A multi-institutional assessment of low-dose protocols in chest computed tomography: Dose and image quality.
Acta Radiol Open
; 13(1): 20584601241228220, 2024 Jan.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38304118
ABSTRACT
Background:
Low-dose CT (LDCT) chest protocols have widespread clinical applications for many indications; as a result, there is a need for protocol assessment prior to standardization. Dalhousie University and Oslo Metropolitan University have a formally established cooperative relationship.Purpose:
The purpose is to assess radiation dose and image quality for LDCT chest protocols in seven different hospital locations in Norway and Canada. Material andmethods:
Retrospective dosimetry data, volumetric CT dose index (CTDIvol), and dose length product (DLP) from 240 average-sized patients as well as CT protocol parameters were included in the survey. Effective dose (ED) and size-specific dose estimate (SSDE) were calculated for each examination. For a quantitative image quality analysis, noise, CT number, and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) were determined for three regions in the chest. The contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) was calculated for lung parenchyma in comparison to the subcutaneous fat. Differences in dose and image quality were evaluated by a single-factor ANOVA test. A two-sample t-test was performed to determine differences in means between individual scanners.Results:
The ANOVA test revealed significant differences (p < .05) in dose values for all scanners, including identical scanner models. Statistically significant differences (p < .05) were determined in mean values of the SNR distributions between the scanners in all three measured regions in the chest, as well as the CNR values.Conclusion:
The observed variations in dose and image quality measurements, even within the same hospitals and between identical scanner models, indicate a potential for protocol optimization in the involved hospitals in both countries.
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Tipo de estudo:
Guideline
/
Prognostic_studies
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2024
Tipo de documento:
Article