Evaluation of automated attenuation-based tube potential selection in combination with organ-specific dose reduction for contrast-enhanced chest CT examinations.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the influence of attenuation-based tube potential selection (ATPS) in combination with organ-specific dose reduction (OSDR) on radiation dose and image quality of contrast-enhanced chest computed tomography (CT) examinations.


METHODS
Seventy consecutive patients (59.2 ± 16.1 years; 49 men; 21 women) were randomized into two groups and underwent contrast-enhanced chest CT using a 128 section CT scanner. CT examinations were performed as standard protocol in group A (n = 35) and with the activated novel dose-saving devices, OSDR and ATPS, in group B (n = 35). Objective [signal-to-noise (SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR)] and subjective image quality (five-point scale; 1 = non diagnostic; 5 = excellent) as well as radiation dose (CTDIvol) were analysed.


RESULTS
CTDIvol of the protocol using OSDR and ATPS was significantly lower than in standard chest CT examinations (3.4 ± 1 versus 6.1 ± 2.3 mGy; p < 0.001). Although the level of noise was slightly elevated in group B (14.1 ± 1.7 versus 11.4 ± 1.9 HU; p < 0.01), no significant differences in SNR (17.1 ± 5 versus 16.3 ± 4.7) or subjective image quality (mean score of 4.6 versus 4.4) were observed between both imaging protocols.


CONCLUSIONS
Attenuation-based tube potential selection in combination with organ-specific dose reduction essentially reduces the dose of chest CT in patients with normal body mass index (BMI) in clinical routine while maintaining subjective and objective image quality.
Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University of Dusseldorf, Medical Faculty, Dusseldorf, Germany.
L
L
Schimmöller
Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University of Dusseldorf, Medical Faculty, Dusseldorf, Germany. Electronic address: rotem.lanzman@med.uni-duesseldorf.de.
R S
RS
Lanzman
Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University of Dusseldorf, Medical Faculty, Dusseldorf, Germany.
S
S
Dietrich
Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University of Dusseldorf, Medical Faculty, Dusseldorf, Germany.
J
J
Boos
Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University of Dusseldorf, Medical Faculty, Dusseldorf, Germany.
P
P
Heusch
Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University of Dusseldorf, Medical Faculty, Dusseldorf, Germany.
F
F
Miese
Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University of Dusseldorf, Medical Faculty, Dusseldorf, Germany.
G
G
Antoch
Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University of Dusseldorf, Medical Faculty, Dusseldorf, Germany.
P
P
Kröpil
D000368:Aged; D000465:Algorithms; D003287:Contrast Media; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011835:Radiation Protection; D059629:Signal-To-Noise Ratio; D013909:Thorax / Q000528:radiation effects; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards
D003287:Contrast Media