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Effects of automated kilovoltage selection technology on contrast-enhanced pediatric CT and CT angiography

Marilyn J Siegel1, Charles Hildebolt, David Bradley

  • 1Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, 510 S Kingshighway Blvd, St Louis, MO 63110, USA. siegelm@mir.wustl.edu

Radiology
|April 9, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Automated kilovoltage selection in pediatric CT scans significantly reduces radiation dose by 27% compared to standard protocols. This technology maintains diagnostic image quality and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) in children undergoing CT and CT angiography.

Area of Science:

  • Radiology
  • Medical Imaging
  • Pediatric Imaging

Background:

  • Computed tomography (CT) is crucial for pediatric diagnosis.
  • Optimizing radiation dose in pediatric CT is essential.
  • Automated kilovoltage selection offers potential for dose reduction.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the impact of automated kilovoltage selection on radiation dose.
  • To assess changes in tube current and image quality in pediatric thoracoabdominal CT and CT angiography.
  • To compare automated kilovoltage protocols with standard 120-kVp protocols.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective study of 87 pediatric patients (1 day to 19 years).
  • Comparison of volumetric CT dose index (CTDIvol) and milliamperage between automated kilovoltage and standard 120-kVp protocols.
  • Subjective image quality scoring and quantitative measurement of contrast, noise, and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) in a subset of patients.

Main Results:

  • Automated kilovoltage reduced median CTDIvol by 27% (4.8 mGy vs. 7.1 mGy).
  • Kilovoltage was reduced from 120 kVp in 94% of patients, with greater dose reduction in CT angiography.
  • Diagnostic image quality was maintained, with similar CNRs for liver and portal vein despite increased contrast and noise.

Conclusions:

  • Automated kilovoltage selection significantly lowers radiation dose in pediatric CT and CT angiography.
  • This technology effectively preserves diagnostic image quality and CNR.
  • Automated kilovoltage is a valuable tool for dose optimization in pediatric imaging.
Abstract

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