Open AccessRadiation dose and image quality with abdominal computed tomography with automated dose-optimized tube voltage selection
Author(s) -
Lirong Hu,
Yujun Wang,
Hongyan Hou,
Fuquan Wei,
Guoren Yang,
Yougeng Chen
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
journal of international medical research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.421
H-Index - 57
eISSN - 1473-2300
pISSN - 0300-0605
DOI - 10.1177/0300060513496173
Subject(s) - medicine , image quality , nuclear medicine , abdominal computed tomography , radiation dose , computed tomography , radiology , effective dose (radiation) , image (mathematics) , artificial intelligence , computer science
Objectives This study assessed image quality and radiation dose of multidetector computed tomography (CT) examination using a standard protocol and a low-voltage protocol.Methods Patients requiring contrast-enhanced abdominal CT examination were randomly assigned to two groups with different voltage protocols: (i) 120 kV; (ii) an automated attenuation-based tube potential optimization mode (CARE kV). The volume CT dose index (CTDI vol ) and dose length product (DLP) were recorded. Image quality was semiquantitatively assessed by two blinded radiologists using a five-point scale.Results There were 39 patients in the 120 kV group and 50 patients in the CARE kV group. There was no obvious difference in image quality score between the groups. CARE kV resulted in a voltage reduction to 100 kV in 45 patients and to 80 kV in five patients. CTDI vol and DLP were significantly lower with CARE kV than with the 120 kV protocol.Conclusions The use of CARE kV reduces radiation dose with no loss of image quality compared with a standard 120 kV protocol.