Multidetector computed tomography for suspected appendicitis: multi-institutional survey of 16-MDCT data acquisition protocols and review of pertinent literature.
OBJECTIVE
To determine acquisition protocol parameters currently used by different institutions for appendiceal multidetector computed tomography (MDCT).


METHODS
A survey inquiring about multiple MDCT protocols was mailed to 99 fellows of the Society of Computed Body Tomography in August of 2004, with a second mailing sent in May 2005. A total of 46 institutions or hospitals are represented by these Society of Computed Body Tomography fellows. Details pertaining to protocols for the most advanced MDCT scanner in the department were requested.


RESULTS
The overall survey response rate was 17 of 46 or 37%. Fifteen protocols using 16-MDCT for suspected appendicitis were collected and tabulated. Parameters that are similar across institutions include a nonfocused acquisition using oral and intravenous contrast. Detector configuration is even divided between submillimeter and greater than 1 mm, and the most common reconstruction section thickness is 5 mm.


CONCLUSIONS
Contrast administration and anatomical coverage are quite consistent across this set of protocols. However, future appendiceal MDCT research will need to address the most efficacious detector row collimation, reconstruction section thickness and interval, and the diagnostic capacity of protocols implementing dose reduction measures.
Johnson
Pamela T
PT
The Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiologic Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA. pjohnso5@jhmi.edu
Horton
Karen M
KM
Mahesh
Mahadevappa
M
Fishman
Elliot K
EK
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001064:Appendicitis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D001065:Appendix / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003287:Contrast Media; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012815:Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation; D012955:Societies, Medical; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*
D003287:Contrast Media