Development and Initial Evaluation of an In-House Paediatric CT Immobilisation Device

Paediatric imaging often requires immobilisation to reduce motion artefacts, reduce the risk of repeat imaging and subsequently reduce patient radiation exposure. Commercial immobilisation devices may be expensive and infrequently used, making them difficult to justify for institutions with budget constraints. This study aimed to design and evaluate a cost-effective, in-house alternative.

An in-house CT immobilisation device was developed using acrylic and polyethylene foam, tailored for newborns under 5 kg. Image quality was assessed using a Gammex ACR phantom on a CT scanner. Hounsfield units, noise and artefacts were compared between the in-house and commercial devices. Artefacts were independently evaluated by a radiographer and a medical physicist.

The in-house device performed comparably to the commercial version, with uniformity deviation within 2 HU and noise within 2.4 SD of baseline values; artefacts were minimal for both devices. There was no significant difference between the two immobilisation devices (p = 0.711). Stability concerns with the in-house device's square base could be resolved using immobilisation straps, and future iterations should address the foam insert's porous nature.

The in-house CT immobilisation device offers a cost-effective alternative without compromising image quality, making it a viable option for healthcare institutions with limited budgets. However, its implementation would require further clinical evaluation and compliance with local regulations.