Radiation dose and image quality with abdominal computed tomography with automated dose-optimized tube voltage selection.
OBJECTIVE
This study assessed image quality and radiation dose of multidetector computed tomography (CT) examination using a standard protocol and a low-voltage protocol.


METHODS
Patients requiring contrast-enhanced abdominal CT examination were randomly assigned to two groups with different voltage protocols: (i) 120 kV; (ii) an automated attenuation-based tube potential optimization mode (CARE kV). The volume CT dose index (CTDIvol) and dose length product (DLP) were recorded. Image quality was semiquantitatively assessed by two blinded radiologists using a five-point scale.


RESULTS
There were 39 patients in the 120 kV group and 50 patients in the CARE kV group. There was no obvious difference in image quality score between the groups. CARE kV resulted in a voltage reduction to 100 kV in 45 patients and to 80 kV in five patients. CTDIvol and DLP were significantly lower with CARE kV than with the 120 kV protocol.


CONCLUSIONS
The use of CARE kV reduces radiation dose with no loss of image quality compared with a standard 120 kV protocol.
Department of Radiology, Tongde Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China.
Lirong
L
Hu
Department of Radiology, Tongde Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China 13857104269@163.com.
Yujun
Y
Wang
Department of Radiology, Tongde Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China.
Hongtao
H
Hou
Department of Radiology, Tongde Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China.
Fuquan
F
Wei
Department of Radiology, Tongde Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China.
Guangzhao
G
Yang
Department of Radiology, Tongde Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China.
Yougeng
Y
Chen
D000005:Abdomen / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011874:Radiometry / Q000379:methods*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*; D055815:Young Adult
CARE kV; automated dose-optimized tube voltage selection; computed tomography; image quality; radiation dose