title: Management of auto exposure control during pediatric computed tomography.
abstract: Automatic exposure control (AEC) is particularly well-suited for pediatric CT scanning. However the importance of the localizer scan portion of exams that relies on AEC is frequently underestimated. This paper explains in detail several crucial aspects of the localizer and their effect on the subsequent cross-sectional (axial or helical) image acquisition. The paper also covers general suggestions regarding AEC influence on the cross-sectional images. AEC systems on CT scanners are becoming more complex; using them effectively in the setting of pediatric CT requires careful selection of scan parameters.
authors.affiliation: Department of Imaging Physics, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, 1400 Pressler Ave., Unit 1472, Houston, TX, 77030, USA, dcody@mdanderson.org.
authors.forename: Dianna D
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Cody
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D056888:Patient Positioning / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011835:Radiation Protection / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D011874:Radiometry / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods