not significantly different for the different effective mAs presets or body mass index.


CONCLUSIONS
Attenuation-based online tube current modulation used with MDCT should be considered as a secondary tool of radiation dose reduction because it saves as much as 20% of the radiation dose on the adult trunk, regardless of initial mAs preset. However, initial decreases of mAs presets by the physician should be considered the primary tool for radiation dose reduction.
Tack
Denis
D
Department of Radiology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Charleroi, Boulevard Janson, 92, B-6000-Charleroi, Belgium.
De Maertelaer
Viviane
V
Gevenois
Pierre Alain
PA
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015992:Body Mass Index; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011860:Radiography, Abdominal; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic; D012984:Software; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*