A strategy to optimize radiation exposure for non-contrast head CT: comparison with the Japanese diagnostic reference levels.
Jpn J Radiol
; 34(6): 451-7, 2016 Jun.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-27097808
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE:
To describe how we performed a protocol review, analyzed data, identified opportunities to reduce radiation exposure, and then implemented a new imaging protocol for non-contrast adult head CT at our institution with reduced radiation exposure, using the Japanese diagnostic reference levels (DRLs) as the reference.METHODS:
After analyzing the CT dose index (CTDIvol) and dose length product (DLP) in all non-contrast adult head CT examinations performed during a 3-month period (September to November 2015) in order to identify a specific protocol that contributed to the above-DRL-level radiation exposure observed for non-contrast adult head CT at our institution, phantom studies with objective and subjective image quality analyses were performed to develop a new imaging protocol. After implementing the new protocol, its feasibility was evaluated in terms of radiation exposure, prevalence of significant disease detection, and subjective image quality.RESULTS:
The review of 2040 examinations revealed that a helical protocol (CTDIvol = 93.4 mGy) with one of four CT scanners mainly contributed to the above-DRL-level radiation exposure (mean DLP at this scanner = 1401.2 mGy cm) in non-contrast adult head CT at our institution. To replace this protocol, the phantom study identified a wide-volume scan using 120 kVp, 350 mAs, a 4-cm detector, a slice thickness of 5 mm, and a CTDIvol of 69.8 mGy as a new protocol that yielded comparable image quality to the existing protocol. After the implementation of the new protocol, the overall mean DLP reduced to 1365 mGy cm without any apparent degradation of image quality. No significant decrease in the prevalence of significant findings after protocol revision was noted.CONCLUSION:
We report the successful implementation of a new protocol with reduced radiation exposure for non-contrast head CT examinations.Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Temas:
Agentes_cancerigenos
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Doses de Radiação
/
Tomografia Computadorizada por Raios X
/
Exposição à Radiação
/
Cabeça
Tipo de estudo:
Diagnostic_studies
/
Guideline
/
Observational_studies
/
Prognostic_studies
Limite:
Aged
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
País/Região como assunto:
Asia
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Jpn J Radiol
Assunto da revista:
DIAGNOSTICO POR IMAGEM
/
RADIOLOGIA
/
RADIOTERAPIA
Ano de publicação:
2016
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Japão