Computed tomography dose optimisation in cystic fibrosis: A review

Area of Science:

• Medical Imaging
• Radiology
• Pulmonology

Background:

• Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a common genetic disorder impacting Caucasian populations globally.
• Respiratory complications are the primary cause of morbidity and mortality in CF patients.
• Computed tomography (CT) is crucial for monitoring CF progression, but its use has significantly increased.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review current imaging trends in CF.
• To highlight advancements in CT dose optimization techniques.
• To address concerns regarding cumulative radiation exposure in CF patients.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of recent studies on CT imaging in CF.
• Analysis of trends in CT utilization and radiation dose.
• Exploration of dose reduction strategies and their impact on image quality.

Main Results:

• CT use in CF has risen six-fold in 15 years, increasing radiation exposure.
• Dose optimization is critical to prevent cumulative doses exceeding 100 mSv.
• New developments aim to balance diagnostic image quality with reduced radiation.

Conclusions:

• Effective dose optimization in CT is essential for CF patient management.
• Minimizing radiation exposure is crucial to mitigate long-term health risks.
• Continued research into advanced imaging techniques is needed for CF care.