Optimisation of low-dose CT with adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction in total body examination.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of low-dose computed tomography (CT) with the adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction (ASIR) algorithm in whole-body imaging with low tube voltage and current. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-three patients underwent whole-body CT with 40% of ASIR and parameters modulated according to body mass index (BMI). All had previously undergone conventional-dose CT with 100% filtered back projection (FBP). Two radiologists jointly assessed image quality (sharpness, noise, artefacts) and diagnostic quality blinded to the scanning technique. The effective dose and image quality obtained with the ASIR protocol were compared with those obtained with the FBP algorithm. RESULTS: The mean effective dose achieved with ASIR was 15.6 ± 5 mSv versus 21.8 ± 5.3 mSv with the FBP protocol (p<0.0001). Image quality was good in all low-dose CT scans, and diagnostic quality was comparable with or superior to that of conventional-dose CT. CONCLUSIONS: Low-dose CT with the ASIR algorithm is feasible and ensures significant reduction in effective dose.

Cost-effectiveness of two breast biopsy procedures: surgical biopsy versus vacuum-assisted biopsy.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare the cost-effectiveness of two breast biopsy procedures: surgical biopsy and vacuum-assisted biopsy (VAB). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between November 2008 and September 2009, 200 patients with suspicious breast lesions underwent biopsy procedures at our radiology department: 100 underwent VAB and 100 underwent surgical biopsy. 66 lesions were sampled under sonographic guidance, 109 under mammographic guidance and 25 under magnetic resonance guidance. RESULTS: All procedures were successfully completed. No significant differences in diagnostic efficacy were found between the biopsy procedures. Surgical biopsy has a higher unit cost compared with VAB. CONCLUSIONS: Our analysis emphasises the benefits of VAB compared with surgical biopsy in terms of both cost-effectiveness, and less invasiveness from a psychological and aesthetic point of view.