title: The effect of varying low-dose protocols on perceived image quality in multidetector CT in a rabbit model of acute appendicitis.
abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate the value of multidetector CT (MD-CT) with low-dose protocols in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis in a rabbit model. Ten New Zealand white rabbits underwent ligation of the appendix. MD-CT (Siemens Somatom Plus 4 Volume Zoom) was performed using three low-dose protocols: 80 kV/70 mAs; 80 kV/50 mAs; and 80 kV/20 mAs. Axial and coronal reformations were performed. Three experienced radiologists evaluated the images using a four-grade score: (1) excellent; (2) good; (3) moderate; and (4) not sufficient. Diagnosis was confirmed histopathologically. The overall score for the 80 kV/70 mAs was 1, for the 80 kV/50 mAs protocol 1.3, and the 80 kV/20 mAs protocol reached an overall score of 2. The coronal reformations reached with 1.1 (80 kV/70 mAs), 1.2 (80 kV/50 mAs), and 1.4 (80 kV/20 mAs) had a slightly better median score than the axial reconstructions. In cases of inconclusive ultrasound and clinical presentation, the use of MD-CT can be considered when evaluating children for suspected appendicitis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University of Vienna, Währinger Gürtel 18-20, 1090 Vienna, Austria. marcus.hoermann@univie.ac.at
authors.forename: Marcus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hörmann
authors.forename: Marcel O
authors.initials: MO
authors.lastname: Philipp
authors.forename: Heidrun
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Eberl
authors.forename: Ursula
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Windberger
authors.forename: Wolfgang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Matzek
authors.forename: Cornelia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Schäfer-Prokop
authors.forename: Viktor M
authors.initials: VM
authors.lastname: Metz
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000465:Algorithms; D000818:Animals; D001064:Appendicitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D001065:Appendix / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D007472:Iohexol / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D008297:Male; D015588:Observer Variation; D011817:Rabbits; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D007472:Iohexol; C038192:iopromide