RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Optimization of Low-Dose CT Protocol in Pediatric Nuclear Medicine Imaging
JF Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
JO J. Nucl. Med. Technol.
FD Society of Nuclear Medicine
SP 181
OP 185
DO 10.2967/jnmt.109.073486
VO 38
IS 4
A1 Hanna Piwowarska-Bilska
A1 Leszek J. Hahn
A1 Bozena Birkenfeld
A1 Katarzyna Cichon-Bankowska
A1 Maria H. Listewnik
A1 Piotr Zorga
YR 2010
UL http://tech.snmjournals.org/content/38/4/181.abstract
AB This study was performed to find the optimal low-dose CT protocol for children being imaged on SPECT/CT scanners not equipped with automatic dose control. For SPECT/CT systems with manually adjustable x-ray tube voltage (kV) and anode current (mA), an optimized protocol makes it possible to minimize the dose to patients. Methods: Using the 4-slice low-dose CT component of a commercially available SPECT/CT scanner, we compared the signals reaching the CT detector after radiation passes through objects of different sizes. First, the exit dose rates were measured for combinations of available voltages and currents. Next, imaging parameters were selected on the basis of acceptable levels of exit dose rates, cylindric phantoms of different diameters approximating children of different sizes were scanned using these parameters, and the quality of the CT images was evaluated. Finally, weighted CT dose indexes for abdomen and head CT dose phantoms simulating, respectively, adult and pediatric patients were measured using exactly the same techniques to estimate and compare doses to these 2 groups of patients. Results: For children with torsos smaller than 150 mm, imaging can be performed using the lowest available voltage and current (120 kV and 1 mA, respectively). For children with torsos less than 250 mm, 140 kV and 1.5 mA can be used. For patients with torsos greater than 250 and less than 300 mm, 140 kV and 2 mA can be used. Regarding the signal-to-noise ratio, all these parameters give an excellent signal and fully acceptable noise levels. Conclusion: For the SPECT/CT system studied, even the lowest available voltage and current used for scanning pediatric patients did not cause signal-to-noise degradation, and the use of these settings substantially lowered the dose to the patients.