Feasibility of Pediatric Chest CT Using Spectral Filtration on Third-generation Dual-source CT

Objective To prospectively investigate the radiation dose and image quality of pediatric chest CT using Sn100 kV on a third-generation dual-source CT (DSCT)in comparison to standard 100 kV chest CT. Methods From December 12,2015 to June 30,2016,45 consecutive pediatric patients referred for non-contrast chest CT scan in Peking Union Medical College Hospital were prospectively enrolled as study group. They were examined at 100 kV with a dedicated tin filter on a third-generation DSCT. These patients were retrospectively matched with 45 patients who were examined on a second-generation DSCT at 100 kV without tin filter. The radiation dose as well as the lung and mediastinal window image quality(IQ)of the two groups were compared and analyzed statistically. IQ was evaluated using a five-point scale (1=unevaluable,5=excellent). Differences of radiation dose and noise between the two groups were determined with variance analysis and t test,IQ with Mann-Whitney U test,and the consistency of diagnosis with Kappa test. Results The average CT dose index volume of the study group was (0.24±0.11)mGy,which was decreased by 92% compared with the control group [(3.10+1.18)mGy] (t=16.287,P=0.000). Mean dose-length product and mean effective dose for study group were significantly lower than those of control group [(7.13±4.72)mGy·cm vs. (84.78±46.78)mGy·cm,t=11.077,P=0.000;(0.11±0.06)mSv vs.(1.23±0.61)mSv,t=12.334,P=0.000]. There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of image noise (t=-0.003,P=0.397)and contrast to noise ratio (t=0.545,P=0.488). There was no significant difference between the two groups in lung window IQ (doctor 1:U=796.000,P=0.055;doctor 2:U=889.500,P=0.277),while significant difference was seen concerning of the mediastinal window IQ (doctor 1:U=305.000,P=0.000;doctor 2:U=276.500,P=0.000). Referring to the lung window,the median IQ for the study group and control group was 4 (3-5)and 4 (3-5),respectively. All imaging findings had acceptable IQ. The breath motion artifacts (χ²=13.846,P=0.001)and heart beat artifacts (χ²=53.519,P=0.000)of the study group were significantly lower than those of the control group. Conclusion Compared with standard 100 kV chest CT,the use of tin-filtered Sn100 kV on a third-generation DSCT provided 92% dose reduction in pediatric chest CT examinations while maintaining diagnostically acceptable lung window images.