High-Pitch Computed Tomography of the Lung in Pediatric Patients: An Intraindividual Comparison of Image Quality and Radiation Dose to Conventional 64-MDCT

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate frequencies of typical artifacts in low-dose pediatric lung examinations using high-pitch computed tomography (HPCT) compared to MDCT, and to estimate the effective radiation dose (E eff ). Materials and Methods: Institutional review board approval for this retrospective study was obtained. 35 patients (17 boys, 18 girls; mean age 112 ± 69 months) were included and underwent MDCT and follow-up scan by HPCT or vice versa (mean follow-up time 87 days), using the same tube voltage and current. The total artifact score (0 -8) was defined as the sum of artifacts arising from movement, breathing or pulsation of the heart or pulmonary vessels (0 -no; 1 -moderate; 2 -severe artifacts). E eff was estimated according to the European Guidelines on Quality Criteria for Multislice Computed Tomography. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to analyze differences between the patient groups. The Spearman's rank correlation coefficient was used for correlation of ordinal variables. Results: The scan time was significantly lower for HPCT compared to MDCT (0.72 ± 0.13 s vs. 3.65 ± 0.81s; p < 0.0001). In 28 of 35 (80 %) HPCT examinations no artifacts were visible, whereas in MDCT artifacts occurred in all examinations. The frequency of pulsation artifacts and breathing artifacts was higher in MDCT compared to HPCT (100 % vs. 17 % and 31 % vs. 6 %). The total artifact score significantly correlated with the patient's age in MDCT (r = -0.42; p = 0.01), but not in HPCT (r = -0.32; p = 0.07). The estimated E eff was significantly lower in HPCT than in MDCT (1.29 ± 0.31 vs. 1.47 ± 0.37 mSv; p < 0.0001). Conclusion: Our study indicates that the use of HPCT has advantages for pediatric lung imaging with a reduction of breathing and pulsation artifacts. Moreover, the estimated E eff was lower. In

Pathogenesis, imaging and clinical characteristics of CF and non-CF bronchiectasis

“…Regarding the evaluation of the presence and extent of bronchiectasis, CT imaging is accepted as the most sensitive and reproducible modality to date. Using new generation dual source multidetector CT (MDCT) maintaining subsecond acquisition of the whole lung breathing and pulsation artifacts are negligible even in young children and no sedation is needed [139,140]. Finally, using spectral beam shaping and iterative reconstruction algorithms, ultralow-dose pediatric chest CT can be realized with an effective dose below 0.3 mSv [139].…”

Feasibility analysis of high pitch cervical spine CT in uncooperative patients with acute cervical spine trauma: An initial experience

“…High-pitch mode CT can significantly reduce the movement artifact by reducing the scanning time, and providing a high-quality image. [ 12 ] To the best of our knowledge, there are few studies on the application of high-pitch CT applied to the cervical spine. In this study, it was assumed that the clearance of CSI in uncooperative patients with acute cervical spine trauma can be determined by high-pitch cervical CT (HP-CT).…”