title: OVERVIEW, PRACTICAL TIPS AND POTENTIAL PITFALLS OF USING AUTOMATIC EXPOSURE CONTROL IN CT: SIEMENS CARE DOSE 4D.
abstract: Today, computed tomography (CT) systems routinely use automatic exposure control (AEC), which modulates the tube current. However, for optimal use, there are several aspects of an AEC system that need to be considered. The purpose of this study was to provide an overview of the Siemens CARE Dose 4D AEC system, discuss practical tips and demonstrate potential pitfalls. Two adult anthropomorphic phantoms were examined using two different Siemens CT systems. When optimising the CT radiation dose and image quality, the projection angle of the localiser, patient centring, protocol selection, scanning direction and the use of protective devices requires special attention.
authors.affiliation: Medical Radiation Physics Malmö, Department of Translational Medicine, Skåne University Hospital, Lund University, SE-205 02 Malmö, Sweden marcus.soderberg@med.lu.se.
authors.forename: Marcus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Söderberg
mesh_terms: D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D005246:Feedback; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000295:instrumentation*; D019047:Phantoms, Imaging; D000069079:Radiation Exposure / Q000032:analysis* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011834:Radiation Monitoring / Q000295:instrumentation*; D011835:Radiation Protection / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000295:instrumentation*