title: High-Resolution Computed Tomography Examinations for Chronic Suppurative Lung Disease in Early Childhood: Radiation Exposure and Image Quality Evaluations With Iterative Reconstruction Algorithm Use.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  High radiosensitivity of children undergoing repetitive computed tomography examinations necessitates the use of iterative reconstruction algorithms in order to achieve a significant radiation dose reduction. The goal of this study is to compare the iDose iterative reconstruction algorithm with filtered backprojection in terms of radiation exposure and image quality in 33 chest high-resolution computed tomography examinations performed in young children with chronic bronchitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fourteen patients were scanned using the filtered backprojection protocol while 19 patients using the iDose protocol and reduced milliampere-seconds, both on a 64-detector row computed tomography scanner. The iDose group images were reconstructed with different iDose levels (2, 4, and 6). Radiation exposure quantities were estimated, while subjective and objective image qualities were evaluated. Unpaired t tests were used for data statistical analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The iDose application allowed significant effective dose reduction (about 80%). Subjective image quality evaluation showed satisfactory results even with iDose level 2, whereas it approached excellent image with iDose level 6. Subjective image noise was comparable between the 2 groups with the use of iDose level 4, while objective noise was comparable between filtered backprojection and iterative reconstruction level 6 images.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The iDose algorithm use in pediatric chest high-resolution computed tomography reduces radiation exposure without compromising image quality. Further evaluation with iterative reconstruction algorithms is needed in order to establish high-resolution computed tomography as the gold standard low-dose method for children suffering from chronic lung diseases.
authors.affiliation: Radiology Department, University General Hospital ATTIKON, Chaidari, Athens, Greece. Electronic address: magda.3110@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Magdalini
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Smarda
authors.affiliation: Radiology Department, University General Hospital ATTIKON, Chaidari, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Efstathios
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Efstathopoulos
authors.affiliation: Radiology Department, University General Hospital ATTIKON, Chaidari, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Argyro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mazioti
authors.affiliation: Radiology Department, University General Hospital ATTIKON, Chaidari, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Sofia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kordolaimi
authors.affiliation: Radiology Department, University General Hospital ATTIKON, Chaidari, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Agapi
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ploussi
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, University General Hospital ATTIKON, Chaidari, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Konstantinos
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Priftis
authors.affiliation: Radiology Department, University General Hospital ATTIKON, Chaidari, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Nikolaos
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kelekis
authors.affiliation: Radiology Department, University General Hospital ATTIKON, Chaidari, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Efthymia
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Alexopoulou
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D029481:Bronchitis, Chronic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D059629:Signal-To-Noise Ratio; D013492:Suppuration / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*
keywords: Children; Chronic suppurative lung disease; Dose reduction; High-resolution computed tomography; Iterative reconstruction; iDose