title: [Imaging quality and dosage in ENT--what do we really need?].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Today, imaging of nose, paranasal sinuses and temporal bone by CT is standard in preoperative diagnostics. The need of reduction of applied dosage leads to the necessity of research in necessary imaging quality. Therefore this paper deals with new developed anatomical checklists and the analysis of imaging quality on anterior and lateral skull base.
  
  
  METHODS
  With 3 human complete heads over 400 examinations were performed on one cone beam CT device under varying x-ray-tube adjustments. 31 anatomic parameters were evaluated (Excellent, well, poor, not evaluable) for every data set. A summation score was built for every examination.
  
  
  RESULTS
  As well for paranasal sinuses as for temporal bone a constant excellent imaging quality could be seen in high dosages. Certainly, in low dosages a reduction of imaging quality was detected. The optimal range (all parameters visualized well as average) could be evaluated for paranasal sinuses between 2,0 and 3,0 mGy and between 3,0 and 4,0 mGy for temporal bone. So, a reduction of 70-80% in comparison to highest adjustments of today is possible and realistic. In comparison to standard protocols, a reduction of about 50% can be reached.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The possibility of dose reduction by discussion of the necessary imaging quality from clinical point of view could be shown.
authors.affiliation: Universitätsklinik für Hals-Nasen-Ohrenheilkunde, Kopf- und Halschirurgie, UKGM, Marburg, Germany.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bitterwolf
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lünzner
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Heinrichs
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Diogo
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wiegand
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Teymoortash
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Güldner
mesh_terms: D057189:Checklist; D054893:Cone-Beam Computed Tomography / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D035262:Cranial Fossa, Anterior / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement; D009666:Nose / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D010038:Otorhinolaryngologic Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D010256:Paranasal Sinuses / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D019047:Phantoms, Imaging; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D013701:Temporal Bone / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*