Whole Body Low Dose Computed Tomography Using Third-Generation Dual-Source Multidetector With Spectral Shaping:...

Area of Science:

• Radiology
• Oncology
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Conventional skeleton surveys have been the standard for multiple myeloma (MM) bone disease assessment.
• Whole-body low-dose computed tomography (WBLDCT) was established as a gold standard in 2014 for MM bone disease imaging.
• Optimizing WBLDCT protocols is crucial for balancing diagnostic accuracy and radiation exposure in MM management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate a modified WBLDCT protocol in newly diagnosed MM patients.
• To assess radiation dose parameters, subjective image quality, and detection rates of osseous and extra-osseous findings.
• To compare radiation dose with existing literature.

Main Methods:

• A modified WBLDCT protocol using spectral shaping and a third-generation dual-source multidetector CT scanner was applied to 30 newly diagnosed MM patients.
• Radiation dose metrics (CT dose index, dose-length product, effective dose) were recorded.
• Subjective image quality was assessed, and osseous/extra-osseous findings were analyzed.

Main Results:

• Mean effective dose was 0.44 ± 0.19 mSv, which is the lowest reported in the literature for MM WBLDCT.
• All patients (30/30) had good to excellent subjective image quality.
• Osteolytic lesions were detected in 11/30 patients, and extra-osseous findings in 9/30 patients.

Conclusions:

• The modified WBLDCT protocol is effective for diagnosing MM, offering high image quality with significantly reduced radiation exposure.
• This protocol represents an advancement in MM imaging, providing diagnostic utility at the lowest effective dose reported to date.
• WBLDCT remains a valuable tool for comprehensive assessment of bone disease and extra-osseous involvement in MM.