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Updated: May 25, 2026
Making MR Imaging Child's Play - Pediatric Neuroimaging Protocol, Guidelines and Procedure
Published on: July 30, 2009
Reducing radiation exposure from computed tomography of the brain in children--report of a practical approach
Sui-To Wong1, Gwendolin Yiu, Yiu-Man Poon
1Department of Neurosurgery, Tuen Mun Hospital, Hong Kong SAR, China. wongsuito@hotmail.com
Insights
A new computed tomography (CT) protocol significantly reduced radiation exposure in paediatric neurosurgical patients. This lower radiation dose and selective scan segment (LDSS) protocol lowered effective doses by up to 50% compared to standard methods.
Area of Science:
- Medical Imaging
- Radiology
- Paediatric Neurosurgery
Background:
- Computed tomography (CT) scans expose paediatric patients to radiation.
- Reducing radiation dose in paediatric neurosurgery is crucial for patient safety.
- A lower radiation dose and selective scan segment (LDSS) protocol was implemented for CT brain scans.
Observation:
- The study prospectively evaluated the LDSS protocol in 24 paediatric neurosurgical patients.
- The LDSS protocol utilized a lower tube current-time product and shorter scan length.
- CT scanning parameters were compared between the LDSS and usual protocols.
Findings:
- The LDSS protocol reduced effective radiation doses by 9% to 80% compared to the usual protocol.
- For 20 out of 24 patients, the dose reduction was 50% or less.
- Specific parameters included 120 kV tube voltage, with 100 mA s for patients under 10 and 150 mA s for older patients.
Implications:
- The LDSS protocol effectively reduces radiation exposure in paediatric neurosurgical CT scans.
- Dynamic adjustment of tube current-time product and scan length is key to dose reduction.
- This approach offers a safer alternative for paediatric neuroimaging, minimizing long-term risks.
Purpose:
To reduce radiation exposure to paediatric neurosurgical patients from computed tomography (CT), a CT scanning protocol - lower radiation dose and selective scan segment (LDSS) protocol was used for CT brain at the authors' hospital. To evaluate the amount of reduction in radiation exposure by using this LDSS protocol compared to their usual protocol, the authors prospectively documented their findings.
Methods:
From May 2010 to June 2011, paediatric neurosurgical patients requiring CT brain, and when it was not a clinical emergency and there was baseline CT or MRI brain available, were evaluated for the LDSS protocol. The LDSS protocol used a lower tube current-time product and a shorter scan length to attain a lower total radiation dose. The CT scanning parameters of the patients' usual CT brain and LDSS CT were recorded and compared. Adverse events were also recorded.
Results:
A total of 24 paediatric patients were included. Using the LDSS protocol, the effective doses were between 9% and 80% of the usual protocol and, in 20 patients, ≤50% of the usual protocol. The tube voltage was 120 kV. For patients below 10 years old, 100 mA s was adequate for the purposes of their CTs; in some patient categories, it was lower than 100 mA s. For patients aged 10 or above, 150 mA s was used. The scan length varied.
Conclusions:
Radiation exposure from CT brain in paediatric neurosurgical patients could be reduced by adopting a CT scanning protocol, which aimed dynamically at a lower tube current-time product and a shorter scan length than the usual settings at a hospital.
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