Chest CT performed with 3D and z-axis automatic tube current modulation technique: breast and effective doses

Chest computed tomographic (CT) scans are the most effective examinations for detecting lung cancer at an early stage. In chest CT examinations, it is important to consider the reduction of radiation dose, particularly to the mammary gland. The objective of this study was to assess breast doses and effective doses on chest CT examinations between three-dimensional and z-axis automatic tube current modulation (ATCM) techniques.

Absorbed dose to the breast, lung, mediastinum, and skin was evaluated with an anthropomorphic phantom and radiophotoluminescence glass dosimeters using two different CT scanners. The dosimeters were placed inside and outside the phantom. The phantom was scanned using three-dimensional and z-axis ATCM techniques after scanning localizer radiographs from the horizontal and vertical directions. After scanning, each organ dose was calculated. Moreover, the dose-length product recorded in the dose reports was examined, and each effective dose was calculated.

Compared with z-axis ATCM, three-dimensional ATCM reduced breast dose by 0.7% to 18.6% and effective dose by 4.9% to 10.2%. In particular, three-dimensional ATCM reduced frontal breast dose. For other organs, three-dimensional ATCM reduced absorbed doses by 3.4% to 13.6% compared to z-axis ATCM.

Three-dimensional ATCM can reduce absorbed doses to the breast and other organs, in addition to reducing effective dose, compared to z-axis ATCM.