21–22 Nov 2019
Paul Scherrer Institute
Europe/Zurich timezone
A WARM WELCOME in VILLIGEN

Evaluation, comparison, and optimization of the effects of manual versus software-automated protocols on radiation dose and image quality in simulated paediatric chest computed tomography

Speakers

Dr Gianluca ARGENTIERI (Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale – IIMSI - Servizio di Radiologia del Sottoceneri - Ospedale Civico Lugano)Dr Luca BELLESI (EOC)

Description

Background: The aim of this study was to compare the effects of switching from automated to manual acquisition parameters on image quality and radiation dose in several simulated paediatric chest computed tomography (CT) scans. The comparison was made using a CT phantom in order to obtain the lowest possible dose–length product value while maintaining an adequate image quality. The scans were performed by manually reducing the dose below the lowest dose value proposed by automated software prior to the examination.

Methods: An anthropomorphic phantom underwent simulated paediatric chest CT scans using both automated and manual approaches guided by a radiologist for parameter optimization. Different CT acquisition protocols were used, varying kV, mAs, pitch, and adopting iterative reconstruction (IR). The subjective and objective image qualities were assessed by, respectively, radiologists and software. Specific CT dose indices were collected.

Results: CT dose indices were significantly lower adopting a manual approach. Through CT acquisitions, linearity and resolution were quite constant, whereas image noise and uniformity varied between scans, as observed by radiologists using a visual grading analysis. IR was associated with a further dose reduction.

Conclusion: Simulated paediatric chest CT studies performed with manual acquisition settings resulted in important dose reduction when compared to values generated with automated protocols.

Primary authors

Dr Gianluca ARGENTIERI (Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale – IIMSI - Servizio di Radiologia del Sottoceneri - Ospedale Civico Lugano) Dr Luca BELLESI (EOC) Mr Andrea FONTANA Dr Diego GAUDINO (Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale – IIMSI - Servizio di Fisica Medica – Ospedale San Giovanni - Bellinzona) Dr Francesco PUPILLO (Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale – IIMSI - Servizio di Fisica Medica – Ospedale San Giovanni - Bellinzona) Maria Antonietta PILIERO (Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale – IIMSI - Servizio di Fisica Medica – Ospedale San Giovanni - Bellinzona) Dr Margherita CASIRAGHI (Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale – IIMSI - Servizio di Fisica Medica – Ospedale San Giovanni - Bellinzona) Dr Carla PULIGHEDDU (Radiologia Ospedale Regionale di Bellinzona e Valli - Bellinzona) Dr Corrado SOLDATI (IIMSI- Servizio di Radiologia del Sottoceneri - Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, Ospedale Civico, Lugano) Dr Stefano PRESILLA (Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale - IIMSI - Servizio di Fisica Medica - Ospedale San Giovanni - Bellinzona) Dr Filippo DEL GRANDE (Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale - IIMSI - Servizio di Radiologia del Sottoceneri - Ospedale Civico Lugano)

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