Computed tomography protocols used in staging bronchopulmonary carcinoma: results of a national survey

To know the protocols used for staging bronchopulmonary carcinoma by computed tomography in Spain.

Radiologists in 129 hospitals were sent email questionnaires about the organization of their department, scanner type and manufacturer, study extension, techniques employed, and protocol for administering contrast material.

A total of 109 hospitals responded with data from 91 teams. Most hospitals were affiliated with a university, and most departments were organized by organ-systems. Scanners were from four manufacturers, and 68% had either 16 or 64 detectors. In 61% of the hospitals, the dose of contrast agent is modified only in patients with extreme body weights, and in 22% the dose is not individualized. Most hospitals do contrast-enhanced studies of the chest and upper abdomen, 42.4% through a single thoracoabdominal acquisition and 55.9% through independent chest and abdominal acquisitions; there was a significant association between these approaches and the scanner manufacturer's protocols and whether the hospital was affiliated with a university. The most commonly used technical parameters were 120kV with dose modulation and variable milliamperage.

There is very little variability among hospitals in the type of scanner used, the study extension, and the technical parameters used to stage bronchopulmonary carcinoma. Most centers individualize the dose of contrast agent only in extreme weights. There is a broad division between using one or two acquisitions to image the thorax and abdomen, and the number of acquisitions is related to the scanner manufacturer and whether the hospital is affiliated with a university.