title: Paediatric CT optimisation utilising Catphan® 600 and age-specific anthropomorphic phantoms.
abstract: The purpose of the study is to perform phantom-based optimisation of paediatric computed tomography (CT) protocols and quantify the impact upon radiation dose and image noise levels. The study involved three Portuguese paediatric centres. Currently employed scanning protocols for head and chest examinations and combinations of exposure parameters were applied to a Catphan(®)600 phantom to review the CT dose impact. Contrast-noise ratio (CNR) was quantified using Radia Diagnostic(®) tool. Imaging parameters, returning similar CNRs (<1) and dose savings were applied to three paediatric anthropomorphic phantoms. OsiriX software based on standard deviation pixel values facilitated image noise analysis. Currently employed protocols and age categorisation varied between centres. Manipulation of exposure parameters facilitated mean dose reductions of 33 and 28 % for paediatric head and chest CT examinations, respectively. The majority of the optimised CT examinations resulted in image noise similar to currently employed protocols. Dose reductions of up to 33 % were achieved with image quality maintained.
authors.affiliation: Instituto Politécnico de Coimbra, ESTESC-Coimbra Health School, Radiologia, Rua 5 de Outubro, S. Martinho do Bispo, 3046-854 Coimbra, Portugal joanasantos@estescoimbra.pt.
authors.forename: Joana
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Santos
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Física Médica, Dr. Campos Costa, Consultório de Tomografia Computorizada S.A, Porto, Portugal.
authors.forename: Maria do Carmo
authors.initials: Mdo C
authors.lastname: Batista
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine & Medical Science, Health Science Centre, University College Dublin, Belfield Dublin 4, Ireland.
authors.forename: Shane
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Foley
authors.affiliation: Instituto Politécnico de Coimbra, ESTESC-Coimbra Health School, Radiologia, Rua 5 de Outubro, S. Martinho do Bispo, 3046-854 Coimbra, Portugal.
authors.forename: Graciano
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Paulo
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Sydney, Cumberland Campus, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Mark F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: McEntee
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine & Medical Science, Health Science Centre, University College Dublin, Belfield Dublin 4, Ireland.
authors.forename: Louise
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rainford
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000886:Anthropometry; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006257:Head / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D061330:Multidetector Computed Tomography / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019047:Phantoms, Imaging; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011834:Radiation Monitoring; D011835:Radiation Protection; D011857:Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic; D012984:Software; D013909:Thorax / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data