Paediatric high-pitch lung imaging with photon-counting detector computed tomography: a dose reduction phantom study

Area of Science:

• Medical Imaging
• Radiology
• Paediatric Imaging

Background:

• Photon-counting detector computed tomography (PCD-CT) offers potential for reduced radiation dose in pediatric lung imaging.
• Optimizing radiation dose while maintaining diagnostic image quality is crucial in pediatric CT scans.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the minimum radiation dose required for adequate image quality in high-pitch lung imaging using PCD-CT.
• To evaluate image quality in a pediatric chest phantom simulating a 5-year-old child.

Main Methods:

• A dual-source PCD-CT scanner was used to image a pediatric chest phantom at various radiation doses (0.01–0.45 mGy).
• Scans were performed in standard and ultra-high resolution modes with different quantum iterative reconstruction strengths.
• Image quality was assessed both subjectively by pediatric radiologists and objectively through noise and signal-to-noise ratio measurements.

Main Results:

• Adequate image quality, defined by the visibility of small peripheral structures, was maintained at a radiation dose as low as 0.07 mGy.
• No significant differences in subjective image quality were found across scan modes or reconstruction strengths.
• Ultra-high resolution mode demonstrated improved noise reduction compared to standard mode.

Conclusions:

• PCD-CT facilitates high-pitch lung imaging in pediatric patients.
• A radiation dose of 0.07 mGy, combined with quantum iterative reconstruction 4, is sufficient for adequate image quality in a 5-year-old child phantom.