title: Low-tube voltage 100 kVp MDCT in screening of cocaine body packing: image quality and radiation dose compared to 120 kVp MDCT.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of a reduced tube potential (100 kVp) for non-enhanced abdominal low-dose CT on radiation dose and image quality (IQ) in the detection of body packing.
  
  
  METHODS
  This retrospective study was approved by the local research ethics committee of our clinic. From March 2012 to July 2014, 99 subjects were referred to our institute with suspected body packing. 50 CT scans were performed using a 120 kVp protocol (group A), and 49 CTs were performed using a low-dose protocol with a tube voltage of 100 kVp (group B). Subjective and objective IQ were assessed. DLP and CTDIvol were analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All examinations were of diagnostic IQ. Objective IQ was not significantly different between the 120 kVp and 100 kVp protocol. Mean density of solid and liquid body packets was 210 ± 60.2 HU at 120 kVp and 250.6 ± 29.7 HU at 100 kVp. Radiation dose was significantly lower in group B as compared to group A (p < 0.05). In group A, body packs were detected in 16 (32%) of the 50 patients. In group B, packets were observed in 15 (31%) of 49 patients. Laboratory analysis detected cocaine in all smuggled body packs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Low-tube voltage 100 kVp MDCT with automated tube current modulation in screening of illegal drugs leads to a diagnostic IQ and significant dose reduction compared to 120 kVp low-tube voltage protocols. Despite lower radiation dose, liquid and solid cocaine containers retain high attenuation and are easily detected.
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Medical Faculty, University Dusseldorf, 40225, Dusseldorf, Germany. joel.aissa@med.uni-duesseldorf.de.
authors.forename: Joel
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Aissa
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Medical Faculty, University Dusseldorf, 40225, Dusseldorf, Germany.
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rubbert
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Medical Faculty, University Dusseldorf, 40225, Dusseldorf, Germany.
authors.forename: Johannes
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Boos
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Medical Faculty, University Dusseldorf, 40225, Dusseldorf, Germany.
authors.forename: Christoph
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Schleich
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Medical Faculty, University Dusseldorf, 40225, Dusseldorf, Germany.
authors.forename: Christoph
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Medical Faculty, University Dusseldorf, 40225, Dusseldorf, Germany.
authors.forename: Patric
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kröpil
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Medical Faculty, University Dusseldorf, 40225, Dusseldorf, Germany.
authors.forename: Gerald
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Antoch
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Medical Faculty, University Dusseldorf, 40225, Dusseldorf, Germany.
authors.forename: Falk
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Miese
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003042:Cocaine; D004349:Drug Packaging / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005547:Foreign Bodies / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D061330:Multidetector Computed Tomography; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011860:Radiography, Abdominal; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D003042:Cocaine
keywords: Acute abdominal; Body packing; CT; Cocaine; Dose reduction; Localizer